Need Some Advice....

[jtom]

---

Members do not see this ad.

I already graduated and I was fortunate to be able to get into a microbiology course with lab this fall in order to apply this year. However, this microbiology course meets at a very bad time, right during lunch time. I currently work as a field tech and we are gone all day most days. The unfortunate thing is that the microbio class with the lab meets right in the middle of the days I am working. I cannot just show up mid afternoon as we do not go back to the clinic.

As a result, I would have to go from getting paid to volunteering. Now I am currently living with my parents so I dont necessarily need the money but my concern is residency- I am 24 and considered an independent student. If I applied this year and took the class I would not be able to submit income tax information. I called my IS vet school a few months ago and they said I would need some form of income tax for 12 consecutive months to be considered an IS student. I would not be able to do this if I took this class. Unfortunately the vet schools staff intentionally will not tell me how much money I have to make etc to qualify for residency (I thought I could work one day a week if possible).

Any advice would be appreciated. I am not sure what to do.

Thanks!

 

[nyanko]

What's your in-state?? For some reason I thought it was Florida, which has no state income tax.

edit: There's no way that the clinic will work with you in order to be able to take the class and still work there? That seems rather inflexible...

Also, nobody here can really "tell you what to do" all the time, you know? You've posted a whole bunch of these threads...are you sure you're really ready to apply for next year and not just rushing it?

 

[jtom]

Well I know I have to have some form of employment in order to show I have a physical prescense in florida. The unfortuanate thing is that being a field tech I cannot just show up after class and start my shift, once the truck leaves for the day we usually do not come back or anywhere near the clinic.

I do feel I am rushing to apply this year. However, I have been able to get some hours in (550 right now), nothing great but better then nothing. Maybe I dont have a chance and should simply not apply this year, I do feel very rushed trying to get as many hours as I can while making up these courses.

I do agree no one can tell me what to do and I do apologize for all the threads but it has been a very hectic few months and I have been under alot of stress trying to make applying this year work.

 

[VeganSoprano]

What about getting another job? You can get a 2nd/3rd shift and/or weekend gig at a 24 hour hospital or a retail/server/barista job or whatever. There are tons of options that would offer the flexibility you need.

I would also double check the rule. It doesn't make any sense to me that you have to earn taxable income every single month for 12 consecutive months in order to be considered a resident. This means that if you got fired and were ineligible for unemployment benefits and went a month in between jobs, you'd lose your residency status. That doesn't make any sense. You presumably filed 2009 income taxes in FL and you'll file in FL in 2010 as well, and you're not filing anywhere else. I would expect that will count.

Now having said all that, living with your parents while not employed and taking only one class at age 24 will not win you any favor from an adcom. You would be very wise to plan a schedule that included 40+ hours of paid and/or serious volunteer work. By serious volunteer work, I mean the kind of volunteering that involves a job description and serious responsibilities, like you would have in a paying gig. Volunteering at a shelter or zoo or other animal care facility would definitely count here, as would anything that included organizational, supervisory, or leadership responsibilities. You want to show "meaningful full-time activity", but you can be pretty creative in accomplishing that.

 

[nyanko]

I would do a little more digging into the rules for in-state tuition in Florida, as well. Obviously your parents live there...did you grow up there? If you grew up there, your parents are residents there and you have a drivers' license and such in the state I can't see how you wouldn't be in-state regardless of your own income.

When I switched my residency over to in-state for UCF (also at age 24), I had to provide a copy of my federal tax return saying that I made over $8,000 in the past year and a copy of my parents' tax returns saying that they didn't claim me as a dependent (my parents live in Pennsylvania). This was in addition to having had a car registration, drivers license, voter registration and proof of continuous presence in FL for over a year before my first semester. BUT I would think if your parents are there the rules would be a little bit different..

Again FL doesn't have state income taxes, so what they're talking about are federal returns. You just want to have earned the money inside the state of Florida.

 

[breenie]

Your panic is making me panic. 🙁 All of your threads are so full of crisis!

I think you should keep the job. A good learning environment that pays is a rare thing, and you'll get more out of it than just an letter of rec and a vet school acceptance. You're rushed. Microbio is hard for you to swing. Take it in the spring, or next summer, or next fall, or something.

Learn about being a tech. Learn about being a vet. Save up your money. You're not 54, you're 24. Stop panicking! It will all be okay-- just sounds like you need some time.

 

[jtom]

Yes it is federal tax returns. I have lived in florida before, I went to undergrad at USF but after I graduated in 12/2008 I moved back to NY and just recently a few months ago moved back down to florida again. I went online to the UF website and here is some of the verbage:

Financial independence – Independent students must also prove that they are financially self-supporting.

When the initial request or the request for residency reclassification is evaluated, university staff will estimate the student's expenses for the domicile year. These estimates are based on cost of attendance figures used for financial aid eligibility. The estimate is specific to the student and it is dependent on number of hours enrolled, place of residence (on-campus or off-campus) and other circumstances.

The student must conclusively document that they have provided at least 51% of these expenses. Financial independence can be substantiated with:

1. A copy of the parents' most recent tax return indicating that the student was not claimed as a dependent, and

• Proof of income greater than or equal to 51% of the estimated expenses.

