Lurkers, don't be shy!

[Minnerbelle]

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WOOHOO!!! This is sooo awesome! Thanks for postin'!

 

[AUgirl365]

Hey everyone! I just joined SDN a few weeks ago after being accepted. I found out about SDN through the AUCVM class of 2014 facebook page. I wish I had known about it years ago. It would have made the application process so much easier. Everyone is so helpful and nice 🙂 I am completely addicted to the site but haven't made that many posts.... I just didn't want to be a lurker haha. Congrats to everyone who has been accepted and good luck to those of you on a wait list!

 

[2short4life]

Hey guys,

I've had an account for awhile but I'm more of a lurker. I'm currently volunteering at a local animal shelter and the county Animal Control. Working on raising my GPA and getting an internship at an aquarium over the summer.

 

[LTran562]

Hey guys,

I've had an account for awhile but I'm more of a lurker. I'm currently volunteering at a local animal shelter and the county Animal Control. Working on raising my GPA and getting an internship at an aquarium over the summer.

It says that you're from Orange County. would you happen to be looking into the AoP in Long Beach? i can help you with that if you need since i volunteer there. you can skip a lot of hoops if you get into direct contact with their chief of volunteers. good luck!

 

[cooniexp]

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.

I have been to PVSA meetings! But I get lazy and so haven't gone to many.. haha

 

[2short4life]

It says that you're from Orange County. would you happen to be looking into the AoP in Long Beach? i can help you with that if you need since i volunteer there. you can skip a lot of hoops if you get into direct contact with their chief of volunteers. good luck!

Thanks for the offer. I actually have an interview next week for an aviculturist internship.

 

[variegata]

I have been to PVSA meetings! But I get lazy and so haven't gone to many.. haha

I was better about going last year...now I have no desire to go to campus for any reason...I really wanted to do the Sea World thing though. The guy was cool when he guest-spoke.

 

[natalieises]

I love this thread...way to call out the lurkers haha. Seriously though all of you lurkers, posting will be the best thing you ever did! I feel so weird trying to explain sdn to people outside of this forum, they probably think I'm crazy and think I have all of these imaginary friends. If it were not for sdn i would be completely losing my mind right now (instead of just a little!)

 

[Bearby]

This thread is insanely exciting! I'm so glad to see all of these people come out of nowhere! My dad was actually the person who found this site for me and I wasn't very interested in joining because I was afraid I was going to feel like I didn't know anything or that I wasn't good enough for vet school. Forunately, I did get over this fear and it is the best thing I could have ever done!

To those of you who have now introduced yourselves, don't be shy. Most of us don't bite. Feel free to ask any questions and don't forget to use the search as well

 

[BlacKAT33]

I feel so weird trying to explain sdn to people outside of this forum, they probably think I'm crazy and think I have all of these imaginary friends.

yes!! haha i know this feeling!! im always like, my friend...from the vet forum, hahahaha luckily ive never accidental said my friend *insert avatar name*

 

[iheartmycorgi]

Yeah I definitely would consider myself a lurker... so I might as well introduce myself in the lurkers thread!
I'm from Arizona and graduating in two weeks with an Animal Science (Equine Science) degree and applying this upcoming cycle. I don't really have high expectations because my GPA is unfortunate and most of my experience is in small animal (around 1500 hours). I did around 200 hours rehabbing wildlife and I have horse experience as well but I know that isn't enough to get me in with my GPA. I am going to apply this year just to experience the application process and hopefully within the next year I add a ton of vet experience to my resume. My dream school is Oregon State and I am 100% positive I want to go into equine medicine! 🙂

 

[DVMDream]

Yeah I definitely would consider myself a lurker... so I might as well introduce myself in the lurkers thread!
I'm from Arizona and graduating in two weeks with an Animal Science (Equine Science) degree and applying this upcoming cycle. I don't really have high expectations because my GPA is unfortunate and most of my experience is in small animal (around 1500 hours). I did around 200 hours rehabbing wildlife and I have horse experience as well but I know that isn't enough to get me in with my GPA. I am going to apply this year just to experience the application process and hopefully within the next year I add a ton of vet experience to my resume. My dream school is Oregon State and I am 100% positive I want to go into equine medicine! 🙂

from a fellow Arizonan. Apply anyway because some people have gotten some decent surprises and gotten in with lower than average GPA's. Also, if you can study hard and do well on the GRE that can offset your lower GPA. It also seems like you have a bit of diverse experience. More diverse than what I have so do not count yourself out yet. GOOD LUCK!!! Stick around here it is a great resource/venting place/place to make friends with those who know what it is like/what you are going through.

