Question for all 2nd Time Applicants

[JerseyLynn]

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I'm a first time applicant who had 5 rejections and one waitlist for Western. I'm also from a state with no vet school or contract seats. GPA - dismal 3.2, but good GRE and a lot of large animal experience.
For those of you who were successful this round: What did you do to make yourself a better candidate this round? Not sure if I can do anything about my GPA at this point. I took a very heavy course load of the most competitive courses I could, thinking it would show well. (Could you tell I just found this forum)
Would a Master's be the answer?
Take over courses?
My advisor only half kidding suggested moving to another state, but that seems like a big risk.
Ross? Did any 2nd timer not get in and is following this route now? Although it's getting late for that too.
Any advise you can give would help. Looks like there's a lot of us first timers who can't go back, but want to be where you are now. Tks! 😳

 

[DVM2Be2011]

I'm a first time applicant who had 5 rejections and one waitlist for Western. I'm also from a state with no vet school or contract seats. GPA - dismal 3.2, but good GRE and a lot of large animal experience.
For those of you who were successful this round: What did you do to make yourself a better candidate this round? Not sure if I can do anything about my GPA at this point. I took a very heavy course load of the most competitive courses I could, thinking it would show well. (Could you tell I just found this forum)
Would a Master's be the answer?
Take over courses?
My advisor only half kidding suggested moving to another state, but that seems like a big risk.
Ross? Did any 2nd timer not get in and is following this route now? Although it's getting late for that too.
Any advise you can give would help. Looks like there's a lot of us first timers who can't go back, but want to be where you are now. Tks! 😳

It is actually my third time applying, and I was just told to take more courses both times. I was told getting a master's wasn't any better than just taking courses. Moving is not a good idea, because most states require at least 1 year without school before obtaining residency. Some also require working full time, or so I've heard. And it isn't too late to apply to the Caribbean schools. I actually applied and was accepted to SGU for Aug 08, had an interview at Ross (declined). They do rolling admissions, so you could apply now and be admitted possibly for Aug 08, but more likely for Jan 09. (Yes they start a class in both Aug and Jan). I too had a GPA of 3.1-3.2, not too sure because different schools calculate differently. Good luck, and don't give up!

 

[meadow36]

I am in the same boat - GPA is 3.2 (and my coursework is 8 years old) GRE was average, nothing to write home about, and I applied last year with three rejections.

This is what I've been told so far about improving my application:

One thing you might want to consider is retaking Biochem and Microbiology (unless you got A's in both first time around). These seem to be very important classes that schools like to see a good grade in. If you did well in these two the first time then pick out two upper level science classes that you did not do too well in and retake those this summer. Make sure you get A's. 🙂

You said you have large animal experience, but how is the rest of your experience? Try to diversify; volunteer at the zoo, or with an exotics vet, or get involved in some research. Adcoms like to see variety in your experience. At least this is what I've been told. I have experience in everything except zoo medicine, so I've been looking into a volunteer program at the local zoo.

What state are you from?

 

[jeeney]

It is actually my third time applying, and I was just told to take more courses both times. I was told getting a master's wasn't any better than just taking courses. Moving is not a good idea, because most states require at least 1 year without school before obtaining residency. Some also require working full time, or so I've heard. And it isn't too late to apply to the Caribbean schools. I actually applied and was accepted to SGU for Aug 08, had an interview at Ross (declined). They do rolling admissions, so you could apply now and be admitted possibly for Aug 08, but more likely for Jan 09. (Yes they start a class in both Aug and Jan). I too had a GPA of 3.1-3.2, not too sure because different schools calculate differently. Good luck, and don't give up!

so will you be attending SGU this aug? i just applied there too, waiting on an interview date now..=p

 

[JerseyLynn]

My advisor was actually recommending Ross over St. George because he had known of other grads from my school that went there, but I think I'll expand my search. Such a big decision to go out of the country, but I don't want to apply in state for 3 years and never get in.