Income can include:

Earned wages for the past 12 months, documented with federal income tax returns, W-2's and pay stubs. (Earned wages must be declared for consideration; tips and other earnings not reported to the IRS cannot be considered.)


Monetary gifts, personal loans or financial support in the form of room, board or other expenses from the student's parents, other relatives, a significant other or friends demonstrates that the student lacks independence and is financially dependent upon others. In such cases, the student is NOT considered independent.


I called the admissions office at UF and specifically asked them about this and they refused to give me "you need X number of income etc." I can obviously call them again about this. My issue is basically how much I have to make. I believe the fact my parents live here is irrelevant as I am 24.

If I applied next year would my degree still be good? I graduated december 2008. I believe schools start it at 5 years.

Thanks!

 

[VeganSoprano]

What do you mean, would my degree still be good? Your degree is good for the rest of your life. It would hardly be worth earning one if it had an expiration date. People go back to school at every age, in their 40's and 50's and older. You're hardly geriatric.

 

[GellaBella]

I'm a bit out of the loop, so I don't know about the other threads you've started but from this specific thread it sounds to me like you should take some time and apply for school in a year. Unless you're willing to pay oos tuition for Florida or any other school. Microbiology is one of those upper division courses you don't want to screw up - it's completely applicable to vet med and totally awesome and fun (might be biased there) so you need to do well.

I'd say even if you werebable to get another job, continue getting varied vet experinces AND take the micro class you're still cramming a whole lotta stuff into your fall semester..a time that's very hectic for applicants. Yes vet school apps are done by October but then the waiting game begins and that can be even worse. You'll come onto sdn every 30 min (or less) checking to see if anyone got news, if anyone heard anything, and when people DO start to hear, even if it's not from the schools you applied to, you start to get anxious and excited and anxious. Then people start hearing from your schools and you basically go into panic mode .... What about meeeeeee?!?!? It's insane. And I was even lucky enough to have an early acceptance in hand and it was tough.

So I think you need to make q decision. Are you comfortable applying to Florida as an oos applicant? If so, go ahead and apply this year. Heck if you're going to be oos anyways you can apply to many schools (not sure if this was your plan already). Or, if you want to only pay in state tuition then I'd say you have 2 options: work a night shift or 2nd or 3rd job and take your micro class or apply next year.

Also, I didn't read the instate income req carefully but shouldn't you be able o calculate exactly how much you need to make if they tell you 51%? like they must have cost of living on the website somewhere so student know how much to take in loans.

 

[ATX00]

If you're going to school, weren't working until this summer, and live with your parents, why don't you just call yourself a dependent? Who is paying your tuition? You can be over 24 and still be dependent, and your parents will have a lot easier time claiming residency.

 

[moosenanny]

You may be confusing the GRE - that expires after 5 years.

 

[Minnerbelle]

My issue is basically how much I have to make. I believe the fact my parents live here is irrelevant as I am 24.

It seems like that is a non-issue. From the same site you quoted:

An independent student must be

• 24 years of age prior to the start of the term, or
• married, or
• have a dependent child, or
• provide a minimum of 51% of his or her own support.

If it doesn't matter that you live with your parents because you're 24, it doesn't matter that you have no income either. I mean... unless you live very extravagantly I think it's pretty hard for >49% of your support be greater than your housing costs (and whatever food, utilities, etc... your parents cover for you) anyway.

 

[BlacKAT33]

If you're going to school, weren't working until this summer, and live with your parents, why don't you just call yourself a dependent? Who is paying your tuition? You can be over 24 and still be dependent, and your parents will have a lot easier time claiming residency.

this is what i was thinking

 

[Minnerbelle]

yeah... i don't see why any of this would be an issue since he would be considered

1.) an independent who's established residency in FL

or

2.) a dependent of a FL resident...

Sometimes a person could be considered a resident of no one state because they haven't had the chance to establish residency anywhere... but that's not the case with dependency (word?). You're either a dependent or an independent. You can't be neither. And in jtom's case, he's a Fl resident regardless.

 

[jtom]

So I called UF today and they more or less said to not take anything their website says literally. They said they take residency classification in its entirety and I can live with my parents and still be considered independent. They also said that the 51% rule is not even a real requirement. My only issue was that they did say that I do have to have federal income taxes but could not tell me how much I would have to make so I am clueless as to what my target income should be. I could try to switch something around if I took this class but my paid hours would be neglibile at that point if I took microbiology.

I got the unexpected thought from you guys that maybe I should take a year off. I have been working and then volunteering (dont get paid past 40 hours) for a few months now and it is draining after a while. I have accumulated a decent amount of hours (550) since starting work in may but as you guys know this is my first time working or volunteering at a vet clinic. I think it might be wise to still work at this clinic but decrease my hours there a little and look for another vet or possibly get some animal experience hours (I dont have any).

