Is this good progress?

[littleballoffur]

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I've decided to make the change from human medicine to veterinary medicine over the last several months. I was initially going for pre-physician assistant, and I got 1,000+ hours of experience as a nurse aid and EMT, and after a while I realized my heart just wasn't in it anymore. My profound love for animals and medicine has combined and I'm ready to pursue something I'm passionate about.

I'm finishing up my bachelor of science next spring. I have most (if not all) of the pre-reqs already for the schools I've been looking at (plus a few upper level biology courses like cell biology). My overall GPA is 3.0, and my science GPA is ~2.9 (I'm retaking several classes so hopefully that will help bring those up). I'm also going to be taking the GRE in July.

As for vet experience, I've put my resume out at probably 15 veterinary hospitals in a 50-mile radius in the past month. I've heard back from one so far about working as a veterinary assistant. 🙂 So hopefully that will work out.

I have around 350 hours of equine experience from just feeding, cleaning stalls, giving medications and grooming over the past three years.

So my question is, am I on the right track? What else can I do to become a more competitive applicant? Is it worth trying to apply this cycle or should I wait for next cycle? Thanks for any input! 🙂

 

[abbercadaver]

I've decided to make the change from human medicine to veterinary medicine over the last several months. I was initially going for pre-physician assistant, and I got 1,000+ hours of experience as a nurse aid and EMT, and after a while I realized my heart just wasn't in it anymore. My profound love for animals and medicine has combined and I'm ready to pursue something I'm passionate about.

I'm finishing up my bachelor of science next spring. I have most (if not all) of the pre-reqs already for the schools I've been looking at (plus a few upper level biology courses like cell biology). My overall GPA is 3.0, and my science GPA is ~2.9 (I'm retaking several classes so hopefully that will help bring those up). I'm also going to be taking the GRE in July.

As for vet experience, I've put my resume out at probably 15 veterinary hospitals in a 50-mile radius in the past month. I've heard back from one so far about working as a veterinary assistant. 🙂 So hopefully that will work out.

I have around 350 hours of equine experience from just feeding, cleaning stalls, giving medications and grooming over the past three years.

So my question is, am I on the right track? What else can I do to become a more competitive applicant? Is it worth trying to apply this cycle or should I wait for next cycle? Thanks for any input! 🙂

Check out this thread:
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=880261

And this post:
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showpost.php?p=12647832&postcount=530

With a cumulative GPA as low as yours, few animal hours, and no GRE score yet....it's very hard to say.

Most people try to make up for low GPAs by having outstanding GRE scores and/or very impressive animal experience. Keep in mind that your "science GPA" may not be what the schools calculate your required course GPA as; it may be higher, may be lower. Look into specific schools you are interested in to really see where you fall in the range of GPAs of matriculated students. Many schools have a requirement of 3.0 at lowest to apply with, so keep that in mind as well.

With that in mind, if you feel like you want to apply this cycle, I will not say that you shouldn't. It's completely up to you. You could still possibly get in if you applied this cycle, it is just a lower chance that you could have if you improve your application. I would definitely apply to SGU, Ross and Western if you choose to apply this year. Those schools tend to look at the 'whole picture' of the applicant, not just GPA/GRE numbers. BUT you need to beef up other aspects of your application, like veterinary experience. Also apply to your IS school, if you have one.

Definitely retake some of your classes with lower grades, especially if they are in the required course selections of whatever school you plan on applying to.

So, to sum:
Your application would not be abysmal, but without significant veterinary experience, I don't see it going very far this cycle. Work on improving the grades in the classes you retake (although, with enough credit hours to complete a degree, improving your GPA is slow going), ROCK the GRE, and get a TON of veterinary experience. If you want to apply this year, do it. Just realize where your shortcomings are. Otherwise, take the next year to get experience and then apply....without experience working at a veterinary clinic, how do you know this is what you want to do for the rest of your life?

 

[bbeventer]

Check out this thread:
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=880261

And this post:
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showpost.php?p=12647832&postcount=530

With a cumulative GPA as low as yours, few animal hours, and no GRE score yet....it's very hard to say.

Most people try to make up for low GPAs by having outstanding GRE scores and/or very impressive animal experience. Keep in mind that your "science GPA" may not be what the schools calculate your required course GPA as; it may be higher, may be lower. Look into specific schools you are interested in to really see where you fall in the range of GPAs of matriculated students. Many schools have a requirement of 3.0 at lowest to apply with, so keep that in mind as well.

With that in mind, if you feel like you want to apply this cycle, I will not say that you shouldn't. It's completely up to you. You could still possibly get in if you applied this cycle, it is just a lower chance that you could have if you improve your application. I would definitely apply to SGU, Ross and Western if you choose to apply this year. Those schools tend to look at the 'whole picture' of the applicant, not just GPA/GRE numbers. BUT you need to beef up other aspects of your application, like veterinary experience. Also apply to your IS school, if you have one.

