RANT HERE thread

[that redhead]

As someone who sometimes endorses these for the government thank you for actually double checking them before you sign them.

The number of people who don't have anyone double check them (let alone the number of vets who clearly sign without reading) boggles the mind.

We send back SO MANY for stupid mistakes that easily could have been caught by having one person proofread it for typos or missing information.

Due to the niche-ish work that I do, the implications for getting our certificates returned is pretty serious so absolutely! But even in private practice I would at least double-check them, sheesh! You all are pretty kind about giving us a heads up if there’s something weird and letting us correct it. When I send animals into Canada I get out my EXTRA fine tooth comb

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[britzen]

Due to the niche-ish work that I do, the implications for getting our certificates returned is pretty serious so absolutely! But even in private practice I would at least double-check them, sheesh! You all are pretty kind about giving us a heads up if there’s something weird and letting us correct it. When I send animals into Canada I get out my EXTRA fine tooth comb

I send back probably 25-33% of certificates that I see for corrections... almost all of them for something dumb like a typo in the microchip number that could have easily been caught by a 10 minute proofread. It's incredible.

 

[PlumPoppy]

What changes do you think we’ll see in vet med/ vet schools in the future? Or do you think this is a short-term problem that will remedy itself?

I know LSU is trying to get their c/o 2029 to around 200 people. However, considering the already prevalent lack of teaching faculty and staffing issue, I wonder how they're going to accomplish this...

 

[battie]

I know LSU is trying to get their c/o 2029 to around 200 people. However, considering the already prevalent lack of teaching faculty and staffing issue, I wonder how they're going to accomplish this...

I'm going to call BS on this one (not you; the school). It's a *big deal* to increase class sizes as part of the COE. When Illinois over aceppted the class of 2020 from 130 to 160 students, instant hammer from the COE. Site visit, temporary accreditation status change until facilities were updated, etc. It took 6 years to get approval for Illinois to go from 130-160 after major renovations to both facilities and curricula.

 

[JaynaAli]

I'm going to call BS on this one (not you; the school). It's a *big deal* to increase class sizes as part of the COE. When Illinois over aceppted the class of 2020 from 130 to 160 students, instant hammer from the COE. Site visit, temporary accreditation status change until facilities were updated, etc. It took 6 years to get approval for Illinois to go from 130-160 after major renovations to both facilities and curricula.

I don’t know much about LSU and these specific plans, but when I interviewed for a faculty position in mid-2019 I met with the dean and they already seemed to have plans for some major renovations/new buildings because LSU was already very dated and cramped compared to some schools. So maybe with those plans they think they’ll have more room for more students? But I do know they’re struggling to retain faculty to teach, at least in my specialty.

 

[battie]

I actually get your point there. A friend from LSU, class of 2020 described the school as being pretty dated inside and out. So if they have plans to improve that, then they'll obviously plan to increase class sizes.

mid-2019

As a separate note, I was going to be like, "But that was so long ago, they'd already have done it by now blah blah blah." Then I remembered 2019 was only 3 years ago 🤦🏼‍♀️

 

[battie]

Also my Christmas rant: I was the doc on today in the new hospital. Disappointed I missed my son's first Christmas? Yes. But I was going to be on shift whether in the new job or my old job I hated. So at least I got paid more for today than I would have been previously.

Started the day with a euth that took 2.5 hours from start to finish between distraught client to a catheter blowing with the propofol to needing so much drug to get the kiddo to heaven. Then needed to call an ambulance for a technician. Then ending the day with my first dystocia with truly irresponsible clients that made me livid. As in I've never been more angry with a client in my life.

But today showed me I'm in the right hospital now. Had this all happened at my old job, I would've felt insanely unsupported and demoralized. We got through today as a team and I'm so thankful for my new place.

 

[JaynaAli]

I actually get your point there. A friend from LSU, class of 2020 described the school as being pretty dated inside and out. So if they have plans to improve that, then they'll obviously plan to increase class sizes.


As a separate note, I was going to be like, "But that was so long ago, they'd already have done it by now blah blah blah." Then I remembered 2019 was only 3 years ago 🤦🏼‍♀️

Yeah, and maybe I’m not remembering right, but I think they told me that they needed the Mississippi River water levels to go down or something before they could start construction? Maybe it wasn’t the river but I’m pretty sure they said there was something they couldn’t really control that was holding them up back then.