Does anyone know if you repeat courses, do you have to do them at the same school? I'm planning on moving home now.

And I'm from New Jersey. Thanks to our governor we no longer get any contract seats out of state, which could have only helped.🙁
I've always believed when there's a will, there's a way. Now I have to decide and work on the way.

 

[Steelmagghia]

My advisor was actually recommending Ross over St. George because he had known of other grads from my school that went there, but I think I'll expand my search. Such a big decision to go out of the country, but I don't want to apply in state for 3 years and never get in.

Does anyone know if you repeat courses, do you have to do them at the same school? I'm planning on moving home now.

And I'm from New Jersey. Thanks to our governor we no longer get any contract seats out of state, which could have only helped.🙁
I've always believed when there's a will, there's a way. Now I have to decide and work on the way.

I've talked with a representative from Ross several times before. While I haven't been there, and I did get accepted to my IS school, the information she gave me (including a very helpful CD which showed the grounds and some really awesome equipment, and interviewed the students) was very impressive and she was terribly helpful.
I also like it because it's a bit older than St. George's so they have a little more experience.
I'd get in touch with Ross, they will be more than happy to help you.
Also, they definitely did not try to talk me into something that I wouldn't be comfortable with. They are very good about being positive about their school without pressuring you to go there.

 

[winkle1983]

After my first rejection I actually picked up and moved to a different state. I knew where I wanted to go, so I moved to Ohio and established residency and applied a year later. It wasn't hard for me to do, but I'm a bit of an oddball 🙂

 

[JerseyLynn]

I've talked with a representative from Ross several times before. While I haven't been there, and I did get accepted to my IS school, the information she gave me (including a very helpful CD which showed the grounds and some really awesome equipment, and interviewed the students) was very impressive and she was terribly helpful.
I also like it because it's a bit older than St. George's so they have a little more experience.
I'd get in touch with Ross, they will be more than happy to help you.
Also, they definitely did not try to talk me into something that I wouldn't be comfortable with. They are very good about being positive about their school without pressuring you to go there.

Tks. for the advice Steelmagghia. I actually have a lot of info from Ross. I would have applied to them if they were accredited, but now, after my reality check with Vet school rejections, I'm thinking this may be the route I'll have to take. I don't know if I could get in for August, but if my research tells me this is the path to take, well, maybe I should be talking to them too.

After my first rejection I actually picked up and moved to a different state. I knew where I wanted to go, so I moved to Ohio and established residency and applied a year later. It wasn't hard for me to do, but I'm a bit of an oddball 🙂

Glad it worked out for you. I wouldn't mind moving to a warmer climate if it would work out. Did you take classes at Ohio State while you were establishing residency?

Thanks everyone, I know there are more of me out there in the same boat, wondering if a second application cycle would make a difference.

 

[meadow36]

I wouldn't rush into a program at Ross just yet unless that's really what you want to do. Don't get me wrong, I know several excellent vets from Ross; but it is very expensive, and students who went there tell me there's a strong sense of isolation (can't visit home as much) and a cultural adjustment. Then of course there's that extra hurdle of being at a school that is not accredited. Just something to think about before you rush in.

Consider spending this year retaking one or two upper level science courses (and acing them; shows you're willing to keep working on your academics and are able to get good grades in high level courses), adding on some more diversity to your experience, and reapplying. Most people do not get in on their first cycle, and second year applicants have a much better chance (so I've been told). I also heard someone on this board say the average number of times applying before acceptance is 3? I'm not sure if that's true but it sounds about right.

I have to believe all of the above myself since I'm in exactly the same boat as you with the low GPA. I have a state school (Florida) but there are so many applicants; it's not like Oklahoma that takes one in three of their in state applicants or Texas A & M that takes close to one in two.

Have you done the post-mortem interviews with the schools you were rejected from? What was their advice?