I was thinking I could take a few online courses this year, possibly nutrition and a public speaking course (several of the schools I want to apply to require these courses and I dont have any), nothing too extreme just to get a few out of the way while focusing on experience this year. I would then be able to apply to more schools with these courses as I would not be able to if I applied this year. I thought then the year prior to school starting, so the fall 2011/spring 2012 school year (assuming I get in) I would then take micro and biochem but after I had gotten sufficient experience to be compeitive. UF is not my top choice by any means, I would rather go to school up north. Maybe with a year of vet tech I could be able to find a job in another state next year so I could get IS residency there. Im just pondering at this point.

Interestingly one of the vets I work with bought this up today and she actually told me to apply this year as she said I would be wasting a year if I didnt apply this year. She said that most applicants who apply a second time usually get in and most who apply their first do not get in. She said I could get denied my first time and then have one cycle under my belt to apply a second time with. She almost made it sound like have applied the year before was a huge positive for admissions. Is this true?

Oh and my issue with my degree was I thought I read that some schools void your degree if its like 5 years or older and make you retake all the courses again. Is the limitation 5 years for the GRE?

Thanks again guys!

 

[goldielocks137]

Interestingly one of the vets I work with bought this up today and she actually told me to apply this year as she said I would be wasting a year if I didnt apply this year. She said that most applicants who apply a second time usually get in and most who apply their first do not get in. She said I could get denied my first time and then have one cycle under my belt to apply a second time with. She almost made it sound like have applied the year before was a huge positive for admissions. Is this true?

I think you might be looking at this the wrong way. It isn't that second time applicants get in because it's their second time applying and first time applicants don't because it's their first time. Successful second time applicants spend the year in between the two application cycles doing productive things that will improve their application. If the vet is advising this because she thinks it will be helpful to become familiar with the application and the process, then this is fine advice. But I wouldn't go into it thinking that simply because you're applying this year your chances for admission next year will be improved.

Personally, I don't think applying is a bad idea. For me, applying last year made me really start to articulate why I want to go into vet med and what I think my strengths and weaknesses are. Essay and interview questions made me really think about my motivations and experiences and try to create a compelling story out of them.

 

[nyanko]

Interestingly one of the vets I work with bought this up today and she actually told me to apply this year as she said I would be wasting a year if I didnt apply this year. She said that most applicants who apply a second time usually get in and most who apply their first do not get in. She said I could get denied my first time and then have one cycle under my belt to apply a second time with. She almost made it sound like have applied the year before was a huge positive for admissions. Is this true?

No, that's not really true at all as it's framed. There's no inherent advantage given to second time applicants. The only semi-advantage that an unsuccessful first application cycle gives you is a chance to do file reviews and get more specific feedback from admissions committees. The poster above me is correct in that many times, reapplicants have spent the year between the two cycles working really hard to improve their chances. I would caution you, however, that if you are only applying to UF, their interview invites and acceptances are sent out very late in the cycle, so if you are rejected (especially if it's post-interview) you won't have much of a chance to work on anything new you may learn from the file review before the next app cycle begins.

Also with the amount of spazzing you've done on SDN so far I'm not really sure that applying just for the sake of applying without being ready is quite for you. This is just my opinion and personal assessment. Some people can handle it easily and some can't. I really don't feel like you're in a place to be able to handle it right now. Sort of like what GellaBella was saying - you'll be ever-distracted by worrying over your in-progress app when you should be working hard at getting experience, figuring out your motivations and kicking the butt of your remaining prerequisites. Again, I don't know you apart from what you've posted here, but this is how I see it.

Oh and my issue with my degree was I thought I read that some schools void your degree if its like 5 years or older and make you retake all the courses again. Is the limitation 5 years for the GRE?

Um, nobody is going to void your degree, and furthermore your degree itself doesn't matter at all for vet school admissions. Some schools have time limitations on pre-requisites (have to have been taken in the last X years) but even then I don't think any of them are 5 years - that hardly leaves enough time for a traditional student to apply if they took bio I freshman year, for example!

 

[sunnyshine]

Ok, I am not a government official or a lawyer or anything, but I would think that you would have to have residency in Florida. I am actually shocked and a little suspicious that UF told you that you need to work to be considered a resident because there are tons of people in the US who don't work (or whom barely work) and they are still considered residents. I always though that residency was dependent upon you living in a state for 12 full months for reasons other than education or by owning property in a state for a certain amount of time. Besides, you wouldn't be able to get a drivers license in Florida if you weren't a Florida resident (assuming you have a FL ID) - So I would think you have residency.

No offense to the vet who told you about second timers having a better chance of getting in, but I would have to say that her/his hypothesis is complete BS. There are people who apply their first time and get accepted and their are people whom have applied 3+ times that have still not been accepted. Bottom line - it just comes down to how good your stats are compared to your competition (or if your number gets pulled out of the BINGO basket first- :] ). 587 hours is what I applied last cycle with and every school I applied to told me it wasn't good enough (just letting you brace yourself). All this being said I would definitely still apply this year. If you don't apply this year then you have a 0% chance of being accepted, but if you apply you will at least have some chance.

As far as your micro class - You might be able to work something out (and I hope you do) but I think you are just going to have to decide what is most important - the job or the class. It's true what they say - you can't have your cake and eat it too.

