Successful Applicants C/O 2030

[Pip74]

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Congratulations to those accepted! I know this thread is helpful to those applying in the future.

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

Applied:
Interview Invites:
Waiting to hear:
Accepted:
Attending:

Overall GPA:
Science Prerequisite GPA:
Last 45 GPA:

GRE (Q/V/W): x (%) / y (%) / z (%)
(If applicable)

Degree(s):

Veterinary Experience:
Experience - (hrs)

Animal Experience:
Experience - (hrs)

Research:
Experience - (hrs)

Extracurriculars/Awards:
Experience - (hrs)

Non-Animal Employment:
Experience - (hrs)

LORs:
Title of recommender (Vet? Manager? Supervisor? Vet tech?)

Essay Questions/Personal Statement:
Summary of what you wrote about

 

[A2002]

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

23, Female, Alabama/US, Non-Traditional (Two-Year gap after undergrad graduation), First Time Applicant

Applied: Mississippi State University, University of Tennessee in Knoxville, Auburn University, Louisiana State University, Cornell University, Michigan State University, and Clemson University
Rejected: Mississippi, Louisiana, Cornell, and Tennessee
Interview Invites: Auburn (Zoom), Clemson (Kira)
Withdrawing Applications: Michigan, Clemson
Accepted & Attending: Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine 💙🧡💙🧡💙🧡💙🧡💙🧡


Overall GPA: 3.54
Science Prerequisite GPA: 3.41
Last 45 GPA: 3.4

GRE (Q/V/W): Not Applicable
Degree(s): Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences with a Chemistry Minor

Veterinary Experience:
Experience - (hrs)
-Veterinary Technician Assistant: 5,100 Hours (Current Employment, so this has increased since August App. Submission). This position has allowed me to gain hands on experience with small animal handling and care. I also have been provided the opportunity to learn how to place intravenous catheters, learn the proper ways to collect blood samples for testing, observing surgeries and routine examinations, and work side by side with about eight Veterinarians.

Animal Experience:
Experience - (hrs)
-Pet sitting: 200 Hours

Research: None.

Extracurriculars/Awards:
Experience - (hrs)
-Dean's list for six semesters
-President's list for one semester
-Pharmacy Technician related certificates


Non-Animal Employment:
Experience - (hrs)
-Certified Immunizing Pharmacy Technician: 1,800 Hours (Current Employment, so this has increased since August App. Submission)

LORs:
Title of recommender (Vet? Manager? Supervisor? Vet tech?)
-Veterinarian, and Owner of the current hospital I work for.
-Associate Veterinarian at my current work
-Licensed Veterinary Technician
-Pharmacist I work under as a Pharmacy Technician
-Anatomy Instructor from Undergrad
-Creative Writing teacher from high school

Essay Questions/Personal Statement:
Summary of what you wrote about
My essay answers for my applications ranged from talking about my very large stuffed animal collection to describing some difficult cases I've had working in this field over the last four years. My personal statement also took me forever to write in a concise way that would convey exactly why I wanted to be in this field. I did focus mainly on my upbringing as a child in a small city that did not have a strong connection with the field of Veterinary Medicine, and though I grew up in this environment I still had a strong desire to help the animals that I saw being ignored/neglected. I also mentioned how my time working within a Pharmacy has allowed for me to gain a view into the field of Human Medicine, and observe how the two fields have similarities and the importance of them both.

 

[balloonicorn1000]

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

22, Female, Texas, Traditional, First Cycle

Applied: Texas A&M University, Washington State University, Oregon State University, University of Wisconsin-Madison, University of Illinois, Purdue University, University of Missouri, University of California-Davis
Interview Invites: Texas A&M University (Kira), University of Illinois (Zoom)
Waiting to hear: none
Waitlisted: Washington State University (Tier 2), University of Wisconsin-Madison
Accepted: Texas A&M University, University of Illinois
Attending: Texas A&M!

Overall GPA: 3.96
Science Prerequisite GPA: 3.92
Last 45 GPA: 3.93

GRE (Q/V/W): not applicable to me

Degree(s): Bachelor of Science in Animal Science, Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Science (done concurrently)

Veterinary Experience:
Companion animal GP - 808 hours
Wildlife - 38 hours

Animal Experience:
Boarding facility (dog) - 961 hours
Pet Sitting (dog and cat) - 106 hours
Animal Shelter (dog and cat) - 60 hours
United States Dairy Education and Training Consortium (Dairy Cow) - 180 hours
College Classes (Beef Cow, Goat, Sheep, Horse, Swine, Poultry) - 70 hours

Research:
Cougar Behavior - 15
Sheep - 26
Mexican Free-tailed Bats & Fruit Bats - 106

Extracurriculars/Awards:
Resident Hall Staff Council Resident Advisor Scholarship
College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences Deans Honor Roll (3 semesters)
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (5 semesters)
Houston Rodeo Scholarship
Animal Science Honor Society
AP Scholar with Distinction
National Cup XX 3rd Place
ECNL Regional Texas Champion
District 16-6A Honorable Mention
National Latin Examination Magna Cum Laude
NPL South Central Champions
National Cup XVIII 3rd Place
President's Cup Winner
National Latin Examination Summa Cum Laude

Non-Animal Employment:
Resident Advisor - 1280 hours
Mail Room Student Worker - 195 hours
Youth Soccer Referee - 384 hours

Non-Animal Involvement:
Organization membership & leadership position - 202 hours
Microbiology Undergraduate Teaching Assistant - 20 hours
Intramural Sports Participant - 14 hours
Pre-Vet Society Member - 98
HS Varsity Soccer - 1236 hours
Weightlifting - 1680 hours
Competitive Club Soccer - 1092 hours
Houston Foodbank Volunteer - 8 hours

Licenses:
US Soccer Referee
BSL-2 Certification

LORs:
Veterinarian
Research Principle Investigator
Employer

Essay Questions/Personal Statement:
I answered the question of "Why do you want to pursue a career in veterinary medicine?" I wrote my personal statement about the journey watching my childhood pet of 18 years go downhill health wise, and how my family struggled with the decision of when her quality of life was too bad to not justify euthanasia. I used this experience and the kindness we received as a pet owner as a transition into the amazing experiences I've seen on the shadowing & employment side of veterinary medicine. I shared a few specific (but small) examples of what stuck out to me and how I would implement the positive characteristics in my own future career.

 

[Horseshoes&Handgrenades]

Age, Gender, State/Country of Residence, Traditional/Non-traditional applicant, # of times you've applied:
37, Female, North Carolina, Non-Traditional, 2nd time applicant

Applied: NC State University, University of Tennessee-Knoxville, Virginia Tech, University of Georgia
Interview Invites: None
Rejected: UT-Knoxville, Virgina Tech
Waiting to hear: UGA (end of Feb/early March)
Accepted: NCSU
Attending: NCSU!

Overall GPA: 3.13
Science Prerequisite GPA: 3.8
Last 45 GPA: 3.9
My undergraduate GPA was not great (2.8), but it was also over a decade ago. Completing my master's and taking all the science prerequisites over the last 2 years really helped bolster my GPA.

GRE (Q/V/W): x (%) / y (%) / z (%) Not applicable
(If applicable)

Degree(s): B.S. of Accounting and MBA with Accounting Cognate

Veterinary Experience:
Experience - (hrs)
Small Animal GP - 512 hours at time of application. Working as a veterinary assistant part-time.
Small Animal GP - 280 hours. Shadowing prior to being hired.
Mixed Animal Mobile Practice - 37 hours across 2 different veterinary practices. I would have liked to have done more, but it was difficult to find availability.

Animal Experience:
Experience - (hrs)
My own dairy/brush clearing goat herd - 2450ish hours. I've owned and managed my own goats that I use to brush clear properties, as well as milk for the past 6 years.
Rescue Fostering - 161 hours. Fostered and worked on basic obedience training for dogs from a local rescue.

Research:
Experience - (hrs)
None

Extracurriculars/Awards:
Volunteer with the Phoenix Society - 110 hours. I volunteer as a Burn Survivor Peer Supporter and also at Camp Celebrate, the summer weekend Camp for children burn survivors.
Deans list 3 semesters at NCSU and 5 semesters at Sandhills CC
Meritorious Service Medal - USAF. Was awarded this upon my medical retirement from the Air Force
Air Medal w/ Oak leaf cluster - USAF. Was awarded this for my multiple deployments to support OIF/OEF
Group Company Grade Officer of the Quarter, 2nd Quarter (2020) - USAF
Group Air Battle Manager of the Year (2020) - USAF
Squadron Air Battle Manager Instructor of the Year (2018) - USAF

Non-Animal Employment:
Experience - (hrs)
Officer in the US Air Force (O1 to O4) - 20,800 hours roughly. Was medically retired just shy of 11 years.

LORs:
Title of recommender (Vet? Manager? Supervisor? Vet tech?)
Vice President of a Military Contracting Company & Retired Col. USAF, who was my supervisor when we were both still Active Duty.
Veterinarian & Practice Manager - My supervisor at my current job.
Veterinarian - One of the associate veterinarians at my current job.

