Successful Applicants C/O 2029

[justacowgirl2571]

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23, F, TX, Traditionalish 2nd time applicant (1st application, interviewed with TAMU, Auburn and Mississippi State, Rejected from all three schools) I am SO excited to be writing in this Section this year! I had SO many people willing to help me with my application and making it as strong as possible. If anyone wants help or advice please reach out. I have a VERY Average GPA and it was my extra curriculars and Interview preparations for each individualized school that really set me apart. Happy to help this community in anyway I can! SDN has been so fun for me over the last two years and hope everyone gets some good news, even if its not on your first try! I could not have been more grateful for my gap year despite how disappointed I was this time last year.

Applied: 20 Schools
Interview Invites: St George's, Lincoln Memorial, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, Kansas State, Ohio State, Edinburgh (Declined Interview), Mississippi State (Declined Interview)
Waiting to hear: Iowa State
Rejected: Texas Tech, Illinois, UF, Mizzou, UofA, Purdue, Auburn, UC Davis, Michigan
Accepted: St. George's, Lincoln Memorial, Louisiana State, Midwestern, Texas A&M, Kansas State, Ohio State, Oklahoma State
Attending: Texas A&M!!!

Overall GPA: 3.64
Science Prerequisite GPA: 3.61
Last 45 GPA: 3.69

GRE (Q/V/W): 153 / 154 /N/A
Casper- 4th Quartile

Degree(s): TAMU Animal Science Honors (May 2024), Equine Certificate

Veterinary Experience:
1650- Large Animal (Most came from working at the TAMU Large animal Hospital in equine surgery)
150- Small/Mixed Animal
10- Exotic Animal volunteering at a wildlife center ran by a veterinarian

Animal Experience:
Equine- 1600 Hours
Livestock/Food Animal- 200 Hours
Dogs/Pet ownership- 5000 Hours


Research:
Capstone Research project- 65 Hours (Not Really sure if this counts as "research", but I put it on there because I did not want to leave the section blank. I worked very hard on the project and did a ton of research and presentations, but was not under the direct supervision of the real research project. Other than this, I have no research experience because it was not something I was super interested in)

Extracurriculars/Awards:
I think the biggest thing that set me apart compared to last year is what I did with my GAP year. I decided that I had had suffiecient animal experience hours and was worried that if I continued to work in the Field has a vet tech, I would lose my love for the profession. I was also so done with school and had no desire to get a masters. I had calculated what my GPA would improve to IF I got a 4.0 in a masters program and it was not going to be able to raise my GPA enough to think it was worth more school to me.
Instead, I moved to Washington DC! I got an internship working on capitol Hill, working for a Congressman and spent four months living there. It gave me an opportunity to not only miss the profession, but also gain a new love for advocacy and truly learn what it means to be a veterinarian. I got to sit down with the entire AVMA, House Ag Committee, attend the veterinary medicine caucus, and many other agricultural experts to learn more about all things animals and Ag. Best semester of my life.

Anyway, here are the rest of my Extra Curriculars and Awards
Treasurer of IHSA Equestrian Team ( 2 Years)
Sorority Member and in charge of all informal recruitment for 1 year (3 years)
High School Volleyball (3 Years)
National Charity League Member (6 Years)
High School Choir (2 Years)
High School Student Government (2 years)
High School Theater (3 Years)
High School FFA (4 Years)
1300 Volunteer hours
High School Scholar Athlete (2 years)
Dean's Honor Roll
Cum Laude Stole
Departmental Honors Medal
Horse Show Ribbons/ Awards


Non-Animal Employment:
Job at In-N-Out Burger (2 years)
Job on Capitol Hill (4 Months)
Baby Sitting (5 Years)

LORs:
THESE ARE SO IMPORTANT, Be sure you get VERY strong people who know you well to write these. I found out had a bad letter my first cycle and it greatly affected my acceptances.
2- Veterinary Equine Surgeons I worked for for two years
1- Animal Science Professor who I had taken 4 courses with and knew very well in both an academic and animal handling setting.

Essay Questions/Personal Statement:
With apply to so many schools I wrote close to 40 essays
My VMCAS essay- I kept it the EXACT SAME as my previous application. I got very good feedback from my essay and still felt that the way I answered the prompt was still the same way I felt when I reapplied. It did not seem to affect my acceptances or interview invites. I talked about my first time externing at a vet clinic when a dog who had been accidentally locked in a car during the summer, The entire team came together to try and save this dog. Unfortunately he was too far gone when he arrived to the clinic and passed away. But the community and comradery I witnessed that day of the entire team trying to save this dog is when I knew that vet med was for me.

In my TMDSAS Application-
Opportunities and Challenges- I talk about my senior year of college, 1 week before finals, my 11 month old puppy was hit by a car and passed away. Two days later, I found an abused mini aussie on the side of the road, I ended up taking him home and never found his owner. He has been with me ever since. I was also dealing with some personal stuff and as a result of all of this and trying to keep up with academics, I got my first ever C in college. I then talked about how I didn't get into vet school the first try and I want to seize the opportunity to do something different and shared my story about how I got my DC internship

Education Enrichment of others- This essay I went on to talk all about DC. How I met with the AVMA, what my day to day job is going to look like and How I feel that learning about Ag and the government will be beneficial to the schools I am applying to as well as student learning. It was a little hard because I didn't Start my internship until after I had already applied to vet school, but I spent the entire summer networking, and preparing for my 4 month stint in DC. I had already met with the AVMA online over the summer and knew I was going to get to design my own bill to be presented to the congressman I was working for at the end of the semester. So that is what I mostly focused on in this essay.

Unique Circumstances- I talk about having a dad in the military who became disabled from his service. I talk about the type of father he is and how much he taught me about service, kindness and love through his passion of protecting others. I related that to my passion of advocating for individuals who cannot speak for themselves (animals) and how my interests in becoming a vet directly stems from my dad's military service career.

 

[ShaWalla]

21, F, VA, Traditional, First time applicant.

Applied: VMCVM, NCSU, Illinois, Purdue, Cornell, Florida, Tennessee, Georgia
Rejected (before interview/doesn't interview): Cornell, Illinois, NCSU, Georgia
Interview Invites: VMCVM, Purdue, UF, Tennessee
Waitlisted: Purdue
Accepted: UF, VMCVM, Tennessee
Attending: VMCVM, go Hokies!!! 🧡❤️

Overall GPA: 3.97
science GPA: 4.00
last 45: 4.00

Degree(s): Spring 2025 - B.S. Chemistry with a concentration in biochemistry, minor in biology

Note: I think my major being Chemistry helped me stand out. I had interviewers ask why I choose it, and I was able to talk about how my major makes me a good problem solver/critical thinker.

Veterinary Experience:
- Small animal GP assistant ~200 hours
- Small animal Urgent Care assistant ~1000 hours
- Assistant at small animal free clinic ~25 hours
- Shadowing a lab animal vet (exotics) ~100 hours
- Shadowing at an equine hospital ~50 hours
- Small animal ER assistant (not on application, but talked about in interviews!) ~150 hours

Animal Experience:
- Kennel Assistant at small animal GP ~400 hours
- Yard Assistant at a Doggy Daycare ~100 hours
- Shelter Volunteer at local SPCA ~25 hours
- Zoo Intern in the herpetology department ~135 hours

Research Experience:
- Presented a poster of a paper I wrote at a large national conference - Paper was about how pet insurance can change/improve the vet-client-patient relationship. Never published it, just presented!!! ~8 hours presenting, ~50 hours of research
- Volunteer research assistant for a biology lab focused on the genetic development of plants - I mostly just worked on plant upkeep ~10 hours
- Directed study under my biochem professor (not on application, but talked about in interviews!) ~50 hours

Awards/scholarships:
- Local merit scholarship from my high school
- Dean's scholarship at my university
- Endowed honors merit scholarship
- ACS organic chemistry Student Award
- A bunch of awards from science fair in HS

Extracurriculars:
- President of my HS environmental club
- Honors College at my university
- Honors Student Board service chair (Spring 2022 - Spring 2024)
--- Bunch of volunteer hours through my service chair position: Sponsored Red Cross blood drive a few times, helped make blankets & build furniture for those in need, organized and volunteered at local 10k/marathon races = totals ~200 hours
- Honors Student Board President (Fall 2025 - present)
- Genetics Teaching Laboratory Preceptor (Spring 2024 - Fall 2024)
- LGBTQ STEM org Treasurer (Fall 2022 - present)
- Pre-vet club member (Spring 2023 - present)
- Dean's list (all years)
- Various awards in 5k/10k races

Employment (non-veterinary):
- Lifeguard & Pool supervisor in HS ~1540 hours
- Barista in HS ~100 hours
- Algebra TA ~200 hours

LORs:
- DVM: lab animal veterinarian I shadowed
- DVM: urgent care veterinarian I worked with
- Employer: Manager (LVT) at urgent care clinic
- Professor: Biochemistry (PhD), taught me biochem 1 and 2, did research for him too

Essay Questions/Personal Statement:
PS: Wrote about how each of my veterinary experiences connects to my development as a well-rounded professional. Focused on the human interactions I've had while working in vet med, and how I want to help people through my work helping animals. Story based with multiple small stories about my experiences. Had close friends read it, including a current medical student and a english graduate student who helped me edit.

 

[theradmad]

23, Female, Massachusetts, USA, 1st time applicant, Non-trad? (I took a gap year right after HS to work full time as an assistant for ~ a year)
Applied: Purdue, Illinois, SGU, Ross, LSU, KSU, Tufts, Florida, UPenn
Interview Invites: Purdue, Ross, SGU, KSU, FL, UPenn
Waitlisted: Purdue, & KSU
Rejected: LSU, Illinois, Florida
Waiting to hear: UPenn
Accepted: Ross, SGU, Tufts
Attending: TUFTS 10000%

Overall GPA: 3.86
Science Prerequisite GPA: 3.9
Last 45 GPA: 3.9

Degree(s): Graduating with BS in Biology Spring 2025

Veterinary Experience:
Small Animal GP Hospital - 1580 hours
Small Animal GP Clinic - 980 hours
Shadow GP experience - 32 hours

Animal Experience:
Farm Hand at Large Animal Farm - 280 hours
Animal Shelter Volunteer - 30 hours
Animal Control Intern during school to career program - 350 hours

Research:
Wildlife Giardia/Crypto Research - 64 hours

Extracurriculars/Awards:
Animal Advocacy Club Founder and President
Lab assistant for Intro Chemistry
Chemistry Tutor
Deans List every semester
Tri-Beta member
Trustees scholarship recipient

Non-Animal Employment:
Hostess at Pub
Graphic Design Intern
Office Assistant
Barista
(minimal hours, these jobs were when I was in high school)
LORs:
DVM from hospital that I had the most hours at, they were a Tufts alum!
Advisor whom was also my professor for most of my advanced biology courses
Research Professor

Essay Questions/Personal Statement:
I wrote about my journey into vet med! I started out as a social work major and got my first job in vet med because my school to career program gave me animal experience. I wrote about when I first started as an assistant there was also a newly grad DVM. I felt greatly inspired with her journey as she also had started as an assistant at the same hospital!

 

[Kodiak-Bear]

23, F, CA/WI/USA, Traditional applicant, 3rd time applicant:

1st cycle: applied to 14 schools; all rejections, no interviews.
2nd cycle: applied to 13; 4 interviews, 2 acceptances

Applied: UW, Oregon, Ohio, Tufts, CSU, MSU
Interview Invites: Ohio, MSU (declined)
Waiting to hear: None
Accepted: Ohio, Tufts
Attending: THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY!!!

Overall GPA: 3.5
Science Prerequisite GPA: 3.5
Last 45 GPA: 3.5

Degree(s): Biology BS and Minor in Gender and Women's Studies (2023), Bacteriology MS (2024)

Veterinary Experience:
Vet assistant in an ER~ 700 hours
Vet assistant GP ~ 800 hours
Student hourly in CCU~ 500 hours
Student hourly in Surgery~ 900 hours.

Animal Experience:
Wildlife internship ~600 hours
Fostering (multiple rescues) ~200+ hours
Dog rescue volunteer~ 450 hours

Research:
Dairy cattle research ~300 hours

Extracurriculars/Awards:
Waterpolo through high school and college, leadership position ~1500+ hours
Lacrosse ~ 700 hours
Karate (2nd degree black belt) ~2000 hours
Ceramics ~ 500 hours
Rock climbing ~100 hours
Snowboarding ~ 500 hours
Fear-Free certified

Non-Animal Employment:
Babysitting ~ 350 hours


LORs:
2 DVMS, my PI and my professor/advisor for my master's program

Essay Questions/Personal Statement:
I wrote about my experiences in the ER and how while it is unbelievably challenging, I love the hustle and bustle, and I love being able to connect with people and their pets (this is a very basic description)


Note:

I am adding this extra bit for any pre-vetters who are reading this in the future because I know I would have appreciated it. I was accepted to not one, but two vet schools my second round of applying and I decided not to go to either of them because I felt burnt out and I didn't feel like they were the right programs for me. That was truly one of the best decisions of my life. I have spent my gap year getting to relax and work in an ER where I am learning SO much every day, and I also got into a school I am really excited about this round. I am not saying that taking this type of risk is for everyone, and it was very risky, because we all know how difficult and draining it is applying to vet school, but I think sometimes it is worth it to bet on yourself. I truly believe everyone will go where they are meant to be. Good luck all <3

 

[plumheadedfinch]

For those with an average GPA, low to no diversity vet hours, and no diversity LOR, YOU CAN DO IT!!

23F (graduated in 2021), NY, Non-traditional-ish, first time applicant

Applied: Georgia (withdrew), Illinois (rejected), Western (withdrew), WSU
Interview Invites: None
Waiting to hear: None
Accepted: WSU
Attending: WSU

Overall GPA: 3.57
Overall Science GPA: 3.59
Last 45 GPA: 3.5

GRE (Q/V/W): Did not take
CASPER: Did not take

Degree(s): Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry

Want to add in a side note that I finished my undergrad in 3 years. I took cell bio, genetics, intermediate inorganic chem (*300 level chemistry), bioorganic chem, and yoga in my craziest semester, and bio, bio lab, calculus, calculus based physics, and theatre in my Freshman year for reference.

