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Oh no, I wasn't trying to sound defensive! That was more of a "Hey, don't give up even though getting denied twice can feel awful" line. I can see where it sounded that way, though. And thank you! 
Successful Applicant Class of 2013
- Thread starter BayleeVet2B
- Start date
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I can't believe that, after months upon months of obsessing over my application with the help of this website and being assured that I had only a snowflake's chance in hell of getting accepted, I received an acceptance today. No one wake me up, please!
First time applicant, female, 21, Florida resident, will graduate with a BS in biomedical sciences from the University of South Florida in May.
Applied: University of Missouri-Columbia, University of Florida, Auburn University, University of Illinois-Urbana, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Interviewed: Mizzou
Rejected without interview: Illinois, Auburn, Wisconsin (does not interview, but still)
Interview waitlist: Florida
Actual waitlist: Mizzou (OOS #14)
Accepted: Mizzou, and will be attending!
GPA: 3.91
Science GPA: ~3.87
Last 45 GPA: 4.0
GRE: 1360 (700Q, 660V, 5A)
Veterinary Experience:
~150 hours as an intern and volunteer at a small animal emergency and specialist clinic, which was spent rotating between the emergency, surgery, internal medicine, oncology, dermatology, dentistry, neurology, and ophthalmology departments. Occasional exotic cases seen.
--No large animal experience.
Research Experience:
None
Animal Experience:
~125 hours (at time of application) volunteering at local SPCA
~20 hours volunteering at local Humane Society
Honors/Awards
-A ridiculous amount of high school academic honors and awards (I even included one from my Spanish teacher in 10th grade LOL)
-Graduated summa cum laude (4.0+) from HS
-Three scholarships
-Accepted to 5 honors societies while in undergrad (the chapters at my school aren't active, so I listed them as awards instead of extracurriculars)
-Dean's List (4.0) every semester in undergrad except 2
-Accepted to the honors college of my university
Extracurriculars/Community Activities:
-Students Working Against Tobacco (HS)
-National Honor Society (HS)
-English Honor Society (I co-founded it at my HS with two friends and acted as vice president for two years)
-Student Government Association (senator for 11th and 12th grade classes)
Possibly Interesting Application Point(s):
-I'm in the final semester of completing a thesis about how holidays affect adoption trends at my local SPCA. None of the schools I applied to asked me about it, though lol.
-Was open about a controversial view I hold on the use of animals in teaching and research on Mizzou's supplemental application, which my interviewers loved and discussed with me in great detail.
Recommendations:
-My own veterinarian, who has known me and been aware of my desire to become a vet for over 15 years, and who I'm pretty sure mentioned that I drew all the pictures of animals that still hang up around his office LOL.
-A professor from a rough honors course that I took, in which I wound up working closely with the professor, becoming the leader of a class-wide Earth Day project, and pulling it off without a hitch.
-My manager from the emergency and specialist clinic, with whom I did not work directly, but who did my review for the internship and was aware of my work ethic, professional demeanor, and general attitude in the clinic environment.
Looking at this thread in the past is what convinced me that I would never get accepted with such little experience under my belt. I was already making plans to correct that and apply again next cycle when I got accepted by surprise today. In the end, I think that I was only considered because I was able to demonstrate that, despite my obvious shortcomings in the area of experience, I do have a true understanding of the profession, and I also went out of my way to express that I intended even while in vet school to get more experience early on with large animals in particular when I was interviewing with Mizzou. For those who are applying with less experience or are having trouble gaining it, have faith!
Congratulations to everyone! I think I'll do what I promised myself I'd do a month ago and finally give interview feedback LOL.
First time applicant, female, 21, Florida resident, will graduate with a BS in biomedical sciences from the University of South Florida in May.
Applied: University of Missouri-Columbia, University of Florida, Auburn University, University of Illinois-Urbana, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Interviewed: Mizzou
Rejected without interview: Illinois, Auburn, Wisconsin (does not interview, but still)
Interview waitlist: Florida
Actual waitlist: Mizzou (OOS #14)
Accepted: Mizzou, and will be attending!
GPA: 3.91
Science GPA: ~3.87
Last 45 GPA: 4.0
GRE: 1360 (700Q, 660V, 5A)
Veterinary Experience:
~150 hours as an intern and volunteer at a small animal emergency and specialist clinic, which was spent rotating between the emergency, surgery, internal medicine, oncology, dermatology, dentistry, neurology, and ophthalmology departments. Occasional exotic cases seen.
--No large animal experience.
Research Experience:
None
Animal Experience:
~125 hours (at time of application) volunteering at local SPCA
~20 hours volunteering at local Humane Society
Honors/Awards
-A ridiculous amount of high school academic honors and awards (I even included one from my Spanish teacher in 10th grade LOL)
-Graduated summa cum laude (4.0+) from HS
-Three scholarships
-Accepted to 5 honors societies while in undergrad (the chapters at my school aren't active, so I listed them as awards instead of extracurriculars)
-Dean's List (4.0) every semester in undergrad except 2
-Accepted to the honors college of my university
Extracurriculars/Community Activities:
-Students Working Against Tobacco (HS)
-National Honor Society (HS)
-English Honor Society (I co-founded it at my HS with two friends and acted as vice president for two years)
-Student Government Association (senator for 11th and 12th grade classes)
Possibly Interesting Application Point(s):
-I'm in the final semester of completing a thesis about how holidays affect adoption trends at my local SPCA. None of the schools I applied to asked me about it, though lol.
-Was open about a controversial view I hold on the use of animals in teaching and research on Mizzou's supplemental application, which my interviewers loved and discussed with me in great detail.
Recommendations:
-My own veterinarian, who has known me and been aware of my desire to become a vet for over 15 years, and who I'm pretty sure mentioned that I drew all the pictures of animals that still hang up around his office LOL.
-A professor from a rough honors course that I took, in which I wound up working closely with the professor, becoming the leader of a class-wide Earth Day project, and pulling it off without a hitch.
-My manager from the emergency and specialist clinic, with whom I did not work directly, but who did my review for the internship and was aware of my work ethic, professional demeanor, and general attitude in the clinic environment.
Looking at this thread in the past is what convinced me that I would never get accepted with such little experience under my belt. I was already making plans to correct that and apply again next cycle when I got accepted by surprise today. In the end, I think that I was only considered because I was able to demonstrate that, despite my obvious shortcomings in the area of experience, I do have a true understanding of the profession, and I also went out of my way to express that I intended even while in vet school to get more experience early on with large animals in particular when I was interviewing with Mizzou. For those who are applying with less experience or are having trouble gaining it, have faith!
Congratulations to everyone! I think I'll do what I promised myself I'd do a month ago and finally give interview feedback LOL.
Last edited:
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I very much agree with you Pandacinny (of course I think your incredible all around) but I dont care what any one else says....I think your GRE score really makes or breaks ya with vet school. My 45hr gpa is a 3.8 (well everywhere but Iowa) and VM wouldnt touch me with a ten ft pole and my experiences as an lvt are very similar to yours. All the more disheartening that I cant get a decent score. Ugh!