Definitely retake some of your classes with lower grades, especially if they are in the required course selections of whatever school you plan on applying to.

So, to sum:
Your application would not be abysmal, but without significant veterinary experience, I don't see it going very far this cycle. Work on improving the grades in the classes you retake (although, with enough credit hours to complete a degree, improving your GPA is slow going), ROCK the GRE, and get a TON of veterinary experience. If you want to apply this year, do it. Just realize where your shortcomings are. Otherwise, take the next year to get experience and then apply....without experience working at a veterinary clinic, how do you know this is what you want to do for the rest of your life?

I think Abber pretty much summed it up. People do get into vet school with lower GPA's, however that is overcome by having amazing vet experience and a good GRE.

Like Abber said, work on improving your grades, not only in retaking courses but by taking advance upper level sciences classes and rocking them. If you can get As in top 400 level courses it proves that poor grades are a thing of the past and you have learned how to study and focus.

Get more vet experience. The best luck I have had with doing this is going directly to the clinic and talking to someone face to face. It lets them know you are a person that is motivated and willing to get out and make the first move.

Most of all, study for the GRE. A great score on this will sure look positive even with your low GPA. Like Abber said, you can apply this cycle, but I would not hold my breath on getting in. If you had some amazing animal and vet experience, and had a GRE score we could discuses that might be a different thing, but since its not...

Don't get discouraged though, if you really want this it can happen.

 

[sarah1029]

As I was once told, "The only thing you have to lose in applying is money. You won't get in if you don't apply." That being said, try to make up for your low GPA by rocking the GRE's, getting A's in higher level science courses, and getting experience in different areas of the field. Majority of applicants have SA experience, so aside from SA you might try seeking out other opportunities. Not only will it be beneficial to your application, but it will allow you to see the different aspects that vet med offers. Lastly, I'm sure you already know this but... NEVER sacrifice your grades for experience!! Do whatever you feel that you can handle while maintaining good grades.

 

[StartingoverVet]

As I was once told, "The only thing you have to lose in applying is money. You won't get in if you don't apply." That being said, try to make up for your low GPA by rocking the GRE's, getting A's in higher level science courses, and getting experience in different areas of the field. Majority of applicants have SA experience, so aside from SA you might try seeking out other opportunities. Not only will it be beneficial to your application, but it will allow you to see the different aspects that vet med offers. Lastly, I'm sure you already know this but... NEVER sacrifice your grades for experience!! Do whatever you feel that you can handle while maintaining good grades.

You lose time, a lot of it (especially if you get interviews), you lose focus, you get even more distracted and it can be disheartening to get rejected from schools you weren't sure about.

My wife applied to 12 programs (not vet med but same deal), I argued with her not to waste her time, but she wanted to be safe. She got rejected from 10 of them, many of them she never intended to go to, and in the end got into the best program which was her #1 choice.

Moral is: be sure you are applying to the RIGHT programs, and ones you will attend if accepted.

Oh, by the way, it is A LOT of money to waste. Do the math, VMCAS, gre, transcripts, hotel and maybe flight for interviews, dry cleaning (he he), etc. It is NOT just the application fee.

 

[orca2011]

If you want an idea of cost, I probably spent at least $5000 over the past two application cycles. Definitely not cheap.

I applied to 5 my first cycle and interviewed at 3 of them (one didn't interview). Applied to 9 this cycle and interviewed at 4 of them (3 didn't interview OOS), so when you factor in traveling, buying a suit if you don't already have one, and everything else, it definitely adds up. I never really realized how much I spent until now...

 

[sarah1029]

Oh, by the way, it is A LOT of money to waste. Do the math, VMCAS, gre, transcripts, hotel and maybe flight for interviews, dry cleaning (he he), etc. It is NOT just the application fee.

Very true! I didn't realize how costly it was until I had actually applied last cycle. Some schools charge fees to send out transcripts, GRE scores were like $20 something each per school, etc etc... Things add up FAST!

 

[Trilt]

You lose time, a lot of it (especially if you get interviews), you lose focus, you get even more distracted and it can be disheartening to get rejected from schools you weren't sure about.

My wife applied to 12 programs (not vet med but same deal), I argued with her not to waste her time, but she wanted to be safe. She got rejected from 10 of them, many of them she never intended to go to, and in the end got into the best program which was her #1 choice.

Moral is: be sure you are applying to the RIGHT programs, and ones you will attend if accepted.