 

[gilch]

I have limited knowledge of how UF chooses its students, but I actually had heard that UF prefers "mature" students. Because all students are more mature 1 year after they graduate than when they graduate, right 😉? I don't know if the inference was more work experience, evidence they are serious pursuers (as mentioned above...), or what, but I had heard that a good number of students are told to try again next year w/o making significant changes. I feel like I saw this on SDN and I certainly don't know how reliable the poster was... Maybe I can find the thread...🙂

But as for other schools, I think nyanko, sunnyshine, & goldielocks have it pretty well covered, so I won't even go there 😀.

 

[moosenanny]

You may be confusing the GRE - that expires after 5 years.

I already addressed the GRE expiration date. Jtom, you must have missed my post in the sea of longer ones.

 

[jtom]

I was speaking in reference to pre-reqs taken, not your degree being voided. Thankfully my GRE score will still be good if I wait a year.

I think UF requires some form of federal income tax so you can prove you are physically in the state and dont just have a florida DL etc and not live in the state.

So yea it is a difficult decision whether to wait a year or not. It might relieve alot of stress if I can just focus on getting experience without worrying about scheduling with classes.

 

[StartingoverVet]

I have limited knowledge of how UF chooses its students, but I actually had heard that UF prefers "mature" students. Because all students are more mature 1 year after they graduate than when they graduate, right 😉? .

Completely off-topic, but I actually agree with this statement that you are making fun of. When I hired students to work straight out of college they were completely immature and had completely unrealistic views of what the real world was like. I LOVED hiring people 1 or 2 years after graduation when they have lost their naivete and actually have a mature attitude about work and life. It may seem silly to you, but many people live pretty coddled lives while only students. It is not the 1 year difference in age, it is the gaining of a different perspective on life.

 

[Minnerbelle]

Completely off-topic, but I actually agree with this statement that you are making fun of. When I hired students to work straight out of college they were completely immature and had completely unrealistic views of what the real world was like. I LOVED hiring people 1 or 2 years after graduation when they have lost their naivete and actually have a mature attitude about work and life. It may seem silly to you, but many people live pretty coddled lives while only students. It is not the 1 year difference in age, it is the gaining of a different perspective on life.

👍 I was a doormat 2 yrs ago, fresh out of college.

Now I'm a b*tch and people think twice before taking advantage of me. This has helped me in all aspects of my life!

 

[gilch]

I don't think it's a silly attitude from anyone and I see your point... I do think it is kind of strange attitude for vet med application. If this is the case, UF is going to lose a lot of great applicants to other schools simply because they don't want to wait for another cycle. And I think there would be enough evidence from the application and the interview of maturity and realistic views or lackthereof, rather than rejecting students on a large part because it is there first cycle (which I don't know is the case!).

And really, I don't know how much difference being a senior and a recent grad would have on VMCAS, esp considering many applicants have already finished. Now interviews, esp because they interview late, there I think you could see more of a gap.

 

[BlacKAT33]

So I called UF today and they more or less said to not take anything their website says literally. They said they take residency classification in its entirety and I can live with my parents and still be considered independent. They also said that the 51% rule is not even a real requirement. My only issue was that they did say that I do have to have federal income taxes but could not tell me how much I would have to make so I am clueless as to what my target income should be. I could try to switch something around if I took this class but my paid hours would be neglibile at that point if I took microbiology.

im wondering why i'm the only one who wants to respond to just this part again....did i miss the answer somewhere in this thread?

why can't you be a DEpendent?? that would make things much easier. I'm assuming you don't make a ton of money with your current job now (no offense but i dont think any pre-vets do when working in basic animal jobs) so I think you could be a dependent still. Im not really sure what the qualifications are but I think I could still be considered a dependent if i really needed to be. Then this whole residency thing would be solved.

 

[Minnerbelle]

I do think it is kind of strange attitude for vet med application. If this is the case, UF is going to lose a lot of great applicants to other schools simply because they don't want to wait for another cycle.

I don't think SOV was insinuating that any vet schools go "oh gee, this person is okay, but hmm... too young. let's give them another year"

I think what he/she was saying was that a lot of people grow a ton in the year or two after they graduate college (some people are mature adults from age 5, but not everyone is blessed with that kind of social finesse). Some people have a great understanding of the world even as 22 year olds, but many people have been 100% dependent on others throughout their entire lives up to that point, and a lot of these people have soooo much to learn about the 'real world.' There are older people who seem to have the mind of a 10 year old, but that's another matter altogether.

That first real job, or that first apartment you rent on your own, or that first accident that you have to deal with without any help can really help someone grow personally and professionally.

Regardless of your age, it should be fine as long as you seem mature and understanding of how the world works. However, I've read some PS's and comments on SDN by people who seem to think they live in a world where unicorns **** rainbows. That can be a little off putting... and I can totally understand if adcoms choose to reject some not-stellar but competitive applicants because of their naive mindset. It's not so much that they're getting rejected for being young... as it is that they seem naive/immature and their age or sheltered life might have something to do with it.

