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Now I want to hear your most uncomfortable story. Shock me.
Successful Applicant Class of 2013
- Thread starter BayleeVet2B
- Start date
Now I want to hear your most uncomfortable story. Shock me.
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- Mar 12, 2008
- Messages
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Consider my curiosity piqued! 🙂
Maybe you can tell us a more 'tame' one? If vnair want's the worst, maybe you can PM him. Lol. We don't need XXX here on the pre-vet thread... even if it's the funny kind... haha.
Maybe you can tell us a more 'tame' one? If vnair want's the worst, maybe you can PM him. Lol. We don't need XXX here on the pre-vet thread... even if it's the funny kind... haha.
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- Sep 8, 2006
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Seconded! DOOOO ITT!!!
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22 y.o. female, 1st time applicant, FL resident
Applied: UF, Kansas State, Ohio State
Interview: UF, Kansas State, Ohio State
Accepted: UF, Kansas State, Ohio State
Attending: UF!
UG Degree: B.S. in Zoology from UF
GPA: 3.5ish (3.46 on VMCAS, 3.53 after fall semester - 4.0, woo!)
Science: I'll look it up and edit this later.. a little under 3.5 if I recall correctly
GRE: 1350 (580V, 770Q, 5.0W)
Veterinary Experience:
-450 hours at a small animal hospital (vet tech)
-720 hours at a small animal/exotics/emergency hospital (Kennel -> tech/emergency)
-50 hours volunteering at that SA/exotics hospital back in the day
-22 hours Large Animal Research (ponies)
-29 hours Small Animal Research (puppies)
-25 hours volunteering at a TNR program for feral cats
Research Experience:
-2 jobs listed above...neither were my own research, both were at UFCVM
-Not on VMCAS, but I took a ton of research-based zoology classes, nothing to get published, but little independent research projects. Anyway, research came up in all 3 of my interviews and I had enough of a background to sound competent (at least I think I did..) when asked.
Animal Experience:
-75 hours volunteering at Humane Societies
-525 hours volunteering with Rabbit Rescue
-40 hours volunteering at Retirement Home for Horses
-15 hours (at time of application) volunteering at a private pet rescue
-10 hours volunteering at a Primate Sanctuary
Employment
-600 hours as a summer camp counselor (ages 3-7)
-500 hours substitute teaching (pre-K through 8th grade)
Honors/Awards:
-National Merit Scholar
-A few random high school awards (Band, French competition, science fair, etc.)
-APVMA Club Project Award (published in "pet project" that won the award at 2006 Symposium)
-UF Honors Program
Extracurricular:
-Pre-vet Club President (08-09), Vice President (07-08), Pet Project Coordinator (06-07)
-Tons of high school clubs -- French Club President, National Honor Society Historian, Marching Band Librarian, Graduation Committee, Inter-Club Council, Math Club, more band stuff
-Intramural Flag Football
-APVMA Symposiums (attended 06-07, helped coordinate 08)
-Sunday School Teacher
-Blah, Blah, Blah....
LORs
-Vet at the SA Hospital I worked at last summer
-Vet from the other SA/exotics/emergency clinic I worked at
-Zoology professor
I've been waiting to post in here until I heard from UF, so I didn't jinx myself. I really have no idea how I didn't open any rejection letters the past few months. It boggles my mind. Anyway, there you have it.
Applied: UF, Kansas State, Ohio State
Interview: UF, Kansas State, Ohio State
Accepted: UF, Kansas State, Ohio State
Attending: UF!
UG Degree: B.S. in Zoology from UF
GPA: 3.5ish (3.46 on VMCAS, 3.53 after fall semester - 4.0, woo!)
Science: I'll look it up and edit this later.. a little under 3.5 if I recall correctly
GRE: 1350 (580V, 770Q, 5.0W)
Veterinary Experience:
-450 hours at a small animal hospital (vet tech)
-720 hours at a small animal/exotics/emergency hospital (Kennel -> tech/emergency)
-50 hours volunteering at that SA/exotics hospital back in the day
-22 hours Large Animal Research (ponies)
-29 hours Small Animal Research (puppies)
-25 hours volunteering at a TNR program for feral cats
Research Experience:
-2 jobs listed above...neither were my own research, both were at UFCVM
-Not on VMCAS, but I took a ton of research-based zoology classes, nothing to get published, but little independent research projects. Anyway, research came up in all 3 of my interviews and I had enough of a background to sound competent (at least I think I did..) when asked.
Animal Experience:
-75 hours volunteering at Humane Societies
-525 hours volunteering with Rabbit Rescue
-40 hours volunteering at Retirement Home for Horses
-15 hours (at time of application) volunteering at a private pet rescue
-10 hours volunteering at a Primate Sanctuary
Employment
-600 hours as a summer camp counselor (ages 3-7)
-500 hours substitute teaching (pre-K through 8th grade)
Honors/Awards:
-National Merit Scholar
-A few random high school awards (Band, French competition, science fair, etc.)
-APVMA Club Project Award (published in "pet project" that won the award at 2006 Symposium)
-UF Honors Program
Extracurricular:
-Pre-vet Club President (08-09), Vice President (07-08), Pet Project Coordinator (06-07)
-Tons of high school clubs -- French Club President, National Honor Society Historian, Marching Band Librarian, Graduation Committee, Inter-Club Council, Math Club, more band stuff
-Intramural Flag Football
-APVMA Symposiums (attended 06-07, helped coordinate 08)
-Sunday School Teacher
-Blah, Blah, Blah....
LORs
-Vet at the SA Hospital I worked at last summer
-Vet from the other SA/exotics/emergency clinic I worked at
-Zoology professor
I've been waiting to post in here until I heard from UF, so I didn't jinx myself. I really have no idea how I didn't open any rejection letters the past few months. It boggles my mind. Anyway, there you have it.
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- Apr 22, 2008
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zing! love it.
OncoBanana, was it Good Vibes? they have such great staff there! they are very nice about turning off the display vibrating toys when i push the buttons and can't figure out how to turn them off. yep, there's my story, to break the ice!
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- Dec 5, 2008
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- 212
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Haha, thanks! Trust me, I'm as, if not more surprised, than everyone else.
- Joined
- Feb 17, 2009
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21 y.o. male, 1st time applicant, CA resident
Applied: UC Davis
Interview: UC Davis
Accepted: UC Davis
Attending: UC Davis
UG Degree: B.S. Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior from UC Davis(Graduate in June)
GPA: 4.0
Science: 4.0
GRE: 600V, 710Q, 5.0W
Veterinary Experience:
-1800 hours at a large specialty small animal hospital working as kennel, assistant in ER and ICU, and a tech in ICW. This experience was key, because I was exposed to just about every relevant small animal specialty and interacted with 20+ doctors, several interns from all over the U.S., vet students from UC Davis, and tons of other techs (some of which had applied previously).
-Shadowed a board certified neurologist (the focus of my personal statement was my interest in neurology)
Employment
-Worked as a bookkeeper for a website that advertised for home appraisers
-Worked at Papa Murphy's Pizza.
-Currently work as a yardman for a daycare ran by my girlfriend's mom.
Honors/Awards:
-The only award I included was a scholarship I received. I don't know if I was on the Dean's List or whatever, and I didn't even think about that until I read it here after I applied (I found this website a few days before my interview). Oh well, I got in!
Extracurricular:
-Didn't include anything, but I thought of a few things after I already sent in my application 😳. For example, I have raced outlaw karts my whole life (which is where my name comes from, my number was 1a). I honestly don't know how I forgot to include this in my application...
LORs
-2 Vets from the hospital I worked at
-My girlfriend's mom (she runs the daycare I work for)
I decided to have my girlfriend's mom write the LOR for me because I felt she knew me better than anyone else, and had seen me in a working environment.
Applied: UC Davis
Interview: UC Davis
Accepted: UC Davis
Attending: UC Davis
UG Degree: B.S. Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior from UC Davis(Graduate in June)
GPA: 4.0
Science: 4.0
GRE: 600V, 710Q, 5.0W
Veterinary Experience:
-1800 hours at a large specialty small animal hospital working as kennel, assistant in ER and ICU, and a tech in ICW. This experience was key, because I was exposed to just about every relevant small animal specialty and interacted with 20+ doctors, several interns from all over the U.S., vet students from UC Davis, and tons of other techs (some of which had applied previously).
-Shadowed a board certified neurologist (the focus of my personal statement was my interest in neurology)
Employment
-Worked as a bookkeeper for a website that advertised for home appraisers
-Worked at Papa Murphy's Pizza.