Mucho congrats again. You rock!
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LVT, I think some schools may put more emphasis on them than others. Being IS for VMRCVM certainly helped me, too. I know it's expensive, but have you tried a Kaplan course? I've heard they're pretty good. If you've been there, done that already then I'm not sure what the best option is. A lot of people have trouble with standardized tests, unfortunately, and I think they can handicap applicants who are otherwise really great. :/
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The thing is...its not all standardized test. I completely rocked my VT board exam, which IMO was much more difficult than the GRE. Similar format, multiple guess, but no essay questions. Personally, I wish they would allow the test taker the option to take the MC portion first, bc what inevidibly happens is I get all flustered with the essay and then my concentration on the MC is kaput.
And yes, did the kaplan, bought all the books, studied for 3 months straight and manage to raise my score 100 points....unfortunately that only got me a 1020
And yes, did the kaplan, bought all the books, studied for 3 months straight and manage to raise my score 100 points....unfortunately that only got me a 1020
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First time applicant, Male, 29, Mississippi resident.
BS in Biological Science with chemistry minor
Applied: Mississippi State, LSU, Missouri
Interviewed: Mississippi
Actual waitlist: Mizzou, LSU
Accepted: Mississippi
GPA: 3.76
Science GPA: - 3.84(according to LSU)
Last 45 GPA: 3.5
GRE: 1260 (740 math, 520 verbal)
Veterinary Experience:
~400 hours (at time of application) at veterinary emergency hospital
Animal Experience:
~100 hours wildlife rehabilitation group
Honors/Awards
-Deans list a few times
-graduated with honors
BS in Biological Science with chemistry minor
Applied: Mississippi State, LSU, Missouri
Interviewed: Mississippi
Actual waitlist: Mizzou, LSU
Accepted: Mississippi
GPA: 3.76
Science GPA: - 3.84(according to LSU)
Last 45 GPA: 3.5
GRE: 1260 (740 math, 520 verbal)
Veterinary Experience:
~400 hours (at time of application) at veterinary emergency hospital
Animal Experience:
~100 hours wildlife rehabilitation group
Honors/Awards
-Deans list a few times
-graduated with honors
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- Mar 5, 2008
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Have you checked with your schools to see if they require the essay? I didn't write one. I contacted Penn before the GRE and asked if they require the essay to be taken, and they said no, so I just skipped it and only did the other two parts. Something to think about if you haven't already
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So I was debating on posting but here goes...
22, female, first time(sorta) applicant.
Applied: CSU(IS), Oregon, WSU, Minnesota, Missouri, OSU, Kansas, Davis, Wisconsin
Interview: Missouri(withdrew before interview) Kansas(withdrew before interview) OSU(withdrew after interview)
Rejected: WSU, Minnesota, Davis
Accepted: CSU!!!
Still waiting: Wisconsin, Oregon
GPA:3.6
Last 45: 3.85
GRE: V 460, Q 710, 4.0
Vet Experience:
Parents are vets so I grew up in a small animal clinic (literally)
3000 hrs vet tech
500 hrs large animal surgery tech
Research:
500 hrs studying small animal orthopedics, posters and papers published
Animal:
30 hrs showing a dairy heifer
LORs:
Vet from a clinic I worked in
Vet I did research with at CSU's VTH
Prof from my cell bio course. I got a B+ but he helped show that grades and understanding/ability are sometimes two different things
Honors:
Published medical art, cover of the VOS program 2008
Deans honors list
Community:
lots of volunteering for various non-profits
So last year I filled out the VMCAS but didn't know about CSU's sup (OOPS) so my app wasn't considered. I went to an exit interview and got a lot of really good advice. I have a reading disorder so I was told to emphasis that as a hardship and show improvement after my diagnosis. I worked my butt off and got a 4.0 then a 3.7 proving that I understood my "weakness" and could grow from it. I was also told to revamp my PS talking about how growing up with vets as parents is unique and gives me an insider view of the profession. Any of you with vets as parents, its unique and you should talk about that. I'm also a transfer student so I used that to explain some low GPA semesters.
Hope I can give hope to those of us who have "disabilities". My suggestion is to use your schools resources and prove you can handle it with an improvement in GPA. Trust me I know, easier said than done, but you can do it!
Also if you want to go to CSU, move here and get IS. Thats what I did and I probably wouldn't have gotten in otherwise.
22, female, first time(sorta) applicant.
Applied: CSU(IS), Oregon, WSU, Minnesota, Missouri, OSU, Kansas, Davis, Wisconsin
Interview: Missouri(withdrew before interview) Kansas(withdrew before interview) OSU(withdrew after interview)
Rejected: WSU, Minnesota, Davis
Accepted: CSU!!!
Still waiting: Wisconsin, Oregon
GPA:3.6
Last 45: 3.85
GRE: V 460, Q 710, 4.0
Vet Experience:
Parents are vets so I grew up in a small animal clinic (literally)
3000 hrs vet tech
500 hrs large animal surgery tech
Research:
500 hrs studying small animal orthopedics, posters and papers published
Animal:
30 hrs showing a dairy heifer
LORs:
Vet from a clinic I worked in
Vet I did research with at CSU's VTH
Prof from my cell bio course. I got a B+ but he helped show that grades and understanding/ability are sometimes two different things
Honors:
Published medical art, cover of the VOS program 2008
Deans honors list
Community:
lots of volunteering for various non-profits
So last year I filled out the VMCAS but didn't know about CSU's sup (OOPS) so my app wasn't considered. I went to an exit interview and got a lot of really good advice. I have a reading disorder so I was told to emphasis that as a hardship and show improvement after my diagnosis. I worked my butt off and got a 4.0 then a 3.7 proving that I understood my "weakness" and could grow from it. I was also told to revamp my PS talking about how growing up with vets as parents is unique and gives me an insider view of the profession. Any of you with vets as parents, its unique and you should talk about that. I'm also a transfer student so I used that to explain some low GPA semesters.
Hope I can give hope to those of us who have "disabilities". My suggestion is to use your schools resources and prove you can handle it with an improvement in GPA. Trust me I know, easier said than done, but you can do it!
Also if you want to go to CSU, move here and get IS. Thats what I did and I probably wouldn't have gotten in otherwise.
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Way to go, BeeBee82! You overcame a big challenge and kicked butt. Hats off to ya! 
- Joined
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Yes, please! If you are accepted to vet school, then there's nothing left to lose! (Not that you'd lose anything anyway...)
The point of this thread is to show that all sorts of people with lots of different GPAs, GRE scores, backgrounds, experience etc. can indeed get into vet school. Give us your advice and encouragement!
(OT - Barnaby, I'm wearing a Threadless shirt right now, so you know I love your avatar. )
The point of this thread is to show that all sorts of people with lots of different GPAs, GRE scores, backgrounds, experience etc. can indeed get into vet school. Give us your advice and encouragement!
