Legacy?

[IUVetHopeful]

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Hi all-
I'm new to this site and extremely glad I found it! What a great resource for pre-vets. Anyways, I had a question about what effect being a legacy would have on vet school admissions. I'm a sophomore right now, but could see myself most likely graduating w/ a 3.5-3.6 GPA (BS in Biology, Certificate in Animal Behavior, Minor in Chemistry), approximately 1100 hours of varied animal experience, (hopefully) strong letters of recommendation, 10 day tropical biology study abroad experience in Costa Rica, strong personal statement (writing is a strength for me), varied college extra-curriculars, and strong GRE scores. What I'm curious about is the fact that both my dad and grandfather got their DVM degrees from K-State. Given my other qualifications (I'm not positive, but am guessing the GPA and # of hours of experience could be a little low), would my position as a double legacy factor into my admissions chances at K-State? Basically, in what cases would being a legacy have weight, if any? Any response would be appreciated! Thanks!

 

[UKYWildcat]

Hi all-
I'm new to this site and extremely glad I found it! What a great resource for pre-vets. Anyways, I had a question about what effect being a legacy would have on vet school admissions. I'm a sophomore right now, but could see myself most likely graduating w/ a 3.5-3.6 GPA (BS in Biology, Certificate in Animal Behavior, Minor in Chemistry), approximately 1100 hours of varied animal experience, (hopefully) strong letters of recommendation, 10 day tropical biology study abroad experience in Costa Rica, strong personal statement (writing is a strength for me), varied college extra-curriculars, and strong GRE scores. What I'm curious about is the fact that both my dad and grandfather got their DVM degrees from K-State. Given my other qualifications (I'm not positive, but am guessing the GPA and # of hours of experience could be a little low), would my position as a double legacy factor into my admissions chances at K-State? Basically, in what cases would being a legacy have weight, if any? Any response would be appreciated! Thanks!

I don't know about K-State but have three friends that their parent/grandparent were OSU CVM alumni and it took each of them multiple tries to get in. Also one friend that has since graduated from Davis and it took him 3 years to get in - and his father is a boarded surgeon and author.

I don't really see why it should help you - not to be rude but it's basically saying you deserve the spot more than someone else with the same stats just because your parent/grandparent went to school there which I guess I can't agree with. My great uncle was a Michigan State grad, should that have helped me if I had applied to MSU? I don't think so. I really, really don't mean to be rude but I think you should focus on your own merits and not your father and grandfather.

 

[medtechv79]

I'm sorry....I agree with the above poster. I think you can mention it in your interviews...but if you're relying on that as a small percentage to get you in I don't think it will look to good to the admissions staff.

I would mention it as a way to say "hey I would love to go to your school!" but not as leverage to get into vet school. But since your qualifications are so strong right now you won't have to rely on that anyways. don't ya think? 🙂

 

[tygris]

What exactly is a 'certificate in animal behavior'?

 

[wishes]

Hi all-I'm new to this site and extremely glad I found it! What a great resource for pre-vets. Anyways, I had a question about what effect being a legacy would have on vet school admissions. I'm a sophomore right now, but could see myself most likely graduating w/ a 3.5-3.6 GPA (BS in Biology, Certificate in Animal Behavior, Minor in Chemistry), approximately 1100 hours of varied animal experience, (hopefully) strong letters of recommendation, 10 day tropical biology study abroad experience in Costa Rica, strong personal statement (writing is a strength for me), varied college extra-curriculars, and strong GRE scores. What I'm curious about is the fact that both my dad and grandfather got their DVM degrees from K-State. Given my other qualifications (I'm not positive, but am guessing the GPA and # of hours of experience could be a little low), would my position as a double legacy factor into my admissions chances at K-State? Basically, in what cases would being a legacy have weight, if any? Any response would be appreciated! Thanks!

I applied to both medical and veterinary school this cycle and I definitely got the impression that legacy is a bigger deal for the medical schools than the veterinary schools. Many medical schools even ask you on their secondary applications to list relatives that have attended the school.
I do think you should be positive about your chances of getting in by your own right. Try to bring your GPA up a little bit if you can, especially in the sciences. Make sure your GRE scores are strong, even if it means retaking the test. Lastly, get as much veterinary work experience as you can, as it is very important!
Even if your family legacy doesn't help you out directly, you could still use it to your advantage. Talk to your family members, if they are around, and find out everything you can about veterinary medicine. Obviously they had what it took to get into veterinary school so I'm sure they can help you out too.
Good luck!

 

[verbal_kint]

man, you folks are harsh. IUVetHopeful is just asking a question. It really doesn't seem like he is depending on his dad and grandfather to get into vet school. IUVetHopeful has a pretty solid app. I'm sure if I was in the same boat, I'd at least wonder if having legacy would help me get in. Given that vet school is so competitive it's fairly natural to want to feel like you have some sort of real or perceived "edge" whether it's having legacy, being male, doing food animal, or whatever.

Cut IUVetHopeful some slack.

 

[Quaggi]

IUVet,

regardless of your legacy status, your stats seem pretty good for K-State 🙂 I think you have a good chance of getting in, having relatives that went there can only help you.

best of luck!!