Essay Questions/Personal Statement:
The essay questions varied. I really enjoyed UGA's question prompts.
The main focus of my essays was the resiliency and grit that I had learned while in the military, and how I needed to lean on everything I had learned to overcome the loss of my career and the bodily disfigurement that came with the car accident that left me with 3rd degree burns over a third of my body and hospitalized for multiple months. How my relationship with my animals (goats, horses, dogs, cats) helped me through my recovery and loss, and brought out in me a great passion to help reduce suffering in others. My time in the military taught me to operate and make decisions under stress and to stay disciplined to succeed in rigorous academic programs. My educational background in accounting and business management gives me a different perspective on operating and managing a practice, which aligns with my desire to be a mixed-practice mobile veterinarian and to develop innovative solutions to address the growing shortage of rural and large-animal veterinarians.

 

[Squid2932]

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

22, Female, Illinois, Traditional, 2nd cycle

Applied: Illinois, Iowa State, Kansas State, Wisconsin
Interview Invites: Illinois
Waiting to hear: Wisconsin
Waitlisted: Iowa State
Accepted: Illinois
Attending: Illinois!!!!!!!!💙🧡💙🧡💙🧡💙🧡💙🧡

Overall GPA: 3.59
Science Prerequisite GPA: 3.4
Last 45 GPA: 3.85

GRE (Q/V/W): n/a

Degree(s): Bachelor of Science in Animal Science

Veterinary Experience:
Both LA and SA, but mainly LA - 250 hrs

Animal Experience:
Farm Hand at dairy farm/swine center - 2,400 hrs
Farm hand at sheep farm - 450 hrs
Farm hand at home(beef farm) - 2,400 hrs
Class labs - 30 hrs (probably more that I missed/didn't add since last cycle for classes)
4-H - 1,200 hrs

Research:
Cannulation Surgeries on Dairy Cattle (with veterinarians) - 19.5 hrs

Extracurriculars/Awards:
High School:
Letter of Merit - HS
Leadership Council - HS
Flag Carrier - HS
National Honors Society - HS
"It Takes More to be a Redskin" Award - HS
Academic All-Conference Honors - HS
Dr Keith and Senator Sue Rezin Endowment Scholarship
Illinois State Scholar

Undergrad:
Academic Honors x2
Chancellor's List
George Kettler Mem Sch-Ag Scholarship
TAP Grant Scholarship
Wisconsin Livestock & Meat Scholarship
Dean's List
Academic Merit Scholarship
School of Agriculture Recognition of Academic Honors

Sports/Extracurricular:
HS - volleyball, tennis, basketball, softball
Undergrad - D3 softball until knee surgery, rugby senior year, intramural volleyball, coed sand volleyball
-lifting, working out
-playing guitar
-travel softball for 11 yrs
Approx. 9,500 hrs sports/extrac.

Volunteer:
-Operate Scoreboard at games
-4-H events
-Wreaths Across America (bring wreaths to veterans headstones at Lincoln Memorial in Illinois)
-eye care clinic
-sports tournaments
-hospital 5k
-middle school tech drop off
Approx. 79 hrs volunteer

Licenses:
Beef Quality Assurance Certification for Feedlot Cattle

Non-Animal Employment:
Scale worker at grain elevator - 240 hrs
Code enforcement inspector for the city - 330 hrs
Server/hostess at country club - 240 hrs
Nursery worker - 600 hrs
Bartender/Waitress - current

LORs:
1. Dairy farm manager I worked for during undergrad
2. Travel softball coach
3. Veterinarian I shadowed with
4. Professor/Veterinarian from undergrad
5. College advisor/professor
6. Professor from non-animal related class during undergrad

Essay Questions/Personal Statement:
I used their bullet point tips to form some paragraphs for my personal statement, including personal experiences from my work on farms, volunteer work, learning in class, and relationships I've seen while shadowing in clinics. I always tried to show both situations that thrive in and situations that I definitely didn't thrive in. I used that to show that I was able to grow and learn from experiences. Since I am focusing on large animals, a lot of my writing focuses more on those experiences as well.
It really helps to follow the bullet points they give for the personal statement, and it is OKAY for both the statement and essay questions to not fill the character limit. They will much rather have you say what you want to say without rambling just to add in more letters; I found out that you will most likely run out of room to write rather than try to think of more things, that's why it will help not to ramble.

 

[Scurrius]

It feels like a dream to be able to post here!!! :'D

26, Female, UT/USA, Non-traditional applicant (took 5 year gap between undergrad and acceptance), Applied 2 times.

Applied: Utah State University
Interview Invites: Utah State University
Waiting to hear: None.
Accepted: Utah State University
Attending: Utah State University!

Overall GPA: 3.5
Science Prerequisite GPA: 3.5
Last 45 GPA: 3.7

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

Degree(s): Bachelor of Science, Major in Zoology, Minor in Chemistry

Veterinary Experience: 12,815 hrs (All small animal/exotic) - NO LARGE ANIMAL EXPERIENCE AT ALL

Animal Experience: 98 hrs (exotics)

Research: None

Extracurriculars/Awards:
-Volunteered on the Ward Activity Committee for my local church
-Crocheted hats to donate to a local elementary school
-Member of a long-standing book club
-Member of the relief society planning committee for my local church
-Learning a second language - Spanish
-Art Designer/Seller
-Primary teacher for my local church
-Attended any C.E. meetings I was invited to with my veterinarians
-Private snare lessons (high school)
-Participated in indoor drumline (high school)
-Private trumpet lessons (high school)
-Member of marching band/concert band (high school)
-Piano preparatory program at local college (age 8-18)
-Long time plasma donator
-Volunteered at local retirement home (high school)
-Internship with the special victims unit at my local police station (high school)
-Invitation to the national honor society
-Accelerated Degree (obtained bachelors degree in 3 years instead of 4)
-Received academic scholarship for my undergrad
-Graduated with high honors in high school
-Section leader and designated soloist for concert band (high school)

Non-Animal Employment:
-Assistant Office Manager at a veterinary Hospital (didn't handle the animal side of things)
-Package handler for FedEx

LORs:
1). My manager at the aquarium I volunteered at
2). Vet I worked under
3). Private trumpet teacher/band teacher

Essay Questions/Personal Statement:
The passion I have for animals, wanting to follow in my father's footsteps, the fact I've been surrounded by the veterinary profession my entire life due to my father being a veterinarian for 40+ years, my empathetic nature, and my need to be there for others.

 

[kt__todd]

It feels like a dream to be able to post here!!! :'D

26, Female, UT/USA, Non-traditional applicant (took 5 year gap between undergrad and acceptance), Applied 2 times.

Applied: Utah State University
Interview Invites: Utah State University
Waiting to hear: None.
Accepted: Utah State University
Attending: Utah State University!

Overall GPA: 3.5
Science Prerequisite GPA: 3.5
Last 45 GPA: 3.7

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

Degree(s): Bachelor of Science, Major in Zoology, Minor in Chemistry

Veterinary Experience: 12,815 hrs (All small animal/exotic) - NO LARGE ANIMAL EXPERIENCE AT ALL

Animal Experience: 98 hrs (exotics)

Research: None

Extracurriculars/Awards:
-Volunteered on the Ward Activity Committee for my local church
-Crocheted hats to donate to a local elementary school
-Member of a long-standing book club
-Member of the relief society planning committee for my local church
-Learning a second language - Spanish
-Art Designer/Seller
-Primary teacher for my local church
-Attended any C.E. meetings I was invited to with my veterinarians
-Private snare lessons (high school)
-Participated in indoor drumline (high school)
-Private trumpet lessons (high school)
-Member of marching band/concert band (high school)
-Piano preparatory program at local college (age 8-18)
-Long time plasma donator
-Volunteered at local retirement home (high school)
-Internship with the special victims unit at my local police station (high school)
-Invitation to the national honor society
-Accelerated Degree (obtained bachelors degree in 3 years instead of 4)
-Received academic scholarship for my undergrad
-Graduated with high honors in high school
-Section leader and designated soloist for concert band (high school)

Non-Animal Employment:
-Assistant Office Manager at a veterinary Hospital (didn't handle the animal side of things)
-Package handler for FedEx

LORs:
1). My manager at the aquarium I volunteered at
2). Vet I worked under
3). Private trumpet teacher/band teacher

Essay Questions/Personal Statement:
The passion I have for animals, wanting to follow in my father's footsteps, the fact I've been surrounded by the veterinary profession my entire life due to my father being a veterinarian for 40+ years, my empathetic nature, and my need to be there for others.

Congratulations! We are going to be class mates at USU, I’m excited to meet you!

 

[Scurrius]

Congratulations! We are going to be class mates at USU, I’m excited to meet you!

Omg shut up!!! So excited/proud of us!!

 

[vindelilas]

Hi everyone! I used to stalk this forum every year and felt that is was only right to share my stats. PLEASE I BEG do not be like me and compare your progress to that of others, there are parts of my application that I could have improved upon, but decided to apply anyways (and you should too, if you feel ready of course!). I applied to several schools because I wanted to maximize my opportunities due to being told a few years ago that my chances of getting in were slim--and look at how wrong that advisor was!