Incidentally I'm from New York, but never dared applied while I lived there (Cornell, not exactly easy to get into). I established residency in Florida before applying. Also, you may want to read the "successful applicants thread" - after reading that thread I realized that I left out a lot of stuff from my app last year that I could've used (equestrian team, extra currics that I forgot about - I'm an "older" student at 31 so I forgot some stuff 🙂). Of course I didn't realize it until I read through that thread and saw what people were putting down for experience.

 

[scienceGal]

the main thing that really hurt my chances this year was that I had NO residency in ANY state when i applied this round!

my parents moved states my second year of undergrad and then moved AGAIN the summer that i was applying. 😡

now i am in miami and establishing florida residence. . .taking care of it on my own.

 

[Catnapper]

Jersey Lynn, I wouldn't give up hope on that Western waitlisting--I get the impression that a good number of those waitlisted at Western get in (I was flat out rejected by Western this year🙁)! And they offer their post-mortem advice for those of us who want to reapply in May. It sounds like (based on all the advice here) classes are the way to go. I'm guessing my GRE score needs improving, too. Good luck! And who knows--you may still be at Western come fall!

 

[veggirl]

I agree with Catnapper. I wouldn't give up on being waitlisted at Western either. I would definitely make an appointment with them to find out 1. where you stand this year, and 2. what you need to do to better yourself for next year. You can always reapply to Western if you don't get pulled off the waitlist (along with some more US schools if you want....especially those that treat OOS well) and then also to Ross/SGU, so that you have a fairly sure chance at starting somewhere next year. That way, if you get into a US school, you don't have to take on the huge debt and huge change by moving out of the country unless you have to. This is just my opinion though....you may be in more of a hurry to start and don't want to wait on next year??

 

[JerseyLynn]

Jersey Lynn, I wouldn't give up hope on that Western waitlisting--I get the impression that a good number of those waitlisted at Western get in (I was flat out rejected by Western this year🙁)! And they offer their post-mortem advice for those of us who want to reapply in May. It sounds like (based on all the advice here) classes are the way to go. I'm guessing my GRE score needs improving, too. Good luck! And who knows--you may still be at Western come fall!

I agree with Catnapper. I wouldn't give up on being waitlisted at Western either. I would definitely make an appointment with them to find out 1. where you stand this year, and 2. what you need to do to better yourself for next year. You can always reapply to Western if you don't get pulled off the waitlist (along with some more US schools if you want....especially those that treat OOS well) and then also to Ross/SGU, so that you have a fairly sure chance at starting somewhere next year.

Thanks so much to both of you for your advice. Catnapper, I was a lurker on this site and I felt disappointed to see you were denied. I'm glad I'm waitlisted, because it's something, but I didn't see any East coast people get in off the waitlist last year, so I'm trying not to get my hopes up.
And veggirl, what you say makes so much sense. Maybe I'll hold off applying anywhere until the fall, make up a few classes, and try again. And if I get lucky with Western, well, I just loved California. Who knows, Catnapper, we may be classmates yet! 😳

 

[BG85]

Hi all, I'm pretty much in the same boat as JerseyLynn, except I only have small animal experience. Also waitlisted at Western, (how many of us are there?) and I'm wondering if we should send any follow-up stuff to our initial application, since they don't rank alternates, just seat them by diversity and experience?
As far as file review, I was rejected pretty much outright by a few schools. Would you get in touch with all of them?
I liked the advice about retaking courses, but if it's after you graduate, do they still replace/average what you took?
JerseyLynn...I'm from New Jersey too, so I feel your pain with no IS school! I keep reading when there's a will, there's a way, we just have to find that way!

 

[clawsbeatskin]

The second time around I did everything that others have mentioned, but I also took a good look at the schools I was applying to. I felt that I put way more research into the schools and they types of applicants they accept this time. After doing that, I wanted to kick myself for applying to some of the schools the first time...hello, Auburn only takes like 2 OOS! What was I thinking?!?!