Nontraditional- chances of getting accepted?

[sassyfras]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Recently, I've been thinking about vet programs but I'm just not sure I'd get accepted. Here's my situation. I started my BS in Biology in 1998. I have a 3.9 in major and was two semesters away from graduation. In my college career, I participated in five research projects, student taught class six classes and even TAed on lab. In short, I was perfectly placed to go to graduate school and do research. Then I was hit with some massive life changes.
My mom had three heart attacks and was hospitalized for two months. In the midst of this turmoil, I met my future husband. We married three years later. I hadn't planned to get involved with anyone until after grad school, but if we could plan out our lives like that, life would be so boring. He was also a biology major, and I knew well the difficulty facing two biologists trying to stay together through grad school, post-doc and job searches. During this time I failed physics and organic, not because I couldn't understand the material, but because I was so often with my mom at the hospital and my confusion regarding my future with my husband. I decided to change majors to journalism and pursue science writing, but I just couldn't put my heart into it. I went from a 3.7 GPA to a 3.0 and then finally, I left without dropping my courses and ended up with a 2.7.

I had always intended to go back to school, but I couldn't decide what I wanted to do. I knew following my previous path of research would mean separating from my husband for many years. He's currently a land steward with The Nature Conservancy and those jobs are really, really hard to come by. Even so, I couldn't stand the thought of not finishing and so this summer I transferred to Purdue where I will spend two years finishing my Biology degree.

A few weeks ago, I talked with our family vet about my situation. He suggested I try for veterinary school. I was shocked, because honestly, I'd absolutely never thought about it before. It was like, to use the old cliché, a light went on. I love animals and I've always been interested in animal body functions. For the first time in six years, I felt absolutely sure of what I wanted to do. I'm planning on interning for him next summer and possibly shadowing him a bit this fall and spring. I think I'd really like to do mixed practice in a rural area. I've read this type of vet makes the least, but that doesn't matter to me at all. I just want to do something with biology that's helpful and rewarding.

Now, the difficulty lies in my past record. I've no doubt I can graduate from Purdue with a 3.7 or better. I'm also not concerned about the GRE. When I took it in 2003 I scored in the high 700’s for quantitative and analytical (790-something, I think). I also took the biology subject GRE and scored in the 95th percentile, 99th in the anatomy and physiology section. However, my GPA at Purdue will be averaged with my GPA at Indiana University, correct? This would mean that even if I got a 4.0 at Purdue, I'd still only be able to claim a 3.5, if that. Also, I'll only have one summer to intern as a vet's assistant before applying. If I volunteer 40 hours a week, that's only 480 hours total. It doesn't seem very impressive.

I've read that vet schools like to see that you've been dedicated to the idea of being a vet for years. The thought only entered my mind a few weeks ago. How can I show them I'm dedicated when I have so little time to prove myself? Should I take three years to finish my BS instead? It's already been so long. I don't mind though, and really I'd do whatever it takes. I know it sounds strange, but I absolutely know I want to be a vet. Even though it's been only a short time, I just know. The only way I can explain is by comparing it with the feeling I had when I met my husband. From the first time I talked with him I thought "this changes everything." It's exactly the same with my conversation with our vet: It changed everything.

I can't believe I never considered being a vet before. We had horses and sheep when I was a teen. I remember being fascinated when the vet would come to check on them. My internship this summer will really help me understand if I have what it takes to be a vet. But still, do I have a snowball's chance in heck of getting accepted anywhere?

Ideally, I'd like to go to Purdue's vet school. However, I would apply to others. Being away from my husband for four years would be painful, but if it was only for four years, I know we could work something out. He's absolutely supportive of whatever I decide.

Thanks for your help and input, I'm so glad there are places like this where I can talk to people who have or will go through the application process.

What I'd really love to know is, has anyone out there has had an experience like mine and, if so, how did it worked out? Also, any advise on increasing my chances would be absolutely wonderful!

Jessica

 

[Angelo84]

Hi,
I think you have a good shot. What you need to do is retake the courses you did poorly in and ace them. I would also continue to accumulate vet hours through out the fall. You can likely work a few hours a week (maybe saturdays?) around a course schedule and your life schedule. That will accumulate hours faster than you think and will show that you are serious about your new found career path. You state that you have an interest in rural mixed practice if the family vet you plan on working with isn't doing that you should try to spend a good chunk of time working with one. It is a really bad idea to apply to vet school saying you want to be a rural mixed animal vet if you've only worked in a small animal clinic with an emergency clinic nearby.