22, Female, OK, Traditional-ish*, first-time applicant:

Applied:
1. Utah State
2. Virginia-Maryland
3. Oklahoma State
4. University of Wisconsin
5. Tufts
6. University of Florida
7. Washington State
8. Louisiana State
9. Auburn
10. Mississippi State
11. North Carolina State
12. University of Tennessee
13. University of Pennsylvania
14. Midwestern
Interview Invites:
1. Utah State (declined)
2. Virginia-Maryland
3. Oklahoma State
4. University of Florida
Accepted:
1. University of Wisconsin
2. Tufts
3. Virginia-Maryland
4. Oklahoma State
5. Washington State
6. Louisiana State
7. North Carolina State (waitlisted)
8. Midwestern
9. University of Florida
Attending: University of Wisconsin’s dual DVM-PhD program!! ❤️🤍

Overall GPA: 3.85
Science Prerequisite GPA: 3.70
Last 45 GPA: 3.90

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

Degree(s): Entomology (Pre-Vet, Pre-Med, and Insect Biology and Ecology concentrations), Psychology, Honors Studies (in Nutritional Sciences) with a minor in Microbiology

Veterinary Experience:

• Small animal veterinary assistant: 256 hrs
• Exotic/lab animal shadowing: 10 hrs
• Exotic animal shadowing + assisting: 150 hrs
• Pre-Vet internship (shadowed/assisted a variety of specialties and subspecialties related to equine, LA, SA, exotics, etc.): 90 hrs
• Small animal shadowing: 100 hrs

Animal Experience:

• Co-Founder, Co-Vice-President, and Secretary of a 4-H chapter (showed rabbits): 380 hrs
• Volunteer at an African animal preserve: 650 hrs
• Humane Society: 30 hrs
• Animal Center: 20 hrs
• FFA Volunteer: 10 hrs
• Pet Sitter: 300 hrs
• English Equestrian: 1520 hrs

Research -- this was my bread and butter of my experiences with a DVM, as I need to obtain both a DVM and PhD for my future career:

• Studied bioinformatics, genomics, and genetics in relation to med/vet entomology at a different university: 360 hrs
• First year research assistant - studied E. coli and antibiotic resistance: 48 hrs
• Personality psychopathology undergraduate research assistant - helped with a lot of studies/ran participants but first authored a study on emotion dysregulation, gender, and college dynamics: 864 hrs
• Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and Cancer literature review (published paper): 144 hrs
• Nutrition-based cardiothoracic veterinary research: 960 hrs
• Participated in a program on communicating science to the general public designed for masters students: 57 hrs
• Participated in a Capitol research event: 20 hrs
• Studied climate justice: 153 hrs
• Studied diabetes and nutrition in rural communities: 580 hrs

Extracurriculars/Awards - about 5,500 extracurricular hrs and 300 volunteering hrs total:

• Sorority - Positions Held: Nationals Inclusion Committee, Academic Assistant, VP Academics, VP Finance, Parents' Weekend Chair, Recruitment Tech/Food/Philanthropy Chair, Judicial Board Committee Member, NM leader, Foundation Ambassador, and other committees
• Global Medical Brigades (pre-medical study abroad) Secretary
• Blog writer on my indigenous culture and their spiritual practices
• TA for a sustainable ag class
• Study abroad scholar in the UK
• Entomology informal education intern
• TA for microbio lab
• Internship at pediatric hospital
• Internship through university at cardiology-focused hospital and clinic
• Treasurer for an African club
• Pre-DO club Founder and President
• Honors club Secretary
• Rural Medicine club Secretary
• Ag Honors Council Representative
• Freshmen student mentor
• Ag college ambassador
• Developed an application that reminds my grandfather to water his crops due to him having Alzheimer’s
• Caregiving for my family
• Fundraising committee member for a dance-a-thon
• Pre-vet club (only one semester)
• Association of Black Psychologists general member
• Research ambassador
• Ballet dancer
• Board of Regents committee member
• Started a Beach Clean Up Club
• Volunteered at a center for people with disabilities
• Volunteered at a human clinic
• CASA
• Catholic Charities food bank

Non-Animal Employment - focused on teaching positions because I want to go into academia:

• Private Tutor - Underclassmen Mathematics and Russian/Latin/Spanish: 100 hrs
• School-employed Tutor - 20+ STEM and Spanish courses: 128 hrs
• Supplemental Instruction Leader - Calculus I and OChem I/II: 196 hrs
• Supplemental Instruction Leader Associate Mentor: 495 hrs
• Ag college Tutor: 81 hrs
• Supplemental Instruction Leader Mentor: 480 hrs

Awards/scholarships:

• Research-based freshman scholarship
• Dean’s list (multiple times)
• President’s list (multiple times)
• Academic scholarship (multiple times)
• Military family scholarship
• Dean-appointed award/scholarship for “dedication to academic achievement and research”
• Received all of the undergraduate research scholarships/grants my school offers
• Goldwater Scholar
• LSAMP Scholar
• McNair Scholar
• Youngest recipient of senior biochemistry and molecular biology award
• College-appointed scholarship for students who demonstrated leadership in animal science
• Entomology scholarship (multiple times)
• Pre-DO Club outstanding chapter award
• Award for social justice programming I created for my sorority
• Student of the month for my psychology department
• Sorority scholarships
• General scholarships awarded by the university
• Sheep science scholarship

LORs:

• Heart regeneration lab PI
• Rural research PI
• Dual DVM-PhD recipient
• Tutor/SI supervisor
• Psychology lab PI

Essay Questions/Personal Statement:
I wrote my personal statement on how insects were my first introduction to science/medicine and my passion for heart regeneration research and how I hope to intersect the two. I wrote an explanation statement, as I am a part time certified caretaker for my mother and brother who have terminal illnesses, my sister who had cancer, and my sister who was temporarily paralyzed so I had a bit of a rough time in undergrad with the diagnoses (I landed quite a few Bs and a C). Individual supplemental essay topics varied but I focused on my experiences abroad, my life of caregiving, passions for doing nails and golfing, and being a blog writer!

I also changed my major A LOT (LIKE 10 TIMES, comes with the territory when you start uni young), so I focused on using my pre-med/pre-law experience descriptions to tailor it to why it can apply to vet med. For each experience, I wrote in paragraph format: one sentence on what I did, one sentence on what I took away from the experience, and one sentence on how this experience is relevant to my future career. Sorry for the long post, but I wanted to give hope to those interested in research or even those whose application does not have thousands of vet hours. You got this 🙂

* I am somewhat of a non-traditional 22-year-old student transfer student who has moved over twenty times (including lived in Eastern Europe and South America) due to family reasons. I began attending college full time when I was 15-years-old (did not go to high school or do dual-enrollment), but decided to add a couple more years to my undergraduate studies to gain more experience and truly figure out what I wanted to do with my life!

 

[pugtor]

LOW GPA
I never thought I’d be able to post on here!!! I’ve been a silent scroller for 2 years hoping this day would come!

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

Applied: Cornell, KSU, LSU, Michigan, Midwestern, OSU, Oregon State, Rowan, U of Arizona, UC Davis, U of Florida, U of Missouri, UPenn, U of Wisconsin, U of Washington, Western
Waiting to hear: U of Wisconsin
Accepted: Western University of Health Sciences
Attending:Western University of Health Sciences!!!!

Overall GPA:3.3
Science Prerequisite GPA:2.98
Last 45 GPA:3.68

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

Degree(s):Bachelors of Science in Environmental Science, Masters of Science in Marine Biology

Veterinary Experience:
Small animal veterinary Technician- 2364
Emergency shadowing- 90
Laboratory animal technician- 460
Exotics shadowing- 50

Animal Experience:
Marine and aquatic animal zoo intern - 240
Horseback riding - 300

Research:
N/A

Extracurriculars/Awards:
-President of the pre-veterinary medical association
- Secretary of the pre-veterinary medical association
- Secretary of the Japanese student association
- member of the animal rescue club
- spring festival design chair at my undergraduate college
- member of the French language club
- published a book on my independent research interest
- published and illustrated a children’s book
- Study abroad for 1 year in Paris, France




Non-Animal Employment:
-French language specialist - around 1200

LORs:
1) Vet from my laboratory animal tech job
2) Professor from undergrad
3) Professor from Masters program
4) Supervisor from French language specialist job

Essay Questions/Personal Statement:
Wrote about viewing veterinary medicine as a way to help people rather than just animals and the importance of client communication and interaction, the importance of client education, and how working in a low cost spay and neuter clinic changed my perception of veterinary medicine.

