Question for current CSU vet students

[LivestockDoc]

I need to know if there are any current students at CSU who were..
a) over 35 when you applied, and
b) got accepted on your FIRST try

I live in Colorado, and I recently had a very enlightening conversation with a local vet who allows pre-vet hopefuls to volunteer with him. He told me that of all of the applicants to CSU who had worked in some other profession beforehand (including careers that were animal related) NONE of them were accepted on their 1st try, and some were not accepted on their 2nd try either, despite very good grades, good GRE's, and a boatload of vet experience. And these were all Colorado residents.

In this vet's opinion, CSU deliberately makes older candidates go through more hassle because the school wants them to prove that they REALLY want to be a vet (since it wasn't the career they chose originally). Even the ones who had YEARS of experience working with vets were told some ridiculous reason for being rejected (e.g. if they had worked in small animal more than large, they were told they didn't have enough LA work, or vice versa.)

This really irks me! I need to know as much info about this issue as possible. I am a non-trad (42 next month), and recently sold my animal care business to pursue the possibility of vet school. I don't have the time or the funds to wait around for 2-5 years before starting school because CSU thinks I sent in an application for my own entertainment.

Any non-trads at CSU vet school who can weigh in on this? I'd really appreciate some further insight!



The livestock doc hopeful...who is starting to rethink this plan. 😕

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[LucyLoo]

I need to know if there are any current students at CSU who were..
a) over 35 when you applied, and
b) got accepted on your FIRST try

I live in Colorado, and I recently had a very enlightening conversation with a local vet who allows pre-vet hopefuls to volunteer with him. He told me that of all of the applicants to CSU who had worked in some other profession beforehand (including careers that were animal related) NONE of them were accepted on their 1st try, and some were not accepted on their 2nd try either, despite very good grades, good GRE's, and a boatload of vet experience. And these were all Colorado residents.

In this vet's opinion, CSU deliberately makes older candidates go through more hassle because the school wants them to prove that they REALLY want to be a vet (since it wasn't the career they chose originally). Even the ones who had YEARS of experience working with vets were told some ridiculous reason for being rejected (e.g. if they had worked in small animal more than large, they were told they didn't have enough LA work, or vice versa.)

This really irks me! I need to know as much info about this issue as possible. I am a non-trad (42 next month), and recently sold my animal care business to pursue the possibility of vet school. I don't have the time or the funds to wait around for 2-5 years before starting school because CSU thinks I sent in an application for my own entertainment.

Any non-trads at CSU vet school who can weigh in on this? I'd really appreciate some further insight!



The livestock doc hopeful...who is starting to rethink this plan. 😕

I'm not a vet student but I am a non-trad currently attending CSU who left the business world to pursue vet school. This is my first year applying and I was under the impression from various people in the vet school, including the assistant dean, that they actually like it when people have varied backgrounds because it can help add more depth to the class.

The problem with great students not being admitted it that there are a lot more great students than spots in the class. I know people who have applied 2 and 3 times and pursued masters degrees trying to improve their app and still weren't admitted. As far as experience, the more well rounded you are the better. It's true that if you have 3000 hours in small animal and that's it, it may be recommended to vary your experience before they let you in.

I don't know if it's possible, but if you can apply to out-of-state schools, sometimes that gives you a better chance of getting in somewhere. If I were you, I would also try to get more than one vets perspective on the situation. I have found that some can be a little jaded.

 

[FlyOnTheWall]

In this vet's opinion, CSU deliberately makes older candidates go through more hassle because the school wants them to prove that they REALLY want to be a vet (since it wasn't the career they chose originally). Even the ones who had YEARS of experience working with vets were told some ridiculous reason for being rejected (e.g. if they had worked in small animal more than large, they were told they didn't have enough LA work, or vice versa.)

This really irks me! I need to know as much info about this issue as possible. I am a non-trad (42 next month), and recently sold my animal care business to pursue the possibility of vet school. I don't have the time or the funds to wait around for 2-5 years before starting school because CSU thinks I sent in an application for my own entertainment.

Any non-trads at CSU vet school who can weigh in on this?

I'm just an ad-com but I can say that this vet's opinion is absolutely false. We don't have any sort of policy in place to make 2nd career applicants jump through extra hoops. I can think of several older students in this year's senior class that made it on the first try. If your grades are excellent, and you have adequate vet experience, your maturity and life experience will be a positive on the application.

