Pre-Application School Visits

[absvet]

---

Members do not see this ad.

I am applying for the first time this cycle to Tufts and Penn. I have set up appointments to take tours and meet with admissions counselors this spring, the first one being Friday. Any advice on what to expect to be asked, things to ask, etc? I'm really excited to start the process but I don't want their first impression of me to be negative! Thanks!

 

[Mistoffeles]

I am applying for the first time this cycle to Tufts and Penn. I have set up appointments to take tours and meet with admissions counselors this spring, the first one being Friday. Any advice on what to expect to be asked, things to ask, etc? I'm really excited to start the process but I don't want their first impression of me to be negative! Thanks!

Are you meeting with Laura Fuller at Tufts? She is super nice, and very knowledgeable.

As many other will likely advise you, just be yourself. They're not strictly speaking evaluating you (although you should be aware that they will remember you). You don't have to know exactly what path you're going to follow - but you can think of this as sort of a pre-interview. If you have some ideas about what you want to do, ask lots of questions about that, but also listen to everything they have to say.

This entire process is as much about you as it is about them. The important thing is choosing schools that will be a good fit for you, and the school visits/tours, etc., can help with that a lot.

Treat it the same way that you would an interview, but know that it has much less stress attached.
🙂

 

[GellaBella]

Have you already set up an appt to look at/tour penn??

I called last fall and they said they only did tours in the summer, but I'd love to go check them out as soon as possible.

 

[absvet]

Have you already set up an appt to look at/tour penn??

I called last fall and they said they only did tours in the summer, but I'd love to go check them out as soon as possible.

I did set up a meeting with the adcom, but I don't think there is a tour. I just emailed the admissions as listed on the website and they got back to me, saying they didn't do info sessions but were happy to set up an individual meeting.

 

[ZooNose]

I would definitely use this opportunity to go over your basic stats and experience with the people you speak to. If they are in admissions, they might be able to give you suggestions for how to put together the best VMCAS app, or what extra experiences you should try to get before the deadline rolls around. You will also get a sense at this time of what they are looking for in an applicant.

 

[absvet]

Are you meeting with Laura Fuller at Tufts? She is super nice, and very knowledgeable.

Treat it the same way that you would an interview, but know that it has much less stress attached.
🙂

I am meeting her - I'm glad to hear she's so nice!

One of the questions I want to ask her is - is it worth it for me to apply this cycle? But I don't know if that's an appropriate question or how honest they are likely to be. The reason I am wondering that is, I haven't taken Ochem OR biochem yet, and though I have a plan to get them both done by next spring, are they really going to look hard at my app without grades for either of those courses? How should I approach this?

Thanks!

 

[ZooNose]

Many schools require that you take a Biochemistry class that has the OChem 1&2 series as a prerequisite. On top of that, many schools require that your pre-reqs be completely done by the end of Spring semester before you matriculate.

I would take class this summer to speed up the process!

 

[absvet]

Many schools require that you take a Biochemistry class that has the OChem 1&2 series as a prerequisite. On top of that, many schools require that your pre-reqs be completely done by the end of Spring semester before you matriculate.

I would take class this summer to speed up the process!

On the Tufts website they do not specify that Biochem has to have an Ochem prereq, and I am only applying there and Penn. I can't really take a summer course because I work full-time and am on my own so I can't afford to drop to part-time, and summer courses take up so much time. I really wish I could though!!

 

[absvet]

many schools require that your pre-reqs be completely done by the end of Spring semester before you matriculate.

Yes - the plan I have now will accomplish that!

 

[ZooNose]

Oh wait, ok, I take it back. I was basing that on my own experience - I found that many undergrad schools in my area would not let me take Biochem unless I did OChem first. Check with your university so you don't get stuck like I did!

Sorry to confuse you!

 

[sunnex3]

ummm for tufts the biochem they want does NOT have to have Ochem 1&2 as a prereq - i talked to Patty Finger in the admissions office about this because at Penn, we have a biochem+cell bio class that doesn't require ochem as a prereq, but also an upper level biochem that DOES require ochem 1&2 as a prereq. she told me that the biochem that doesn't require ochem is fine for their admissions.

also penn doesn't require biochem anway, so if you're only applying to tufts and penn, then i wouldn't sweat it.

ps - i'm also planning on visiting schools this summer, let us know how the visit goes, absvet!

 

[eatpinkpenguins]

Just my advice about pre-reqs: If you want approval for a pre-req, send an email to admissions to get a response in writing. Just in case.

For example, I took the same cell bio that sunnex took, but no biochem credit was given to me from tufts (or illinois or vamd) for it since it didn't have the metabolic pathways, carbohydrates, and lipids; gene replication and expression; biochemical energetics; and vitamin stuff needed.

