Michigan State?

This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.

chickenboo

Senior Member
10+ Year Member
5+ Year Member
15+ Year Member
Joined
Jan 12, 2006
Messages
144
Reaction score
2
I'm out-of-state and haven't heard anything yet from Michigan, although it says "Awaiting a decision. All decisions will be made by April 15th, 2006." Does it say this on anyone else's status page that hasn't had an interview yet? I just thought that was such a weird thing to say when they require interviews and I haven't had an interview, and wanted to make sure it wasn't some kind of mistake.

Members don't see this ad.
 
I don't think it's a mistake because my status page says the exact same thing, and I am out-of-state and haven't had an interview yet either. This is my first post... I've been lurking around for awhile, but I had the same question as you. What does the status line say if you have been scheduled for an interview?
 
chickenboo said:
I'm out-of-state and haven't heard anything yet from Michigan, although it says "Awaiting a decision. All decisions will be made by April 15th, 2006." Does it say this on anyone else's status page that hasn't had an interview yet? I just thought that was such a weird thing to say when they require interviews and I haven't had an interview, and wanted to make sure it wasn't some kind of mistake.

I'm in the exact some boat. No interview and the "Awaiting a decision. All decisions will be made by April 15, 2006" on my status page.

Has anyone had an interview?

And just curious, why did people apply to Michigan?
 
Members don't see this ad :)
Glad to know I'm not the only one! Obviously I can't answer your question, ibeziris, but hopefully someone else will...
 
verbal_kint said:
Has anyone had an interview?

And just curious, why did people apply to Michigan?

I had an interview at Michigan early on in December. It was fairly laid back, and I really enjoyed meeting all of the students, staff and faculty. As for why I applied...they built a new oncology facility and have some emphasis on orthopedics, two areas that I'm currently interested in for small animal. The only downside for me is that there appeared to be little emphasis on the wildlife (comparatively).
 
snowyegret said:
I had an interview at Michigan early on in December. It was fairly laid back, and I really enjoyed meeting all of the students, staff and faculty. As for why I applied...they built a new oncology facility and have some emphasis on orthopedics, two areas that I'm currently interested in for small animal. The only downside for me is that there appeared to be little emphasis on the wildlife (comparatively).


oncology? very cool! I'll have to look more into it. Just curious... when did you submit your application? I know Michigan is on a rolling basis. I didn't send my app in until about a week before the deadline.... :rolleyes:
 
snowyegret said:
I had an interview at Michigan early on in December. It was fairly laid back, and I really enjoyed meeting all of the students, staff and faculty. As for why I applied...they built a new oncology facility and have some emphasis on orthopedics, two areas that I'm currently interested in for small animal. The only downside for me is that there appeared to be little emphasis on the wildlife (comparatively).

Hello, This question is for Snowyegret (or anyone else who knows! :) ).....I have an interview feb 16th at Michigan. Is there any advise you could give me? Is there any way for me to prepare? Did they ask a lot of personal, ethical, veterinary, and social (world news) questions? I am very excited to see the school! Did you get accepted there?

Could you expand on why you thought the school placed an emphasis on wildlife?

Thank you!!! :p
 
verbal_kint said:
oncology? very cool! I'll have to look more into it. Just curious... when did you submit your application? I know Michigan is on a rolling basis. I didn't send my app in until about a week before the deadline.... :rolleyes:

I submitted my VMCAS application on September 9th, and had until the 25th to finish up the supplemental. Talking with the other interviewees when I was there, it seemed that they all had done the same....
 
lisambdvm said:
Hello, This question is for Snowyegret (or anyone else who knows! :) ).....I have an interview feb 16th at Michigan. Is there any advise you could give me? Is there any way for me to prepare? Did they ask a lot of personal, ethical, veterinary, and social (world news) questions? I am very excited to see the school! Did you get accepted there?

Could you expand on why you thought the school placed an emphasis on wildlife?

Thank you!!! :p

I'm not sure if there's any specific way to prepare for the Michigan interview. I was asked the following questions (in no particular order):

1) Tell us about micro/nanotechnology (I'm currently an engineer, so that part of my background seemed interesting to them).
2) Tell us about one of the most interesting clinical cases you've observed/taken part in.
3) If a client came to you to have a cat declawed, what would you do?
4) If a client came to you for tail docking what would you do?
5) How do you think veterinarians keep informed of the most recent advances in veterinary medicine?
6) Tell us about the process you would go through with a client who has a new pet.
7) If you're recommenders were standing here today, what three things would they tell us that you need to improve on?
8) Being an out-of-state applicant, how do you plan to finance your education?
9) What roles do veterinarians have beyond the clinical aspect?
10) Do you know what veterinarians do for food safety on a daily basis?
11) How do you handle stress/frustration/studying for classes that you aren't interested in?
12) Why do you want to become a veterinarian?
13) Why do you think its good for clinicians to have good research skills (it was in relation to a part of my personal statement)?
14) Do you know what the AVMA does?
15) What sort of support structure do you rely on, especially if were to move far from your home?