-Currently work as a yardman for a daycare ran by my girlfriend's mom.
Honors/Awards:
-The only award I included was a scholarship I received. I don't know if I was on the Dean's List or whatever, and I didn't even think about that until I read it here after I applied (I found this website a few days before my interview). Oh well, I got in!
Extracurricular:
-Didn't include anything, but I thought of a few things after I already sent in my application 😳. For example, I have raced outlaw karts my whole life (which is where my name comes from, my number was 1a). I honestly don't know how I forgot to include this in my application...
LORs
-2 Vets from the hospital I worked at
-My girlfriend's mom (she runs the daycare I work for)
I decided to have my girlfriend's mom write the LOR for me because I felt she knew me better than anyone else, and had seen me in a working environment.
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Im pretty sure my Gf's mom would have told them to reject me...🙁 Im glad it worked out for you though.
- Joined
- Jun 23, 2008
- Messages
- 537
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- 82
I just wanted to tell you thank you. I am a non-trad student in pre-vet. Back when I did my undergrad, I did not do it for myself. I did it for my parents who had not finished college. Now I have to overcome a mediocre GPA in addition to working, raising my kids and the rescue work that I do. I have known for a long time that I needed to do this for me and now I finally can. Grades are not my strong point nor do they give a complete picture of someone. So thank you for bravely posting your information here.
- Joined
- Mar 22, 2009
- Messages
- 24
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- 0
24yo female, 2nd time applicant, FL resident
Applied: University of Florida
Interview: University of Florida
Accepted: University of Florida
Attending: University of Florida
UG Degree: B.S. in Animal Science 2006 from the University of New Hampshire
GPA: 3.0
Science: 3.2
GRE: 560V, 640Q, 4.5W
Veterinary Experience/Animal Experience:
-Full-time veterinary technician for 2 1/2 years (4800 hours) at an internal medicine and oncology referral hospital
-200 volunteer hours at a zoo hospital as a veterinary technician
-500 hours at a cat-only practice as veterinary assistant
-500 hours at a humane society as a kennel tech
-800 hours at a marine animal rescue and rehabilitation center as an animal care/veterinary technician
Employment
-Gymnastics instructor for 6 years
-Waitress at a pizza and italian restaurant for 3 years
Honors/Awards:
-Received a grant from my university for undergraduate research
-Spoke at the Undergraduate Research Conference about my project
Extracurricular:
-I run distance races. Most recently in the Disney Marathon.
LORs
-Chief of Medicine at the Internal Medicine/Onco Hospital
-My research advisor from school
-Zoo vet
Applied: University of Florida
Interview: University of Florida
Accepted: University of Florida
Attending: University of Florida
UG Degree: B.S. in Animal Science 2006 from the University of New Hampshire
GPA: 3.0
Science: 3.2
GRE: 560V, 640Q, 4.5W
Veterinary Experience/Animal Experience:
-Full-time veterinary technician for 2 1/2 years (4800 hours) at an internal medicine and oncology referral hospital
-200 volunteer hours at a zoo hospital as a veterinary technician
-500 hours at a cat-only practice as veterinary assistant
-500 hours at a humane society as a kennel tech
-800 hours at a marine animal rescue and rehabilitation center as an animal care/veterinary technician
Employment
-Gymnastics instructor for 6 years
-Waitress at a pizza and italian restaurant for 3 years
Honors/Awards:
-Received a grant from my university for undergraduate research
-Spoke at the Undergraduate Research Conference about my project
Extracurricular:
-I run distance races. Most recently in the Disney Marathon.
LORs
-Chief of Medicine at the Internal Medicine/Onco Hospital
-My research advisor from school
-Zoo vet
- Joined
- Sep 16, 2007
- Messages
- 131
- Reaction score
- 0
This is me!
22 year old female, 1st time applicant, Texas resident
Applied: Texas A&M, Tufts, UC Davis, CSU, UTK, UPenn, UF
Interview: Texas A&M, Tufts, UTK (declined), UF (declined)
Rejected: UPenn, UC Davis, CSU
Accepted: Texas A&M, Tufts
Attending: Texas A&M!!
UG Degree: B.S. in Biology, minor in Chemistry
GPA: 4.0
GRE: 1280 (610V, 670Q, 5.0A)
Veterinary Experience:
~700 small animal
~50 large animal
~50 exotics
Research Experience:
~300 doing research on toxicology in benthic environments
~1,200 for undergraduate thesis; did histology research on the closure of the ductus arteriosus in emu birds
Animal Experience:
~300 as a kennel technician
Honors/Awards:
-Graduated Summa Cum Laude
-Best overall research poster at graduate research conference
-President's List
-Academic scholarship
Extracurricular:
-Honors College involvement
-Tutor for Organic Chemistry I & II
-Participated in/coached gymnastics
-Participated in/coached springboard diving
-Counselor/mentor for incoming freshmen & various school leadership roles
eLORs:
-Veterinarian that I worked for - DVM
-Research Mentor that I did my thesis under - Ph.D.
-PPAC committee letter with several professors and health professions advisors - Ph.D.
hlkcirdnek, yay for gymnastics coaches!! 😀
22 year old female, 1st time applicant, Texas resident
Applied: Texas A&M, Tufts, UC Davis, CSU, UTK, UPenn, UF
Interview: Texas A&M, Tufts, UTK (declined), UF (declined)
Rejected: UPenn, UC Davis, CSU
Accepted: Texas A&M, Tufts
Attending: Texas A&M!!
UG Degree: B.S. in Biology, minor in Chemistry
GPA: 4.0
GRE: 1280 (610V, 670Q, 5.0A)
Veterinary Experience:
~700 small animal
~50 large animal
~50 exotics
Research Experience:
~300 doing research on toxicology in benthic environments
~1,200 for undergraduate thesis; did histology research on the closure of the ductus arteriosus in emu birds
Animal Experience:
~300 as a kennel technician
Honors/Awards:
-Graduated Summa Cum Laude
-Best overall research poster at graduate research conference
-President's List
-Academic scholarship
Extracurricular:
-Honors College involvement
-Tutor for Organic Chemistry I & II
-Participated in/coached gymnastics
-Participated in/coached springboard diving
-Counselor/mentor for incoming freshmen & various school leadership roles
eLORs:
-Veterinarian that I worked for - DVM
-Research Mentor that I did my thesis under - Ph.D.
-PPAC committee letter with several professors and health professions advisors - Ph.D.
hlkcirdnek, yay for gymnastics coaches!! 😀
- Joined
- May 28, 2008
- Messages
- 389
- Reaction score
- 3
27 yo F here, 1st time applicant...
Applied: Davis, Oregon, Colorado, Iowa, Oklahoma, Wisconsin, Illinois, Penn
Interviewed: Davis, Iowa, Illinois, Penn
Accepted: Penn, Illinois, Oklahoma, Davis
Waitlisted: Iowa, Wisconsin, Oregon
Rejected: Colorado
Attending: UC DAVIS SVM!!!😀
UG Degree: B.A. w/Honors in Sociology from UC Berkeley (2003)
Other Degree: Higher National Certificate in Equine Studies from Warwickshire College, UK (2004 - equivalent to Associate's degree)
GPA: 3.76 undergrad, 3.53 overall per UIUC (thanks England, for not having grade inflation! My UK transcript is 40 units of straight "B"!)
Science: 3.50 per UIUC
Last 45: 3.63 per Penn, Last 30ish: 3.7 per Wisconsin
GRE: 660V, 760Q, 4.0 Writing (I have never gotten anything less than an A- in any kind of writing class, and then I got that score on the GRE writing section!? what?!
)
Veterinary Experience:
-2000 hours small animal ER Nurse, (2 years, 2-3 days/week) I worked my way up from the laundry-folding ass't. to fairly competent ECC nurse 😀.
-600 (at time of app) hours as the Americorps Project Ass't for Veterinary Street Outreach Services, where I basically (with the help of some awesome volunteers and an uh-mazing co-worker 😉) organized and ran 1-2 free clinics per month serving homeless pet guardiansin San Francisco.
-100 hours shadowing local equine vets
Animal Experience:
-5 years riding horses professionally (10,000+ hrs), in CA and the UK, including 2 yrs running my own business and 3 yrs coaching the UC Davis IHSA H/J Team.
Employment
-see above. Never had a job that didn't involve animals, except for 5 months where I worked in medical records in a human OB/GYN. Didn't list that on VMCAS.
