Lurkers, don't be shy!

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WannaBeVet: Long Valley's not that far from me. Welcome fellow Jersian! If you need some horsey places to look for work I know of a bunch in the area. Good luck with your interview!

Haha thank you for the welcome! Yea I am just starting out in the getting experience field (got about 150 hrs of SA vet experience under my belt as of now and about 1000 of animal experience). As far as horse stuff, I am about to start doing some grooming and tacking for Somerset Hills Handicapped Riding Center.

Though work would be lovely, yet not for this summer! I would seriously LOVE to be at 5 places at once...haha. :laugh:

Have you applied already or are you still working on your pre-reqs?
 
I guess I'll introduce myself, too! 😀

I'm 23, and I live in Texas. I think I'm technically a junior, but I took some time off after my sophomore year due to family issues and having no idea what I wanted to do in school/life/etc. I ended up working at a shelter, and later as an unlicensed tech at a feline clinic. Now I'm in school full time working on pre-reqs. This summer I'm spending a few weeks shadowing an equine vet, and hopefully at some point I might actually get some vet experience with dogs, too. :laugh: I'm also helping with some research related to wildlife nutrition, but the only animals I get to deal with are dead ones. 🙄

Anyway, my plan is to apply to Texas A&M this summer. If/when I get rejected, I'll apply to a bunch more schools next year. So hi!

Also, I don't post much, but I lurk daily. I love SDN, and you guys all rock. 🙂
 
I'm so glad we could lure all you cool lurkers out! Welcome!

I lurked for 6 months, and I can't believe I missed out on so much fun!
 
Do I count as a lurker if I have posts? XD I've been following the pre-vet for a little two years now, and feel like a creeper 'cause I know you guys (internet-wise) but you don't know me. Definition of stalker much? :laugh:

I mostly don't post 'cause everyone else knows so much more than me, so I figure that my answering questions won't help much. And what questions I do have, usually get asked by other people at some point. This forum is useful like that. I also kind of freak out when posting on the internet. What if someone takes something I say the wrong way?! I'm weird like that. XD

I'm a junior right now and can technically apply this coming cycle, but don't know if I want to. My GPA is kind of low, I have very non-diverse vet experience, and just don't feel like I'd be a competitive applicant. Some of my friends and family are telling me to apply anyway, but... I dunno. I have time left before I need to decide anyway, so whatever.
 
Not technically a lurker but I still lurk more than I post so I guess I'll join in too 😛.

I'm 19 (turning 20 in exactly 30 days!), finishing up my 2nd year of university. Health sciences degree in a university in Ontario, so OVC-Guelph is my first choice. Will be done prereqs as of this semester and I'm applying for the first time for the 2011 app cycle. If only Deanna Lundmark would get back to me and approve my prereq courses 🙁.

I'm taking the MCAT this July and my GPA is pretty good but my lack of experience (only SA vet and animal experience) definitely makes me a weak applicant, I think...I'm hoping to at least get to the interview round for OVC since the top 200 applicants are ranked just based on GPA and MCAT. I'm not really expecting to get in this year, but hopefully I'll get some diverse experience this summer and maybe the stars will align for me haha.
 
What if someone takes something I say the wrong way?! I'm weird like that. XD

Just keep yelling until everyone gives up and goes away. :meanie:

Do you have a lot of experience in one area but not a lot of variety? Because that can still be good enough - you don't need to have tried everything. I wouldn't let a cycle pass you by without trying at least a few schools unless you're totally certain you have no chance and can't afford to try.
 
I'm a junior right now and can technically apply this coming cycle, but don't know if I want to. My GPA is kind of low, I have very non-diverse vet experience, and just don't feel like I'd be a competitive applicant. Some of my friends and family are telling me to apply anyway, but... I dunno. I have time left before I need to decide anyway, so whatever.

GPA isn't everything. Far from it 🙂
For a first cycle, why don't you pick 2 or 3 schools that you like, and have the prereqs for? If you can afford it, its a great way to get the hang of everything. And who knows...you might just be surprised and get in!
 
Anyway, my plan is to apply to Texas A&M this summer. If/when I get rejected, I'll apply to a bunch more schools next year. So hi!

Woot! We don't get too many A&Mers round these parts. No one wants to fill out two applications that are exactly the same, I reckon. Don't blame them.