So, from these questions, I think having a good grasp of all aspects of veterinary medicine is important. Social, ethical, technical, personal...they were all covered. Some of the questions were "standard" interview questions that you can prepare for, but there were a lot of unexpected side questions that came up from what I said. For instance, I said something about how veterinarians are going to be needed for homeland security to monitor against bioterrorism, ensure food safety, etc...which then prompted the question about what a veterinarian does for food safety on a daily basis. Someone else I talked with got a lot of questions about the history of veterinary medicine.

I know that this has been repeated in many other posts, but just be yourself and don't be afraid to say "I don't know" when you really don't know things. And don't be afraid to allow for a little silence when you take time to think...it's better to come out with something that well stated than to blurt out something immediately and regret it.

Both of my interviewers were really nice (although I felt that one wasn't agreeing with everything I was saying for the majority of the interview). Talking with the first and second year students, it seemed like the majority of interviewers were of the "good cop" kind.

I was accepted to the class of 2010, by UPD 2-day, and the letter was dated about 10 days after the interview date.

As for the question about the wildlife...I think I meant to say that they don't have as an extensive wildlife program as I would like. Their wildlife ward is a small section of the teaching hospital that doesn't have too many cases per year. I don't really know the specifics, since I'm comparing the apparent emphasis to places like Tufts, which has an 11,000 sq. ft. wildlife hospital that is its own facility on the North Grafton campus. Auburn has the Southeastern Raptor Center. I think Illinois also has a decent wildlife center. Davis has an extensive program which I have had indirect interaction with while interning at a large wildlife hospital in the San Francisco bay area (the Lindsay Wildlife Hospital). They also do a lot of outreach; their veterinary wildlife genomics lab had a joint research project with the Lindsay, and UCD helps organize the Oiled Wildlife Care Network. The lab that I work at as an engineer had several mountain lion sightings and the Director of the UCD Wildlife Health Center started working with the site to make sure both lion and employees were safe (the lion was eventually hit by a car and killed :( ). I'd love to know if any others have more knowledge of wildlife programs at these and other schools!

I hope this helps, and good luck at your interview!
 
I guess I should clarify on my last post before I get corrected. The last time I visited UC Davis (about two years ago), their wildlife ward consisted of a small corner of the teaching hospital that did not appear very busy for that time of year (early summer). So, in that respect, their rehab capabilities seem comparable to Michigan State's. I just happen to know of all the other things that the school and faculty are involved in from a wildlife perspective, because I have been volunteering with wildlife in the Bay Area. Schools like Tufts and Auburn have rehab facilities that they advertise very well. I'm sure if I did enough digging on all of these schools, I would find that they all have positive impacts wildlife medicine. I guess some just market/emphasize their capabilities more than others ;)
 
Davis also has the Wildlife Health Center, the raptor center, and tons of electives dealing with wildlife/zoo medicine. The Wildlife Unit of the Veterinary Genetics Lab you mentioned is where I worked for a year. :) I loved it there! I believe Davis pretty well-known for wildlife stuff in general. I've also heard from a vet I worked with that to do wildlife, you're better off (if your school tracks) either picking large or small animal, because you see so many more cases than if you do wildlife. After you're done with school is really the time to specialize. Just one person's opinion though.
 
snowyegret said:
I'm not sure if there's any specific way to prepare for the Michigan interview. I was asked the following questions (in no particular order):


I hope this helps, and good luck at your interview!

YOU ARE THE BEST!!!!! :) Thank you so much for you help!!! I have been nervous about the interview. Looking at what you wrote definitely helps me. I know all of the interviews are different, but you have giving me an idea about what I should think about. Thanks again!!

Are you going to accept the offer? Are you an out-of-state applicant?
 
chickenboo said:
I've also heard from a vet I worked with that to do wildlife, you're better off (if your school tracks) either picking large or small animal, because you see so many more cases than if you do wildlife. After you're done with school is really the time to specialize. Just one person's opinion though.

You hit it right on the button, chickenboo. You must first become a good general practitioner - *then* become focused on one area. This is what I hear repeatedly from specialists whom I seek advice from (as my aim is to specialise in birds, of course). Even when you do an internship, it is best to opt for the broad/general type of internship rather than the specialised (i.e. emergency & critical care, surgical, zoo medicine, exotics) internship. It makes you more likely to succeed in becoming accepted into a residency. It is truly at residency level that you should specialise. In vet school, go towards companion or farm animals and you'll be able to adapt later.
 
lisambdvm said:
YOU ARE THE BEST!!!!! :) Thank you so much for you help!!! I have been nervous about the interview. Looking at what you wrote definitely helps me. I know all of the interviews are different, but you have giving me an idea about what I should think about. Thanks again!!

Are you going to accept the offer? Are you an out-of-state applicant?