Honors/Awards:
-Tri-Varsity Athlete x 2 years in high school (yay varsity riding team!)
-Captain's Cup high school equestrian team
-High Point Equitation Award (high school team)
-Horsemanship Award (high school team)
-Honor roll x jr & sr year of high school (1st high school didn't have honor roll)
-Graduated cum laude from high school
-Dean's List all semesters at UC Berkeley
-Phi Beta Kappa
-High Honors w/Distinction in General Scholarship on graduation
Extracurricular:
-Volunteered for theraputic riding program one summer in high-school
-Volunteered for Bay Area Alternative Press for a yr in college.
-Involved with a couple local dog rescues as a foster mom.
-USDAA and CPE dog agility competitor.
LORs
-Emergency vet at my SA hospital. Temperamental genius, I 😍 him. I was terrified to ask for the LOR, and he has been nothing but amazingly encouraging and supportive every since.
-Biochem/Gen Chem 2 prof (only prof I've ever had for more than 1 semester, except for my sociology thesis advisor!) she is also an adcom for a local pharmacy school so I figured she'd know how to write a good LOR (plus she gave me A's!)
-Ex-employer/professional acquaintance-- a local dressage trainer who I first worked alongside at a facility, then I worked for her a few years later. She has known me for about 8 years both personally and professionally, and could give good insight into my interest in equine medicine (I indicated a "mixed" or "sa/equine" track in my PS).
PS
-I focused on directly relating my animal/vet experience to my areas of interest in vet med. I also discussed my non-trad academic background and my work with VET SOS, and how through this program I have found a way to combine the two. I specified interests in specialty medicine such as ECC, Radiology, Equine Sports Med as well as a dedication to volunteer/service work in the future. Happy to share if anyone's interested, pm me.
Applied: Davis, Oregon, Colorado, Iowa, Oklahoma, Wisconsin, Illinois, Penn
Interviewed: Davis, Iowa, Illinois, Penn
Accepted: Penn, Illinois, Oklahoma, Davis
Waitlisted: Iowa, Wisconsin, Oregon
Rejected: Colorado
Attending: UC DAVIS SVM!!!😀
UG Degree: B.A. w/Honors in Sociology from UC Berkeley (2003)
Other Degree: Higher National Certificate in Equine Studies from Warwickshire College, UK (2004 - equivalent to Associate's degree)
GPA: 3.76 undergrad, 3.53 overall per UIUC (thanks England, for not having grade inflation! My UK transcript is 40 units of straight "B"!)
Science: 3.50 per UIUC
Last 45: 3.63 per Penn, Last 30ish: 3.7 per Wisconsin
GRE: 660V, 760Q, 4.0 Writing (I have never gotten anything less than an A- in any kind of writing class, and then I got that score on the GRE writing section!? what?!
)Veterinary Experience:
-2000 hours small animal ER Nurse, (2 years, 2-3 days/week) I worked my way up from the laundry-folding ass't. to fairly competent ECC nurse 😀.
-600 (at time of app) hours as the Americorps Project Ass't for Veterinary Street Outreach Services, where I basically (with the help of some awesome volunteers and an uh-mazing co-worker 😉) organized and ran 1-2 free clinics per month serving homeless pet guardiansin San Francisco.
-100 hours shadowing local equine vets
Animal Experience:
-5 years riding horses professionally (10,000+ hrs), in CA and the UK, including 2 yrs running my own business and 3 yrs coaching the UC Davis IHSA H/J Team.
Employment
-see above. Never had a job that didn't involve animals, except for 5 months where I worked in medical records in a human OB/GYN. Didn't list that on VMCAS.
Honors/Awards:
-Tri-Varsity Athlete x 2 years in high school (yay varsity riding team!)
-Captain's Cup high school equestrian team
-High Point Equitation Award (high school team)
-Horsemanship Award (high school team)
-Honor roll x jr & sr year of high school (1st high school didn't have honor roll)
-Graduated cum laude from high school
-Dean's List all semesters at UC Berkeley
-Phi Beta Kappa
-High Honors w/Distinction in General Scholarship on graduation
Extracurricular:
-Volunteered for theraputic riding program one summer in high-school
-Volunteered for Bay Area Alternative Press for a yr in college.
-Involved with a couple local dog rescues as a foster mom.
-USDAA and CPE dog agility competitor.
LORs
-Emergency vet at my SA hospital. Temperamental genius, I 😍 him. I was terrified to ask for the LOR, and he has been nothing but amazingly encouraging and supportive every since.
-Biochem/Gen Chem 2 prof (only prof I've ever had for more than 1 semester, except for my sociology thesis advisor!) she is also an adcom for a local pharmacy school so I figured she'd know how to write a good LOR (plus she gave me A's!)
-Ex-employer/professional acquaintance-- a local dressage trainer who I first worked alongside at a facility, then I worked for her a few years later. She has known me for about 8 years both personally and professionally, and could give good insight into my interest in equine medicine (I indicated a "mixed" or "sa/equine" track in my PS).
PS
-I focused on directly relating my animal/vet experience to my areas of interest in vet med. I also discussed my non-trad academic background and my work with VET SOS, and how through this program I have found a way to combine the two. I specified interests in specialty medicine such as ECC, Radiology, Equine Sports Med as well as a dedication to volunteer/service work in the future. Happy to share if anyone's interested, pm me.
Last edited:
- Joined
- May 28, 2008
- Messages
- 389
- Reaction score
- 3
You are a ROCKSTAR 
- Joined
- Sep 23, 2007
- Messages
- 358
- Reaction score
- 0
32 yo F, NON-TRAD, 2nd time applicant, Florida resident ...
Applied: Minn, Iowa, Illinois, Purdue, Mississippi, KSU, CSU, UF (IS), Ross
Interviewed: Ross, UF
Accepted: Ross, UF
Rejected: All but Ross and UF
Attending: UF!! 😀
UG Degree: A.A.S. in Veterinary Technology (licensed vet tech); B.S. in Biology from mediocre school in NY (2000). I attended 5 undergrad institutions before receiving my degree 9 years ago (yes, 5!) and I attended a 6th school last year to do some additional post-bacc work. So I had 6 transcripts sent out to all those schools!! 😱
GPA: ~3.33
Science: ~2.9
Last year of post-bacc: 3.65, all very hard upper level science courses
GRE: 620V, 600Q, 5.0 Writing. Took it 3 times. Those were my best scores in each section taken from 2 different tests.
Veterinary Experience:
-2.5 years small animal ER Nurse, full time, licensed in NY and FL
-2.0 years small animal general practice nurse, full time, very busy clinic w/ a lot of surgery and exotics
-Over 5000 hours of assisting various equine vets, from pleasure horses to show horses to race horses. Not just shadowing, but actual paid experience.
-I went through an excellent vet tech program that did extensive hands-on training w/ all types of farm animals at a Cornell extension education center in NY. I also had in depth lab animal training and did internships with exotics and birds. It was a unique program and I talked about it in my interview and PS.
Animal Experience:
-25 years riding, showing, training, owning and breaking horses, including several years spent working as a professional. Also taught in a handicapped riding program and did 10 years of "racehorse rehab". Started my own consulting business that matched up horses for sale w/ potential buyers, sort of a "matchmaker" service
-Worked as a stable manager at a boarding stable w/ 40+ horses
-Worked with various spay/neuter programs as a vet tech
Employment
-Besides the above animal clinics, I also worked for 3 years at a genetics research facility; was supervisor of my group; worked on huge worldwide projects such as the human, rice and mouse genomes, sequencing breast cancer tumors, dog EST's, and others. This was a BIG point of interest in my interview
-10 years bartending
-3 years as a consultant and bar manager at high end restuarants in NYC
-Antech Diagnostics 1 1/2 years full time in chemistry, hematology and serology departments
Extracurricular:
-College Equestrian Team
-Not much else: I've worked 2 to 3 jobs and hustled my TAIL off for most of my life! I have always been independent and taken care of myself; paid for my own education and my own living expenses. I discussed how this helped me develop drive and perseverance in my interview.
-I talked about hobbies (it's not good to seem so one-sided, so hobbies are important!). I like to golf, hike, go backpacking, kayaking, beachcombing, running, gardening, basically any outdoor activity.
LORs
-Two great ER docs at the practice I currently work at. They have known me over 2 years, have excellent knowledge of my skills, and were able to give detailed, thoughtful letters
-The PHD that I worked with in the genetics laboratory; also knew me extremely well. I think it's important that your LOR's are from people who KNOW you as a person and what you are capable of!!
