Open to all critiques! What are my chances and how can I improve?

[lilskilla23]

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First time posting here, would be very grateful for any and all feedback!

I am a junior applying this cycle for the first time. I have a GPA on the lower side (2.8, but confident I can get it to at least a 3.0 before apps are due) and some decent experience. My ultimate goal is to enter the theriogenology field, preferably with canines or cattle. I will list my current experiences and extracurriculars for reference.

VET EXPERIENCE
- Veterinary Assistant at Small Animal/Exotic Clinic: 600hrs
- Veterinary Assistant at Small Animal: 252hrs (was during summer)
- Shadowing Equine Veterinarian next quarter: ???

ANIMAL EXPERIENCE
- Pet Ownership: a lot!
- Horse Caretaker at Therapeutic Riding Center: 200 hrs
- Exotic Animal/Invertebrate Caretaker: 300 hrs (mostly snakes, lizards, and other reptilian species. supervisor was a breeder)
- Kitten Foster: 240 hrs
- Equine Husbandry Class: ~25-30hrs
- Calving Class (will be taking for the next three quarters): ???
- Horseback Riding Lessons: ~30-40hrs
- Dairy Cow Husbandry Class: ~30hrs
- Dog Sitting: ~30hrs

EXTRACURRICULARS
- TA for Farm Animal Anatomy and Physiology: ~30hrs
- Luminaria Chair for Relay for Life/Colleges Against Cancer Club: 10hrs
- Wildlife Club freshmen to junior year
- Veterinary Club freshmen to junior year, event coordinator third year
- Sorority: >100hrs
- Can hopefully TA over the summer for a systemic physiology course: ???

RESEARCH
- Starting in a fish reproduction lab next quarter: ???
- Helped a student with their bird research (how feathers from sea birds differ from land birds): <20hrs

OTHER EMPLOYMENT
- Ice cream shop employee >200hrs

LOR
- Equine Veterinarian I was a TA for, she's very sweet
- Veterinarian at Small Animal Clinic I worked for over the summer
- Practice Manager at Veterinary Clinic I worked at over the summer

Currently planning on applying to: Oregon, Washington, Colorado, Arizona, Mizzou, LSU, Virginia-Maryland, Tufts, LMU, and Minnesota.

I am still in the process of writing my personal statement, unsure of the best way to represent myself mostly because of my GPA. I am open to any and all feedback for this cycle! Ideally I get in first try but I know a rejection isn't the end of the world! Thanks to everyone who drops by and leaves some feedback. Will try to get some more therio experience as well as large animal- I have some AI classes planned for senior year.

Thank you all and good luck to those applying! 🙂

 

[MixedAnimals77]

Hi,
I would say your chances unless you're IS to WSU or CO your chances there are less than ideal.
For WSU here are your tiers https://dvm.vetmed.wsu.edu/admissions/academic-criteria
For CSU everyone under a 3.2 undergoes an early file review to determine to move on Admission Requirements - Doctor of Veterinary Medicine - D.V.M. Program and they have a TON of applicants so your chances out of the gate if you are OOS are slim.

Overall I would recommend taking those 2 schools off your list and reevaluate your whole school list based on your application profile-ex IL, MI and KS might be good fits because as long as you meet the min GPA cut offs it's usually not as big of a factor or they have a lower GPA cut off.

WSU does like to see EVERYTHING so include it all including things like hiking and other types of hobbies you might have. For pet ownership I would not put a ton of hours unless you had medically needy animals that required extensive care, otherwise I wouldn't include more than 10min/day.

I always encourage people to apply to their IS as that is their best shot. For your vet hours try to get some large experience. I think the rest of your experience is good and unfortunately I think your GPA is going to be your biggest hurdle assuming your LORs and statement are solid. Good luck!

 

[lilskilla23]

Hi,
I would say your chances unless you're IS to WSU or CO your chances there are less than ideal.
For WSU here are your tiers https://dvm.vetmed.wsu.edu/admissions/academic-criteria
For CSU everyone under a 3.2 undergoes an early file review to determine to move on Admission Requirements - Doctor of Veterinary Medicine - D.V.M. Program and they have a TON of applicants so your chances out of the gate if you are OOS are slim.

Overall I would recommend taking those 2 schools off your list and reevaluate your whole school list based on your application profile-ex IL, MI and KS might be good fits because as long as you meet the min GPA cut offs it's usually not as big of a factor or they have a lower GPA cut off.

WSU does like to see EVERYTHING so include it all including things like hiking and other types of hobbies you might have. For pet ownership I would not put a ton of hours unless you had medically needy animals that required extensive care, otherwise I wouldn't include more than 10min/day.

I always encourage people to apply to their IS as that is their best shot. For your vet hours try to get some large experience. I think the rest of your experience is good and unfortunately I think your GPA is going to be your biggest hurdle assuming your LORs and statement are solid. Good luck!

Thanks for the reply!

I'm in CA, so my in-states would be Davis and Western. I am retaking two classes I got a C- or lower in next quarter, so hopefully schools can see improvement. I'll definitely look into your school recommendations, as well as reevaluate my own.

I appreciate the feedback!

 

[MixedAnimals77]

Thanks for the reply!

I'm in CA, so my in-states would be Davis and Western. I am retaking two classes I got a C- or lower in next quarter, so hopefully schools can see improvement. I'll definitely look into your school recommendations, as well as reevaluate my own.

I appreciate the feedback!

Ooof that's rough those are your IS-I know Davis is difficult and with Western being private it's not a great option.