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[vetfaithful]

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[JaynaAli]

I’m wondering if the disconnect is that you say you want to work in large animal medicine, but very few/essentially none of your veterinary hours are in the field. I do see you have extensive dairy experience in relation to research so I do realize you have some large animal experience even if not officially classified as vet, but reading through, I question whether you’ve actually truly seen the medical side well enough. Actually being in the truck visiting other clients or being at a clinic all day is different than being a dairy client. And maybe you do have this knowledge, but having hours with a large animal vet will really show/support that. I think you definitely need some substantial hours in large animal clinical medicine if you’re going to tell a school that’s your goal.

Also, I’m sorry you’re facing health challenges. I do think if you’re going to bring that sort of stuff up in an explanation statement, places are going to want to hear how you’ve managed it and how you’re going to continue to manage it moving forward. I’d just be cognizant of tone and be sure to frame it more like “here’s what I went through, what I overcame/am overcoming, and here’s my plan moving forward” and not just excuses. Obviously I have no idea what your essays say and maybe they’re great, but that’s just my caution from being around a while and reading apps. Don’t give them a reason to doubt your abilities…show them how you’ve managed and tell them your plan/solutions.

On paper your stats seem very competitive, so I’d also recommend doing mock interviews and getting feedback on interview skills. It certainly won’t hurt and they may help you figure out if there’s something you’re doing or saying that’s making you come off less ideally than you want to. Interviewing is truly a skill.

 

[vetfaithful]

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[JaynaAli]

In an ideal world, I think I’d recommend you find a job at a large animal clinic this year. But I know that is sometimes easier said than done. I think it may be hard to get substantial hours in that field before the application deadline if you don’t. If you can’t get a role like that or can’t afford to live on a food animal vet assistant salary or whatever, then yes, having some other random job to pay the bills and balance that with shadowing/volunteering/whatever works too. I mean, on the plus side, your grades are good, which are usually the harder aspect of an application to change. Experiences may be difficult to land, but once they’re secured they can change an app quite a bit.

 

[DVM882029]

I second Jayna as, based on your stats, you should be quite competitive. I'm sure you have, but just for the sake of being thorough: Are you sure you've completed every prereq/meet each requirement for these programs? I.E. you're a qualified, eligible applicant?

 

[vetfaithful]

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[katiemcat]

I’m wondering if the disconnect is that you say you want to work in large animal medicine, but very few/essentially none of your veterinary hours are in the field.

This was my first thought and I absolutely agree. I had a friend receive feedback from a school post-rejection (back when they still did that!) pointing out that her PS was about wanting to x but she had little to no experience in it. She reapplied the next cycle with a year of experience in x, and was accepted. I think with any large animal veterinary experience your application is significantly better. If you reapply, I would also consider adding Florida back into the mix as we are *desperate* for LA oriented students and your GPAs are competitive for an OOS student.

 

[indysadventures]

Hi- I’m sorry you’re facing this- I think what has already been said is incredibly valuable, and I’d also suggest you look at your LORs and essays, because otherwise your stats are competitive, and I think with improved LA experience you should hopefully have a lot more luck next cycle (fingers crossed you don’t need it, but prepare for the worst, hope for the best).

I am happy to review your essays from this cycle and give any feedback I can, as a person who doesn’t know you. Sometimes having things reviewed in that context can help highlight areas for improvement that those who know you may not see right away (because they know and love you). I would definitely focus on identifying your schools’ core competencies/missions and matching your written materials to those, as well as trying to build some thematic continuity throughout all of your written submissions for your application (including experience sections). Happy to help, DM anytime!

 

[rhinolovergirl]

You have already received great advice but I just wanted to say that I am so sorry you have had a hard time getting in. Please be proud of your resilience, I promise that this cycle process does not define you whatsoever. Sending lots of love your way!!