Successful Applicant Stats - Class of 2021

[Equisportmed]

32 year old male, Nebraska Resident, First Time applicant
Applied: Lincoln Memorial, University of Nebraska-Lincoln/Iowa State, Washington State, Colorado State
Rejected: Colorado State
Interviews: Lincoln Memorial, University of Nebraska-Lincoln/Iowa State, Washington State (declined interview)
Accepted: Lincoln Memorial, University of Nebraska-Lincoln/Iowa State
Attending: University of Nebraska-Lincoln/ Iowa State ( a little over the top, but I am really happy to get into vet school)
Overall GPA: 3.77
Science GPA: 3.84
Last 45 credits: 3.93

GRE (Q/V/W): 154 (55%) /168 (98%)/3.0 (17%)

Undergraduate Degree: None, focused on getting Pre-reqs to get into vet school in 3 years.

Veterinary Experience:
Veterinary Assistant in a Mixed Practice- 714 hours
Shadowing a large animal ambulatory vet- 42 hours
Working in my dad's mixed practice as a middle school and high school student 2780 hours

Research Experience:
Lab assistant working with fruit flies- 30 hours
Undergraduate Microbiology Lab project- testing for novel antimicrobials in soils- 48 hours

Animal Experience:
29,911 Hours over the last 20 years, about 6,000 hours working as a ranch hand, and the rest spent in the equine industry, mainly Thoroughbreds, starting young horses, training racehorses, and riding as a jockey.

Non-Animal Employment:
Chemistry and Biology Tutor- 70 hours
Worked as a runner for the Press Box during the 2008 and 2009 Breeder's Cup-40 hours

Extracurriculars / Etc:
Presidents List 4 Semesters
Deans List one Semester
Pre-Vet scholarship
American FFA Degree
Finalist, American Star in Agricultural Placement
State FFA Degree
State Star in Agricultural placement
President of Pre-Vet Club

Volunteer:
helped out at local soup kitchen with Pre-Vet Club, 8 hours

LORs:
2 Professors
Pre-Vet Advisor
2 Vets I have worked with

Personal Statement:
Told the story of my round-about 20 year journey toward Veterinary Medicine. Discussed resilience I gained as a jockey, and how it has helped me persevere through an injury which forced me to end my previous career. Discussed my desire to use my skills as a veterinarian to address the issue of catastrophic breakdowns in racehorses. Briefly touched on the strategies I will use to be successful in vet school in spite of the disability I now have. Basically, I emphasized how my past experiences have taught me the skills necessary to succeed in Vet School.

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[ureche2007]

32 year old male, Nebraska Resident, First Time applicant
Applied: Lincoln Memorial, University of Nebraska-Lincoln/Iowa State, Washington State, Colorado State
Rejected: Colorado State
Interviews: Lincoln Memorial, University of Nebraska-Lincoln/Iowa State, Washington State (declined interview)
Accepted: Lincoln Memorial, University of Nebraska-Lincoln/Iowa State
Attending: University of Nebraska-Lincoln/ Iowa State ( a little over the top, but I am really happy to get into vet school)
Overall GPA: 3.77
Science GPA: 3.84
Last 45 credits: 3.93

GRE (Q/V/W): 154 (55%) /168 (98%)/3.0 (17%)

Undergraduate Degree: None, focused on getting Pre-reqs to get into vet school in 3 years.

Veterinary Experience:
Veterinary Assistant in a Mixed Practice- 714 hours
Shadowing a large animal ambulatory vet- 42 hours
Working in my dad's mixed practice as a middle school and high school student 2780 hours

Research Experience:
Lab assistant working with fruit flies- 30 hours
Undergraduate Microbiology Lab project- testing for novel antimicrobials in soils- 48 hours

Animal Experience:
29,911 Hours over the last 20 years, about 6,000 hours working as a ranch hand, and the rest spent in the equine industry, mainly Thoroughbreds, starting young horses, training racehorses, and riding as a jockey.

Non-Animal Employment:
Chemistry and Biology Tutor- 70 hours
Worked as a runner for the Press Box during the 2008 and 2009 Breeder's Cup-40 hours

Extracurriculars / Etc:
Presidents List 4 Semesters
Deans List one Semester
Pre-Vet scholarship
American FFA Degree
Finalist, American Star in Agricultural Placement
State FFA Degree
State Star in Agricultural placement
President of Pre-Vet Club

Volunteer:
helped out at local soup kitchen with Pre-Vet Club, 8 hours

LORs:
2 Professors
Pre-Vet Advisor
2 Vets I have worked with

Personal Statement:
Told the story of my round-about 20 year journey toward Veterinary Medicine. Discussed resilience I gained as a jockey, and how it has helped me persevere through an injury which forced me to end my previous career. Discussed my desire to use my skills as a veterinarian to address the issue of catastrophic breakdowns in racehorses. Briefly touched on the strategies I will use to be successful in vet school in spite of the disability I now have. Basically, I emphasized how my past experiences have taught me the skills necessary to succeed in Vet School.

Congrats! It's great to see another non-traditional student with a history in the horse industry get into vet school!

 

[Equisportmed]

Congrats! It's great to see another non-traditional student with a history in the horse industry get into vet school!

Thanks ureche2007, congrats on getting accepted, hopefully some of our life skills will serve us well in vet school

 

[BovineBeauty]

21 yr old female, NC resident, 1st time applicant
Applied: NC State, Minnesota
Interview: Minnesota (might decline, haven't decided yet)
Rejected: n/a
Accepted: NC State
Attending: NC STATE!!!

Overall GPA: 3.45
Science GPA: 3.25
Last 45 GPA: 3.34
(Applied alt. eligibility @ NC State at time of application.)

To fellow downtrodden pre-vets with low-GPAs: NEVER GIVE UP! I'm living proof it can and will happen!

Degree:
B.S. Animal Science, veterinary bioscience concentration
Incomplete minor in Genetics

GRE (Q/V/W): 152/158/3.5

Veterinary Experience (At Time of Application)
VDL Necropsy Tech - 50
CVM Large Animal Hosp. Attendant - 650
Christian Veterinary Missions - 200
Small Animal Kennel/Tech - 3,200
Mobile Equine - 90

Animal Experience
Dairy farm/showman - 750
Wildlife Rehab (from home) & certification - 150
Equestrian/Showrider - 2,800
Therapeutic riding volunteer - 250
Farmsitting/Petsitting Business - 300
Trail horse conditioner - 350

Research Experience
Undergraduate honors research on phytoceutical residues in certified USDA organic dairy cattle - 450
Marine - 8
Canine Orthopedics - 150
Swine differential gene expression/nutrition - 110
Dairy cattle pharmacology - 400
Equine nutrition - 70


Extracurriculars
Young Life Capernaum
Vetcamp counselor
Retreat staff/core planning team
Handicapped Encounter Christ
NC State CALS Ambassador
Pre-Vet Club officer
APVMA Symposium
Several mission trips
Handbell Choir
ASHA Youth Club President
CCM Co-worker/Small group leader

Awards
Listed dates for Presidents/Deans List
Listed research presentations/awards
Listed scholarships
Listed major horse show wins (state champion, overall; reserve state champion, etc.)
College of Agriculture & Life Sciences Honors Student

LORs
Research PI/CVM professor
Postdoc from research trials
Small animal vet I’ve worked for since high school

Personal Statement
Talked about the different perspectives of vetmed I’ve found in my most prominent experiences and how each one of them has contributed to my career goals. Briefly discussed my research, why it’s important to vetmed, human/animal health, and how it will make me a better veterinarian. Closed with my personal goals of how I plan to use my DVM and impact the field, how my mentors have shaped me into the student I am today, and how I plan to give my future students quality opportunities for personal, professional, and academic growth.
Applied food animal & research focused - long term goals are DVM/PhD to ultimately conduct clinical research in ruminants and teach.

 

[Femshep]

25 yr old female, Ohio Resident, 1st time applicant

Applied: Ohio State, Minnesota, Sydney
Interviewed: Ohio, Minnesota (declined)
Wait-listed: Sydney
Accepted: Ohio

Overall GPA: 3.80
Science GPA: 3.72
Last 45 GPA: 3.96

Degree: BS Zoology - 2016

GRE (Q/V/W): 154 (55%) / 160 (85%) / 4.0 (59%)

Veterinary Experience
Veterinary Assistant at a spay/neuter clinic (at the time of application I had just started = 36 hrs, but worked full time, so.. ++)
Veterinary Intern at Koala and Wildlife Hospital in Australia (70 hrs)
Watching surgeries in Adelaide, AU (3 hrs)
Shadowing a local small animal clinic (20 hrs)
Veterinary Intern at a widlife reserve in South Africa (160 hrs)
Surgery recovery volunteer at the same spay/neuter clinic I now work (300 hrs)
Volunteer at Ohio State's vet hospital ICU (30 hrs)
Research testing chlamydia vaccines on koalas (8 hrs)

Animal Experience
Equine management lab (42 hrs)
Wildlife rescue center volunteer (20 hrs)
Bottle raising kittens for a rescue (308 hrs)
Pet ownership (I had some really interesting cases, raised animals from embryos, had dogs with TTAs, cat with FIP, only included this stuff in the hrs (1100 hrs)

Non-Animal Volunteering / Work
Spay and Neuter community outreach - committee member (260 hrs)
APVMA symposium volunteer (8 hrs)
Multiple jobs including manager at a fast food chain, VISA specialist at a bank, and laborer at a nuclear plant (5000+ hrs)

Extracurriculars/Awards
Zoology Club Member
Pre-Vet Club Member
Dean's List (6 semesters)
Honor society member

LORs
African vet
CEO of the bank I worked at
Biology professor
Volunteer coordinator from the spay/neuter clinic

Personal Statement
My focus was wildlife and shelter medicine. Talked about my love of rescuing animals from a young age, I had raised baby birds, saved snakes, possums, etc from danger. I kind of did a chronological essay and discussed how I initially shadowed a small animal clinic and span out to wildlife clinics / internships that really got me into my element. I also talked about the spay and neuter clinic I've been at for years and how I think low-cost services like that are vital to animal welfare, especially with populations growing. I made a point to address the differences between wildlife and regular vet clinics, and how those differences appealed to me and my "vision".

 

[fluffybeardie]

28 (almost 29) yr old female, Illinois Resident, 1st time applicant

Applied: University of Illinois, North Carolina State University, Colorado State University, University of Missouri, Purdue University
Interviewed: Mizzou, Purdue
Pending: Purdue
Accepted: Mizzou!!!! (I can't stop smiling!!)

