NCSU CVM Updates

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hi hajucatIF...are you on the IS or OOS waitlist? Im on the IS waitlist. Its crazy I have been waiting for the 15th to come around for so long and now I am so nervous! How did you find out that quite a few OOS were declining their spots? I believe the deadline for declines last year was also the 15th (but Im not sure). Anyway, I know somebody who got called off the waitlist last year on april 16th ...i think it was in the morning too. So maybe we will both hear good news tomorrow morning. It would be a wonderful start to the weekend! I'll keep my fingers crossed for both of us! :xf:
 
I am an IS student who declined my offer yesterday. Hopefully they will start calling people off the wait list soon.
 
Anyone IS or OOS hear anything at all about the waitlist yet????
 
nothing here either....but I'm not keeping my hopes up
 
Has anyone heard anything about the waitlist? Any movement at all??
Does anyone know if they notify the waitlisters that aren't accepted when the class is full??
Also, I hear they're doing a group application review session on the 22nd - is anyone going? I really wish they did individual reviews....
 
Tech2vet, I'm not sure about the waitlist information...but I did go to the group review session last year. I didn't find it very helpful and would definitely advise against it. Just my 2 cents.

ETA: I wish you the best of luck.
 
Thought you guys might like to know...
Mr. Huckel is so helpful! I emailed late last night asking if the class was finalized and he emailed me this straight away:

We're still in the process of finalizing the class. We needed to fill 4 in-state slots and 5 nonresident slots. Nine admitted applicants waited until April 15 to tell us that they declined our offer. I will notify all applicants on the waitlist as soon as the class is filled.

I thought that was so nice of him to give me all of the details!! Best of luck fellow waitlisters!!
 
Tech2vet...thats odd...i emailed him monday afternoon. He definitely told me that there were 3 IS who declined and he had made offers to 3 other students who expressed interest in the seat. As for the OOS, he said they were working on filling the 5 slots. But I took it like they had already filled the IS slots just not the OOS slots. Oh well...heres to hoping I am wrong and maybe they will even go through the entire OOS list and have to pull from the IS list (it has happened i think two times in the past 8 years). haha...that would be nice. Good luck to you!:luck:
 
Hey guys! Just to let you know, I got a call from Mr. Huckel yesterday - I was (of course! Grr.) at work so he left me a message. Basically saying he wanted to talk with me about my position on the waitlist, "gauge my interest in their program", and see if I still had an interest in attending NCSU. I'm going to give him a call back today and see if this means a spot is opening or they're just trying to narrow the people left on the waitlist by cutting those not interested. I'll keep you updated!
 
NittanyKitty, my friend was also on the OOS waitlist at NCSU an they called her yesterday to offer her a spot. If I had to guess, I'd say they were trying to do the same thing with you.
 
Nittanykitty, thanks for the update and please do let us know what you find out!
 
Called back today, and I was offered a spot after being pulled from the OOS waitlist. I asked if I could have the weekend to do an "emergency visit" down and see the school and area and they are allowing me a week to make my choice (which is really, really nice of them). NCSU was my first choice during the admissions process but having to turn down Wisconsin at this point is harder than I thought. I'll keep you updated with my decision but know that the waitlists are moving!
 
Nittanykitty, if you want someone to show you around, let me know. If you have read other posts of mine, you know I have mixed feelings about NCSU, but overall I think it is a great option and would be happy to escort you around the school,
 
Nittanykitty, if you want someone to show you around, let me know. If you have read other posts of mine, you know I have mixed feelings about NCSU, but overall I think it is a great option and would be happy to escort you around the school,

I sure do appreciate it, sumstorm! Like, a lot a lot. 🙂 I have a friend who went to PSU with me who is a first-year at NCSU, so she might help me out as well. I'll be in touch! And seriously, thank you.
 
Congrats, NittanyKitty!

On an unrelated note, does anyone know what I need to do in order to get a North Carolina Driver's license (if I have a Florida's driver's license already)? Will I need to take any written and/or driving tests or is it going to be more of just a transfer thing from my Florida one to a NC one?
 