Lemme know if you have any questions. I've applied to A&M 3 times now so I think I got a pretty good handle on it.


Also I'd make the recommendation of applying to more schools this time around if you can. It'll cost more, yeh, but why wait an extra year if you don't have to? Apply to as many as you can/feel comfortable with the first time, because it's not like if you get rejected then that's it, you can't apply next cycle lol. I don't know of a single vet school that looks at past application attempts and takes those into account in your current attempt (though there's probably one or two, in which case I'll probably be enlightened here before long).
 
Hello all!
My story: I am a 29 year old (almost 30) post-bacc. Basically, I was a terrible undergrad student (working full time + school full time didn't help, but I'm pretty sure that it was the partying full time that did me in). Once I graduated, I didn't really know what I wanted to do, so I kept doing the restaurant bit to make ends meet. Realized that they only job I ever really loved was volunteering at a wildlife rehab in high school. Started volunteering in a emergency clinic and decided to go back to school to become a licensed tech/nurse.
Tech school was OK but....not enough. Still, I finished (only took a year + practical work since I already had my BA). Got hired right away in the ICU of a vet school (not saying which one...). I love working there. But it's still not enough. I love the diagnostic process, pathophysiology, and helping really sick patients and their owners. And as a nurse, my participation is integral to patient care, but still limited. There is just so much more to learn and do. Also, as mentioned in another post, I think that clinical research is the bee's knees.
So I went back to school again. My post-bacc performance has far exceeded my undergraduate performance. I am finishing up my pre-reqs now (hooray for being done with Physics!), and will be applying this fall. I am sure that I will be on here waiting, worrying, kvetching and hoping along with everyone else.

Thanks for the welcome and glad to be here! I'll try to limit the length of my posts in the future...🙂
 
I don't know of a single vet school that looks at past application attempts and takes those into account in your current attempt (though there's probably one or two, in which case I'll probably be enlightened here before long).
I thought they kinda did in that they popped the old file and checked for improvement or something - isn't that why they ask for previous applications? Or am I off-base on that?
 
Just keep yelling until everyone gives up and goes away. :meanie:

Do you have a lot of experience in one area but not a lot of variety? Because that can still be good.
I will have a roughly-average amount of experience in SA only, at this point. I'm trying to find some equine vets to shadow over the summer, so that'll be something else, at least. My in-state is Davis and they recommend (or require?) two letters from vets, and I work in a one-doctor practice, so I'd need to do something like that anyway. Two birds, one stone. Always fun.

GPA isn't everything. Far from it 🙂
For a first cycle, why don't you pick 2 or 3 schools that you like, and have the prereqs for? If you can afford it, its a great way to get the hang of everything. And who knows...you might just be surprised and get in!
That's one reason why I'm still deciding. Otherwise, I'd just wait and apply next year. I might see if I can take the GRE sometime early in the summer and decide after seeing what my score is. Either way. There's always time.
 
That's one reason why I'm still deciding. Otherwise, I'd just wait and apply next year. I might see if I can take the GRE sometime early in the summer and decide after seeing what my score is. Either way. There's always time.

That's a good call. Start studying for that GRE earlier than I did, though 😛
 
Also I'd make the recommendation of applying to more schools this time around if you can. It'll cost more, yeh, but why wait an extra year if you don't have to? Apply to as many as you can/feel comfortable with the first time, because it's not like if you get rejected then that's it, you can't apply next cycle lol. I don't know of a single vet school that looks at past application attempts and takes those into account in your current attempt (though there's probably one or two, in which case I'll probably be enlightened here before long).
I know I'm crazy because everyone hates on College Station, but I honestly don't really want to leave Texas. I'm from here, and I have lived in other places, but at this point I'd like to stay in Texas, close to friends, family, boyfriend, etc. Also even compared to schools that give IS tuition after the first year, the price difference is really huge.

Anyway, my GPA and GRE are definitely competitive for A&M, so if they reject me I think it will be because I'm a junior, took time off from school, and stuff like that. And if that happens, my chances would probably be pretty good the next year. Basically A&M is my first choice by far, and I can't imagine moving across the country to pay twice as much tuition just because I'm impatient. 😉
 
*slowly pokes head out*

Hello hello hello, I'm a 20-year-old sophomore college student studying Animal Science. I found this forum through a link in a blog comment about four months ago, but haven't had the courage to post anything. Everyone here is knowledgeable, so my posts wouldn't be much but "really?" "cool" "right on". 😳 "Not worthy, not worthy" I only really decided on vet med as my path this fall, so I'm really playing catch-up.