 

[moosenanny]

Yeah I definitely would consider myself a lurker... so I might as well introduce myself in the lurkers thread!
I'm from Arizona and graduating in two weeks with an Animal Science (Equine Science) degree and applying this upcoming cycle. I don't really have high expectations because my GPA is unfortunate and most of my experience is in small animal (around 1500 hours). I did around 200 hours rehabbing wildlife and I have horse experience as well but I know that isn't enough to get me in with my GPA. I am going to apply this year just to experience the application process and hopefully within the next year I add a ton of vet experience to my resume. My dream school is Oregon State and I am 100% positive I want to go into equine medicine! 🙂

If you are certain you want to go into equine medicine, I would recommend getting as many hours in that field as possible! Admissions people seem to really like it when applicants have a clear career goal, plus the hours to back that aspiration up! Good luck, and like it has already been said, an awesome GRE with your vet/animal hours could outweigh your poor GPA more than you think 🙂

 

[ckd816]

Yeah I definitely would consider myself a lurker... so I might as well introduce myself in the lurkers thread!
I'm from Arizona and graduating in two weeks with an Animal Science (Equine Science) degree and applying this upcoming cycle. I don't really have high expectations because my GPA is unfortunate and most of my experience is in small animal (around 1500 hours). I did around 200 hours rehabbing wildlife and I have horse experience as well but I know that isn't enough to get me in with my GPA. I am going to apply this year just to experience the application process and hopefully within the next year I add a ton of vet experience to my resume. My dream school is Oregon State and I am 100% positive I want to go into equine medicine! 🙂

Hello from another fellow Arizonan! There aren't too many of us on here from around these parts... DVMDream, myself and maybe 2 others who have already been accepted. It's fun to root for people from your state. 🙂 It sounds like you've had some good experiences! I'm looking into getting some equine experience this summer before I apply, so if you know of any good places let me know! If you don't mind me asking, are you in the Phoenix area?

 

[iheartmycorgi]

Hello from another fellow Arizonan! There aren't too many of us on here from around these parts... DVMDream, myself and maybe 2 others who have already been accepted. It's fun to root for people from your state. 🙂 It sounds like you've had some good experiences! I'm looking into getting some equine experience this summer before I apply, so if you know of any good places let me know! If you don't mind me asking, are you in the Phoenix area?

I'm from Tucson so I'm not familiar with equine practices around Phoenix. It sucks here because there are maybe 5 equine vets in Tucson and the surrounding area, so finding experience has not been easy.

 

[EnvyPointers]

Okay... I'm kind of a lurker. An obsessed lurker really. Done a few little posts, but here goes!

My name is Mary Myers. I'm 24. I'm from Lafayette, Indiana (Boiler UP!). I got married the same year I graduated high school (yep! and still HAPPILY married almost 6 years later... no kids but we have 6 dogs and a cat!). I had grown up knowing that I wanted to become a veterinarian. I did all of the "right" things. Worked for a vet, did 4H, lots of participation in extracurricular activities, etc. Had a great GPA... then in my senior year of high school I had a quarter-life crisis and took another path.

I got my Associate's Degree in Surgical Technology. My husband and I moved to Austin, Texas and I worked there. I loved Texas, and loved my job for about a millisecond. Then, I was like, WTF am I doing? It was then that I realized that I truly did want to become a veterinarian. So, having an incredibly supportive family, we tried to look into moving back to Indiana. That was about the height of the economic crisis, so we moved to Hampton, Virginia where my mom was. Virginia was definitely not my cup of tea.