 

[calipre-vet]

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

Applied: UMN, Western, Midwestern, UC Davis, St. George's, Missou, UGA, WSU
Interview Invites: UMN, Western, Midwestern, St. George's
Waiting to hear: UGA
Accepted: UMN, Western, Midwestern, St. George's
Waitlisted: WSU (tier 2 OOS)
Attending: Still deciding but probably University of Minnesota! I'll update if I get news from WSU or UGA

Overall GPA: 3.85
Science Prerequisite GPA: 3.79
Last 45 GPA: 3.82

Degree(s): BA Integrative Biology from UC Berkeley

Veterinary Experience: 3,393 hrs
Endoscopy Assistant (majority of my experience~2600 hrs), Emergency Technician, Veterinary Assistant at GP Hospital, Volunteering overseas (Panama + Zambia), Specialty Internships, Volunteering at hospitals and shadowing vets

Animal Experience:
fostering dogs(neonatal, giardia, medical needs) - 1120 hrs

Research:
Ophthalmology lab studying Myopia using guinea pigs as models - 66 hrs

Extracurriculars/Awards:
mostly sports (pole vault), clubs, and freelance art - 2,890 hrs
Javma cover artist
academic/athletic scholarship

Non-Animal Employment:
Didn't include any in my application oops

LORs:
3 from vets (practice owners) I worked under who knew me personally, 2 were specialists
1 from a field lab upper div bio professor (ornithologist)

Essay Questions/Personal Statement:
talked about my passion for internal medicine/endoscopy and an interesting case that required active problem solving and teamwork

 

[Nash09]

Loooooong time lurker. There is hope for you, lower GPA/non-trad friends!!!

30, F , NY, Non-traditional*, 2nd time Applicant:
*I was a traditional applicant my first cycle back in 2016-2017.

Applied: Kansas State, Penn, Virginia-Maryland, Oregon State, Washington State, Michigan State, Mississippi State, Ohio State, Cornell
Interview Waitlist: Penn (withdrew app)
Interview Invites: Kansas State, Mississippi State, Michigan State
Waitlisted: Mississippi State (#88)
Accepted: Kansas State, Michigan State
Attending: Michigan State!

Overall GPA: 3.33 overall, 3.13 undergrad (both per VMCAS)
Science Prerequisite GPA: varied due to grade replacement, VMCAS overall science GPA was 3.18
Last 45 GPA: 3.66

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

Degree(s): BA in Biology (2017), MS in Biology (2021)
+ 35hrs of post-bac science courses from 2022-2024

Veterinary Experience:
Equine - 32hrs, shadowing
Ambulatory Large Animal - 108hrs, shadowing
Aquarium - 99hrs, shadowing
SA GP (Military Clinic) - 2,490hrs (teeny bit of equine in here but majority SA), 2/3ish employment & 1/3ish shadowing
SA GP (regular) - 416hrs, shadowing

Animal Experience:
Therapy Dog Handler - 80hrs, volunteer
Animal Caretaker at Equestrian Facility - 672hrs, employment
Janitorial Staff (also assisted with boarding animals) - 132hrs, employment

Research:
None

Extracurriculars/Awards/Volunteering:
Book Club Member (two different ones) - 10hrs
WVC Attendee 2024 & 2025 - 56hrs
Rugby - 160hrs
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) - 495hrs
Reader (I read a ton and read over 160 books last year, which is why I added this!) - 3,000hrs
College Greek Life - 300hrs
ROTC Cadet - 1,200hrs
College Track & Field - 480hrs

Full-Tuition, 4yr ROTC Scholarship for Undergrad
Multiple ROTC/Active-Duty Military Awards
Blue Belt in BJJ
Cat-Friendly Veterinary Professional Certification via the Feline VMA

Rugby Team Admin Officer - 120hrs
Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) - 120hrs
College Mission Trip Team Member (4 trips total) - 356hrs

Non-Animal Employment:
Door Dash Driver - 9hrs
Babysitting - 60hrs
Active Duty Army Officer (various positions) - 10,855hrs

LORs:
DVM I worked with at my current clinic
Military DVM/Previous Supervisor I worked with at my current clinic
Previous Military Supervisor from my Active Duty time
Biochem Professor (PhD) from my post-bac Biochem class

Essay Questions/Personal Statement:
I wrote about my time in the military (which included two deployments) which was the path I went down after doing ROTC and commissioning as an Active Duty officer after graduation when I failed to get into vet school the first time. I discussed how my forced time away from vet med made me realize how important it was to me and how much I wanted it, but also how much I learned from my time in the Army and how it helped make me a better candidate.

 

[wooperlooper]

Low GPA

21, Female, Texas and Washington resident, first-time applicant, traditional

Applied: WSU, Western, Midwestern, LMUOP, LMU, Oregon, Texas Tech, Texas A and M, Oklahoma, Mississippi, Shreiber, U of A, Ohio, Kansas, Colorado, Florida
Interview Invites: WSU
Waiting to hear: LMU, Western
Accepted: LMUOP
Attending: LMUOP

Overall GPA: 3.12
Science Prerequisite GPA: 2.98
Last 45 GPA: 3.15

Degree(s): Bachelor's of Animal Science

Veterinary Experience:
Small animal/exotics GP: 400hrs
Exotics: 40hrs
Classes taught by a vet: 300hrs
Other (dog only, mobile): 30hrs
International: 30hrs

Animal Experience:
Zoo intern: 200hrs
Animal Testing lab intern: 400hrs
Wildlife rehab: 400hrs
Hands-on classes: 100hrs
Animal shelter: 150hrs
Study abroad: 100hrs

Research:
Ecology research: 40hrs

Extracurriculars/Awards:
Folds of Honor
Herpetology club
Orchestra
Sea Turtle Nesting and Stranding Certification

Non-Animal Employment:
Resident Assistant
liquor store
peer mentor
Bowling alley
Popeyes

Essay Questions/Personal Statement
I talked about growing up as a military kid, how it taught me grit, and how I used that to help as an out-of-state student and with pursuing experiences.

Explanation Statement: Talked about some health issues and other things that happened that impacted my performance

Recommendations:
Small animal GP Vet
Japanese Teacher
Japan Study Abroad professor
Peer Mentor Boss

 

[macgowsy]

28F, WA,Non-traditional applicant, First Cycle:

I had no idea if I was going to get in. Don’t let fear stop you! Many of my pre-requisites were piece-mealed together at community colleges and extension courses while working full time and I didn’t have upper bio covered when I applied.

Applied: WSU, Glasgow, VAMD, USU, Midwestern
Interview Invites: WSU, Glasgow, USU (declined interview)
Waiting to hear: n/a
Accepted: Midwestern (w/o interview), Glasgow, WSU (IS)
Attending: WSU

Overall GPA: 3.7
Science Prerequisite GPA: 3.75 (3 classes in progress with two more As before interview)
Last 45 GPA: IDK above 3.7

GRE (Q/V/W): n/a

Degree(s): B.S. Health Policy and Minor in gov

Veterinary Experience:
Small Animal GP at 4 clinics - (4K+ hrs) CSR (15%) and VA (85%)


Animal Experience:
Wildlife Volunteer - (60 hrs)
Volunteer Free Vet Clinic (50 hours)

Research:
Policy research in human health and medical survey - (200hrs)

Extracurriculars/Awards:
Rock Climbing Club - (1 semester)
Volunteer tutor English learning, children and adults (250+hrs)
Global Health Club voted as Educational leader (4yrs)
Study Abroad 1 semester for language learning
Summer Scholarship language learning for 4 months paid by government
Summer internship at international nonprofit medical clinic volunteer
Children’s theater actor (perform for children)
language learning ( 2 other than English)
Arts - animation and pottery
Hospital internship (1 semester) and small scholarship from that program


Non-Animal Employment:
University Library - (3yr)
Policy intern, national nonprofit - (1 semester)
AmeriCorps for public health (1yr)
Development and communications for medical nonprofit (2 yr)
Interpersonal Violence trainer for freshman (6 months)
EMT (1.5 yr)



LORs:
Medical Director GP Vet
Director of nonprofit
Organic Chem lab and lecture professor
Constitutional Law Professor

Essay Questions/Personal Statement:
My personal statement was about my story not achievements or experience which is shown in other sections. I was careful to not be redundant with experience descriptions or explanation statement.

I depicted a passionate, kind leader in my life growing up and implied I use them as an example as I searched for the right career fit. I fell in love with vet medicine when I saw how it helped people. I was concise and the last half of essay focused on my goals for being a veterinarian and serving the community.

I worked 100+ hours on my essay - week on a few weeks off. For each experience description, I detailed what I learned and implied how I would use that as a veterinarian. It was basically a way to put the stuff I couldn’t fit in my essay.

I know I’m lucky to be IS. I chose other schools out of panic but also based on open seats for OOS.

 

[cardamom23]

Hello, congratulations on your acceptances All! Curious, have any of you had experience in an application prep program or interview prep program? Or does it just come naturally?

I am waitlisted at my IS school -- it was the only program I applied to this cycle, and I have a game plan for how to improve but want to ensure I maximize my preparedness for next cycle if I do not get in this cycle. Thank you!!

 

[balloonicorn1000]

Hello, congratulations on your acceptances All! Curious, have any of you had experience in an application prep program or interview prep program? Or does it just come naturally?

I am waitlisted at my IS school -- it was the only program I applied to this cycle, and I have a game plan for how to improve but want to ensure I maximize my preparedness for next cycle if I do not get in this cycle. Thank you!!

