Question about eLOR's for Davis

[Wolfie<3]

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I've attempted to contact UC Davis regarding this question over the last month or two, but was not able to to retrieve an answer. So --- maybe someone here has a better idea or suggestion for me!

A little bit about myself, I would be applying as a non-traditional student who has been working in a HistoPathology lab for the last 6 years here in California (working towards applying to medical school; but now shifting gears to applying to Vet since last year). I've been out of academics (besides a course or two at UC Berkeley extension) since 2012.

On UC Davis' website, The eLOR section states that aside from the required Veterinary letter, the others must come from "others that can attest to your knowledge of veterinary medicine and/or academic abilities." Do you think it could be acceptable that those two other letters come from my workplace; such as the lab director and a pathologist (They clearly cant attest to vet med abilities or academic/schooling abilities). Would this be an auto decline from Davis?

It seems like my other nearby choices (OSU and Pomona) eLOR's only state the required Vet letter and two from whoever else really (not as specific as Davis).

Would be very helpful if anyone had some insight regarding this! Thanks!!!!! 🙂

Chris

 

[Coopah]

I've attempted to contact UC Davis regarding this question over the last month or two, but was not able to to retrieve an answer. So --- maybe someone here has a better idea or suggestion for me!

A little bit about myself, I would be applying as a non-traditional student who has been working in a HistoPathology lab for the last 6 years here in California (working towards applying to medical school; but now shifting gears to applying to Vet since last year). I've been out of academics (besides a course or two at UC Berkeley extension) since 2012.

On UC Davis' website, The eLOR section states that aside from the required Veterinary letter, the others must come from "others that can attest to your knowledge of veterinary medicine and/or academic abilities." Do you think it could be acceptable that those two other letters come from my workplace; such as the lab director and a pathologist (They clearly cant attest to vet med abilities or academic/schooling abilities). Would this be an auto decline from Davis?

It seems like my other nearby choices (OSU and Pomona) eLOR's only state the required Vet letter and two from whoever else really (not as specific as Davis).

Would be very helpful if anyone had some insight regarding this! Thanks!!!!! 🙂

Chris

I can't speak for Davis but I don't think it would be an automatic disqualification. I suggest emailing the admissions team again to get clarification in writing. Sorry you're having a hard time reaching them send another email, maybe they lost it.

 

[blueheeler]

On UC Davis' website, The eLOR section states that aside from the required Veterinary letter, the others must come from "others that can attest to your knowledge of veterinary medicine and/or academic abilities." Do you think it could be acceptable that those two other letters come from my workplace; such as the lab director and a pathologist (They clearly cant attest to vet med abilities or academic/schooling abilities). Would this be an auto decline from Davis?

I emailed them last month about this as well, and they also never responded. Lmk if they respond to you!

 

[viggovet]

I've attempted to contact UC Davis regarding this question over the last month or two, but was not able to to retrieve an answer. So --- maybe someone here has a better idea or suggestion for me!

A little bit about myself, I would be applying as a non-traditional student who has been working in a HistoPathology lab for the last 6 years here in California (working towards applying to medical school; but now shifting gears to applying to Vet since last year). I've been out of academics (besides a course or two at UC Berkeley extension) since 2012.

On UC Davis' website, The eLOR section states that aside from the required Veterinary letter, the others must come from "others that can attest to your knowledge of veterinary medicine and/or academic abilities." Do you think it could be acceptable that those two other letters come from my workplace; such as the lab director and a pathologist (They clearly cant attest to vet med abilities or academic/schooling abilities). Would this be an auto decline from Davis?

It seems like my other nearby choices (OSU and Pomona) eLOR's only state the required Vet letter and two from whoever else really (not as specific as Davis).

Would be very helpful if anyone had some insight regarding this! Thanks!!!!! 🙂

Chris

Hey! So, I am a non-traditional, incoming first year to Davis and have some advice! Aside from the one letter from the veterinarian, I chose a less traditional route for my letters. More normal, I asked a former professor, from whom I took a six or so week class a couple years ago. I elected to ask him, even though he teaches at a community college level, because I spent a large amount of time talking with him. I felt he had the best understanding of who I am at this point in my life. I did have a couple options for professors at a university level, but the individual I chose knew me best at the time of application. Less traditional - I asked a former archaeological boss. (Side note, I was an archaeologist for several years.) He is actually the person who knew me best and longest of all my LORs. He saw me transition from archaeology to veterinary preparation, and has been an active supporter the past few years. My advice - ask who knows you best, and if possible, see if they can incorporate some veterinary characteristics in your letter. Obviously, my archaeological boss could not speak to my veterinary experience or etc, but he recognized qualities important to the veterinary field and discussed how I've demonstrated those qualities under his lead. I realize I possibly took a risk asking such an outsider, but I felt it was more important to have representation from someone who knew me, rather than someone associated with the veterinary field with little experience with me. I will say, my LOR from a veterinarian came from an individual I knew for three-ish MAYBE months. Go for the individuals who can speak to your life experience and character, and who, at the same time, can correlate it to veterinary characteristics. I hope that helps! Good Luck!

 

[battie]

I emailed them last month about this as well, and they also never responded. Lmk if they respond to you!

You might get a quicker response if you call them.

 

[Wolfie<3]

I emailed them last month about this as well, and they also never responded. Lmk if they respond to you!

Hey all! I tried emailing the admissions committee individually and got a response! While still vague, seems like they are open to non-professor letters. Here is the response I got (In my email I Asked if my 2 targeted non-DVM letters could come from a pathologist and the lab director at my current job (Histopathology lab i've been working at for the last 6 years)


"Hi, Chris! Thanx for your interest in our program. Yes- your 2 targeted non-DVM letters would be very good to speak to your work ethic, team work, and other qualities like empathy and resilience over a longer period of time than most DVMs. I think these would be valuable. -KJ

Karl E. Jandrey, DVM, MAS, DACVECC
Associate Dean, Admissions and Student Programs
Associate Professor, Clinical Small Animal Emergency and Critical Care
University of California, Davis
School of Veterinary Medicine"