Anyway, (I just realized how long this is becoming...) my hubby and I are FINALLY home in Indiana (moved here this January). I am attending IUPUI and will be submitting my application to Purdue this year.

I have lots of SA experience, and a good chunk of LA also. I have shown goats, worked with and ridden horses, worked at a farm in Virginia with cattle... done lots of shadowing in zoos, exotics, LA, etc.

In my "free time" I show dogs both mine and professionally (I have 5 Pointers and 1 mixed breed). I am a 4H leader for Dogs and Vet Science. Purdue has been my dream school for a while and I'm starting the obsessive applicant phase of my life (bless my family for tolerating me). I have a meltdown nearly every other day. So, naturally, I have taken to lurking on this board and reading ever flipping post from last year. ;-) I'll get my sanity back someday!

Haha!

Mary

 

[Minnerbelle]

I got married the same year I graduated high school (yep! and still HAPPILY married almost 6 years later...

wooooooooow! that's so awesome. you make me feel like a commitment-phobe, and my relationships generally tend to be long-term!

 

[nyanko]

I don't think you should feel like a commitment phobe for not being married right out of high school, Minnerbelle.

You're young, save that title for when you're 29 years old and ending relationships primarily because the dude wants to get married and the thought of marriage in general makes you want to jump off of a bridge.

 

[Minnerbelle]

I don't think you should feel like a commitment phobe for not being married right out of high school, Minnerbelle.

You're young, save that title for when you're 29 years old and ending relationships primarily because the dude wants to get married and the thought of marriage in general makes you want to jump off of a bridge.

haha, that would be right as I'm finishing vet school. though it'll be more like puh-leeaaaaaaaaaaaase someone marry me and help me pay off my debt!!! i come with a minus dowry.

 

[goldnretrivrgrl]

Hi,
Glad to see I'm not the only lurker here. I'm a 21 year old Penn State VB SC major who is applying this cycle. Very nervous, very excited. I'll probably posting more as the panic sets in. It's nice to meet everyone! 🙂

 

[eventrider]

Hey guys! (And in my defense, I only found out about this site a week ago 🙂 )

Let's see, I'm a freshman working on a biology major, anthropology minor. I've been around cats and dogs my whole life have have been working and teaching at a horse farm since I was 12. I really love working with animals and always considered becoming a vet, and after helping during several emergencies at the farm I realized it really was the right choice for me. If I can keep my cool when the horses I love and work with every day, including my own horse, are hurt, then I figure I can handle the stress and heartbreak. It'll be tough, but in my opinion it's definitely worth it.

Anyways, I'm thinking about going into both small animal and equine, possibly zoo animal. Anyone else leaning toward the same paths?

 

[BlacKAT33]

Hey guys! (And in my defense, I only found out about this site a week ago 🙂 )

Let's see, I'm a freshman working on a biology major, anthropology minor. I've been around cats and dogs my whole life have have been working and teaching at a horse farm since I was 12. I really love working with animals and always considered becoming a vet, and after helping during several emergencies at the farm I realized it really was the right choice for me. If I can keep my cool when the horses I love and work with every day, including my own horse, are hurt, then I figure I can handle the stress and heartbreak. It'll be tough, but in my opinion it's definitely worth it.

Anyways, I'm thinking about going into both small animal and equine, possibly zoo animal. Anyone else leaning toward the same paths?

welcome! your last sentence made me chuckle 🙂 you named many paths. There is a a zoo thread going on http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=721779 . There are a TON of people going towards SA medicine. Also, if you didn't want to just do equine, you could go into mixed animal. Have fun searching through old threads and reading up on all of these different paths! I myself want to go into lab animal 😀

 

[eventrider]

Haha yeah, there's just too many paths to choose from. I kept adding to the list before I sent the message 😉 Thanks for the link! I have a feeling I'm going to get addicted to this site veryyyyy soon 😀

 

[pibbles]

Although I just became a "member," I've been actively reading and following posts for a couple of months now. I'm a 3rd year MSU zoology major with senior status, wait-listed at MSU 🙁.

