Need advice for where to head...

[ReilleysMom32]

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So, I applied this year and I know that my GPA is not stellar (multiple life issues that affected it and went from a 3.9-2.0). I've worked extremely hard and I have raised it a bit, but now I'm wanting to see where I should go. I'm currently considering pursuing a post-bacc in order to try and raise my last 45 hours and my required GPA (I'm applying to LSU).

What does everyone think about this? I don't want to enter into a Master's Program, but if that's what I have to do, I'll do it.

Experience spans 10+ years in surgery, small animal, food animal, dairy, exotics, orthopedics, and emergency. Currently active in my community through WAKA, athelete, and had excellent LOR from various veterinarians that I've worked with over the years.

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated!

 

[sunshinevet]

So, I applied this year and I know that my GPA is not stellar (multiple life issues that affected it and went from a 3.9-2.0). I've worked extremely hard and I have raised it a bit, but now I'm wanting to see where I should go. I'm currently considering pursuing a post-bacc in order to try and raise my last 45 hours and my required GPA (I'm applying to LSU).

What does everyone think about this? I don't want to enter into a Master's Program, but if that's what I have to do, I'll do it.

Experience spans 10+ years in surgery, small animal, food animal, dairy, exotics, orthopedics, and emergency. Currently active in my community through WAKA, athelete, and had excellent LOR from various veterinarians that I've worked with over the years.

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated!

Whats your GPA now? Maybe you could apply international? (If its feasible). Your experience makes you an excellent candidate for murdoch, atleast.

Obviously not for everyone!

 

[cowgirla]

Where is your GPA now? If its less than 2.5 you will probably be below the cut off for most schools. Is your last 45 good (is there a clear time frame during which you improved?/ what have you done to show that you've overcome the problem?)
Just as importantly, did you rock your GRE?

I dont know much about LSU, but with anything below a 3.0 you will have a lot of trouble. Not impossible, but difficult. You might want to consider other OOS schools that dont look at cum GPA, or overseas schools as a backup option.

How long ago where the crappy grades? some schools offer grade forgiveness after a certain number of yours.

Experience is good but wont help if you are below the cut off.
Its hard to say what chances are without knowing all the details.

 

[ReilleysMom32]

I did apply to the Dick also this cycle after visiting over there in March. I actually liked it, but it scares me how they only have one exam to pass everything each year.

Essentially, Hurricane Katrina wiped out my school for a good year (2005-2006), but I took online classes. During that same time, my parents filed for divorce after 23 years of marriage and I was forced to live with my ex and his family for a bit. Then in January 2007, I was in a bad car accident that left me with permanent nerve damage and disc problems in my back and neck. I spent all of 2007 and half of 2008 going to doctors and physical therapy.

Since then, my last 45 hours is a 2.9, overall 2.1, required was calculated to a 2.5.

Yes, I know, a lot of work ahead. But I know without a doubt that I want to do surgery, hands down. Academics is the only thing holding me back. GRE was an 1100, but I'm down for taking it again.

 

[marshmallow12]

There are some schools that give you space to elaborate on additional information they may want to know, so you can definitely write down all of that to explain the grades.

 

[Bisbee]

I would definitely retake the GRE. I was able to raise my score by almost 300 points after using Kaplan (on my own, not taking any expensive course). Also, if any of your prereq. grades are below C- then you would have to retake them anyway. So, maybe one of those post-bach programs is a good idea for you since they concentrate on the specific courses that med and vet schools look for. Also, they really prepare you for vet school by focusing on the science courses. It's always something you can work on and make happen, and there are different ways to improve things that work well for different people. I'm sorry you had such a terrible period in your life, but now you can move forward and put things they way you want them. Best of luck.

 

[cowgirla]

I think a lot of schools will have an issue with the fact that you haven't "proven" you've overcome these issues- If your explanation ends in 2008, they might wonder why they havent seen a great improvement in the more recent grades (last 45). Honestly, with a cum of 2.1 I doubt your application will make it past the initial review at any school (unless the school only looks at last 45, but even that is quite low). You need at least a year of solid grades in science classes, IMO. whether that's retaking classes, post-bacc or a masters, its up to you. That will at least raise your last 45 and require GPAs. You should also look at how many credits you have and how much it will take to raise the cumGPA up to at least a 2.5.