I'm pretty sure it's just a written test - like any other state. Why are you changing your license? There is no requirement to change if you are moving to the state just for school.
 
I'm pretty sure it's just a written test - like any other state. Why are you changing your license? There is no requirement to change if you are moving to the state just for school.

probably to establish IS next year. Need stuff with NC address & take a computerized multiple choice quize. The sooner the better. I think, for IS, there is a work requirement as well.
 
I'm an OOS as well. For gaining residency purposes, it is my understanding that we'll need to do the following in the summer:

1) need to get car insurance in NC (need NC living address)
2) license (need proof of car insurance in NC. written and vision test.)
3) register car in NC
4) register to vote (sign up after get license)

For filing taxes for 2010, you'll need to be living in the state (with all of the above complete) for 140-ish days in 2010. I'll be finding some sort of job in NC (even if it's only a few days a month) so I can actually have something to report.

Please correct me if I'm wrong.

Sumstorm, is there a way to purchase used books online from students?

NittanyKitty, congrats and best of luck with the decision-making process!
 
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Congrats Sharpei! So are you still going to go to UF?
 
I'm an OOS as well. For gaining residency purposes, it is my understanding that we'll need to do the following in the summer:

1) need to get car insurance in NC (need NC living address)
2) license (need proof of car insurance in NC. written and vision test.)
3) register car in NC
4) register to vote (sign up after get license)

For filing taxes for 2010, you'll need to be living in the state (with all of the above complete) for 140-ish days in 2010. I'll be finding some sort of job in NC (even if it's only a few days a month) so I can actually have something to report.

Please correct me if I'm wrong.

Sumstorm, is there a way to purchase used books online from students?

NittanyKitty, congrats and best of luck with the decision-making process!

Thanks for the info, Lioncat! So for those of you who have gotten more in-depth with this process, how soon should we move in order to get this stuff taken care of? July 20th might be the earliest day I can get down there, and I know that this will likely be pushing it time-wise. If I take out a lease on an apartment starting in, say, June but don't actually move-in until July, will that be a problem? Any advice on gaining residency would be appreciated!

Also, I'm hoping to look at a few apartments while I'm down there this weekend. Any hints on what parts/streets/neighborhoods of Raleigh are safe and affordable and which a single, female, and poor grad student should avoid? 🙄 I'd like a place within a 15 minute (20 minute max) drive of the vet school. That seems to rule out a lot of Chapel Hill and Durham from what Google Maps has told me. I know nothing about the area, so again, thanks for any info and tips!
 
Pretty sure you will be fine as long as you get it all started by August.

For those of you coming to NCSU, I am looking for housemates. I have a couple of rooms for rent. I live 13 minutes (if you drive the speed limit) from my house to campus, with alternative routes for convenience (or when state fair is happening.)

I would be happy to share additional info with anyone who is interested.

Otherwise, there is a classified board, but you have to have an NCSU ID to access it. Otherwise there are lots of posted houses around the CVM.
 
Yeah Im going to UF. NC state never seemed like a real option until today,and UF has always been my #1. UF it is
 
Sharpei, that's cool man. Congrats on your many acceptances. You know, it would be cool to meet up with all the 2014'ers at the SAVMA symposium at Davis. (I know that's already been mentioned I believe).
 
Also, I'm hoping to look at a few apartments while I'm down there this weekend. Any hints on what parts/streets/neighborhoods of Raleigh are safe and affordable and which a single, female, and poor grad student should avoid? I'd like a place within a 15 minute (20 minute max) drive of the vet school.

Raleigh is very, very safe 🙂

I don't know much about the different apartment buildings though off hand, since I've always lived with my parents while in Raleigh! If you have some buildings in mind and want to PM me about them, I'd be happy to give you my opinion though, especially about the neighborhood! There are quite a few new-ish apt complexes off of Trinity that would be very convenient, and Cary is pretty nearby as well (and very fancy spancy, as it was all developed in the last 15 years :laugh: )

You may want to stay away from the area around Hillsborough Street (near the main part of campus-mostly rental houses) since that is where most of the undergrads live 🙂
 
Got back from NCSU late last night and really enjoyed the time I spent there. Raleigh had a muuuuch different feeling from Madison, but I really did like it. I also had the chance to check out a few apartment complexes, and I was really surprised how pet-friendly they all were. Finding a place in Wisconsin that allows dogs and is in a good neighborhood is very tough! The school itself was beautiful and the friend who led me around and showed me the place seems pretty happy with the program barring a few complaints (but I'd imagine that everyone has a few issues).