PS
-I will PM to anyone who wants to read it. It basically describes my journey through my adult life and how I wound up applying for vet med at age 32.
Final Thoughts:
Basically, my undergrad grades sucked. They are NOT a reflection of the type of student I can be, and they are 9+ years old! I was flat out rejected from UF last year and Dean Thompson told me NOT to retake courses I had C's in, but instead pick out the hardest science classes I could find in the catalog and do well in those. I took a chance and took this approach. It worked well for UF, but all the other schools were only interested in my pre-req GPA. I have a TON of experience, and it's all extremely varied. There is hardly an animal out there that I haven't worked on (except maybe wildlife).
THE KEY FOR ME = THE INTERVIEW. I ROCKED my interview. This is where being a non-trad pays off!! After all my life experience, I know how to talk to people, and I knew exactly what to say during my interview. Plus I've been on many job interviews in several different fields so I have experience being in that situation. If anyone wants more detail or advice on interviews feel free to PM.
CONGRATS TO EVERYONE c/o 2013!!! 👍😉
Applied: Minn, Iowa, Illinois, Purdue, Mississippi, KSU, CSU, UF (IS), Ross
Interviewed: Ross, UF
Accepted: Ross, UF
Rejected: All but Ross and UF
Attending: UF!! 😀
UG Degree: A.A.S. in Veterinary Technology (licensed vet tech); B.S. in Biology from mediocre school in NY (2000). I attended 5 undergrad institutions before receiving my degree 9 years ago (yes, 5!) and I attended a 6th school last year to do some additional post-bacc work. So I had 6 transcripts sent out to all those schools!! 😱
GPA: ~3.33
Science: ~2.9
Last year of post-bacc: 3.65, all very hard upper level science courses
GRE: 620V, 600Q, 5.0 Writing. Took it 3 times. Those were my best scores in each section taken from 2 different tests.
Veterinary Experience:
-2.5 years small animal ER Nurse, full time, licensed in NY and FL
-2.0 years small animal general practice nurse, full time, very busy clinic w/ a lot of surgery and exotics
-Over 5000 hours of assisting various equine vets, from pleasure horses to show horses to race horses. Not just shadowing, but actual paid experience.
-I went through an excellent vet tech program that did extensive hands-on training w/ all types of farm animals at a Cornell extension education center in NY. I also had in depth lab animal training and did internships with exotics and birds. It was a unique program and I talked about it in my interview and PS.
Animal Experience:
-25 years riding, showing, training, owning and breaking horses, including several years spent working as a professional. Also taught in a handicapped riding program and did 10 years of "racehorse rehab". Started my own consulting business that matched up horses for sale w/ potential buyers, sort of a "matchmaker" service
-Worked as a stable manager at a boarding stable w/ 40+ horses
-Worked with various spay/neuter programs as a vet tech
Employment
-Besides the above animal clinics, I also worked for 3 years at a genetics research facility; was supervisor of my group; worked on huge worldwide projects such as the human, rice and mouse genomes, sequencing breast cancer tumors, dog EST's, and others. This was a BIG point of interest in my interview
-10 years bartending
-3 years as a consultant and bar manager at high end restuarants in NYC
-Antech Diagnostics 1 1/2 years full time in chemistry, hematology and serology departments
Extracurricular:
-College Equestrian Team
-Not much else: I've worked 2 to 3 jobs and hustled my TAIL off for most of my life! I have always been independent and taken care of myself; paid for my own education and my own living expenses. I discussed how this helped me develop drive and perseverance in my interview.
-I talked about hobbies (it's not good to seem so one-sided, so hobbies are important!). I like to golf, hike, go backpacking, kayaking, beachcombing, running, gardening, basically any outdoor activity.
LORs
-Two great ER docs at the practice I currently work at. They have known me over 2 years, have excellent knowledge of my skills, and were able to give detailed, thoughtful letters
-The PHD that I worked with in the genetics laboratory; also knew me extremely well. I think it's important that your LOR's are from people who KNOW you as a person and what you are capable of!!
PS
-I will PM to anyone who wants to read it. It basically describes my journey through my adult life and how I wound up applying for vet med at age 32.
Final Thoughts:
Basically, my undergrad grades sucked. They are NOT a reflection of the type of student I can be, and they are 9+ years old! I was flat out rejected from UF last year and Dean Thompson told me NOT to retake courses I had C's in, but instead pick out the hardest science classes I could find in the catalog and do well in those. I took a chance and took this approach. It worked well for UF, but all the other schools were only interested in my pre-req GPA. I have a TON of experience, and it's all extremely varied. There is hardly an animal out there that I haven't worked on (except maybe wildlife).
THE KEY FOR ME = THE INTERVIEW. I ROCKED my interview. This is where being a non-trad pays off!! After all my life experience, I know how to talk to people, and I knew exactly what to say during my interview. Plus I've been on many job interviews in several different fields so I have experience being in that situation. If anyone wants more detail or advice on interviews feel free to PM.
CONGRATS TO EVERYONE c/o 2013!!! 👍😉
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- Joined
- Jan 25, 2009
- Messages
- 19
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sweet, davis is gonna rock. taco truck represent!
dont have a taco, got a tundra, but I still think tacos are awesome!
- Joined
- Jan 16, 2009
- Messages
- 40
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21 y.o. female, 1st time applicant, FL resident
Applied: UF, LSU, Auburn
Interview: UF, LSU
Rejected w/o Interview: Auburn
Accepted: UF, LSU
Attending: UF 😀
UG Degree: B.S. in Animal Sciences from UF
GPA (at time of VMCAS): 3.93
Science: ~3.8-something
GRE: 1270 (570 V, 700 Q, 4.5 W)
Veterinary Experience (all volunteer!):
-294 small animal (two different military clinics)
-52 small/exotic/equine (German clinic)
-219 exotic (Zoo. Med. Dpt. at UF)
Research Experience:
-none
Animal Experience:
-540 Horse-back riding in Germany
-140 Guinea pig sitting
-2 (I had literally just started) taking care of research singing mice at UF
-15 dog walker
-8 Foal unit volunteer at UF (They like, never called me in!)
Employment
-560 Food Service Employee at UF (ARAMARK)
Honors/Awards:
-T-shirt design winner for Pre-vet club
-Published a children's novel (high school)
-Dean's List (6 semesters)
-President's Honor Roll (4 semesters)
-Girl Scout Gold Award (high school)
-Logo contest winner for 2008 symposium
-photography contest 2nd place (high school)
Extracurricular:
-Pre-vet Club Treasurer (08-09), Internet Chair (07-08), Pet Project Coordinator (06-07) (Yay Skillet ;D))
-Senior (and Junior) Class Club (high school)
-National Honor Society (high school)
-American-German Business Club (volunteered at some of their events...my Dad's the president, heh heh...)
-Drama production (High school, played some parts in the Wizard of Oz)
-National Society of Collegiate Scholars
-Girl Scouts (high school)
-German Honor Society (High school)
-Alter server (High school)
-Guest speaker at Elementary schools (about publishing a book; My mom's a teacher, so I got the hook-up 😉 )
LORs
-Vet from Zoo. Med. at UF
-My boss from my food court job (I've been there 3 years, and that's a long time for a place with such high turnover)
-Organic II professor
Personal Statement:
Aside from the normal vet stuff, definitely touched on my study abroad in Kenya summer 2008, on being born/raised in Germany and the military community.
I was worried the most about my experience (small hours and having never had a paying position, though I have been volunteering regularly since high school) but I guess I managed through (my German vet did let me neuter my Mom's cat!) so I think my GPA really helped me out a lot. Also, both UF and LSU's supplements were about "bringing diversity to the class" so I think I rocked that. Auburn's was, "Why do you want to go to Auburn?" and I think my essay for them was incredibly lame, eh heh....
Applied: UF, LSU, Auburn
Interview: UF, LSU
Rejected w/o Interview: Auburn
Accepted: UF, LSU
Attending: UF 😀
UG Degree: B.S. in Animal Sciences from UF
GPA (at time of VMCAS): 3.93
Science: ~3.8-something
GRE: 1270 (570 V, 700 Q, 4.5 W)
Veterinary Experience (all volunteer!):
-294 small animal (two different military clinics)
-52 small/exotic/equine (German clinic)
-219 exotic (Zoo. Med. Dpt. at UF)
Research Experience:
-none
Animal Experience:
-540 Horse-back riding in Germany
-140 Guinea pig sitting
-2 (I had literally just started) taking care of research singing mice at UF
-15 dog walker
-8 Foal unit volunteer at UF (They like, never called me in!)