Veterinary Experience:
Small Animal GP full time - 2736 hours
Pre-vet club - 48 hours

Animal Experience:
Volunteer at a rabbit rescue - 10 hours
Seasonal job (husbandry) at the zoo after graduation - 1040 hours
Internship (husbandry) at another zoo during undergrad - 135 hours

Research:
Grand total of ZERO!

Extracurriculars/Awards:
Keeper in a role playing game - 168 hours
Story writing - 416 hours
Dean’s List x5
Club representative in high school - 720 hours
Regents Advanced High School Diploma
Middle school Attendance Award
Elementary school ESL Award

Non-Animal Employment:
Worked at a nursing home in high school - 200 hours
Worked at a chinese school in high school - 125 hours

LORs:
Owner (both doctors) of the small animal hospital x2
Associate doctor at the small animal hospital
Manager at the small animal hospital

Yes! I got ALL my LORs from the SAME animal hospital with NO academic letter. I thought I was crazy for doing this, and even more crazy is that I got accepted! I decided these are the people who I know will write good LORs and watched me grow for the past year and a half. It is best to be well rounded (very important to maintain connections if you can!!), but I just want to let people know that IT IS POSSIBLE!

Essay Questions/Personal Statement:
I started my personal statement with how I developed social anxiety growing up as my parents’ translator. At the same time, my interest in science sparked. My animal interest grew when I met a goat in the zoo. I wrote about how I learned to appreciate her body language and communicated with her. In my next zoo career, I spoke up for a bird who needed medical attention, and decided I can no longer be a bystander. I NEED to do something, and got myself a job at a small animal hospital. I discussed how I came out of my shell through vet med, and concluded with some of the things that I would like to pursue in the future.

I had three WSU supplemental essays. For the why WSU essay, I wrote about my learning style and how it echoed with the simulation-based education program. For the diversity essay, I took advantage of my background and how I utilized it to communicate with different clients. The last essay asked how some conditions limited my ability to achieve my goals. I wrote about my background, explained how I overcame them, including overcoming my social anxiety and starting an Etsy shop.

*If you are non-traditional or came from a complicated background, use it as a bonus! We have so many experiences and stories to tell. They are accomplishments; they are worth mentioning. I am also more financially capable in general after my gap years.

**Congrats to everyone who got accepted!

 

[thesunshinefuturedogtor]

They had that as a question???!

Yes they had that question which was beyond insane to me. I answered “yes” because truthfully I did apply to UK schools.

I interviewed at a top UK school and there were like at least 8/15 people interviewing were from Texas. To even have been interviewed by this UK school I am referencing was somewhat an honor and so surprising that all the people I talked to from that group did not get accepted to TAMU but got interview invites to a more competitive uk school as an international applicant??? so weird. It definitely makes me wonder if it played a role possibly.

 

[catnmouse]

25F, Texas, Non-traditional? didn't have a gap year before undergrad but have a four-year gap after undergrad, first-time applicant:

Applied: Wisconsin, Missouri, Illinois, Ohio State, Purdue. Also UC Davis and Michigan but I was missing pre-reqs oops 🤭
Interview Invites: Missouri, Illinois, Ohio State
Waitlisted: Ohio State #59 lol
Accepted: Wisconsin, Illinois
Attending: TBD

Overall GPA: 3.94
Science Prerequisite GPA: 3.91
Last 45 GPA: 3.94
No GRE

Degree(s): Graduated December 2020 with a B.S. in Animal Science, minor in Biochemistry

Veterinary Experience: 354 hours

• 80 hours - Small Animal and Exotics GP internship in Greece
• 208 hours - Small Animal GP after graduating
• 66 hours - Small Animal GP during college

Animal Experience: 3,042 hours

• 2,240 hours - Cancer research facility animal technician
• 640 hours - Pet Resort kennel technician
• 162 hours - Animal shelter volunteer

Research Experience: 5,032 hours

• 5,000 hours - Senior research assistant in a lab using mouse models to study novel drug targets and immunotherapies for lung and pancreatic cancers.
• 16 hours - Volunteer for a plant anthelmintics research project on goats
• 16 hours - Volunteer for a population health research project on white-tailed deer

Extracurriculars:

• Pre-Vet Society member 22 hrs
• Artist 1020 hrs
• Resident Hall Council member 10 hrs
• Wildlife Society Student Chapter members 15 hrs
• HS Art Club Vice President 52 hrs
• HS Band member and section leader 1400 hrs
• Girl Scouts 400 hrs
• Volunteer for a group raising money for legal charities 640 hrs
• Various non-animal one-off volunteer experiences 27 hrs

Awards:

• Awesome Job award and annual award from work for high-performance evaluations
• Dean's List every semester
• Achievement scholarship
• Band scholarship
• Community Service Club scholarship
• AP Capstone Diploma
• AP Scholar with Distinction
• Rodeo art received awards in both years I submitted and I had a drawing go up for auction

Non-Animal Employment:

• Little Caesar's cashier 370 hrs

LORs:

• Principal Investigator of the lab I've been a research assistant in for three years
• Veterinarian that I volunteered with after graduating
• Lab Operations Manager

ESSAYS
Personal Statement:
I talked about how I felt unprepared for vet school right after graduation since I had gone into undergrad wanting to do small animal GP and when I finally had the opportunity to shadow at a clinic, the experience made me question whether it was the right field for me and was cut short by the pandemic. Then I discussed how my experience working as an animal tech and research assistant at a research facility for the past four years brought back my passion for veterinary medicine and I went into my goals for advancing animal models of human disease.

Wisconsin Supps:

• Background/Why us? Spoke on my childhood interest in animals and developing interest in science, my experience growing up as a child of divorce in two houses of vastly different financial situations, and having to be financially independent through undergrad. I mentioned my interest in specific programs offered by the school and two labs that I would be interested in joining from the dept of human oncology.
• Who do you admire most? Call me crazy but I wrote about BTS. I talked about their resilience through their initial years as a group, how their lyrics about the anxieties of youth helped me into adulthood, their campaign for self-love, and how their charitable acts to UNICEF and the BLM movement inspired fans to also donate and give back to their communities.
• Circumstances that may have adversely affected your qualifications for veterinary school? I talked about my social anxiety and mental health struggles growing up and how this caused me to miss out on certain opportunities during college. I then discussed how I have since addressed these issues, gave examples of situations that show my personal growth, and why the years since graduation have further prepared me for veterinary school.

 

[vampyrica]

23, F, CA/WI/USA, Traditional applicant, 3rd time applicant:

Applied: UW, Oregon, Ohio, Tufts, CSU
Interview Invites: Ohio (nowhere else did interviews)
Waiting to hear: Waitlisted at Tufts
Accepted: Ohio
Attending: THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY!!!

Overall GPA: 3.5
Science Prerequisite GPA: 3.5
Last 45 GPA: 3.5

Degree(s): Biology BS and Minor in Gender and Women's Studies (2023), Bacteriology MS (2024)

Veterinary Experience:
Vet assistant in an ER~ 700 hours
Vet assistant GP ~ 800 hours
Student hourly in CCU~ 500 hours
Student hourly in Surgery~ 900 hours.

Animal Experience:
Wildlife internship ~600 hours
Fostering (multiple rescues) ~200+ hours
Dog rescue volunteer~ 450 hours

Research:
Dairy cattle research ~300 hours

Extracurriculars/Awards:
Waterpolo through high school and college, leadership position ~1500+ hours
Lacrosse ~ 700 hours
Karate (2nd degree black belt) ~2000 hours
Ceramics ~ 500 hours
Rock climbing ~100 hours
Snowboarding ~ 500 hours
Fear-Free certified

Non-Animal Employment:
Babysitting ~ 350 hours


LORs:
2 DVMS, my PI and my professor/advisor for my master's program

Essay Questions/Personal Statement:
I wrote about my experiences in the ER and how while it is unbelievably challenging, I love the hustle and bustle, and I love being able to connect with people and their pets (this is a very basic description)


Note:

I am adding this extra bit for any pre-vetters who are reading this in the future because I know I would have appreciated it. I was accepted to not one, but two vet schools my second round of applying and I decided not to go to either of them because I felt burnt out and I didn't feel like they were the right programs for me. That was truly one of the best decisions of my life. I have spent my gap year getting to relax and work in an ER where I am learning SO much every day, and I also got into a school I am really excited about this round. I am not saying that taking this type of risk is for everyone, and it was very risky, because we all know how difficult and draining it is applying to vet school, but I think sometimes it is worth it to bet on yourself. I truly believe everyone will go where they are meant to be. Good luck all <3

i’ve seen you in so many threads, i am so inspired by your resilience and dedication!! congratulations!! 🎉

 

[Shiloh47]

Yes they had that question which was beyond insane to me. I answered “yes” because truthfully I did apply to UK schools.

I interviewed at a top UK school and there were like at least 8/15 people interviewing were from Texas. To even have been interviewed by this UK school I am referencing was somewhat an honor and so surprising that all the people I talked to from that group did not get accepted to TAMU but got interview invites to a more competitive uk school as an international applicant??? so weird. It definitely makes me wonder if it played a role possibly.

Wow, that is so bizarre. I feel like it's really not all that uncommon to apply to schools outside the U.S. just given the limited availability of schools vs applicants in general in the states. Was applying to abroad schools seen as being a traitor because you applied outside of the country LMAO? That's my texas conspiracy 😆

 

[pland2001]

Wow, that is so bizarre. I feel like it's really not all that uncommon to apply to schools outside the U.S. just given the limited availability of schools vs applicants in general in the states. Was applying to abroad schools seen as being a traitor because you applied outside of the country LMAO? That's my texas conspiracy [emoji38]

I know a classmate who got accepted to both RVC and TAMU, so I don’t think it affects the admission decision, this was two years ago, so maybe things have changed

 

[Shiloh47]

I know a classmate who got accepted to both RVC and TAMU, so I don’t think it affects the admission decision, this was two years ago, so maybe things have changed

they must be a double agent...

 

[Cowsrcool]

Wow, that is so bizarre. I feel like it's really not all that uncommon to apply to schools outside the U.S. just given the limited availability of schools vs applicants in general in the states. Was applying to abroad schools seen as being a traitor because you applied outside of the country LMAO? That's my texas conspiracy 😆

Tbh u could be onto something bc I know the Texas schools (or at least one of them) has focus on staying in Texas to practice. So maybe they see application to schools abroad as not committing to staying.

 

[pp9]

Wow, that is so bizarre. I feel like it's really not all that uncommon to apply to schools outside the U.S. just given the limited availability of schools vs applicants in general in the states. Was applying to abroad schools seen as being a traitor because you applied outside of the country LMAO? That's my texas conspiracy 😆

Tbh u could be onto something bc I know the Texas schools (or at least one of them) has focus on staying in Texas to practice. So maybe they see application to schools abroad as not committing to staying.

Wouldn't the same logic apply to going to an OOS school? They should be asking applicants about that as well, then.

Idk why they ask you all that, but I'm of the opinion where it isn't their right to know where else you've applied. I want to say that years ago, it used to be a thing that schools were actually not supposed to ask you where else you've applied or any questions of the sort. @battie @JaynaAli @KCgophervet does this ring a bell for you all as well?

 

[JaynaAli]

I can’t remember hearing that was a question back in the day, but Texas has always done their own app so I have no idea what they ask.

 

[DVM882029]

Tbh u could be onto something bc I know the Texas schools (or at least one of them) has focus on staying in Texas to practice. So maybe they see application to schools abroad as not committing to staying.

Texas Tech only accepts TX/NM residents. While they obviously produce DVMs that can do anything, they do try to emphasize mixed animal/rural practice to help with the shortages in that area of vet med. TAMU also takes 90% TX residents, and they have a 2+2 VERO program where a small cohort does the first two years out in the panhandle. Those students also have expressed interest in rural/mixed practice so they know what they're signin up for (for VERO you actually have to write another essay to be considered for it on the supplemental).

 

[farrierinarian]

***LOW VET HOURS & NO DEGREE***

29F, WI, Non-traditional applicant, 2nd time applicant

Applied: Wisconsin
Interview Invites:
Waiting to hear:
Accepted: Wisconsin
Attending: Wisconsin ❤️🤍❤️🤍

Overall GPA: 3.54
Science GPA: 3.54
UW Madison Required Course GPA: 3.69
Last 30 GPA: 3.84
GRE: None

Degree(s): None!
I was a non-traditional applicant that wanted to save time and money (started with undergrad classes 9 years after graduating high school!). I took all of my prerequisites, required courses, and a few extra upper level science classes within 3 years. UW Madison was very transparent about not needing a degree to be a competitive applicant.

Veterinary Experience: 262 hrs

• Small Animal GP Shadowing - 153 hrs
• Equine Sports Medicine Shadowing - 90 hrs
• Dairy Vet Shadowing - 10 hrs
• Dental Specialty (Small Animal & Equine) Shadowing - 9 hrs

Animal Experience: 22,726 hrs

• Self-employed hoof care practitioner (trimming horse hooves) - 20,000 hrs
• Start-up business providing horse and hoof care information for horse owners - 576 hrs
• Hoof care training clinics for the Institute for the Study of Natural Horse Care Practices (ISNHCP) - 420 hrs
• Discounted/no cost care to 4 animal sanctuaries/rescues & assisted local humane officer in neglected hoof cases - 780 hrs
• Hosted and judged Equine Trail Sports competitions - 800 hrs
• Gave kids horse riding lessons - 150 hrs

Research: None!

Extracurriculars/Awards: 4,053 hrs

• Treasurer for Pre Vet Club 2023-2024 - 52 hrs
• VP for Pre Vet Club 2024 - 15 hrs
• Clinic Speaker at local 4H - 6 hrs
• Horseback Riding (trail riding, horse camping, and competitive mounted shooting) - 3980 hrs
• Dean's List Spring 2022, Fall 2022, Spring 2024, Fall 2024

Non-Animal Employment: 720 hrs

• Ag Store Cashier - 720 hrs

LORs:

• Biochem Professor, Gen Chem Professor, Biology Professor (Got to know these 3 professors very well, an advantage of going to a university with small class sizes)
• GP Small Animal Vet (I shadowed with & have trimmed her horse's hooves for over 5 years)
• Equine Vet (I shadowed with & my horse's vet for over 7 years)
• Chiropractic Vet (Have known since I was a kid & used to lease his horse before I got my own)

Essay Questions/Personal Statement:
Talked about the challenges I faced beginning a career in the horse industry at 20 years old, and how I overcame them to become the person I am today. I also transitioned into talking about how working in this field had sparked my interest in vet med, as I was working with many veterinarians with my line of work and ultimately wanted to learn more and do more. Ended with how my passion drove me to start my business, go back to school nearly a decade after graduating high school, and will help me succeed in vet school and beyond!