 

[cbucks]

tested positive for COVID just over 3 months from when I first had it....my antibodies must truly be garbage

 

[PlumPoppy]

I'm going to call BS on this one (not you; the school). It's a *big deal* to increase class sizes as part of the COE. When Illinois over aceppted the class of 2020 from 130 to 160 students, instant hammer from the COE. Site visit, temporary accreditation status change until facilities were updated, etc. It took 6 years to get approval for Illinois to go from 130-160 after major renovations to both facilities and curricula.

No I agree with you! The dean addressed this saying they're going back-and-forth with the COE on being able to accomodate a class of 200. But imo, take everything from LSU with a grain of salt! Sparing personal details, but nothing there moves fast at all, especially not in regard to education lol

Eta: Most of the facilties are EXTREMELY dated, and as faculty/staff, I'm trying to remedy a bit in my own dept where I can

 

[flotus]

I’ve been in such a depressive episode lately. Really dogging on myself. First, I have such a fear of planes and need to fly for a trip tomorrow. Second, I’m really beating myself up over this application process. I’m feeling hopeful for the first time ever (like, multiple years) however, my hope feels so weird and wrong, it is making me sad and it’s kinda causing me to spiral. What are the odds of having multiple interviews and not getting accepted to a single school? Why am I so scared of planes?

Using this thread to vent is honestly refreshing

 

[SARdoghandler]

So happy that my malinois has the worst teeth ever. Pulled 9 in February of last year and now have her under again and this is what they look like

Spoiler: Spoilered just in case

Anyway, she has two clinically normal teeth at this time. I'm going to own the toothless malinois wonder

 

[honeypot999]

I’m going to be out $2600 for my rabbit who went into gi stasis and who has lumbar spondylitis and potential dental issues. It’s fine I can afford it but now it’s about replenishing the money in my emergency fund.

Looks like I’m donating plasma and doing doordash on weekends

 

[katiemcat]

My 18 year old cat was finally euthanized. This is the first pet I’ve ever lost. Life feels a bit emptier now that she’s gone. I hope she’s in a better place now.

 

[Doctor-S]

My 18 year old cat was finally euthanized. This is the first pet I’ve ever lost. Life feels a bit emptier now that she’s gone. I hope she’s in a better place now.

katiemcat ... very sorry you lost your cat.

Sending many comforting, kind and gentle hugs to you.

We care!!!!

 

[katiemcat]

katiemcat ... very sorry you lost your cat.

Sending many comforting, kind and gentle hugs to you.

We care!!!!

Thank you! I really appreciate it. It’s been a hard couple of days.

 

[honeypot999]

I’m going to be out $2600 for my rabbit who went into gi stasis and who has lumbar spondylitis and potential dental issues. It’s fine I can afford it but now it’s about replenishing the money in my emergency fund.

Looks like I’m donating plasma and doing doordash on weekends

Update: my baby boy passed tonight at the ER vet. He suffered a seizure, and became anemic. I visited with him and I could tell he wasn’t himself anymore. I’m heartbroken and devastated. I hate when pets grow old and get sick.

 

[Doctor-S]

Update: my baby boy passed tonight at the ER vet. He suffered a seizure, and became anemic. I visited with him and I could tell he wasn’t himself anymore. I’m heartbroken and devastated. I hate when pets grow old and get sick.

honeypot ... very sorry you lost your rabbit.

There is nothing easy about losing our pets - big hurt to our hearts.

Sending lots of kindness, care and hugs to you!!!!

 

[puppydogtor]

Sending love to both of you, @honeypot999 and @katiemcat
I hope that the pain you are experiencing eases up soon. Your babies were so lucky to have you

 

[KCgophervet]

So happy that my malinois has the worst teeth ever. Pulled 9 in February of last year and now have her under again and this is what they look like

Anyway, she has two clinically normal teeth at this time. I'm going to own the toothless malinois wonder

Root canals to save the teeth?

 

[SARdoghandler]

Root canals to save the teeth?

Too far gone, unfortunately. We discussed root canal and even bone grafting and if I had realized the extent of the damage 3 years ago we may have had some options but she had no grossly visual dental disease at that time to indicate the problem. Even if it was possible, it would likely only be prolonging the inevitable. She has massive bone loss on most of the roots and now the gums are finally receding to match it, leading to root abscesses.