Employment
-560 Food Service Employee at UF (ARAMARK)
Honors/Awards:
-T-shirt design winner for Pre-vet club
-Published a children's novel (high school)
-Dean's List (6 semesters)
-President's Honor Roll (4 semesters)
-Girl Scout Gold Award (high school)
-Logo contest winner for 2008 symposium
-photography contest 2nd place (high school)
Extracurricular:
-Pre-vet Club Treasurer (08-09), Internet Chair (07-08), Pet Project Coordinator (06-07) (Yay Skillet ;D))
-Senior (and Junior) Class Club (high school)
-National Honor Society (high school)
-American-German Business Club (volunteered at some of their events...my Dad's the president, heh heh...)
-Drama production (High school, played some parts in the Wizard of Oz)
-National Society of Collegiate Scholars
-Girl Scouts (high school)
-German Honor Society (High school)
-Alter server (High school)
-Guest speaker at Elementary schools (about publishing a book; My mom's a teacher, so I got the hook-up 😉 )
LORs
-Vet from Zoo. Med. at UF
-My boss from my food court job (I've been there 3 years, and that's a long time for a place with such high turnover)
-Organic II professor
Personal Statement:
Aside from the normal vet stuff, definitely touched on my study abroad in Kenya summer 2008, on being born/raised in Germany and the military community.
I was worried the most about my experience (small hours and having never had a paying position, though I have been volunteering regularly since high school) but I guess I managed through (my German vet did let me neuter my Mom's cat!) so I think my GPA really helped me out a lot. Also, both UF and LSU's supplements were about "bringing diversity to the class" so I think I rocked that. Auburn's was, "Why do you want to go to Auburn?" and I think my essay for them was incredibly lame, eh heh....
- Joined
- Jan 5, 2009
- Messages
- 396
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Congrats Splashie! 🙂
- Joined
- Dec 5, 2008
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- 212
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I would have NEVER thought to put that on there!Woo!
Congrats, Splashie. Your reward is four more years with me!!
- Joined
- Jul 3, 2008
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- 128
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24 year old female, non-trad, first time applicant, DC resident (here's to being universally OOS!).
Applied: Tufts, UPenn, VMRCVM, Iowa, Wisconsin, Illinois, Missouri, CSU, WSU, Edinburgh, RVC
Interview: Tufts, UPenn, Iowa
Interview withdrawn: VMRCVM, Illinois, Missouri, WSU, RVC
Waitlist: Wisconsin
Accepted: Tufts, CSU, UPenn, Iowa, Edinburgh
Attending: Tufts!
UG degree: B.S. in Biology from Georgetown (2007)
GPA overall: 3.73
Last 45 GPA: 3.68
Science GPA: 3.88
GRE: 560V, 690Q, 5.0W
Senior Thesis: A critical analyis of HIV and helminth co-infection (with a focus on Ascaris lumbricoides, Necator americanus, and Scistosoma spp.) in co-endemic African regions and the necessity of clean water, sanitation, and hygiene in the reduction of HIV burden. (A billion pages long, nearly killed me to write, and I never want to write again!)
Veterinary Experience:
-3500+ hours working full-time doing infectious disease policy research (focus on zoonotic diseases and biosecurity) at a public health non-profit.
-450 hours as an intern while in college working on the Board on Global Health at same public health non-profit doing various disease policy research projects.
-400 hours veterinary assistant at small animal clinic.
-10 hours shadowing equine vet (was trying really hard to get more clinical vet experience!)
-Attended Tufts Adventures in Veterinary Medicine Program in middle school (1997) and high school (2001).
Animal Experience:
-Very basic: local cat-sitting, lifetime dog-and-cat owner, years of horseback riding during childhood.
Work Experience:
-Office assistant in Georgetown's Biology department (became an expert setting up ancient light microscopes!)
-Summer spent as a Howard Hughes Research Scholar designing palm pilot software to teach infectious disease concepts to DC middle-schoolers.
-Camp counselor at sleepaway camp during college summers (Wet Hot American Summer, anyone?)
Extracurricular:
-Acappella group singer (all-female) and choir member both in high school and college.
-Copy and web editor for college newspaper. Editor of high school newspaper.
-Site leader for spring break community service trips to Appalachia.
-French immersion program in Summer 2006 to become proficient in the language.
-One year on college squash team (D3).
-Tennis team captain (high school).
-Squash team captain (high school).
Honors/Awards:
-Biology Medal (at graduation)
-Graduated magna cum laude
-Internship recipient, Georgetown Program on Science in the Public Interest
-Invited participant, Youth Leaders Summit on Global Health, "Innovative Solutions to Healthcare in Low Resoruce Settings"
-High school graduation commencement speaker
-Published article on nicotine testing deficiencies in student journal, The Triple Helix.
-Published article on limestone cave formation in mineral magaine, ExtraLapis.
LORS:
-Director of Board on Global Health at my public health job (MD/Dr.P.H.)
-Small animal vet I worked under (DVM)
-Neuroscience professor who acted as a mentor to me (Ph.D.)
-Cytology/Histology professor (Ph.D.)
I went into this process with zero expectations due to the fact that I had such limited hands-on clinical and animal experience, which is why I applied to so many schools and really doubted that I had a chance of getting in anywhere. I was the biggest naysayer. But I really emphasized by sincere interest in the One Medicine/One Health campaign and becoming a public health vet (hopefully with a focus on disease surveillance), and all of the schools were very responsive to this. My interviews were all very animated and fun. When I was a kid I was dead-set on being a small animal vet, so I like looking back on all the twists and turns that got me into this totally different path!
But as I always say on here, I COULD NOT have made it through this process without you guys, and all of your wonderful advice, suggestions, and insight! These boards saved me. 😉
Applied: Tufts, UPenn, VMRCVM, Iowa, Wisconsin, Illinois, Missouri, CSU, WSU, Edinburgh, RVC
Interview: Tufts, UPenn, Iowa
Interview withdrawn: VMRCVM, Illinois, Missouri, WSU, RVC
Waitlist: Wisconsin
Accepted: Tufts, CSU, UPenn, Iowa, Edinburgh
Attending: Tufts!
UG degree: B.S. in Biology from Georgetown (2007)
GPA overall: 3.73
Last 45 GPA: 3.68
Science GPA: 3.88
GRE: 560V, 690Q, 5.0W
Senior Thesis: A critical analyis of HIV and helminth co-infection (with a focus on Ascaris lumbricoides, Necator americanus, and Scistosoma spp.) in co-endemic African regions and the necessity of clean water, sanitation, and hygiene in the reduction of HIV burden. (A billion pages long, nearly killed me to write, and I never want to write again!)
Veterinary Experience:
-3500+ hours working full-time doing infectious disease policy research (focus on zoonotic diseases and biosecurity) at a public health non-profit.
-450 hours as an intern while in college working on the Board on Global Health at same public health non-profit doing various disease policy research projects.
-400 hours veterinary assistant at small animal clinic.
-10 hours shadowing equine vet (was trying really hard to get more clinical vet experience!)
-Attended Tufts Adventures in Veterinary Medicine Program in middle school (1997) and high school (2001).
Animal Experience:
-Very basic: local cat-sitting, lifetime dog-and-cat owner, years of horseback riding during childhood.
Work Experience:
-Office assistant in Georgetown's Biology department (became an expert setting up ancient light microscopes!)
-Summer spent as a Howard Hughes Research Scholar designing palm pilot software to teach infectious disease concepts to DC middle-schoolers.
-Camp counselor at sleepaway camp during college summers (Wet Hot American Summer, anyone?)
Extracurricular:
-Acappella group singer (all-female) and choir member both in high school and college.
-Copy and web editor for college newspaper. Editor of high school newspaper.
-Site leader for spring break community service trips to Appalachia.
-French immersion program in Summer 2006 to become proficient in the language.
-One year on college squash team (D3).
-Tennis team captain (high school).
-Squash team captain (high school).
Honors/Awards:
-Biology Medal (at graduation)
-Graduated magna cum laude
-Internship recipient, Georgetown Program on Science in the Public Interest
-Invited participant, Youth Leaders Summit on Global Health, "Innovative Solutions to Healthcare in Low Resoruce Settings"
-High school graduation commencement speaker
-Published article on nicotine testing deficiencies in student journal, The Triple Helix.
-Published article on limestone cave formation in mineral magaine, ExtraLapis.