Wisconsin Supps:

• Background/Why us? Talked about how I had considered a path in vet med when I graduated high school but I did not feel I was "smart enough." The path through working with horses, trimming hooves, and growing my business gave me a different outlook on life. I stated how my unique path has given me so many valuable skills that I can bring into this new career. I also spoke about my love for WI (lived here my whole life) and would be honored to attend for the class of 2029.
• Who do you admire most? My mom, she has worked hard to raise me and my siblings and helped my father run a family business. She is one incredible woman!!!
• Circumstances that may have adversely affected your qualifications for veterinary school? I talked about the unique challenge I had starting university 9 years out of high school and then just as I was getting the hang of things, the classes started getting harder. (side note: the first time I applied in 2023 I had a C in biochem which tanked my GPA for that semester - retook and got an A online at UW Madison and then finished with all upper level science courses, helping my last 30 credits this time around) I then went on to talk about how I again adjusted to the change and ended up finishing strong by developing better study strategies and time management. Also touched on how I was able to get some more diverse (and quality!) animal experiences from the last application. The overall theme was talking about my unique situation and some self-reflection on how to improve myself from last cycle.

So excited to be posting here! Of course I was disappointed that I did not get in my first cycle but I really focused on becoming a better applicant this time around. I did HEAPS of research and I was willing to wait as long as it took to get in. I decided that I only wanted to apply to UW Madison. I considered other options but my in state school was going to work the best for me and my circumstances!

 

[DVM882029]

***LOW VET HOURS & NO DEGREE***

29F, WI, Non-traditional applicant, 2nd time applicant

Applied: Wisconsin
Interview Invites:
Waiting to hear:
Accepted: Wisconsin
Attending: Wisconsin ❤️🤍❤️🤍

Overall GPA: 3.54
Science GPA: 3.54
UW Madison Required Course GPA: 3.69
Last 30 GPA: 3.84
GRE: None

Degree(s): None!
I was a non-traditional applicant that wanted to save time and money (started with undergrad classes 9 years after graduating high school!). I took all of my prerequisites, required courses, and a few extra upper level science classes within 3 years. UW Madison was very transparent about not needing a degree to be a competitive applicant.

We have similar paths! <3 CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

 

[chilledguava]

Age, Gender, State/Country of Residence, Traditional/Non-traditional applicant, # of times you've applied:
23, Male, NY/USA, Traditional, 2nd time applicant

I’m so so happy to be making this post. In my first application cycle, I applied only to US schools and got rejected from all of them. This time around, I gained more experience, wrote better essays, and applied to some international schools, which turned out to be the best decision since I still haven’t gotten an acceptance from a US school! Even though my GPA and diversity of hours were a little below average, I think my LORs, essays, total hours, and upward GPA trend helped me a lot. Taking a gap year, even after the disappointment of last cycle, ended up being really valuable.

My biggest piece of advice: I would advise NOT going to an undergrad program that is considered to be prestigious and has a difficult program. Vet schools don't care about prestige, go to a college that is cheap, comfortable, and a place that is supportive (and in turn, easier to keep those grades up!)

I’m super thankful for everyone on SDN who helped me out. If anyone has questions about gap years or the application process, feel free to reach out, I’d love to give back to this community!

Applied: Cornell, LIU, Tufts, PennVet, Ohio State, LMU, Kansas State, Mississippi, Iowa, University of Arizona, Virginia-Maryland, Midwestern, Louisiana, Rowan, Missouri, Minnesota, RVC, Bristol, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Liverpool (21 total)
Interview Invites: LIU, PennVet, LMU, Mississippi, University of Arizona, RVC, Glasgow, Liverpool, Rowan
Waitlisted: Midwestern, PennVet, Rowan
Accepted: Bristol (4 year), Glasgow, Liverpool, RVC (4 year, Fall 2026), Mississippi, Iowa, LMU, LIU
Attending: Mississippi State University!

Overall GPA: 3.53
Science Prerequisite GPA: 3.40
Last 45 GPA: 3.65

CASPER: 4th Quartile
GRE (Q/V/W): N/A

Degree(s): B.S. in Animal Sciences and minor in education (graduate)

Veterinary Experience:

Intern at a Working Dog Center (~400 hours)
Shadow at a Neurology vet clinic (~70 hours)
Intern at a large animal hospital with an ER (~750 hours)
Intern at a Private clinic (~1,500 hours)

Animal Experience:

Intern at a wildlife refuge (~230 hours)
Volunteer at equine rescue (~100 hours)

Research:

Animal Care Tech at a research facility w/ livestock (~1300 hours)
Undergrad research assistant lab 1 w/ cattle(~240 hours
Undergrad research assistant lab 2 w/ equine(~270 hours)

Extracurriculars/Awards:

Cum Laude
Volunteer scholarship all 4 years
Dean's list 5 semesters
President of Bowling Club
Co-Captain of Varsity Bowling Team
Underclassmen rep. For bowling team
Secretary of a fraternity
Member of Guiding eyes club
Treasurer of fish club
Pre-vet club member

Don’t forget to add your high school experiences too! My high school experiences for extracurriculars were mostly related to orchestra and volunteering. I also developed connections with the vet clinics I gained most of my experience at.


Non-Animal Employment:

TA for Bio course (~90 hours)
Optical assistant at optometry office (~1200 hours)
Cashier at Cafe (~200 hours)

LORs:

3 DVMs, 1 animal care manager at research center, 1 endocrinology professor professors, 1 animal reproduction professor

Essay Questions/Personal Statement:

My personal statement was about my journey toward veterinary medicine, focusing on important experiences that have shown my understanding to the field. I then reflect on the challenges I’ve faced, including navigating courses during the pandemic and the emotional loss of my family members and how I overcame them. I focused my experiences on the human-animal connection and a veterinarians role in this relationship.

I had many vets, family members, and even my boss read this (and many people on SDN). Don’t be afraid to reach out and ask for an extra set of eyes on any part of your application because I truly believe that taking initiative made my application shine the second time around.

 

[farrierinarian]

We have similar paths! <3 CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

Thank you <3 it is so cool to know there are others on a similar path!!

 

[sheeperluvr48]

Age, Gender, State/Country of Residence, Traditional/Non-traditional applicant, # of times you've applied:

22, Female, Oregon/USA, Traditional-ish, 2nd time applying
Applied: Western, Midwestern, Lincoln Memorial (Spring cohort), Virginia-Maryland, Colorado State, Oregon State (IS)
Interview Invites: Western, LMU, OSU
Waiting to hear: Western
Rejected: Virginia-Maryland
Waitlist: CSU (DVM+MPH)
Accepted: CSU (DVM), LMU (Spring), Midwestern, OSU
Attending: Likely Colorado State University🐏 (unless I get off of OSU waitlist)
Edit: Going to Oregon State University! Go Beavs🦫

Overall GPA: 3.58
Science Prerequisite GPA: 3.3ish
Last 45 GPA: 3.75

GRE (Q/V/W): N/A
CASPER: 3rd Quartile

Degree(s): B.S. Animal Science, minors in Military Science and Molecular Biology


Veterinary Experience: 1037 hours
* I separated my research animal care job into multiple categories

• Veterinary Assistant at small animal GP: 260 hours
• Small Animal Surgery Assistant: 156 hours
• Assisting professor (DVM) with ram semen analysis/collection, castrating piglets, vaccinating beef cattle: 30 hours
• AMEDD intern at Fort Belvoir under an Army Veterinarian: 160 hours
• Shadowing equine veterinarian: 105 hours
• Assisting campus lab veterinarian at my research job (ruminants + equine): 300 hours
• Shadowing small animal GP: 26 hours

Animal Experience: 1483 hours

• VTH Large Animal Barn Crew: 525 hours
• Sheep farm hand for professor: 60 hours
• Research Animal Care Assistant for ruminants +equine: 600 hours
• TA for university horse handling class: 160 hours
• University beef cattle lab student: 48 hours
• Pet sitter: 90 hours

Research: 140 hours

• Honors thesis on DoD MWD program: 40 hours
• Monitoring for Scrapie and tick-borne diseases at research animal job: 100 hours

Extracurriculars: 4874hours

• Sigma Alpha Sorority as member and secretary- 200 hours
• Mentoring underrepresented pre-veterinary students- 64 hours
• Army ROTC (this was broken down into many different entries over 4 years): flag detail, recruiting club secretary and member, Platoon leader, Platoon Sergeant, Battalion S-3, Battalion S-2, CST: 4500 hours
• Intramural soccer: 80 hours
• Freshman year dorm hall government: 30 hours

Awards:

• 3 ROTC Awards
• 5 undergraduate scholarships
• Girl Scouts Silver Award (high school)
• University honor roll

Volunteering: 260 hours

• Security guard for university football game: 160 hours
• Classroom assistant for English learning (this was in high school): 100 hours

Non-Animal Employment: 420 hours

• Dining hall service worker: 120 hours
• Amazon warehouse worker: 300 hours

LORs:

• Equine DVM I shadowed
• DVM/Professor I took multiple classes from, studied abroad with, and helped him treat sheep
• PhD/Professor who taught multiple classes and let me help at her sheep farm
• Farm Manager at my Research Assistant job who sparked my love for sheep and large animal research

Essay Questions/Personal Statement:
My personal statement emphasized how I believe the principle of honoring and respecting military personnel should be extended to animals. I started with a story of witnessing the euthanasia of a Military Working Dog after battling cancer, which highlighted the importance of compassionate care in honoring her service to the country. Then I discussed how this principle applied to my work in large animal research, recounting a story about noticing abnormal behavior in a sheep. This led to its diagnosis of B-cell leukemia, and how I acted quickly to ensure that the sheep received compassionate care and that its sacrifice contributed to advancing animal and human health. I concluded with my aspiration to become an Army Veterinary Corps Officer, focusing on improving the MWD program, and my intent to integrate this principle into my career.

Explanation Statement:
I used this to explain why my GPA took a massive downturn for 1.5 years and the challenges I faced, including failing multiple classes due to suffering from domestic violence . I explained how it impacted my grades and the steps I took to recover academically and emotionally.

So excited and grateful to be posting here! So many people told me I would never make it to veterinary school. I have no idea how I was offered an OOS spot at CSU and Midwestern. I think what set me apart was how diverse my experiences were. Even though my cumulative GPA was pretty average, I failed key multiple science prerequisite classes and knew that my grades were going to be my biggest hurdle. I wanted to apply to more holistic schools that saw me as a well-rounded applicant. Anyone reading this who is applying—do not ever give up! At one point during my undergrad, my GPA was 2.1, I took biochemistry 4 separate times, and had 6 C’s on my transcript. I was told “No” many times, lost all hope, but kept pushing to get here. Congratulations to everyone posting here!!🥳

 

[vampyrica]

Age, Gender, State/Country of Residence, Traditional/Non-traditional applicant, # of times you've applied:

22, Female, Oregon/USA, Traditional-ish, 2nd time applying
Applied: Western, Midwestern, Lincoln Memorial (Spring cohort), Virginia-Maryland, Colorado State, Oregon State (IS)
Interview Invites: Western, LMU, OSU
Waiting to hear: Western
Rejected: Virginia-Maryland
Waitlist: OSU, CSU (DVM+MPH)
Accepted: CSU (DVM), LMU (Spring), Midwestern
Attending: Likely Colorado State University🐏 (unless I get off of OSU waitlist)

Overall GPA: 3.58
Science Prerequisite GPA: 3.3ish
Last 45 GPA: 3.75

GRE (Q/V/W): N/A
CASPER: 3rd Quartile

Degree(s): B.S. Animal Science, minors in Military Science and Molecular Biology


Veterinary Experience: 1037 hours
* I separated my research animal care job into multiple categories

• Veterinary Assistant at small animal GP: 260 hours
• Small Animal Surgery Assistant: 156 hours
• Assisting professor (DVM) with ram semen analysis/collection, castrating piglets, vaccinating beef cattle: 30 hours
• AMEDD intern at Fort Belvoir under an Army Veterinarian: 160 hours
• Shadowing equine veterinarian: 105 hours
• Assisting campus lab veterinarian at my research job (ruminants + equine): 300 hours
• Shadowing small animal GP: 26 hours

Animal Experience: 1483 hours

• VTH Large Animal Barn Crew: 525 hours
• Sheep farm hand for professor: 60 hours
• Research Animal Care Assistant for ruminants +equine: 600 hours
• TA for university horse handling class: 160 hours
• University beef cattle lab student: 48 hours
• Pet sitter: 90 hours

Research: 140 hours

• Honors thesis on DoD MWD program: 40 hours
• Monitoring for Scrapie and tick-borne diseases at research animal job: 100 hours

Extracurriculars: 4874hours

• Sigma Alpha Sorority as member and secretary- 200 hours
• Mentoring underrepresented pre-veterinary students- 64 hours
• Army ROTC (this was broken down into many different entries over 4 years): flag detail, recruiting club secretary and member, Platoon leader, Platoon Sergeant, Battalion S-3, Battalion S-2, CST: 4500 hours
• Intramural soccer: 80 hours
• Freshman year dorm hall government: 30 hours

Awards:

• 3 ROTC Awards
• 5 undergraduate scholarships
• Girl Scouts Silver Award (high school)
• University honor roll

Volunteering: 260 hours

• Security guard for university football game: 160 hours
• Classroom assistant for English learning (this was in high school): 100 hours

Non-Animal Employment: 420 hours

• Dining hall service worker: 120 hours
• Amazon warehouse worker: 300 hours

LORs:

• Equine DVM I shadowed
• DVM/Professor I took multiple classes from, studied abroad with, and helped him treat sheep
• PhD/Professor who taught multiple classes and let me help at her sheep farm
• Farm Manager at my Research Assistant job who sparked my love for sheep and large animal research

Essay Questions/Personal Statement:
My personal statement emphasized how I believe the principle of honoring and respecting military personnel should be extended to animals. I started with a story of witnessing the euthanasia of a Military Working Dog after battling cancer, which highlighted the importance of compassionate care in honoring her service to the country. Then I discussed how this principle applied to my work in large animal research, recounting a story about noticing abnormal behavior in a sheep. This led to its diagnosis of B-cell leukemia, and how I acted quickly to ensure that the sheep received compassionate care and that its sacrifice contributed to advancing animal and human health. I concluded with my aspiration to become an Army Veterinary Corps Officer, focusing on improving the MWD program, and my intent to integrate this principle into my career.