Since I'm just about done with my credits, I will have a light schedule next year. I plan on doing some more work with large animals and enjoying some time with my wonderful American Pit Bull Terrier, goofy heinz-57 Great Dane-ish dog, and plethora of cats before I start viewing them as anatomy parts lol. I will still spend tons of time fighting BSL and educating people on animal agriculture. Although I'm a dog girl, cows have slowly been creeping up on my "Things I want to Know Everything About" list.

If I don't receive acceptance this year, I plan to re-apply to MSU, OSU and maybe even U of Georgia. I am definitely considered to be a super-planner and organizer, but right now, I'm just trying to go where the wind takes me 😉.

 

[BlacKAT33]

If I don't receive acceptance this year, I plan to re-apply to MSU, OSU and maybe even U of Georgia. I am definitely considered to be a super-planner and organizer, but right now, I'm just trying to go where the wind takes me 😉.

just wondering, why did you pick georgia as an OOS school to apply to next year? georgia only has 1-2 OOS studyings (someone correct me if im wrong) so if you are applying again i dont think it's a good chance

 

[pibbles]

just wondering, why did you pick georgia as an OOS school to apply to next year? georgia only has 1-2 OOS studyings (someone correct me if im wrong) so if you are applying again i dont think it's a good chance

The woman I spoke with at admissions told me they offer 8-10 spots, but most students choose other schools. I have family very close and have visited UofG a few times and liked the campus. And like I said earlier, I'm still thinking about it 🙂.

 

[NStarz]

OT:

Pibbles,

Ah, a fellow BSL fighter! We must swap stories. 🙂 I'm so mad, they're considering it in Garfield (I live in NJ), and I will be very busy after finals!

 

[BlacKAT33]

The woman I spoke with at admissions told me they offer 8-10 spots, but most students choose other schools. I have family very close and have visited UofG a few times and liked the campus. And like I said earlier, I'm still thinking about it 🙂.

Ok well just so you know this is what my VMSAR says for Georgia:

Accepted students:
Resident- 70
Contract [Delaware (2), South Carolina (17), West Virginia (2)]- 25
Nonresident- 1

Maybe it will change for next year? Maybe she upped the numbers for you so it sounded like you had more of a chance? Maybe she included part of the contract states? [Im not sure where you live]

Anyway, not arguing, just wanted to let you know

 

[Nephromaniac]

it'll be more like puh-leeaaaaaaaaaaaase someone marry me and help me pay off my debt!!! i come with a minus dowry.

hahaha, love it!

 

[pibbles]

OT:

Pibbles,

Ah, a fellow BSL fighter! We must swap stories. 🙂 I'm so mad, they're considering it in Garfield (I live in NJ), and I will be very busy after finals!

They passed it in Mt. Clemens, MI, which is right by me, last August. A special license, kennel, and muzzle must be worn at all times. Guess how many people registered theirs and followed regulations? 7 lol. The clinic I work at sees at least 20 from there. Obviously it's not working out too well for them. My goal is to get them to re-think it this summer. We'll see..



And BlacKAT33,
Only one non-resident accepted admittance. I asked about that lol. She said 9 positions were offered. Thanks for letting me know, though 🙂.

 

[twelvetigers]

Yep, and April has come and gone, so you *have* to take it in October. November has, in the past, gotten there too late to count.

 

[eringobraugh]

haha, that would be right as I'm finishing vet school. though it'll be more like puh-leeaaaaaaaaaaaase someone marry me and help me pay off my debt!!! i come with a minus dowry.

My fiance VERY often jokes that the only reason I finally agreed to marry him (after 7yrs) is because I'm starting school and I need someone to pay my living expenses 🙂.

He's just kidding...at least I think he is

 

[Fookie Kat]

I admitted I was a lurker on the Penn thread, but since I haven't formally introduced myself, here I go...

