Seven Year Itch/Rule?

[lecheingris]

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Hey there everyone -

So in all of the frustration involved in your preparation and application process(es), who has come across the "seven year rule" that I have just been informed of?

Example: When speaking with a friend/current vet student, I'm told to focus on re-taking classes (if I desire) that are seven years old or older in order to boost my GPA. Apparently re-taking classes within a seven year period means that the grades are averaged, but it if falls beyond the seven year mark - it's as if I were taking it for the first time/the initial grade doesn't average in... Or something along those lines...

For most of us who have somewhat recently graduated (undergrad), this would mean basic biology courses, maybe even some pre-reqs, etc. I do know that for some schools, your pre-reqs "expire" after a certain time - usually eight years - so this subject is slightly akin to that...

Does anyone have any experience with this? Any helpful advice? Thoughts? All would be greatly appreciated!

NB: I'm a Virginia gal, since I know that will be one of the first questions asked. And this is the first thread I've ever posted, so I hope I did it correctly!

Cheers, y'all.

 

[twelvetigers]

Different schools will have different course age requirements. Some are five years, some seven, some eight or ten. Some don't care. Some will waive this if you've been working within a relevant field. If this is something you're concerned about, you would need to look at each school you're interested in individually. I have no idea about VAMD's rules, though someone here probably does.

That's what I know about pre-reqs expiring. Now, you're talking about... general coursework expiring? Or, just being able to retake a course and NOT have it averaged with the first grade? Hmm. I'm not sure the specifics on that, but I'm pretty sure that the policies will vary from school to school as well.

Maybe a kindly VAMD person will give their insight...

 

[LVT2DVM]

Here's the ones I know...

VMRCVM
Factors all courses completed in your cum gpa, but allows applicants to request a waiver to substitute retaken or higher level coursework for classes older than 7 years. If approved they use only the substituted course to calculate the req. course gpa.

UGA- doesnt factor courses taken later than 8yrs in your Cum GPA unless your using them for your pre-reqs. And they allow courses older than 8yrs to be used as pre-reqs. Woo Yoo, thank God for UGA!

ISU-averages repeated classes. Someone on the ISU thread mentioned something about an 8yr rule, but I wasnt aware of any, and I couldnt find it on their website or VMCAS info page?

 

[gone2dogs]

Here's the ones I know...

ISU-averages repeated classes. Someone on the ISU thread mentioned something about an 8yr rule, but I wasnt aware of any, and I couldnt find it on their website or VMCAS info page?

I think that was me who posted it...

http://vetmed.iastate.edu/academics/prospective-students/admissions/frequently-asked-questions

You have to scroll down a ways, but here is what it says...

Does it matter how long ago a required course was taken?
It is expected that preveterinary requirements will be taken within the past eight years. However, exceptions may be made on a case-by-case basis. If you have specific questions, please e-mail [email protected].

I just posted in another thread, but I have e-mailed them and am still waiting for a response. Perhaps they are on spring break right now?

 

[Caninerepro]

A question from someone who had classes taken over 8 years ago. How much of those classes do you remember, how much has changed in those intervening years, and what do you need to know well for vet school? Personally my gen bio classes predated PCR's invention!!! So I went back and retook the last semester before I left off again, and followed up from there. I actually took it one step further and am finishing a Masters, but. Anyhow, I think if you have been gone that long, the admissions committee will figure out that you are not the person you were back then and look at what you have done in recent times. I got in on my first application cycle, but I had previously taken two years of undergrad pre-reqs, and was able to provide 1 semester of graduate level classes as well by January. I focused on having a good GPA in recent history, and went from there. That said, I did have 2 years of recent grades to show them that one given semester was not a fluke.

Kai

 

[lecheingris]

Thanks to everyone for their input - sorry for the delay in posting/letting this thread slip! I'll just tack it onto my ever-growing list of questions to ask specific schools.