Explanation Statement:
I used this to explain why my GPA took a massive downturn for 1.5 years and the challenges I faced, including failing multiple classes due to suffering from domestic violence . I explained how it impacted my grades and the steps I took to recover academically and emotionally.

So excited and grateful to be posting here! So many people told me I would never make it to veterinary school. I have no idea how I was offered an OOS spot at CSU and Midwestern. I think what set me apart was how diverse my experiences were. Even though my cumulative GPA was pretty average, I failed key multiple science prerequisite classes and knew that my grades were going to be my biggest hurdle. I wanted to apply to more holistic schools that saw me as a well-rounded applicant. Anyone reading this who is applying—do not ever give up! At one point during my undergrad, my GPA was 2.1, I took biochemistry 4 separate times, and had 6 C’s on my transcript. I was told “No” many times, lost all hope, but kept pushing to get here. Congratulations to everyone posting here!!🥳

SEE YOU IN THE FALL !!! 🐏

 

[Penny$29]

Age, Gender, State/Country of Residence, Traditional/Non-traditional applicant, # of times you've applied:
22F, Long Island, NY, Traditional applicant, Second application cycle

Applied: Cornell (IS), Kansas, Minnesota, UPenn, Washington State, Ohio State, Illinois, Tufts
Rejected: Ohio State
Interview Invites: Kansas, Minnesota, UPenn, Illinois (was initially rejected and then emailed with an offer to interview)
Waitlisted: Washington State, Kansas
Accepted: Cornell, Minnesota, Tufts
Waiting to hear: UPenn, Illinois
Attending: Cornell

Overall GPA: 3.80
Science Prerequisite GPA: 3.64 (could be wrong about this, this is what I calculated, I can’t find the calculated GPAs on my application but last year it was a 3.58 so I believe it went up but not by that much)
Last 45 GPA: 4.0

Degree(s): B.S. in Biology, May 2024

Veterinary Experience:

• 320 hrs at a small animal hospital in rural MD
• 400 hrs at a small animal hospital in NYC
• 420 hrs at a small animal hospital on Long Island
• 120 hrs part-time at the same small animal hospital in NYC, classified this as a separate experience since I dropped down to part-time
• 14 hrs with an Equine Vet in PA during my senior spring semester

Animal Experience:

• 15 hrs Equine Therapy-helped disabled children ride horses for therapeutic riding
• 42 hrs Pet Sitting- Pet sat for various owners in my hometown, spent the majority of those hours with a finicky diabetic dog and doing insulin injections for him

Research:

• None

Extracurriculars/Awards:

• 2400 hrs (probably more lol) as a scholarship Division I Lacrosse player
• 270 hrs as a Peer Mentor, mentored freshman student-athletes and helped guide them through their first year of college
• 4 hrs as Volunteer buddy for Miracle League, helped disabled children play baseball
• 12 hrs as a Volunteer at a local elementary school and helped teach children sports
• Member of Athlete Ally, Women in Sports Club
• Patriot League Academic Honor Roll
• IWLCA Division I Academic Honor Roll
• Chi Alpha Sigma-National College Athlete Honor Roll
• Beta Beta Beta-National Biological Honor Society
• Dean’s List 4 times
• Athletic Scholarship to play Division I Lacrosse

Non-Animal Employment:

• 240 hrs Hostess at Seasons 52
• 321 hrs Lacrosse Coach for a highly competitive travel program

LORs:
Boss/Vet/Co-owner of Veterinary Hospital in NYC
2 Vets from Small Animal Hospital in MD
Academic Advisor who was a biology professor
Biology Professor who I took Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy with
Religion Professor who could attest to critical thinking and writing skills

Essay Questions/Personal Statement:
Wrote my main essay about how I went from working in rural MD to the Upper East Side to a lower income area on Long Island, and how finances impacted the level of care my patients were able to receive. Explained how I was able to help owners find low-cost spay-neuter clinics, vaccine clinics, etc. to help them save money, and touched on very specific experiences. Also wrote about how I found a passion in educating my clients on their pet health and how veterinary medicine is just as much communication with people as it is with treating animals. I did a couple of essays on how lacrosse taught me resilience and why that is an important quality in Vet Med, how I inspired one of my mentees to join the Peer Mentor Program, and helped another go from failing his Spanish class to getting a B+, re-learning Spanish to communicate with clients and my comparative vertebrate anatomy class.

I was nervous my lack of experience would hinder me again this second cycle, so I made it a point in my supplements to showcase that what I lacked in quantity I made up for in quality. I had a concussion my spring sophomore year and it put things into perspective that I wasn’t going to play lacrosse forever and that if I wanted to be a vet I needed to put more emphasis on school. In my last 4 semesters, I got straight A’s and was proud of myself for buckling down and learning how to study and take notes, especially after COVID disrupted my first 4 semesters with online learning. I got a lot of feedback that my essays and low experience were the reason my first cycle was unsuccessful and was able to really target those weaknesses so that I could be a better applicant the next time around.

I honestly thought I was going to have to apply for a third cycle, so this has been a whirlwind of an experience these last few months. I felt so broken after my first cycle, but looking back, a gap year was the best thing that could have ever happened to me. I have learned so much not just about the vet industry, but about myself as a person. I am so grateful for all the help people on this site have given me, and I am so excited to give back and help others! If there is anyone who needs help with their application please reach out, I am more than happy to help and be a source of support!❤️

 

[KCgophervet]

Wouldn't the same logic apply to going to an OOS school? They should be asking applicants about that as well, then.

Idk why they ask you all that, but I'm of the opinion where it isn't their right to know where else you've applied. I want to say that years ago, it used to be a thing that schools were actually not supposed to ask you where else you've applied or any questions of the sort. @battie @JaynaAli @KCgophervet does this ring a bell for you all as well?

I have a weird memory of an information session where the applications administrator person giving the session straight up said they had no idea where else applicants had applied and didn't feel the need to know. But I don't know if it was strictly taboo or just at that school. Not sure why they would care honestly

 

[battie]

It does somewhat ring a bell, just don't know which bell it's ringing. 🤔 There are so few vet schools and so few pre-vets in the grand scheme of things that it doesn't really matter to the schools where else people apply. Whereas for human med school, where the schools are tiered, it does actually matter.

 

[leopardgecko]

LOW GPA ALERT…LIKE SUPER LOW....but a grip of unique experiences.
25, F, CA, Traditional? Super low cGPA, 1st application cycle

Applied: University of Arizona, UC Davis, WesternU
Accepted: University of Arizona
Attending: University of Arizona!!!

Overall cGPA: 2.79 according to VMCAS calculation.
Science Overall GPA: I'll have to look back at my application. Prereq sci GPA is a 3.6?
Last 45: Not sure I haven't calculated.

Side note: I took a variety of classes outside my major! I started at a community college before transferring to a university, even though I was accepted directly out of high school. I could have completed the prerequisite courses in two years or less while maintaining a very high GPA (mostly As and Bs). However, I wanted to fully experience college life and live it to the fullest, so I enrolled in many fun classes—even if I wasn’t taking them too seriously, lol! For example, I had low grades in my university marching band due to being late to practice (commuter 45 min and traffic after class). Our grade was based on timely arrival to practices. Unfortunately, there was no grace for my commute to practice, but I loved it so much and was so committed that I didn't mind the low grades tanking my GPA. I also had a septic gallbladder for almost a year before doctors performed emergency surgery, which somewhat contributed to some lower grades during the semester (I did not report this in my application). Gallbladder attacks are no joke. To those with lower GPAs, please don’t let anyone discourage you. We’re all on our own paths, and a GPA doesn’t tell the whole story. To be a successful veterinarian, one must be well-rounded and have the ability to be transparent on every aspect. I believe my interview performance and overall experience significantly influenced my acceptance (plus, I can handle those “hard” courses based on my prereqs being As and Bs-including ochem, physics, etc).

Degrees:
Bachelor of Science in Biology with an emphasis in Zoology.
Associate of Science Biology.

Veterinary Experience:
Veterinary Assistant mostly small animal with some exotic/shelter med 1000+
TNR assistance 30+

Animal Experience: (this is all a low estimate on my hours)
SeaWorld Husbandry 24+
Humane Society Volunteer 72+
Boarding and Volunteering at current horse stable 420+
Pre-Vet Club Volunteering 216+
Pet Sitting 384
San Diego Zoo Volunteer 104+
San Diego Herpetological Society Member/Volunteer 24+
Reptile Husbandry 2912+
Employment PetSmart Animal Caretaker 4600+
Previous horse stable volunteer 1200 (I own my own horse as well but did not include it in my experience)
Dog Husbandry 6420
Dog Shows. Handling, training, and grooming 9630

I really cut short my hours regarding dog shows, husbandry, and reptiles. I have thousands more, but I decided to give it a low estimate. Showing dogs, breeding reptiles, etc., are my passions in life.

Research:
SDSU Undergrad Rattlesnake Animal Behavior Lab in conjunction with the San Diego Zoo (hands-on with the snakes and care, field research, data collecting, etc), also worked with the SD Safari Park 432+

Extracurriculars/Awards:
ASB Election Commissioner 222
High School Marching and Concert Band 1500+
High School Varsity Badminton 40+
SDSU Marching Band Tenor Saxophone 1080+
Zoology Club 160
Volunteer Tutor 10
Volunteer Bloodbank 16
Award AKC Breeder of Merit
Award AKC Breeder of Heart
Award Countless HS Band but I only listed one from my senior year for leadership as a section leader for my instrument and lower reed instruments.

Certs:
Fear Free Shelter
Master Herpetologist Amphibian Foundation

LORs:
Veterinarian
Veterinarian
RVT Hospital Manager

Essay Question Summary:
I went over my experiences with volunteering, my involvement with dog shows and preservation, breeding dogs two breeds with a focus on preservation over 2 decades in my family, reptile shows and breeding geckos and snakes, volunteering, my passion for wildlife and conservation, and wanting to give back to the community. I explained I’m big on spreading information and advocating for responsible breeding practices and conservation. I also want to be a voice for exotic animals, primarily reptiles and amphibians. I went over my primary interests: small animals, exotics (primarily amphibian and reptile medicine), surgery, theriogenology, conservation/wildlife med, and education. I’m also interested in surgery, nutrition, and community outreach. I was pretty honest about what I wanted to do in veterinary medicine, which is a commitment to innovative, inclusive, and ethical animal care.

Since applying, I’ve been in the process of obtaining a Master's in Business Administration, but I didn’t list it in the application. I will likely have to put my master's on hold until vet school is finished which I'm fine with.

Lol let us be real…playing saxophone was the real highlight of my application XD

 

[thesunshinefuturedogtor]

Wouldn't the same logic apply to going to an OOS school? They should be asking applicants about that as well, then.

Idk why they ask you all that, but I'm of the opinion where it isn't their right to know where else you've applied. I want to say that years ago, it used to be a thing that schools were actually not supposed to ask you where else you've applied or any questions of the sort. @battie @JaynaAli @KCgophervet does this ring a bell for you all as well?

It was such a weird question they asked. Both of the Texas schools are very strong about wanting to accept people you will be practicing in Texas in the future. I wonder if they would have gotten in trouble for asking a "did you apply to any OOS schools" but maybe found a loophole by asking if anyone applied to international schools?

The question seemed inappropriate and what was frustrating is it was a required yes or no question. There was no option to abstain "N/A" or anything like that. It might have not played a role but it might have. Regardless, it seemed like an inappropriate question.

 

[gobears2022]

LOW GPA ALERT…LIKE SUPER LOW....but a grip of unique experiences.
25, F, CA, Traditional? Super low cGPA, 1st application cycle

Applied: University of Arizona, UC Davis, WesternU
Accepted: University of Arizona
Attending: University of Arizona!!!

Overall cGPA: 2.79 according to VMCAS calculation.
Science Overall GPA: I'll have to look back at my application. Prereq sci GPA is a 3.6?
Last 45: Not sure I haven't calculated.

Side note: I took a variety of classes outside my major! I started at a community college before transferring to a university, even though I was accepted directly out of high school. I could have completed the prerequisite courses in two years or less while maintaining a very high GPA (mostly As and Bs). However, I wanted to fully experience college life and live it to the fullest, so I enrolled in many fun classes—even if I wasn’t taking them too seriously, lol! For example, I had low grades in my university marching band due to being late to practice (commuter 45 min and traffic after class). Our grade was based on timely arrival to practices. Unfortunately, there was no grace for my commute to practice, but I loved it so much and was so committed that I didn't mind the low grades tanking my GPA. I also had a septic gallbladder for almost a year before doctors performed emergency surgery, which somewhat contributed to some lower grades during the semester (I did not report this in my application). Gallbladder attacks are no joke. To those with lower GPAs, please don’t let anyone discourage you. We’re all on our own paths, and a GPA doesn’t tell the whole story. To be a successful veterinarian, one must be well-rounded and have the ability to be transparent on every aspect. I believe my interview performance and overall experience significantly influenced my acceptance (plus, I can handle those “hard” courses based on my prereqs being As and Bs-including ochem, physics, etc).

Degrees:
Bachelor of Science in Biology with an emphasis in Zoology.
Associate of Science Biology.

Veterinary Experience:
Veterinary Assistant mostly small animal with some exotic/shelter med 1000+
TNR assistance 30+

Animal Experience: (this is all a low estimate on my hours)
SeaWorld Husbandry 24+
Humane Society Volunteer 72+
Boarding and Volunteering at current horse stable 420+
Pre-Vet Club Volunteering 216+
Pet Sitting 384
San Diego Zoo Volunteer 104+
San Diego Herpetological Society Member/Volunteer 24+
Reptile Husbandry 2912+
Employment PetSmart Animal Caretaker 4600+
Previous horse stable volunteer 1200 (I own my own horse as well but did not include it in my experience)
Dog Husbandry 6420
Dog Shows. Handling, training, and grooming 9630

I really cut short my hours regarding dog shows, husbandry, and reptiles. I have thousands more, but I decided to give it a low estimate. Showing dogs, breeding reptiles, etc., are my passions in life.