Couple of questions that I hope others can answer as I try to decide...

1) I know the food animal caseload is pretty low at NCSU, but do students feel there is enough room in their schedules to do externships and rotations elsewhere to get experience?

2) My friend mentioned some personality conflicts among professors (anatomy came up often in this respect). Is there any indication that this will be different next year?

3) The scheduling of exams to give time for "selectives" at the end of the semester was pretty neat. Does anyone feel that this makes them rushed during the year to cram all of the info into a shorter timeframe?

4) Just how hot are the summers down there? 🙄

5) What is the overall "feel" of the classes and school? More competitive, more family-like, etc? Unfortunately, I couldn't spend time there when a lot of faculty and students were present.

Any info would be appreciated as I make my decision!
 
1) I know the food animal caseload is pretty low at NCSU, but do students feel there is enough room in their schedules to do externships and rotations elsewhere to get experience?

our LA vets and clubs do a lot. We have cowabunga to study beef/dairy across different regions of the country. I spent days at a goat dairy sampling and vaccinating. Went to an alpaca farm for herd health assessment a few weeks ago. Have palpation labs. We do have a working farm on site (self supporting) on site, and my understanding is that is pretty unique.

2) My friend mentioned some personality conflicts among professors (anatomy came up often in this respect). Is there any indication that this will be different next year?

There was a lot of feedback on this through the admin and class/professor evaluations. I sincerly hope it is resolved. It was not a problem in first semester anatomy, but a huge problem in the second semester. My hope is that the feedback will remedy this situation I do admit, it was bad, but having said that, the class pulled together and made it through. And, I was one of the students in danger in that class, and had at least 3 students step up and help me with 1 on 1 reviews.

3) The scheduling of exams to give time for "selectives" at the end of the semester was pretty neat. Does anyone feel that this makes them rushed during the year to cram all of the info into a shorter timeframe?

One of my top complaints is that we do have a heavier course load than some other schools. Having said that, I have heard clinicians at other residencies compliment the general knowledge base of NCSU studnts that are now residents. My other complaint is that our classes aren't integrated and the professors don't work together (ie immunology is taught distinctly seperate from virology and microbiology and the profs don't always line up exactly in what answer they want regurgitated.) Having said that, we cover a lot of ground, and it is survivable. Getting done two weeks earlier is nice...by that point, we all want to be done. The selectives are great. I am in primate med right now. I learned about epidemiology with wildlife populations/domstic populations in enviro med last week. I honestly think the selectives is one of the greatest things and I wouldn't trade a longer semester or more time for it (I also seriously doubt our professors wouldn't just increase material rather than thinning it out over an additional two weeks.)

4) Just how hot are the summers down there? 🙄

That is what AC is for! Seriously, you won't want to be outside in the sunshine midday, but mornings and evenings are comfortable enough for walks, biking, etc. Humidity is more of a problem than heat, but it isn't suffucating like Thailand or Louisiana.

5) What is the overall "feel" of the classes and school? More competitive, more family-like, etc? Unfortunately, I couldn't spend time there when a lot of faculty and students were present.

There are gunners and drama-monarchs in every class, but in general the classes tend to be fairly relaxed. We have pretty diverse classes (diversity is selected for) in terms of socio-economic background, culture, race, experience, age, etc. I can't imagine that there isn't a group of friends for every individual. There seem to be a fair number of friendships between classes, particularly with the big sib program and the clubs. Each class has a personality, though. Our class is known for the vast majority attending evey class, creativity, and being heavily involved in activities. The class above us has a strong core group of leaders, with folks very into their club/interest activitis. The class above that has a 'teacher-leader' model with less participation.
 