Overall GPA: 3.54
Science GPA: 3.59
Last 45 GPA: 3.56

Degree (not completed): BS Biochemistry/Molecular Biology

GRE (Q/V/W): 158 (70%) / 162 (90%) / 4.0 (59%)

Veterinary Experience
Volunteering at a rural, mixed animal practice (mainly equine, but we also saw small and food animals regularly, and we even treated a camel once) (~500 hours)
Vet Tech at a general small animal practice (~3300 hours)
Vet Tech at a holistic small animal practice (~650 hours)
ER Vet Tech at a 24-hour small animal practice (~4200 hours, still working there)

Animal Experience
Horseback riding/training/lessons/barn management (22500 hours)

Research
Organic Synthesis lab (350 hours)

Extracurriculars/Awards
1st soprano in multiple choral ensembles
Dean's List (4 semesters)
Awarded five different private scholarships through my undergrad's College of Science: 3 Chemistry-related, 2 Biology-related

LORs
Two vets from my current practice (working ER and general practice)
My research mentor

Personal Statement
I started off by talking about how I decided to switch from Vocal Performance to Vet Med (it's a pretty weird story, PM if you're interested ), and went on to talk a little about what I've learned about the profession from my experiences. I also mentioned some of the things I've gone through over the past few years (getting Lyme Disease, becoming a mom, my marriage and subsequent divorce, etc.), and then I talked about my goals as a veterinarian (not sure what/where I want to practice, but I know I never want to stop learning!).

 

[mterry22]

25 years old female
Colorado Resident

Applying to: Colorado State University, Tufts, Cornell
Interviews: CSU, Tufts
Rejected: Cornell
Attending: CSU!!!!


B.A in Neuroscience from Johns Hopkins
Overall GPA: 3.45
Science GPA: 3.37
Last 45 credits: 3.73
GRE: 156 verbal/161 quantitative/4.0 writing



Veterinary experience: ~1100 hours

• Working at a Dog & Cat Hospital - Floater tech/ "client concierge" - 960 hrs
  
  
• Volunteer tech (built my way up) at a shelter - 150 hrs
  
  
• Shadowed 4 different vets (equine, wildlife, small/exotics) - 100 hrs
  

Animal experience: ~ 300 hours

• Dog walker at shelter - 200 hrs
  
  
• Education & animal care volunteer at a Wild Animal Sanctuary (mainly large carnivores) - 150 hrs
  
  
• Volunteer at horse ranch grooming, cleaning, etc - 75 hrs
  
  
• Mentor at an equine rescue ranch for young girls (help the girls work with horses) - 120 hrs
  
  
• Started my own program "Animals and me" to teach young children about animal behavior and respect to animals - 50 hrs
  
  
• My own side business of photographing and painting pets - 60 hrs
  

Research experience: ~ 1200 hrs (mostly with animals)

• 800 hrs -Reproductive health in sheep, studying glucose production in fetal livers
  
  
• 240 hrs Marine biology research in Malaysia, studying turtle populations and coral reef health
  
  
• 120 hrs- Behavioral neuroendocriology lab working with canaries, looking at testosterone levels in the brain and correlation to singing
  
  
• 250 hrs- Psychology lab - working with humans to study how the brain focuses its attention
  

Employment:

• Grocery store cashier from 16-18
  
  
• Lifeguard for 2 summers
  
  
• Administrative assistant 4 years of college
  
  
• Material cultures of Johns Hopkins archives (ie researching information on paintings, awards, preserved animal models that the university has used)
  
  
• Bartender for ~1 year
  
  
• Hostess for a summer
  
  
• Waitress for ~ a year
  
  
• Nanny ~ 6 months
  
  
• Private homeschool teacher ~ 8 months
  
  
• Math tutor ~ 3 years
  
  
• Artist at Trader Joes ~ 3 months
  

Extracurriculars/volunteering:

• EMT in high school through beginning of college
  
  
• "Making Neuroscience Fun" - going into elementary schools in Baltimore and teaching them fun neuroscience
  
  
• Save a Child's Heart Foundation - working with families and doctors in Israel who bring children over from Palestinian territories for free heart surgery
  

Awards/ Achievements

• Dean's list 2 semesters of senior year
  
  
• Presented psychology research at Hopkins Undergraduate Symposium

 

[vetmedhead]

25 years old female
Colorado Resident

Applying to: Colorado State University, Tufts, Cornell
Interviews: CSU, Tufts
Rejected: Cornell
Attending: CSU!!!!


B.A in Neuroscience from Johns Hopkins
Overall GPA: 3.45
Science GPA: 3.37
Last 45 credits: 3.73
GRE: 156 verbal/161 quantitative/4.0 writing



Veterinary experience: ~1100 hours

• Working at a Dog & Cat Hospital - Floater tech/ "client concierge" - 960 hrs
  
  
• Volunteer tech (built my way up) at a shelter - 150 hrs
  
  
• Shadowed 4 different vets (equine, wildlife, small/exotics) - 100 hrs

Animal experience: ~ 300 hours

• Dog walker at shelter - 200 hrs
  
  
• Education & animal care volunteer at a Wild Animal Sanctuary (mainly large carnivores) - 150 hrs
  
  
• Volunteer at horse ranch grooming, cleaning, etc - 75 hrs
  
  
• Mentor at an equine rescue ranch for young girls (help the girls work with horses) - 120 hrs
  
  
• Started my own program "Animals and me" to teach young children about animal behavior and respect to animals - 50 hrs
  
  
• My own side business of photographing and painting pets - 60 hrs

Research experience: ~ 1200 hrs (mostly with animals)

• 800 hrs -Reproductive health in sheep, studying glucose production in fetal livers
  
  
• 240 hrs Marine biology research in Malaysia, studying turtle populations and coral reef health
  
  
• 120 hrs- Behavioral neuroendocriology lab working with canaries, looking at testosterone levels in the brain and correlation to singing
  
  
• 250 hrs- Psychology lab - working with humans to study how the brain focuses its attention

Employment:

• Grocery store cashier from 16-18
  
  
• Lifeguard for 2 summers
  
  
• Administrative assistant 4 years of college
  
  
• Material cultures of Johns Hopkins archives (ie researching information on paintings, awards, preserved animal models that the university has used)
  
  
• Bartender for ~1 year
  
  
• Hostess for a summer
  
  
• Waitress for ~ a year
  
  
• Nanny ~ 6 months
  
  
• Private homeschool teacher ~ 8 months
  
  
• Math tutor ~ 3 years
  
  
• Artist at Trader Joes ~ 3 months

Extracurriculars/volunteering:

• EMT in high school through beginning of college
  
  
• "Making Neuroscience Fun" - going into elementary schools in Baltimore and teaching them fun neuroscience
  
  
• Save a Child's Heart Foundation - working with families and doctors in Israel who bring children over from Palestinian territories for free heart surgery

Awards/ Achievements

• Dean's list 2 semesters of senior year
  
  
• Presented psychology research at Hopkins Undergraduate Symposium

I'll be seeing you in the fall!

 

[mterry22]

I'll be seeing you in the fall!

Wooo classmate!!!

 

[Lucy410]

25 years old female
Colorado Resident

Applying to: Colorado State University, Tufts, Cornell
Interviews: CSU, Tufts
Rejected: Cornell
Attending: CSU!!!!


B.A in Neuroscience from Johns Hopkins
Overall GPA: 3.45
Science GPA: 3.37
Last 45 credits: 3.73
GRE: 156 verbal/161 quantitative/4.0 writing



Veterinary experience: ~1100 hours

• Working at a Dog & Cat Hospital - Floater tech/ "client concierge" - 960 hrs
  
  
• Volunteer tech (built my way up) at a shelter - 150 hrs
  
  
• Shadowed 4 different vets (equine, wildlife, small/exotics) - 100 hrs
  

Animal experience: ~ 300 hours

• Dog walker at shelter - 200 hrs
  
  
• Education & animal care volunteer at a Wild Animal Sanctuary (mainly large carnivores) - 150 hrs
  
  
• Volunteer at horse ranch grooming, cleaning, etc - 75 hrs
  
  
• Mentor at an equine rescue ranch for young girls (help the girls work with horses) - 120 hrs
  
  
• Started my own program "Animals and me" to teach young children about animal behavior and respect to animals - 50 hrs
  
  
• My own side business of photographing and painting pets - 60 hrs
  

Research experience: ~ 1200 hrs (mostly with animals)

• 800 hrs -Reproductive health in sheep, studying glucose production in fetal livers
  
  
• 240 hrs Marine biology research in Malaysia, studying turtle populations and coral reef health
  
  
• 120 hrs- Behavioral neuroendocriology lab working with canaries, looking at testosterone levels in the brain and correlation to singing
  
  
• 250 hrs- Psychology lab - working with humans to study how the brain focuses its attention
  

Employment:

• Grocery store cashier from 16-18
  
  
• Lifeguard for 2 summers
  
  
• Administrative assistant 4 years of college
  
  
• Material cultures of Johns Hopkins archives (ie researching information on paintings, awards, preserved animal models that the university has used)
  
  
• Bartender for ~1 year
  
  
• Hostess for a summer
  
  
• Waitress for ~ a year
  
  
• Nanny ~ 6 months
  
  
• Private homeschool teacher ~ 8 months
  
  
• Math tutor ~ 3 years
  
  
• Artist at Trader Joes ~ 3 months
  

Extracurriculars/volunteering:

• EMT in high school through beginning of college
  
  
• "Making Neuroscience Fun" - going into elementary schools in Baltimore and teaching them fun neuroscience
  
  
• Save a Child's Heart Foundation - working with families and doctors in Israel who bring children over from Palestinian territories for free heart surgery
  

Awards/ Achievements

• Dean's list 2 semesters of senior year
  
  
• Presented psychology research at Hopkins Undergraduate Symposium

Awesome! I went to JHU for undergrad, too! I graduated a few years ahead of you, though. Glad to see another Hopkins pre-vet. It seems like there aren't many of us in the sea of pre-meds. I only know of two others - one who went to Edinburgh and one at Tufts. I'll be starting at Davis this fall. Congratulations and good luck to you!


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile

 

[PigFarmer25]

21 yr old, female, CA resident first time applicant

Applied: UC Davis, Colorado State, Oregon State, Iowa State, and Kansas State
Interviewed: Kansas State and Iowa State
Waitlisted: Oregon State and Iowa State
Rejected: UC Davis and Colorado State
Accepted: Kansas State
Attending: Kansas State!!

Overall GPA: 3.49
Science GPA: 3.44
Last 45 GPA: 3.55

Degree: BS Animal Science
GRE (Q/V/W): 160 (76%), 155 (68%), 5 (93%)

Veterinary Experience
Intern at a mixed animal vet clinic (200 hrs)
UC Davis VMTH livestock medicine and surgery intern (40 hrs)
UC Davis VMTH neurology/neurosurgery intern (84 hrs)
Shadowed field service livestock vets (40 hrs)
Shadowed a multi-vet small animal clinic (30 hrs)

Animal Experience
Working on my family's pig farm and showed pigs (14,040 hrs)
Student herdsman at a sheep farm (720 hrs)
Worked for a friend's pig farm (200 hrs)
Internship at a feedlot (66 hrs)
Other livestock experiences, etc. I have a lot of animal experiences lol

Extracurriculars/Awards
FFA/4-H livestock judging contest tabulations coordinator for 3 years
Vet Aide Club President
National Pork Board Student Social Forces intern
FFA member throughout high school, served as president for 2 yrs and won various awards through the FFA
AFA Leaders Conference participant and scholar for 3 yrs
Collegiate FFA member and officer
Young Cattlemen's Association member
Dean's List for 5 quarters
University Honors Program member
Central Valley Scholars Program member

LORs
The head vet of the UC Davis SVM Neurology department
The head of my animal science department who was also my nutrition professor
My manager at the UCD sheep unit/livestock judging coach
My academic advisor
The professor of my production animal lab class

Personal Statement
I wrote about the experience that led me to want to become a vet- the first time I assisted a sow that was farrowing, her whole litter died and it really inspired me to pursue vet med. I talked about my passion for agriculture and livestock that began on my family's farm and the lessons I learned on the farm. Then I went into my experience at the mixed animal clinic when we treated rescues from an animal hoarding situation (emphasized the long hours and hard work of vets) and I talked about my experience in the neurology services (many clients couldn't afford treatments for their pets' tumors and the vets had to get creative to treat them). I concluded with explaining my goal to become a rural mixed animal (predominantly large animal) vet.