Power chewers man My coworker has done a ton of dental CE and discussed her case with a specialist who was basically like "oh, yeah, that's a malinois thing."

 

[Bonfuturedvm]

Idea of midlevel practitioner rejected in favor of better support, engagement of credentialed veterinary technicians

Many members of the AVMA House of Delegates who spoke at the HOD’s Veterinary Information Forum and during an HOD committee meeting said that optimally engaging all members of the veterinary team is key to improving efficiency and productivity. And fully recognizing and further developing the...

www.avma.org

Here’s an update to the little debate earlier in this thread. It seems like the avma agrees with many of y’all’s opinions!

 

[battie]

Idea of midlevel practitioner rejected in favor of better support, engagement of credentialed veterinary technicians

Many members of the AVMA House of Delegates who spoke at the HOD’s Veterinary Information Forum and during an HOD committee meeting said that optimally engaging all members of the veterinary team is key to improving efficiency and productivity. And fully recognizing and further developing the...

www.avma.org

Here’s an update to the little debate earlier in this thread. It seems like the avma agrees with many of y’all’s opinions!

It's hopefully more or a situation of our state delegates paying attention to their constituents. The CO VMA better not support mid-levels when 66% of us told them a resounding no.

 

[MixedAnimals77]

It's hopefully more or a situation of our state delegates paying attention to their constituents. The CO VMA better not support mid-levels when 66% of us told them a resounding no.

I really hate how every cvma newsletter is an article about it though like trying to force it and I'm like can we just stop pls

 

[battie]

I really hate how every cvma newsletter is an article about it though like trying to force it and I'm like can we just stop pls

I'm not a CVMA member, just see things on Facebook. I'm considering joining though cause I have a ton of CE money to burn and I will fight this with all my being.

 

[battie]

We keep having baby monitor issues. Already on a second monitor and having issues with charging the damn thing. Even bought a different brand! 🙄 Kiddo is 7 months next week, so he doesn't need to eat at night. I just feel hella guilty sleeping so well for the first time in forever while Baby Bats might be crying. He's upstairs and we're downstairs, and I can't hear him.

 

[that redhead]

We keep having baby monitor issues. Already on a second monitor and having issues with charging the damn thing. Even bought a different brand! 🙄 Kiddo is 7 months next week, so he doesn't need to eat at night. I just feel hella guilty sleeping so well for the first time in forever while Baby Bats might be crying. He's upstairs and we're downstairs, and I can't hear him.

Can you not keep it plugged in? We use our Nest cameras instead and they stay plugged into the wall.

 

[battie]

Can you not keep it plugged in? We use our Nest cameras instead and they stay plugged into the wall.

It stays plugged in at home over night, but goes to grandma's and great grandma's houses for baby sitting. It's not taking the charge while plugged in for some reason, at least at our house. We'll see what grandma says today

 

[honeypot999]

The ER vet I went to with my rabbit and where my rabbit was euthanized did a necropsy for me. However now I can’t get a single person there to email me the records of the necropsy or even talk to me over the phone about it. It’s been over a week and I still have no idea why he got gi stasis besides the travel stress. I’m just frustrated, and I know they’re really busy but I want answers.

 

[genny]

The ER vet I went to with my rabbit and where my rabbit was euthanized did a necropsy for me. However now I can’t get a single person there to email me the records of the necropsy or even talk to me over the phone about it. It’s been over a week and I still have no idea why he got gi stasis besides the travel stress. I’m just frustrated, and I know they’re really busy but I want answers.

Did they submit anything for histology? That can take a little while. Over a week does not sound like a long time to me.

 

[honeypot999]

Did they submit anything for histology? That can take a little while. Over a week does not sound like a long time to me.

It was all done in house apparently 🤷🏻‍♀️ They said the person who wrote the book on exotic necropsies was doing it. I called earlier in the week and one of the techs said she couldn’t go over the results with me (understandable) and one of the doctors would call later that day. I don’t want to keep bugging them because I know they’re really busy.

 

[Horsin'Around]

The ER vet I went to with my rabbit and where my rabbit was euthanized did a necropsy for me. However now I can’t get a single person there to email me the records of the necropsy or even talk to me over the phone about it. It’s been over a week and I still have no idea why he got gi stasis besides the travel stress. I’m just frustrated, and I know they’re really busy but I want answers.