I'll be first applying next summer as a c/o 2016 hopeful, doubtful I'll get in. I'm just not that interesting on paper. My life revolves around school and my horse (pictured in avatar), and I haven't done anything interesting like research or tutoring war orphans in Swahili, although I did show a cow today. Honestly, I'm quite happy with a good session with my horse and a good book. So, I'm already freaking out about the "REJECTED" stamp, but I'll give it a try anyway. :scared: I'm really hoping to get in the U of MN (because that would make my life much easier) but I'll also apply to Madison and possibly Western.

I'm (hopefully) going to be spending a lot of time at a small animal clinic this summer, and hopefully an internship with an equine vet next summer. I'm hoping to go into equine medicine, but we'll just see where life takes me! 😀

So, there I am. 😎
 
*slowly pokes head out*

Hello hello hello, I'm a 20-year-old sophomore college student studying Animal Science. I found this forum through a link in a blog comment about four months ago, but haven't had the courage to post anything. Everyone here is knowledgeable, so my posts wouldn't be much but "really?" "cool" "right on". 😳 "Not worthy, not worthy" I only really decided on vet med as my path this fall, so I'm really playing catch-up.


I decided to go pre-vet this past fall (made the actual decision in january!) so you're definitely not alone. And don't be scared to post. I just stick my neck out and butt into conversations a lot (maybe too much, sorry guys) and it's gained me a lot of knowledge!!
 
Hey guys, first time poster here! I have been a lurker for some time.😳 I go to school in Colorado and should hopefully be applying next summer. I did go to the CSU prevet day and I was one of the few guys there. oops have to leave, hopefully ill be able to post more!👍
 
Oooh, they're excellent! I actually was accepted for an internship there my freshman year (summer as well), when they had first introduced the intership program. Then I became ill, and unfortunately, I had to make up classes during the next two summers to stay on track with my major. Then I decided to go vet med and the internship didn't allow me to get the experience I needed. (I'm seriously lacking in vet exp, but have a ton of animal exp).

They're so nice over there! Don't stress. Although I have to admit I will be super jealous of you because you will be getting to do something that I had wanted to do but couldn't because of extenuating circumstances.

:-D


Well I am hoping I get the position:xf:...but it's Woodlands Wildlife Refuge in Clinton, NJ.

(I might get to observe some wildlife surgeries also at a nearby clinic if I get the internship...)

I am soo hoping I get this opportunity!
 
wow i'm gone for the night and all the sudden a TON of new people join!! i dont know where to start responding lol hopefully you guys dont take it the wrong with if you didnt get a personal reply from someone, and me. im too tired to responded to so many of u :laugh: bed time soon!! anyway, welcome! thanks for coming out of your shell!!

I felt the same way a lot of you guys did "i dont know as much as them..." but then i realized its ok. i can respond if i know something or i can ask more questions if i dont know something. ive learned so much!! even this week i learned about equine sensitivity!! never heard of that before and i was totally clueless when the OP posted the topic 😳
 
okay, you guys win. i've been a major lurker since september or october. i'm a senior right now, graduating in june. applied to a few schools this year and didn't get in anywhere, no interviews, nothing, so that was really, really disappointing. was definitely an obsessive sdn checker about when ppl were hearing from schools and just reading people's stories. i would sit there and refresh the page to see if anyone had heard anything when i knew it was going to be soon. haha yep, not the best way to use this, but such a stressful process! not looking forward to going through the whole application process again - writing another personal statement and then mainly just waiting, waiting, waiting. till then, i have no idea what i'm doing yet - staying where i am and finding a job somewhere. cramming as many vet hours in as i can before oct 1, i hate that i'm graduating soon but only have until then for my hours to count. i have about 1200 now and they are spread between SA, shelter, and a little bit of exotic and large, but it wasn't enough to get even an interview, so.. aghh. okay, end of ramble. hi!
 