Also, Penn will offer suggestions about your personal statement if you send it in ahead of time to them. Good luck!

 

[sunnex3]

Just my advice about pre-reqs: If you want approval for a pre-req, send an email to admissions to get a response in writing. Just in case.

For example, I took the same cell bio that sunnex took, but no biochem credit was given to me from tufts (or illinois or vamd) for it since it didn't have the metabolic pathways, carbohydrates, and lipids; gene replication and expression; biochemical energetics; and vitamin stuff needed.

Also, Penn will offer suggestions about your personal statement if you send it in ahead of time to them. Good luck!

oh really? it didn't count? i've gotten an email from Tufts saying that it DOES count...now does an email count as "in writing?" i've been in correspondence with Patty at Tufts for a while now, so i'm hoping that the email she sent me counts...although it doesn't matter really because I have to take BIOL 402 at Penn anyway for other schools 👎

 

[GellaBella]

I did set up a meeting with the adcom, but I don't think there is a tour. I just emailed the admissions as listed on the website and they got back to me, saying they didn't do info sessions but were happy to set up an individual meeting.

wow I had no idea you could do this BEFORE you apply! So basically you will go, meet with an admissions counselor and discuss what you will be putting into your application this year and they will tell you if you need anything else?! Thats fantastic. Do all schools allow this? (Sorry, its (obviously) my first application cycle, I didn't know this was an option)

 

[sunnex3]

i'm pretty sure most if not all schools do this type of thing.
i know that tufts, vamd, penn do this sort of thing.
i've already met with dean keiter at penn vet several times (convenient for me since i'm an undergraduate at penn) and it's super helpful to meet one on one with someone who knows how the admissions process is at the particular school. they go over your grades, the classes you are taking/planning on taking, your activities and offer suggestions as how to improve your application. dean keiter even offered to read my personal statement once it's written! in general, i've heard that the adcoms are very helpful and nice.

 

[Ben and Me]

I did that last summer at Penn. Roseanne Herpen is great! Make sure you bring a copy of your resume...I was a ***** and forgot mine! She was SUPER helpful and more than willing to give me advice on how to improve my app (which I followed) so make sure you listen up to what she has to say--I did everything she suggested and somehow got in, even though I don't feel that I'm as qualified as some of the other applicants I've "met" through here who were rejected. I'd also imagine it helped them put a "face to a name" thru the admissions process, which obviously can't hurt!

If you're looking for a place to stay, the Sheraton University City is nice and nearby (within walking distance). I stayed there for my interview. They have desktops in every room with free internet (!!) which was awesome since I forgot to bring a copy of my application and wanted to read through my personal statement.

 

[Ben and Me]

wow I had no idea you could do this BEFORE you apply! So basically you will go, meet with an admissions counselor and discuss what you will be putting into your application this year and they will tell you if you need anything else?! Thats fantastic. Do all schools allow this? (Sorry, its (obviously) my first application cycle, I didn't know this was an option)

No, not all schools do this (NC State, for example). Some have info sessions, but not all are willing to sit down with you one-on-one. It's always a good idea to ask though!

 

[sunnex3]

definitely helping them put a "face" on the name can't hurt. i know that dean keiter at penn is VERY involved in the admissions process, so obviously if they have met with you and you try to make a good impression, it can't hurt you in the process...

the people at penn vet admissions are great! very helpful, as i mentioned before 🙂

 

[absvet]

Just had my tour/meeting with Laura Fuller at Tufts. The tour was interesting, though we spent most of our time in the hospitals rather than the areas we would be learning in. We didn't go into the anatomy lab or the building where most of the lectures are. The hospitals were pretty cool, though. And the new student center is nice too. I didn't see many people walking around anywhere though, which I though was weird.

The meeting with the adcom was nice and pretty informative. She gave me some advice on which biochem class to take - I brought several course descriptions with me. She told me I really shouldn't take it online and that I don't have to have all classes finished until matriculation, so I could even take classes next summer if I wasn't finished. I recommend you go if you have the chance!

 

[tpad40]

She told me I really shouldn't take it online and that I don't have to have all classes finished until matriculation, so I could even take classes next summer if I wasn't finished.

Just wanted to point out that this is definitely not the case with all schools (I know from personal experience, whoops!). Just make sure that if you are planning on doing summer courses the summer before vet school that all the shcools you are considering are ok with it. Random side note 😉

Glad your tour went well!