I'm gonna answer this without reading sumstorm's response so I'm not biased 🙂

Couple of questions that I hope others can answer as I try to decide...

1) I know the food animal caseload is pretty low at NCSU, but do students feel there is enough room in their schedules to do externships and rotations elsewhere to get experience?
Really? I feel like a significant portion of the class is food/large animal focused, I can't imagine that the caseload is that low. Between clubs and cowabunga and the hospital, there should be plenty for you to do.

2) My friend mentioned some personality conflicts among professors (anatomy came up often in this respect). Is there any indication that this will be different next year?
Lol. This was really annoying, but do I actually think it was important? No. So, do I think it affected my learning? Eh, maybe. Not enough so that I can say that it really had any effect.

3) The scheduling of exams to give time for "selectives" at the end of the semester was pretty neat. Does anyone feel that this makes them rushed during the year to cram all of the info into a shorter timeframe?
No. I mean, I haven't done it any other way, so I can't compare...but I don't feel rushed at all. I think selectives are one reason why NCSU is best 😀 Since I'm zoo focused, this is one of the only times when I can take courses that cater to what I want to do. I'm sitting in freaking Primate Med right now! Selectives are also a time when you can do externships 😉

4) Just how hot are the summers down there? 🙄
SUMMERS HERE ARE MISERABLE. I hate the weather. HATE IT. It's unbearably hot and freaking humid. It's summer half the freaking year.

5) What is the overall "feel" of the classes and school? More competitive, more family-like, etc? Unfortunately, I couldn't spend time there when a lot of faculty and students were present.
Again, I can't compare to anywhere else, but we all get along pretty well. I think that that depends a lot more on the people on your class than the school though. That being said, NCSU classes are hella diverse, which helps. Also, our teachers don't like competition. Family-mindset all around.

Any info would be appreciated as I make my decision!
I personally don't prefer the area, but I would probably be in the minority in that. I visited Madison for the SAVMA symposium and LOVED it. For my interests though, NCSU is definitely the better school. I'd love to answer any other questions you have. Sorry I probably wouldn't be a good source for large/food animal stuffs.
 
Ah, come on, IvyLynx...we are sitting in the same class...we may share some of the same biases! 😛

Do you really think the conflict didn't affect anatomy? I felt there was a lot of one-upmanship on the practical, particularly the second one. I know that wasn't one of your favorites either. The conflict definitly affected my ability to learn in lab. Having two professors argueing vehmently overhead about what something on a cadaver really did frustrate me. If I can't get a definitive answer to a question that may be asked on a practical, how am I expected to know it later on? I admit, I am more sensitive to noise and discord than IvyLynx is, so you may be getting different ends of the spectrum. I did hear quite a few students complain about the conflict. Then again, I had a professor ID a patella on a tarso-metatarsal joint.
 
Sumstorm, having professors argue (i'm assuming in front of your or while class/lab is occurring) would absolutely be distracting to me. Was it there first time teaching it together or has it been an ongoing dislike of each other? Off topic, but about how many of your classes were taught by multiple professors?
 
I think I learned which teachers to ask which questions, and eventually, they started pointing me to more knowledgeable professors as well. I was beyound frustrated at the beginning of the course this semester. You're misidentifying muscles? How am I supposed to learn them then?! Once, ok, but multiple muscle misIDs? 😡 As things went on though, I'd get "hmm, I don't remember. Lemme grab a book and look it up for you", or "Ask Dr. So-and-so".

I don't even wanna talk about the effing practical. What do I even say? Our professionals didn't handle that very professionally; I think we all suffered for it too. I know my GPA did. I am pretty good at selectively blocking things out though, so that helps in lab.

Sumstorm, having professors argue (i'm assuming in front of your or while class/lab is occurring) would absolutely be distracting to me. Was it there first time teaching it together or has it been an ongoing dislike of each other? Off topic, but about how many of your classes were taught by multiple professors?

The dynamic was different. We had an additional teacher, which meant that we had a radically different course than the years before us too! I don't see it changing for you guys. Hope you love equine stuff.

Most of our classes are taught by multiple professors.
 