I will have a roughly-average amount of experience in SA only, at this point. I'm trying to find some equine vets to shadow over the summer, so that'll be something else, at least. My in-state is Davis and they recommend (or require?) two letters from vets, and I work in a one-doctor practice, so I'd need to do something like that anyway. Two birds, one stone. Always fun.

Davis definitely doesn't require two vet letters of rec, because I only submitted one and was fine (although my second letter was written by a boss with whom I worked with animals in a non-vet setting). If you get a second really strong vet letter, I'm sure it would be good in the eyes of admissions, but it would be better to have a really personal, complimentary one from a non-vet than an average one from a vet.

It doesn't hurt to apply and just see what happens (especially if you then do a file review and learn how to improve from the admissions office directly), but I have also heard from people that it is better to wait and submit your application once you are confident in it and feel you are presenting the strongest one you can. I suppose a happy medium would be to apply now and continue with your life (i.e., racking up experience hours) like you hadn't applied, in case you need to participate in a second application cycle.
 
Davis definitely doesn't require two vet letters of rec, because I only submitted one and was fine (although my second letter was written by a boss with whom I worked with animals in a non-vet setting). If you get a second really strong vet letter, I'm sure it would be good in the eyes of admissions, but it would be better to have a really personal, complimentary one from a non-vet than an average one from a vet.

It doesn't hurt to apply and just see what happens (especially if you then do a file review and learn how to improve from the admissions office directly), but I have also heard from people that it is better to wait and submit your application once you are confident in it and feel you are presenting the strongest one you can. I suppose a happy medium would be to apply now and continue with your life (i.e., racking up experience hours) like you hadn't applied, in case you need to participate in a second application cycle.
Really? Kim O'Brien said a couple times that they like to see 2 vet letters. If thye don't, cool, that might make my life a lot easier. Confusing, though. XD I'm starting to think nothing about applying isn't, though.

The file review is definitely one of the reasons I would apply this year. Knowing exactly where I need to improve would be really nice. Ughh, I hate making decisions like this! XP
 
Really? Kim O'Brien said a couple times that they like to see 2 vet letters. If thye don't, cool, that might make my life a lot easier. Confusing, though. XD I'm starting to think nothing about applying isn't, though.

The file review is definitely one of the reasons I would apply this year. Knowing exactly where I need to improve would be really nice. Ughh, I hate making decisions like this! XP

Davis won't rule you out if you only have one. Moosenanny got in with just one, apparently. I got invited to an interview with just one (we'll never know if I would've gotten in, I declined the interview). So it's definitely not a make-or-break requirement.
 
Good to know! Much easier, then.

I love this place. I always learn new, useful things. 🙂
 
Wow a lotta y'all came out of the woodwork! Maybe we should do Lurker roundups more often? Hope y'all stick around!
 
*snicker* for some reason the mental picture of "lurker round up" has me about pee'ing in my pants. Perhaps it's because my horse and I spent part of the afternoon herding turkeys (meh..gotta do something..)....not that lurkers are turkeys for not posting but ya know... :laugh:
 
Oooh, they're excellent! I actually was accepted for an internship there my freshman year (summer as well), when they had first introduced the intership program. Then I became ill, and unfortunately, I had to make up classes during the next two summers to stay on track with my major. Then I decided to go vet med and the internship didn't allow me to get the experience I needed. (I'm seriously lacking in vet exp, but have a ton of animal exp).

They're so nice over there! Don't stress. Although I have to admit I will be super jealous of you because you will be getting to do something that I had wanted to do but couldn't because of extenuating circumstances.

:-D

Really?! That gives me hopes since they claim to mostly accept juniors/seniors in undergrad...and I am a measly freshman (well soon to be sophomore).

Yea, I would be beyond thrilled! I watched all of the little videos and photo slides on their website and it looks amazing... =) Hopefully, I'll know soon!
 
Hi Everyone!!

Non-traditional student here. I have been glued to SDN for the past two years, some of my friends think I need an intervention. I have posted some but mostly lurk. I have learned so much from everyone on SDN. I applied this last cycle a year early, but I needed more upper division biology. The experience was worth it.
I will be finishing up my biology degree this next year and have about 3000 hours of experience in mixed practice with some exotic and wild life thrown in.
I should be studying for my Ochem ll exam, but here I am.
 