 

[Bananii4795]

So excited I get to post this!

21 yr old female, Washington State resident, 1st time applicant

Applied: Washington State University CVM, UC Davis, Colorado State, Oregon State
Interviewed: WSU
Wait-listed: n/a
Accepted: WSU CVM!

Overall GPA: 3.78
Science GPA: 3.73
Last 45 GPA: 3.73

Degree: BS Animal Sciences

GRE (Q/V/W): 158 (70%) / 164 (94%) / 5.5 (98%)

Vet Experience:
Small animal shadowing at one clinic for ~5 years, working at same clinic for 3 months, intermittent (~100 hours) at several other small animal clinics
Large animal with an equine vet
Some experience in the vet school of my acceptance through an internship

Animal Experience:
Owned/ran alpaca breeding farm ~4 years
Ran collegiate horse polo team ~4 years
Kept horses over summers ~4 years
Alpaca/guinea pig/rabbit 4-h ~8 years
House sitting/miscellaneous

Extracurriculars:
Scholarships to WSU
Horse Polo
Writing novels

LOR's:
1 from vet I worked under, shadowed under
1 from vet at same practice, also worked and shadowed under
1 from vet on polo team I was on, worked extensively with him in terms of horse care

 

[Tulojow]

39 yr old female, Washington State resident, 3rd time applicant

Applied: Washington State University (3rd time), Ross (1st time)
Interviewed: Ross & WSU
Wait-listed: None
Accepted: Ross & WSU
Attending: WSU

Overall GPA: 3.43
Science GPA: 3.56
Last 45 GPA: 3.93

Degree: BA Foreign Languages (German, Russian, French); AS Service Dog Education

GRE (Q/V/W): 163 (85%) / 161 (88%) / 4.0 (59%)

Vet Experience:
Small animal veterinary technician (>10,000 hours ~ full time employment for 5.5 years)

Animal Experience:
Owned / trained / rode horses for 8 years
Owned dogs, parrots, gerbils, etc for whole life
Working as a professional obedience & service dog trainer and behaviorist ~15 years
Completed a year-long AS degree at a service dog trainer's school in CA, including breeding, whelping, raising, training, environmental management and customer relations
Managed a prison based service dog training program for the last 10+ years, including rescue dog management, teaching training classes, first aid and general health care, supervising a boarding, grooming and training facility

Extracurriculars / Awards:
Playing musical instruments
Creative writing
Various arts & crafts
Dog training
Service Dog / Dog training conferences
Almost full scholarship for undergraduate (tuition exchange program)
Headmaster's award in high school
French award in high school

LOR's:
1 from a vet I shadowed this past year
1 from a vet I worked for as a vet tech
1 from cellular biology professor
1 from organic chemistry professor
1 from work

Personal Statement
Discussed how I grew up studying minority history, languages and other social topics but spent my time outside of class working with animals (dogs, horses, etc.) After college, I began working as a vet tech, dog trainer and started to pursue veterinary school to study veterinary behavior. After Hurricane Katrina forced me to leave New Orleans, my career took an unexpected turn towards service dog training and teaching inmates to train rescue and service dogs. This rekindled my interest in veterinary medicine and I resumed pursuing veterinary medicine.

 

[cowgirl92]

37 yr old female, Oregon resident, 1st time applicant

Applied: Oregon State University CVM (I know, but I can really only afford to go here, plus I love the school)
Interviewed: Oregon State
Accepted: Oregon State

Overall GPA: 3.83
Science GPA: 3.75
Last 45: Not sure, had a huge gap in schooling

Degree: BS Equine Science, minor Rangeland Resources

GRE (Q/V/W): 156 (63%)/169 (99%)/4.0 (59%)

Vet Experience:
Assistant/Certified Technician at mixed animal practice 9 years
Certified Technician for mobile equine veterinarian 3 months
Certified Technician at large animal hospital of vet school 6 months

Animal Experience:
Owned/trained horses most of my life
Research on killifish for 6 months
Worked at a cattle ranch off and on for 4 years
Lots of wildlife experience off and on for 14 years
That's just highlights...

Extracurriculars/Awards:
Oregon State IHSA vice president
Oregon State Horse Center Most Improved Rider
A variety of scholarships
SWOCC Student Newspaper Managing Editor
Sports Intern at daily newspaper

LORs:
1 from the vet I worked for for 9 years
1 from a vet who I worked with for several years, won several AVMA leadership awards
1 from the head of the research project I volunteer on

Personal Statement:
I talked about my path to vet med, which was a little circuitous and how much I love to learn. I illustrated how I have worked to further my career in vet med and how ready I am to take the next step. I closed with highlighting my experience and how much I've given up to pursue getting into vet school.

And I'm so excited I get to post here!!!!

 

[Momokeen]

*Edited Again: I finally sat down to do this. Hopefully it helps someone out! I did not get in the first time I applied (2014) and so I decided to do an MPH in one year (2015-2016, everyone told me I was pretty much crazy, but it's definitely doable) before I applied again. I also became a published author within that time frame. I think its important for some of you to know that I failed the first semester of Organic Chem twice before I passed with an A-. I also have a decent handful of Cs and Bs. My masters allowed me to improve both my last 45 GPA and my science GPA significantly so I think it was a good option. Also, for those who decided late that they wanted to be a vet - all of my veterinary, animal, AND research experience (and my masters) was completed between basically 2012 to July of 2016. So just know that it is doable to get a lot of experience within a fairly short amount of time

25 yr old (almost 26) female, California resident, 2nd time applicant

Applied: UC Davis, Western, Midwestern, Mizzou, Oregon, Washington, Virginia-Maryland, Kansas, Tufts, Michigan, Minnesota, OkState, Texas A&M, Cornell, Colorado
Interviewed: UC Davis, Western, Midwestern, Mizzou, Kansas, Tufts, Colorado
Declined: Michigan, Minnesota
Rejected: Washington, Virginia-Maryland (I kinda laughed at this one because the first time I applied I was waitlisted for an interview), Texas A&M, Cornell
Waitlisted: Oregon State
Pending: Tufts, OkState
Accepted: UC Davis, Colorado, Mizzou, Kansas, Midwestern, Western
Attending: UC Davis!!!

Overall GPA: 3.48
Science GPA: 3.36
Last 45 GPA: 3.97

Degree: BS in Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, Masters of Public Health in Epidemiology & Biostatistics

GRE (Q/V/W): 154 (56%)/157 (74%)/4.5 (80%)

Veterinary Experience:
Veterinary Public Health Academic Intern ~315 hrs
Small Animal Vet Clinic Volunteer ~432 hrs
Small Animal Clinic Vet Assistant ~900 hrs
Emergency Clinic Volunteer ~120 hrs

Animal Experience:
Vivarium technician (lab animals) ~1200 hrs
Study abroad work with frogs, rodents, and bats ~450 hrs

Research Experience:
Study on the impacts of 17B-estradiol on neurodegeneration in ataxic Han Wistar rats ~825 hrs
Second author on published chapter for the use of stem cells in cerebellar ataxias - Put this in honors section of VMCAS because it didn't directly relate to my research

Employment:
SMART Lab Statistics and Biology tutor ~120 hrs
Office Manager at Martial Arts Studio ~7400 hrs

Extracurricular/Awards:
American Society for Animal Science
American Association for Laboratory Animal Science
Taekwondo Student, Instructor, and USAT Certified Level 1 Coach (3rd degree blackbelt) ~5600 hrs
Veterinarians of Tomorrow club member and secretary and advertising executive
Traveled to Austria
Sorority 4 yrs - Risk management chairman
Girl Scout ~13 yrs - Bronze, Silver, and Gold Award recipient
Operation Gratitude volunteer
Taekwondo Parent Student Association Co-president
Girl Scout Leadership Award
Research Poster presented at Society for Neuroscience
Dean's List Spring 2012 and 2014
National Taekwondo Champion
Animal First Aid and CPR Certified through Red Cross
Public Health Traineeship Grant Recipient

LORs
Public Health Veterinarian who was my supervisor for my internship for my MPH
Small Animal Veterinarian who I volunteered with for a good while
Vivarium Director who supervised my work with lab animals
Research PI

Personal Statement
I started out with a story of my encounter with a jaguar at night when I was studying abroad in Ecuador. I then went into detail about the things I've done and how I wasn't one of those people who always knew they wanted to be a vet but my decision was the culmination of many experiences. I talked about how my time in research and ecology led me towards public health and that's what I am interested in doing for my future career.

 

[cheathac]

Can't believe I'm posting here! I've been stalking these pages for far too long!

20-year-old Indiana Resident First Time Applicant

Applied: Purdue, Iowa State, Missouri, OK State, NC State, Wisconsin, Washington State
Interviewed: Purdue, Iowa State, Missouri, Washington State (declined)
Rejected: NC State, Wisconsin
Accepted: Iowa State, Mizzou, Purdue, OK State
Attending: Purdue! (can’t beat IS tuition)

Overall GPA: 3.78
Science GPA: 3.76
Last 45 GPA: 3.76

Degree: BS Animal Sciences – May 2017

GRE (Q/V/W): 154/150/ 3.0

Vet Experiences
Histology Diagnostic Lab - 810
Small Animal Clinic- 350
Radiation Oncology -132
Oncology Assistant- 210
Oncology Volunteer - 112
Large Animal Purdue VTH - 120
Farm vets - 300
Necropsy floor - 60
Boiler Vet camp - 40
Foal Watch - 24
Avian/Exotic Animal Clinic - 10

Research
Botulinum Neurotoxin Study in Mice- 40
Canine Gait Analysis – 174
Mouse Embryology Lab – 12 (started just shortly before submitting my app)

Animal Experience
Leader Dog Training - 315
Humane Society-168
Purdue Small Animal Caretaker - 165
4-H beef cattle - 550
4-H horses - 350
4-H swine - 250
Farm - 1000
4-H Dog - 350
Lab Animal Caretaker - 350
Livestock judging – 200

Other Employment
Subway - 360

Class Experiences
Haiti study abroad, TA for 2016-2017
ANSC 245 - animal management - 75 hrs
ANSC 181 - TA
ENGL 108 - working with nursing home

Extracurricular/Awards
4-H - 10-year member, numerous awards, started beef club, various leadership positions, loads of community service
FFA - President, reporter, beef proficiency went to nationals, community service
Heifer International - Club Fundraiser officer, Treasurer
Pre-vet club member, fundraising chair officer
High school - top 25 graduating class, played flute, guitar, and piano, National Honor Society, Academic Spell bowl, Science bowl

LORs
Anatomic Pathology Resident
Oncology Clinician/Researcher
Lab Animal Veterinarian
Haiti Professor
Physiology Professor
4-H Extension Educator

Personal Statement
My interest in being a veterinarian began when I lived on a farm and assisted the large animal veterinarian. I talked about my love for education and how I want to incorporate that into my veterinary career. I talked about what I learned from working in the diagnostic lab and being an assistant in Oncology so that I want to become a pathologist/lab animal veterinarian and make new discoveries that link the health between humans and animals.