I'm graduating with my Bachelor's this spring, and my university has had some general workshops going through VMCAS and TMDSAS (I'm a Texas Resident). They gave general tips and reminders for the application cycle. I also utilized my university's writing center to help with my essays! I used them from the brainstorming stage all the way to the final draft I submitted.

 

[Scurrius]

Hello, congratulations on your acceptances All! Curious, have any of you had experience in an application prep program or interview prep program? Or does it just come naturally?

I am waitlisted at my IS school -- it was the only program I applied to this cycle, and I have a game plan for how to improve but want to ensure I maximize my preparedness for next cycle if I do not get in this cycle. Thank you!!

I didn't do any sort of application/interview prep... although I definitely would have benefitted from it. At the end of the day, ANY sort of prep/help you can find and utilize is going to be worth it. It will NEVER hurt you.

 

[purpleeventer]

So excited to be posting here!! I truly do not know how I wouldn't gotten through this process without the help of the community here and I am so very grateful for all of y'all

Age, Gender, State/Country of Residence, Traditional/Non-traditional applicant, # of times you've applied: 24, F, MD, non-trad, first time applicant.

Applied: VMCVM (IS), Penn, Cornell, tOSU, UF, Oregon, ISU, RVC, LSU, KSU, Rowan, Mississippi, WSU, CSU, UMN, Midwestern, LMU, USU
Interview Invites: VMCVM, RVC, LMU, KSU, UMN, Rowan (declined), Mississippi (declined); Penn interview waitlist.
Waitlists: LSU, KSU, LMU.
Accepted: Midwestern, RVC, Oregon, UMN, ISU!
Attending: TBD!

Overall GPA: 3.33
Science Prerequisite GPA: 3.71 (VMCAS)
Last 45 GPA: 3.8

Degree(s): BA in Liberal Arts (Great Books program); post-bacc program for prerequisites

Veterinary Experience:
ER scribe (SA and some exotics) - 350
Unpaid assistant at an equine hospital - 1800


Animal Experience:
Shelter volunteer (SA and exotics) - 36
Multiple working student/barn assistant jobs (equine) - 1642
Caring for research fish - 100
Pet sitting (SA) - 110

Research:
Zebrafish oncology lab - 700 hours

Extracurriculars/Awards:
NOLS backpacking course from HS - 448
Equestrian stuff - 3300
HB Pony Club certification
Award for my contributions to my school's outdoor program
2x recipient of a fellowship to fund my unpaid work at the horse hospital
Young rider of a year at my level in my area

Non-Animal Employment/volunteering:
TA for a bio course - 108
Outdoor program coordinator and guide - 1305
Remote RA (during Covid) - 180
Volunteer on a technical search and rescue team - 1500
Pony Club (volunteer stuff like teaching etc) - 300

LORs:
Vet/owner at the equine hospital
Research PI
Orgo prof
My trainer and boss from one of my working student jobs

Essay Questions/Personal Statement:
My personal statement was centered around how I fell in love with vet med a bit later than most + how my academic background makes me a unique applicant. I also talked about my desire to go into academia + passion for teaching.
A lot of my school essays expanded on those same themes (unique academic background, plans to go into academia, teaching). I also talked about my experiences working in the outdoor industry and how those skills will help me succeed in vet school and beyond.
I used the explanation statement to discuss my lower cGPA and some issues I had in the first few semesters of my post-bacc before realizing I needed accommodations.

 

[Gabs_22]

Feeling so grateful that I am finally able to post in this thread!

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

22, Female, Illinois, Traditional Applicant, First-Time Applicant

Applied: University of Florida, Ohio State University, University of Illinois, Purdue, University of Georgia, University of Wisconsin
Interview Invites: University of Illinois, Purdue
Waitlisted: Purdue, University of Wisconsin
Accepted: University of Illinois (In-State)
Attending: University of Illinois!!!

Overall GPA: 3.96
Science Prerequisite GPA: 3.95
Last 45 GPA: No clue

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

Degree(s): B.S. in Zoology with concentrations in Zoo & Aquarium Science and Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology (with the Honors College) from Michigan State University

Veterinary Experience:
Small Animal GP (with one Ortho Specialist) - 405 hrs

Animal Experience:
Animal Shelter Dog Kennel Attendant - 550 hrs
Wildlife Sanctuary Volunteer - 25 hrs
South Africa Study Abroad at Rhino Orphanage/Sanctuary - 112 hrs
Pet Sitting - 170 hrs
AZA Zoo Animal Care Internship - 550 hrs

Research:
Nuclear Physics Data Analysis - 60 hrs (plus name in published paper)
Dairy Cow Nutrition/Immunity Study - 132 hrs

Extracurriculars/Awards:
Pre-Vet Club - 66 hrs
Animal Welfare Club - 60 hrs (with leadership position)
Student Council for Exceptional Children - 15 hrs (with leadership position)
High School Varsity Volleyball - 2170 hrs

Honors College Scholarships (one for senior year, one for study abroad)
College of Natural Science Study Abroad Scholarship
Non-Resident Scholarship from MSU (highest amount they offer)
Presidential Study Abroad Scholarship from MSU
Dean's list for 6 semesters
Animal Welfare Club Member of the Year
Pre-Vet Club Community Service Award

Dozens of Certifications from the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance Academy

Non-Animal Employment:
Bed, Bath & Beyond Sales Assocaite - 1200 hrs
Campus Tour Guide - 316 hrs
Zoo Event Volunteering - 16 hrs
Volunteer for Events at College Pavillion - 10 hrs
Volunteer with Local Programs that work with Disabled Individuals - 13 hrs

LORs:
Veterinary Ortho Specialist
Director of Animal Care at Zoo
PhD Canidate from Dairy Farm Research

Essay Questions/Personal Statement:
For my personal statement I Focused on how the community that I grew up in (low income) and some of the animal experiences I've had showed me how important the symbiotic relationship beteween humans and animals is. Also talked about how I am passionate about protecting that relationship by offering accessible, collaborative, and empathetic care to clients and their pets.

For a lot of my extra essays, I focused on how I have lived in 3 different states (New Mexico, Illinois, and Michigan) and how I have gained lots of insight from witnessing three unique cultural settings and how that diversity will help me as a Veterinarian. I also talked about my mental health struggles, my passion for client education, and my desire to help change the work culture in the veterinary field.

 

[bmejim]

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

22F, Kansas Resident, Nontrad Major & low vet hours, 1st Time Applicant

Applied: Kansas State, Tufts, Wisconsin, Oklahoma State
Interview Invites: Kansas State
Waitlisted: Wisconsin #31, Oklahoma State
Rejected: Oklahoma State
Accepted: Kansas State, Tufts, Wisconsin
Attending: MY IS Kansas State University 🎊

Overall GPA: 3.96
Science Prerequisite GPA: 3.97
Last 45 GPA: 3.95

Degree(s): Major in Biomedical Engineering, Minors in Mathematics & Chemistry

Veterinary Experience: 553 hours
Kennel Assistant in ER - 105 hours (was ongoing at time of application)
Mixed Animal Practice Shadowing - 80 hours
ER Shadowing - 290 hours
Small Animal GP Shadowing - 78 hours

Animal Experience: 136 hours
Zoo Docent - 42 hours
School therapy dog training - 54 hours
Shelter Volunteer - 40 hours

Research: 2486 hours
Student Research Assistant (X-ray CT Imaging for Aerospace) - 2486 hours
- 2 publications in review at time of application

Non-Animal Employment: 2497 hours
Orientation Leader - 282 hours
Student Assistant - 360 hours
Andy's Frozen Custard - 520 hours
Dunkin Donuts - 405 hours
Justice - 420 hours
Pizza Hut - 510 hours

Non Animal Volunteer: 100 hours
Peer Mentoring - 32 hours
Habitat for Humanity - 16 hours
Soup Kitchen - 52 hours

Extracurriculars/Awards: 1269 hours
Society of Women Engineers - 25 hours
HS Rowing Team - 620 hours
HS Swim Team - 624 Hours

2 Research Publications
National Finalist in a Medical Device Competition
Engineering Deans list x8
National Honor Society
Kansas State Scholar
+ bunch of scholarships

LORs:
Emergency Veterinarian
Physics Professor
Biomedical Engineering Faculty Advisor
Engineering Staff Member (One of the directors)
Research Engineer (Supervisor of my research)

Essay Questions/Personal Statement:
My intro went like this: "My path to veterinary medicine has been a gradual realization that even the parts of this career that should scare me: the heartbreak, cost of care, unpredictability, and pressure, don't deter me. In fact, I want to run toward them"

I mainly talked about some experiences I had in the ER and in mixed practice that resonated with me (good and bad) and how they made me love the career even more. I also talked about my untraditional experiences (x-ray research, biomed engineering, etc) and how they will make me a better veterinarian/what they taught me.

Will update when I hear back from my waitlist schools!