LORS:
-Director of Board on Global Health at my public health job (MD/Dr.P.H.)
-Small animal vet I worked under (DVM)
-Neuroscience professor who acted as a mentor to me (Ph.D.)
-Cytology/Histology professor (Ph.D.)
I went into this process with zero expectations due to the fact that I had such limited hands-on clinical and animal experience, which is why I applied to so many schools and really doubted that I had a chance of getting in anywhere. I was the biggest naysayer. But I really emphasized by sincere interest in the One Medicine/One Health campaign and becoming a public health vet (hopefully with a focus on disease surveillance), and all of the schools were very responsive to this. My interviews were all very animated and fun. When I was a kid I was dead-set on being a small animal vet, so I like looking back on all the twists and turns that got me into this totally different path!
But as I always say on here, I COULD NOT have made it through this process without you guys, and all of your wonderful advice, suggestions, and insight! These boards saved me. 😉
- Joined
- Jan 14, 2009
- Messages
- 23
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- 0
22 year old female, traditional student, first-time applicant, IN resident
Applied: Purdue, Penn, Colorado, UC Davis, NCSU, U of Tennessee, Florida, Wisconsin
Interview: Purdue
Interview Invite, but Declined: Florida, U of Tennessee
Waitlist: Wisconsin
Rejected: UC Davis, Penn
Accepted: Purdue, NCSU, CSU
Attending: NCSU
UG Degree: Biology major, Management and Animal Science minors from Purdue University
GPA Overall: 4.0
GRE: 600 V, 770 Q, 4.5 W
Veterinary Experience:
265 hours volunteering at small animal clinic
175 hours volunteering in Oncology dept of small animal hosp. at Purdue
100 hours volunteering at a different small animal clinic
24 hours shadowing a swine vet
1500 hours working at a small animal emergency vet clinic as a VT
Animal Experience:
80 hours volunteering as an animal keeper at the Indianapolis Zoo
85 hours of horseback riding lessons
Work Experience:
TA for sophomore biology lab for 1 semester
Tutor in a biology resource center for 3 semesters
Extracurricular:
Women in Science program: mentee then later a mentor
Pre-vet club for 2 years
Purdue Equestrian team for 1.5 years, competed on Western Team
Campus Crusade for Christ: Bible studies, discipleship, meetings
Delta Society Pet Partner team with one of my dogs
Honors/Awards:
Phi Beta Kappa as a junior
Beta Beta Beta Biological Honor Society
Outstanding Science Student in freshmen year
Semester honors/Deans list every semester
a few merit based scholarships
band awards from high school
LORS:
Small animal vet from ER clinic, my boss
Small animal vet from ER clinic
Professor that knew me well from 2 biology classes
Personal Statement:
euthanasia used to prevent me from wanting to be a vet, how I got over that working in an ER clinic; what I've noticed makes a successful veterinarian from my experiences; my interest in emergency medicine
Applied: Purdue, Penn, Colorado, UC Davis, NCSU, U of Tennessee, Florida, Wisconsin
Interview: Purdue
Interview Invite, but Declined: Florida, U of Tennessee
Waitlist: Wisconsin
Rejected: UC Davis, Penn
Accepted: Purdue, NCSU, CSU
Attending: NCSU
UG Degree: Biology major, Management and Animal Science minors from Purdue University
GPA Overall: 4.0
GRE: 600 V, 770 Q, 4.5 W
Veterinary Experience:
265 hours volunteering at small animal clinic
175 hours volunteering in Oncology dept of small animal hosp. at Purdue
100 hours volunteering at a different small animal clinic
24 hours shadowing a swine vet
1500 hours working at a small animal emergency vet clinic as a VT
Animal Experience:
80 hours volunteering as an animal keeper at the Indianapolis Zoo
85 hours of horseback riding lessons
Work Experience:
TA for sophomore biology lab for 1 semester
Tutor in a biology resource center for 3 semesters
Extracurricular:
Women in Science program: mentee then later a mentor
Pre-vet club for 2 years
Purdue Equestrian team for 1.5 years, competed on Western Team
Campus Crusade for Christ: Bible studies, discipleship, meetings
Delta Society Pet Partner team with one of my dogs
Honors/Awards:
Phi Beta Kappa as a junior
Beta Beta Beta Biological Honor Society
Outstanding Science Student in freshmen year
Semester honors/Deans list every semester
a few merit based scholarships
band awards from high school
LORS:
Small animal vet from ER clinic, my boss
Small animal vet from ER clinic
Professor that knew me well from 2 biology classes
Personal Statement:
euthanasia used to prevent me from wanting to be a vet, how I got over that working in an ER clinic; what I've noticed makes a successful veterinarian from my experiences; my interest in emergency medicine
- Joined
- Jan 20, 2009
- Messages
- 156
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- 0
Yay someone else enthusiastic for emergency/CC! 😀 What do you like about it in particular? I love the constant variety and adrenaline! There is nothing else that speaks to my high energy nature and need to be busy and involved extensively in the treatment of animals. 😍 And I like the mystery of it too -- you never know what you're getting when someone calls in during emergency hours and there's often an ambiguity about difficult cases. Such relief when you find the right answer and the animal responds to treatment.
- Joined
- Mar 12, 2008
- Messages
- 18,997
- Reaction score
- 11,453
Keep adding, anyone!
- Joined
- Jan 5, 2009
- Messages
- 396
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- 0
I second that! I have seen the enormous list of acceptances-I know there are more of you out there! That means you too lurkers! 🙂
- Joined
- Jan 5, 2009
- Messages
- 396
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- 0
And twelvetigers I just noticed how many posts you've made! I thought when I first came on sdn you had something like 200? Maybe 500? But now you have over 1000!!! Wow! I am impressed
- Joined
- Mar 12, 2008
- Messages
- 18,997
- Reaction score
- 11,453
Impressed, huh? Lol. Impressed by the fact that I never shut up! 😉
- Joined
- Mar 30, 2009
- Messages
- 11
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- 0
21 year old female, first time applicant, FL resident
Applied: Tennessee, Florida
Interviewed: Tennessee, Florida
Accepted: Tennessee, Florida
Attending: Florida
Undergrad degree: B.S. in Biology/Microbiology, Certificate in Molecular Science
GPA
3.99 Cumulative GPA (stupid A- in organic II!)
4.0 Upper-level Science GPA
GRE
619 (V), 630 (Q)
Veterinary Experience:
Over two years working at a small animal hospital getting a taste of everything
A few nights shadowing critical care specialists at local emergency clinic
Volunteer at spay/neuter for ferral cats
Animal Experience:
Working at a groom shop (I swallowed my share of hair
!)
50 + hours at local human society
Honor/Awards
Two academic scholarships
President's and Dean's List every semester
Outstanding Undergraduate Award
Graduated Summa cum laude
Extracurriculars:
Pre-vet club
Student Chapter of the American Society for Microbiology
LORs
Owner of clinic were I worked (DVM)
Surgeon (DVM)
Ultrasound specialist (DVM)
Personal Statement: I mentioned how my interest in animals started at a young age when my dad would take me to the zoo/go hunting. It was always interesting to see the inside of the animal. 😉
Applied: Tennessee, Florida
Interviewed: Tennessee, Florida
Accepted: Tennessee, Florida
Attending: Florida
Undergrad degree: B.S. in Biology/Microbiology, Certificate in Molecular Science
GPA
3.99 Cumulative GPA (stupid A- in organic II!)
4.0 Upper-level Science GPA
GRE
619 (V), 630 (Q)
Veterinary Experience:
Over two years working at a small animal hospital getting a taste of everything
A few nights shadowing critical care specialists at local emergency clinic
Volunteer at spay/neuter for ferral cats
Animal Experience:
Working at a groom shop (I swallowed my share of hair
!)50 + hours at local human society
Honor/Awards
Two academic scholarships
President's and Dean's List every semester
Outstanding Undergraduate Award
Graduated Summa cum laude
Extracurriculars:
Pre-vet club
Student Chapter of the American Society for Microbiology
LORs
Owner of clinic were I worked (DVM)
Surgeon (DVM)
Ultrasound specialist (DVM)
Personal Statement: I mentioned how my interest in animals started at a young age when my dad would take me to the zoo/go hunting. It was always interesting to see the inside of the animal. 😉
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- Joined
- Oct 25, 2008
- Messages
- 73
- Reaction score
- 0
LittleGato, it seems absolutely crazy to me that with your AMAZING GPA and strong experience, Florida waitlisted you even as an in-state applicant! 😱
I feel like it was a particularly difficult year to get into UF - everyone I know who applied was rejected/waitlisted, as opposed to last year when the exact opposite seemed to be the case.