 

[mht2k3]

Hope this will encourage other nontraditional students who might not have gotten the best grades in their original bachelors.

36-year-old Maine Resident First Time Applicant

Applied: Michigan State, Wisconsin, Cornell, UPenn, Virginia-Maryland, UC-Davis, Edinburgh, Glasgow
Interviewed: Michigan State, Virginia-Maryland, UPenn
TBD: Wisconsin,
Rejected: Edinburgh, Glasgow, Cornell
Accepted: Michigan State, Virginia-Maryland, UPenn
Other: Davis didn't want to accept my genetics course I took (it was a 200 level course, and they wanted a 300+ course), so while I applied, I never finished the supplemental since I knew I didn't have the time to take another genetics course.

Attending: UPenn!!

Overall GPA: 3.19 (~3.0 original bachelors degree, 3.95 postbac)
Science GPA: 3.8-3.9 depending on how they calculated it
Last 45 GPA: 3.95

Degree: BS Math & Computer Science - 2003 (postbac recently, but not getting a degree)

GRE (Q/V/W): 163 (86%) /158 (79%) / 4.0 (56%)

Vet Experiences

Food animal - 696 hours (this is higher now, but this is what was on my application)
Equine (same clinic as food animal, but different vets) - 110 hours (also higher)
Small animal - 105 hours

I was pretty much all hands off, other than restraining animals and a few blood draws at the small animal clinic, but I was able to get TONS of hands on experience with both the food animal vets as well as the equine vets (lots of blood draws/vaccinations, surgery assistant, palpating dairy cows, necropsies, extracting teeth, calving, running an endoscope, etc etc)


Research
Computational linguistics research during my first undergrad (published 2 papers, went to a few conferences): 1044 hours

Internship at a medical research institute, looking at two different projects dealing with renal cell carcinoma. Responsibilities included: cell/tissue culture, viral transduction, qPCR, western blotting, dissection/extraction of mouse kidneys, immunohistochemistry, statistical analysis of tissue sample data, quantification of protein expression in tissue samples using image recognition - 558 hours

Animal Experience
Horseback Riding through the Patagonian countryside for 5 days - 40 hours
Homestead caretaker of dairy goat herd - 14 hours
Volunteer at local greyhound rescue group - 72 hours
Raising chickens - 510 hours

Other Employment
Senior Software Developer @ Startup company dealing with library data / software - 10,400 hours
Senior System Architect @ Small e-commerce consulting firm - 2,550 hours
Technical Project Leader @ Startup company dealing with online classifieds (based in Buenos Aires, Argentina) - 7200
Senior Programmer @ Startup company that sold mobile media - 4440 hours
Programmer @ small web consulting firm - 2000 hours
Programmer @ different consulting firm - 2176 hours
Summer Intern @ Ford Motor Company - 400 hours


Extracurricular/Awards
NCAA athlete (fencing) - 2x UAA athlete of the week, 2x qualifier for national championship (I only fenced for 2 years in college because after my first two years, I transferred to a school without a fencing team)
Fencing Instructor - 300 hours
Knitting Instructor - 20 hours
Co-Founder of Linux User's group at my college - 88 hours
Competitive Fencer before college - (was consistently ranked in the top 10 nationally for my age group between ages 12-18) - 7000 hours

LORs
Food animal vet
CEO of company I work for
Academic advisor
PI of the medical research lab I worked in.


Personal Statement
I Started off talking about how I am coming to veterinary medicine later in life, from a much different route than most people take. I talked about being frustrated with my career in the tech industry and how I wanted a career with more self worth and not being on a computer the rest of my life. Discussed living in Argentina for 4 years and what skills I obtained while being a tech manager. I then talked about coming back to the states and getting serious about going back to school for veterinary medicine: how I feel in love with ambulatory large animal medicine and how I was able to succeed in school, while also working a full time job, having a family (spouse & 2 y.o daughter) and trying to get as many hours of shadowing experience as I could. Tried to bring together all the different life experiences I've had and how they will help me be a successful veterinarian and student in veterinary school.

 

[GreytLife]

@mht2k3 Congrats!!! That's awesome you got a scholarship too ☺️

 

[love2hunt]

Extremely excited to be posting on this thread!

25 year old Virginia resident, First Time Applicant

Applied: Virginia-Maryland
Interviewed: Virginia-Maryland
TBD: n/a
Rejected: n/a
Accepted: Virginia-Maryland
Attending: ... you guessed it, Virginia-Maryland!

Overall GPA: 3.96
Science GPA: 4.0
Last 45 GPA: 3.89

Degree: BS in Religion

GRE (Q/V/W): 157 (69%) /169 (99%) / 4.0 (56%)

Vet Experiences
Worked part-time for a veterinarian while in undergrad. Did about everything the licensed technicians did except dental work. - 1,240 hours
Worked with vets on our farm growing up. Learned how to castrate pigs, cows, and horses, give shots, worm, etc. - 40 hours

Research
None

Animal Experience
Currently run the livestock program of a campus farm for a large university, which as of now is chickens and pigs. - 1,620 hours
Lived on a farm growing up with cows, pigs, chickens, goats, horses, rabbits, etc. - 2,192 hours
Lifelong dog owner and trainer (hunting dogs) - 3,120 hours
Worked on a dairy farm - 80 hours
Falconry events in high school - 56 hours

Other Employment
Pastor in evangelical church - 1,880 hours
Ministry assistant in a church - 4,650 hours
Ministry intern - 260 hours
Crew leader for construction company - 2,880 hours

Extracurricular/Awards
Intramural basketball - 384 hours
Hunting - 4,000 hours
Children's Ministry Award for Class of 2013

LORs
Vet I worked for in college
Professor from undergrad
Former boss at church job
Boss at current farm job

Personal Statement
I basically talked about how I always wanted to be a vet, but then felt as though God wanted me to be a pastor. I then explained that I felt God was preparing me to deal with people. Being a pastor gave me people skills I would have otherwise lacked if I went straight into school to pursue vet med. Talked about the lessons I learned as a pastor and how they would translate to helping care for people as a veterinarian just as much as animals.

 

[vetmedhead]

Extremely excited to be posting on this thread!

25 year old Virginia resident, First Time Applicant

Applied: Virginia-Maryland
Interviewed: Virginia-Maryland
TBD: n/a
Rejected: n/a
Accepted: Virginia-Maryland
Attending: ... you guessed it, Virginia-Maryland!

Overall GPA: 3.96
Science GPA: 4.0
Last 45 GPA: 3.89

Degree: BS in Religion

GRE (Q/V/W): 157 (69%) /169 (99%) / 4.0 (56%)

Vet Experiences
Worked part-time for a veterinarian while in undergrad. Did about everything the licensed technicians did except dental work. - 1,240 hours
Worked with vets on our farm growing up. Learned how to castrate pigs, cows, and horses, give shots, worm, etc. - 40 hours

Research
None

Animal Experience
Currently run the livestock program of a campus farm for a large university, which as of now is chickens and pigs. - 1,620 hours
Lived on a farm growing up with cows, pigs, chickens, goats, horses, rabbits, etc. - 2,192 hours
Lifelong dog owner and trainer (hunting dogs) - 3,120 hours
Worked on a dairy farm - 80 hours
Falconry events in high school - 56 hours

Other Employment
Pastor in evangelical church - 1,880 hours
Ministry assistant in a church - 4,650 hours
Ministry intern - 260 hours
Crew leader for construction company - 2,880 hours

Extracurricular/Awards
Intramural basketball - 384 hours
Hunting - 4,000 hours
Children's Ministry Award for Class of 2013

LORs
Vet I worked for in college
Professor from undergrad
Former boss at church job
Boss at current farm job

Personal Statement
I basically talked about how I always wanted to be a vet, but then felt as though God wanted me to be a pastor. I then explained that I felt God was preparing me to deal with people. Being a pastor gave me people skills I would have otherwise lacked if I went straight into school to pursue vet med. Talked about the lessons I learned as a pastor and how they would translate to helping care for people as a veterinarian just as much as animals.

Out of curiosity, what denomination are you? I was raised Catholic but have a lot of family members who are Methodists and my uncle was a pastor. Pastors are pretty cool, and I can see many clients really appreciating having one as their vet.

 

[love2hunt]

Out of curiosity, what denomination are you? I was raised Catholic but have a lot of family members who are Methodists and my uncle was a pastor. Pastors are pretty cool, and I can see many clients really appreciating having one as their vet.

I am Southern Baptist, but would consider myself more non-denominational Evangelical. My stepmom and her entire family are all Methodist, so I've been to many of their services as well. I appreciate the kind words! I don't perform pastoral functions for a church anymore, but I can still perform marriage ceremonies in the state of VA.

 

[WildZoo]

Can't believe I'm posting here! I've been stalking these pages for far too long!

20-year-old Indiana Resident First Time Applicant

Applied: Purdue, Iowa State, Missouri, OK State, NC State, Wisconsin, Washington State
Interviewed: Purdue, Iowa State, Missouri, Washington State (declined)
TBD: Wisconsin, OK State
Rejected: NC State
Accepted: Iowa State, Mizzou, Purdue
Attending: Most likely Purdue! (can’t beat IS tuition)

Overall GPA: 3.78
Science GPA: 3.76
Last 45 GPA: 3.76

Degree: BS Animal Sciences – May 2017

GRE (Q/V/W): 154/150/ 3.0

Vet Experiences
Histology Diagnostic Lab - 810
Small Animal Clinic- 350
Radiation Oncology -132
Oncology Assistant- 210
Oncology Volunteer - 112
Large Animal Purdue VTH - 120
Farm vets - 300
Necropsy floor - 60
Boiler Vet camp - 40
Foal Watch - 24
Avian/Exotic Animal Clinic - 10

Research
Botulinum Neurotoxin Study in Mice- 40
Canine Gait Analysis – 174
Mouse Embryology Lab – 12 (started just shortly before submitting my app)

Animal Experience
Leader Dog Training - 315
Humane Society-168
Purdue Small Animal Caretaker - 165
4-H beef cattle - 550
4-H horses - 350
4-H swine - 250
Farm - 1000
4-H Dog - 350
Lab Animal Caretaker - 350
Livestock judging – 200

Other Employment
Subway - 360

Class Experiences
Haiti study abroad, TA for 2016-2017
ANSC 245 - animal management - 75 hrs
ANSC 181 - TA
ENGL 108 - working with nursing home

Extracurricular/Awards
4-H - 10-year member, numerous awards, started beef club, various leadership positions, loads of community service
FFA - President, reporter, beef proficiency went to nationals, community service
Heifer International - Club Fundraiser officer, Treasurer
Pre-vet club member, fundraising chair officer
High school - top 25 graduating class, played flute, guitar, and piano, National Honor Society, Academic Spell bowl, Science bowl

LORs
Anatomic Pathology Resident
Oncology Clinician/Researcher
Lab Animal Veterinarian
Haiti Professor
Physiology Professor
4-H Extension Educator

Personal Statement
My interest in being a veterinarian began when I lived on a farm and assisted the large animal veterinarian. I talked about my love for education and how I want to incorporate that into my veterinary career. I talked about what I learned from working in the diagnostic lab and being an assistant in Oncology so that I want to become a pathologist/lab animal veterinarian and make new discoveries that link the health between humans and animals.