Research:
SDSU Undergrad Rattlesnake Animal Behavior Lab in conjunction with the San Diego Zoo (hands-on with the snakes and care, field research, data collecting, etc), also worked with the SD Safari Park 432+

Extracurriculars/Awards:
ASB Election Commissioner 222
High School Marching and Concert Band 1500+
High School Varsity Badminton 40+
SDSU Marching Band Tenor Saxophone 1080+
Zoology Club 160
Volunteer Tutor 10
Volunteer Bloodbank 16
Award AKC Breeder of Merit
Award AKC Breeder of Heart
Award Countless HS Band but I only listed one from my senior year for leadership as a section leader for my instrument and lower reed instruments.

Certs:
Fear Free Shelter
Master Herpetologist Amphibian Foundation

LORs:
Veterinarian
Veterinarian
RVT Hospital Manager

Essay Question Summary:
I went over my experiences with volunteering, my involvement with dog shows and preservation, breeding dogs two breeds with a focus on preservation over 2 decades in my family, reptile shows and breeding geckos and snakes, volunteering, my passion for wildlife and conservation, and wanting to give back to the community. I explained I’m big on spreading information and advocating for responsible breeding practices and conservation. I also want to be a voice for exotic animals, primarily reptiles and amphibians. I went over my primary interests: small animals, exotics (primarily amphibian and reptile medicine), surgery, theriogenology, conservation/wildlife med, and education. I’m also interested in surgery, nutrition, and community outreach. I was pretty honest about what I wanted to do in veterinary medicine, which is a commitment to innovative, inclusive, and ethical animal care.

Since applying, I’ve been in the process of obtaining a Master's in Business Administration, but I didn’t list it in the application. I will likely have to put my master's on hold until vet school is finished which I'm fine with.

Lol let us be real…playing saxophone was the real highlight of my application XD

Congrats!!! As a fellow tenor saxophonist in a marching band, I also feel like it was a major highlight of my application lmao

 

[hellomanatee]

Congrats!!! As a fellow tenor saxophonist in a marching band, I also feel like it was a major highlight of my application lmao

Same, had to make sure to include all my marching band & wind ensemble hours xD

 

[prevetmoogs]

Age, Gender, State/Country of Residence, Traditional/Non-traditional applicant, # of times you've applied:
24f, Massachusetts resident, technically a traditional applicant but took some time off during college/switched majors several times, first application cycle
**Can't find my VMCAS app PDF but I remember the majority of what's on there**

Applied: UGA
Interview Invites: n/a
Waiting to hear: n/a
Accepted: UGA
Attending: UGA - GO DAWGS!!!

Overall GPA: 3.84
Science Prerequisite GPA: 3.75(ish)
Last 45 GPA: 4.0

Degree(s): BS in Animal and Veterinary Sciences (Spanish Studies minor), Fall 2024

Veterinary Experience:
Equine veterinary shadowing in high school - ~40 hrs
Tufts Adventures in Veterinary Medicine - 80 hrs
Intern at small animal GP - 112 hrs
Veterinary assistant at same GP clinic - ~1600 hrs
Equine vet shadowing in college - ~40 hrs
UGA Vet Student for a Day - 4 hrs
Shadowing at specialty hospital (oncology) - 90 hrs
Shadowing at specialty hospital (cardiology) - ~30 hrs

Animal Experience:
Competitive equine sports/working student positions - ~4000 hrs
Hands on large animal/poultry/small ruminant classes - ~100 hrs
Various pet sitting gigs - Add up to ~150 hrs
Fostering for local org(s) ~450 hrs
Volunteering at USEA events - ~80 hrs
Volunteering at dog sport events - ~12 hrs
Volunteering at local zoo - ~150 hrs

Research:
Educational research with health science and animal science courses - ~160 hrs
Primary presenter at health science conference and university research conference

Extracurriculars/Awards:
Awards:
Dean's list x3
President's list x3
MA Seal of Biliteracy with Honors
#1 Morgan Horse of the Year 2019 in USEA (my horse that I trained and competed)
Various year-end awards from USEA (2017-2020)
National Guild award for piano (2015-2018)

Extracurriculars: (really guesstimating on hours put down)
Included some HS extracurriculars - Destination Imagination, Spikeball club, etc.
Classical piano - ~200 hrs
Intercollegiate eventing team member - ~60 hrs
Pre-vet club member - ~100 hrs
Hiking club president - ~500 hrs
Tiger conservation club - ~50 hrs

Non-Animal Employment:
Lifeguarding in HS and college - ~1300 hrs
Childcare - ~210 hrs
Plasma center technician - ~600 hrs
Waitress - ~650 hrs
Cashier/customer service at Lowe's - ~480 hrs
Organic chem tutor - ~50 hrs

LORs:
Medical director at GP clinic
Organic Chem professor
Animal Science professor/research advisor

Essay Questions/Personal Statement:
Personal statement: I wrote about my journey with client interactions, how I used to hate them and how my experiences as a patient with a chronic illness changed my mind and made me more empathetic
Supplemental essays:
- A challenge you overcame - Wrote about retiring my horse from competition and how I found new ways to enjoy time with him
- The roles veterinarians play in society - Leaned heavily into education of the public (since I do educational research), public health, and relieving suffering of all kinds in animals

- Also included an explanation statement as my chronic illness made it challenging for me to do anything for a couple years




CONGRATS to everyone who got in this cycle, and everyone who just got *through* this cycle - So proud of all of us!!

 

[indysadventures]

For those accepted to UGA is there already a group for us? I know the school has made a Facebook. Trying to start looking for roommates early!

This should be on the UGA page.

 

[simba18]

Age, Gender, State/Country of Residence, Traditional/Non-traditional applicant, # of times you've applied:

21, F, Georgia/USA, traditional, 1st-time applicant

Applied: UC Davis, Texas A&M VERO, Mississippi State, UF, UGA, NC State, Ohio State

Interview Invites: Texas A&M, UF, Mississippi State

Waiting to hear: Mississippi State

Accepted: UGA (no interview), Texas A&M VERO, UF

Attending: undecided

Overall GPA: 3.95
Science Prerequisite GPA: 3.93 (o-chem monster got me)

Last 45 GPA: 4.0

GRE (Q/V/W): N/A

Degree(s): Bachelor of Science from UGA Dec 24’ summa cum laude (animal bioscience major, general business minor)


Veterinary Experience:
Experience - 1440 hrs

• Summer shadow at small animal vet clinic in FL: 200 hrs
• Vet assistant at local animal hospital w/ small animals & exotics: 1060 hrs and counting
• Costa Rica study abroad w/ wildlife: 80 hrs
• UGA large animal emergency critical care team: 100 hrs

Animal Experience:
Experience - 875 hrs listed, but way more

• Dog foster thru local animal shelter (put 2 hrs on my app bc I couldn’t put a number on my true dedication, probs in thousands of hours)
• UGA dairy farm student worker: 780 hrs
• Cat rescue volunteer: 45 hrs
• Animal practicum course for food animal & equine: 48 hrs

Research:
Experience - 315 hrs

• 3 diff projects under same prof for various aspects of dairy research: 315 hrs

Extracurriculars/Awards:
Experience -

• Sorority at my university all 4 yrs
  • Held 2 positions of leadership: 130 hrs total
  • Philanthropy w/ local middle schoolers: 150 hrs
• Intramural soccer: 42 hrs
• Pre-vet club: 75 hrs
• HS club soccer captain: 400 hrs
• Elementary school STEM volunteer: 100 hrs
• Lots of academic scholarships, presidential scholar, deans list, etc.
• Trupanion certification
• Professionalism certification

Non-Animal Employment:
Experience - 800 hrs

• Chipotle at 3 diff locations: 800 hrs

LORs:

• Veterinarian from local clinic I’ve been working at for ~2.5 yrs thru college
• Professor that I TA’ed for & was involved in my dairy experiences
• Research professor
• UGA Dairy farm manager that knew me through my entire undergrad career

Essay Questions/Personal Statement:
PS - Talked about my late grandfather initiating my curiosity in animals and always being a curious child, going thru HS and loving science/physiology but not knowing if I wanted to do animal or human medicine, then talking about overall experiences that made me discover what I loved about vet med (i.e like a big puzzle) to where I could make this career for me as much as it would be for him w/ ultimate goal of being a mixed animal veterinarian

other essay topics:
- huge personal fitness hobby and how that's taught me goal-setting, time mgmt, discipline, etc
- essay ab my dog foster simba who is medically and behaviorally complex, also teaching time mgmt., gave me knowledge and passion ab shelter process, and also some interest in cardio (syncope and pulmonic stenosis king)
- essay ab moving from fl to ga as a kid, then my parents leaving when i got to college at 17 and how it's grown me socially and emotionally
- teamwork essay in various teams i've worked in food service industry, my sorority, and in the vet med/animal production realm

 

[keimeko]

***PHARMD -> DVM!!! and LOW Vet hours and GRAD GPA***
23, Female, Florida/USA, Non-Traditional??, 1st time applicant

Applied: OSU, tOSU, UT, UF, CSU, WSU, Tufts, KSU, Minnesota
Interview Invites: tOSU
Accepted: tOSU
Attending: tOSU

Overall Graduate + Undergraduate GPA: 3.20
Science Prerequisite GPA: 3.89
Last 45 GPA: 3.25
Undergraduate GPA: 3.90
Graduate PharmD GPA : 2.70 which tanked my overall GPA

Degree(s):
Doctor of Pharmacy University of Florida May 2025
Bachelors of Science in Zoology Oregon State University June 2025

Veterinary Experience: 225 hours
Small animal outreach nonprofit clinic: 120 hours
Pharmacy college and Veterinary college collaboration for med management: 105 hours

Animal Experience: 2478 hours
Service/Trick dog training: 320 hours
Pet Sitter: ~300 hours (really estimate)
Equine management: 40 hours
Dog washer: 18 hours
Parrot and freshwater aquarium fish breeder: 1800 hours

Research: 70 hours
Little Bird Lab: 10 hours (ongoing was recently accepted)
Keio University Pharmacodynamics lab - 60 hours

Researched effects of Fidaxomicin/Vancomycin/Prednisolone on C-Diff mice in Japan research internship​

Extracurriculars/Awards:
Sumna Cum Laude: Associates
President's List 4x during undergrad
Asian Student Pharmacist Coalition: Member of the Year
Pharmily Leader at UF
Florida
Top 10 in high school?
National Art Honors Society
National Honors Society
Silver Key Artist Award

Non-Animal Employment:
Employment:
CVS Pharmacy Intern/Technician: 832 hours
UF Shands Pharmacy Intern: 700 hours
Starbucks Barista: 1640 hours

Pharmacy Rotations: 1280 hours
Community Rotation Walgreens: 160 hours
Hospital Rotation Bethesda Hospital: 160 hours
Japan Research/Hospital Rotation: 240 hours
Hospital Practice Boca Regional Hospital: 240 hours
General Medicine Boca Regional Hospital: 240 hours
Emergency Medicine Boca Regional Hospital: 240 hours
*ongoing more rotations

Volunteer:
Gator Health Covid Immunizer: 30 hours
Street Painter: 40 hours
Mural Painter for children garden: 24 hours
Painting low income homes: 40 hours
Children's Hospice Chef: 30 hours
Howlidays Pet Portrait Artist: 4 hours

LORs:
Pharmacy Infectious Disease Professor
Veterinarian from outreach clinic
CVS manager
Undergraduate professor

Essay Questions/Personal Statement:
I wrote about the change in careers from pharmacy to veterinary medicine. I started how my asian family views animals as inferior and treats their pets cruelly, resulting in them always dying. However, traditional Asian parents operate on a hierarchy, so kids have no say. I spoke how they forced me to go a field of human medicine since that was seen as the prestigious career or be disowned. I am an only child with my father suffering from epilepsy, so the guilt and the expectation for me to fulfill their wishes for me to pay for their retirement as a pharmacist. (no they did not pay for my PharmD, I had to take out loans to cover all of it) They made me leave art school to complete my AA in senior year of high school to get the pre-reqs done for pharmacy to apply immediately after high school.

As the youngest in my class at 19 because my parents literally rushed me, I went through pharmacy school. I completely hated it, doing the bare minimum to get Cs and get by. Pharmacy school is similar to vet school in that its a rigorous professional degree. However, after class I would go and volunteer at the outreach clinic nearby in Gainesville. I was only able to do short hours, once a week after our skills lab because we are in class the whole week and clinics are only open on weekdays till 5. Summers and the rest of the year are pre-occupied with required clinical hours for pharmacy. This explains why I have such little vet hours.
I spoke about how my family had Florida pre-paid, but because I got bright futures scholarship, we received the full refund. Since I had practically 3 years worth of undergraduate credits from high school, I secretly enrolled at Oregon State online for zoology to do my last year to get a bachelors while I am on my 4th year of pharmacy school. As a result, I am taking ~36 credits per semester. (~18 credits each at 2 universities)

In the middle of the essay, I transitioned to how my skills from pharmacy school will carry over. I spoke about inter professional collaboration between pharmacists and veterinarians by bridging information gap and streamlining communication. I wrote about how our knowledge on antimicrobial stewardship can help curb the over prescribing of antibiotics. I spoke about how I can contribute to the One-Health with a dual professional degree by integrating human and animal medicine. I included how there are delays in pet prescriptions because the pharmacy doesn't understand. My pharmacy background can give a unique approach to veterinary medicine.
At the end I wrote how I want to assist people in underserved communities in places with veterinary care deserts. I want to increase community outreach and education on pet owners about pet welfare. Living ≠ thriving. My family did not understand this and my goal is to prevent future tragedies and animal abuse.