I'm so sorry for your loss. I'm learning about rabbits now and it seems almost anything can trigger GI stasis and often times it can be difficult to pinpoint a cause. I know that's not very helpful to hear but I just wanted to warn you in case there is no definitive cause found on the necropsy.

 

[honeypot999]

I'm so sorry for your loss. I'm learning about rabbits now and it seems almost anything can trigger GI stasis and often times it can be difficult to pinpoint a cause. I know that's not very helpful to hear but I just wanted to warn you in case there is no definitive cause found on the necropsy.

Yes I know and understand that. It’s that his cecum had a strange presentation on X-ray and they were worried about appendicitis, neoplasia, or another issue that I don’t remember the name to.

Update: The necropsy showed Cecal appendicitis and a mass on his small intestine. So a little relief!

 

[MixedAnimals77]

The city my husband works for changed their vacation policy from 2 weeks vacation automatically to earned vacation per pay period. Now he gets 7 days total for year 1 and no accumulation per year. The way its structured we wouldnt be able to take any 14d trips until end of year 3 of employment. It's seriously ruining trying to plan any of our trips. We were planning a 14day trip to Australia and new Zealand (total of 16days with flying). Not sure what we're going to do now... hopefully he can just take some unpaid days.

 

[SkiOtter]

That’s absolute crap that they can change it like that and then cut everyone’s time in HALF. I’m sorry mixy 😞

 

[katiemcat]

I feel like that if I don’t get As on every exam I don’t deserve to be here, and it’s destroying my mental health. I don’t know how to get out of this mindset. I shouldn’t be upset to get a B. I don’t even want to specialize. I feel like I need to keep up and be at the top though. It’s so dumb.
I feel like I’m going to cave under the pressure of trying to do everything in my life perfectly atm.

 

[EB73674]

I feel like that if I don’t get As on every exam I don’t deserve to be here, and it’s destroying my mental health. I don’t know how to get out of this mindset. I shouldn’t be upset to get a B. I don’t even want to specialize. I feel like I need to keep up and be at the top though. It’s so dumb.
I feel like I’m going to cave under the pressure of trying to do everything in my life perfectly atm.

Have you considered speaking to a mental health professional about this? If you aren't planning to specialize, there is ZERO benefit to doing perfectly on every exam - it doesn't make a difference for job prospects or NAVLE performance, and will only stress you out. Reframing your feelings on this with the help of some therapy/counseling would be really helpful.

 

[deleted1153530]

Does anyone else get angry at the devaluing of experience in this field to hyperfixate on undergraduate GPA, made especially evident by the competition of this cycle? Quite frankly it's embarrassing that our field has such a high value of undergraduate GPA when that is not an indicator of success in the field. I understand that this is seen as a reflection of how well you might do taking classes in vet school, but there are simply too many different nuisances to use this as a fair marker for applicants. Working as a nurse in this field and seeing the quality of new doctors completely lacking any technical skills is scary, especially in the emergency/specialty setting. Gap years are really useful and yet they seem to be discouraged and looked down on in this field. I genuinely do not think you should be allowed to apply right of undergrad if you do not have at least a year of working experience.

 

[katiemcat]

Have you considered speaking to a mental health professional about this? If you aren't planning to specialize, there is ZERO benefit to doing perfectly on every exam - it doesn't make a difference for job prospects or NAVLE performance, and will only stress you out. Reframing your feelings on this with the help of some therapy/counseling would be really helpful.

I appreciate the reply, I am planning on bringing it up to my therapist. Inside I know it doesn’t really matter if I get an A or not if I have a grasp of the important info, but the competition is so high in my class I feel like I need to keep up or I don’t belong or I won’t be respected or something. I really wish we could have pass fail so I didn’t have to know my exact score. My gpa is great, it doesn’t have to be perfect though.

 

[DVMDream]

Does anyone else get angry at the devaluing of experience in this field to hyperfixate on undergraduate GPA, made especially evident by the competition of this cycle? Quite frankly it's embarrassing that our field has such a high value of undergraduate GPA when that is not an indicator of success in the field. I understand that this is seen as a reflection of how well you might do taking classes in vet school, but there are simply too many different nuisances to use this as a fair marker for applicants. Working as a nurse in this field and seeing the quality of new doctors completely lacking any technical skills is scary, especially in the emergency/specialty setting. Gap years are really useful and yet they seem to be discouraged and looked down on in this field. I genuinely do not think you should be allowed to apply right of undergrad if you do not have at least a year of working experience.