Yay cheathac!!!

 

[cheathac]

Yay cheathac!!!

Thanks @WildZoo for all of your help, especially with the PS writing. Definitely paid off and I still can't believe this is all real!

 

[Ashley*76]

I'm enjoying reading through this thread, but man does it make me nervous for when I apply next year. My GPA is on the low end, so I'm counting on a high GRE score and my experience.

 

[mmmdreamerz]

I'm enjoying reading through this thread, but man does it make me nervous for when I apply next year. My GPA is on the low end, so I'm counting on a high GRE score and my experience.

Don't be nervous...applying to vet school is SO.much.fun

In all seriousness though, the "What are my chances?" thread is always useful if you want any suggestions and once VMCAS opens, there will be a thread for personal statement help. Oh, and I think '22ers started an applicant thread already. Everyone around here is very helpful and supportive...you'll get through it!

Edit: Here's the 2022 applicant thread
https://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/class-of-2022-hopefuls.1220715/

 

[Futuredvm13]

Don't be nervous...applying to vet school is SO.much.fun

In all seriousness though, the "What are my chances?" thread is always useful if you want any suggestions and once VMCAS opens, there will be a thread for personal statement help. Oh, and I think '22ers started an applicant thread already. Everyone around here is very helpful and supportive...you'll get through it!

Edit: Here's the 2022 applicant thread
https://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/class-of-2022-hopefuls.1220715/

Don't worry too much, my GPA and my GRE are on the lower end and I have three offers from schools. The experience is definitely a booster!!!! Happy applying, it's fun

 

[Awapi]

33 yr old female, Georgia resident, 1st time applicant, non-traditional

I completed undergrad 12 years ago and did all my pre-req's in that first degree (throwing this out there, because I had a hard time finding people who had not done classes more recently even as non-trad). I did take 2 science courses recently (my thought process was that it would show that I still had an aptitude for learning, I received an A+ in both) so 98% of my pre-req's were >10 years old. I did get a masters in public health more recently but it did not have any courses that counted as pre-reqs associated with it.

Applied: UGA (Georgia) - eggs in one basket
Accepted/Attending: UGA!! (they don't do interviews)

cGPA (undergrad): 3.37
pre-req GPA (UGA uses this instead of science): 3.59
Last 45: 3.82
cGPA (grad school): 3.8

Degree(s): BS Environmental Science 2005, MPH Global Epidemiology 2013

GRE: 163 (85%) Q/ 167 (98%) V/ 5.0 (93%) AW

Veterinary Experience
- Assisting a veterinarian at a shelter (vaccines, observing surgery, holding during visits, etc) (180 hrs)
- Zoonotic and Vectorborne Disease Epidemiologist:
Small animal: follow up on brucellosis and lepto positive dogs, importation order follow up, rabies quarantine, rabies consultations, and work with CBP at the airport (~500 hours)
Food animal/wildlife: oral rabies baiting for raccoons in north Georgia, feral swine stuff with USDA/DNR, livestock rabies follow-up (~500 hours)

Research
- Zoonotic and Vectorborne Disease Epidemiologist for the state (under a licensed veterinarian) (4590 hours)
- CDC/CSTE Applied Epidemiology Fellow
- Field Researcher for a non-profit in Kenya
- Field Researcher for CDC in South Africa
- Wildife Research on a Grant in Kenya (migration and land loss) I TOTALLY LEFT THIS OFF MY APPLICATION LIKE A DOLT
- Thesis for graduate school (MDR-TB in South Africa), various research I did in Zoonotic and Vectorborne Disease resulting in publications/abstracts/presentations

Animal Experience
- Peace Corps - raised and cared for my own food animals (1940 hours)
- Dog owner (3855 hours)

Employment (not animal related)
- Peace Corps - I accidentally entered this as "Animal experience" but didn't notice until I was writing this up - glad I didn't notice earlier or I would have stressed about it. Coastal Resource Management volunteer. I would have entered it as "employment" because, despite being a Peace Corps "Volunteer", PCVs are paid (3708 hours)
- TA for an Infectious Disease Course in grad school (204 hours)
- Math/Science substitute teacher (750 hours)

Non-Animal Volunteering
Volunteer with various community organizations (named them in the description) (100 hrs)
Refugee organization/Habitat for Humanity (150 hrs)
Member of the alumni board for my graduate school (260 hrs)

Extracurriculars/Awards
A handful of publications and review of articles for scientific journals, most on zoonotic or vectorborne disease (plague, ebola, etc)
Spoke/presented on rabies at a couple of national conferences
Public Health chairperson for the state's feral swine workgroup
A few awards from the state health department/CDC for various things
President of a few different clubs
Graduated Cum Laude
Deans list (only 2 semesters)
Merit scholarships for undergrad and grad school
Hiking/camping

LORs
- State Epidemiologist (licensed veterinarian) - my mentor in my CDC/CSTE fellowship and my boss' boss
- State Public Health Veterinarian (licensed veterinarian) - my direct supervisor for 4+ years
- Career Epi Field Officer (assignee by CDC, also a licensed vet) - worked closely with her on the state's Ebola response

Personal Statement
Started with a story from Peace Corps that sparked my interest in zoonoses and one health. Talked about my career in zoonotic disease and how a DVM is imperative to reach the goals I have set for myself. I only applied to UGA, so I actually talked about them in my personal statement since it wasn't going to anyone else. I was truthful, the program is a unique fit for me with their ties to their public health school, USDA, etc. I made it clear that I did not intend to ever practice in a clinic, but would be going back into public health as a medical epidemiologist. I thought this might hurt me, but decided that being honest was most important. If they didn't think I could fit into their program with my true future plans, then it wouldn't be the right place for me.

 

[Momokeen]

33 yr old female, Georgia resident, 1st time applicant, non-traditional

I completed undergrad 12 years ago and did all my pre-req's in that first degree (throwing this out there, because I had a hard time finding people who had not done classes more recently even as non-trad). I did take 2 science courses recently (my thought process was that it would show that I still had an aptitude for learning, I received an A+ in both) so 98% of my pre-req's were >10 years old. I did get a masters in public health more recently but it did not have any courses that counted as pre-reqs associated with it.

Applied: UGA (Georgia) - eggs in one basket
Accepted/Attending: UGA!! (they don't do interviews)

cGPA (undergrad): 3.37
pre-req GPA (UGA uses this instead of science): 3.59
Last 45: 3.82
cGPA (grad school): 3.8

Degree(s): BS Environmental Science 2005, MPH Global Epidemiology 2013

GRE: 163 (85%) Q/ 167 (98%) V/ 5.0 (93%) AW

Veterinary Experience
- Assisting a veterinarian at a shelter (vaccines, observing surgery, holding during visits, etc) (180 hrs)
- Zoonotic and Vectorborne Disease Epidemiologist:
Small animal: follow up on brucellosis and lepto positive dogs, importation order follow up, rabies quarantine, rabies consultations, and work with CBP at the airport (~500 hours)
Food animal/wildlife: oral rabies baiting for raccoons in north Georgia, feral swine stuff with USDA/DNR, livestock rabies follow-up (~500 hours)

Research
- Zoonotic and Vectorborne Disease Epidemiologist for the state (under a licensed veterinarian) (4590 hours)
- CDC/CSTE Applied Epidemiology Fellow
- Field Researcher for a non-profit in Kenya
- Field Researcher for CDC in South Africa
- Wildife Research on a Grant in Kenya (migration and land loss) I TOTALLY LEFT THIS OFF MY APPLICATION LIKE A DOLT
- Thesis for graduate school (MDR-TB in South Africa), various research I did in Zoonotic and Vectorborne Disease resulting in publications/abstracts/presentations

Animal Experience
- Peace Corps - raised and cared for my own food animals (1940 hours)
- Dog owner (3855 hours)

Employment (not animal related)
- Peace Corps - I accidentally entered this as "Animal experience" but didn't notice until I was writing this up - glad I didn't notice earlier or I would have stressed about it. Coastal Resource Management volunteer. I would have entered it as "employment" because, despite being a Peace Corps "Volunteer", PCVs are paid (3708 hours)
- TA for an Infectious Disease Course in grad school (204 hours)
- Math/Science substitute teacher (750 hours)

Non-Animal Volunteering
Volunteer with various community organizations (named them in the description) (100 hrs)
Refugee organization/Habitat for Humanity (150 hrs)
Member of the alumni board for my graduate school (260 hrs)

Extracurriculars/Awards
A handful of publications and review of articles for scientific journals, most on zoonotic or vectorborne disease (plague, ebola, etc)
Spoke/presented on rabies at a couple of national conferences
Public Health chairperson for the state's feral swine workgroup
A few awards from the state health department/CDC for various things
President of a few different clubs
Graduated Cum Laude
Deans list (only 2 semesters)
Merit scholarships for undergrad and grad school
Hiking/camping

LORs
- State Epidemiologist (licensed veterinarian) - my mentor in my CDC/CSTE fellowship and my boss' boss
- State Public Health Veterinarian (licensed veterinarian) - my direct supervisor for 4+ years
- Career Epi Field Officer (assignee by CDC, also a licensed vet) - worked closely with her on the state's Ebola response

Personal Statement
Started with a story from Peace Corps that sparked my interest in zoonoses and one health. Talked about my career in zoonotic disease and how a DVM is imperative to reach the goals I have set for myself. I only applied to UGA, so I actually talked about them in my personal statement since it wasn't going to anyone else. I was truthful, the program is a unique fit for me with their ties to their public health school, USDA, etc. I made it clear that I did not intend to ever practice in a clinic, but would be going back into public health as a medical epidemiologist. I thought this might hurt me, but decided that being honest was most important. If they didn't think I could fit into their program with my true future plans, then it wouldn't be the right place for me.

Can I be you when I grow up?

 

[Great Butts]

Can I be you when I grow up?

Yeah like tbh @Awapi is serious life goals. She's like my Beyonce of vet med

 

[Momokeen]

Yeah like tbh @Awapi is serious life goals. She's like my Beyonce of vet med

Agreed

 

[deleted676737]

33 yr old female, Georgia resident, 1st time applicant, non-traditional

I completed undergrad 12 years ago and did all my pre-req's in that first degree (throwing this out there, because I had a hard time finding people who had not done classes more recently even as non-trad). I did take 2 science courses recently (my thought process was that it would show that I still had an aptitude for learning, I received an A+ in both) so 98% of my pre-req's were >10 years old. I did get a masters in public health more recently but it did not have any courses that counted as pre-reqs associated with it.

