Hi everyone,
If you could take a moment to read my situation, and maybe leave a comment, it would be much appreciated.
I'm currently in my last year of college and will graduate with a major in philosophy. My school is "non-traditional," meaning we have evaluations instead of grades. I did take a few language classes at a nearby school, and my GPA from them isn't very good... 2.98 average. This, however, is from a total of 4 classes, none of which relate to my major or the science requirements I will have to take. The evaluations I've received have been good, but there is no way to translate them into actual grades to up my GPA. I'm worried about this!
After I graduate I am moving with my fiance to wherever he gets into grad school (we won't find out until April). We have agreed that I will work and try to get my vet school prerequisites completed while he gets his PhD, and then he'll work while I complete my schooling. So, I have 5 years to gain experience, take my GREs, and do all my prereqs before I even start my applications. I would really love to work at a small animal clinic while volunteering at a zoo AND taking classes at a local university. What can I do to make sure I get accepted at least somewhere? Any and all advice will be appreciated for how to fill the 5 year gap in ways which would make my application as strong as possible.
Oh, and about my history: I grew up with animals, raised and bred goats, did 4-H for a long time (cats and goats), was the VP of my high school Science Club (I facilitated the animal dissections), then when I was older I spent three consecutive summers teaching English in a small village in Thailand (good for people skills, maybe?). Would these things matter at all in applications? I also wonder if I could work my philosophy major to my advantage- after this year I will have written a 100 page thesis, and I think it has really helped develop my critical thinking.
I know this is what I want to do, and am determined to get there even if it is a very long road ahead of me. So, again, any advice at all (especially regarding things I may not have thought about) would be wonderful. Thanks a lot, and good luck to all those who are waiting to hear back from schools this year!
If you could take a moment to read my situation, and maybe leave a comment, it would be much appreciated.
I'm currently in my last year of college and will graduate with a major in philosophy. My school is "non-traditional," meaning we have evaluations instead of grades. I did take a few language classes at a nearby school, and my GPA from them isn't very good... 2.98 average. This, however, is from a total of 4 classes, none of which relate to my major or the science requirements I will have to take. The evaluations I've received have been good, but there is no way to translate them into actual grades to up my GPA. I'm worried about this!
After I graduate I am moving with my fiance to wherever he gets into grad school (we won't find out until April). We have agreed that I will work and try to get my vet school prerequisites completed while he gets his PhD, and then he'll work while I complete my schooling. So, I have 5 years to gain experience, take my GREs, and do all my prereqs before I even start my applications. I would really love to work at a small animal clinic while volunteering at a zoo AND taking classes at a local university. What can I do to make sure I get accepted at least somewhere? Any and all advice will be appreciated for how to fill the 5 year gap in ways which would make my application as strong as possible.
Oh, and about my history: I grew up with animals, raised and bred goats, did 4-H for a long time (cats and goats), was the VP of my high school Science Club (I facilitated the animal dissections), then when I was older I spent three consecutive summers teaching English in a small village in Thailand (good for people skills, maybe?). Would these things matter at all in applications? I also wonder if I could work my philosophy major to my advantage- after this year I will have written a 100 page thesis, and I think it has really helped develop my critical thinking.
I know this is what I want to do, and am determined to get there even if it is a very long road ahead of me. So, again, any advice at all (especially regarding things I may not have thought about) would be wonderful. Thanks a lot, and good luck to all those who are waiting to hear back from schools this year!