1. Not everyone going into vet med will be working in a clinical setting.
2. Technician skills are umm, well, as stated, technician skills. We keep talking about the lack of vets, staff, etc in the industry, we need to utilize our technicians to do the work they are trained to do. Veterinarians should RARELY need to be doing any sort of technician skills, that isn't their job. They shouldn't be anywhere near as good at those things as a vet tech. Just like you don't want your emergency room MD placing your IV catheter, you shouldn't be looking for the veterinarian to set the IV catheter either.
3. Experience isn't necessarily about the skills, it is about learning about the industry and if you can really see yourself working in the industry. While yes, it sucks that GPA matters so much, but if someone has shown (through GPA) that they aren't keeping up well with intense, involved science courses, what makes you think they could keep up in vet school with more intense and more involved science courses. Veterinary medicine is about understanding the actual medicine and science so you can diagnose, do surgery and prescibe (at least in the clinical setting). It isn't about how well you can place an IV catheter or draw blood--- that isn't a veterinarian's job.

 

[deleted1153530]

1. Not everyone going into vet med will be working in a clinical setting.
2. Technician skills are umm, well, as stated, technician skills. We keep talking about the lack of vets, staff, etc in the industry, we need to utilize our technicians to do the work they are trained to do. Veterinarians should RARELY need to be doing any sort of technician skills, that isn't their job. They shouldn't be anywhere near as good at those things as a vet tech. Just like you don't want your emergency room MD placing your IV catheter, you shouldn't be looking for the veterinarian to set the IV catheter either.
3. Experience isn't necessarily about the skills, it is about learning about the industry and if you can really see yourself working in the industry. While yes, it sucks that GPA matters so much, but if someone has shown (through GPA) that they aren't keeping up well with intense, involved science courses, what makes you think they could keep up in vet school with more intense and more involved science courses. Veterinary medicine is about understanding the actual medicine and science so you can diagnose, do surgery and prescibe (at least in the clinical setting). It isn't about how well you can place an IV catheter or draw blood--- that isn't a veterinarian's job.

1. never stated they did. These skills are needed in every field of vet med - staining slides, giving injections, pulling blood, performing basic blood work.
2. This field is shrinking. The assumption that there will always be technicians to perform these skills is incorrect. Even massive corporate hospitals like BluePearl and Banfield are seeing a mass exit of their nursing staff, so it is worth knowing how to perform these skills.
3. I'm not ever stating that a veterinarian who can't perform these skills is a bad doctor, that's fundamentally untrue. My point is that it is increasingly obvious who has and has not spent time in the field when they enter the workforce, something that concerns me in a field that has as much burn out as veterinary medicine.

 

[katiemcat]

1. never stated they did. These skills are needed in every field of vet med - staining slides, giving injections, pulling blood, performing basic blood work.
2. This field is shrinking. The assumption that there will always be technicians to perform these skills is incorrect. Even massive corporate hospitals like BluePearl and Banfield are seeing a mass exit of their nursing staff, so it is worth knowing how to perform these skills.
3. I'm not ever stating that a veterinarian who can't perform these skills is a bad doctor, that's fundamentally untrue. My point is that it is increasingly obvious who has and has not spent time in the field when they enter the workforce, something that concerns me in a field that has as much burn out as veterinary medicine.

They teach you all of those skills in vet school. As someone who came in with a lot of clinical skills, it was nice to already have some capabilities, and be able to help others with some SA skills, at the end of the day everyone learns them “the gold star standard” way as my clin skills professor says from the vet school. Learning things on the job /= doing things the best or safest way. I had to relearn a lot of things. She also said a lot of the people with previous unlicensed tech experience would fail certain OSCEs because they would do things they learned on the job that were not by the book, but they had never learned differently. I came in knowing nothing about large animal and just learned how to place an IV catch on a horse, and it was lovely a lot of the LA focused people could help me out! There is a labor shortage in every field, at the end of the day it’s not realistic to say we should be able to practice without technicians, we need them, and I agree it is not a veterinarians responsibility to do everything. That’s why we need to focus on improving work environment, productivity, and wages for technicians. I agree people should have experience to know what they’re getting into, but it’s really not that important (or possible really) that someone has mastered every clinical skill for every aspect of the field before vet school.