Oh, by the way, it is A LOT of money to waste. Do the math, VMCAS, gre, transcripts, hotel and maybe flight for interviews, dry cleaning (he he), etc. It is NOT just the application fee.

Definitely agree with applying to the right programs, but I also don't think it hurts to throw in your application a year earlier than you might plan, if you can. I didn't plan on applying this last cycle and I'm starting vet school next month! 🙂scared🙂 Just don't get too invested in the cycle if you're really doing it as a "trial run" (but of course take interviews/essays/etc seriously or you'll just hurt yourself)!

 

[squirrelsrule]

It is a lot of money to apply. If you feel your ready, though, and can get vet experience this summer, applying this year isn't a bad idea. I wouldn't go crazy and apply to a ton of schools, maybe just 1 or 2 to get a feel for what the process is like. Apply knowing that your chances aren't very good and I think it can only motivate you more to get in next time. If you do happen to get in this year, too, you'll end up saving money because you won't have to retake all the courses that you got lower grades in.

If you do go for it, though, you have to start getting vet experience really soon! See about shadowing, not just employment if you're serious about getting the experience. Start studying for the GRE now too and get signed up to take that soon so if you choose to retake it you'll have time.

 

[bbeventer]

Oh, by the way, it is A LOT of money to waste. Do the math, VMCAS, gre, transcripts, hotel and maybe flight for interviews, dry cleaning (he he), etc. It is NOT just the application fee.

Its very expensive, and a very exhausting process. So I am with SOV on this, there is more to lose then just money.

 

[SnowyRox]

People do get into vet school with lower GPA's, however that is overcome by having amazing vet experience and a good GRE.
.

Very, very, very few applicants are admitted with a sub 3.0 gpa. And those are probably something like: did an entire 4 years of undergrad not caring, then decided on vet school and got a 4.0 post-bac in pre-requisite classes.

Why the low gpa? Have you figured out how to fix your studying methods to ace any remaining science classes?

Vet school is HARD. Adcoms aren't choosing higher gpa applicants because they think high gpas are cool. They choose them because the veterinary school curriculum is very difficult and they need to make sure the incoming class can handle the workload. Can you handle a workload substantially harder than undergrad work? Learning how to ace undergraduate classes is a good step towards succeeding in veterinary classes.

Veterinary experience is more important than animal experience, but it sounds like you're on a good track with both. Working as a veterinary assistant could be great, but don't discount shadowing. Try to get as much and as varied experiences as possible. Figure out where your passion lies within the field of vet med and follow it!

 

[bbeventer]

Very, very, very few applicants are admitted with a sub 3.0 gpa. And those are probably something like: did an entire 4 years of undergrad not caring, then decided on vet school and got a 4.0 post-bac in pre-requisite classes.

Er, maybe I did not make myself clear. I was not advocating the 3.0 gpa, and some people get in with it. I also suggested to the OP to take advance level science classes and to get A's in those classes, thus raising that 3.0 gpa.

Having a low gpa and applying to vet school is not easy, but it is possible.

 

[littleballoffur]

Very, very, very few applicants are admitted with a sub 3.0 gpa. And those are probably something like: did an entire 4 years of undergrad not caring, then decided on vet school and got a 4.0 post-bac in pre-requisite classes.

Why the low gpa? Have you figured out how to fix your studying methods to ace any remaining science classes?

Vet school is HARD. Adcoms aren't choosing higher gpa applicants because they think high gpas are cool. They choose them because the veterinary school curriculum is very difficult and they need to make sure the incoming class can handle the workload. Can you handle a workload substantially harder than undergrad work? Learning how to ace undergraduate classes is a good step towards succeeding in veterinary classes.

Veterinary experience is more important than animal experience, but it sounds like you're on a good track with both. Working as a veterinary assistant could be great, but don't discount shadowing. Try to get as much and as varied experiences as possible. Figure out where your passion lies within the field of vet med and follow it!

"Why the low gpa? Have you figured out how to fix your studying methods to ace any remaining science classes?"

One semester I took 18 science credits at my main university, then another 6 credits (EMT class) at another school. I also was doing an internship for my old major and working part-time. Needless to say, I haven't overwhelmed myself since and I've been doing a lot better.

 

[littleballoffur]

Thanks for the advice, everyone. I'm going to try to get small animal experience and then apply to a few schools just to get the feel of it. If I get in, that's awesome. If not, I'll just be a better applicant next cycle. 🙂

 

[SnowyRox]

"Why the low gpa? Have you figured out how to fix your studying methods to ace any remaining science classes?"

One semester I took 18 science credits at my main university, then another 6 credits (EMT class) at another school. I also was doing an internship for my old major and working part-time. Needless to say, I haven't overwhelmed myself since and I've been doing a lot better.

👍👍👍