More classes or more experience?

[Jakesmom]

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I'm a non-trad looking to apply this cycle. My undergrad was in math, so I had no science classes under my belt. I have been taking classes full-time since last summer while working nights and Saturdays at an animal hospital. I only have 3 pre-req's left and am currently planning on taking one in the first session of summer, and then just the remaining 2 in the fall. My original idea was to use the extra time (second session of summer & extra time in fall) to do more shadowing, get more experience. But I worry that the adcoms will think that I'm trying to take it easy in my workload/only doing just the bare minimum. I'd like to think that I've proven I can handle a heavy workload and work at the same time. I would rather spend my time learning from actual vets, diversifying my experiences, rather than learn a bunch of info that may or may not be remotely relevant in my future. What do you guys think? Do I try to max out on classes or experience, because I can't do both.

 

[StartingoverVet]

I am also a non-trad. I had "quarters" with one and no classes due to scheduling difficulties and it really had no impact and was not brought up in interviews. More experience, on the other hand, would have been helpful everywhere (even though I was pretty successful).

Go with the experience. Especially if you can "diversify" it.

 

[CBRGrl]

I think it depends on where you apply, but for my 2c I'd say classes, definitely. In vet school you will be taking up to 26 credits each semester of intense courses, so its super important to show them that you can handle rigerous load of upper division science classes.

I was a non-trad myself, with a degree in Psychology when I applied. Didnt get in the first time around but succeeded my second after doing a coursework-based masters in biomedical sciences. After the first cycle, I too had an option to go back to work or to take more classes. Not knowing what to do, I attended the post-mortem and was told, hands down, good grades while taking a rigerous load would be my saving grace. It turned out they were right!

Good luck 🙂

 

[BlacKAT33]

I'd definitely go for the experience.

You're a non trad student who got a degree in something unrelated to ansc or bio. How was your GPA before you started taking pre-req courses? You've already shown that you can handle a full schedule when you were a math major so i dont think it's necessary to show it again. How are you doin in pre-req grades? If you are doin well you are fine. You REALLY need experience when you apply, the more you have the better. Unless you have a 3.8+ GPA and 1350+ GRE you will need a lot of vet/animal experience. I think it would look much worse if you applied with little experience and a full schedule compared to lots of experience and a small schedule because you have already been a full time student as a math major. However, make sure the experience is GOOD experience and not a waste of time.

I wouldnt spend the experience time just shadowing though, unless they let you do a lot of hands on work. I would get into a research/lab job. If you only plan to shadow or be a SA tech then I would add on 1 upper level sci course (so ud be taking 3 classes total in fall) and then work part time like 25-30 hrs a week.

 

[Jakesmom]

I'm going to be applying at Ohio State, so if you have insight into what they value more, that'd be really helpful! Here are my general stats: 3.58 GPA undergrad, 3.81 science pre-req's, 1360 GRE, all while working ~30hrs/week for last 1.5 years at SA clinic. I've only just started on my LA & wildlife experiences, so I'd like to do as much with them as I can. I see the merit in both sides, but really think I'd be better served by getting more/diverse experience. I would like to think my stats prove I have the ability to handle difficult courses, especially since I have been working and commuting to take my pre-req's at a school an hour away.

 

[BlacKAT33]

Your stats are great. If you're only applying to one school just call them up. With those stats I think experience is better. But really, if you've been working as a tech for 1.5 yrs you should have a ton of SA hours as experience. Of course diverse experience is still better...but at least you aren't literally w/o any vet experience. Since you have been handling a full schedule while working 30 hrs a week, i would vote for taking 3 classes in the fall so you can take an upper level science course along with your 2 pre-reqs, but since that schedule is pretty light you should still have a lot of time for working/shadowing

 

[that redhead]

If your GPA is solid, I would go for more experience, especially since you're a non-traditional student. In my opinion, that might show the adcoms that you do understand what you're getting into/saying you want to do 🙂

 

[crittergal]

Is it possible for you to find some form of UG research experience that would also apply as upper-level coursework? You could add additional diverse experience to your app as well as increasing your fall courseload.

 

[lalzi22]

your stats are pretty solid. I would say go with the diversity of experience. I have fairly similar stats to yours and during my interview the interviewers said how they appreciated the uniqueness of some of my animal/vet experience.