I agree with you that it would be silly for anyone to decide to defer applying on the basis that they "may be discriminated for being young"

 

[Packen]

why can't you be a DEpendent?? that would make things much easier. I'm assuming you don't make a ton of money with your current job now (no offense but i dont think any pre-vets do when working in basic animal jobs) so I think you could be a dependent still. Im not really sure what the qualifications are but I think I could still be considered a dependent if i really needed to be. Then this whole residency thing would be solved.

When I was in my senior year of undergrad, I applied to UF and they asked if my parents lived in FL, because even though I went to school and worked in VA, I was eligible for IS in FL if my parents lived there b/c I was still a dependent (as far as federal income taxes) at that time.

Edit to add: BTW, my parents didn't live in FL so it was a moot point for me.

Maybe with a year of vet tech I could be able to find a job in another state next year so I could get IS residency there.

jtom, this will depend on the state...for example, VMRCVM requires that you be living in MD or VA (if you are not a dependent of parents living here) for at least a year to qualify for IS residency. This must be at least a year prior to submitting your supplemental application so you get considered for an IS seat as opposed to an OOS seat.

Also, have you ever had any pets? All the admissions couselors I have met with have told me that pet experience = animal experience. Not sure what others may have been told though.

 

[that redhead]

To be honest, I think it's wise for you to sit this cycle out. If I remember correctly (and if I didn't, ignore me) you only decided to pursue vet med very recently. Not to say that this means you're doomed, but I think that working for an extra year in veterinary settings (and not just SA, but as much as you can find) will really benefit you as an applicant. Not to mention the craziness of class and work etc. I know this is insane because I'm doing it myself 🙄 It's really difficult! In the end, it's up to you, but I think you need to take a year, collect your thoughts, ramp up your motivation and get things done at your own pace. It will probably be better for you in the long run 🙂

 

[jtom]

I did recently decide to pursue vet med, I decided in late april but have accumulated 550 hours so far. I cannot be considered a dependent as I am 24. When you turn 24, you are automatically considered independent and cannot be classified as dependent. The issue with me is whether I am considered an IS or OOS resident since I am independent I have to have some form of employment.

I talked to the head vet that I work for yesterday about whether he thought I should appy this year or next year. He said that I should take the classes and apply this year. He said vet schools might question what I had been doing this year if I did not apply. Now I would obviously work/volunteer full time so to not get unwanted attention from adcoms. So now I am not quite sure what to do at this point. I really do respect his opinion but he has been out of vet school for 30 years now so Im assuming he is not familiar with how competitive admissions is. His main reasoning for applying this year was that he felt I was competent enough to apply this year. Whether that is true or not, schools will look at the number of hours of experience I have. While 550 is not a small amount, it just barely enters me in the realm of consideration for admissions.

Thanks!

 

[breenie]

While 550 is not a small amount, it just barely enters me in the realm of consideration for admissions.

I don't think it's that 550 hours is a small amount--- people get in with less-- but you only have it at one place. You have no animal experience (right?), no SA experience, no research, no exotics, no nothing other than the LA job you have. Some adcoms might not care-- but places like Illinois have told me specifically they care more about breadth than depth.

 

[rileyroo]

I talked to the head vet that I work for yesterday about whether he thought I should appy this year or next year. He said that I should take the classes and apply this year. He said vet schools might question what I had been doing this year if I did not apply.

it's not whether or not you are COMPETENT to apply but whether or not you are a COMPETITIVE applicant. The 550 hours is a good chunk of experience, but is quality or quantity? The adcom will be able to see this... Also, the adcom won't question what you have been doing this year in prep for next year as much as they will question your motivation and dedication to vetmed just 3 months after deciding to pursue it. So this cycle can go either way for you. If you feel confident in yourself and believe you are a competitive applicant this cycle and have the money to spend on the process, then apply. If you feel like you'll be a better candidate next year, then wait.

It's not just the 550 hours. It's your dedication to the field, your gpa/gre, your letters of recommendation, your valuable experience, etc.

 

[der2002]

jtom, we can all advise you to wait another year to apply until we're blue in the face, but it sounds like you're going to apply this round anyway. So just do it. If you make it, great! If not, you have another twelve months to enrich your veterinary experiences. Take a deep breath (and a valium) and no more overwhelmingly anxious, egocentric and tome-like posts, ok?

peace.

 

[Minnerbelle]

it's not whether or not you are COMPETENT to apply but whether or not you are a COMPETITIVE applicant. The 550 hours is a good chunk of experience, but is quality or quantity? The adcom will be able to see this... Also, the adcom won't question what you have been doing this year in prep for next year as much as they will question your motivation and dedication to vetmed just 3 months after deciding to pursue it. So this cycle can go either way for you.