(OT - Barnaby, I'm wearing a Threadless shirt right now, so you know I love your avatar.
)
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I was going back and forth on posting too, so here it is. I didn't think I had a bat's chance in hell of getting in.
21 Female first time applicant
Applied: Davis, CSU, UW-Madison, Michigan, Washington
Rejected: CSU, Michigan, Washington, never received a notice from Davis
Accepted: Madison
GPA: 3.5
510 V/570Q, 5.0
I had a couple hundred hours in a veterinary clinic 2200 miles away from my home state! That was great. Mixed animal clinic with small, large, and lots of camelids.
I don't think my research hours were logged in VMCAS when I applied, but in the Madison supplemental, it was mentioned as it's very recent. No idea of the numbers, since it's ongoing, but I will be presenting at the National Conference for Undergraduate Research in April.
Animal Experience:
4,000+ hours with horses for a camp I worked at for 7 years
1,000+ hours at a barn I worked at
40? hours doing Foal Watch for the University
Honors & Awards:
Dean's List a few times
Freshman/Sophomore Merit Award (I don't know how this differs from the Dean's List, but it does on my transcript)
WIAC's Women Honor Role (pretty much having a high GPA and being a varsity competitor in college)
Community Activities: (Just the college ones..lots of high school ones too)
Working at Collie Nationals
Horse Club on Campus
Horse Fair Pageant
Hall Council
Woodwind Ensemble
I have a documented disability though and come from a rough economic and social background, which I think came into my favor too and were emphasized in my essays. I had some poor grades along the way (including retaking one class I didn't pass), but there were extenuating circumstances and my grades following the poor ones were much better.
On paper, I'm a pretty lousy candidate, but my letter of recommendations must have been something (I didn't see them). You can do it too
I had several, including one from my advisor/professor I've had many classes with, another from a professor I've had several classes with, one is a director at the camp I worked at for so long, and the last was one of the veterinarians I worked with.
21 Female first time applicant
Applied: Davis, CSU, UW-Madison, Michigan, Washington
Rejected: CSU, Michigan, Washington, never received a notice from Davis
Accepted: Madison
GPA: 3.5
510 V/570Q, 5.0
I had a couple hundred hours in a veterinary clinic 2200 miles away from my home state!
That was great. Mixed animal clinic with small, large, and lots of camelids.I don't think my research hours were logged in VMCAS when I applied, but in the Madison supplemental, it was mentioned as it's very recent. No idea of the numbers, since it's ongoing, but I will be presenting at the National Conference for Undergraduate Research in April.
Animal Experience:
4,000+ hours with horses for a camp I worked at for 7 years
1,000+ hours at a barn I worked at
40? hours doing Foal Watch for the University
Honors & Awards:
Dean's List a few times
Freshman/Sophomore Merit Award (I don't know how this differs from the Dean's List, but it does on my transcript
)WIAC's Women Honor Role (pretty much having a high GPA and being a varsity competitor in college)
Community Activities: (Just the college ones..lots of high school ones too)
Working at Collie Nationals
Horse Club on Campus
Horse Fair Pageant
Hall Council
Woodwind Ensemble
I have a documented disability though and come from a rough economic and social background, which I think came into my favor too and were emphasized in my essays. I had some poor grades along the way (including retaking one class I didn't pass), but there were extenuating circumstances and my grades following the poor ones were much better.
On paper, I'm a pretty lousy candidate, but my letter of recommendations must have been something (I didn't see them). You can do it too
I had several, including one from my advisor/professor I've had many classes with, another from a professor I've had several classes with, one is a director at the camp I worked at for so long, and the last was one of the veterinarians I worked with.
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This is for all of you that have a lifetime full of experience but cant seem to catch a break because the average vet school places too much of an emphasis on grades alone!! I am sorry to be so long-winded but I think this may help those people who were / are in a similar position.
I am NOT going to say that my GPA / GRE embarrasses me. I am proud that I bring more to the table then just grades. It is unfortunate, but we are made to believe that grades define who we are grades do not define us. Our moral character, determination and passion for this field are the factors that define us. I know that there are some people out there that will judge me based on my GPA but here are the stats anyway!
Second time application, 25 years old, female, Texas resident.
Applied: Texas A&M, Oklahoma, Colorado, Minnesota, Mississippi, Kansas, Iowa, Virgina-Maryland.
Rejected: Texas A&M, Oklahoma, Minnesota, Kansas (interview waitlist) Iowa, Virgina-Maryland.
Interview: Mississippi
Alternate: Colorado
Accepted: Mississippi & Colorado
ATTENDING: COLORADO!!!
* SIDE NOTE neither CSU or MSU use a point system. Both of these schools look at the applicant as a whole and take in the big picture when making decisions.
Undergrad GPA: 2.79
Graduate GPA:3.76
Cum. 3.16
GRE: 1010; 4.5
Degrees:
B.S. Animal Science
M.S. Veterinary Parasitology (May 2009)
Veterinary Experience:
- ~ 3,000 hours vet tech at two different mixed-animal clinics (one position was full-time)
- ~ 1000 hours part-time assistance for dairy vet
-Graduate Teaching Assistant for the 2nd year veterinary parasitology course at Texas A&M University CVM
-Clinical Pathology technician in the Veterinary Teaching Hospital at Texas A&M University CVM
Animal Experience:
-6,000 hours+ Artificial Insemination Technician (40 + hours a week freshman & sophomore year of college)
- 2,000 hours calf manager on 1,500 head dairy (junior / senior year of college)
- 500 hours on farrow-to- finish swine operation
- ~100 hours wildlife rehabilitation assistant
-Extensive lab animal work associated with masters thesis
-400 hours volunteer at cat shelter
-My family fostered seeing-eye puppies
Internship:
-300 hours registered Angus seedstock operation (Internship)
Research Experience:
-12,000 hours as a lab tech and during my graduate work. Thesis: The development of recombinant DNA vaccine against Babesia bovis
-Proficient in research techniques such as cloning, proteins expression / purification, western-blots, elisa assays ect.
Recommendations:
- DVM / PhD. Professor in the College of Vet. Med at A&M
- Primary investigator PhD.
- Dairy veterinarian
Extracurricular:
- President of professional agricultural sorority
- Vice-president of Block and Bridle
- Alpha Zeta Honor Society
- Dairy Society secretary
- Train and exhibit barrel horses
- Raise and show dairy cattle
Like themightyfuzz, I also come from a rough economic and social background and because of this I had to support myself financially throughout my college career. That meant working full-time (40 hours +) and maintaining a full course load. This severely affected my GPA however, it allowed me to immerse myself in various aspects of veterinary medicine. I feel that my strong work ethic and devotion for this field were the main factors in my acceptance.
My interviewers were very impressed with my realistic and honest approach to the profession. One interviewer even told me that he wished there were more applicants like me!!! He appreciated my maturity and felt that my previous experience with producers would make me an outstanding veterinarian!!