Thanks for the response IvyLynx. I was just curious...I'll actually be attending Auburn in the fall. However, I do like to keep up with N.C. State stuff. I have a few friends that are they now or will be there in the fall....oh and a few friends that are interested in attending there.
 
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Sumstorm, having professors argue (i'm assuming in front of your or while class/lab is occurring) would absolutely be distracting to me. Was it there first time teaching it together or has it been an ongoing dislike of each other? Off topic, but about how many of your classes were taught by multiple professors?

It wasn't their first time teaching together, but in the past, one professor was in charge, this time it was a different one, and I think that is what brought the tensions up. I think there has been an ongoing dislike, but that the change in power dynamics is what allowed it to bubble up in front of students. Also, some of it was just really immature behavior by professors that shouldn't be so immature. Like rolling their eyes behind the back of another professor making an announcement in lab. I am hoping that all the comments in evaluations will embarrass them into behavior, or cause admin to step in and re-evaluate the structure of the course.

While we have multiple profs in a majority of classes, but often it is a section is covered by each, or a lecture by each, and if you had questions on that section, you would be directed to that professor. Anatomy is the only one where there was a lot of chaos created by having different professors. Otherwise, it has been a great dynamic.
 
Thanks for the responses Sumstorm and IvyLynx. 😉
 
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Thanks for the help, sumstorm and IvyLynx! I'm pretty much certain that I'll be with you guys at NCSU next year once I get my earlier-than-expected move sorted out. 🙂 A last question - I know computers are recommended in class, but are printed notes available or provided by the school? Also, from your experiences and those of your classmates, is gaining in-state residency really as easy as they say it is? I'm very nervous that I move down there banking on that tuition break and then end up paying OOS fees for four years...
 
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Hi guys-

I've been procrastinating big time tonight working on my master list of schools to apply to and keep revisiting NCSU for some reason. I think I had mostly ruled it out because of the 3.4 gpa thing and also the relatively small number of OOS slots. But anyway, in revisiting it tonight I had several revelations... one, I don't know if it is practical, but I have a potentially free place to stay in Durham (near Duke) which I just mapped out to be about 20 miles from the vet school. Does that sound about right? Does anybody live in Durham?

Second revelation is that I don't know why exactly I was so turned off by the 3.4 gpa thing, since I may very well make the cut. I looked on their website, and it indicated that cGPA, reqGPA, and last 45 all have to meet the cut off. Does anyone know what they consider your cumulative? Is this everything including graduate work and post-bac classes? If so, I am in the clear... and similar question about last 45... is this full time undergrad, or everything? Pre-req one is self explainatory at least! I think I actually do make the cut-off no matter how exactly they are calculated, except one possible version, then it is important to know how many sig figs are counted. In one version of my cGPA (my undergrad only one) I have a 3.4, but not a 3.40, if that makes sense. I hate be splitting hairs, but my interest has been piqued and I thought someone on this thread might know! I will certainly be calling to verify the answer this summer, but I've gotten to wondering.

Thanks for any help! And congrats to all the class of 2014 members!!!
 
They count everything in your GPA - last 45 is the last 45 you have ever taken, rounded up for the semester. Mine ended up being last 51.
 
Dont forget you can always apply for Alternative Eligibility as well.

Alternative Eligibility

It is recognized that applicants may not meet the minimum academic standards. In certain cases, applicants who do not meet the minimum GPA requirements (in one, two, or all three GPA categories) may be considered for admission based on alternative evidence of academic qualification as determined by the Faculty Committee on Admissions. This classification helps identify applicants who may have had some impediment (medical issue, family illness, unrelated major) to meeting minimum academic standards. It is incumbent on the applicant to provide evidence of academic strength (usually a stronger Last 45 GPA or Required Course GPA) while detailing what strengths he or she would bring to the admitted class in light of the overall academic record.
Consideration under "Alternative Eligibility" applies only to GPA requirements and not the other admissions requirements (C- or better in required courses, no more than two required courses remaining in the spring semester of the admissions cycle, lack of prerequisites, etc.). Alternative eligibility must be requested at time of application by completing the appropriate section (Question #6) on the Supplemental Application.
Applicants should determine their own grade point averages in all three categories (Required Course, Last 45 and Overall) before submitting an application. To determine a GPA, simply divide the total quality points by the total number of credits using the grade conversion chart listed above.
Please contact the Student Services Office if you have a question concerning Alternative Eligibility.
 
