Overload-Should I cut back on shadowing hours?

[willagirl]

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Hi everyone! I am having an internal dilemma that I need some help with.

I am a year into my pre-vet classes, and will finish in may 2013. I will be applying to vet school in 2013 as well.

I currently work a full time job (40 hours a week) and am going to school 3 nights a week (2 classes in traditional setting) and one additional class online. I also am working all day on saturdays, volunteering at a vet clinic to get my shadowing hours. I am working in large animal hours by taking days off from my full time job. To date, I have 430 hours. I know that is low, but it is the best I can do with working a full time job.

In taking 3 classes (physics, orgo chem and animal science) I am finding that school work is taking all of my off hours of time. I know I need to continue to build my shadowing hours, but I really feel like I need to take the next few months off from shadowing, to concentrate on school. I am burning the candles at both ends! I will get back to it in January.

My question is, how will this look on my application? I know how important shadowing is, but I also know that before they even see that, my grades are the first thing they will look at. I still think I will be able to get between 700-800 hours before I apply.

What would you do? Is it ok for me to take some time away to concentrate on school?

thanks!

 

[Trilt]

Shadowing hours can only go up, grades are really hard to pull up after you drop them. IMHO, prioritize your grades - doing classes while working full time is already impressive, you won't be losing much on rigor points if you cut down your shadowing to a manageable level.

 

[PetPony]

I stopped shadowing for this semester with work (not as much as you!), classes (full time) and research. There are no days off at all (working weekends and holidays), so instead of using the few off hours I have for shadowing, I relax. It makes such a difference! I'm already noticing how I learn much more because I relax much more. And I'm still not worried about my shadowing hours and I don't even have as many as you! Just catch up with them over the summer maybe?

 

[SnowyRox]

I totally agree with Trilt.

1000 hours and a 3.4 is not as impressive as 500 hours and a 3.9. This is definitely debatable and depends on breakdown of hours & courses yada yada yada... but it was my experience in applying.

Plus you can spend a summer to make up the difference in those shadowing hours to have BOTH 500 hours AND a 3.9. Focus on your GPA and just get shadowing hours in between May & October. Plenty of time!

 

[Kpowell14]

Plus you can spend a summer to make up the difference in those shadowing hours to have BOTH 500 hours AND a 3.9. Focus on your GPA and just get shadowing hours in between May & October. Plenty of time!

^^^^^^ this is sooo true! Grades are definitely a priority! You can use the summer to get all kinds of hands on/shadow experience!!

 

[kernel]

willagirl- I don't know how you do it! I am currently working full time while in school and I couldn't fathom making the time to volunteer. Stay sane. Get good grades. I think above advice to make up for shadow hours during the summer is great. 👍

 

[texguyincali]

Its already been said here but yes, never sacrifice grades for hours. You can always get hours but a bad grade is there to stay.

 

[willagirl]

Thank you everyone for all of the advice!! you have been so helpful!!!

I love this forum!!!