To those of you that are scrolling this thread trying to figure out whether or not you have a chance ..Trust me, there will come a time when all of your hardwork will pay off ..I promise
I am NOT going to say that my GPA / GRE embarrasses me. I am proud that I bring more to the table then just grades. It is unfortunate, but we are made to believe that grades define who we are grades do not define us. Our moral character, determination and passion for this field are the factors that define us. I know that there are some people out there that will judge me based on my GPA but here are the stats anyway!
Second time application, 25 years old, female, Texas resident.
Applied: Texas A&M, Oklahoma, Colorado, Minnesota, Mississippi, Kansas, Iowa, Virgina-Maryland.
Rejected: Texas A&M, Oklahoma, Minnesota, Kansas (interview waitlist) Iowa, Virgina-Maryland.
Interview: Mississippi
Alternate: Colorado
Accepted: Mississippi & Colorado
ATTENDING: COLORADO!!!
* SIDE NOTE neither CSU or MSU use a point system. Both of these schools look at the applicant as a whole and take in the big picture when making decisions.
Undergrad GPA: 2.79
Graduate GPA:3.76
Cum. 3.16
GRE: 1010; 4.5
Degrees:
B.S. Animal Science
M.S. Veterinary Parasitology (May 2009)
Veterinary Experience:
- ~ 3,000 hours vet tech at two different mixed-animal clinics (one position was full-time)
- ~ 1000 hours part-time assistance for dairy vet
-Graduate Teaching Assistant for the 2nd year veterinary parasitology course at Texas A&M University CVM
-Clinical Pathology technician in the Veterinary Teaching Hospital at Texas A&M University CVM
Animal Experience:
-6,000 hours+ Artificial Insemination Technician (40 + hours a week freshman & sophomore year of college)
- 2,000 hours calf manager on 1,500 head dairy (junior / senior year of college)
- 500 hours on farrow-to- finish swine operation
- ~100 hours wildlife rehabilitation assistant
-Extensive lab animal work associated with masters thesis
-400 hours volunteer at cat shelter
-My family fostered seeing-eye puppies
Internship:
-300 hours registered Angus seedstock operation (Internship)
Research Experience:
-12,000 hours as a lab tech and during my graduate work. Thesis: The development of recombinant DNA vaccine against Babesia bovis
-Proficient in research techniques such as cloning, proteins expression / purification, western-blots, elisa assays ect.
Recommendations:
- DVM / PhD. Professor in the College of Vet. Med at A&M
- Primary investigator PhD.
- Dairy veterinarian
Extracurricular:
- President of professional agricultural sorority
- Vice-president of Block and Bridle
- Alpha Zeta Honor Society
- Dairy Society secretary
- Train and exhibit barrel horses
- Raise and show dairy cattle
Like themightyfuzz, I also come from a rough economic and social background and because of this I had to support myself financially throughout my college career. That meant working full-time (40 hours +) and maintaining a full course load. This severely affected my GPA however, it allowed me to immerse myself in various aspects of veterinary medicine. I feel that my strong work ethic and devotion for this field were the main factors in my acceptance.
My interviewers were very impressed with my realistic and honest approach to the profession. One interviewer even told me that he wished there were more applicants like me!!! He appreciated my maturity and felt that my previous experience with producers would make me an outstanding veterinarian!!
To those of you that are scrolling this thread trying to figure out whether or not you have a chance ..Trust me, there will come a time when all of your hardwork will pay off ..I promise
Last edited:
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Ok, I have longed to post here for soooo long! I now finally can and my stats should be confirmation that prayer and hard work pay off!
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Phil 4:6-7
25 year old male
2nd time applicant (2006, 2008)
Waiting: Georgia and Tuskegee
Rejectedurdue, Oklahoma State, Iowa State
Interview: Mississippi and Tuskegee
Accepted: Mississippi State!!!
GPA: 3.11 (2.998 with retakes factored in!)
Last 45:
Science:
GRE: 1100 (460 V, 640 Q, 3.0 W) I know, I look illiterate!
Vet Experience:
2000 hours at a small animal clinic
Animal Experience:
30,000 hours Animal Experience on a small eclectic farm. A large variety of animals, including poultry, pigeons, ratites, goats, sheep, equine, bovine, pigs, roddents, freshwater and marine fishes and invertebrates, dogs, cats and parrots.
1200 Stockyard Experience and work
Employment:
Resident Assistant: 800 hours
Bruster's Ice Cream (Managerial): 6500
Latin Tutor: 20 hours
Medical School Library: 180 hours
Biology Lab Assistant and T.A.: 300 hours
Physics T.A.: 130 hours
Public Middle School Teacher: 1800 hours
Honors and Awards:
Phi Sigma Iota International Foreign Language Honor Society for Latin.
Laudes Latinae: Awarded annually to one student for academic excellence in Latin.
T.P. Haines Biology Award: One biology senior each year for academic merit service to the biology department.
Dean's List about 4 semesters.
Community Activity:
Beta Beta Beta: 2 years
Junior Classical League: 3 years
American Chemical Association: 2 years
Georgia All-State Chorus: 3 years
Bunche Middle School Design Team: 1 year
The National Beta Club: 4 years
Reformed University Fellowship: 5 years
Latin Club: Vice President, President 2 years.: 4 years
High School Chorale: 4 years
Mercer Singers: 3 years
Teach For America/Americorps: 2 years
Various roles in my church: 11 years (VBS teacher, Sunday School Superintendent, usher, pianist, and choir leader.)
LOR:
Veterinarian that I worked really hard for and said she made me "walk on water."
Academic Adviser/Professor/the teacher I T.A.'ed for. He also gave me a stellar recommendation.
Program Director for Teach For America: another stellar recommendation.
As you see, my academics were not that good, but I have worked extremely hard and learned from my mistakes. The adcom that interviewed me new about the school I went to. It's a small Liberal Arts university that ranks well. He actually brought it up and said, "Why did you decide to go to Mercer? That's a hard school!" I think that helped, since he knew the rigor of Mercer's programs. Good luck to everyone and reach for your dreams!!
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Phil 4:6-7
25 year old male
2nd time applicant (2006, 2008)
Waiting: Georgia and Tuskegee
Rejected
urdue, Oklahoma State, Iowa StateInterview: Mississippi and Tuskegee
Accepted: Mississippi State!!!
GPA: 3.11 (2.998 with retakes factored in!)
Last 45:
Science:
GRE: 1100 (460 V, 640 Q, 3.0 W) I know, I look illiterate!
Vet Experience:
2000 hours at a small animal clinic
Animal Experience:
30,000 hours Animal Experience on a small eclectic farm. A large variety of animals, including poultry, pigeons, ratites, goats, sheep, equine, bovine, pigs, roddents, freshwater and marine fishes and invertebrates, dogs, cats and parrots.
1200 Stockyard Experience and work
Employment:
Resident Assistant: 800 hours
Bruster's Ice Cream (Managerial): 6500
Latin Tutor: 20 hours
Medical School Library: 180 hours
Biology Lab Assistant and T.A.: 300 hours
Physics T.A.: 130 hours
Public Middle School Teacher: 1800 hours
Honors and Awards:
Phi Sigma Iota International Foreign Language Honor Society for Latin.