I don't know yet if I will accept their offer. I am waiting on a few other schools to respond altogether (Penn, UC Davis, Auburn, Wisconsin) and have interviews at some others (Tufts, Illinois). I am from California and Davis is my first choice; since Davis is a little slower than the other schools, I'm sure my decision will be made in April sometime....
 
I just completed an interview at MSU this past week (Feb 16th). Interview was the most challenging by far (I've had three total, now). Just wondering if/when people are going to start hearing back.

Keep those fingers crossed...
 
whenpigsfly said:
I just completed an interview at MSU this past week (Feb 16th). Interview was the most challenging by far (I've had three total, now). Just wondering if/when people are going to start hearing back.

Keep those fingers crossed...

I was also there on the 16th....I probably met you!!!! I can't wait to hear back. The suspence is killing me!!! I am anxiously awaiting!!

Good Luck!! Let me know if anyone hears anything..hopefully sooner than later.
 
I'm in CA and sent my app in about a week before the deadline...
I haven't heard anything from Michigan yet. Are they still interviewing?
 
verbal_kint said:
I'm in CA and sent my app in about a week before the deadline...
I haven't heard anything from Michigan yet. Are they still interviewing?

I think they are still interviewing till the first week of March....They told us that we will hear back about acceptance/rejections around that same time.

Good Luck
 
got my rejection in the mail today from MSU. ah well.

good luck to everyone else!
 
I'm not sure if there's any specific way to prepare for the Michigan interview. I was asked the following questions (in no particular order):

1) Tell us about micro/nanotechnology (I'm currently an engineer, so that part of my background seemed interesting to them).
2) Tell us about one of the most interesting clinical cases you've observed/taken part in.
3) If a client came to you to have a cat declawed, what would you do?
4) If a client came to you for tail docking what would you do?
5) How do you think veterinarians keep informed of the most recent advances in veterinary medicine?
6) Tell us about the process you would go through with a client who has a new pet.
7) If you're recommenders were standing here today, what three things would they tell us that you need to improve on?
8) Being an out-of-state applicant, how do you plan to finance your education?
9) What roles do veterinarians have beyond the clinical aspect?
10) Do you know what veterinarians do for food safety on a daily basis?
11) How do you handle stress/frustration/studying for classes that you aren't interested in?
12) Why do you want to become a veterinarian?
13) Why do you think its good for clinicians to have good research skills (it was in relation to a part of my personal statement)?
14) Do you know what the AVMA does?
15) What sort of support structure do you rely on, especially if were to move far from your home?

So, from these questions, I think having a good grasp of all aspects of veterinary medicine is important. Social, ethical, technical, personal...they were all covered. Some of the questions were "standard" interview questions that you can prepare for, but there were a lot of unexpected side questions that came up from what I said. For instance, I said something about how veterinarians are going to be needed for homeland security to monitor against bioterrorism, ensure food safety, etc...which then prompted the question about what a veterinarian does for food safety on a daily basis. Someone else I talked with got a lot of questions about the history of veterinary medicine.

I know that this has been repeated in many other posts, but just be yourself and don't be afraid to say "I don't know" when you really don't know things. And don't be afraid to allow for a little silence when you take time to think...it's better to come out with something that well stated than to blurt out something immediately and regret it.

Both of my interviewers were really nice (although I felt that one wasn't agreeing with everything I was saying for the majority of the interview). Talking with the first and second year students, it seemed like the majority of interviewers were of the "good cop" kind.

I was accepted to the class of 2010, by UPD 2-day, and the letter was dated about 10 days after the interview date.

As for the question about the wildlife...I think I meant to say that they don't have as an extensive wildlife program as I would like. Their wildlife ward is a small section of the teaching hospital that doesn't have too many cases per year. I don't really know the specifics, since I'm comparing the apparent emphasis to places like Tufts, which has an 11,000 sq. ft. wildlife hospital that is its own facility on the North Grafton campus. Auburn has the Southeastern Raptor Center. I think Illinois also has a decent wildlife center. Davis has an extensive program which I have had indirect interaction with while interning at a large wildlife hospital in the San Francisco bay area (the Lindsay Wildlife Hospital). They also do a lot of outreach; their veterinary wildlife genomics lab had a joint research project with the Lindsay, and UCD helps organize the Oiled Wildlife Care Network. The lab that I work at as an engineer had several mountain lion sightings and the Director of the UCD Wildlife Health Center started working with the site to make sure both lion and employees were safe (the lion was eventually hit by a car and killed :( ). I'd love to know if any others have more knowledge of wildlife programs at these and other schools!

I hope this helps, and good luck at your interview!


Just reading these spiked my anxiety! I am bad under pressure and though I had an answer to almost all of those questions, I would freeze and my mind would go blank and I would feel like I'd pass out.. god help me if i get accepted to any interviews!!!
 
This thread is from 2006. MSU now does MMI format for interviews so those questions aren't relevant anymore.
 
This thread is from 2006. MSU now does MMI format for interviews so those questions aren't relevant anymore.
oh good so it will be different.. still scary but different haha
 
Top