Applied: UGA (Georgia) - eggs in one basket
Accepted/Attending: UGA!! (they don't do interviews)

cGPA (undergrad): 3.37
pre-req GPA (UGA uses this instead of science): 3.59
Last 45: 3.82
cGPA (grad school): 3.8

Degree(s): BS Environmental Science 2005, MPH Global Epidemiology 2013

GRE: 163 (85%) Q/ 167 (98%) V/ 5.0 (93%) AW

Veterinary Experience
- Assisting a veterinarian at a shelter (vaccines, observing surgery, holding during visits, etc) (180 hrs)
- Zoonotic and Vectorborne Disease Epidemiologist:
Small animal: follow up on brucellosis and lepto positive dogs, importation order follow up, rabies quarantine, rabies consultations, and work with CBP at the airport (~500 hours)
Food animal/wildlife: oral rabies baiting for raccoons in north Georgia, feral swine stuff with USDA/DNR, livestock rabies follow-up (~500 hours)

Research
- Zoonotic and Vectorborne Disease Epidemiologist for the state (under a licensed veterinarian) (4590 hours)
- CDC/CSTE Applied Epidemiology Fellow
- Field Researcher for a non-profit in Kenya
- Field Researcher for CDC in South Africa
- Wildife Research on a Grant in Kenya (migration and land loss) I TOTALLY LEFT THIS OFF MY APPLICATION LIKE A DOLT
- Thesis for graduate school (MDR-TB in South Africa), various research I did in Zoonotic and Vectorborne Disease resulting in publications/abstracts/presentations

Animal Experience
- Peace Corps - raised and cared for my own food animals (1940 hours)
- Dog owner (3855 hours)

Employment (not animal related)
- Peace Corps - I accidentally entered this as "Animal experience" but didn't notice until I was writing this up - glad I didn't notice earlier or I would have stressed about it. Coastal Resource Management volunteer. I would have entered it as "employment" because, despite being a Peace Corps "Volunteer", PCVs are paid (3708 hours)
- TA for an Infectious Disease Course in grad school (204 hours)
- Math/Science substitute teacher (750 hours)

Non-Animal Volunteering
Volunteer with various community organizations (named them in the description) (100 hrs)
Refugee organization/Habitat for Humanity (150 hrs)
Member of the alumni board for my graduate school (260 hrs)

Extracurriculars/Awards
A handful of publications and review of articles for scientific journals, most on zoonotic or vectorborne disease (plague, ebola, etc)
Spoke/presented on rabies at a couple of national conferences
Public Health chairperson for the state's feral swine workgroup
A few awards from the state health department/CDC for various things
President of a few different clubs
Graduated Cum Laude
Deans list (only 2 semesters)
Merit scholarships for undergrad and grad school
Hiking/camping

LORs
- State Epidemiologist (licensed veterinarian) - my mentor in my CDC/CSTE fellowship and my boss' boss
- State Public Health Veterinarian (licensed veterinarian) - my direct supervisor for 4+ years
- Career Epi Field Officer (assignee by CDC, also a licensed vet) - worked closely with her on the state's Ebola response

Personal Statement
Started with a story from Peace Corps that sparked my interest in zoonoses and one health. Talked about my career in zoonotic disease and how a DVM is imperative to reach the goals I have set for myself. I only applied to UGA, so I actually talked about them in my personal statement since it wasn't going to anyone else. I was truthful, the program is a unique fit for me with their ties to their public health school, USDA, etc. I made it clear that I did not intend to ever practice in a clinic, but would be going back into public health as a medical epidemiologist. I thought this might hurt me, but decided that being honest was most important. If they didn't think I could fit into their program with my true future plans, then it wouldn't be the right place for me.

Whoa, what an app! Seriously impressive stuff. Best of luck at UGA this fall!

 

[Awapi]

@SandstormDVM @Momokeen @Great Butts

You guys are seriously too much, thank you so much for the kind words! You gave an old gal a good blush today

 

[peteypie]

21 yr old female, Georgia resident, 1st time applicant

Applied: UGA
Accepted/Attending: UGA! Go Dawgs!!!

cGPA: 3.74
pre-req GPA: 3.54 (UGA uses this instead of science)
last 45 GPA: 3.84

Degree: BS Biochemistry, minor biology, May 2017

GRE: 159 (73%)Q/156 (72%)V/ 4.5 (82%) AW

Veterinary Experience
Veterinary Assistant Small Animal GP (168 hrs)
Mixed Practice (small animal, exotics/avian, emergency) Shadowing (140 hrs)
Emergency Clinic Shadowing (48 hrs)
Large/Food Animal Shadowing (41 hrs)
Small Animal GP Shadowing (216 hrs)

Animal Experience
Humane Society- socialized cats and cleaned cat area (52 hrs)
Owned pets/worked on my grandparents farm, didn't put this on the application though

Other Work Experience
Grader for biochemistry (75 hrs)
Day Camp Counselor (880 hrs)
Violinist/Violist
Community Center File Clerk/Volunteer (100 hrs)

Extracurriculars
NCAA Division I rower (3510 hrs)
United States National Team athlete
Iota Sigma Pi National Honor Society for Women in Chemistry- Secretary
High School rower (2236 hrs)
Violinist/Violist (5340 hrs)
Ballet (2916 hrs)

Honors/Awards
Dean's List- 4 semesters
President's Honor Roll (4.0 GPA)- 1 semester
Scroll Honor Society
Iota Sigma Pi National Honor Society for Women in Chemistry
Phi Lambda Upsilon National Chemistry Honor Society
University Academic scholarship
Athletic scholarship
Both Conference and National level Scholar Athlete Awards (3 years)
AP Scholar with Distinction
Other various high school awards

LORs
College rowing head coach
Chemistry professor
Vet from small animal practice where I shadowed and was later hired as a vet assistant
Vet from mixed practice (small animal/exotic/avian/emergency) where I shadowed

Personal Statement
Talked about how I became interested in veterinary medicine, what I learned from my shadowing/work experiences, the skills that I have learned from being an athlete and how they will help me in my career, career interests include small animal emergency medicine and supporting the mission of spay/neuter clinics.

 

[SnowsofKilimanjaro]

I feel like i've waited a lifetime to post here! LOW GPA but experience!

23 yr old male, Georgia resident, 2nd time applicant

Applied: Georgia, Ohio State, Mississippi State, Kansas State, LMU, Cornell, Colorado State
Rejected: Cornell, Colorado State, Mississippi State
Interviewed: Ohio State, Kansas State, Mississippi State, LMU
Pending: LMU
Waitlisted: Kansas State
Accepted: University of Georgia, Ohio State
Attending: ???

Overall GPA: 3.39
Science GPA: 3.14
Last 45 GPA: 3.7 ish... depends on if the school included my grad school GPA

Degree: BS Biology
Master of Animal and Dairy Science in progress

GRE (Q/V/W): 153/157/4

Veterinary Experience:
Veterinary Assistant mixed animal practice (6,000 hrs)
Technician small animal practice (1700 hrs)
Volunteer vet assistant vaccination clinics, FFA pig blood drawing (40 hrs)

Animal Experience:
Co-founder of a 501(c)(3) non-profit foundation for a dog breed (136 hrs)
Equine Therapeutic Riding Centers x2 (200 hrs)
Family Farm Assistant (Beef cattle production) (200 hrs)
Shelter volunteer (40 hrs)
Summer high school ag seminar speaker (5 hrs)
Pointing dog field trial competitor (600 hrs)

Research:
Masters research investigating alternative treatment method of mastitis in dairy cattle (312 hrs) - currently seeking publication
Undergraduate stream ecology research assistant (300 hrs)
Undergraduate chemistry research assistant (90 hrs)

Other Work Experience
Legal Assistant (400 hrs) (I ALMOST went to law school)

Extracurricular
Founder of a successful recycling program on undergraduate campus. This model subsequently adopted by other schools
President of Judicial Affairs: Interfraternity Council
Vice President of Fraternity
Scholarship Chairman of Fraternity
Tri-beta collegiate honor society
Legal Assistant (almost went to law school)

Honors/Awards
First place veterinary science competition. District + State
Eighth place national veterinary science competition
First place 4-h veterinary science competition - "master" 4-her
Dean's list x2
President's list
President's scholarship award
Natural Resources Conservation scholarship award
Farm Bureau scholarship award
Pointing dog scholarship award
Honor's program


LORs
Mixed animal vet I worked under for 2 years
Small animal vet I worked under for 1 year
Stream ecologist I did research with
UGA county extension agent who knew me since my 4h days

Personal Statement
Spun a story from my experience growing up in my father's veterinary clinic. Detailed my progression from a curious child in his practice to a prepared and capable applicant for veterinary school.

 

[wallydo]

26 yr old female, Michigan Resident, 2nd time applicant
**LOW GPA ALERT**

First Cycle: Rejected by Michigan and Ohio. Stats are similar though my Science GPA improved slightly between cycles. Only had an A.S. degree. File review at Ohio stated I needed more large animal experience and better grades. Michigan State stated to finish B.S. (that cycle, having a Bachelor's degree improved SIS score, this is no longer the case) and improve Science GPA. Both thought my GRE scores were "acceptable" though there was definitely room for improvement.

Second Cycle:
Applied: Michigan State, Colorado State, Iowa State, University of Minnesota, Lincoln Memorial
Rejected: Colorado, LMU
Interviewed: Michigan, Iowa, Minnesota
Waitlisted: Iowa (unsure of position yet), Michigan (5th IS)
Accepted: UMN!!
Attending: Will have to see how it plays out. MSU admissions stated their "gut feeling" is I will be called off the waitlist but there is absolutely no guarantee. Last year, they called 7 off. Of course, I will choose IS tuition > OOS tuition if I get the chance. However, as a second time applicant I am not going to pass up my only acceptance. I fell quite in love with Minneapolis/UMN over the past weekend and if that is where the stars take me, I will go and make the most of it!!

Overall GPA: 3.05 (see below)
Science GPA: 3.34
Last 45 GPA: 3.63

Degree:
A.S. Degree in Pre-Medical Studies Lansing Community College, 2015
Studying Zoology at MSU, but will not finish B.S. prior to matriculating into vet school.