Laudes Latinae: Awarded annually to one student for academic excellence in Latin.
T.P. Haines Biology Award: One biology senior each year for academic merit service to the biology department.
Dean's List about 4 semesters.
Community Activity:
Beta Beta Beta: 2 years
Junior Classical League: 3 years
American Chemical Association: 2 years
Georgia All-State Chorus: 3 years
Bunche Middle School Design Team: 1 year
The National Beta Club: 4 years
Reformed University Fellowship: 5 years
Latin Club: Vice President, President 2 years.: 4 years
High School Chorale: 4 years
Mercer Singers: 3 years
Teach For America/Americorps: 2 years
Various roles in my church: 11 years (VBS teacher, Sunday School Superintendent, usher, pianist, and choir leader.)
LOR:
Veterinarian that I worked really hard for and said she made me "walk on water."
Academic Adviser/Professor/the teacher I T.A.'ed for. He also gave me a stellar recommendation.
Program Director for Teach For America: another stellar recommendation.
As you see, my academics were not that good, but I have worked extremely hard and learned from my mistakes. The adcom that interviewed me new about the school I went to. It's a small Liberal Arts university that ranks well. He actually brought it up and said, "Why did you decide to go to Mercer? That's a hard school!" I think that helped, since he knew the rigor of Mercer's programs. Good luck to everyone and reach for your dreams!!
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Congratulations BR549 and TSUJC. I can't wait to see you guys in the fall.
TSUJC with all of your experience, I hope that we can be study buddies. I bet your practical applications will teach me much more than any book.
Can't wait to see you guys... by the way, does anyone know when we start?
TSUJC with all of your experience, I hope that we can be study buddies. I bet your practical applications will teach me much more than any book.
Can't wait to see you guys... by the way, does anyone know when we start?
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Thanks Hizarlow! I am not sure when classes start, but I am super excited!!! See ya in the Fall!
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WOW thanks Hizarlow! I can't wait to meet you guys, I feel like it's my first day of camp or something.
My mentor told me that parasitology was her hardest class first year, this is good for me because I have taught a vet school parasitology class for two years!!
Anatomy is a whole other story though maybe you guys can help me out with that!
My mentor told me that parasitology was her hardest class first year, this is good for me because I have taught a vet school parasitology class for two years!!
Anatomy is a whole other story though
maybe you guys can help me out with that!
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Thank you, thank you, TSUJC! I'm one of those people with a not so impressive undergrad gpa (and what I presume is going to be a suckjob math score on the GRE--taking it next month) who feel greatly encouraged to see an accepted applicant whose numbers aren't at the top of the range.
In the words of Thomas the Choo Choo: I think I can..I think I can..I think I can..
In the words of Thomas the Choo Choo: I think I can..I think I can..I think I can..
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WOW TSUJC! I cannot believe that Texas AM did not even interview you! WIth my experience with them (I am IS) they have an "interesting" selection process that I was not completely on board with. I believe they are missing out with not considering you!
Also BR549, I see that you put Ref. Univ. Fell on your application. I also was heavily part of that through school and I didnt even think to put that on my application
Hindsight stinks sometimes!
Also BR549, I see that you put Ref. Univ. Fell on your application. I also was heavily part of that through school and I didnt even think to put that on my application
Hindsight stinks sometimes!
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Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Phil 4:6-7
quote]
Awesome Bible verse!
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Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Phil 4:6-7
quote]
Awesome Bible verse!
Agreed!!!
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22 year old female
1st time applicant
Waiting: Penn
Rejected: Tufts, VA-MD, Ohio, FL, Miss, Missouri, Kansas, Illinois, Minnesota
Interview: Dublin and Glasgow
Accepted: Dublin and Glasgow
GPA: 3.34
Last 45: 3.74
Science:
GRE: 1070 (530 V, 540 Q, 4.5 W)
Vet Experience:
Equine Veterinary Asst. 500 hours
Small Animal Veterinary Clinic 100 hours
Tufts School of Veterinary Medicine, Adventures in Veterinary Medicine Summer 2004
Animal Experience:
Research Assistant/ Student Worker
-- Drosophila research
--Maintained animal husbandry of boa constrictors and work on research regarding arboreal preference
--Human performance lab
--Phage Genome Research/Bioinformatic
Asst. Supervisor/Unit Lead, Parakeet Landing, The Maryland Zoo,
--Assisted with Management of animal husbandry for 500 Australian birds. Scheduled and supervised staff of exhibit. Budgeted for the exhibit and guest operations (8000 hours)
Horseback Riding/ Equine Care---15 years
SPCA Volunteer (2 years)
Other Activites:
Recruitment Chair, Kappa Alpha Theta Sorority
Captain (SP 2007/FA 2007) /Treasurer (FA 2006), College Equestrian Club/Team
Residential Advisor
Vice President Pre Health Society
Honors and Awards:
High Distinction from Dean at University of Queensland(study abroad)
LOR:
Equine Veterinarian
Academic Adviser: Pre Health Committee Letter
Supervisor from Maryland Zoo in Baltimore
Maybe my GPA and scores can help show that that's not what it is all about!! Best of Luck to everyone!!!!
1st time applicant
Waiting: Penn
Rejected: Tufts, VA-MD, Ohio, FL, Miss, Missouri, Kansas, Illinois, Minnesota
Interview: Dublin and Glasgow
Accepted: Dublin and Glasgow
GPA: 3.34
Last 45: 3.74
Science:
GRE: 1070 (530 V, 540 Q, 4.5 W)
Vet Experience:
Equine Veterinary Asst. 500 hours
Small Animal Veterinary Clinic 100 hours
Tufts School of Veterinary Medicine, Adventures in Veterinary Medicine Summer 2004
Animal Experience:
Research Assistant/ Student Worker
-- Drosophila research
--Maintained animal husbandry of boa constrictors and work on research regarding arboreal preference
--Human performance lab
--Phage Genome Research/Bioinformatic
Asst. Supervisor/Unit Lead, Parakeet Landing, The Maryland Zoo,
--Assisted with Management of animal husbandry for 500 Australian birds. Scheduled and supervised staff of exhibit. Budgeted for the exhibit and guest operations (8000 hours)
Horseback Riding/ Equine Care---15 years
SPCA Volunteer (2 years)
Other Activites:
Recruitment Chair, Kappa Alpha Theta Sorority
Captain (SP 2007/FA 2007) /Treasurer (FA 2006), College Equestrian Club/Team
Residential Advisor
Vice President Pre Health Society
Honors and Awards:
High Distinction from Dean at University of Queensland(study abroad)
LOR:
Equine Veterinarian
Academic Adviser: Pre Health Committee Letter
Supervisor from Maryland Zoo in Baltimore
Maybe my GPA and scores can help show that that's not what it is all about!! Best of Luck to everyone!!!!
