@vampyrica, I'm so sorry your calling to become a veterinarian has turned into a battle on multiple fronts. As if the scholastic challenge of getting into and through veterinary school wasn't difficult enough, add in the financial and family-based difficulties and it seems overwhelming.
To be honest, I see this from all sides. A bit of background... I'm a practicing optometrist with a daughter who is applying for veterinary school. This is her third round, and I keep track of information on SDN to help her. So I see both the applicant and the "Mom" perspective. Your Mom is likely scared of the financial implications of >$300k of debt will have on your quality of life for the next 30 years. I know I am for my daughter. Your Mom sees you're "doing all the right things" and not getting the outcome you want.
The one thing I would disagree with her (based on your information) is that getting a degree from a "status" school would make this acceptable. That's creating unnecessary expense. A DVM is a DVM, just like an OD is an OD. I've been in practice for 28 years. Trust me... no one cares where I went to school. They care about the level of care I provide.
There are less expensive and more expensive schools. I would be wary of any schools that are not accredited, or are in "probationary" status. But you don't have to go to a coast to get a good education... just a more expensive one.
I have a couple of thoughts, and they are just that. Please accept them as possibilities that may or may not work for you.
1. Have you considered finding an employment position in a state with a veterinary school with a more holistic application approach? Take a year (or more), establish residency, and apply to a school that is willing to look at the entire person and not just their GPA. I've known a lot of doctors in my time. Believe me when I say I'd much rather have the 3.0 GPA doctor who understands things don't always "look like the textbook" than the 4.0 GPA doctor who can't handle working with people.
2. The University of Missouri offers a masters program in public health (MPH) with a veterinary emphasis. I don't know anything in particular about the program, other than I've briefly looked at it for my daughter. It's an on-line program, so your costs would be less, and might give your GPA the boost you're looking for. There are likely other programs at other universities; this is just one I know about.
I wish you the best in this journey. I remember the tears I shed on mine. There is a path for you,
@vampyrica. You'll find it. Let me know if I can help in it.
🙂