GRE (Q/V/W): 151/156/4.0

Veterinary Experience
Worked in small animal veterinary practice for 8.5 years - began as kennel assistant and with on the job training, performed technician duties under LVT/DVM (9,000 hrs)
Volunteered with local animal control assisting with spay/neuter procedures and fostered post-op ortho patients (232 hours)
SA surgical "internship" at Ohio State University (48 hours)
Shadowed SA board certified orthopedic surgeon at MSU/OSU - permitted to scrub-in during all procedures (16 hours)
Shadowed/some minor assisting SA emergency practice (12 hours)
Shadowed LA veterinarian performing herd health check on dairy farm (8 hours)
Veterinary assistant at MSU's Veterinary Medical Center for the ECCM service (120 hours at time of application, ongoing)

Animal Experience
- Voiceless-MI - kitten foster (8 hours, had a litter for 4 months but only included time spent bottle feeding/medicating)
- MSU Mink Farm - handled kits, learned how farm operated (3 hours)
- MI English Setter Club - foster/volunteer (160 hours)
- Lived on small horse farm for 4 months - provided care in exchange to ride (96 hours)
- Horse riding/training in adult life (also leased/rode as a child but didn't include) (48 hours)
- Dog training/disc competition with my own dogs (68 hours)
- Petsitting - my DVM owns a boarding facility out of his home while also owning a variety of his own pets - I lived here when they go out of town - companion animals + exotic animals + poultry (432 hrs)
- Animal Control volunteer - fundraising, fostering healthy pets, exercising animals, feeding/watering - (400 hrs - been w/ this organization for 8 years)
- Pet ownership - although controversial, I included this because my three dogs have had multiple orthopedic procedures (fracture repair x 2, MRIT, TPLO, FHO, pantarsal arthrodesis) that required post-op care, as well as managing a dog with severe separation anxiety with the help of a veterinary behaviorist, and a cat with FHV that needs daily ophthalmic medications. I kept the hours low to make sure they knew I wasn't padding my application, just that I have an interesting crew! (20 hours)

Other Employment
Pizza Delivery Driver
Sale Associate in shoe store

Research Experience
Undergraduate Research Assistant - Work in the Dept. of Pharm/Tox at MSU assisting with liver research in mouse model. Learned many (and still learning every day) lab techniques (qPCR, flow cytometric analysis, cell tissue culture) and in general just learning how a lab works. My project is primarily focused on characterizing Kupffer cells and bone-marrow derived macrophages of the mouse liver. Abstract was presented at The Liver Meeting in Boston November 2016 and will hopefully be leading to a publication this year (NOT first author but still very proud of this work!). (1392 hours, ongoing)

Extracurriculars/Awards
- American Society of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics Summer Fellow - procured my own funding ($4000 stipend) for 3 months of summer research in the lab listed above
- Few semesters of Deans List
- Discussed the things I like to do in my free time - camping, hiking with my dogs, playing music (my SO operates a DIY record label and venue), being a homeowner and gardening

LORs
SA DVM whom I worked with for 8.5 years
SA orthopedic specialist whom I shadowed/interned with
Current PI
Professor of upper level Toxicology course

Personal Statement
Discussed some of the challenges faced growing up in very rural Delaware and then working in a veterinary practice in a low-income area in Michigan. Also discussed a case with my own dog that needed a pantarsal arthrodesis and her developing a MRSS infection post-op and the dedication of her specialist. Included that though I am particularly interested in SA medicine and I have a growing desire to possibly pursue a research related career but that I want to keep all my doors open.

Additional Notes
I'm 26 years old and only completed an A.S. degree in 2015. The reason is - I took a LOT of time off from college. My first semester of college, my parents divorced, foreclosed on their respective homes, and moved back to the east coast. I had zero guidance and just stopped going to school (without dropping my classes - all Fs). Then, failed a second semester. I was afraid of failing again so I took some time away from school and put my entire heart and soul into working in the practice that hired me and volunteering with a local rescue. I also worked a lot to pay for dog surgeries and a down payment for a house. Once I was certain I wanted to pursue veterinary medicine, I restarted by taking a few classes here and there and doing well, before finally having the confidence to take on more and finish this degree/transfer to MSU. I now have several challenging yet successful semesters under my belt. This is most certainly not the easy route towards veterinary school and I wouldn't recommend this to anyone, but I want to share to give some hope to anyone who might be in a similar boat. If you are certain you want it, don't give up! Improve your academics, apply to schools who value your strong areas, and make as many connections as possible along your journey. It only takes one yes.

 

[missnashvilletime]

25 yr old female, Texas resident, 4th time applicant

Applied: Texas A & M, Colorado State, Western U, Cornell, Iowa State, Michigan State, University of Georgia, University of Tennessee
Rejected: UGA, UTK, Cornell, A&M
Interviewed: Western U, Colorado State, Michigan State
Pending: Michigan State
Waitlisted: Iowa State, Western U
Accepted: Colorado State
Attending: undecided

Overall GPA: 3.2
Undergrad GPA: 3.01
Graduate GPA: 3.6
Science GPA: 2.9
Last 45 GPA: 3.5

Degree: BS Animal Science (Colorado state)
MS Biomedical Science (finish this semester, done at TAMU)

GRE (Q/V/W): 161/154/3.5

Veterinary Experience:
Volunteered mixed animal, livestock and small animal (over 2,000 hours total). Lambed in Ireland (300 ewes) and calved in France.
Research where we did open heart surgery on pigs and exercise train them.

Animal Experience:
Equine breeding/training/riding
Internship at sheep farm
Lived on a working cattle ranch



Extracurricular/Awards:
Competing with the horses and work

LORs
Mixed animal vet I did most of my experience with (wrote a letter for all 4 apps)
Large animal vet
Small animal vet
Boss/professor for lab work
Committee chair for MS degree
Surgeon from the research project I worked on

 

[Teepster87]

Attending: Will have to see how it plays out. MSU admissions stated their "gut feeling" is I will be called off the waitlist but there is absolutely no guarantee. Last year, they called 7 off.

They might have called 7 people total from the Is waitlist last year, but my good friend was the last person added to our class and was #18 on the IS waitlist. That being said, it doesn't always move that much, she told me the year prior there was no movement at all.
Congrats of your acceptance, and I hope you get a chance for IS tuition here at MSU

 

[wallydo]

They might have called 7 people total from the Is waitlist last year, but my good friend was the last person added to our class and was #18 on the IS waitlist. That being said, it doesn't always move that much, she told me the year prior there was no movement at all.
Congrats of your acceptance, and I hope you get a chance for IS tuition here at MSU

Thank you Teepster! That would be pretty darn awesome if this year is like last year! I would LOVE me some IS tuition. Fingers crossed. The director for admissions at UMN stated that it *may* be possible to get IS tuition after one full year in MN (no going home for summer, finding employment, cutting ties to your other state). Apparently, there is a new person involved in the application for residency process that's lead to more success in students gaining residency status. Our student panel mentioned knowing OOS students who were able to do this, and two on the panel were able to. I would definitely do everything in my power to at least TRY for that if I end up there but of course, it's a gamble!

 

[Teepster87]

Do you know around when they got called off the list!? I'm #14 so.. odds are quite slim but just curious!

Congrats @wallydo !! Both on the acceptance to UMN and for having a great position on the waitlist! I'm pulling for you!

She got called off July 19th

 

[wallydo]

Do you know around when they got called off the list!? I'm #14 so.. odds are quite slim but just curious!

Congrats @wallydo !! Both on the acceptance to UMN and for having a great position on the waitlist! I'm pulling for you!

Thank you GreytLife, and I hope so very badly you get a special phone call. I am pulling for you, too!!!

 

[chknluv]

22 yr old female, SC Resident, 1st time applicant

Applied: CSU, NCSU, Penn, UGA
Rejected: NCSU (so sad, I loved the campus when I visited)
Interviewed: CSU, Penn (declined interview at Penn)
Accepted: UGA, CSU (declined interview at Penn after receiving acceptance from CSU)
Attending: UGA with a contract seat!!!
Overall GPA: 3.97
Science GPA: 4.0
Last 45 GPA: 4.0

Degree:
Bachelor of Science - Animal Science
Most of a Business minor... dropped it last semester

GRE (Q/V/W): 155 (60%)/161 (87%)/ 4.5 (80%)
I took the GRE one time and never wanted to do it again!

Veterinary Experience
500 hours small animal
500 hours equine

Animal Experience
700 hours poultry (I was the student manager of a poultry farm... where I found my love for chickens!)
200 hours various animals (poultry, dairy, swine, ovine, equine) at my school's research farms for classes

Other Employment
500 hours as a lifeguard in highschool
5000 hours at my local climbing gym (this included coaching a club of elementary-high school girls)
150 hours fine art model at my school

Research Experience
1000 hours Undergraduate research assistant with my departments Ruminant Nutrition Lab; I am also the Animal Coordinator and Lab Coordinator

Extracurriculars/Awards
6000 hours sport karate up through highschool; achieved 3rd degree black belt and won mulitple competitions, including a 2nd place world championship
JV volleyball in highschool
RYLA member in highschool and representative for 2011 camp at Erskine
Climbing team member in high school and now
National Honor Society Member in high school
National Art Honor Society President in high school
Writing award from local newspaper in high school
Art awards in high school
SC Academic Achievement Honors, high school
Anderson Five Academic Honors, high school
Latin Award, high school
Commencement Marshall Junior Year of high school
Several scholarships amounting to a full ride for college!
National Collegiate Honor Society Member
Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society Member
President's Lists all semesters in college except for one Dean's List (dang that B in microeconomics!)
Outstanding Herdsman for showing poultry

LORs
Equine vet I work with
PhD student who I do research under
Professor who I do research under

Personal Statement
Started with a story about climbing, and how when I am afraid climbing I think about cows (which I do). Continued to discuss how my love for cows developed during my research experiences; I described a night we were sampling rumen contents at 2 am and how I realized I was happy, and knew I wanted to work with animals no matter what. I then described my different experiences with large and small animals, really focusing on how working with the equine vet allowed me to have an insiders view on the life of a vet. I finally connected my love for climbing with my love for veterinary medicine; I was introduced to both around the same time (6 years ago), and climbing requires skills that are imperative for being a successful vet (dedication, self-motivation, teamwork, and trust in your partners).

Additional Notes
If you read this far you probably noticed... I did NO extracurriculurs in college, which is why I listed a lot from HS on my application. I have been finanically responsible for myself and lived away from home since I was 16, and I have worked to support myself throughout highschool and college. It's a long story, but I just didn't have support from my family. All of my time was focused on school and work, and then research when I decided to do that beginning in my junior year. I've been lucky to have jobs related to animal science, so I was able to rack up a lot of hours. My whole explanation statement described my lack of EC in college.

 

[singhb09]

Hopefully this will motivate some of those with "average" stats!

25 year old male, CA resident, 1st time applicant

Bachelor's in Biology

Applied: Western, Davis, Oregon State, Washington, Kansas, Mizzou, UGA, Auburn, Illinois, Ohio State, Michigan State, VA-MD, Minnesota
Rejected: Davis, Mizzou, Washington, UGA, Oregon State
Interview: Western, Kansas, Michigan State, VA-MD, Ohio State, Auburn (declined), Minnesota (Declined), Illinois (declined)
Accepted: Western, Michigan, OSU
Waitlisted: Kansas, VA-MD
Attending: THE Ohio State!