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LivestockDoc - I am glad that I was able to offer some encouragement! Stay persistent and dont every doubt yourself. When you finally do get to vet school, all of your hard work will make the acceptance feel that much better!
athane960 Thanks for you kind words. It is unfortunate that A&M selects primarily for grades but it is their loss! My experience with the second year vet students has shown me that selecting applicants based primarily on GPA is NOT a good idea! I feel that the worst part of their application is that applicants receive the maximum points for veterinary hours when the reach 100 hours! So basically if you have worked as a vet tech for 5 years and have thousands of hours of real veterinary experience, you receive the same points as someone who spent a few weeks shadowing a vet.
Dont get me wrong A&M is a good school but it just wasnt meant to be
athane960 Thanks for you kind words. It is unfortunate that A&M selects primarily for grades but it is their loss! My experience with the second year vet students has shown me that selecting applicants based primarily on GPA is NOT a good idea! I feel that the worst part of their application is that applicants receive the maximum points for veterinary hours when the reach 100 hours! So basically if you have worked as a vet tech for 5 years and have thousands of hours of real veterinary experience, you receive the same points as someone who spent a few weeks shadowing a vet.
Dont get me wrong A&M is a good school but it just wasnt meant to be
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Off topic (well, sort of), but at the UCD interview workshop the associate dean of student affairs talked about having experimented with accepting an entire class based only on the numbers some years back, and basically deemed it a failure, stating that the dropout rate for that class was much higher than their average. He used it for justification for the interview process, I think, and I don't know the exact truth of it, but just putting in what he said.
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Shortnsweet Congrats on your acceptances!!! I am glad you posted your stats keep them coming
Nyanko - A&M does interview but the initial selection criteria for an interview is strongly weighted towards academics. Without an interview it is difficult to explain why your grades are not exceptional or any supplemental details that may be difficult to explain on your application. Now I dont want anyone to think that I am bashing the A&M students but it is very easy to tell who had high GPAs and no real experience. (Like the girl who couldnt put a needle on a syringe and poked herself or the guy who placed a cover slip on top of a half filled-fecal vial. I asked him if he expected the eggs to jump to the coverslip! He told me that he worked as a vet tech which I thought was funny because obviously he had never performed a basic fecal float ..something that most vet techs have done a time or two.)
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Shortnsweet – Congrats on your acceptances!!! I am glad you posted your stats…keep them coming
Thank You and Congrats on yours!!!!!!!
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Hey, I've worked at lots of places and I'm always sticking myself with needles. Usually, it's because I'm re-capping them after drawing up a vaccine. (I know, recapping needles = BAD! I've mostly broken that habit.)
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LOL I will admit that I have done it myself
...but this was a very different situation. It was simply lack of experience, she told me she had never touched a needle before and that they made her nervous!
Ok Im done hijacking this thread .I want to see more successful applicants!!
Ok Im done hijacking this thread .I want to see more successful applicants!!
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I got accepted at NC State!!! Is anyone in here going to be at NC State too? Looking forward to meet some classmates through this forum before the Welcome Reception. I am 23 years old, my BS is in Marine Biology and my GRE score was kind of low,...., well, very low compared with the expected scores out there (972). However, my GPA is 3.62, have done research a bunch of times (REUs --> ITES El Verde Field Station {Ecology related} & The Whitney Laboratory for Marine Biosciences at St. Augustine, FL, and went to the Vetward Bound Program at Michigan State University), attended to 5 symposiums --> ABCRMS (Austin, Texas and Orlando, FL), ASLO (Nice, France) and two Simposio de Flora y Fauna (Puerto Rico). Also, the animal and veterinary experience done and President of the Marine Biology Student Association (AEBMC). I think they want a well-rounded person, have good grades but also do stuff other than your routine and degree's curriculum. I even applied to a PhD at Scripps Institute of Oceanography + 10 vet schools as Plan B. Congrats to those that have made it!
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He might have done it differently - when I worked as a vet assistant I did fecals every day, but I was taught to mix the sample in the solution, centrifuge for a few minutes, and then use a wooden stick to place a few drops on a cover slide. I wouldn't know how to do the other way except I saw it being done at several other places. Maybe that's why he was confused!
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That is a very strange method. Ive never heard of that before. Centrifugation definately common and preferred, but the purpose for placing the coverslip is its "suction" pull as you remove it, and place it on a microscope slide, gives you an adequate sample to read. Id wonder if a few drops from a wooden stir stick would be considered an adequate sample?
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Truth: YOU are so right. I work at an emergency clinic. Fecals are done however they are done few and far in b/t. To be perfectly honest I can set up a fecal and read it, But reading it takes me forever. I haven't had to do it alot so it does take me a long time.
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the vet clinic i worked at in college what GHETTO. it was in a very poor area of sacramento. the techs there were great and i learned a ton but i'm sure the way we did many things was different due to shortages of supplies ect. that being said i'm pretty good at running a fecal. only in the vet world would the ability to quickly locate parasites and their eggs in poop be something to be happy about.
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I work in an emergency vet office. I do fecal floats and direct smears at least once a week.
Although I have never given a single vaccination.
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I work as an emergency tech (night shift) and we do fecals all the time (multiple a night), granted we are a very busy hospital
example: eclampsia, we do them as prev for the pups
emergency surgery, part of the pre-op
bloody diarrhea vomiting, typical
strays that are brought in that are hit by car or other, typical physical exam
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Well, once a week is well less than at a typical day practice, still.
Serious discussion of the frequency at which we look at poop and poop related objects: something to file under "You know you're a pre-vet when..." for sure...
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1st time applicant, 21, New Jersey resident
Applied: Penn, Tufts, RVC, Melbourne, Massey, Edinburgh, Sydney
Interviewed: Tufts, RVC, Penn
Accepted: RVC, Melbourne, Sydney, Edinburgh, Tufts, Massey
Waitlisted: Penn, later accepted off of waitlist
So no rejections after all!
Degree: Bio major
GPA: 3.76
Science GPA: 3.8
Last 45: 3.8
GRE: 700Q, 540V, 5.0 AW (my percentile scores-the scores that actually matter- were in the mid-70s I think)
Experience:
about 500 small animal as a vet tech/assistant
about 150 shadowing equine vets
about 100 lab animal
volunteer at a shelter- about 100 hours
raised a Seeing Eye Dog
Extracurriculars/other work:
tutored high school students in the city in math and English
taught a short course on NMR and IR to high school students interested in math and science
LORs:
Two from professors in the Bio dept.
One from SA vet
Applied: Penn, Tufts, RVC, Melbourne, Massey, Edinburgh, Sydney
Interviewed: Tufts, RVC, Penn
Accepted: RVC, Melbourne, Sydney, Edinburgh, Tufts, Massey
Waitlisted: Penn, later accepted off of waitlist
So no rejections after all!