You will need to retake any grades below a C-. Some schools also require you to retake classes after 5-6 years have gone by, so that's something to look into. And some schools forgive grades after 5-6 years so you can "Start fresh." Another thing to consider.

 

[that redhead]

Since then, my last 45 hours is a 2.9, overall 2.1, required was calculated to a 2.5.

Yes, I know, a lot of work ahead. But I know without a doubt that I want to do surgery, hands down. Academics is the only thing holding me back. GRE was an 1100, but I'm down for taking it again.

The last 45 need to be stronger - as in 3.5 and up, in my opinion. You really need to prove that these obstacles in your life were the only thing holding you back from bad grades; a 2.9 isn't going to cut it. While there are some schools that will offer grade forgiveness from old grades, grades from 2008 to present aren't "old" enough and won't be eliminated. And I tell you from experience: a 2.9 is rarely even looked at. (PM me if you'd like!)

Unfortunately, almost all schools require at least a 2.5 to even be permited to apply. So I would definitely look into post-bacc or masters work if you think that you can get really awesome grades. If you think you can't do any better, I'd stay away from more class work, or at least wait until the old grades expire (which they may by the time you finish your post-bacc work). GREs can balance out lower GPA at certain schools. But to be considered strong enough to balance you'd need more like 1400(?) or so. So work hard and prepare for them and give them another shot.

So yes, lots of work cut out for you. It can be done, and there are a couple of us on here that have gotten in with low cumulative GPAs and bumps in the road. You'll really need to put your head down and start knocking out As, though. Good luck!

 

[moosenanny]

LSU is probably a good school for you to apply to since they don't look at cumulative GPA. Rather than try to explain how they calculate GPA's, I'll just copy and paste a link to their page that explains things well:

http://www1.vetmed.lsu.edu/Admissions/DVM Admissions/GPAs/item26652.html

So, if you can raise your last 45 and take a bunch of extra science classes and get A's in them, it will really improve your GPA stats!

 

[breenie]

I'd really look into places that do grade forgiveness, too. My school (Mizzou) is one of them, and I think maybe Illinois? Don't quote me on that one.

People with 3.1s fight really hard to get in, so a 2.1 is going to be a real battle. I don't mean to say vet school is impossible for you...

You're just going to have to be extra creative and tenacious. Very very tenacious.

 

[StartingoverVet]

Personally I wonder if you are really ready for vet school. It doesn't appear that even since your troubles you are doing well academically and it is hard to imagine surviving in vet school if you are still struggling in the undergrad courses.

With all the troubles you have been through, perhaps now is not the time to expect to get in. Think about what your is causing your continued difficulties and try to address those. THEN you can retake classes, prove you are able, get a great GRE score and move ahead.

You want to make sure you will succeed when you get here, and perhaps unfortunately, the first few years are going to be almost entirely academics.

Just to be clear... I am not saying to give up, not at all. A delay may feel horrible, but could really help you out. Good Luck.

 

[Minnerbelle]

I agree with SoV/cowgirla/that redhead. I'm not saying at all that you're an incapable person. It's just that vet school is very short and material builds on one another very fast. Your ability to help your future patients depends on your ability to absorb that material in school. So it's best to go in with demonstrated ability to do well academically. It's really not the time to figure out your best study skill/academic approach for the first time. Most people need to make adjustments to their learning style to accommodate the intensity of vet school even if they did well in UG.

I wouldn't dwell on your past performance, but you really do want to demonstrate that you are capable of doing an amazing job with a full and demanding course load at least for a few semesters. And that redhead is right, that's exactly what the last 45 gpa is for, so you want that to shoot way higher. And taking UG courses rather than doing a masters is probably your best bet for a number of reasons. If your gpa is that bad, and your last 45 hasn't improved all that much, your science foundation is probably not solid, and you'll want to work on that anyway. Retake some courses and add some upper level courses on top of that. If you do a masters, it's been repeated on this forum that you're pretty much expected to get close to a 4.0 to have a shot... so you may be digging yourself a grave if you start a masters and you don't do as well. I'd do a search and look up some threads on that. And there are also really helpful threads on whether it's better to enroll as a postbac or a second degree seeking student. Good luck!