Overall GPA: 3.46
sGPA: 3.39-3.6 depending on the school
Last 45 GPA: 3.61

GRE (Q/V/W): 153 (51%)/ 159 (82%)/ 5.5 (98%)

Veterinary experience:
- Small animal clinic, kennel assistant to start, worked up to tech duties - (2200 hours)
- Shadowing/volunteering with a board certified avian vet who also treated wildlife and exotics - (600 hours)
- Shadowing campus farm vet - (250 hours)
- Charity spay/neuter clinics - (50 hours)

Animal experience:
- Shelter volunteer - (100 hours)
- Dog training assistant at training/boarding facility - (700 hours)
- Working with rehab horses - (30 hours)

Research:
(Personally would have put these down as animal exp since I was more of a volunteer/extra hand and didn't really participate in research design/data interpretation but VMCAS says to include all experiences in a research environment as research)

- Evolutionary/physiological Mediterranean House Gecko research -(800 hours )
- Assisted a Master's candidate with collecting preliminary data for her thesis. Injected red-eyed tree frogs with GnRH, spermeated them and analyzed the sperm via fluorescence microscopy. Future goals were aimed at developing a useful captive breeding model for endangered amphibians - (200 hours)
- Shadowing the vet and techs at a large biomedical research institute - (300 hours)

Non-Animal Employment:
- cashier and eventual supervisor at an on-campus store - (5 years)
- In-house supportive assistant for my disabled mother -(10 years)

EC/Awards:
- Multiple marathons/5k's/Obstacle course runs
- Volunteer/participant for charity walks and events
- 5 or 6 Dean's List semesters
- Scholarship award for working with the sheep on campus
- BEER club (Biology, Ecology, and Evolution Reading club)
- Pre-vet program
- Bank of America Writer's Award

LOR's:
- Research prof/associate dean of biology dept
- Small animal vet I worked with for a year
- Avian vet I volunteered with
- Entomology professor
- Head of pre-vet dept
- Food animal prof/vet I shadowed

Personal Statement:
Opened with a funny story about an experience in the research lab I volunteered in, and then talked about the hilarious/awkward experience that led me to join that lab. Explained that my experience with live animals in a laboratory setting led me to want to be a lab animal vet, and how the misconceptions about lab animal research (animals not being treated well, being used for "useless" research etc) really made me want to work in the field to help change those perceptions.

 

[mht2k3]

Hopefully this will motivate some of those with "average" stats!

25 year old male, CA resident, 1st time applicant

Bachelor's in Biology

Applied: Western, Davis, Oregon State, Washington, Kansas, Mizzou, UGA, Auburn, Illinois, Ohio State, Michigan State, VA-MD, Minnesota
Rejected: Davis, Mizzou, Washington, UGA, Oregon State
Interview: Western, Kansas, Michigan State, VA-MD, Ohio State, Auburn (declined), Minnesota (Declined), Illinois (declined)
Waitlisted: Kansas, VA-MD
Attending: THE Ohio State!

Overall GPA: 3.46
sGPA: 3.39-3.6 depending on the school
Last 45 GPA: 3.61

GRE (Q/V/W): 153 (51%)/ 159 (82%)/ 5.5 (98%)

Veterinary experience:
- Small animal clinic, kennel assistant to start, worked up to tech duties - (2200 hours)
- Shadowing/volunteering with a board certified avian vet who also treated wildlife and exotics - (600 hours)
- Shadowing campus farm vet - (250 hours)
- Charity spay/neuter clinics - (50 hours)

Animal experience:
- Shelter volunteer - (100 hours)
- Dog training assistant at training/boarding facility - (700 hours)
- Working with rehab horses - (30 hours)

Research:
(Personally would have put these down as animal exp since I was more of a volunteer/extra hand and didn't really participate in research design/data interpretation but VMCAS says to include all experiences in a research environment as research)

- Evolutionary/physiological Mediterranean House Gecko research -(800 hours )
- Assisted a Master's candidate with collecting preliminary data for her thesis. Injected red-eyed tree frogs with GnRH, spermeated them and analyzed the sperm via fluorescence microscopy. Future goals were aimed at developing a useful captive breeding model for endangered amphibians - (200 hours)
- Shadowing the vet and techs at a large biomedical research institute - (300 hours)

Non-Animal Employment:
- cashier and eventual supervisor at an on-campus store - (5 years)
- In-house supportive assistant for my disabled mother -(10 years)

EC/Awards:
- Multiple marathons/5k's/Obstacle course runs
- Volunteer/participant for charity walks and events
- 5 or 6 Dean's List semesters
- Scholarship award for working with the sheep on campus
- BEER club (Biology, Ecology, and Evolution Reading club)
- Pre-vet program
- Bank of America Writer's Award

LOR's:
- Research prof/associate dean of biology dept
- Small animal vet I worked with for a year
- Avian vet I volunteered with
- Entomology professor
- Head of pre-vet dept
- Food animal prof/vet I shadowed

Personal Statement:
Opened with a funny story about an experience in the research lab I volunteered in, and then talked about the hilarious/awkward experience that led me to join that lab. Explained that my experience with live animals in a laboratory setting led me to want to be a lab animal vet, and how the misconceptions about lab animal research (animals not being treated well, being used for "useless" research etc) really made me want to work in the field to help change those perceptions.

Congrats, good luck in Ohio!

 

[singhb09]

Congrats, good luck in Ohio!

Thanks Mike! Congrats on Penn (and the scholarship!) -- I look forward to being future colleagues!

 

[Momokeen]

Hopefully this will motivate some of those with "average" stats!

25 year old male, CA resident, 1st time applicant

Bachelor's in Biology

Applied: Western, Davis, Oregon State, Washington, Kansas, Mizzou, UGA, Auburn, Illinois, Ohio State, Michigan State, VA-MD, Minnesota
Rejected: Davis, Mizzou, Washington, UGA, Oregon State
Interview: Western, Kansas, Michigan State, VA-MD, Ohio State, Auburn (declined), Minnesota (Declined), Illinois (declined)
Waitlisted: Kansas, VA-MD
Attending: THE Ohio State!

Overall GPA: 3.46
sGPA: 3.39-3.6 depending on the school
Last 45 GPA: 3.61

GRE (Q/V/W): 153 (51%)/ 159 (82%)/ 5.5 (98%)

Veterinary experience:
- Small animal clinic, kennel assistant to start, worked up to tech duties - (2200 hours)
- Shadowing/volunteering with a board certified avian vet who also treated wildlife and exotics - (600 hours)
- Shadowing campus farm vet - (250 hours)
- Charity spay/neuter clinics - (50 hours)

Animal experience:
- Shelter volunteer - (100 hours)
- Dog training assistant at training/boarding facility - (700 hours)
- Working with rehab horses - (30 hours)

Research:
(Personally would have put these down as animal exp since I was more of a volunteer/extra hand and didn't really participate in research design/data interpretation but VMCAS says to include all experiences in a research environment as research)

- Evolutionary/physiological Mediterranean House Gecko research -(800 hours )
- Assisted a Master's candidate with collecting preliminary data for her thesis. Injected red-eyed tree frogs with GnRH, spermeated them and analyzed the sperm via fluorescence microscopy. Future goals were aimed at developing a useful captive breeding model for endangered amphibians - (200 hours)
- Shadowing the vet and techs at a large biomedical research institute - (300 hours)

Non-Animal Employment:
- cashier and eventual supervisor at an on-campus store - (5 years)
- In-house supportive assistant for my disabled mother -(10 years)

EC/Awards:
- Multiple marathons/5k's/Obstacle course runs
- Volunteer/participant for charity walks and events
- 5 or 6 Dean's List semesters
- Scholarship award for working with the sheep on campus
- BEER club (Biology, Ecology, and Evolution Reading club)
- Pre-vet program
- Bank of America Writer's Award

LOR's:
- Research prof/associate dean of biology dept
- Small animal vet I worked with for a year
- Avian vet I volunteered with
- Entomology professor
- Head of pre-vet dept
- Food animal prof/vet I shadowed

Personal Statement:
Opened with a funny story about an experience in the research lab I volunteered in, and then talked about the hilarious/awkward experience that led me to join that lab. Explained that my experience with live animals in a laboratory setting led me to want to be a lab animal vet, and how the misconceptions about lab animal research (animals not being treated well, being used for "useless" research etc) really made me want to work in the field to help change those perceptions.

Gaaaaah I'm so excited that you got into Ohio!!! And happy belated birthday by the way!

 

[mmmdreamerz]

Hopefully this will motivate some of those with "average" stats!

25 year old male, CA resident, 1st time applicant

Bachelor's in Biology

Applied: Western, Davis, Oregon State, Washington, Kansas, Mizzou, UGA, Auburn, Illinois, Ohio State, Michigan State, VA-MD, Minnesota
Rejected: Davis, Mizzou, Washington, UGA, Oregon State
Interview: Western, Kansas, Michigan State, VA-MD, Ohio State, Auburn (declined), Minnesota (Declined), Illinois (declined)
Waitlisted: Kansas, VA-MD
Attending: THE Ohio State!

Overall GPA: 3.46
sGPA: 3.39-3.6 depending on the school
Last 45 GPA: 3.61

GRE (Q/V/W): 153 (51%)/ 159 (82%)/ 5.5 (98%)

Veterinary experience:
- Small animal clinic, kennel assistant to start, worked up to tech duties - (2200 hours)
- Shadowing/volunteering with a board certified avian vet who also treated wildlife and exotics - (600 hours)
- Shadowing campus farm vet - (250 hours)
- Charity spay/neuter clinics - (50 hours)

Animal experience:
- Shelter volunteer - (100 hours)
- Dog training assistant at training/boarding facility - (700 hours)
- Working with rehab horses - (30 hours)

Research:
(Personally would have put these down as animal exp since I was more of a volunteer/extra hand and didn't really participate in research design/data interpretation but VMCAS says to include all experiences in a research environment as research)

- Evolutionary/physiological Mediterranean House Gecko research -(800 hours )
- Assisted a Master's candidate with collecting preliminary data for her thesis. Injected red-eyed tree frogs with GnRH, spermeated them and analyzed the sperm via fluorescence microscopy. Future goals were aimed at developing a useful captive breeding model for endangered amphibians - (200 hours)
- Shadowing the vet and techs at a large biomedical research institute - (300 hours)

Non-Animal Employment:
- cashier and eventual supervisor at an on-campus store - (5 years)
- In-house supportive assistant for my disabled mother -(10 years)

EC/Awards:
- Multiple marathons/5k's/Obstacle course runs
- Volunteer/participant for charity walks and events
- 5 or 6 Dean's List semesters
- Scholarship award for working with the sheep on campus
- BEER club (Biology, Ecology, and Evolution Reading club)
- Pre-vet program
- Bank of America Writer's Award

LOR's:
- Research prof/associate dean of biology dept
- Small animal vet I worked with for a year
- Avian vet I volunteered with
- Entomology professor
- Head of pre-vet dept
- Food animal prof/vet I shadowed

Personal Statement:
Opened with a funny story about an experience in the research lab I volunteered in, and then talked about the hilarious/awkward experience that led me to join that lab. Explained that my experience with live animals in a laboratory setting led me to want to be a lab animal vet, and how the misconceptions about lab animal research (animals not being treated well, being used for "useless" research etc) really made me want to work in the field to help change those perceptions.

Congrats future classmate!!!

 

[singhb09]

Gaaaaah I'm so excited that you got into Ohio!!! And happy belated birthday by the way!

Thanks!! We both got into our top choices -- not a bad year for us eh? Lol

 

[singhb09]

Congrats future classmate!!!

Congrats to you too! Looking forward to meeting you and the rest of our classmates come fall!

 

[Momokeen]

Thanks!! We both got into our top choices -- not a bad year for us eh? Lol

Yeah not bad at all . We're gonna be vets!!!

 

[mmmdreamerz]

Congrats to you too! Looking forward to meeting you and the rest of our classmates come fall!

GO BUCKS!!!