-------
*** I am so thankful I got in one school. I was really upset about not getting into the Alaska/UAF one with Colorado, I had hopes to go there since that was the state farthest from Florida. 🙁
It was extremely embarrassing receiving rejections from all schools except for 1. Each rejection made me a laughingstock in the house as my parents kept saying how not even the animals want me.
On the bright side, the rest of my family saw how I turned out switching careers behind their backs and are no longer forcing their kids to pursue human health care!!
Message to all: Don't live your parents' dream, live for yourself ***

 

[Kodiak-Bear]

***PHARMD -> DVM!!! and LOW Vet hours and GRAD GPA***
23, Female, Florida/USA, Non-Traditional??, 1st time applicant

Applied: OSU, tOSU, UT, UF, CSU, WSU, Tufts, KSU, Minnesota
Interview Invites: tOSU
Accepted: tOSU
Attending: tOSU

Overall Graduate + Undergraduate GPA: 3.20
Science Prerequisite GPA: 3.89
Last 45 GPA: 3.25
Undergraduate GPA: 3.90
Graduate PharmD GPA : 2.70 which tanked my overall GPA

Degree(s):
Doctor of Pharmacy University of Florida May 2025
Bachelors of Science in Zoology Oregon State University June 2025

Veterinary Experience: 225 hours
Small animal outreach nonprofit clinic: 120 hours
Pharmacy college and Veterinary college collaboration for med management: 105 hours

Animal Experience: 2478 hours
Service/Trick dog training: 320 hours
Pet Sitter: ~300 hours (really estimate)
Equine management: 40 hours
Dog washer: 18 hours
Parrot and freshwater aquarium fish breeder: 1800 hours

Research: 70 hours
Little Bird Lab: 10 hours (ongoing was recently accepted)
Keio University Pharmacodynamics lab - 60 hours

Researched effects of Fidaxomicin/Vancomycin/Prednisolone on C-Diff mice in Japan research internship​

Extracurriculars/Awards:
Sumna Cum Laude: Associates
President's List 4x during undergrad
Asian Student Pharmacist Coalition: Member of the Year
Pharmily Leader at UF
Florida
Top 10 in high school?
National Art Honors Society
National Honors Society
Silver Key Artist Award

Non-Animal Employment:
Employment:
CVS Pharmacy Intern/Technician: 832 hours
UF Shands Pharmacy Intern: 700 hours
Starbucks Barista: 1640 hours

Pharmacy Rotations: 1280 hours
Community Rotation Walgreens: 160 hours
Hospital Rotation Bethesda Hospital: 160 hours
Japan Research/Hospital Rotation: 240 hours
Hospital Practice Boca Regional Hospital: 240 hours
General Medicine Boca Regional Hospital: 240 hours
Emergency Medicine Boca Regional Hospital: 240 hours
*ongoing more rotations

Volunteer:
Gator Health Covid Immunizer: 30 hours
Street Painter: 40 hours
Mural Painter for children garden: 24 hours
Painting low income homes: 40 hours
Children's Hospice Chef: 30 hours
Howlidays Pet Portrait Artist: 4 hours

LORs:
Pharmacy Infectious Disease Professor
Veterinarian from outreach clinic
CVS manager
Undergraduate professor

Essay Questions/Personal Statement:
I wrote about the change in careers from pharmacy to veterinary medicine. I started how my asian family views animals as inferior and treats their pets cruelly, resulting in them always dying. However, traditional Asian parents operate on a hierarchy, so kids have no say. I spoke how they forced me to go a field of human medicine since that was seen as the prestigious career or be disowned. I am an only child with my father suffering from epilepsy, so the guilt and the expectation for me to fulfill their wishes for me to pay for their retirement as a pharmacist. (no they did not pay for my PharmD, I had to take out loans to cover all of it) They made me leave art school to complete my AA in senior year of high school to get the pre-reqs done for pharmacy to apply immediately after high school.

As the youngest in my class at 19 because my parents literally rushed me, I went through pharmacy school. I completely hated it, doing the bare minimum to get Cs and get by. Pharmacy school is similar to vet school in that its a rigorous professional degree. However, after class I would go and volunteer at the outreach clinic nearby in Gainesville. I was only able to do short hours, once a week after our skills lab because we are in class the whole week and clinics are only open on weekdays till 5. Summers and the rest of the year are pre-occupied with required clinical hours for pharmacy. This explains why I have such little vet hours.
I spoke about how my family had Florida pre-paid, but because I got bright futures scholarship, we received the full refund. Since I had practically 3 years worth of undergraduate credits from high school, I secretly enrolled at Oregon State online for zoology to do my last year to get a bachelors while I am on my 4th year of pharmacy school. As a result, I am taking ~36 credits per semester. (~18 credits each at 2 universities)

In the middle of the essay, I transitioned to how my skills from pharmacy school will carry over. I spoke about inter professional collaboration between pharmacists and veterinarians by bridging information gap and streamlining communication. I wrote about how our knowledge on antimicrobial stewardship can help curb the over prescribing of antibiotics. I spoke about how I can contribute to the One-Health with a dual professional degree by integrating human and animal medicine. I included how there are delays in pet prescriptions because the pharmacy doesn't understand. My pharmacy background can give a unique approach to veterinary medicine.
At the end I wrote how I want to assist people in underserved communities in places with veterinary care deserts. I want to increase community outreach and education on pet owners about pet welfare. Living ≠ thriving. My family did not understand this and my goal is to prevent future tragedies and animal abuse.

-------
*** I am so thankful I got in one school. I was really upset about not getting into the Alaska/UAF one with Colorado, I had hopes to go there since that was the state farthest from Florida. 🙁
It was extremely embarrassing receiving rejections from all schools except for 1. Each rejection made me a laughingstock in the house as my parents kept saying how not even the animals want me.
On the bright side, the rest of my family saw how I turned out switching careers behind their backs and are no longer forcing their kids to pursue human health care!!
Message to all: Don't live your parents' dream, live for yourself ***

Ahh so excited to meet you there!!

 

[ErPikBeary]

*** LOW VET HOURS, VERY NON-TRADITIONAL***

Age, Gender, State/Country of Residence, Traditional/Non-traditional applicant, # of times you've applied:

39, F, NY, Non-traditional, first time applicant

Applied: LIU, UPenn, VAMD, LSU, Mizzou, U of A, Midwestern, WSU, Wisconsin, Minnesota
Interview Invites: LIU, Mizzou (rejected), U of A (rejected), Midwestern
Waiting to hear: none
Accepted: Midwestern
Waitlisted: LIU

Attending: Midwestern!!

Overall GPA: 3.64
Science Prerequisite GPA: 3.53
Last 45 GPA: 3.66

Casper: 4th Quartile


Degree(s): 1st BA in German Language and Literature, minor in Fine Arts graduated 2011,

Post-bacc degree in Pre-Health 2022-2024

Veterinary Experience:
Aquatic Health Volunteer, NY Aquarium – 168 hours

Pre-Vet Intern, Wild Sun Rescue Center, Costa Rica – 152 hours

Animal Experience:
Owner-operator of my own dog walking and pet sitting business in NYC and Brooklyn- 17, 850 hours (10+ years)

Private pet care provider for CEO’s pets – 1780

Dog Handler- Netflix show She’s Gotta Have It – 8

Dog Handler- Nat Geo Wild show – 5

Research:
Experience - none

Extracurriculars/Awards:
Captain of Co-ed soccer team – 64 hours

DEI Book Club- 200 hours

NYC marathon finisher, half iron triathlon finisher, have completed several open water races

CIBBOWS open water swimming member- 60 hours

Masters Swim Team Member/Leader – 900 hours

Newsletter Author for Packdog.com – 16 hours

German Club President – 60 hours

Non-Animal Employment:
Admin Assistant for Psychotherapist- 220 hours

Admin Assistant for Real Estate Company – 2400 hours

Catering Server- 1500 hours

Volunteer:
Group leader in MICA (mentally ill chemically addicted) ward of hospital – 100 hours


LORs:
Vet Tech and Hospital Manager at the NY Aquarium who talked about my maturity, teamwork and work ethic

Vet from Rescue in Costa Rica

Dog care client of 9 years who is the CEO of a large company and could speak to my professionalism and work ethic

Swim coach since 2018 who spoke about my leadership and teamwork

Director of Pre-Health Program/Committee Letter from my post-bacc institution

Essay Questions/Personal Statement:
I wrote about the first canine surgery I assisted on, how I built a relationship with the pet owner despite us not speaking the same language, and how this made me realize that everything I loved and found most rewarding about running a pet care business would translate to my career in vet med. Highlighted how I went back to school for an entirely new field of study at 36 and how my life and business experience makes me a unique candidate.

 

[gbug]

Age, Gender, State/Country of Residence, Traditional/Non-traditional applicant, # of times you've applied:
22, Female, Arizona/USA, Traditional, 1st time applicant

Applied: Auburn, Tufts, Oregon, UC Davis, Texas A&M, NC State, Illinois, CSU, Ross, UofA, Washington, Midwestern, and UGA
Interview Invites: Auburn, Uofa, and Ross
Rejected: UC Davis, Texas A&M, NC State, Illinois, UGA, and CSU
Accepted: Auburn, Oregon, Midwestern (w/o interview), UofA, Ross, Tufts (alternate), and Washington (waitlisted)
Attending: Auburn!!! 💙🧡💙

Overall GPA: 3.91
Science Prerequisite GPA: 3.91
Last 45 GPA: 3.88

Casper: 3rd Quartile

Degree(s): Will graduate with BS in Veterinary Science and minor in Microbiology in spring of 2025

Veterinary Experience: 746 total hours
Small Animal Vet Tech GP w/ clinic specialization of regenerative med - 720 hours
Volunteer at Arizona National Livestock Show - 26 hours

Animal Experience: 351 total hours
Stingray Volunteer at Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum - 25 hours
Independent study at large animal farm - 130 hours
Preceptor for a class at large animal farm - 52 hours
Student worker at large animal farm - 144 hours

Research:
none

Extracurriculars/Awards:
Bear Down Tournaments Coordinator (club) - 75 hours
Assistant of New Member Education at Sigma Kappa - 96 hours
Member of Sigma Kappa - 320 hours

Academic Year Highest Academic Achievement
Dean's List w/ Distinction
Academic Year Academic Distinction
Dean's List

Non-Animal Employment:
Server - 600 hours
Memory Care Volunteer - 45 hours

LORs:

1. Veterinarian
2. Veterinarian
3. Farm Manager/Instructor
4. Advisor

Essay Questions/Personal Statement:

PS: I wrote about my experience with loss and cancer in my family which helped me have better client communication as a vet tech during euthanasias. I spoke about one euthanasia in particular and how overall we are able to provide dignity and an end of suffering for our beloved companions. I addressed my interests in veterinary medicine and the experiences that I have had so far.

 

[lucky201010]

23, Female, FL, Non-traditional applicant, Second-cycle applicant
I applied to veterinary school as a first-time applicant (2023-2024 cycle) receiving rejections from UGA, Auburn, UF (IS), and Illinois. However, I secured interviews with Virginia-Maryland and Mississippi State, ultimately receiving an acceptance from Mississippi State. After visiting, I realized the program wasn’t the right fit for me. I faced a difficult decision: attend the only school that accepted me or take a chance on improving my application to reapply to programs where I truly saw myself thriving. After consulting mentors and veterinary students, I trusted my instincts and decided to reapply.

Second-round application:

• Applied: Ohio State, Auburn, Illinois, UGA, UF (IS), Missouri
• Rejected: Auburn, Missouri, UGA
• Interviews: Ohio State, UF, Illinois
• Accepted: Ohio State, UF, Illinois
• Attending: Most likely UF!

Academics:

• Overall GPA: 3.71
• Science GPA: 3.61
• Last 45 GPA: 3.59
• Degree: B.S. in Animal Sciences, University of Florida

Veterinary Experience: (~2,850 hrs)

• Urgent care vet tech (1,924 hrs)
• Low-cost spay/neuter volunteer (105 hrs)
• Equine ambulatory shadow (110 hrs)
• Canine rehab shadow (10 hrs)
• Operation Catnip intern (310 hrs) + volunteer (130 hrs)
• Outpatient animal surgery volunteer (50 hrs)
• Holistic vet clinic volunteer (120 hrs)

Animal Experience:

• Horse grooming (60 hrs)

Research Experience: (~1,325 hrs)

• BRUMS program (30 hrs)
• UF CVM Diagnostic Lab student assistant (500 hrs)
• UF CVM Diagnostic Lab research assistant (540 hrs) – presented mycoplasma bovis research
• Rodent research assistant (255 hrs)

Extracurriculars & Leadership: (~2,025 hrs)

• Animal Nutrition TA (90 hrs)
• Minority Health Professional Mentorship (110 hrs) – Vet student mentor was instrumental in my journey
• Service Director, UF Minority Pre-Vet Students (220 hrs)
• PAWSibilities Vet Med Network member (100 hrs)
• UF Student Admissions Ambassador (700 hrs)
• Assemble Ballet Club dancer (100 hrs)
• UF CVM Faculty Mentorship Program (15 hrs)
• General Body Member, UF Minority Pre-Vet Students (100 hrs)
• UCF Health Leaders Academy (70 hrs, high school)
• Athletic Training Student Aide (420 hrs, high school)
• Give Kids the World volunteer (100 hrs)

LORs:

• Managing veterinarian (urgent care)
• Urgent care veterinarian mentor
• PI from UF CVM Diagnostic Lab
• Laboratory veterinarian (rodent research)

Personal Statement:
Wrote about my first day at a vet clinic, when I had to inform a Spanish-speaking owner that her pet had passed. As the only one able to communicate with her, I navigated both medical urgency and emotional support, reinforcing my desire to lead in veterinary medicine and bridge language barriers in critical moments.

 

[ilovecats44]

Age, Gender, State/Country of Residence, Traditional/Non-traditional applicant, # of times you've applied:
21, F, Indiana, traditional applicant, first-time applicant
Applied: Purdue, Illinois, Washington State, Ohio State
Interview Invites: Purdue & Illinois
Waiting to hear:
Accepted: Illinois (waitlisted by WSU & Purdue) - pulled off Purdue’s waitlist on 4/14
Attending: Purdue!!

Overall GPA: 3.77
Science Prerequisite GPA: 3.67
Last 45 GPA: I never calculated it, but it was higher than my overall GPA.

Degree(s): Bachelor of Science in Animal Sciences (Pre-vet concentration) - Purdue Univ. May 2025.