 

[Tbassel14]

26 F, Oregon, Non- traditional, 4th application cycle

Low GPA / NonTrad
* I graduated with my bachelors 5 years ago. I have been waitlisted 4 times at my in state but have not felt ready to apply elsewhere/ move because in the last few years I have had two kids and needed to be near family. I’m SO excited to start vet school this year!*

Applied: MSU, KSU, Iowa, CSU, RVC, OkSU, Ohio, Oregon, Rowan, Utah, LMU, Ross, UofA, SGU

Interview Invites: SGU, LMU, UofA (rejected after interview)

Waitlisted: Oregon, LMU

Accepted: SGU

Attending: SGU (unless pulled off of a waitlist)



Overall GPA: 3.3

Science Prerequisite GPA: 3.3

Last 45 GPA: 3.5


Degree(s): BS in biology


Veterinary Experience:

• small animal emergency vet assistant ~ 5000hrs
• Equine shadow ~ 100hrs

Animal Experience:

• volunteer at sheep center at university - 50hrs
• Volunteer to care for dogs at humane society - 200hrs
• Equestrian trail riding

Research: none


Extracurriculars/Awards:

• Fundraising coordinator for APVMA chapter at university
• Rotary scholarship in high school
• Ag/ vet med scholarship senior year of highschool

Non-Animal Employment:

• Staff at winery/ venue ~ 3000hrs
• Doggy daycare attendant ~ 300hrs

LORs:

• 2 associate DVMs from emergency hospital
• Supervisor at winery I worked at

Essay Questions/Personal Statement:

I kept this pretty short and to the point. I wrote about my desire to become a rural mixed practice veterinarian. I discussed why I liked this area of medicine and how it is both unique and in demand. I finished up by talking about my life experiences as a non-trad applicant and how they will help me in my career

 

[Squid2932]

Feeling so grateful that I am finally able to post in this thread!

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

22, Female, Illinois, Traditional Applicant, First-Time Applicant

Applied: University of Florida, Ohio State University, University of Illinois, Purdue, University of Georgia, University of Wisconsin
Interview Invites: University of Illinois, Purdue
Waiting to hear: University of Georgia
Waitlisted: Purdue, University of Wisconsin
Accepted: University of Illinois (In-State)
Attending: University of Illinois!!!

Overall GPA: 3.96
Science Prerequisite GPA: 3.95
Last 45 GPA: No clue

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

Degree(s): B.S. in Zoology with concentrations in Zoo & Aquarium Science and Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology (with the Honors College) from Michigan State University

Veterinary Experience:
Small Animal GP (with one Ortho Specialist) - 405 hrs

Animal Experience:
Animal Shelter Dog Kennel Attendant - 550 hrs
Wildlife Sanctuary Volunteer - 25 hrs
South Africa Study Abroad at Rhino Orphanage/Sanctuary - 112 hrs
Pet Sitting - 170 hrs
AZA Zoo Animal Care Internship - 550 hrs

Research:
Nuclear Physics Data Analysis - 60 hrs (plus name in published paper)
Dairy Cow Nutrition/Immunity Study - 132 hrs

Extracurriculars/Awards:
Pre-Vet Club - 66 hrs
Animal Welfare Club - 60 hrs (with leadership position)
Student Council for Exceptional Children - 15 hrs (with leadership position)
High School Varsity Volleyball - 2170 hrs

Honors College Scholarships (one for senior year, one for study abroad)
College of Natural Science Study Abroad Scholarship
Non-Resident Scholarship from MSU (highest amount they offer)
Presidential Study Abroad Scholarship from MSU
Dean's list for 6 semesters
Animal Welfare Club Member of the Year
Pre-Vet Club Community Service Award

Dozens of Certifications from the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance Academy

Non-Animal Employment:
Bed, Bath & Beyond Sales Assocaite - 1200 hrs
Campus Tour Guide - 316 hrs
Zoo Event Volunteering - 16 hrs
Volunteer for Events at College Pavillion - 10 hrs
Volunteer with Local Programs that work with Disabled Individuals - 13 hrs

LORs:
Veterinary Ortho Specialist
Director of Animal Care at Zoo
PhD Canidate from Dairy Farm Research

Essay Questions/Personal Statement:
For my personal statement I Focused on how the community that I grew up in (low income) and some of the animal experiences I've had showed me how important the symbiotic relationship beteween humans and animals is. Also talked about how I am passionate about protecting that relationship by offering accessible, collaborative, and empathetic care to clients and their pets.

For a lot of my extra essays, I focused on how I have lived in 3 different states (New Mexico, Illinois, and Michigan) and how I have gained lots of insight from witnessing three unique cultural settings and how that diversity will help me as a Veterinarian. I also talked about my mental health struggles, my passion for client education, and my desire to help change the work culture in the veterinary field.

congratulations! I also got accepted at UIUC so maybe I’ll see ya at the student day in March!

 

[Stary_Night_Sheep]

21, Female, Massachusetts, Traditional applicant, # of times you've applied: 1st cycle

Applied:

1. Cornell
2. Colorado state
3. Ohio state
4. NC state
5. Purdue
6. Tufts (in state)
7. Davis
8. University of Florida
9. University of Illinois
10. Upenn
11. University of Wisconsin
12. Virginia Maryland
13. Iowa state
14. University of Georgia
    Interview Invites: UF
    Waiting to hear: N/A
    Accepted: UGA
    Waitlisted: Iowa State (pulled off the waitlist 4/23), CSU (pulled off the waitlist 4/13), UF (pulled off the waitlist 4/17), Cornell, Tufts (pulled off the waitlist 4/27)

Attending: Likely CSU
Overall GPA: 3.78
Science Prerequisite GPA: 3.73
Last 45 GPA: 3.9
Veterinary Experience:
Small animal- (600hrs)
Exotics- (100hrs)
Mixed- (100hrs)
Animal Experience:
4H- (~1000hrs)
Block and Bridle- (300hrs) --> E-board for 3 years
Dog walking and pet sitting- 200
Dairy goat related activities
Farm volunteering- 20 h
Research:
Sheep research - (15hrs)

Extracurriculars/Awards:

• Animal health hackathon: 30
• Dance: 1500
• Honors Fraternity: 300
• Animal science mentor: 20
• Speech and debate: 60
• Precollege programs: 245

LORs:
Club Advisor and extension agent
Medical director of the hospital I worked at
Medical Director of another hospital I worked at
College major advisor (for tufts)
Professor I TAed for 2x

Essay Questions/Personal Statement:
The need for culturally aware and diverse vets

 

[nwilliams9465]

30, F, RI, non-traditional, 1st time applicant

Applied: Auburn, Ross, Penn, Cornell, NC State, UF, Tufts, Arizona
Interview Invites: Ross, Penn, UF, Arizona
Waiting to hear: None
Accepted: Ross, UF, Penn, Tufts
Waitlisted: Arizona
Attending: UF!

Overall GPA: 3.68
Science Prerequisite GPA: 3.48
Last 45 GPA: 3.66

Degree(s): BS Neuroscience

Veterinary Experience:
Equine-3700hrs
Food Animal- 300hrs
Small Animal- 50hrs

Animal Experience:
Barn Manager/ Riding Lesson Program Manager- 25,000hrs

Research:
University of Copenhagen - 50hrs

Non-Animal Employment:
Assistant to Private Investigator- 500hrs
EMT- 500hrs

LORs:
2 DVMs
1 Professor
1 Supervisor
1 Academic Advisor

Essay Questions/Personal Statement:
I wrote my essay about how my experience managing a riding lesson program sparked a lifelong passion for education and highlighted the role that veterinarians play as both educators and clinicians.

 

[sakura_3]

LOW GPA APPLICANT

**Hi everyone! I’m incredibly grateful to be joining the Class of 2030 and wanted to share my journey for anyone here who may feel discouraged. I worked full-time throughout my 13 consecutive semesters of undergrad and struggled academically, which ultimately led to being dropped from my major and repeating Organic Chemistry I three times and Microbiology once. I was diagnosed with ADHD in my final semester, which finally provided clarity to years of academic difficulty. Because of this, I’ve been very open about my lower GPA and have documented my journey on Instagram to inspire and support other pre-vet students navigating similar challenges. While my GPA isn’t the strongest part of my application, resilience, growth, and persistence ultimately carried me through.**

22, Female, FL Resident, Semi Non-traditional, 2x Applicant, Exotics Focus

2024-2025
Applied: UF (IS), LSU, LIU, VAMD, KSU, U of A, SGU, and Ross
Interview Waitlists: KSU and U of A
Interview Invites: SGU and Ross
Accepted: SGU
Attending: Declined my SGU seat to reapply

2025-2026
Applied: UF (IS), Mizzou, Mississippi, and U of A
Interview Waitlists: U of A
Interview Invites: Mississippi
Accepted: Mississippi
Attending: Mississippi

Overall GPA: 3.16 (3.31 with replacements)
Science Prerequisite GPA: 2.90 (3.16 with replacements)
Last 45 GPA: ~2.96 (~3.26 with replacements)
Mississippi Prereq GPA: 3.46

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

Degrees
Associate in Arts, General Studies, Cum Laude - Spring 2023
Bachelor of Science, Integrative Animal Biology - Fall 2025

