Location, location, location....

[Vet_Squared80]

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Just wondering if anyone else out there has only applied to one school. I'm a NTS, so for me, moving is NOT an option. I'm only applying to one school, but I read in another thread that some schools look down on this. I'm wondering how true this is. I don't really want to waste time or money applying to schools that I have no intention of going to. Don't get me wrong, I'd love to do that, but because I sort of need my husband's job to pay for food, shelter, etc., I can't ask him to relocate.....

As a side note - and not related to location - how many times does the average student apply before being accepted. I'm banking that I'll have to apply twice, but I'm nervous it'll be more than that.

 

[SocialStigma]

I only applied to OVC (my in-province). Really couldn't afford to pay international school fees, so even if I got rejected, I would've only applied to OVC again next year. My tuition this year is ~$7800 which is dirt cheap compared to other schools (I'm pretty sure OVC has the cheapest tuition for residents of all North American vet schools).

Looking at the stats for OVC, the majority of students get in on their 1st attempt, followed by the 2nd attempt. But OVC limits applicants to a maximum of 4 tries so most people probably don't bother applying until they know they have a fairly decent shot. I'd guess the average # of attempts overall is probably 2-3.

 

[Trilt]

Just wondering if anyone else out there has only applied to one school. I'm a NTS, so for me, moving is NOT an option. I'm only applying to one school, but I read in another thread that some schools look down on this. I'm wondering how true this is. I don't really want to waste time or money applying to schools that I have no intention of going to. Don't get me wrong, I'd love to do that, but because I sort of need my husband's job to pay for food, shelter, etc., I can't ask him to relocate.....

As a side note - and not related to location - how many times does the average student apply before being accepted. I'm banking that I'll have to apply twice, but I'm nervous it'll be more than that.

I'm only applying to one school, in-state - if I don't get in, I plan to do another semester to finish up my degrees, and apply again! I've heard the average amount of applications usually cited at somewhere between 2-3.

What is a really surprising statistic to me (and that is thrown around by the pre-vet adviser at my school a lot), is that only 20% of rejected students from one application cycle reapply the next year - crazy!

 

[sunnex3]

i think we also have to remember that SDN only represents a small portion of the people who apply to vet schools. i always forget this when i'm on this forum because there seem to be so many active members.

 

[LetItSnow]

I've heard the average amount of applications usually cited at somewhere between 2-3.

According to VMCAS001 (I don't know that s/he has ever clarified exactly what his or her connection to VMCAS is, but presumably the info is accurate):

For the past three years, VMCAS applicants apply to an average of 3.8 schools.

What is a really surprising statistic to me (and that is thrown around by the pre-vet adviser at my school a lot), is that only 20% of rejected students from one application cycle reapply the next year - crazy!

I'm not too surprised by that. I suspect there are a lot of people who come at it with a "take a shot, and if I don't get in, it wasn't meant to be and I move on" attitude. Frankly, when I applied I had no idea how weak my experience was compared to so many applicants because I hadn't dropped in on communities like SDN.

Unfortunately, I didn't think to ask VMCAS001 what the numbers are for people getting in on their first try, second try, etc.

Just wondering if anyone else out there has only applied to one school.

I only applied to my IS. With a spouse, kids, and both sets of grandparents local, moving would have been stupid. Especially given the drop in my home's value in the last 4-5 years.

I've never heard that schools look negatively on applying only to one school. If anything, I'd think you can turn it to your advantage. I was able to talk specifically about UMN in my PS, because I didn't have to make it general for multiple schools.

 

[Trilt]

I think she was asking how many application cycles a typical student goes through, not how many schools they apply to?

I'm also surprised that number is so high, too, though. I couldn't pay for more than 2-3 applications, especially with interviews/supplemental apps/transcripts - I need to eat!

 

[sunnex3]

I think she was asking how many application cycles a typical student goes through, not how many schools they apply to?

I'm also surprised that number is so high, too, though. I couldn't pay for more than 2-3 applications, especially with interviews/supplemental apps/transcripts - I need to eat!

tell me about it...i'm looking at spending one entire paycheck (maybe even 1.5) on just the VMCAS/supplemental/GRE scores/transcripts..and that's not even including any potential travel i'll have to do for interviews! 😱

 

[skittles12]

I only applied once to my in-state school, and that was after only 3 years of undergrad. Sometimes I feel like I have a lot less clinical experience than most of my class. But, I guess they saw some promise in me since they let me in! I've never heard of them looking down on only applying to one school.

 

[scb44f]

I only applied to my IS as well. I had heard the same argument as you, but it didn't make sense for me to apply places I knew I would not attend. I got funny looks, especially from my friends who were applying to med school at the same time ("You're only applying to ONE school? Are you nuts??") but it made sense for me, and if it makes sense for you, then go for it.

 

[smilin1590]

i think we also have to remember that SDN only represents a small portion of the people who apply to vet schools. i always forget this when i'm on this forum because there seem to be so many active members.

I do forget that sometimes

 

[Coquette22]

I think you'll find most of the Canadians on SDN only apply to one school. The difference in tuition costs between our "in-state" and international schools is usually so huge that we just can't fathom applying outside of that, plus we may or may not be able to get funding to the amount necessary for international/out of state tuition costs. I got in on my second shot at AVC. Applying to another school wasn't financially an option, so I just made my application as competitive as I could for AVCs specific requirements.

 

[Vet_Squared80]

Thanks everyone. I feel a little better about my decision after your responses. I sometimes wish I had the flexibility to go anywhere like I did when I was younger, but it is what it is, and I just have to make the best of it.

I only applied to my IS. With a spouse, kids, and both sets of grandparents local, moving would have been stupid. Especially given the drop in my home's value in the last 4-5 years.

This is EXACTLY the boat I'm in!

so I just made my application as competitive as I could for AVCs specific requirements.

This is a really good tip - thanks!

Sometimes I feel like I have a lot less clinical experience than most of my class.

I feel that way reading some of other members stats on here. But I try not to concentrate on that and focus on what I do bring to the table. I hope it works!