New with many questions

[irishigs]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Hello everyone,

I have just joined the forum and also just recently made the decision to pursue vet school. I am concerned about my chances, however, for the following reasons:

I graduated May 2009 with a degree in Liberal Studies with only 3 sciences classes and only 4 math classes. My G.P.A was only 3.2 at the time of my graduation. I know that this is, honestly, terrible, but in my own defense I had no idea what I wanted to do and just sort of floated through college because nothing felt right. I didn't try and thus didn't do very well.

So after much soul searching and making the decision to pursue vet school, I have enrolled at WSU to get a second B.S in Biology. Will my poor grades from my first degree negatively effect my chances at being accepted at vet school?

Also, it will take me three semesters to complete the second B.S, graduating in May 2011. So should I apply for vet school during the next cycle, in hopes of being accepted for fall 2011?

Sorry for the length, and thanks for any advice.

 

[psjlg2]

I would try to do as well as you can the next three semesters, do well on the GRE (or as well as anyone can 😀) and then apply next summer and try to get in fall 2011. You never know until you try, and if your still unsure of your chances you can just apply to a few schools so its not terribly expensive.
In your PS, you could certainly address the fact that you had a not so stellar undergrad experience and only now realized you want to do vet med. Get some veterinary experience, and that should speak for itself.

And to be quite honest, a 3.2 isn't going to ruin your chances. It isn't competitive but with three semesters ahead of you with some good science courses, you could get great grades and bring that up to a more competitive GPA.

GO FOR IT!

 

[Sharpei5]

The GPA wont matter as much you, you will just need to dominate from here out and have a strong science and Strong Last 45 hour GPA. Gain a lot of Animal/Veterinary experience focusing in your interests but try to get some diverse experiences as well. Then do well on the GRE write some great essays find some people to write you awesome recommendation letters and your good.

 

[nyanko]

They will calculate your prior GPA into your cumulative GPA for sure, but as others said do well in your prerequisite courses to get a good competitive sciences GPA & last 45 hours GPA, and if you apply to schools that weight the GRE heavily, doing well on it will help you (for example, UCDavis weights GPA and GRE equally - so it would definitely help!).

Also experience!

 

[ORvetgirl]

I had a 3.21, with competitive gre scores, and I got in off the alternate list. Just do your best in your upcoming coursework and keep getting experience.

 

[cwazy cat lady]

To the OP,

I can't say I am yet an example, but I hope to be (we shall see if I get accepted!). What you are doing--going back for the pre-reqs with a Liberal Arts degree--can be done. Overcoming a low gpa? That can and has been done, too.

My piece of advice when you are short on the pre-vet time? Choose how you spend your time getting experience wisely. Decide on one thing (small animal vet clinic? something else?) that you are certain you will really enjoy, and commit to it. From my experience working with other species I can tell you that nothing motivates me to get out of bed early in the morning, drive a long distance, clean up stinky giardia poo and vomit, or risk getting bitten, than working with cats. Dogs, exotics, and large animals are okay and I enjoy them. Horses, intriguing, but meh... Give me a cat in need, and I am there. Why is that important? Because your commitment to your volunteer shift or workplace will be fundamental in gaining a great recommendation and building a solid foundation. Don't miss your shifts; talk to the staff; keep a journal; try to get as much depth as possible out of that one experience.

I would still recommend you expose yourself to a different group of animals for breadth (vet schools want that), but make sure you pick an area you really enjoy for your focus. If you are looking at completing difficult coursework and getting as much experience as possible all in 1-2 years, that is not a ton of time. You will be busy and challenged--especially if you have to make money to support yourself at the same time!! So be thoughtful about your choices up front.

It took me longer than I expected (3-4 years, rather than two) to complete the courses I needed or wanted and rack up the experience I felt I needed to be prepared. In the meantime, and sort of unexpectedly, my goals/expectations matured significantly. I don't see the extra time invested as any kind of detriment. For that reason, I would caution against rushing. If you need to, slow down and take your time so that you do things well and get the most from them!

 

[shortnsweet]

3.2 is "terrible"? Who told you that?? There are quite a few people on this forum who have gotten in with those stats or worse...it all depends on what you have to add to that GPA...experience, GRE scores, awesome recs...etc Don't lose sleep over your GPA....just kick some butt in everything else🙂

 

[Shanomong]

.

 

[vnair2]

Once you get in, I also highly suggest you actually go to class. It is much more effective for learning then hanging out at home and posting on SDN.

*cough* Shanomong *cough*

 

[Shanomong]

.

 

[irishigs]

Thanks all for your advice. I appreciate the input.

Many of you brought up experience. How much is enough? I worked at a vet clinic as a kennel assistant and vet assistant for four years and thus have many documented hours with small animals. I have been around horses my whole life and am tentatively thinking that I would like to focus on equines, so my plan is to be contact a local equine vet and shadow him/her. I have also applied to local vet as a part time tech assistant. Technically, I don't need to work as my husband makes enough to support our meager lifestyle, but I thought that getting more SA hours under my belt would be beneficial.

So is that enough? My previous SA experience, plus any new hours I may get if I get this job, plus shadowing a equine vet. I have the option of working on a cattle ranch this summer, would that be considered good experience?
Or should I try to get an internship at the Portland Zoo?

I feel like my questions are all over the place. Sorry for the stream of consciousness posting.

 

[Shanomong]

.