Veterinary Experience (6,126 Hours)
General Practice Veterinary Assistant - 868 Hours
General Practice Veterinary Technician - 2,528 Hours
VEG ER Veterinary Scribe - 1,932 Hours
Orthopedic and Soft Tissue Surgery Shadow - 57 Hours
Exotic and Avian Technician - 256 Hours
Internal Medicine Technician - 485 Hours

Animal Experience (822 Hours)
Pet Resort Specialist (Feline & Canine) - 774 Hours
Beef Cattle Farm Volunteer - 8 Hours
Humane Society Volunteer - 32 Hours
Equine and Wildlife Rehab Ranch Volunteer - 8 Hours

Non-Animal Employment (5,320 Hours)
Theme Park Merchandise Associate - 1,122 Hours
Dunkin' Crew Member - 2,866 Hours
Dunkin' Shift Manager - 660 Hours
Dunkin' Assistant Manager & Fill-in General Manager - 672 Hours

Research (194 Hours)
Loop Abroad Crocodile and Manatee Research Fellow - 104 Hours
Drosophila Melanogaster Phenotyping and Genotyping - 22 Hours
Muscovy Duck and White Ibis Population Density and Conservation - 30 Hours
Klebsiella Pneumoniae Identification - 14 Hours
Florida Ecology and Environmental Research - 24 Hours

Extracurriculars (1,513 Hours)
STEM Club Secretary & Pre-Vet Chair - 74 Hours
Pre-Vet Society President & Fundraising Coordinator - 116 Hours
Pre-Vet Club Member - 27 Hours
Social Media Content Creation & Guest Speaking - 1,064 Hours
Social Media Brand Ambassador Partnerships (4) - 181 Hours
UFCVM Vet Champs Admissions Boot Camp - 24 Hours
VMX - 24 Hours
Clearwater Marine Aquarium - 3 Hours

Honors/Awards
RECOVER BLS/ALS
Elite Fear Free Certified - Veterinary, Equine, and Avian
Cat and Dog First Aid - American Red Cross
First Aid for Opioid Overdoses - American Red Cross
AAHA March 2025 "Veterinary Voices" Feature
VetCandy June 2024 "Vet School" Feature
Certificate of Excellence (GP Clinic)
Associate Off The Week (Theme Park)
3 Dean’s List Semesters
Five Honor Societies
IACUC Certified Researcher
C.E.T. Dental Ambassador
Trudell Animal Health Certified Respiratory Educator
QPR Suicide Prevention
Vetfolio Suicide Prevention

LORs
1 GP DVM, DACVIM
1 ER DVM, DVM Lead (VEG)
1 ER DVM, NERD Lead (VEG)
1 Science Academic Advisor

Personal Statement
I wrote about growing up in a low-income household as one of quadruplets and how that experience shaped me. I connected my unique upbringing to my own medical history, which has given me a deep understanding of resilience and adaptability. I then tied these experiences into my passion for exotic animal medicine and tiered care, showing how my background has inspired me to pursue a career where I can advocate for and provide care to underserved species and populations.

🙂

 

[HorseObsessed]

Yay! My stressed-out little self has been reading this thread for years! So happy I get to post; 7 years of hard work in the making!

In freshman and sophomore year of college, I struggled majorly with undiagnosed autism and bipolar disorder and thought I would have to drop out of school. I realized how important school was to me and got the help I needed. If you, like me, are reading these threads and being cowed by people’s accomplishments when you are at your lowest, know that it is possible for you too! And if you are a neurodivergent or mentally ill prevet wondering if it is possible for you, please reach out and I will tell you that it absolutely is.


23F, Texas, USA, Mostly traditional (with two gap years and one year of part time school), first time applicant

Applied:

1. University of Florida
2. Texas A&M
3. UC Davis
4. UPenn
5. Oregon State
6. NC State
7. Cornell
8. University of Georgia
9. Michigan State
10. Colorado State
11. Ohio State
12. Louisiana State
13. Auburn
14. Oklahoma State
15. UT Knoxville
16. Midwestern
17. Purdue
18. Iowa State

Interview Invites:

1. Texas A&M
2. Auburn
3. University of Florida
4. Ohio State
5. Michigan State
6. UPenn

Rejected:

1. UC Davis (Pre-interview)
2. NC State
3. Purdue (Pre-interview)
4. Auburn (Post-interview)

Waiting to hear:
Waitlisted:

1. Louisiana State

Accepted:

1. Midwestern (accepted without interview)
2. Cornell
3. Oregon State
4. UT Knoxville (Accepted without interview)
5. Colorado State
6. Oklahoma State
7. Texas A&M
8. Ohio State ($10,000 recruitment scholarship)
9. Iowa State
10. University of Georgia
11. UPenn ($80,000 recruitment scholarship)
12. University of Florida
13. Michigan State

Attending: Cornell!!!

Overall GPA: 3.94
Science Prerequisite GPA: 3.96 VMCAS, 3.90 TMDSAS (thank you Calc 3; TMDSAS includes math), 4.0 for ISU
Last 45 GPA: 4.0

GRE (Q/V/W): Didn’t take, 1st quartile CASPER (but I still got into both schools that required the CASPER!)

Degree(s): B.S. in Cell Biology

Veterinary Experience: 2400 hours
37- Shadowing food animal vets
19- Shadowing equine inpatient
10- Shadowing zoo vets
76- Shadowing lab animal vets
500- Veterinary assistant in small animal GP
1650- Veterinary assistant in equine ambulatory
104- Seasonal veterinary assistant for equine sports medicine specialist


Animal Experience: 10,000+ hours
840- Zookeeper for endangered species rehabilitation program
240- Kennel Technician
60- Hatching and Raising chickens
9200-Riding horses, competing all english disciplines, professionally grooming at horse show barns

Research: 1540 hours
280- Alzheimer’s genetics research on drosophila
1100- Microbiology research on emerging bacterial pathogens (2 poster presentations)
161- Drosophila behavior research

Extracurriculars/Awards:
60- Community garden volunteer
84-Food bank volunteer
90-Intramural cycling team member
12- Chapter president of OSTEM
45- Urban Agriculture Club member
140-High school MA Peace Action Chapter Leader
165- High school Garden Club Leader
Cum laude
3 High school writing awards
3 semesters of President’s honor roll (full time and 4.0 for the semester)
Distinction in Research on my diploma
Top presenter at an undergraduate research symposium for my work on phenotyping emergent pathogens


Non-Animal Employment:
768- Student garden worker at campus garden
196- Lead student garden worker at campus garden
30- Teaching assistant for garden class
2000- Private tutor for high schoolers
400- Salon receptionist
1700- Garden Center cashier
1500- Children’s gymnastics birthday party leader

LORs:
2 GP ambulatory equine vets from the same practice (DVMs)
Biology professor who taught me in two classes (PhD)
PI of infectious disease lab I worked in (PhD)
Manager of the garden I worked at (PhD)

Essay Questions/Personal Statement:
My PS was to the point: I used two stories from equine general practice to explain why I would be a strong vet and community member. I am a pretty strong writer, even though I had a basic topic.
For essays, I wrote about everything from struggling growing up with autism to playing poker to tutoring children. I had a large breadth of experience and tried to include stories from everything.

 

[fruits-and-veggies]

Age, Gender, State/Country of Residence, Traditional/Non-traditional applicant, # of times you've applied:
age 33, nonbinary, MI resident, non-trad, second application cycle

Applied: Washington State, Oregon State, WesternU, Arizona, Rowan, VMCVM, Tennessee, Penn, Bristol (4 year), Dublin (4 year), Ross
Interview Invites: WesternU, Arizona, Rowan, Dublin, Ross. Also invited to SJT for VMCVM (did not advance to interview) and SAQ for Bristol
Waitlisted: Arizona
Waiting to hear: Rowan, Dublin
Accepted: Bristol, Ross (vet prep)
Attending: Bristol!!!

Overall GPA: 3.65
Science Prerequisite GPA: 3.24
Last 45 GPA: 3.3

GRE (Q/V/W): n/a

Degree(s): BA biology and music double major, MMus, EdS (5 years of PhD coursework then realized I didn't want to be in that field)

Veterinary Experience:
Experience – 4,701 hours at time of application
3,501 hours in small animal emergency
1,200 hours in small animal general practice
In both areas, I was employed full time as a veterinary assistant

Animal Experience:
Experience – 1,268 hours
Primarily volunteering/working at barns where I rode

Research:
Experience – 180 hours **not animal related!**
dissertation pilot study, undergraduate capstone

Extracurriculars:
~400 hours as a volunteer leader in my Jewish org
~1,800 hours on horseback as a riding student *I chose to list this as an extracurricular separate from the time I spent volunteering and working*
Various club executive roles in my undergrad

Awards:
Dean’s High Honors (undergrad): 3 semesters
Dean’s Honors (undergrad): 2 semesters
Study abroad fellowship after undergrad (competitive financial award)
Institutional scholarships x2 (undergrad, master’s)
National Merit Scholarship recipient
Sophomore of the Year in one of my extracurricular orgs

Certifications:
RECOVER Rescuer

Non-Animal Employment:
~1900 hours of on-campus employment during undergrad (semesters & summers)
~1300 hours part time retail during my gap year before my master’s
~1300 hours on and off campus employment during my master’s degree
~13,500 hours of full-time employment post-master's, including working full time while completing my EdS

LORs:
associate veterinarian, private GP
2 associate veterinarians, corporate ER
PhD professor (non-science)

Essay Questions/Personal Statement:
I wrote 21 application essays this cycle. My personal statement explored how my previous careers had given me skills that would be directly valuable to a career as a vet, including emphasis on critical thinking and its value. In all my essays, I chose to highlight the value of my nontraditional background instead of trying to tuck it away. I also emphasized how my desire to be a veterinarian is rooted deeply in my personal values combined with my love of science and medicine.