I would also use the explaination section of the application to explain what happened, how it made your stronger, and highlight that you have done well before and after.

As far as the averaging GPA thing on VMCAS you are asked to list your primary school (school you are recieving degree from) GPA. You may also be asked to come up with a pre-req or science GPA. It sounds like all of those numbers are okay as you will be retaking the courses you did poorly in (although some schools average retakes).

I hope that helps! Check out the successful applicants threads from the past few years as well.

 

[JustCats]

The light came on for me in August 2006 and at that time I had completed NO science courses. I applied and was accepted to vet school in the 2009 application cycle. Pomona2006 applied to vet school 19 months after she decided to completely change her life. Don't worry about the fact that you just figured this out. Just get your butt into gear and start plugging away at classes so you can bring your gpa back up. It's August and the fall semester is about to start. Take a science class this fall--any majors level science class anywhere--just to get back into the swing of things.

You'll only have 480 hours of experience if you wait until next summer to start getting it. Why are you waiting? Go volunteer or look for a job today. You can work while you're taking classes.

Good luck!

A few weeks ago, I talked with our family vet about my situation. He suggested I try for veterinary school. I was shocked, because honestly, I'd absolutely never thought about it before. It was like, to use the old cliché, a light went on. I love animals and I've always been interested in animal body functions. For the first time in six years, I felt absolutely sure of what I wanted to do. I'm planning on interning for him next summer and possibly shadowing him a bit this fall and spring. I think I'd really like to do mixed practice in a rural area. I've read this type of vet makes the least, but that doesn't matter to me at all. I just want to do something with biology that's helpful and rewarding.

I've read that vet schools like to see that you've been dedicated to the idea of being a vet for years. The thought only entered my mind a few weeks ago. How can I show them I'm dedicated when I have so little time to prove myself? Should I take three years to finish my BS instead? It's already been so long. I don't mind though, and really I'd do whatever it takes. I know it sounds strange, but I absolutely know I want to be a vet. Even though it's been only a short time, I just know. The only way I can explain is by comparing it with the feeling I had when I met my husband. From the first time I talked with him I thought "this changes everything." It's exactly the same with my conversation with our vet: It changed everything.

I can't believe I never considered being a vet before. We had horses and sheep when I was a teen. I remember being fascinated when the vet would come to check on them. My internship this summer will really help me understand if I have what it takes to be a vet. But still, do I have a snowball's chance in heck of getting accepted anywhere?

Ideally, I'd like to go to Purdue's vet school. However, I would apply to others. Being away from my husband for four years would be painful, but if it was only for four years, I know we could work something out. He's absolutely supportive of whatever I decide.

What I'd really love to know is, has anyone out there has had an experience like mine and, if so, how did it worked out? Also, any advise on increasing my chances would be absolutely wonderful!

Jessica

 

[david594]

Another late decision person here. I was accepted to vet school ~18 months after I decided it was a field I wanted to pursue.

To the OP, I think with good grades at purdue and doing decent on the GRE(which you should have no issue doing) you will be a very competitive applicant. Most of your grade issues from the past are things that can be explained.

 

[sassyfras]

Thanks so much for your replies! I'm so pumped- tomorrow I'm going to call around and find a mixed/large animal vet and see about getting some experience on the weekend. If I don't have enough experience by the time I apply next fall, I'll just work, get more experience, and apply the year after.

 

[Caninerepro]

Hey I know you got my PM, and I will reply to yours personally later. But again remember, I only had 750 clinical hours garnered during school breaks for 2 years before I applied. That was by working 80 hours weeks during my "down time". Focus on your last 45 GPA, and I look forward to meeting you at an AVMA conference in a few years. You can do it!😍

 

[twelvetigers]

I have nothing to add since I've always wanted to be a vet but was just a lazy ass about it for a while... but, very cute avatar. 🙂 I have some pictures of my fuzzbutt in my profile if you're interested. 😀

 

[sassyfras]

Hey I know you got my PM, and I will reply to yours personally later. But again remember, I only had 750 clinical hours garnered during school breaks for 2 years before I applied. That was by working 80 hours weeks during my "down time". Focus on your last 45 GPA, and I look forward to meeting you at an AVMA conference in a few years. You can do it!😍