Thanks for the help, sumstorm and IvyLynx! I'm pretty much certain that I'll be with you guys at NCSU next year once I get my earlier-than-expected move sorted out. 🙂 A last question - I know computers are recommended in class, but are printed notes available or provided by the school? Also, from your experiences and those of your classmates, is gaining in-state residency really as easy as they say it is? I'm very nervous that I move down there banking on that tuition break and then end up paying OOS fees for four years...

professors post their power points. some post their written notes. some classes have note packs that we buy at the beginning of the semester.

my understanding is that as long as you are willing to work here over th summer, gaining IS isn't a problem (you actually have access to lawyers that will assist you with this.... included as part of your tuition.)
 
Thanks ArmyMutt and GellaBella! So I am thinking that if the last 45 includes whatever is most recent (not just undergrad) that the cumulative one does to. In which case I wouldn't need alternative eligibility which is good because I don't think I would really qualify (nothing unusually tragic happened to me in undergrad, other than double majoring in chemistry and physics and thinking that if I got A's and B's I was doing ok!).

Perhaps NCSU is back on the already too long list! Thanks again!
 
professors post their power points. some post their written notes. some classes have note packs that we buy at the beginning of the semester.

my understanding is that as long as you are willing to work here over th summer, gaining IS isn't a problem (you actually have access to lawyers that will assist you with this.... included as part of your tuition.)

Thanks for the information - I've spoken to a couple of friends from PA who attend NCSU currently. One has completed the residency switch and one is in the middle of it now. They're pretty happy with the process and indicate that if you follow the steps you're just about golden.

Officially sending in my acceptance form today! Can't wait to meet you in person, sumstorm! 🙂
 
Did anyone see the NC State website??...alternate eligibility no longer applies for non residents! This info just showed up on the website so it must have just changed and it is effective beginning this admissions cycle. I know that I won't be able to apply to NC State now because I was going to apply under this program...my prereq gpa is just under the minimum. I'm totally busted.
 
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Did you guys see #9, slide 15 of this?

http://www.cvm.ncsu.edu/studentservices/documents/DVM2010ApplicantReviewSession_000.pdf

I lol'd. (Sorry if its been mentioned already, hadn't seen it before.)

That's hilarious! I can just picture them (hi admissions :hello:) reading these forums and shaking their heads over all the misinformation going around!

Did anyone see the NC State website??...alternate eligibility no longer applies for non residents! This info just showed up on the website so it must have just changed and it is effective beginning this admissions cycle. I know that I won't be able to apply to NC State now because I was going to apply under this program...my prereq gpa is just under the minimum. I'm totally busted.

Interesting. That's really too bad for lots of applicants who I am sure would be great candidates. Boo!

I still need to find the time to call or e-mail them for a little more clarity on calculating the GPAs since they are still on my possibilities list... if I can't count graduate and recent classes in the cGPA, then it becomes important whether the cut off is 3.4 or 3.40. Talk about splitting hairs!
 
For those of you at NCSU currently, which textbooks and supplies would you suggest buying for the first year? In undergrad I generally didn't purchase "recommended" texts but found required books to be helpful resources. What are the crucial supplies every student should get?
 
Are you looking at VETS ordering?

I didn't buy anything except coveralls from VETS. you will absolutly need Miller's. I don't remember what else is recommended. I never cracked the microbiology books. I did find the dorland's mini dictionary very helpful. I did use the histology book, but it wasn't necessary. You can find better dissection kits online, and nitrile gloves are cheapest at Sam's club. I have found all books cheaper online. or email 2013 and ask if anyone will sell.

they will order class notes for you. Some of those notes are available online. if you don't open the notes pack, you can opt to return individual note packs. This is a great thing if you are a major computer user.
 
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