Need advice (what else is new?)

[KittenRescue]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Hi All,
First I would just would like to say I love coming to this forum and just reading through all the threads. Sometimes I feel so alone and wrapped up in all this "pre-vet" stuff so it is nice to see others going through the same crapola.
Anyways.. For the last year I have been working at a SA clinic as well as doing pet sitting.
A little Backround: Before I decided to go back to school I had a very successfull pet sitting buisness. I cut back some but was somehow able to go to school, work at the clinic and pet sit..
Well next semester 1 of them will have to go.. I just dont have the time..
So on one hand I love pet sitting, love the pets and my clients. I am going to feel horrible telling all them they will have to find someone else.
On the other hand I am so sick of the animal clinic I work at.. To much drama and egos.. just the thought of going to work stresses me out. I have thousands of hours with SA and I dont think it will be that big of a deal if I quit..(hours wise). But I will still need LOR's for next cycle from them..
Plus I still have to get some large animal and or exotic experience.. So
I was thinking of quiting the clinic, keeping my pet sitting business and doing some volunteer work with large animals...
Oh yeah I also make more $ pet sitting and will work less hours which will give me more time for volunteering.
In the meantime I dont even know my schedule yet for fall! Still trying to get in the classes I need..
So stressed.................... Any thoughts, suggestions, ideas will be happily taken!! Thanks!

 

[OneDay81]

When are you thinking about applying? If its not for another year or so, and you can get a volunteer position working for a vet or two, then you may be fine as far having letters from vets. Do you think that your current employer would give you an amazing letter, or would you be better off working with another vet that lets you shine and show your true potential?

 

[KittenRescue]

I will be applying next cycle,so yes over a year from now.. Where I work now there are 10 doctors, (it's a cooperation with 5 different hospitals that the doctors roate through.) There is 1 or 2 doctors that I would ask for a LOR, I'm sure they would be ok.. but I really dont know them that well. There are a few I work with that I wonder how they got through vet school.. lol

 

[that redhead]

Is there any way you can talk to some/all/one of the vets at the practice and explain your situation? I would leave out the part about how terrible everyone is and focus on your desire to strengthen your application through broadening your horizons. If you can break it off amicably, there shouldn't be a problem with an eLOR.

Also, if you don't know them that well, you may want to focus on finding people that know you and your work ethic/dedication/etc to write you the best letter possible.

 

[Packen]

I left the SA practice I worked for about 2.5yrs ago because my husband's business needed help and I had to go work with him (long story). But I have kept in touch and visit the clinic a few times a year. I made sure the doctors knew I was still interested in applying to vet school and when it came time to ask for LORs, they were more than happy to oblige. And, even though I hadn't been there for a while the letters were both really good (they both forwarded me copies of what they submitted to VMCAS).

So my advice would be to explain to the SA your desire to gain more experience with LA or exotics, and leave on good terms. Maybe even get the email addresses for the doctors you are going to ask for LORs and then you can give them an update on your progress in towards the start of the new year. Plus it will help to keep them from forgetting who you are.