I'm so sorry to hear you say this, and I know you must be feeling frustrated. But while Purdue does have one of the largest out-of-state classes, they do not prefer out-of-state applicants to in-state applicants. The class of 2015 has one of the largest out-of-state proportions and we are still more than 50% in-state. They may *interview* more out-of-state applicants, but that's only because there are more out-of-state applicants than in-state applicants.
If you look at the proportions from the incoming class (2010) stats posted online, there were 111 in-state applicants, and they interviewed 70. That's 63% of in-state applicants that got an interview. In contrast, there were 548 out-of-state applicants, and only 211 got an interview. that's less than 39%.
I know this is an incredibly difficult process, but the truth of the matter is that admission to any DVM program is incredibly competitive. A lot of people have really really good experience. If you feel that your experience is phenomenal and it didn't get you an interview this time, look for something even better. It's a win-win situation. It will improve your application and it will be a lot of good, fun experience for you. I'm also a non-trad, and I had to take my pre-reqs at IUPUI as well, so I understand how difficult it is to raise your GPA once you get to a certain point. What I did was focus on other things that I could do to make my application stand out. Did you apply to any other schools? I know that TT made a great post about what she did to improve her app when she got in on her third try. It's full of good advice and pretty motivating.
Okay. TL;DR. If you want to PM me, feel free. I'm not sure that I know anything more than anyone else, but we do have quite a bit in common and I am always willing to talk.
I can't claim to have anything better to say than Tator17 but I am also a non trad on my third application cycle and I finally got an interview. I have a low GPA too - and many many many credit hours - its not going to budge. I finally got a phone call interview with someone last cycle and got some solid feedback about why I was being rejected.
The main thing I was told I could do was prove that I can handle the DVM curriculum - historically people with lower GPA don't do well in vet school so that's why they don't accept that many. So they told me to take a difficult course load, science based and do well.
That being said - I went into the Pre-professional Biology Master's program - I had a solid semester - nothing stellar - I've proven that I can rise to the occassion - as my classes get more difficult - my grades don't sky rocket but I continue to be successful - I have learned an amazing amount about being a student in this program - its challenged me and I can understand now how I am more prepared than I was before. This was something I touched on in my personal statement.
Along with entering the master's program I continued to work part time and I took on a pretty major volunteer project. I poured my heart and soul into my personal statement and focused on the fact that I'm not just a student - I'm many other things and that's what makes me a good candidate.
I also updated my eLORs this year - I made connections during my first graduate semester and got 2 letters from professors, one being the graduate department head, I added an additional vet, so 2 letters from vets, one from a woman I worked with on my volunteer project, and a personal/professional letter from one of the students at my mothers farm that I teach horseback riding lesson too (her daughter as well).
I'm not sure what made the actual difference - last 2 cycles I was rejected out the gate. Not sure if I'll get in - but getting an interview is a huge step for me.
I know how you guys feel - the rejection letters are the worst and its so easy to feel hopeless - but hang in there - last cycle a good friend of mine got in and I got my second rejection. I don't know what makes the difference year to year - her and I have similar GPAs - but they saw something in her application they didn't see in mine - all I had control over was how I bounced back from that disapointment - the things I listed above were what I did - I can't say if I will ultimately get in - but I feel like a stronger candidate than I ever have before - and something in my application spoke to them this year.
Do what you can to actually get someone on the phone or go in an talk to someone about your application and take their feed back and run with it.....
I'm sending all of you the best of luck with other applications and with future applications!!!!