Non-Trad Blues

[Catnapper]

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I'm re-taking the GRE (for the 3rd time) on Monday (with low expectations); I'm working a full-time job, part-timing at a cat hospital, volunteering on a farm, & for a feral cat organization, rescued a stray cat last week, and start Biochem night class next week. I've tried to pare down my hours at the cat hospital and have been met with threats from the head receptionist that the Doc won't write me a (good) letter-o-rec if I cut any more hours. And of course, it's apps crunch time...I feel like I never get to see my geriatric kids (my cats) anymore. Is anyone else out there having as lame a time? I know others have it worse...but all I can think is that I'm putting myself through all of this and still won't get in.

 

[Badger Girl]

I hear you, Catnapper! I am not going through the application process right now, but do have a ton of stuff going on between working full-time, school part-time, shadowing, volunteering, and other volunteer commitments that are non-vet related. I feel like such a bad pet mom some days!

Keep on truckin' b/c there is a reason why we're all doing this...even though it seems so far away sometimes!!

😀

 

[lailanni]

When you get down, just picture yourself in full graduation gown -- the good one, the awesome cap and gown reserved for doctors only. Then imagine walking accross the stage and being addressed as Dr.__ for the first time. Always kicks my butt towards inspiration.

 

[meadow36]

I'm re-taking the GRE (for the 3rd time) on Monday (with low expectations); I'm working a full-time job, part-timing at a cat hospital, volunteering on a farm, & for a feral cat organization, rescued a stray cat last week, and start Biochem night class next week. I've tried to pare down my hours at the cat hospital and have been met with threats from the head receptionist that the Doc won't write me a (good) letter-o-rec if I cut any more hours. And of course, it's apps crunch time...I feel like I never get to see my geriatric kids (my cats) anymore. Is anyone else out there having as lame a time? I know others have it worse...but all I can think is that I'm putting myself through all of this and still won't get in.

You could have been writing my bio (except for all the cats - more of a dog person myself). Fear not, you're not alone. I am so stressed about this all being for nothing. On top of everything else, I am sooooo broke and now have to plunk down $1000 on applications.

I really don't know if I can do this again next year.

 

[sambone]

You are so not alone. Try doing all that, and not having a car to top it off! I did for a while and almost lost my brain. I used to fantasize about time-traveling back to undergrad and dong it the smart way...instead of getting an history degree and working full time/taking classes/volunteering to get experience, groveling at the local vet for some incredibly awkward shadowing hours. I can't tell you how much awkwardness my prevet experiences have brought into my life hahaha.

After 2 insane years I decided something had to give and I took out a mini loan from my credit card (AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH! bad I know) so I could work part time for a year, take the classes that wouldn't fit my full time schedule, and get some solid vet experience. It cost me ~ $10,000, (on top of crazy undergrad debt) but I'll find out if it was worth it this spring! Yikes!

 

[Badger Girl]

You are so not alone. Try doing all that, and not having a car to top it off! I did for a while and almost lost my brain. I used to fantasize about time-traveling back to undergrad and dong it the smart way...instead of getting an history degree and working full time/taking classes/volunteering to get experience, groveling at the local vet for some incredibly awkward shadowing hours. I can't tell you how much awkwardness my prevet experiences have brought into my life hahaha.

After 2 insane years I decided something had to give and I took out a mini loan from my credit card (AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH! bad I know) so I could work part time for a year, take the classes that wouldn't fit my full time schedule, and get some solid vet experience. It cost me ~ $10,000, (on top of crazy undergrad debt) but I'll find out if it was worth it this spring! Yikes!

So, did you just feel out of place in general? I'm just curious, b/c that's the way I feel sometimes, too.

 

[sambone]

I found shadowing to be very uncomfortable, because I was just standing around watching appointments and not doing anything - which I hate. Also, the doctor basically pretended I wasn't even there and acted really inconvenienced by my presence in general. It was totally awkward - i did 30 hours of that and decided I could use my time more wisely.
When I was hired to work at a clinic, it was slightly better except that one of the owners thought they needed another assistant and the other wasn't happy he had hired me without consulting her - and in reality, she was right. There definitely was not enough work, so of course that was pretty brutal (I scrubbed windows just to busy myself). Now I know what I'm doing, and it's not as bad, but getting past the first few awkward months was pretty miserable.

 

[Badger Girl]

I get what you mean. Sometimes I have felt awkward and in the way as well, not to mention having to deal with some snotty techs and assistants. I think clients think I work at the clinic, so sometimes they ask me questions and then I feel kind of silly telling them I'm shadowing. It seems like people think that job shadowing is just something kids do and they don't quite understand why I am there. I try to keep my explanations short!

 

[Truth74]

When I was shadowing, the clients would approach me as staff, too. It's kind of uncomfortable to have to explain that I was not a member of the staff. I found it easier, at the place I did the majority of my shadowing, the vet would introduce me to the client and explain why I was in the room. Then the client would spend some time asking me about my plans for vet school. It kind of saved the vet from holding a conversation while doing the exam, and it gave me a sense that I was doing something, helpful. Later, we'd have a Q & A.

At an other place, if I asked a question that the vet thought was good, I would get the cold shoulder from the staff, later. It could have been that I was too unusual (being non-trad), or I didn't know the rules about what can and can not be asked.

When I worked at a clinic, it was more formal and there may not have been time for questions. I also noticed that the other staff would rush in and do what I asked to learn. This wasn't helping me learn it for myself. I guess, they were proving that they were faster.