 

[deleted1153530]

They teach you all of those skills in vet school. As someone who came in with a lot of clinical skills, it was nice to already have some capabilities, and be able to help others with some SA skills, at the end of the day everyone learns them “the gold star standard” way as my clin skills professor says from the vet school. Learning things on the job /= doing things the best or safest way. I had to relearn a lot of things. She also said a lot of the people with previous unlicensed tech experience would fail certain OSCEs because they would do things they learned on the job that were not by the book, but they had never learned differently. I came in knowing nothing about large animal and just learned how to place an IV catch on a horse, and it was lovely a lot of the LA focused people could help me out! There is a labor shortage in every field, at the end of the day it’s not realistic to say we should be able to practice without technicians, we need them, and I agree it is not a veterinarians responsibility to do everything. That’s why we need to focus on improving work environment, productivity, and wages for technicians. I agree people should have experience to know what they’re getting into, but it’s really not that important (or possible really) that someone has mastered every clinical skill for every aspect of the field before vet school.

Again I think there is a massive misunderstanding here. I am not stating that you should be a proficient technician to be a good veterinarian.

 

[DVMDream]

1. never stated they did. These skills are needed in every field of vet med - staining slides, giving injections, pulling blood, performing basic blood work.
2. This field is shrinking. The assumption that there will always be technicians to perform these skills is incorrect. Even massive corporate hospitals like BluePearl and Banfield are seeing a mass exit of their nursing staff, so it is worth knowing how to perform these skills.
3. I'm not ever stating that a veterinarian who can't perform these skills is a bad doctor, that's fundamentally untrue. My point is that it is increasingly obvious who has and has not spent time in the field when they enter the workforce, something that concerns me in a field that has as much burn out as veterinary medicine.

1. No they aren't. I work in a field of vet med where I don't pull blood, perform blood work, stain slides or even touch patients. You are incorrect. Even in a lab, there are lab assistant, techs, etc that do the slide staining.

2. I want to discourage you from using the term "nurse" wherever you work might have implemented that but it is fundamentally wrong and will not happen due to the stringent laws/rules/regulations with the nursing industry in human medicine. Veterinary technicians will not completely disappear, yes there is a staff shortage, for both vets and techs. A lot of techs leave because of what I stated- they aren't used to their full ability and they fell trapped with no upward movement.

3. I would disagree. I have worked with a ton of vets, both who have had prior experience and those without, the difference in ability has nothing to do with experience prior to veterianry school.

I am someone that spent 7 years in the field before becoming a veterinarian and while prior experience is nice, it isn't the end all be all. If anything, it is barely scratching the surface of what you need and what you will learn and actually do as a veterinarian.

The point is, being a veterinian is a HEAVILY scientific based career. It requires you to take a vast amount of knowledge and apply it clinically and appropriately. You have to understand the science. The only current way to evaluate how well someone can understand and learn in a heavily scientific, medical field in which lives depend on you is through GPA. Is it perfect? nope. But it is the only way to really evaluate how well a person will do.

 

[flotus]

1. No they aren't. I work in a field of vet med where I don't pull blood, perform blood work, stain slides or even touch patients. You are incorrect. Even in a lab, there are lab assistant, techs, etc that do the slide staining.

2. I want to discourage you from using the term "nurse" wherever you work might have implemented that but it is fundamentally wrong and will not happen due to the stringent laws/rules/regulations with the nursing industry in human medicine. Veterinary technicians will not completely disappear, yes there is a staff shortage, for both vets and techs. A lot of techs leave because of what I stated- they aren't used to their full ability and they fell trapped with no upward movement.

3. I would disagree. I have worked with a ton of vets, both who have had prior experience and those without, the difference in ability has nothing to do with experience prior to veterianry school.

I am someone that spent 7 years in the field before becoming a veterinarian and while prior experience is nice, it isn't the end all be all. If anything, it is barely scratching the surface of what you need and what you will learn and actually do as a veterinarian.

The point is, being a veterinian is a HEAVILY scientific based career. It requires you to take a vast amount of knowledge and apply it clinically and appropriately. You have to understand the science. The only current way to evaluate how well someone can understand and learn in a heavily scientific, medical field in which lives depend on you is through GPA. Is it perfect? nope. But it is the only way to really evaluate how well a person will do.