Your story is so inspirational, when I think about it, I really feel that I absolutely will see you one day at an AVMA meeting 😀

I have nothing to add since I've always wanted to be a vet but was just a lazy ass about it for a while... but, very cute avatar. 🙂 I have some pictures of my fuzzbutt in my profile if you're interested. 😀

OMG, your Corgi is so so so cute! I love the brown/black eye dichotomy. I'm going to have to post some pictures of Darwin (we adopted him on Darwin Day) and our chickens. Ohhh, I love Corgis. Corgis and huskies, golden retrievers, standard poodles, akitas... okay, I love all dogs

ETA:

I love this photo ^ because he looks so silly. He's smiling so big his eyes are all squished up!

 

[DreamDVM]

Hi Jessica,

Don't worry, being non-traditional is so common its pretty much normal! I am also a non-traditional student. I decided three months ago that I want to go to veterinary school and I'm planning to apply next year. I work full time getting my application in order (taking classes I missed in college, doing volunteer hours) but I've never been more sure about my choice of career.

Vet schools care about two major things, it seems:
1) that you are academically strong and capable of handling the rigors of vet school
2) that you are committed to veterinary medicine and know what you are getting into

You can back up all your past grade problems, and the good grades you accumulated in good times shine through. I would recommend exactly what others have suggested so far... take some classes again to get higher grades and get some working experience. Solid experience and good recommendations is the number one way to convince the vet schools you are committed to vet med. You can work in shelters, hospitals, etc as a volunteer or employee. Just try to make sure there is a vet on staff -- the hours will be more valuable on your application and you will want that person to write you a recommendation.

Also, don't forget you can contact the vet schools to discuss your situation. Every school has full time admissions counselors that can recommend courses to retake, etc.

Best of luck!
LeAnne

dreamdvm.blogspot.com

 

[sassyfras]

I've contacted several other veterinary offices, but I'm having a difficult time finding a mixed practice in my area. There is a large veterinary hospital affiliated with Purdue North Central that I'm going to contact on Monday for leads and possible shadowing opportunities. I'm sure there's a mixed practice around here, or at least an equine vet. There are so many horses in my area, they must be getting care from somewhere. But a finger hike through the Yellow Pages and Google haven't found any :-/

Also, I read on another thread that in some cases, you can petition the college to ignore anything older than six years. Does anyone know if Purdue does this? Is so, this would be ideal. I'm afraid of that, because I took many of my intro biology courses between 1998 and 2001, the course credit will be too old when I apply in 2010. Also, I don't mind having to retake the courses at all, but maybe that's the perfectionist coming out in me. I just hate the thought of having those blemishes on my record when I go to apply.

 

[sassyfras]

I checked with Purdue and unfortunately, they don't have a program corresponding to Illinois' forgiveness plan. However, I found that U of Illinois is only two hours from me, so I'm going to apply there as well under their Plan B program. This way, I can apply to both Purdue and Illinois. The commute from Urbana is short enough that I could easily come home on the weekends. Still, I'd prefer to go to Purdue, but Illinois has a great looking program.

 

[Catnapper]

I thought I'd put my 2 cents in here. I think you have a shot, but you may have to prepare yourself for several application cycles. But each cycle, you'll have more time to add to your roster of experiences. Yeah, non-trads get in--but we're rare--I think I'm one of maybe 4 of what I would consider truly older people (i.e.: over 30) in my class--many are not even legal drinking age & got in on their first try...straight from college. This fall was going to be my 3rd cycle (but I got in off the waitlist). Based on my experience and observations, it is much more difficult to get in, the more non-trad (i.e.: older) you are, but it's certainly possible. Good luck!!

 

[meadow36]

I am "4th oldest" in my class at age 33; this was my second cycle. It is very common to get turned down in your first cycle so be prepared for that. It's no problem, just keep working in the field and take a few more upper level science classes to show you're committed to the course work.

You have plenty of opportunity at Purdue to bring up your GPA in the next year or two or however long it is going to take you to get your pre-reqs. The schools are going to really focus on that; even if they don't have an "official" forgiveness program, they do realize that this is now and that was then. My GPA was NOT great (check successful applicant thread) but I took 16 post-bacc classes in upper-level sciences while applying and proved I can handle the work. And here I am!! 🙂