 

[Pomona2006]

As a non-trad 1st time applicant to CSU, I was hoping that FOTW would chime in on this one!

Thanks FOTW! 👍

 

[catlover]

I'm over 35 (not going to say exactly how much over!) and a Colorado resident, and got accepted my first time (for class of 2011).

 

[philomycus]

I am 34 and obviously a non-trad and have applied to CSU this cycle. This is my 3rd cycle, but first time to CSU. If I don't get it, dI'm going to apply every year until I do.

I orignally thoguht that after 3-4 years of trying, I would give up. But just when you think you know yourself well, you surprise everythig you know about you.

I know I will apply every single year until I get in. Period. The passion for this is enstilled in me and nothing can ever change that. Whether it's CSU (and I probably won't be there and get that lucky) or somehwere else, I will get in. And the longer I get rejected, I figure that's the fewer amount of years I could have made a difference.

At 18, we all think we can change the world. But if you still think you can in your 30's, I figure you can be cut out for this profession. You never give up.

I saved 4 flying squirrels today. When I woke up this morning, I had no idea what the day would bring. Then, there they were. I want that in my life every day. Even if I am an older fart.

 

[LivestockDoc]

Thank you, everyone, for your input. I've got some hard choices to make. Due to my particular circumstances, I can only apply to CSU, which drastically reduces my chances of getting in--even if they apparently do NOT make older applicants wait longer. But, even if I get in on my 1st try, I won't be starting school for another 2 years. I'm feeling like I'm treading water and not going anywhere. Add to that, the possibility/probability that I won't get in on my 1st try, and...well, I'm just at that age where I really need to GET ON WITH IT, so this whole plan just may not be feasible. I just sold a business, so I have no income. I can't start another career to support myself in the interim and then quit for vet school. Sigh. That sound you hear is the sound of a dream dying...🙁

 

[rexosaurus]

For what it's worth, I'm a first year at CSU and there are several non-traditional students that got in on their first try. I'm not sure if they are all Colorado residents or not, but they got in. I have actually found that the majority of people who apply more than once (like myself), are traditional. Perhaps younger people apply when they aren't ready because they figure, what have they got to lose? Either way, I think your chances are just as good as any, assuming you are a competitive applicant. Also, if you do get in this round, why wouldn't you start for 2 years? Wouldn't it be less than a year? Anyway, good luck!

 

[LivestockDoc]

... Either way, I think your chances are just as good as any, assuming you are a competitive applicant. Also, if you do get in this round, why wouldn't you start for 2 years? Wouldn't it be less than a year? Anyway, good luck!

I wouldn't be applying until next June because I have to take O Chem this Spring and BioChem next summer.

I don't think I would be considered a competitive applicant. My undergrad gpa from my business degree was only 3.17 (17 years ago), although just considering the 6 classes I have taken in the last 4 years (all hard sciences & a stats class), I've earned a 4.0. The last direct vet experience I had was from 1994. I can certainly get additional hours between now and June, but I don't know if it's enough.

I realize this process is a crapshoot for everyone, but I'm in a position where I can only afford to roll the dice once. After that, I'm out of money, and working for a vet sure isn't going to cover rent in Denver!

I'm at one of those life-changing crossroads we all experience. Man, does it suck! 😱

 

[gone2dogs]

Well, for what it's worth, I'm a non-traditional first time applicant to CSU (only applied there... it is my instate and I am not in a position to leave the state at this time). The vet I am volunteering with right now went to CSU in her thirties (maybe 12-15 years ago) and I believe was accepted on her first try. There is a (paid) tech there that has also applied and the vet actually told me that despite the fact that I have drastically less vet experience that she thought I was a better candidate because I have "life experience." I sort of doubt that I have a better shot than the other applicant from the clinic, but in this world of pessimism it is nice to hear from an optimist!

I also plan on continuing to gain vet experience and applying every year until I get in. I am taking some extra science classes at night to hopefully show I can still "handle" school and volunteer on the weekends. If I don't get in this year I am going to be looking for some serious experiences this summer, since I just can't see any way to quit my teaching job and support myself and my dependents. I will also definitely try and get a post-rejection interview to find out what else I can do to improve my application.

So be optimistic until you have good reason to not be!