Veterinary Experience:
Veterinary Assistant at small animal GP - 1525 hours
Board of Animal Health (shadowed) - 10 hours
Purdue Large Animal Hospital (animal handler)- 360 hours
Various shadowing exp. at different hospitals - 120 hours

Animal Experience:
Shelter volunteering ~ 15 hours
Kennel attendant - 180 hours
Dairy farmhand - 1200 hours

Research:
Research Assistant - 45 hours

Extracurriculars/Awards:
First-Generation Mentor - 5 hours
CNA Student - 20 hours

Non-Animal Employment:
Assembly line worker - 378 hours
Server - 1900 hours
Dairy Queen - 385 hours
Amusement Park - 240 hours

LORs:
DVM I work for in GP
Academic Advisor
DVM I worked for at dairy farm
DVM I shadowed in high school
Grad student I helped with research

Essay Questions/Personal Statement:
I talked about growing up in a very unstable household with addicts and how my animals were my greatest support system (and how they are for MANY others). I always wanted to go to college but never knew how to achieve it since I didn't have any role models. The rest of my personal statement was about the bright side of vet med and the darker side and how I feel I am qualified to handle these situations.

For any student in a similar situation to me, your background does NOT define you. From a very young age, I knew I wanted more for myself and have been dead set on getting that. I have never given up (it has been very hard LOL). DO NOT GIVE UP!!!!! Create a better life for yourself. Although my family was not the greatest support, I have found support from friends, professors, doctors I have worked for, etc. You got this, and don't let ANYONE tell you otherwise. This process has been extremely emotional for me & I have questioned myself many times. I am so relieved that my hard work is finally paying off!! YAY, I'M GOING TO BE THE FIRST COLLEGE GRADUATE IN MY FAMILY AND DOCTOR!!!

 

[ddjjmms7]

21, M, NJ, Traditional, 1st cycle:

Applied: Upenn, Tufts, NC State, UGA, Dublin, Midwestern, Ohio State, U of A,
Interview Invites: Upenn, Dublin
Rejected: Tufts, UGA, Ohio, NC State U of A
Accepted: Midwestern (interview waived), Dublin, Upenn
Attending: TBD but right not leaning towards penn lol

Overall GPA: 3.62
Science Prerequisite GPA: 3.4
Last 45 GPA: 3.59

GRE (Q/V/W): N/A

Degree(s): Bachelor of Science in Pre-Veterinary Medicine with a minor in history and a certificate in one health

Veterinary Experience:
Vet tech at GP clinic - 420 hrs
Animal care tech at UD office of lab animal medicine- 140 hrs
Kennel Assistant at different GP clinic- 160 hrs
Animal hospital externship- 80 hrs

Animal Experience:
CSR at doggy daycare/boarding facility- 440 hrs
TA for University of Delaware’s Swine Production Class- 21 hrs
Animal Care Attendant at local shelter- 192 hrs
Penn Vet swine unit internship- 132 hrs
Animal handling lab- 45 hrs
Volunteer at local wildlife hospital (high school)- 32 hrs

Research:
Swine research assistant- 40hrs
Poultry Diagnostic Lab- 60 hrs

Extracurriculars/Awards:
Professional Fraternity- VP 23-24 President 24-25
Acapella Group- Secretary 23-24
Animal Science Club
Ambassador for the college + tour guide
Dean’s List every semester but spring ‘24
Presidential scholarship from UD
Certification of Artificial Insemination from Select Sires (March 2023)

Non-Animal Employment:
Dunkin (lol) - 5200 hrs

LORs:
Academic advisor/ Professor I Ta’ed for
Advisor for tour guide group
DVM
Professor

Essay Questions/Personal Statement:
I wrote my personal statement about the phrase “Feed the Planet Protect the World” and how that statement impacted my views on vet med. I also talked about my time doing swine research and how that inspired me to want to improve the conditions of production animals as a livestock veterinarian.
For the supplemental essays for Dublin I wrote about how my time studying abroad and living in Dublin influenced me to apply to UCD and how much I enjoyed their program.
For the Upenn supplemental I talked about my time interning at the new bolton swine unit and how that influenced me into pursuing a career in livestock medicine. I also wrote about growing up gay in a conservative catholic environment and how that made me resilient/driven.

It's so crazy that I got accepted to three schools!! This has been a crazy process and I just want to say congratulations to everyone else that was successful this cycle <3.

 

[DVM882029]

For any student in a similar situation to me, your background does NOT define you. From a very young age, I knew I wanted more for myself and have been dead set on getting that. I have never given up (it has been very hard LOL). DO NOT GIVE UP!!!!! Create a better life for yourself. Although my family was not the greatest support, I have found support from friends, professors, doctors I have worked for, etc. You got this, and don't let ANYONE tell you otherwise. This process has been extremely emotional for me & I have questioned myself many times. I am so relieved that my hard work is finally paying off!! YAY, I'M GOING TO BE THE FIRST COLLEGE GRADUATE IN MY FAMILY AND DOCTOR!!!

My family was also extremely unsupportive but I found my support system in my adult life and it's amazing. When looking at my parents, I will also be the first college graduate and first doctor (one of my cousins has a doctorate). Go girl!

 

[olivecantaloupe]

I will update this as needed, but I've heard back from the majority of schools at this point. If you have any questions, feel free to DM me 🙂 there's probably info here that I forgot to add!

Age, Gender, State/Country of Residence, Traditional/Non-traditional applicant, # of times you've applied:
23 y/o, female, PA/USA, slightly non-trad (graduated in 2023 and took two years off from working in vet med), first time applicant, low-income

Applied:
Mississippi State University
University of Minnesota
Long Island University
University of Liverpool
Midwestern University
University of Illinois
University of Edinburgh
Washington State University
Louisiana State University
Tufts University
University of Florida
University of Missouri
University of Tennessee
Purdue University
University of Pennsylvania
University of Wisconsin-Madison
University of Georgia

Interview Invites: MSU, UMN, LIU, Liverpool, UIUC, Edinburgh, UF, Purdue, UTK (pre-screening interview only)
Accepted: MSU, UMN, LIU, Liverpool, MWU, UIUC, Edinburgh!
Waitlisted: WSU (top tier), LSU, Tufts, UF
Accepted off waitlist: WSU, Tufts, UF
Rejected: University of Missouri-Columbia, University of Tennessee, University of Pennsylvania, University of Wisconsin-Madison, University of Georgia
Removed self from pool: Purdue
Attending: Edinburgh!!!!!

Overall GPA: 3.80
Science Prerequisite GPA: 3.73 (I think?)
Last 45 GPA: 3.79

GRE: did not take
Caspar: 3rd quartile

Degree(s): B.S. in Biology and B.S. in Marine Biology with a minor in Spanish from Nova Southeastern University, graduated May 2023

Veterinary Experience:
Veterinary assistant at a small animal GP - (480 hrs)
Veterinary assistant at a small animal ER/ICU - (1680 hrs)

Animal Experience:
Pet sitting - (896 hrs)
Shark tagging - (7 hrs)
Local animal shelter volunteer - (10 hrs)

Research:
Research lab assistant studying POP/heavy metal bioaccumulation in sea otters and gray wolves of SE Alaska - (126 hrs)

Extracurriculars:
NSU Scuba diving crew member - (25 hrs)
NSU Pre-Veterinary club president, community service chair, fundraising chair - (508 hrs)
NSU Nature Club public relations chair - (217 hrs)
NSU Student Sustainability Club president, secretary, political action chair - (508 hrs)
NSU Paws on Broward club (an animal-oriented service club) Inter-Organizational Council chair - (224 hrs)
NSU Marine Biology club member - (56 hrs)
High school theater cast member - (256 hrs)
High school tennis team member - (360 hrs)
High school stage crew manager - (600 hrs)
High school choir member - (1440 hrs)

Awards:
End of year NSU club awards 2023 - Best Club, Best Event
Student of the month - 2019
National merit scholarship commended student - 2018
Most service hours of any member, high school Key Club - 2017
Dean's scholarship at NSU
Dean's list 5/8 semesters at NSU

Non-Animal Employment:
Medical scribe and quality assurance specialist at ScribeAmerica - (1040 hrs) - post-grad
Server, lead host, and service assistant at Red Lobster - (2580 hrs) - in high school and into college

LORs:
- DVM, Associate veterinarian who I worked with at the ER
- PhD, Professor (marine bio), oceanographer, pre-vet club advisor, and director of lab I did research in
- PhD, Professor (bio), nature club advisor
- Lab manager at the ER
- MD, Staff physician who I worked with at ScribeAmerica

Essay Questions/Personal Statement:
I wrote about my journey from wanting to be a marine biologist to wanting to be a veterinarian, talking heavily about my experiences shark tagging and doing research.

 

[210vainilla]

23, Female, FL, Non-traditional applicant, Second-cycle applicant
I applied to veterinary school as a first-time applicant (2023-2024 cycle) receiving rejections from UGA, Auburn, UF (IS), and Illinois. However, I secured interviews with Virginia-Maryland and Mississippi State, ultimately receiving an acceptance from Mississippi State. After visiting, I realized the program wasn’t the right fit for me. I faced a difficult decision: attend the only school that accepted me or take a chance on improving my application to reapply to programs where I truly saw myself thriving. After consulting mentors and veterinary students, I trusted my instincts and decided to reapply.

Second-round application:

• Applied: Ohio State, Auburn, Illinois, UGA, UF (IS), Missouri
• Rejected: Auburn, Missouri, UGA
• Interviews: Ohio State, UF, Illinois
• Accepted: Ohio State, UF, Illinois
• Attending: Most likely UF!

Academics:

• Overall GPA: 3.71
• Science GPA: 3.61
• Last 45 GPA: 3.59
• Degree: B.S. in Animal Sciences, University of Florida

Veterinary Experience: (~2,850 hrs)

• Urgent care vet tech (1,924 hrs)
• Low-cost spay/neuter volunteer (105 hrs)
• Equine ambulatory shadow (110 hrs)
• Canine rehab shadow (10 hrs)
• Operation Catnip intern (310 hrs) + volunteer (130 hrs)
• Outpatient animal surgery volunteer (50 hrs)
• Holistic vet clinic volunteer (120 hrs)

Animal Experience:

• Horse grooming (60 hrs)

Research Experience: (~1,325 hrs)

• BRUMS program (30 hrs)
• UF CVM Diagnostic Lab student assistant (500 hrs)
• UF CVM Diagnostic Lab research assistant (540 hrs) – presented mycoplasma bovis research
• Rodent research assistant (255 hrs)

Extracurriculars & Leadership: (~2,025 hrs)

• Animal Nutrition TA (90 hrs)
• Minority Health Professional Mentorship (110 hrs) – Vet student mentor was instrumental in my journey
• Service Director, UF Minority Pre-Vet Students (220 hrs)
• PAWSibilities Vet Med Network member (100 hrs)
• UF Student Admissions Ambassador (700 hrs)
• Assemble Ballet Club dancer (100 hrs)
• UF CVM Faculty Mentorship Program (15 hrs)
• General Body Member, UF Minority Pre-Vet Students (100 hrs)
• UCF Health Leaders Academy (70 hrs, high school)
• Athletic Training Student Aide (420 hrs, high school)
• Give Kids the World volunteer (100 hrs)

LORs:

• Managing veterinarian (urgent care)
• Urgent care veterinarian mentor
• PI from UF CVM Diagnostic Lab
• Laboratory veterinarian (rodent research)

Personal Statement:
Wrote about my first day at a vet clinic, when I had to inform a Spanish-speaking owner that her pet had passed. As the only one able to communicate with her, I navigated both medical urgency and emotional support, reinforcing my desire to lead in veterinary medicine and bridge language barriers in critical moments.

Hey! as another spanish speaker that also got into UF if you ever want to connect message me!

 

[Cowsrcool]

I will update this as needed, but I've heard back from the majority of schools at this point. If you have any questions, feel free to DM me 🙂 there's probably info here that I forgot to add!

Age, Gender, State/Country of Residence, Traditional/Non-traditional applicant, # of times you've applied:
23 y/o, female, PA/USA, slightly non-trad (graduated in 2023 and took two years off from working in vet med), first time applicant, low-income

Applied:
Mississippi State University
University of Minnesota
Long Island University
University of Liverpool
Midwestern University
University of Illinois
University of Edinburgh
Washington State University
Louisiana State University
Tufts University
University of Florida
University of Missouri
University of Tennessee
Purdue University
University of Pennsylvania
University of Wisconsin-Madison
University of Georgia

Interview Invites: MSU, UMN, LIU, Liverpool, UIUC, Edinburgh, UF, Purdue, UTK (pre-screening interview only)
Waiting to hear: Edinburgh
Accepted: MSU, UMN, LIU, Liverpool, MWU, UIUC
Waitlisted: WSU (top tier), LSU, Tufts, UF
Rejected: University of Missouri-Columbia, University of Tennessee, Purdue University, University of Pennsylvania, University of Wisconsin-Madison, University of Georgia
Attending: to be determined.....

Overall GPA: 3.80
Science Prerequisite GPA: 3.73 (I think?)
Last 45 GPA: 3.79

GRE: did not take
Caspar: 3rd quartile

Degree(s): B.S. in Biology and B.S. in Marine Biology with a minor in Spanish from Nova Southeastern University, graduated May 2023

Veterinary Experience:
Veterinary assistant at a small animal GP - (480 hrs)
Veterinary assistant at a small animal ER/ICU - (1680 hrs)

Animal Experience:
Pet sitting - (896 hrs)
Shark tagging - (7 hrs)
Local animal shelter volunteer - (10 hrs)

Research:
Research lab assistant studying POP/heavy metal bioaccumulation in sea otters and gray wolves of SE Alaska - (126 hrs)

Extracurriculars:
NSU Scuba diving crew member - (25 hrs)
NSU Pre-Veterinary club president, community service chair, fundraising chair - (508 hrs)
NSU Nature Club public relations chair - (217 hrs)
NSU Student Sustainability Club president, secretary, political action chair - (508 hrs)
NSU Paws on Broward club (an animal-oriented service club) Inter-Organizational Council chair - (224 hrs)
NSU Marine Biology club member - (56 hrs)
High school theater cast member - (256 hrs)
High school tennis team member - (360 hrs)
High school stage crew manager - (600 hrs)
High school choir member - (1440 hrs)

Awards:
End of year NSU club awards 2023 - Best Club, Best Event
Student of the month - 2019
National merit scholarship commended student - 2018
Most service hours of any member, high school Key Club - 2017
Dean's scholarship at NSU
Dean's list 5/8 semesters at NSU

Non-Animal Employment:
Medical scribe and quality assurance specialist at ScribeAmerica - (1040 hrs) - post-grad
Server, lead host, and service assistant at Red Lobster - (2580 hrs) - in high school and into college

LORs:
- Associate veterinarian who I worked with at the ER
- Professor (marine bio), oceanographer, pre-vet club advisor, and director of lab I did research in
- Professor (bio), nature club advisor
- Lab manager at the ER
- Staff physician (MD) who I worked with at ScribeAmerica

Essay Questions/Personal Statement:
I wrote about my journey from wanting to be a marine biologist to wanting to be a veterinarian, talking heavily about my experiences shark tagging and doing research.