I'm a non-traditional student (I majored in Theatre and Copywriting and minored in Gender Studies and Business) from New York. I worked as a paralegal (thought about law school) and an investment banking analyst (thought about getting my MBA) before returning to school to study Biochemistry. As you can see, I change my mind...a LOT! 😳

I created a SDN account two years ago but never posted anything and completely forgot my username! Now that I've been accepted and know the admission process a bit better, I decided to create an account in case I could be of assistance to anyone who was as lost as myself.

I am absolutely stoked about attending Penn this fall and scared sh*tless at the same time!

P.S: I love SDN! 😍

 

[that redhead]

I'm not exactly new (had a few posts here and there), but this year will be my first official application cycle. I'm supposed to be completing my senior year this year, but I will be staying one extra year. I've wanted to be a vet for as long as I can remember but last summer I stumbled in organic chemistry, panicked and said I gave up, couldn't do it. I stopped trying in my classes and my grades took a nose-dive.

When the spring semester began (the one I'm in currently), I decided that I really did want to be a vet and that meant doing what it took to get there. I've since started to actually study for tests, attend all classes, make the effort for extra credit when available, etc. I'm feeling so pleased because my hard work is showing and I have a glimmer of hope to hold on to!

I have a large variety of experience, which I'm hoping will be a saving grace of sorts for me. I've done about three years (off and on) in a small animal clinic, rode with an equine vet and currently work under the campus veterinarian at my university tending lab animals. I recently took up volunteering at a wildlife rehabilitation center and for someone who has had limited wild animal experience, it has been such a learning experience! I'm still ridiculously excited about learning how to tube a baby opossum I've also been around riding/showing/tending horses most of my life and through my school's ag program have been able to work with and show (informally) swine and dairy. I was Reserve Champion swine showwoman this year, which is another thing I'm too proud about!

Anyway. I've found this network to be extremely helpful already and I look forward to supporting and getting support from my fellow applicants this cycle 🙂

 

[AprilShowers]

Hello everyone. My name is Hannah and I've been a lurker off and on for a year or two now. I've never been an active member because I was worried that I would become addicted and I certainly can't lose time from my studies!

I just finished up my Junior year of undergrad and am preparing for a zoo internship this summer. I am Pre-Vet/Biology double major with a minor in Chem at a private university in the Mid-West. I have a strong interest in pathology and public health, so that is my fall-back just in case.

This summer along with my internship I will likely be applying to vet school, as I plan to graduate next Spring. It's been a rough road, but I have only one pre-req to finish now and a total of over a 1000 vet exp. hours. I'm looking forward to what's ahead and am determined that my future will include vet school as I've worked long and hard towards that goal. I plan to apply to Ohio State, Kansas, Mississippi, and Iowa. Wish me luck everyone! 😀

 

[Minnerbelle]

My fiance VERY often jokes that the only reason I finally agreed to marry him (after 7yrs) is because I'm starting school and I need someone to pay my living expenses 🙂.

He's just kidding...at least I think he is

haaaaaaaaaaahahahaha. actually my high school sweetheart that i was with for 6 years was really sweating how he was going to afford my vet school + house for my birds as he was graduating undergrad. poor guy. though i'm not sure how bad off he would have been with a chemical engineering degree from berkeley, when there were so many oil refineries offering awesome pay 🙄

awwww did you get your new yorkie pup??????? i'm sooo jealous.

 

[eringobraugh]

haaaaaaaaaaahahahaha. actually my high school sweetheart that i was with for 6 years was really sweating how he was going to afford my vet school + house for my birds as he was graduating undergrad. poor guy. though i'm not sure how bad off he would have been with a chemical engineering degree from berkeley, when there were so many oil refineries offering awesome pay 🙄

awwww did you get your new yorkie pup??????? i'm sooo jealous.