 

[david594]

The meeting with the adcom was nice and pretty informative. She gave me some advice on which biochem class to take - I brought several course descriptions with me. She told me I really shouldn't take it online and that I don't have to have all classes finished until matriculation, so I could even take classes next summer if I wasn't finished. I recommend you go if you have the chance!

Which biochem did she advise you to take?

 

[StillDreaming]

i think you have already taken a step in the right direction. Talking to the adcoms and doing tours now will help you decide if the school is right for you, BEFORE you apply. I made the mistake and applying to schools just based on rankings/location/vets i knew that were alum. I didn't know where i was going to go, just kind of applied and hoped to get in somewhere. Now that i have done the tours/interviews, i kind of wished i hadn't spent the money on a few schools, as right from the start of the tour i never could imagine myself being a student there (i am lucky that i have the luxury of getting into schools that i can se emyself attending tho, not the case all the time, i am aware).

So congrats on this first step. And you seemed to have the right idea at your Tufts meeting. Just straight up ask them what they think about coursework, your resume, etc. I have been setting up meetings (via phone) with a couple ad com guys since my sophomore year, and they told me how to improve my application from the start. Thus i had a longer time period to do what they suggest. So for you, you have the whole summer, and now that you have talked to tufts, you know you can finish over next summer (check with Penn on this tho), so it makes the next year a little lighter of a load on your shoulders.

Good luck at Penn! and thanks for updating us on how Tufts went!

 

[absvet]

Which biochem did she advise you to take?

I was looking at an online course, and undergrad 4pt. course that met during the afternoon (bad time for me) or a graduate school 3pt. course that meets in the evening. She told me it would be better to not take the online course, and the 3 point evening class would definitely be sufficient. She said that they see biochem as a really important class and wouldn't really like to see it taken online.

 

[aspiringDVM]

What did you all wear when you visited? I would think since you very well may be meeting some important people you'd want to look professional, but also there's the trekking-around-the-school-in-heels/nice clothes factor for the tours.
Anyone ever visit Auburn before applying?

 

[Ben and Me]

I wore almost the exact thing I wore for my Penn interview, but I interviewed out at New Bolton so it was a little less formal. I wore a knee length suit-material skirt, a cotton sweater and patent leather flats. I dressed it up a little for my interview with a collared shirt under the sweater and warmed it up a little with suit pants instead of the skirt 🙂 I think you just need to look casual-professional--you could always wear suit, but I don't think you have to.

 

[eventualeventer]

I went to Penn in March and talked to Dean Keiter and Dr. Atchison (head of the VMD/PhD program). Both seemed very approachable and helpful. I wore slacks (non-dressy, but not jeans) and a nice-ish, conservative top (one step up from a polo shirt but not super fancy). There was no formal tour, but imagine21 showed me around.

 

[GenghisCohen]

When I visited Illinois last spring for a tour and a meeting with Mary Kelm I wore jeans, a t-shirt, and flip-flops. I'd been out with my sister the night before and borrowed a pair of her shoes that just destroyed my feet, and the flip-flops were the only thing I could walk in without limping. I brought a pair of flats in case I needed closed toed shoes for the tour, but it wasn't an issue. I think I would have felt uncomfortable had I dressed up more since everyone there was also very casual.

 

[absvet]

When I set up the meeting they told me via email that the dress was casual and we should wear comfortable shoes. I wore a denim skirt and nice top, and the girl I toured with had on jeans. They didn't say casual at Penn but I'm assuming I don't have to go too fancy.

 

[AUhopeful]

aspiringDVM, I have been to Auburn twice for their open house and once for an informal meeting with Kaye Storey (she's in admissions). I wore kakis with a button down shirt and nice slip on dress flats. The tour took you outside to the barn so I planned on wearing comfortable shoes 🙂. I also put together a folder for her of all of my transcripts and experience; she spent a good thirty minutes discussing grades and classes with me. I was very impressed with the campus and Ms. Storey was more than helpful. I have been in contact with her off and on for about two years now and she has helped me out a lot. Of course Auburn is my #1 pick so I am very excited to possibly be apart of their program!🙂

 

[aspiringDVM]

Thanks for all the input, everyone! AUhopeful, Kaye Storey is AMAZING. I email her every two months or so with panicked questions, and she always gets exactly the info I was looking for back to me withing hours. I think she must have superpowers, and I'm seriously considering bringing her cookies or something when I finally tour there 😀.

 

[AUhopeful]

Cookies are a great idea aspiringDVM! I just got done with a panic email over the online animal nutrition course I am freaking out about. UWF (west florida) does not offer any kind of animal nutrition course and I am shocked over the cost of oos tuition for the schools that do offer it online!😱 So I am still on the fence over what to do. But good luck on your application!