👍

jtom, you keep referring to the 550 hrs of experience you have as a great accomplishment, and while I totally understand and appreciate the hoops you went through for a few weeks to find these opportunities, you might want to consider that you were an unemployed non-student that was living with your parents. For someone who is a full time student, a parent, a full time employee, etc... 500 hrs (esp balanced between different types of experiences) is nothing to sneeze at. Not sure if these hours will hold the same weight for you. It might... but then it might not. Experience isn't really just about the exact number of hours you've worked. It's a lot more about your exposure to vet med. The way you quote some of the questionable things your vet's said makes me wonder if you've had enough exposure to the field to really know what it's about.

i don't want to be all poo poo-ey and my intention isn't to make you feel bad... but i don't think your outcome will be good if you present a lot of the attitudes you've displayed on this forum in your application. most people spend at least a couple of years working VERY HARD preparing for their vet school applications while making a lot of sacrifices, so you have to understand that you're not going to find too many people sympathetic to your hurried "but i waaaaant toooooo! i've been working hard for the last 3 months and my parents are bugging me. why can't course schedules for my remaining pre-reqs revolve around meeeee???" attitude.

if you want to apply this cycle, that's your prerogative. you don't need to justify it to anyone here. maybe you'll even luck out and get accepted the first time around into your IS school. best of luck in whatever decision you make, but do try to chill out a bit. it can't be good for your health. if you're having this many freakouts in just the 3 months you've decided to pursue vet med... imagine how neurotic you'll be once you've submitted your application!

 

[jtom]

I do agree that I have been very nervous and anxious regarding vet school and do apologize. I will try to relax more and am leaning towards taking a year off. And yes, I have been getting extreme pressure from my parents to apply this year so that is part of the reason behind my attitude. It is difficult to live with them when they say I have to apply this year and only this year or else I will have to find another occupation. I apologize if I made it sound like I was upset that I could not get into a class right before the semester starts when others are before me. I do apologize and will definetly make an effort to not post threads or at least recognize that I need to realize that most/all people on here and applicants have better credentials than me and have been working towards this much longer and are more deserving.

You are right in that 550 is not a large amount; I never said it was a large amount, i said I think I have just gotten into the window where vet schools would consider me but by no means said I would get accepted.

The 550 hours is mainly large animal. I have about 120 hours small animal and the rest is horses and production animals. Basically, I am paid to be both a large animal and small animal tech but mainly work and am classifed as a large animal tech. Every morning for the first few hours is all small animal and some days we do not have many field calls so I work as a SA tech. I have been trying to get an additional vet but am not sure if I should try to focus on this one vet because he does everything (SA, LA, production animal). I also do have research experience that I did before I graduated with the biology department concerning amphibians and insecticides. I do not have any animal experience as I was trying to focus on getting vet experience.

Rileyroo I do agree that I think adcoms will look at my file and say "is this guy really dedicated as he just decided to pursue vetmed whereas we have so many applicants that have been in the field for 3+ years?" I also did not feel comfortable with my vets answer to me to apply this year as he thought I was competent because as you said they do not evaluate applicants based on competency, they look at the amount and diversity of experience so if I am competent vet schools cannot evaluate that.

Again, I will make an effort to not post much or at least be courteous and understanding.

 

[nohika]

You're 24 now. Tell Momma and Daddy to "shove it" in the nicest way possible. Are they paying for your education or anything? That would be when there would be a right for them to have a say, in a way.

They don't know the field you're going in. You've got a decent idea what it takes to get /in/ to the field you need to get in to. Try to explain it maybe once or twice (or three or four or five), and if they don't get it, politely reiterate it's your life, not theirs. You have to life with it. They don't.

I had to learn to do the same thing and I'm a lot younger than you (19). Do I fight with my Mom a lot? Yeah, because we don't see eye to eye. Is it worth it? Yes. Beyond so - I get to do what I want, instead of what she wants me to do. Squabbles are worth that.

 

[BlacKAT33]

I'm not going to take any side of whether you should apply this year or wait this year. It doesn't matter to me. However, I do know what it feels like to wait because I did this and in reality it is like you have to wait 2 years because when you apply next year you will be trying for the c/o 2016. Not that you should rush it, but that is a lot of time and something to consider.

Also, you have 550 hours now and i guess people have said you've gotten this in the last 3 months? so that means when you submit your application you will have around 1000 hours. Plus, your experience is more varied than i originally thought. I think it is to your advantage that you have more LA experience, there aren't as many applicants with that. The research is also good.

Waiting could also be good though. Maybe you will change your mind about being a vet after a while? A lot could happen. Either way things will be ok 🙂
and honestly, I met multiple candidates who applied this year with less experience and got in. It is just random sometimes. But I think it shows that you do care since you decided to become active on SDN. I worry a lot too haha i know that it doesnt always mean i'm not ready for things. I just like everything to flow perfectly and sometimes i need a kick in the butt to boost my confidence.

 

[Minnerbelle]

no need to apologize at all jtom. sorry, i didn't mean for it to come out that harsh.

again, if you feel as though you don't have too much to sacrifice and you feel pressure to apply, it really doesn't hurt to. if you have all your LOR's ready, all but your microbio done, and have cash and time to burn on your apps, all you really need to do is send out transcripts and gre score reports, and write your PS.