Yes! I am picking her up on may 20th. She's more of the "family" dog since she is technically a mothers day present for my mom, but she's mine until I leave 🙂. But unfortunately she won't be coming to Colo with me 🙁. If I could afford one I'd have gotten one from the same litter but they are so dang expensive

 

[Chetsky]

Lurker here! Found SDN a year or so ago when I started thinking about the veterinary field but didn't really rediscover it until this past fall. Since then I've been coming on more and more....now almost every day.
I'm a freshman with pretty much zero veterinary experience so that's a big reason why I don't post a whole lot. The more I read though the more my enthusiasm for vet med intensifies! I'm hoping to start working on getting some real experience soon and maybe you'll see me post more in the future...

 

[BlacKAT33]

welcome that redhead, april showers, and chetsky!! 😀

 

[ckd816]

FUNNY STORY! I was in my biochem lecture this afternoon and the dude in front of me was lurking on the pre-vet forums!!

So-- Biochem at ASU. You sneezed and I said bless you. You know who you are, sir... reveal yourself at last!! Bwahahaha!

😛

 

[Minnerbelle]

FUNNY STORY! I was in my biochem lecture this afternoon and the dude in front of me was lurking on the pre-vet forums!!

So-- Biochem at ASU. You sneezed and I said bless you. You know who you are, sir... reveal yourself at last!! Bwahahaha!

😛

Lol this totally reads like one of those "missed connections" posts on craigslist.

"Sneezy SDN pre-vet lurker in Biochem at ASU. w4m"

 

[HopefulAg]

Ok I didn't want to have to do this but *cracks knuckles* time for the big guns.

Lurkers! Post more! Being shy = bad, take it from experience!

Quoted from my post in the A&M thread:

2) Interview is key. That was the primary part that I could actively control and did poorly in it, thus rejected.
They thought I was "kind of quiet/shy in the interview", which I didn't think at all, but yah. So be happy, bubbly, and outgoing I reckon. And I do think I was much more...aggressive? in my interviews this year, so that may have helped.

For instance, my recommendations from last year were:

1) Get more large animal experience
2) Work on overcoming shyness

See? Even the adcoms want you to post!

 

[Minnerbelle]

Hopeful Ag, u? shy???

 

[zeebra44]

Lol this totally reads like one of those "missed connections" posts on craigslist.

"Sneezy SDN pre-vet lurker in Biochem at ASU. w4m"

lmao 👍

 

[BlacKAT33]

Ok I didn't want to have to do this but *cracks knuckles* time for the big guns.

Lurkers! Post more! Being shy = bad, take it from experience!

Quoted from my post in the A&M thread:
See? Even the adcoms want you to post!

Ways SDN has helped me become less shy

1) "talking" on threads, voicing my opinion
2) meeting up with SDN people at interviews
3) talking with vet students and getting advice
4) meeting vet students in person
5) attending a happy hour with vet students at one interview
6) having a gathering with all SDN students attending my future school
7) now I will already know at least 20 students before class starts! (many Penn c/o 2014 lurkers joined our fb group too lol)

 

[twelvetigers]

I'm not shy on here, and I'm NOT shy in real life. Haha. Maybe this is just the proper environment for me to thrive.

 

[HopefulAg]

Hopeful Ag, u? shy???

Well like I said I don't think I really came across as shy but I guess I did. However in normal settings, yah I'm a bit shy.

 

[twelvetigers]

Aww, how cute.

 

[cowgirlduke]

Okay, guys, you've convinced me. But I've only actually been on here for like a month, so I don't feel too bad.

So I'm a Senior, getting my degree in Biology exactly two weeks from Saturday. 😀

I've been accepted at LSU, but I'm kinda freaking out about going because I have literally no vet experience whatsoever. The only experience I could list was my Animal Science lab because my instructor was a vet. That and the large amount of debt I'll have when I finish...

But, I've pretty much always wanted to be a vet, so I'm going to give it a shot!

 

[Belllerz]

ok I've been lurking for a while and deciced to finally join and post! I have two years left of undergrad and then I'm going to try and apply and see from there! I'm on the extended undergrad plan as a call it! I've changed majors a bunch of times and transfered so I'm a two years behind but being a vet is something i've always wanted, now I just have to try and see if I can get in!

I love reading the post on here so I'm hoping this place can help me!