Seen you in so many threads congrats you have amazing options!! Where are you leading towards?

 

[olivecantaloupe]

Seen you in so many threads congrats you have amazing options!! Where are you leading towards?

Thank you friend! I love your profile picture so much :') I hope that everything works out well for you this cycle.

To be totally honest, with the state of the US right now, I am heavily leaning towards Liverpool and Edinburgh. Edinburgh is my top choice because they have a 4-year accelerated program for those already w/ degrees. At Liverpool, I would be thrown into the mix with 18 y/o British students fresh out of high school, which I think would be slightly less ideal. Liverpool is still a great program and I'm honored to have been accepted there. It's funny though because I applied to the UK schools on a whim, and now I'm incredibly glad I did.

 

[TukusTeten]

Hi everyone! I am so happy to finally post on here and I hope this can help a future applicant. I think a great takeaway from my application is “quality over quantity” in experiences. I don’t even have 1000 hours in anything, but still got accepted into great programs!! And that’s because I was able to learn so much from all the unique experiences I had throughout my life. Also, another thing that worried me a lot but maybe not others, is the fact that I was never part of any board of directors in a club. I see so many people that have these very good leadership roles as president, vice president, etc., but frankly it never interested me. I thought this would be a reason that I wouldn’t get in this cycle, and I am so happy that is not the case. Feel free to reach out to me with any questions!


21, Female, Puerto Rico, Traditional Applicant, First time applying:

Applied: LSU, Ohio State, Cornell, NC State, and Penn Vet
Rejected: Cornell, NC State
Interview Invites: Ohio State, Penn Vet (only schools I applied to that interview)
Waitlisted: Ohio State (after interview)
Waiting to hear: None
Accepted: LSU, Penn Vet
Attending: Penn Vet!!

Overall GPA: 3.77
Science Prerequisite GPA: 3.77-3.92 (depending on the school)
Last 45 GPA: 3.80

Degree(s): N/A (applied only with prerequisites and didn’t finish bachelor’s after being accepted, but I was an Animal Science major)

Veterinary Experience:
Volunteer at General Practice Clinic for 3 years. – 330 hrs

Extern at USDA Veterinary Services at the JFK airport in New York for 8 weeks, where I helped review certificates and permits of animals that arrived from other countries, as well as assist in the import and export of racehorses, show horses, fish, and birds. – 320 hrs

Animal Experience:
Intern and volunteer at the Caribbean Manatee Conservation Center in Puerto Rico where I helped with the rescue, rehabilitation, and releases of manatees, sea turtles, owls, hawks, falcons, pelicans, etc. – 240 hrs

Research:
Conducted federally funded research for about 1 year and a half on slick-haired cows and their genetic expression. Later, I presented my research poster in a symposium in Texas. – 231 hrs

Extracurriculars:
Member and awardee of a year long research scholarship program at my university where we travelled to different states to attend conferences, among them the NextGen USDA annual conference in Washington, D.C. – 200 hrs

Member of the Pre-Vet Club at my university for 3 and a half years. – 540 hrs

Awards:

Kinesis Scholarship since high school

Research program scholarship with paid summer internship

NSCS Member

Honors list for all years of undergrad

Member of the National Honor Society, Interact Club, and UNICEF Club in high school

Six Microsoft certifications (MTA, Word, Excel, etc.)

BLS and ALS Certification

Non-Animal Employment: None

LORs:

PhD, First Aid Professor
DVM, General Practice Veterinarian
DVM, General Practice Veterinarian
PhD, Research Mentor and Head of Animal Science Department at my University
PhD, Founder and Director of Manatee Conservation Center

Essay Questions/Personal Statement:
In my personal statement, I wanted to take the reader through a short rollercoaster of what things I have experienced throughout my life that sparked my interest in veterinary medicine: as a child, in the present, and in the future. I started my personal statement talking about a traumatizing experience I had when I was 6. A kitten we had just rescued died because I opened his crate to cuddle with him, but he ran off and a dog instantly killed him. I explained how I felt like I just committed the worst crime in the world and that from then on I vowed to always protect and help animals. I also talked about how my interest in veterinary medicine started and reflected itself when I was a child. Then I went on to talk about one of the most wonderful experiences I’ve had and what I learned from it, which was working with manatees and other wildlife. Lastly, I talked about my goals as a veterinary student and future veterinarian.

 

[whalesharkbubbles]

So excited and grateful to be at this stage!
22F, MO, traditional, first time applicant

Applied: Mizzou, UIUC, UC Davis, UF
Interview Invites: Mizzou, UIUC
Accepted: Mizzou, UIUC
Attending: tbd, anyone w/advice, pls feel free to reply to this!

Overall GPA: 3.85
Science Prerequisite GPA: 3.78
Last 45 GPA: 3.79

Degree: graduating in May with BA in Biology, double major in Anthropology: Global Health and Environment

Veterinary Experience:
Small animal vet tech - (384 hrs)
Avian vet assistant - (105 hrs)
Small animal shadowing - (130 hrs)
Lab animal shadowing - (70 hrs)
Equine shadowing - (70 hrs)

Animal Experience:
Wildlife rehabilitation internship - (276 hrs)
Pet sitting, dog walking, and shelter volunteering - (83 hrs)

Research:
Behavioral research at local zoo for research-based course - (75 hrs)
Field training as supplemental activity for marine wildlife conservation course - (16 hrs)
Plant science research internship in high school that resulted in co-authorship on a published paper - (210 hrs)
Marine biology summer program in high school - (40 hrs)

Extracurriculars/Awards:
Dance team leader and performer - (324 hrs)
Performer in traditional Asian dance group - (330 hrs)
Public relations chair of club serving local Chinese adoptees and Chinese orphans abroad - (100 hrs)
Studio ballet in high school - (2184 hrs)

National Merit Scholarship
Dean's list every semester
Missouri Bright Flight Scholarship
Bayer Outstanding High School Researcher - scholarship from local science fair
Outstanding Student in Life Sciences at high school - awarded to one student in class of 160

LORs:
DVM - Practice owner
DVM - Associate vet
PhD - Professor who taught my research-based course involving behavioral research at the local zoo
PhD - Professor who I took bio 2 and biochem with, and has been my biology major advisor for the past three years

Essay Questions/Personal Statement:
I wrote about my life-long love for biology and appreciation for the natural world, and how it led me to take a One Health course taught by two zoo & wildlife veterinarians. Taking the class showed me how impactful vets can be in big-picture, global issues like zoonotic disease spread and protecting endangered species, inspiring me to seriously consider vet med. Every time I gained a new vet experience, I fell more in love with the scientific inquiry aspect of the field as well as being part of animals' healing journeys and seeing them progress over time. I concluded by talking about my hopes to be a veterinarian that progresses the One Health effort.

 

[battie]

tbd, anyone w/advice, pls feel free to reply to this!

I attended UIUC, had a good experience, and want you to go to Mizzou. The extra cost of UIUC is not worth it.

 

[kfbrcr8]

21, Male, GA, Traditional, 1st cycle!

Applied: UGA, Auburn, UTK, MS State, Mizzou, LSU
Interview Invites: Auburn, MS State
Waitlist: LSU, MS State (top 15)
Accepted: UGA!!!
Attending: UGA

Overall GPA: 3.83
Science Prerequisite GPA: 3.79
Last 45 GPA: Somewhere in the 3.8 range

GRE (Q/V/W): N/A

Degree(s): Graduate BS Bio in May

Veterinary Experience:
Experience
- 1500 hrs SA Vet Assistant (Clinic 1)
- 80 hrs SA and Equine Shadow (Clinic 2)
- 16 hrs Food animal and Equine Shadow (Clinic 3)

Animal Experience:
Experience
- 405 hrs Kennel Tech
- 10 hrs Poultry Sitting
- 120 hrs SA Pet Sitting

Research:
Experience
- NONE!

Extracurriculars/Awards:
Experience
- Many leadership roles in Pre-vet club
- Building horse stables during spring break (Volunteer)
- Varsity Captain HS Soccer
- FFA in HS
- Presidents list (x3)
- Deans List (x3)
- Honor Society
- A few small scholarships
- Blackbelt in Karate

Non-Animal Employment:
Experience
- 2800 hrs Construction
- 42 hrs Chemistry TA

LORs:
- 3 Vets (no academic letters)

Personal Statement:
- Hit a lot on the people side of vet med, like how much I enjoy watching vets interact and build relationships with clients. Used very specific examples. Discussed this in the context of rural practice as well (where I would like to practice).


Honestly I feel like I didn't have much in terms of unique experiences to really set me apart. My gpa was good, but other than that I think my app was very "run of the mill" idk. I do know my letters were great and very personal (Ive known two of them all my life, the third actually asked me if she could write me a letter) and they had good conversations with admissions (UGA calls references). Hoping someone else who feels they aren't very "unique" can gain some confidence from this! I was very worried going in.

 

[whalesharkbubbles]

I attended UIUC, had a good experience, and want you to go to Mizzou. The extra cost of UIUC is not worth it.

That’s what I’ve been thinking too, I just keep getting so excited about all the zoo and wildlife opportunities at UIUC, but I know that I should just attend the school with the lowest cost and find outside opportunities.

 

[battie]

That’s what I’ve been thinking too, I just keep getting so excited about all the zoo and wildlife opportunities at UIUC, but I know that I should just attend the school with the lowest cost and find outside opportunities.

If the current student loan crisis wasn't a thing, I'd be more rah rah for my alma mater. But I can't in good conscience tell a prospective student "it will all work out" when it possibly won't.

 

[shalyssa]

26F, Illinois, Non-traditional applicant, 1st time applying

Applied: Illinois, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Virginia-Maryland, UTK, Missouri, Purdue, RVC, LSU
Interview Invites: Illinois, Pennsylvania, Virginia-Maryland, UTK
Waiting to hear: None
Waitlisted: UTK, Pennsylvania, LSU
Accepted: Illinois (IS) and Wisconsin!!
Attending: Most likely Wisconsin!! (My fiancé has better work options there and we think we'd be happier that outweighs the tuition but still haven't officially decided.)

Overall GPA: 3.58
Science Prerequisite GPA: 3.93
Last 45 GPA: 4.0

GRE (Q/V/W): N/A

Degree(s): BS in Business Admin: Accounting from Rochester Institute of Technology, graduated in 2021
- 1 Semester - Masters in Accounting and Analytics - dropped out and found Vet med lol
- Took every science class as a Post-bacc student from a community college and a 4-year Uni

Veterinary Experience:
OTJ trained technician at an ER/specialty (on-going) - 1320hrs
Veterinary Technician Assistant at a GP - 2380hrs
Veterinary Assistant at a 4-doctor shelter w/ animals ranging from mice/rats to cows/horses - 1178hrs
Shadowed a Criticalist - 12hrs

Animal Experience:
Rehab Animal Keeper at a wildlife rehab (Volunteer) - 148hrs
Cat Shelter (Volunteer) - 28hrs
Animal Care at Shelter (Paid) - 408hrs

Research:
None

Extracurriculars/Awards:
Varsity College Soccer Goalkeeper (Captain Senior year) - 3240hrs (very rough est)
Member of Next Generation of Accountants (student club) - 20hrs
Assistant Coach (Volunteer) - 30hrs

In high school:
- Varsity Basketball for 3 years
- Varsity Softball for 4 years
- Varsity Soccer for 5 years (Awards listed separately - 3x 1st team all-conference, School's black letter award Senior year)
- Played Clarinet for 8 years - Attended Solo Festivals, All-State band invitations
- Played Saxophone for 3 years - Jazz band
- Played Violin for 10+ years

Non-Animal Employment:
Peer Tutor at a College for biology/chemistry - 70hrs
Graduate Assistant w/ Event Management - 260hrs
Bakery/Apple Mill - 240hrs
Tax Intern - 1530hrs
Bank Associate Intern - 400hrs
Notetaker in undergrad - 84hrs
Best Buy warehouse - 1120 hrs

LORs:
DVM - Shelter Vet
DVM - General Practice
DVM - ER Doctor
DVM - Neurologist
Tech Manager at my GP
Organic Chemistry Professor

Essay Questions/Personal Statement:
Personal Statement - Talked about how I fell in love with soccer at 4 years old and how playing college soccer made me resilient. The transition to college was difficult for me and failed all my teams fitness testing and didn't make a single personal connection with anyone on my team my first year. My coach played a huge role in my growth and kept pushing me forward. I became the started goalkeeper my second year and found some of my still best friends from that change. During my senior year, my own cat ran away and I reached out to rescues/shelters to help me and how this lead me to finding a job at one of the shelters and just fell in love with shelter medicine. I talked about how I moved and found work in GP and then ER to continue learning as much as I can about vetmed. Once college ended, I knew i didn't want to be an accountant anymore and all my passion/love was for soccer. All the love I had once had for soccer had found a new home in Veterinary medicine, knowing it isn't always going to be easy but I have the skills to push myself and never settle.

Wisconsin Supplemental -
How had your background and life experiences motivated your decision to pursue DVM degree at UWM?
- Talked about how i grew up in a small town and moved to a bigger area for college to open more doors. I had a love for math and science but my parents always pushed to me towards a cliche "9-5" job so I could make a decent living - one we didn't always have. I changed my major multiple times and what that taught me. I talked about Wisconsin's "WisCare" program resonates with me and wish more communities had access too.

Whom do you most admire and why?
- I had a deaf teammate on my soccer team in college who taught me that communication is more than the words you say. I learned ASL for her. She was a striker and I was a goalkeeper and we were constantly pushing each other and how she taught me to always do that extra sprint even when your tired. I ended with how her pursuing her dreams as a pro soccer player continues to push me to pursue my dreams.