 

[adenovirus]

IUVet:

I am a legacy in my own mind. A name surely wouldn't hurt, sounds like if you keep it up you'll be golden. So my advice? Keep it up!

 

[HorseyVet]

Basically, in what cases would being a legacy have weight, if any? Any response would be appreciated! Thanks!

Are they still affiliated with K-state?

I don't know if you were planning on it or not but IMHO I don't think getting recomendations or having the bulk of your experience be with your immediate family is a good idea.

Also...I know at some schools there are periodic waves of the administration specifically not wanting students whoose parents are vets. Granted, the doctors who mentioned this to me graduated some time ago, but I'm sure the mentality still exists somewhere.

Really though, unless your last name is on one of the buildings I don't think it's going to make or break you, but I would warn against giving the vibe that you have some kind of special right to being a vet.

 

[traxomatic]

I remember on UPenn's little postcard they sent out in November or so (asking about GPA, etc), they asked if you had parents who went to UPenn. Don't know how this factors into the application process...

 

[keppsu1]

I remember on UPenn's little postcard they sent out in November or so (asking about GPA, etc), they asked if you had parents who went to UPenn. Don't know how this factors into the application process...

Cautionary note: Penn is a private, ivy league school. They are more likely to look at family history (perhaps Cornell too) than state schools. Still, many schools ask about family connections for all programs (undergrad, etc). For example both state schools I have attended asked about this, although not directly for a specific program (such as DVM, etc).

 

[lazyjayn]

They usually ask about it because there are alumni sponsored scholarships and grants and whatnot that are availible only to legacy-type students. One place I went gave me a one time only $500 discount for being a legacy-type.

 

[julieDVM]

Hi all-
I'm new to this site and extremely glad I found it! What a great resource for pre-vets. Anyways, I had a question about what effect being a legacy would have on vet school admissions. I'm a sophomore right now, but could see myself most likely graduating w/ a 3.5-3.6 GPA (BS in Biology, Certificate in Animal Behavior, Minor in Chemistry), approximately 1100 hours of varied animal experience, (hopefully) strong letters of recommendation, 10 day tropical biology study abroad experience in Costa Rica, strong personal statement (writing is a strength for me), varied college extra-curriculars, and strong GRE scores. What I'm curious about is the fact that both my dad and grandfather got their DVM degrees from K-State. Given my other qualifications (I'm not positive, but am guessing the GPA and # of hours of experience could be a little low), would my position as a double legacy factor into my admissions chances at K-State? Basically, in what cases would being a legacy have weight, if any? Any response would be appreciated! Thanks!

This is ridiculous. I hope it doesn't happen anywhere.

 

[IUVetHopeful]

Hi Everyone-
Thanks for the responses. As verbal_kint said, I did not mean to imply at all that I deserve to get into vet school more than anyone else, I was just curious about the effect of being a legacy because I do know that in some cases (whether it be Ivy League, Med Schools, Law Schools, etc.) it can make a difference. And while I have worked at my dad's small animal clinic a couple summers, I'm not anymore so I can get more varied animal experience. But anyways, thanks for your help.

 

[rosemma]

I don't think they would necessarily give you extra points, but it would at least show them that you have been around the profession your entire life and that gives you an edge. You don't just know what vets DO but you know how vets LIVE - in and OUT of the clinic. You were there when your dad got an emergency call at 3am and you were there to listen to stories on a daily basis about clients, cases, patients, etc. Whether or not they take it into account for admissions... it has given you an edge and a perspective that others haven't had.

 

[Pennymare]

Hi Everyone-
Thanks for the responses. As verbal_kint said, I did not mean to imply at all that I deserve to get into vet school more than anyone else, I was just curious about the effect of being a legacy because I do know that in some cases (whether it be Ivy League, Med Schools, Law Schools, etc.) it can make a difference. And while I have worked at my dad's small animal clinic a couple summers, I'm not anymore so I can get more varied animal experience. But anyways, thanks for your help.

It's ok, IUVetHopeful. It sounds like legacy may only be useful at Penn (they're private, so they can do what they want), but it's probably not a major advantage/shoe-in. But as a legacy student, you can get step-by step advice from the family....soooo jealous 🙂

Your background is looking very solid, so be sure to keep up the good work! It is possible to get into vet school with a 3.5-6 (I did); my advisor says that it's best to try to stay between 3.4 and 4.0 for a greater likelihood of getting in.

However, don't be so sure of your abilities; I have several friends who are very intelligent people but are getting waitlisted and rejected. Bottomline: Work hard, get as much experience as possible, and find ways to show you have range. Good luck!

 

[cyrille104]

This thread is almost a year old

 

[twosoakers]

hahahaha, cyrille. i was about to complain that a bunch of people told the girl who wanted to use 'every advantage' to get in (i.e. race factor), but here, no? but i guess that point is moot. people on every listserve can be arrogant asses. but they're people i'll remember not to take my animal to 🙂

 

[CookieBear]

This thread is almost a year old

LOL

Cyrille's got eagle eyes 😀

Well, before I realized that this thread is old, I was just going to mention that Tufts' application asks something about if a relative or parent or something attended, and what year. I don't remember the exact specifics, but it asked.

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