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Hello all! I'm getting ready to officially submit my applications, but before I do I wanted to take one final look and make sure the programs I've picked are my best bets for admission.
I've found a few threads about schools that tend to emphasize depth/breadth of experience over GPA, but haven't seen any that explore the reverse. I was hoping the community might have some ideas about the best programs to apply to if your academic stats are strong but your experience hours are on the lower side.
I'm a career changer who recently made the switch to veterinary medicine (and the sciences in general). I feel like I have enough experience to have gained an understanding of the field, but nowhere near the years of varied and in-depth experiences that I've seen many applicants have!
I'd planned to apply to Tufts (my #1 and my IS), Penn (my #2), Colorado State, Wisconsin, Illinois, Tennessee, Georgia, VMRCVM, and Washington. I'm starting to feel like Illinois may be a poor choice, since it sounds like they don't factor academic stats into the admissions decision if you pass a certain cut off. Any insight into which programs might be better or worse bets for my circumstance?
I posted my stats in the what are my chances thread, but here they are again for reference, if it helps. Thanks to everyone for your help and suggestions!
Cum/Science/Last 45 GPA: 3.9 (across the board)
GRE: 170 V, 161 Q, 5.5 AW
Veterinary Experience:
-1100 hours SA clinic (combination reception/client care and veterinary shadowing/technician's assistant)
-100 hours equine and small ruminant shadowing at a LA ambulatory practice
-8 hours lab animal shadowing (arranging now, will ideally continue after apps go in)
Animal Experience:
-60 hours non-releasable wildlife care
-30 hours SA kennel
-180 hours shelter volunteer (although this was almost 10 years ago!)
Teaching:
-2000 hours as a high school Life & Environmental Science teacher in American Samoa
Social Science Research:
-600 hours of water security field research in Jodhpur, India (including some minor analysis of the effects of drought conditions on livestock health and survival rates)
Non-science employment:
-6 months as Marketing Director for an education start-up
-2 years in Political Consulting
-1 year (in Marketing & Govt Relations) at an organization serving individuals with developmental disabilities
-1 month research program at the United Nations in Geneva
-3 months of volunteering in an English Literacy lab
-3 years as a Lifeguard in HS (certified in CPR, emergency oxygen administration, first aid, and AED)
I've found a few threads about schools that tend to emphasize depth/breadth of experience over GPA, but haven't seen any that explore the reverse. I was hoping the community might have some ideas about the best programs to apply to if your academic stats are strong but your experience hours are on the lower side.
I'm a career changer who recently made the switch to veterinary medicine (and the sciences in general). I feel like I have enough experience to have gained an understanding of the field, but nowhere near the years of varied and in-depth experiences that I've seen many applicants have!
I'd planned to apply to Tufts (my #1 and my IS), Penn (my #2), Colorado State, Wisconsin, Illinois, Tennessee, Georgia, VMRCVM, and Washington. I'm starting to feel like Illinois may be a poor choice, since it sounds like they don't factor academic stats into the admissions decision if you pass a certain cut off. Any insight into which programs might be better or worse bets for my circumstance?
I posted my stats in the what are my chances thread, but here they are again for reference, if it helps. Thanks to everyone for your help and suggestions!
Cum/Science/Last 45 GPA: 3.9 (across the board)
GRE: 170 V, 161 Q, 5.5 AW
Veterinary Experience:
-1100 hours SA clinic (combination reception/client care and veterinary shadowing/technician's assistant)
-100 hours equine and small ruminant shadowing at a LA ambulatory practice
-8 hours lab animal shadowing (arranging now, will ideally continue after apps go in)
Animal Experience:
-60 hours non-releasable wildlife care
-30 hours SA kennel
-180 hours shelter volunteer (although this was almost 10 years ago!)
Teaching:
-2000 hours as a high school Life & Environmental Science teacher in American Samoa
Social Science Research:
-600 hours of water security field research in Jodhpur, India (including some minor analysis of the effects of drought conditions on livestock health and survival rates)
Non-science employment:
-6 months as Marketing Director for an education start-up
-2 years in Political Consulting
-1 year (in Marketing & Govt Relations) at an organization serving individuals with developmental disabilities
-1 month research program at the United Nations in Geneva
-3 months of volunteering in an English Literacy lab
-3 years as a Lifeguard in HS (certified in CPR, emergency oxygen administration, first aid, and AED)