Minnesota 2024-2025 (c/o 2029 hopefuls)

[supershorty]

This thread is for discussing applications to the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine in the 2024-2025 (class of 2029) cycle.

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[eleanor713]

Hi everyone! I know every year applicants are always wondering when they will hear back from schools. This past cycle we heard if we were offered an interview on 12/27, interviews were through zoom in late January, and offers were extended by phone call on 2/7! Obviously no guarantee that the timeline will stay the same but hopefully it will give you somewhat of an idea
I will be a first year this fall at UMN so I would love to answer any questions regarding the application, interview, etc!

 

[_rae_]

Same as @eleanor713, I'll be a first year this fall, two-time applicant so very familiar with VMCAS. Happy to answer any questions!

 

[supershorty]

I'm a c/o 2024 grad and dual DVM/PhD program grad, happy to answer any questions. Don't ask me questions about the curriculum prior to 4th year, though, as it's changed since I went through (I was originally c/o 2020 and then stepped out to do my PhD), but we've got people on this forum from every current class year, so they can help out with didactic curriculum questions.

I very much enjoyed my time at UMN and hope that some of y'all will get to experience it as well 😊

 

[Lunax25]

Not sure how helpful I'll be but I'm also gonna be a first year and may check for questions on occasion!

 

[Penny$29]

Hi! I'm thinking about applying to UMN this upcoming cycle, I'm a first-time applicant but this is my second application cycle. I was researching VMSAR and the UMN website, to see how much academic history is weighted. I have a decent GPA and a really strong Last 45 GPA, so I'm trying to apply to schools that will favor those categories. I know some schools say they weigh GPA a certain percentage, is there a specific value UMN weighs it for, or is it considered equally as much as experience? Thanks so much for the help!

 

[_rae_]

I don't remember them saying exactly how they weighed things! I had a 3.64 overall and a 3.65 last 45 I think. I would say Minnesota leans more holistic overall. I felt like my non-STEM degree, my experiences, and my letters were what made me stand out.

Edit: Just looked in VMSAR and it looks like they're no longer considering overall, just pre-requisite and last 45!

 

[Lunax25]

On the other hand, I at least think that my grades were my strongest point, and UMN is the only school I got into, so ymmv

 

[Catmom08]

Hi,

I am currently finalizing my supplementals and I am not sure if I am totally overthinking here.

For the 2nd essay:
"In essay form, describe one or two veterinary experiences that showcase your skills and abilities.
For each experience, choose one or two competencies and explain how you demonstrated or developed those competencies during that experience." would veterinary experience be required to be under the supervision of a vet or would animal experience be ok? Sorry if this is stupid, I'm just stressing as my apps are due in 2 days.

 

[Cowsrcool]

Hi,

I am currently finalizing my supplementals and I am not sure if I am totally overthinking here.

For the 2nd essay:
"In essay form, describe one or two veterinary experiences that showcase your skills and abilities.
For each experience, choose one or two competencies and explain how you demonstrated or developed those competencies during that experience." would veterinary experience be required to be under the supervision of a vet or would animal experience be ok? Sorry if this is stupid, I'm just stressing as my apps are due in 2 days.

If they specify veterinary I would include an experience under a veterinarian as VMCAS separates animal and veterinary I would assume UMN is doing the same here

 

[_rae_]

Hi,

I am currently finalizing my supplementals and I am not sure if I am totally overthinking here.

For the 2nd essay:
"In essay form, describe one or two veterinary experiences that showcase your skills and abilities.
For each experience, choose one or two competencies and explain how you demonstrated or developed those competencies during that experience." would veterinary experience be required to be under the supervision of a vet or would animal experience be ok? Sorry if this is stupid, I'm just stressing as my apps are due in 2 days.

Definitely something veterinary. I wrote about handling a very stressed and fear aggressive dog with another technician, and using my fear free training.

 

[catsandsnakes]

I went to pay the supplemental fee but I am not seeing a place to input my VMCAS ID. Is this normal or am I missing a box to input it?

 

[resistnotebook]

I went to pay the supplemental fee but I am not seeing a place to input my VMCAS ID. Is this normal or am I missing a box to input it?

I was worried about this as well, but received an email within a day or two which confirmed that they received my payment. I'm guessing they match the payment via name and email?

 

[catsandsnakes]

I was worried about this as well, but received an email within a day or two which confirmed that they received my payment. I'm guessing they match the payment via name and email?

Okay, that makes me feel a lot better! I was assuming they somehow matched it by name (luckily there's no chance someone else is applying w my same name) but that seems less convenient haha

 

[Cowsrcool]

Will vmcas / UMN calculate my last 45 for me or should I do that myself to know? I got my app verified but it doesn’t list last 45 gpa anywhere I can see

 

[DogtorAsh]

Will vmcas / UMN calculate my last 45 for me or should I do that myself to know? I got my app verified but it doesn’t list last 45 gpa anywhere I can see

Every school calculates their last 45 differently. Honestly, UMN never told me what they calculated it as, I only knew roughly what my last 45 was from "averaging" it based on the ranges/values I got from other schools that do give you this information (Iowa, UC Davis, etc for example). But to further answer your question, VMCAS does not calculate last 45 so you won't find it anywhere on your app! Hope that helps!

 

[mn1309]

Hi! Good luck to everyone this cycle! I’m a first time OOS UMN applicant but 3rd cycle applicant. Does anyone know if they average repeated courses or only take the highest grade in their pre-requisite GPA calculation? I failed organic chemistry the first time around but ultimately made an A, so this is huge for me.

 

[DogtorAsh]

Hi! Good luck to everyone this cycle! I’m a first time OOS UMN applicant but 3rd cycle applicant. Does anyone know if they average repeated courses or only take the highest grade in their pre-requisite GPA calculation? I failed organic chemistry the first time around but ultimately made an A, so this is huge for me.

Finally found this because I thought I was going insane trying to find this:

Repeated coursework:
Prerequisite courses may be repeated if
needed. Repeated coursework can be taken
at the same or a different college. The highest
grade received will be used in the
prerequisite course GPA calculation.

Editing to add this is the doc it came from (Page 11 specifically--well 12 on the PDF, but 11 on the actual doc):

 

[mn1309]

Finally found this because I thought I was going insane trying to find this:

Repeated coursework:
Prerequisite courses may be repeated if
needed. Repeated coursework can be taken
at the same or a different college. The highest
grade received will be used in the
prerequisite course GPA calculation.

Editing to add this is the doc it came from (Page 11 specifically--well 12 on the PDF, but 11 on the actual doc):

You’re amazing, thank you so much!