That may be the case now, unfortunately. I applied the first year they were offering the program (I would've been the first!!!) so they were still getting all the kinks worked out. They did specify (if I remember correctly) that you either had to have A LOT of animal experience (I worked at an aquarium for 2 years) or be a jr or sr. Yep, I think that was it...so you're probably all set 😉


Really?! That gives me hopes since they claim to mostly accept juniors/seniors in undergrad...and I am a measly freshman (well soon to be sophomore).

Yea, I would be beyond thrilled! I watched all of the little videos and photo slides on their website and it looks amazing... =) Hopefully, I'll know soon!
 
*snicker* for some reason the mental picture of "lurker round up" has me about pee'ing in my pants. Perhaps it's because my horse and I spent part of the afternoon herding turkeys (meh..gotta do something..)....not that lurkers are turkeys for not posting but ya know... :laugh:

:laugh: this was a great post to wake up to
 
*snicker* for some reason the mental picture of "lurker round up" has me about pee'ing in my pants. Perhaps it's because my horse and I spent part of the afternoon herding turkeys (meh..gotta do something..)....not that lurkers are turkeys for not posting but ya know... :laugh:

There are always wild turkeys around the farm where my horse lives. He alternates between following them around and running like they're rabid. The big ones are almost vicious, and one got swiped on the face by one of the barn cats.

Turkeys: tricky and crazy buggers. 😛
 
*slowly pokes head out*

Hello hello hello, I'm a 20-year-old sophomore college student studying Animal Science. I found this forum through a link in a blog comment about four months ago, but haven't had the courage to post anything. Everyone here is knowledgeable, so my posts wouldn't be much but "really?" "cool" "right on". 😳 "Not worthy, not worthy" I only really decided on vet med as my path this fall, so I'm really playing catch-up.

I'll be first applying next summer as a c/o 2016 hopeful, doubtful I'll get in. I'm just not that interesting on paper. My life revolves around school and my horse (pictured in avatar), and I haven't done anything interesting like research or tutoring war orphans in Swahili, although I did show a cow today. Honestly, I'm quite happy with a good session with my horse and a good book. So, I'm already freaking out about the "REJECTED" stamp, but I'll give it a try anyway. :scared: I'm really hoping to get in the U of MN (because that would make my life much easier) but I'll also apply to Madison and possibly Western.

I'm (hopefully) going to be spending a lot of time at a small animal clinic this summer, and hopefully an internship with an equine vet next summer. I'm hoping to go into equine medicine, but we'll just see where life takes me! 😀

So, there I am. 😎

A fellow Minnesotan (I'm assuming the U of MN is your in-state?)!!! Welcome!
 
I'm not technically new, but I never really introduced myself and I lurk much more often than I post...

Ditto...I'm 29. I got my undergrad in Zoology way back when in 2003. I've been working "in the field" since...1 year wrangling big cats at a zoo...2 years vet teching at a mixed animal clinic...and 4 years lab teching at an animal disease diagnostics lab...this year was my first year to apply (only to my IS) and I'm on the waitlist.
 
I thought I would jump in too. I am mostly a lurker although I have posted a few times.

I am a non-trad working on a 2nd bachelor's and considering an agriculture minor. I have always worked with animals. I started out with horses and have progressed from there. I will be applying this cycle for the first time. My first undergrad isn't spectacular but I have vastly improved since then. I have worked with small animal--both general practice and emergency, exotics and wildlife in a veterinary clinic capacity.

I will be 37 in a week. I am married and have two children and lots of animals. So determining housing will be an issue for us.

I must say that you guys have a tremendous amount of information and I for one am extremely grateful for your willingness to share your knowledge.😀

For those of you who have travelled the application route multiple times, I yayed for you when I saw you got in!:laugh:
 
Do I count as a lurker if I have posts? XD I've been following the pre-vet for a little two years now, and feel like a creeper 'cause I know you guys (internet-wise) but you don't know me. Definition of stalker much? :laugh:

I mostly don't post 'cause everyone else knows so much more than me, so I figure that my answering questions won't help much. And what questions I do have, usually get asked by other people at some point. This forum is useful like that. I also kind of freak out when posting on the internet. What if someone takes something I say the wrong way?! I'm weird like that. XD

I'm like that too. I lurked for about six months to a year before I joined, and I still don't post much. SDN is awesome though😍.

