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[Maddiegirl]

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I just joined today, after a few weeks of lurking, and wanted to formally introduce myself to the group. My name is Kim and I am a 30 something career changer pre-vet student.

I'm looking to make connections and find support from others in the same boat.

🙂

 

[thearsonist]

Welcome to SDN, Maddiegirl.

Enjoy your stay!

 

[KittenRescue]

Hi Kim,
Welcome! I am pretty new here as well.. I am 30 y/o and currently taking pre-reqs to apply to vet school next cycle. I also kind of had a career change so I know where you are coming from!
Good Luck!😎

 

[smilin1590]

Hey Maddiegirl! I have not really been on here much this summer so now that I'm back in school I must get my fix 😛 anyhow, just wanted to say hi and welcome. Everyone here is very helpful and supportive and will answer any questions you have, even if you may think that you're questions are dumb...we don't. Anyhow good luck and enjoy the journey (including its ups and downs)

 

[sabriel777]

Nice to meet you, Kim! Are you applying to vet school this year?

 

[Maschka1]

Hey Kim,
I am right there with you. Feels weird to be back in school! (and so much older then my class mates)

this is a really great forum with all kinds of helpful people it has made the stress of applying to vet school so much more bearable!

 

[sumstorm]

Hey, I'm proof it is possible. Are you doing pre-reqs now, or using prior classes? I came back to vet med (after a decade of resistance) and two (or 3, depending on how you do the math) careers all in animal fields.

There are some challenges (seriously, the last time I did math was 1997) and some great things (perspective, prioritization) about being a non-trad. I did have to relearn some things...and sadly some of the jargon and naming conventions have changed since I was in UG.

One suggestion is if you haven't been in classes for a long time, consider taking a couple to get back in the habit of classes and studying; it nearly killed me first year to sit through long lectures, and my brain still isn't processing new info as fast as it did when I was younger.

 

[Maddiegirl]

Thanks everyone for the kind words. Sorry I didn't get a chance to reply more quickly. I work full time during the day and don't get a lot of time to get on here during the day and then I take classes 4 nights a week until 10.

I've got a degree in business administration with a minor in biology, but my science classes are more than 10 years old so I am forced to repeat them.

I took calculus, but that was 5 years ago so I'm trying to knock the cobwebs out of my brain and remember the math. It's coming along, albeit slowly.

Because of my crazy work schedule, I won't be applying to vet school for at least 2 years. During that time I'm going to work on my pre-reqs and gain as much recent vet experience as I can cram in the little free time I have.

 

[LMMS]

Hi Maddie-



Nice to see yet another 30 something applicant! For a while I didn't think there were many of 'our kind' out there. However, I've learned over the last few years that there are more of us than you would think and there's LOTS of support out there for us even though it may not always appear that way.

Also you're going to find a lot of support here on SDN as well. I really wish I had joined during the last cycle and/or earlier this year because nearly everyone here is super friendly and beyond helpful. Some of the information I've found here has been invaluable towards my decisions and applications. So look around - you're sure to find what you're looking for even if it's in an older tread.

Good luck balancing work, school and the cob-webs! Been there, done that and survived (even though I thought I never would after a crash and burn sequence back in 2003/2004). Just make sure to take a little time to relax every now and again so you don't go too crazy! Good luck!!

 

[Maddiegirl]

LMMS - Thanks for the encouragement! It is so refreshing to know that we are not alone! I've wanted to do this for years and kept talking myself out of it. I too had a crash and burn life changing series of events in 2008 and decided you know what, it's time for ME!

I just hope that going to school part-time will be enough rigor for the adcom committees!

Where are you applying? Have you done your personal statement yet? I've got plenty of time for all that, but trying to think ahead and at least get off on the right track especially since I'm nearly half way to the station (age wise).

 

[LMMS]

Hi again,

Happy to hear that you've decided to pursue your dreams! I'm not going to lie - it is a stressful process trying to balance a nutty work schedule and school. Just try to keep in mind that if it pays off it will all be worth it. On the flip side, if it doesn't pay off you'll know that at least you gave it your all.

To answer your questions - some of the schools will commend your ability to work and attend classes part time. However, if you have any blemishes from undergrad, they may come back to haunt you depending upon the program - at least it was that way for me. As for the PS, if I may answer you in a round about manner, I've got about five personal statements written that I have to just fuse together. I'm a veteran to this race... I'm 36 and this is my third application cycle (I also applied abroad unsuccessfully back in 2006) and it will be my last. If this go round doesn't work out, then it's time for me to get on with my life and stop beating the poor horse.
**BTW - I've been dying to use that particular icon, so thanks!!

Almost forgot! Applying to: Cornell, VMRCMV, Ohio, Illinois, and Colorado... Final goal: DVM/MPH

As for you, it sounds like you've got yourself off to a great start! You've decided that this is what you're going to do and you're going to take your time. That will certainly benefit both your application and your psyche. Way to go!! And let me know when you're planing upon takling the GRE - if you're doing it before next fall, I'd like to offer some help... I've got guides galore!! I was planning to sell them, but I think helping out a fellow masochist will help my karma immensely!

OK then, back to the insanity! Hope you have a smashing weekend!

 

[Maddiegirl]

Lmms,

First - I nearly fell out of my chair at the icon! Loved it!! Glad I could offer assistance with you finally getting to use it!

I commend your tenacity on the application process. I don't handle rejection well, but I'm too stubborn to give up. Hopefully that will workout in my favor.

As for the GRE, I'm studying vocab now since it is my weak link and will probably try my first attempt in the spring. I'd appreciate any help you're willing to throw my way!!

I've got my path all mapped out, but trying not to get things too set in stone and hopes too high so I can roll with the punches and keep moving forward when the going gets tough. I'm 34 and just now starting pre-reqs, so I figure I'll be at least 36-37 before I can even apply for the first time. I read somewhere thought that you can be in your 40's and a vet or you can be just plain old in your 40's. So here's to living the dream! Don't give up and keep on pushing. Something good will happen for you when you least expect it.

Hope your weekend is fabulous! I see physics and bio (lots of homework) in my weekend forecast!

Take care!

 

[LMMS]

Hey Maddie,

I have some really helpful GRE materials - flashcards, an interactive CD, a math bible and the Dummies guide (VERY helpful!!). If you'd like them, pop me a PM and we'll work something out. Media mail is a good friend of mine.

Sounds like we're probably a lot alike - I too don't handle rejection all that well... Tends to piss me off and force me to work harder with an 'I'll show you!' attitude. So keep that stubborness - it should serve you well!

And love the comment about being a vet in your 40s or just plan 40. Really, the only reason I gave it another shot last year was that my mentor didn't start school until she was 40 and she's one of the most amazing vets and teachers I've even known. I'm really lucky to have her on my side giving me a gentle nudge every now and again. She's also quite good at keeping me grounded when necessary...

Have fun with physics! I have fond memories of that one. I'm retaking o-chem and genetics this fall in order to 'pretty up' my transcript - really not looking forward to this... But you gotta do what you gotta do, right?