Degree: Bio major
GPA: 3.76
Science GPA: 3.8
Last 45: 3.8
GRE: 700Q, 540V, 5.0 AW (my percentile scores-the scores that actually matter- were in the mid-70s I think)
Experience:
about 500 small animal as a vet tech/assistant
about 150 shadowing equine vets
about 100 lab animal
volunteer at a shelter- about 100 hours
raised a Seeing Eye Dog
Extracurriculars/other work:
tutored high school students in the city in math and English
taught a short course on NMR and IR to high school students interested in math and science
LORs:
Two from professors in the Bio dept.
One from SA vet
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Congrats Hopefulvet!! You must be so excited!!! Looks like you're in love with the abroad schools as well!!! Where did you study abroad??? I went to Aussie, and saw some of your schools are from there...so i'm curious!!!!! Congrats again!!!
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1st time applicant, 26 year old male.
Applied to: LSU, K-State, Illinois, RVC
Interview at: LSU, K-State, RVC
Accepted to: LSU, K-State, RVC
Going to: LSU!!!!!!!!
Last 45 hour GPA: 4.0
Science GPA: 3.84
GRE Total: 1000 Writting 5.0
Experience: 800 hours small animal practice, 350 Large animal (Farm), Vol. during Katrina and Gustav!!
One thing that I think really helped me is that my wife is a DVM!
Applied to: LSU, K-State, Illinois, RVC
Interview at: LSU, K-State, RVC
Accepted to: LSU, K-State, RVC
Going to: LSU!!!!!!!!
Last 45 hour GPA: 4.0
Science GPA: 3.84
GRE Total: 1000 Writting 5.0
Experience: 800 hours small animal practice, 350 Large animal (Farm), Vol. during Katrina and Gustav!!
One thing that I think really helped me is that my wife is a DVM!
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Lurker for about 3 weeks (actually had never heard of SDN until an advisor told me to check out the interview feedback section); first time poster...
32 y.o. female, first time applicant
Rejected: Colorado State, VMRCVM, Wisconsin
Accepted w/o Interview; Michigan State
Interviewed and Accepted: Washington State
Interviewed and Waiting: Illinois, Minnesota
Waiting: NCSU, Penn
Undergrad GPA: 2.7
I have been taking classes part-time for the last 5 years to get in all my pre-reqs. I was a chem major for undergrad, so the only biology I had was an Evolution elective. I have taken about 60 credit hours since 2003 with a 4.0 GPA. This has raised my overall GPA to 3.2-something.
GRE: 790 verbal, 750 math, 4.5 writing
Experience:
~900 small animal kennel asst/tech work as a volunteer
~150 shadowing large animal (mostly equine) ambulatory vet
~250 wildlife rehab volunteer
And 40 hours per week times 6 years as a research asst doing clinical research (in humans); have been published as lead author; Was a research chemist for 4 years prior to this.
I have been planning this career change since 2002. It has been slow and steady since I needed to work full-time, and needed a lot of biology, plus other random pre-reqs like business classes and english composition. I didn't want to quit my job, so all of my animal experience has been on the side in addition to work and school. I have taken 1 or 2 classes each semester. Mostly 1 science +/- 1 random at a time. I have had my entire schedule mapped out for the last 6 years, including applying for fall '09 admission and 2013 graduation, and am thrilled to be accepted! I now just really want to know where I will be living for the next 4 years, and how much it is going to cost me...
I hope to inspire other people with crappy GPAs, and people who have to work so are unable to do the heavy courseload semesters. I goofed off a LOT during my undergrad. Fortunately, I went to an excellent school, so my crappy GPA there probably doesn't hurt me as much as it would if it were from a not-so-great school. Still, it is really hard to recover from a low GPA, as the small bump from 2.7 to 3.2 after 60-some more credit hours shows. Also fortunately, I had amazing experiences and have amazing friends from all those goofing off times. I truly have no regrets.
Unsolicited advice for those who are still young: Go to class!!!! It is amazing how important that is, even if you are sick, tired, angry, hungover, would rather be at a party, whatever... It makes a world of difference! (But if you are sick, please don't sit next to me. )
32 y.o. female, first time applicant
Rejected: Colorado State, VMRCVM, Wisconsin
Accepted w/o Interview; Michigan State
Interviewed and Accepted: Washington State
Interviewed and Waiting: Illinois, Minnesota
Waiting: NCSU, Penn
Undergrad GPA: 2.7
I have been taking classes part-time for the last 5 years to get in all my pre-reqs. I was a chem major for undergrad, so the only biology I had was an Evolution elective. I have taken about 60 credit hours since 2003 with a 4.0 GPA. This has raised my overall GPA to 3.2-something.
GRE: 790 verbal, 750 math, 4.5 writing
Experience:
~900 small animal kennel asst/tech work as a volunteer
~150 shadowing large animal (mostly equine) ambulatory vet
~250 wildlife rehab volunteer
And 40 hours per week times 6 years as a research asst doing clinical research (in humans); have been published as lead author; Was a research chemist for 4 years prior to this.
I have been planning this career change since 2002. It has been slow and steady since I needed to work full-time, and needed a lot of biology, plus other random pre-reqs like business classes and english composition. I didn't want to quit my job, so all of my animal experience has been on the side in addition to work and school. I have taken 1 or 2 classes each semester. Mostly 1 science +/- 1 random at a time. I have had my entire schedule mapped out for the last 6 years, including applying for fall '09 admission and 2013 graduation, and am thrilled to be accepted! I now just really want to know where I will be living for the next 4 years, and how much it is going to cost me...
I hope to inspire other people with crappy GPAs, and people who have to work so are unable to do the heavy courseload semesters. I goofed off a LOT during my undergrad. Fortunately, I went to an excellent school, so my crappy GPA there probably doesn't hurt me as much as it would if it were from a not-so-great school. Still, it is really hard to recover from a low GPA, as the small bump from 2.7 to 3.2 after 60-some more credit hours shows. Also fortunately, I had amazing experiences and have amazing friends from all those goofing off times. I truly have no regrets.
Unsolicited advice for those who are still young: Go to class!!!! It is amazing how important that is, even if you are sick, tired, angry, hungover, would rather be at a party, whatever... It makes a world of difference! (But if you are sick, please don't sit next to me.
)
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26 year old female
1st time applicant (non-traditional applicant)
Interview: Tufts, University of Illinois, University of Minnesota,
Accepted: Wisconsin, Tufts, Michigan State, University of Illinois Urbana Champaign, University of Minnesota
Waiting: University of Pennsylvannia (expecting a rejection)
Rejected: VMRCVM
GPA: 3.84 (at time of application)
Last 45: 4.0
Science: 4.0
GRE: 1320 (610 V, 710 Q, 4.5 W)
Vet Experience:
~1300 hours at a small animal clinic and small animal shelter
~300 hrs research
~Job shadowing -80 hrs equine, 25 hrs zoo vet, 25 hrs large animal vet (to get an idea of the field in general and what I am interested in)
Animal Experience:
Research assistant at some bio labs, intensive care for cows for VADs experiment, fostering, rehabilitation, herpetological society and animal sitter. My animal experiences were with a large variety of animals, including poultry, goats, sheep, equine, bovine, rodents, fish and invertebrates, dogs and cats.