I'm a freshman at a small liberal arts school. I raise goats and I want to be a mixed animal vet or large animal vet. I only have a few large animal hours though so I'm not sure, and I know I'll probably change my mind anyways.
 
I have been lurking for ever but never registered until today.

I am 25, a sophomore. Yes, I know I'm old. I am a biochem major. I got off to a really rough start, and finally I am trying to pull it together and salvage my GPA as much as I can. I am in the process of trying to get some animal experience, and I have quite a few options I am looking at - there are so many neat experiences here in San Diego! Currently I am thinking of volunteering with the Baja Animal Sanctuary in Rosarito Mexico, http://www.bajaanimalsanctuary.org/, Project Wildlife, http://www.projectwildlife.org/, and a lot of other things. Since my gpa sucks I am trying to make myself stand apart with experience, research and GRE scores.

I am pretty sure it will be a futile attempt, but I am going try anyways.

Thanks for inviting us out of our caves with this thread!🙄

I am also a Project Wildlife volunteer (hi sirbuckie 😉) and on their Raptor Team. They have a home care division that is pretty good - a lot of the rehabbers have been doing it for years. I can't do rehab in my tiny apartment, but I do recovery and transport.

You might want to check these guys out: http://www.wildwonders.org/

They're an exotic animal sanctuary for abandoned, confiscated, etc animals. I was pretty impressed my first day as a volunteer there because it really is all about the animals - the staff is amazing. They do a lot of educational shows, birthday parties, etc to raise money. I haven't done one yet but from what I've heard it sounds pretty amazing.
 
Wow, lots of San Diegans! I was planning on volunteering at the zoo if I didn't get in this year. Would've done it anyway, but they want a whole year commitment, and now I won't be here that long. Sounds like you get to do really cool stuff though!

I agree, there are lots of San Diegans on this thread! This is really cool. I still go to a cc but I am transfering to UCSD soon (well hopefully, I don't know if I have been accepted yet). Maybe we should start a San Diego thread to talk about all the stuff that is open here. I've been hearing about stuff that I haven't been able to find on my own. Another poster mentioned Wild Wonders, which seems pretty cool.
 
A fellow Minnesotan (I'm assuming the U of MN is your in-state?)!!! Welcome!

Oh ya, sure, you betcha. I'm a born and bred Minnesotan and really can't imagine living anywhere else. "You think 20 degrees is cold? Ha! Where I come from, we'd be thrilled to get to 20 in January!".

Darn tootin'. 😀
 
That may be the case now, unfortunately. I applied the first year they were offering the program (I would've been the first!!!) so they were still getting all the kinks worked out. They did specify (if I remember correctly) that you either had to have A LOT of animal experience (I worked at an aquarium for 2 years) or be a jr or sr. Yep, I think that was it...so you're probably all set 😉

Oh really? Being the first would have been cool! I am hoping that my 2 years as a PetSmart Bather and my shelter work (along with some shadowing right now) will get me in; since I only have a year of undergrad under my belt.

We shall see soon! Interview in a week for me...😀
 
I agree, there are lots of San Diegans on this thread! This is really cool. I still go to a cc but I am transfering to UCSD soon (well hopefully, I don't know if I have been accepted yet). Maybe we should start a San Diego thread to talk about all the stuff that is open here. I've been hearing about stuff that I haven't been able to find on my own. Another poster mentioned Wild Wonders, which seems pretty cool.

I'm graduating from UCSD in June. You can PM me if you need any other suggestions. Good luck!
 
I agree, there are lots of San Diegans on this thread! This is really cool. I still go to a cc but I am transfering to UCSD soon (well hopefully, I don't know if I have been accepted yet). Maybe we should start a San Diego thread to talk about all the stuff that is open here. I've been hearing about stuff that I haven't been able to find on my own. Another poster mentioned Wild Wonders, which seems pretty cool.

That was what it was called! I was going to mention Wild Wonders, but I couldn't think of the name. I haven't been there, but I remember hearing about it and thinking it sounded really cool (i.e. something I would've looked further into if I didn't get in).

I graduated from UCSD fall quarter. Feel free to PM me as well if you like.

And Cooniexp, if you've been to PVSA meetings, it's entirely possible that we've met each other unwittingly, haha. Although I haven't been to many this year.
 
Hey guys!
You convinced me to finally join the forum...I was kinda holding off until my application year and now it's that time!