I totally understand BlacKAT when it comes to waiting... because I did that as well. In fact, I ended up needing to wait it out 2 cycles. It sucked. like a lot. I was one of those people who were intent on going straight out of undergrad, and planned meticulously since I started college. Not one false move since high school. BUT, the wildlife internship that I even spent a semester off to finish ended up being a botch. It really hurt to realize that 4 years of nonstop hard work was coming to a screeching halt. So I totally understand how you might feel about putting it off...

if you feel you're going to have huge regrets if you don't apply, then do it as long as you don't have to kill yourself doing it. but one thing to remember is that vet admissions is a huge endurance battle for a lot of people. you don't want to burn out even before you start vet school, which in itself is a marathon!

question though... so your parents are telling you that if you don't apply this year, they want you to change careers. what happens if you get rejected this cycle? isn't that more reason for them to tell you to do something else?

 

[HopefulAg]

I don't think SOV was insinuating that any vet schools go "oh gee, this person is okay, but hmm... too young. let's give them another year"

I actually wouldn't be surprised if they did that. They may 'screen' certain age groups who've failed out in higher percentages in the past. They may give them a shot at an interview but if it came down to exact applications between a 21 year old and say, an 18 year old (I'd imagine there're ways an 18 year old could apply) or even a 26 y/o vs a 20 y/o, they might go for the higher.

 

[Minnerbelle]

I actually wouldn't be surprised if they did that. They may 'screen' certain age groups who've failed out in higher percentages in the past. They may give them a shot at an interview but if it came down to exact applications between a 21 year old and say, an 18 year old (I'd imagine there're ways an 18 year old could apply) or even a 26 y/o vs a 20 y/o, they might go for the higher.

I think this is the same thing with all of these rumored "favoritisms" (male v. female; non-trad v. trad; minority v. white; interesting undergrad major v. an sci/bio; interesting experience v. the usual).

If it came down to 2 otherwise identical applicants, then I'm sure the person who is farthest from the typical "21 year old middle class white female biology major who's been an SA tech with shadowing here and there" will win out.

But I kind of doubt it's a systematic thing, and I don't think any of these things (or lack thereof) should dissuade anyone from applying. If you're a decent applicant with decent stats and experience, it's mostly luck anyway. Adcoms may have a stack for competitive students, a stack for maybes, and a stack for not-so-much's. Within those, each student I think is evaluated based on all of their attribues, whatever they may be. So 25 year old with a few years of real life experiences may have a lot of attributes they've acquired since college over a college senior... but then there are a lot of 25 year old bums who've done not much more than sit around doing nothing. I guess that's more what I was trying to say.

Kind of related: When I was waiting in the lobby for my Penn interview, I sat next to this obnoxious kid who was reeking of immaturity. He would constantly try to steer the conversation into a brag fest about stats/experience/etc... Thank goodness everyone else was mature enough to steer it away from that. All the info I got about this kid was that he's been supported all his life and never had to work for anything he wanted, didn't need to work hard to get his experience because his dad was a vet and had a lot of vet friends he could follow around, and what do you know... his dad was a PennWe himself. Sadly, this kid seemed genuinely proud of all of these facts. I sincerely wished that adcoms would see right through this and deny him admission simply on the fact that he was a brat.

 

[jtom]

The unfortunate thing is that I have no idea what they will say if I get rejected this year besides looking for a new occupation. My dad is very anxious and wants me to apply to many schools this year. He feels that since I am 24 that waiting a year to apply will make me even older. I guess he feels even though I just started pusuing vetmed that I have already taken a year off since I graduated college.

Anyways, so I think I will apply this year but only to UF and maybe one other school. I can technically get everything in, I have my LOR's, gre, PS almost done, and have my classes scheduled for the fall and spring semester.

 

[nyanko]

He feels that since I am 24 that waiting a year to apply will make me even older. I guess he feels even though I just started pusuing vetmed that I have already taken a year off since I graduated college.

Those are both true statements. You WILL be a year older and you HAVE taken a year off already. The question is - what is the problem with that? I understand that your parents might see things a different way and that it is possibly due to cultural differences, but it doesn't mean you're a horrific failure if you start vet school at age 26 instead of 25.

 

[BlacKAT33]

Kind of related: When I was waiting in the lobby for my Penn interview, I sat next to this obnoxious kid who was reeking of immaturity. He would constantly try to steer the conversation into a brag fest about stats/experience/etc... Thank goodness everyone else was mature enough to steer it away from that. All the info I got about this kid was that he's been supported all his life and never had to work for anything he wanted, didn't need to work hard to get his experience because his dad was a vet and had a lot of vet friends he could follow around, and what do you know... his dad was a PennWe himself. Sadly, this kid seemed genuinely proud of all of these facts. I sincerely wished that adcoms would see right through this and deny him admission simply on the fact that he was a brat.

I was at the virginia tech hotel the morning after my interview (snowed in from blizzard) so my mom and i got breakfast at their restaurant down stairs. There was this guy (looked a lot older maybe 30-40) talking to his parents about how Penn called and accepted him the day after the interview. He was bragging sooo much about it. The strange thing was, why was he bragging to his parents?? lol also, it took my mom and i forever to figure out if it was HIM who applied because he looked so old yet he was there with his parents and he talked as if he were 15 yrs old. It was SO STRANGE. All i can say is that i hope he didn't choose Penn and I hope i dont see him in the fall!!