Employment:
Graphic Designer
(Undergrad)Graphic design Intern, Computer Lab Monitor, Bursar's office
Honors and Awards:
(Post Bacc)
Dean's List (every semester)
Honors College
(Undergrad)
Graduated magna cum Laude
President's List (every semester)
4-year merit scholarship
International design award (The One Show)
Some design awards
Some sports awards
Community Activities
Ran the Stockholm Marathon and the Chicago Half Marathon
(Post Bacc)
President of the Pre-Vet Club
Secretary of the Tau Sigma National Honor Society
Board member of SSA
Shelter Volunteer Trainer
(Undergrad)
Teacher's Assistant
Volunteer notetaker for hearing impaired
Recycling club
Class representative
(I even mentioned stuff from high school that I am too embarassed to post here)
LOR:
Veterinarian from the shelter I volunteer at
Professor from the lab where I was a research assistant
Professor from a Biology class I took and had talked to about vet school a lot.
I think what helped me were my diverse life experiences. I was able to explain how each of my life experiences helped me to gain skills necessary to be a veterinarian. I made an effort to get a wide variety of experiences with different kinds of animals both in the US and abroad. Which gave me a basis to explain that not only did I understood the field of veterinary medicine as a whole, I also understood that it is a global field that affects both humans and animals.
I hope that non -trads see how valuable their experiences are and use them to explain their strengths in their applications and interviews.
Good luck to all the applicants applying this year!!!!
1st time applicant (non-traditional applicant)
Interview: Tufts, University of Illinois, University of Minnesota,
Accepted: Wisconsin, Tufts, Michigan State, University of Illinois Urbana Champaign, University of Minnesota
Waiting: University of Pennsylvannia (expecting a rejection)
Rejected: VMRCVM
GPA: 3.84 (at time of application)
Last 45: 4.0
Science: 4.0
GRE: 1320 (610 V, 710 Q, 4.5 W)
Vet Experience:
~1300 hours at a small animal clinic and small animal shelter
~300 hrs research
~Job shadowing -80 hrs equine, 25 hrs zoo vet, 25 hrs large animal vet (to get an idea of the field in general and what I am interested in)
Animal Experience:
Research assistant at some bio labs, intensive care for cows for VADs experiment, fostering, rehabilitation, herpetological society and animal sitter. My animal experiences were with a large variety of animals, including poultry, goats, sheep, equine, bovine, rodents, fish and invertebrates, dogs and cats.
Employment:
Graphic Designer
(Undergrad)Graphic design Intern, Computer Lab Monitor, Bursar's office
Honors and Awards:
(Post Bacc)
Dean's List (every semester)
Honors College
(Undergrad)
Graduated magna cum Laude
President's List (every semester)
4-year merit scholarship
International design award (The One Show)
Some design awards
Some sports awards
Community Activities
Ran the Stockholm Marathon and the Chicago Half Marathon
(Post Bacc)
President of the Pre-Vet Club
Secretary of the Tau Sigma National Honor Society
Board member of SSA
Shelter Volunteer Trainer
(Undergrad)
Teacher's Assistant
Volunteer notetaker for hearing impaired
Recycling club
Class representative
(I even mentioned stuff from high school that I am too embarassed to post here
)LOR:
Veterinarian from the shelter I volunteer at
Professor from the lab where I was a research assistant
Professor from a Biology class I took and had talked to about vet school a lot.
I think what helped me were my diverse life experiences. I was able to explain how each of my life experiences helped me to gain skills necessary to be a veterinarian. I made an effort to get a wide variety of experiences with different kinds of animals both in the US and abroad. Which gave me a basis to explain that not only did I understood the field of veterinary medicine as a whole, I also understood that it is a global field that affects both humans and animals.
I hope that non -trads see how valuable their experiences are and use them to explain their strengths in their applications and interviews.
Good luck to all the applicants applying this year!!!!
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- Nov 28, 2008
- Messages
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just updated my thing! I am so proud of my Tufts acceptance! And to top it all off, I got an interview invite from Penn today too!!!
- Joined
- Mar 5, 2008
- Messages
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- Joined
- Feb 23, 2009
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Lurker for about 3 weeks (actually had never heard of SDN until an advisor told me to check out the interview feedback section); first time poster...
32 y.o. female, first time applicant
Rejected: Colorado State, VMRCVM, Wisconsin
Accepted w/o Interview; Michigan State
Interviewed and Accepted: Washington State
Interviewed and Waiting: Illinois, Minnesota
Waiting: NCSU, Penn
I hope to inspire other people with crappy GPAs, and people who have to work so are unable to do the heavy courseload semesters. I goofed off a LOT during my undergrad. Fortunately, I went to an excellent school, so my crappy GPA there probably doesn't hurt me as much as it would if it were from a not-so-great school. Still, it is really hard to recover from a low GPA, as the small bump from 2.7 to 3.2 after 60-some more credit hours shows. Also fortunately, I had amazing experiences and have amazing friends from all those goofing off times. I truly have no regrets.
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Hey congrats on everything. Very Cool! I as well am eagerly awaiting MN's decisions. I really liked what I saw when I interviewed there last weekend.
Kai
a 30 something returner and accepted vet student for next year myself (WI so far).
- Joined
- Nov 28, 2008
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post your stats guppy!! you got in, you have bragging rights now!
2nd time applicant, 22 yo male, MD resident
Applied: Illinois, VA-MD, Ross
Interview: Illinois, VA-MD, Ross
Rejected: Illinois, VA-MD
Accepted: Ross
Degree: Bioengineering from Pitt
GPA: 3.50
Last 45: 3.76
Science GPA: 3.33
GRE: 520 Q, 750 V, 4 AW
Experience:
~550 hours of small animal tech experience
~150 volunteer hours of surgical experience
~40 hours of shadowing ultrasound vet
~150 hours of research experience with round/hook/giardia
~120 hours of research experience with biomaterials
~200 hours of orthopedic medical device design experience
~1000 hours of medical device regulatory experience (not on VMCAS application)
LOR
2 Vets from the small animal hospital I worked in
1 from Senior Design Professor
Applied: Illinois, VA-MD, Ross
Interview: Illinois, VA-MD, Ross
Rejected: Illinois, VA-MD
Accepted: Ross
Degree: Bioengineering from Pitt
GPA: 3.50
Last 45: 3.76
Science GPA: 3.33
GRE: 520 Q, 750 V, 4 AW
Experience:
~550 hours of small animal tech experience
~150 volunteer hours of surgical experience
~40 hours of shadowing ultrasound vet
~150 hours of research experience with round/hook/giardia
~120 hours of research experience with biomaterials
~200 hours of orthopedic medical device design experience
~1000 hours of medical device regulatory experience (not on VMCAS application)
LOR
2 Vets from the small animal hospital I worked in
1 from Senior Design Professor