I totally agree with most of what you are saying but I want to say, I don’t think GPA is the only way to really evaluate how well a person will do in the field. I think I’m really good at truly learning and retaining information, as opposed to rote memorization but my GPA is not great because I can’t perform on tests. Like, at all. I think there are other true ways of evaluating someone’s abilities to succeed - like interviews and also using strategies that aren’t actually implemented. I’m not saying I have the answers or trying to be disrespectful… as you have more experience in this field than I, but I definitely don’t think those with poor GPAs = unable/less likely to be successful in vet med. testing sucks lol

 

[DVMDream]

I totally agree with most of what you are saying but I want to say, I don’t think GPA is the only way to really evaluate how well a person will do in the field. I think I’m really good at truly learning and retaining information, as opposed to rote memorization but my GPA is not great because I can’t perform on tests. Like, at all. I think there are other true ways of evaluating someone’s abilities to succeed - like interviews and also using strategies that aren’t actually implemented. I’m not saying I have the answers or trying to be disrespectful… as you have more experience in this field than I, but I definitely don’t think those with poor GPAs = unable/less likely to be successful in vet med. testing sucks lol

Testing does suck. I didn't have the greatest GPA either when I applied, took me three times to be accepted to vet school.
An interview isn't going to tell you how well a person can learn scientific information. You don't have the time nor the ability to ask questions that would give you information on how well they would learn these things. There really is nothing else on the application what will give you information on how well that person learns and applies scientific information except maybe a letter of recommendation from a professor. Maybe. The GPA is really the only measurable aspect in the application that provides that information. You have to remember that at the end of vet school, everyone has to take a giant, standardized test to even become a licensed veterinarian-- does that suck? Yes. But there currently isn't another way to verfiy that you have obtained the knowledge taught throughout vet school. And don't get me wrong, I think the NAVLE is dumb and proves nothing, but that is currently what they have and schools keep their accredidation in part based on keeping their NAVLE pass rate high. So they want to accept people that they believe based on their application will be able to pass NAVLE 4 years down the road.

 

[flotus]

Testing does suck. I didn't have the greatest GPA either when I applied, took me three times to be accepted to vet school.
An interview isn't going to tell you how well a person can learn scientific information. You don't have the time nor the ability to ask questions that would give you information on how well they would learn these things. There really is nothing else on the application what will give you information on how well that person learns and applies scientific information except maybe a letter of recommendation from a professor. Maybe. The GPA is really the only measurable aspect in the application that provides that information. You have to remember that at the end of vet school, everyone has to take a giant, standardized test to even become a licensed veterinarian-- does that suck? Yes. But there currently isn't another way to verfiy that you have obtained the knowledge taught throughout vet school. And don't get me wrong, I think the NAVLE is dumb and proves nothing, but that is currently what they have and schools keep their accredidation in part based on keeping their NAVLE pass rate high. So they want to accept people that they believe based on their application will be able to pass NAVLE 4 years down the road.

I guess I understand what you’re saying, but if that’s the case, what do you think about schools admissions processes that only factor GPA like 10% or 20%? They still produce really strong veterinarians and maintain high NAVLE pass rates.

 

[DVMDream]

I guess I understand what you’re saying, but if that’s the case, what do you think about schools admissions processes that only factor GPA like 10% or 20%? They still produce really strong veterinarians and maintain high NAVLE pass rates.

I'd be surprised if that is all they factor into GPA. I know some schools do an initial look at GPA and make a cut, then after that has been done they only take GPA into account at a lower percent. But they did an initial cut first that took GPA into account before dropping the % emphasis they put in GPA.

 

[flotus]

I'd be surprised if that is all they factor into GPA. I know some schools do an initial look at GPA and make a cut, then after that has been done they only take GPA into account at a lower percent. But they did an initial cut first that took GPA into account before dropping the % emphasis they put in GPA.

I’m not sure. I know tOSU states they are holistic and they factor 10% gpa, 30% experiences**, 60% interview.

 

[WildZoo]

I’m not sure. I know tOSU states they are holistic and they factor 10% gpa, 30% experiences**, 60% interview.

I'd be surprised if there is not, like DVMD mentioned, an initial cutoff point and then everybody gets evaluated with those percentages *after* they make the initial cut. Not only because of what has already been mentioned about needing to make sure students will actually make it through the curriculum, but also because the volume of applicants is so high it's pretty impossible to holistically evaluate everyone.