P.S. Florida and Tennessee are my top 2 choices. 😀
Mind if I ask you where you went to undergrad?
I feel like it was a particularly difficult year to get into UF - everyone I know who applied was rejected/waitlisted, as opposed to last year when the exact opposite seemed to be the case.
P.S. Florida and Tennessee are my top 2 choices. 😀
Mind if I ask you where you went to undergrad?
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- Joined
- Sep 27, 2008
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- 691
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- Joined
- Feb 8, 2009
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- 155
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- Joined
- Jan 16, 2009
- Messages
- 40
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Heh heh, it was under guidance of course 😀 My vet's husband was the one actually showing me how to do the surgery (he's a vet too, but mostly does the large animal stuff), and let me prep, then showed me how do it on the left side, and let me do the right! He was like, "Have you done this before?" I was like, "Uh...no..." but he treated me like I was an actual vet student, not a volunteer. It was kinda crazy, but soooo cool, even though it was a simple surgery 🙂
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- Apr 3, 2009
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I got to do the same thing. (not sure what laws that are breaking, ha) It really cemented it in my head how much I wanted to be a vet! The same vet also let me help in declawing my cat (did 2 or 3 claws). Lasers are fun. 😀
- Joined
- Jan 16, 2009
- Messages
- 40
- Reaction score
- 0
- Joined
- Sep 8, 2006
- Messages
- 9,262
- Reaction score
- 3,969
Not everyone who posted here got interviews or acceptances to every single school they applied to, so this thread has rejections in it as well. 😉
- Joined
- Jan 19, 2009
- Messages
- 80
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21 (20 at the time of app.) first time
Applied: UGA, Kansas, Tennessee, TU
Interviewed: Tennessee, TU
Waitlist: UTK
rejected: UGA and Kansas🙁
Accepted: TU😀
Attending: TU!!
Undergrad degree: B.S. in Biology
GPA
3.90 Cumulative GPA when I applied
GRE
way too depressing to tell you!
Veterinary Experience:
Not a whole lot. I think I had 1,000 hours at the time. All of my vet. experience was volunteer.
Animal Experience:
LOOOOTTS! I have been raised with horses! In the past five years, we have had beef cows. My mom and I also raised Sheltie/Aussie pups for many, many years.
Employment:
don't laugh!.... Real Estate lawyer's office for four years and that is it!
Honor/Awards
tons! I think I shined on this area. I was a competitive runner for 6 years, so I had lots of awards. I received an award for excellence in Biology (I had the highest GPA out of all of the Bio. majors). Graduating with Honors in May! I saved every single award that I received during my running/college career in a rather large Tupperware tub (i suggest you do the same!).
Extracurriculars:
NSN- Natural Science club-3 years
ISSA-International Students Studies Association- 2 years
Skin Divers Club-2 years
Cross Country-6 years
Track-6 years
Cheerleading- 6 years
NBHA
South Carolina High School Rodeo Association
AQHA
GA Farm Bureau
Young Farmers Association
I have been pretty active throughout!
LORs
vet
lawyer that I worked for
professor
Applied: UGA, Kansas, Tennessee, TU
Interviewed: Tennessee, TU
Waitlist: UTK
rejected: UGA and Kansas🙁
Accepted: TU😀
Attending: TU!!
Undergrad degree: B.S. in Biology
GPA
3.90 Cumulative GPA when I applied
GRE
way too depressing to tell you!
Veterinary Experience:
Not a whole lot. I think I had 1,000 hours at the time. All of my vet. experience was volunteer.
Animal Experience:
LOOOOTTS! I have been raised with horses! In the past five years, we have had beef cows. My mom and I also raised Sheltie/Aussie pups for many, many years.
Employment:
don't laugh!.... Real Estate lawyer's office for four years and that is it!
Honor/Awards
tons! I think I shined on this area. I was a competitive runner for 6 years, so I had lots of awards. I received an award for excellence in Biology (I had the highest GPA out of all of the Bio. majors). Graduating with Honors in May! I saved every single award that I received during my running/college career in a rather large Tupperware tub (i suggest you do the same!).
Extracurriculars:
NSN- Natural Science club-3 years
ISSA-International Students Studies Association- 2 years
Skin Divers Club-2 years
Cross Country-6 years
Track-6 years
Cheerleading- 6 years
NBHA
South Carolina High School Rodeo Association
AQHA
GA Farm Bureau
Young Farmers Association
I have been pretty active throughout!
LORs
vet
lawyer that I worked for
professor
- Joined
- Mar 12, 2008
- Messages
- 18,997
- Reaction score
- 11,453
Honey, you are IN! I'm not gonna make you tell us, no - it's fine if you don't want to. But certainly don't be ashamed of it! Especially not on our behalf.
You'll never have to take the GRE again!
- Joined
- Apr 3, 2009
- Messages
- 79
- Reaction score
- 0
- Joined
- Jan 19, 2009
- Messages
- 80
- Reaction score
- 0
I have nooo clue! I even went to UGA this past summer to take developmental Bio. and I received an A. So I have experienced the UGA lifestyle. I think my GRE killed me and they may have wanted more "vet" experience even though I have been around it all my life. I am not big into the UGA politics... I should call them in May to get a justification. By the way, my GRE was below 1000! I am horrible at playing the guessing game...and when it comes to words that I have NEVER seen in my life, how am I supposed to know them! Anyways, I am HAPPY that I am going to TU! By the way, 1cellnthesea, I am diggin' your pic.!!!
- Joined
- Mar 12, 2008
- Messages
- 18,997
- Reaction score
- 11,453
Yeah, you two look like kindred spirits based on your avatars. Get chyanactate in on the action and there's a trio of gaping horse yaws. 🙂
- Joined
- Apr 3, 2009
- Messages
- 79
- Reaction score
- 0
Haha, didn't notice the similarities. Horses are hilarious 🙂
and ps - my GRE was like 1100.... i also suck at those tests. Don't get discouraged - you're going to vet school!! 😀
and ps - my GRE was like 1100.... i also suck at those tests. Don't get discouraged - you're going to vet school!! 😀
- Joined
- May 6, 2008
- Messages
- 218
- Reaction score
- 1
Totally didn't see this before, and you probably won't see my response, but if you do! do you remember what it was? Your stats look awesome 😀 I think you may be a friend of a friend actually, based on your activies.
- Joined
- Mar 14, 2008
- Messages
- 136
- Reaction score
- 1
23 year-old MN (j/k), 1st time applicant, Florida resident
Applied: CSU, Cornell, UF, Oregon State, Purdue, Washington State, Auburn, Missouri, Iowa State, Massey
Interviewed: UF, Purdue, Washington State, Auburn, Missouri, Iowa
Accepted: CSU, Cornell, UF, Oregon State, Purdue, Auburn, Missouri, Iowa State, Massey
Waitlisted: Washington State
Rejected: none so far
Attending: University of Florida!! 🙂
UG Degree: A.B. in Music (cello performance) and A.B in Biology from Rollins in FL, class of 2008. I was there for 4 years. Took Physics II at a community college following graduation as well as Biochem at Rollins as a "non-degree seeking student." Also took a music class through correspondence at a university in Collegedale, TN, and general/developmental psychology through a college at Florida Hospital. Currently taking animal science and animal nutrition through OKSU, via correspondence.
Overall GPA: ~3.75
Science GPA: ~3.43
GRE#1: 470V, 570Q, 5.0W
GRE#2: 420V, 630Q, 4.5W
- Those with poor verbal scores, remain hopeful! English was not my first language and I refused to sit there and spend hours memorizing words via flashcards. I devoted that time to more 😴, of course.
Research Experience:
- 👎
Veterinary Experience:
- Over 4000 hours at a practice group (working as a veterinary technician, not certified) that owned three different mixed animal clinics. Had the opportunity to work with some primates and big cats (young tigers, puma, leopard). One clinic had a lot of orthopedic surgeries and options for physical and alternative therapies.
- Around 12 hours at a veterinary referral hospital in Cape Town, South Africa.
- Two days at a small animal clinic in Nafplion, Greece.
Animal Experience:
- Over 100 hours at the C.A.R.E. Foundation near Orlando, FL. Helped clean and build enclosures, feed animals, etc. Facility had lots of big cats, reptiles, too many venomous snakes, small mammals, arctic foxes, much more!