 

[parietal]

I was at the virginia tech hotel the morning after my interview (snowed in from blizzard) so my mom and i got breakfast at their restaurant down stairs. There was this guy (looked a lot older maybe 30-40) talking to his parents about how Penn called and accepted him the day after the interview. He was bragging sooo much about it. The strange thing was, why was he bragging to his parents?? lol also, it took my mom and i forever to figure out if it was HIM who applied because he looked so old yet he was there with his parents and he talked as if he were 15 yrs old. It was SO STRANGE. All i can say is that i hope he didn't choose Penn and I hope i dont see him in the fall!!

Keep in mind that people don't always look their age. I know early 20-somethings that could easily be mistaken for mid-to-late 30-somethings and 30-somethings who people would swear are in their 20s.

Off topic, but my nephew, who is very tall for his age, is only 6, but people have been mistaking him for an older child for most of his life. When he was not yet talking very well, people would think he was a second-grader with intellectual disabilities. We had a hard time convincing them that he was actually a rather bright three year-old. After his first day in kindergarten, he got on the wrong bus because no one realized it was his first day of school and he had no idea what to do. The aide thought he was a third-grader.

 

[BlacKAT33]

Keep in mind that people don't always look their age. I know early 20-somethings that could easily be mistaken for mid-to-late 30-somethings and 30-somethings who people would swear are in their 20s.

Off topic, but my nephew, who is very tall for his age, is only 6, but people have been mistaking him for an older child for most of his life. When he was not yet talking very well, people would think he was a second-grader with intellectual disabilities. We had a hard time convincing them that he was actually a rather bright three year-old. After his first day in kindergarten, he got on the wrong bus because no one realized it was his first day of school and he had no idea what to do. The aide thought he was a third-grader.

this is true. i guess he could have been in his 20s. but that still doesnt forgive behavior like a pre-teen lol

 

[parietal]

this is true. i guess he could have been in his 20s. but that still doesnt forgive behavior like a pre-teen lol

True. 😀

 

[StartingoverVet]

I think this is the same thing with all of these rumored "favoritisms" (male v. female; non-trad v. trad; minority v. white; interesting undergrad major v. an sci/bio; interesting experience v. the usual).

If it came down to 2 otherwise identical applicants, then I'm sure the person who is farthest from the typical "21 year old middle class white female biology major who's been an SA tech with shadowing here and there" will win out.

But I kind of doubt it's a systematic thing, and I don't think any of these things (or lack thereof) should dissuade anyone from applying. If you're a decent applicant with decent stats and experience, it's mostly luck anyway. Adcoms may have a stack for competitive students, a stack for maybes, and a stack for not-so-much's. Within those, each student I think is evaluated based on all of their attribues, whatever they may be. So 25 year old with a few years of real life experiences may have a lot of attributes they've acquired since college over a college senior... but then there are a lot of 25 year old bums who've done not much more than sit around doing nothing. I guess that's more what I was trying to say.

Kind of related: When I was waiting in the lobby for my Penn interview, I sat next to this obnoxious kid who was reeking of immaturity. He would constantly try to steer the conversation into a brag fest about stats/experience/etc... Thank goodness everyone else was mature enough to steer it away from that. All the info I got about this kid was that he's been supported all his life and never had to work for anything he wanted, didn't need to work hard to get his experience because his dad was a vet and had a lot of vet friends he could follow around, and what do you know... his dad was a PennWe himself. Sadly, this kid seemed genuinely proud of all of these facts. I sincerely wished that adcoms would see right through this and deny him admission simply on the fact that he was a brat.

Minerbelle thanks for picking up the ball for me. I missed following up on this thread while travelling. You interpreted my comments 100% as I intended them and I completely agree with your follow up comment here. No one is going to turn away a competitive applicant just because they are young, and a good interviewer doesn't assume anything without evidence. But certainly ceteris parabus, diversity wins out in adcoms, and traditionalism often wins out in the job market.

You and b-33 both seem to have had bad experience with male penn applicants. I hope it is not a pattern. 😱

 

[VeganSoprano]

SOV, you weren't the 40-ish student bragging to his parents, were you? 🙂 (tongue firmly in cheek, of course)

 

[rileydog]

SOV, you weren't the 40-ish student bragging to his parents, were you? 🙂 (tongue firmly in cheek, of course)

🤣 You are just asking for it! 🤣 Waiting eagerly for SOV's snarky response🙂

 

[BlacKAT33]

SOV, you weren't the 40-ish student bragging to his parents, were you? 🙂 (tongue firmly in cheek, of course)

HAHAHHAHAH sooooo funny!!! 🤣

But no way, honestly SOV looks young!!! he is also super cool 😎

PS- all of the other males i met at interview and our Penn Vet hangouts so far are awesome!! i'm so excited for everyone else to move here!!! i do hope our class has at least 20% guys or more because i am mostly worried about girly drama! boo!

 

[nyanko]

SOV, you weren't the 40-ish student bragging to his parents, were you? 🙂 (tongue firmly in cheek, of course)

I thought the same thing when I read BlacKAT's post..