Stats for in-state. Go or no go?

[UAmike]

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So, I'm applying to Auburn for in state. I am freaking out because if I don't get in, I have no idea what I'm going to do 😱. So my stats are overall GPA = 3.6. My major in Biology GPA = 3.4 (this will go up because I am doing well in my upper level classes). I made a 1070 (480 V, 590 Q) on the GRE which is kind of low and is what I am most worried about. I have over 1000 hours of animal (vet) experience. I applied to Auburn last year (as a junior with approximately 80 hours) just as a practice run and a long shot to get in. My stats then were Overall GPA = 3.5 , Major GPA = 3.3, and GRE = 990.

So, what do you guys think? Also, does taking the GRE multiple times affect my chances of getting in? If I take it again, it will be the fourth time. I really think I can do better than a 1070.

 

[that redhead]

So, I'm applying to Auburn for in state. I am freaking out because if I don't get in, I have no idea what I'm going to do 😱. So my stats are overall GPA = 3.6. My major in Biology GPA = 3.4 (this will go up because I am doing well in my upper level classes). I made a 1070 (480 V, 590 Q) on the GRE which is kind of low and is what I am most worried about. I have over 1000 hours of animal (vet) experience. I applied to Auburn last year (as a junior with approximately 80 hours) just as a practice run and a long shot to get in. My stats then were Overall GPA = 3.5 , Major GPA = 3.3, and GRE = 990.

So, what do you guys think? Also, does taking the GRE multiple times affect my chances of getting in? If I take it again, it will be the fourth time. I really think I can do better than a 1070.

So many people come to this forum and want to know their chances but we really can't give you a good answer. Try searching similar threads, as well as the "successful applicants" threads. You will see that all kinds of stats have gained admittance.

Your GPA is good, your GRE is on the weaker side. 1000 hours is pretty good, but is it diverse? Recent? How much over 1000? You say animal (vet) experience, but animal and vet experience are not classified as the same on the application. Do you have research experience? How are your eLORs? What is your science GPA? How much better than a 1070 do you think you can manage on the GRE?

And so on and so forth. I'm sorry if I come across as snippy but like many people on the forum, I'm wrapped up in last-minute submission things and stressed. I hope you are able to find some similar threads and gain some helpful information. Welcome 🙂

 

[Minnerbelle]

So many people come to this forum and want to know their chances but we really can't give you a good answer. Try searching similar threads, as well as the "successful applicants" threads. You will see that all kinds of stats have gained admittance.

If you search threads about post-mortems too, you'll find that there are a lot of solid applicants that don't get in and hear the words, "you were definitely competitive, but there were way too many great applicants this year and we didn't have enough seats for all of you"

On the other hand, every year, there are several people who just applied "just for the hell of it" even though they didn't think they were ready... and to their surprise they get admitted.

So if you're a lukewarm to a competitive but not amazing applicant, it's really a toss up anyway as to whether you'll be admitted to any school. Only way to increase your chances in that situation is to apply to a lot of schools. What's the diff between these students who get in, and those who don't? Anyone who says they know the answer is a big fat liar!


As for your GRE's, you say you're capable of doing better. How do you know that, how much better do you think you can do, and what is it the last 4 times that kept you from achieving that score? If you know exactly what you need to improve, and know that you can score much higher, then I'd say definitely go for it. But it might not be worth your while if you just have an ambiguous "better" score in mind without any ideas as to how you will improve.

 

[No Imagination]

Also, don't put all your eggs in one basket. I've heard plenty of stories (both from classmates and from SDN) about students who didn't get into one school, but got into another. Sometimes students got rejected from a (I hate to say this), but lower tier school only to get accepted into a school with a lot of name recognition (like Penn or Cornell or Auburn).

The point is, SO MUCH about who get accepted is subjective. We all like to look at stats and quantify our chances to 3 decimal points; but the more people i talk to, the more I think - once you are 'competitive' - then you might as well roll the dice; and its better to roll the dice 6x then 1x.

Note: I do not believe there are really any 'lower tiered' schools, personally I believe that all US Vet schools have their strong and weak points. I say that only in terms of perception (Most people will look higher upon a Cornell, Tuffs, Penn then they will a Mississippi, LSU, or Tenn.) - not saying its true, but its my experience, and people 'in the know' will recognize the virtues of lesser named schools, like Co and UMN.

 

[UAmike]

I know people probably get tired of reading these types of threads. However, I go to the University of Alabama and pre-vet students are few and far between (I only know one). So, the reason I started the thread is simply because I really don't have any numbers to compare other than those that I see on Auburn's website. I am also applying to Tennessee and MSU. I was going to apply to Tuskegee but their application process is completely ******ed and there is no way I can finish it in time.

As for clarity, my 1000 hours animal experience covers volunteering at a cat shelter, large animal, and small animal experience. These hours range from when I was 17 to this summer. As for my science GPA it is a 3.4.

The reason I think I can do better on my GRE is because I took a Kaplan course this summer. I was scoring well into the 600's on the verbal and Quantitative sections on the practice tests. When I went to take the test, I was ultra nervous and didn't feel really confident about my test taking that day.

 

[nyanko]

I know people probably get tired of reading these types of threads. However, I go to the University of Alabama and pre-vet students are few and far between (I only know one). So, the reason I started the thread is simply because I really don't have any numbers to compare other than those that I see on Auburn's website.

Well what people were saying is that if you actually search the forum, you'll find that there is a thread here where people list their stats and what schools they did/didn't get into as well as other threads. That's the best idea that you're going to get, and even still things are pretty random sometimes!