I'm a microbiology major. I work both in a small animal/exotic pet hospital and in a research lab. I would like to go into pathology and do research.

I just brought home my new kitten today, I'm so pumped I just had to tell you guys 🙂
 
I only have a few posts, and lurk when I have time (which hasn't been too often, lately). I found this place when I got my rejection letter in March from the U of MN, and was looking for people who knew exactly how I felt. I wish I had more time to read here, but have been extremely busy!

About me: I'm 23 years old and have lived in MN my whole life. In May I am doing an externship at New England Equine, an equine surgical center in NH. I just got a job last week at a local small animal hospital as a veterinary assistant, and it is hugely overwhelming so far, but I'm liking it. In my spare time (ha!), I help to manage a non-profit equine program designed to provide psychotherapy to the elderly and at-risk youth. My mom and I started this program from scratch in 2008, and we use our 5 Norwegian Fjord horses, who love their jobs.

That's about it, hope everyone enjoys their weekend, and I hope to get time to find out what being a member of SDN is all about : )
 
guilty of being a lurker here for almost a year now. this thread gives me so much inspiration seeing what everyone goes through to get to where they are now. i figure you gotta keep this forum fresh with new meat for the future pre-vet generations!

I'm 23 finishing up my Zoology degree this fall. I'm in the process of starting the first vet club to ever come to campus, but realized it's a LOT of work in the midst of it. I have only a total of 300 hrs of animal experience, but am working towards a bunch more this coming summer. I'll be interning at a sea lion rescue center and will have a chance to shadow their on-site veterinarian... awesome! also hoping to shadow the on-site veterinarian at the long beach aquarium of the pacific since i volunteer there. my IS school is Davis, but my stats are quite average. however, i plan on applying to melbourne hoping they'll have their DVM program officially instated during my cycle. im a competition snowboarder? that's me in a nutshell i guess.

thanks to all the regulars/seniors here. you guys helped me through a lot without even knowing it and i owe a lot to you guys. i wish this forum hosted like a huge annual BBQ where everyone could get together and meet each other personally haha. that would be awesome.
 
thanks to all the regulars/seniors here. you guys helped me through a lot without even knowing it and i owe a lot to you guys. i wish this forum hosted like a huge annual BBQ where everyone could get together and meet each other personally haha. that would be awesome.

that would be AWESOME!!! i know there is another thread about an SDN trip, i wish i could go but i have so many other places&people i need to visit before i start school. I feel like a SDN BBQ could work....IF we werent all so broke from applying this yr haha but one thing you can do which is a lot of fun...plan a hangout with all the people from SDN who are going to the same school as you. We did that a couple weeks ago at Penn and there was a decent showing!! about 15 people (including sig figs) but it was fun! Maybe once you get into vet school you can coordinate a hang out before school starts too!
 
Wow. I go to work and come back and there are a TON of new people! Welcome everyone. Hopefully SDN can continue to be a help to you in your newfound INTERACTIVE manner.

And I'm still snickering about the turkey lurker round-up.
 
I'm a lurker. I recognize it. That's the first step, right?

I mainly haven't posted because of the reason said before. Compared to a lot of you, I have very little experience. Why post when five other people with first-hand knowledge have already posted? Now if we started talking about tigers, binturongs, or two-toed sloths...I may have something to throw into that conversation.🙂

Yeah, most of my experience has been in a zoo setting with only enough small animal work to basically get my eLORs. I felt kinda mercenary about that, but I'm working at a clinic this summer, so that should help catch me up with everyone that has lived at a vet clinic since they could work.

Come to think about it, :idea: I don't think I've seen a zoo vet thread. If there isn't one now, there soon will be.

Oh yeah, I'm going down to LSU this fall, C/O 2014. Geaux Tigers!
 
Guilty as charged. Though I haven't been one for very long, I only heard about this forum this year.

About me--I graduate undergrad in a week from tomorrow! Woo hoo! So I'll have a degree in PPZ. I haven't applied to any vet schools yet. I'm going to this cycle (I guess that's what they are?) so this summer I'm going to be working on gaining a large amount of experience with animals. I do have a lot of vet experience already because I interned at the local vet clinic for a semester in high school for credit, but that was ages ago. I would absolutely love to go to UCD for school because I do plan on moving to Ireland and practicing there.
 
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