- About 100 hours helping out on a farm in Galapa, Colombia. Mostly large animals including a really scary bull named "el Toro."
Employment:
- Around 4200 hours, work-study for my high school music instructor
- Over 1850 hours at a cookie factory with a demonic boss, supplying all the major theme parks in Orlando
- Worked 400 hours for a pet boutique store in Orlando called Dog & Friends
- Exactly 1209 hours for a health food store that sold "Whole Foods Market" products at "Target" prices (on top of that, we would get 25% off anything in the store)
- Working as a vet tech for 4 years (see Veterinary Experience)
Honors/Awards:
- Honor's Diploma, 2004
- President's List (3 semesters)
- Dean's List (5 semesters)
- Graduated Magna Cum Laude, 2008
Community/Campus Activities:
- National Honor Society
- Biology Interest Group (BIG)
- Just Do Something (community cleanup projects and such)
- American Medical Student Association (AMSA)
- Tennis Intramurals
- Off-Campus Student Association (OCSA)
- National Society of Collegiate Scholars (NSCS)
- Off-campus string ensemble
- Volunteered in the Dominican Republic for 3 weeks (brought portable water filters to low-income communities so that families could turn river water into safe drinking water)
- Volunteered in Mozambique for 3 weeks (distributed rice and beans to rural villages and built 3 brick churches/schools where people were using shade trees for this purpose)
Extracurricular/Hobbies:
- Photography (mostly pet portraits and weddings), graphic design, racquetball, playing my cello as often as I can, mountain biking (there are nice places to do this in Florida, believe it or not!)
Letters of Recommendation:
- Undergrad pre-med advisor/biostats professor
- Practice owner of the clinics I work at (amazing orthopedic surgeon too), went to Mizzou (pushed for me to go there!)
- Another great doctor at the practice, went to NCSU
Personal Statement:
- Tried not to mention "because I love animals" and had tons of people read several drafts
Final Thoughts:
I'm super happy with my decision to attend Florida! I declined all the schools that wouldn't allow for me to get in-state tuition after the first year, no matter how much I loved the school (mostly CSU and Cornell). Yes, traveling to all those interviews was expensive but it was great to travel with my dad and spend lots of time with him before heading off to school. My parent's combined household income was less than attending Rollins for 1 year, but since I got a full-ride to Rollins we had a little money saved up for vet school apps and interview trips. My terrible GRE scores are a reminder that it will not make or break admission to vet school. As far as interviews went, BE YOURSELF. They have seen hundreds of people before and they really know when you are trying to be someone you're not! I did not study any interview questions as I felt it would add to anxiety and stress. Instead, I read my personal statement and reviewed my application before every interview. This was especially helpful when interviewing at Florida, as it was "closed file" and I had to sell myself to three people who had no idea who I was. Lastly, SDN has been an incredible resource where people have been really supportive and helpful. Being part of this online village will undoubtedly assist you with the admissions process at the very least!
Congratulations to the class of 2013!
Applied: CSU, Cornell, UF, Oregon State, Purdue, Washington State, Auburn, Missouri, Iowa State, Massey
Interviewed: UF, Purdue, Washington State, Auburn, Missouri, Iowa
Accepted: CSU, Cornell, UF, Oregon State, Purdue, Auburn, Missouri, Iowa State, Massey
Waitlisted: Washington State
Rejected: none so far
Attending: University of Florida!! 🙂
UG Degree: A.B. in Music (cello performance) and A.B in Biology from Rollins in FL, class of 2008. I was there for 4 years. Took Physics II at a community college following graduation as well as Biochem at Rollins as a "non-degree seeking student." Also took a music class through correspondence at a university in Collegedale, TN, and general/developmental psychology through a college at Florida Hospital. Currently taking animal science and animal nutrition through OKSU, via correspondence.
Overall GPA: ~3.75
Science GPA: ~3.43
GRE#1: 470V, 570Q, 5.0W
GRE#2: 420V, 630Q, 4.5W
- Those with poor verbal scores, remain hopeful! English was not my first language and I refused to sit there and spend hours memorizing words via flashcards. I devoted that time to more 😴, of course.
Research Experience:
- 👎
Veterinary Experience:
- Over 4000 hours at a practice group (working as a veterinary technician, not certified) that owned three different mixed animal clinics. Had the opportunity to work with some primates and big cats (young tigers, puma, leopard). One clinic had a lot of orthopedic surgeries and options for physical and alternative therapies.
- Around 12 hours at a veterinary referral hospital in Cape Town, South Africa.
- Two days at a small animal clinic in Nafplion, Greece.
Animal Experience:
- Over 100 hours at the C.A.R.E. Foundation near Orlando, FL. Helped clean and build enclosures, feed animals, etc. Facility had lots of big cats, reptiles, too many venomous snakes, small mammals, arctic foxes, much more!
- About 100 hours helping out on a farm in Galapa, Colombia. Mostly large animals including a really scary bull named "el Toro."
Employment:
- Around 4200 hours, work-study for my high school music instructor
- Over 1850 hours at a cookie factory with a demonic boss, supplying all the major theme parks in Orlando
- Worked 400 hours for a pet boutique store in Orlando called Dog & Friends
- Exactly 1209 hours for a health food store that sold "Whole Foods Market" products at "Target" prices (on top of that, we would get 25% off anything in the store)
- Working as a vet tech for 4 years (see Veterinary Experience)
Honors/Awards:
- Honor's Diploma, 2004
- President's List (3 semesters)
- Dean's List (5 semesters)
- Graduated Magna Cum Laude, 2008
Community/Campus Activities:
- National Honor Society
- Biology Interest Group (BIG)
- Just Do Something (community cleanup projects and such)
- American Medical Student Association (AMSA)
- Tennis Intramurals
- Off-Campus Student Association (OCSA)
- National Society of Collegiate Scholars (NSCS)
- Off-campus string ensemble
- Volunteered in the Dominican Republic for 3 weeks (brought portable water filters to low-income communities so that families could turn river water into safe drinking water)
- Volunteered in Mozambique for 3 weeks (distributed rice and beans to rural villages and built 3 brick churches/schools where people were using shade trees for this purpose)
Extracurricular/Hobbies:
- Photography (mostly pet portraits and weddings), graphic design, racquetball, playing my cello as often as I can, mountain biking (there are nice places to do this in Florida, believe it or not!)
Letters of Recommendation:
- Undergrad pre-med advisor/biostats professor
- Practice owner of the clinics I work at (amazing orthopedic surgeon too), went to Mizzou (pushed for me to go there!)
- Another great doctor at the practice, went to NCSU
Personal Statement:
- Tried not to mention "because I love animals" and had tons of people read several drafts
Final Thoughts:
I'm super happy with my decision to attend Florida! I declined all the schools that wouldn't allow for me to get in-state tuition after the first year, no matter how much I loved the school (mostly CSU and Cornell). Yes, traveling to all those interviews was expensive but it was great to travel with my dad and spend lots of time with him before heading off to school. My parent's combined household income was less than attending Rollins for 1 year, but since I got a full-ride to Rollins we had a little money saved up for vet school apps and interview trips. My terrible GRE scores are a reminder that it will not make or break admission to vet school. As far as interviews went, BE YOURSELF. They have seen hundreds of people before and they really know when you are trying to be someone you're not! I did not study any interview questions as I felt it would add to anxiety and stress. Instead, I read my personal statement and reviewed my application before every interview. This was especially helpful when interviewing at Florida, as it was "closed file" and I had to sell myself to three people who had no idea who I was. Lastly, SDN has been an incredible resource where people have been really supportive and helpful. Being part of this online village will undoubtedly assist you with the admissions process at the very least!
Congratulations to the class of 2013!
Last edited:
- Joined
- Apr 22, 2008
- Messages
- 183
- Reaction score
- 0
- Joined
- Nov 28, 2008
- Messages
- 361
- Reaction score
- 0
BlistexWorks....I see you got into Massey. I am just curious why I haven't heard from them because by the way they accept people I should have gotten in too. My GRE and GPA were as high as yours, so shouldn't they have admitted me as well? I am not being competitive or anything, I'm not even going there, I am just curious because I never heard from them and I took the time to apply...
- Joined
- Sep 8, 2006
- Messages
- 9,262
- Reaction score
- 3,969
J, you're awesome! I guess ELAC counts as a mixed animal clinic, haha, I put down my goat experiences with Dr. S, but the only thing we ever really did with any non-small or exotic animals was Coggins and that one time I went out to a farm with Dr. S for a horse euth.