 

[meg.eli.c]

Age, Gender, State/Country of Residence, Traditional/Non-traditional applicant, # of times you've applied:
25, Female, Maryland, Non-traditional, Second Time Applicant

Applied: Long Island, Rowan, Arizona, Virginia-Maryland, Washington State, Utah, St. George's, Ross
Interview Invites: Long Island, St. George's, Ross
Waiting to hear: None
Waitlist: Long Island (Top Half)
Accepted: St. George's, Ross
Attending: Ross (Summer start)

Overall GPA: 3.47
Science Prerequisite GPA: 3.6
Last 45 GPA: 3.7

Degree(s): BS Conservation Biology with a Minor in Mathematics

Veterinary Experience:
Veterinary Assistant - 4000hrs
Volunteer Veterinary Assistant - 15hrs (one of the drs I work with volunteers at the shelter and asked for help intaking over 50 animals one weekend from a hoarding case)

Animal Experience:
Animal Rehabilitation (under vet guidance, probably should've listed under vet experience) - 70hrs

Research:
Created and conducted independent research on the ingestion of microplastics in local freshwater fish species - 100hrs

Extracurriculars/Awards:
Biology Club (later voted secretary) - 160hrs
Study Abroad to the Galapagos Islands - 168hrs
Honor Council (later voted secretary) - 950hrs
Honors Program - 400hrs
Volunteer EMS Aide - 900hrs
Received a full academic ride to my undergraduate institution (room/board, tuition, meal plan, etc) based on my high school achievements

Non-Animal Employment:
Student Fire Marshal - 208hrs

LORs:
2 Veterinarians that I have worked with for over 2 years (one Ross alum and one NC State alum)
Faculty advisor for my research project in undergrad (also took three classes with him)

Essay Questions/Personal Statement:
Wrote about how I was a stereotypical applicant who has always wanted to be a veterinarian but went into undergrad planning to go to human med school instead (hence the EMS Aid hrs) and it didn't feel quite right even though I loved the emergency aspect. Once I started working in a mixed animal rural practice where we end up seeing a decent amount of emergencies, I found where I fit in and my passion for emergency and end of life care for animals.

I would be lying if I said I wasn't bummed about not getting into a stateside school but I am grateful to have gotten any acceptances. If not for the BBB changes, I may have declined my Ross seat to try again, but as it stands, I will be grandfathered in under the old policies by starting in May.

 

[cake_monster74]

Age, Gender, State/Country of Residence, Traditional/Non-traditional applicant, # of times you've applied: 24, F, Florida, I guess non traditional, FOUR 😭



Applied: Georgia, Mississippi, Florida, Auburn, Pennsylvania, Michigan

Interview Invites: Auburn, Florida, UPenn, Michigan

Waiting to hear: Michigan

Waitlisted: Auburn, UPenn

Accepted: Florida, Georgia

Attending: FLORIDA 🐊🐊



Overall GPA: 3.79

Science GPA: 3.81

Last 45 GPA: 3.93



GRE (Q/V/W): not applicable



Degree(s): bachelor of science in animal science & chemistry w a minor in mathematics



Veterinary Experience:

small animal vet receptionist - 2500+ hrs

small animal vet assistant - 1800 hrs



Animal Experience:

outside of my work as a tech/receptionist most of my animal experience has come from labs of courses I've taken

-i took a horse class where we had to go out to pasture and check on a pregnant mare everyday and do things like check milk, etc, and when it came time for her to give birth we had to camp all night and wake up every couple hours to check on her then assist in her birth

-other stuff i included was palpating cows in labs, etc



Research:

analytical chemistry: researching microplastics in water, worked with the tennessee aquarium conservation institute - 400hrs

organic chemistry: did a computational study that ended up in a publication & did other compound studies on the side - 50hrs



Extracurriculars:

-swam on my college swim team all four years w/ about 20hrs of practice each week

-was on our student athlete advisory committee where we essentially met once a week to talk about how things were going amongst teams/things the school can do to improve our wellbeing

-was in the math club at my college, we just met once a week and did cool worksheets and then talked about the problems LOL

-when things asked me about hobbies i said i liked to rollerskate, crochet, read



Awards:

-i got two chemistry awards one for outstanding performance in analytical chemistry and one for outstanding performance in physical chemistry

-i got a student work award too from my gen chem prof which essentially is said im a good worker lol

-all sportsmanship award from my swim team (they pick one girl whose demonstrated sportsmanship and name them to the division)

-deans list



Non-Animal Employment:

-peer tutor: tutored fellow students in classes like calc, stats, chem 1&2 - 700 hrs

-gen chem lab TA: was a TA for the gen chem labs <3 - 80hrs



LORs:

the vet i asked is the medical director at my job!

i also asked my current manager

and my advance organic professor/the professor i did research with



Essay Questions/Personal Statement:

in my essay i generally wrote about how witnessing my first euthanasia really shaped my understanding of what it means to be a veterinarian. it showed me that this profession is just as much about supporting people through hard moments as it is about treating animals. i also talked about how working as a receptionist and assistant strengthened my commitment to compassionate, transparent client care, and how my background in animal science and chemistry reflects my love of learning. overall, i focused on wanting to serve my community by combining science, empathy, and advocacy for both pets and the people who love them

 

[Jeungvet]

21M TX resident, First time traditional applicant

Applied: UGA, TAMU, UPENN, Cornell, Florida, Mizzou, WSU, Ohio state, Auburn, Illinois, Purdue, UC Davis, Wisconsin
Interview Invites: TAMU, UPenn, Florida, Mizzou, Ohio State, Auburn
Waiting to hear: none
Accepted: UGA, TAMU, UPenn, Cornell, Florida, Mizzou, WSU, Ohio State, Auburn, Wisconsin(waitlisted)
Attending: Not sure yet, but in between penn, cornell, florida, and tamu

Overall GPA: 3.84
Science Prerequisite GPA:3.81
Last 45 GPA:3.97

Degree(s): Bachelors of science in animal science, minor in public health

Veterinary Experience:
Experience - around 1400 hours at application
1080- mixed animal practice with an exotics specialist and mostly gp
80 - working with state veterinarians in trout and salmon hatcheries
100 - avian speciality practice
60 - speciality oncology department at my university
100 - trout research + necropsy of various fish including ornamental and food animals
40 - student run clinic at my university

Animal Experience:
Experience - around 1000 hours at time of application
450 - taking care of 40+ freshwater and saltwater fish tanks in a research lab
100 - aquascaping/running my own fish and invertebrate breeding business that sold aquatic plants (only able to put 100 of my own pets in TMDSAS)
380 - taking care of delta smelt cultures in another research lab
100 - miscellaneous class animal experience(mostly large animal) and volunteering at a local shelter throughout high school

Research:
Experience - 850 hours at time of application
450 - vaccine development and research with environmental dna for trout and salmon hatchery use and disease monitoring
250 - research in stress levels of delta smelt using cortisol as a biomarker
100 - research in fish fin morphology and evolution as a consequence of ecological changes
50 - primate research in social structure and geographic range of various ape species

Extracurriculars/Awards:
Experience - (hrs)
50 - learning assistant in genetics
50 - learning assistant in biology
100 - healthcare volunteering for NMDP and american cancer society
480 - tutoring for underprivileged children in inner city schools
3000 - piano my entire life and ABRSM + national exams
1350 - aquascaping and raising fish + invertebrates + plants for profit and participating in aquascaping competitions
400 hours - tennis
840 - badminton team at university
420- pre-health fraternity

- undergraduate scholarship
- 1 research travel award
- multiple deans honor lists
- piano festival and exam awards
- international aquascaping award
- CPR/AED certified
- Lots of random lab certifications


Non-Animal Employment:
Experience - (hrs)
1050 - chipotle line cook and cashier

LORs:
- DVM/PHD companion exotics vet
- small animal DVM
- genetics professor from my university
- Vet school professor I did research on, is a DVM, PHD, MSC DAVM DABVP with a bunch of certifications in aquatic animal medicine

Essay Questions/Personal Statement:
I talked about aquascaping and how it was a microcosm for on health, branching my experiences in different aspects of the field that apply my understanding of each of the three pillars of one health. I connect this to how I want to continue as a veterinarian to promote these aspects, with aquascaping and aquariums as the emblem of my beginnings.

 

[Zenacube]

Hello! Long time lurker here. It feels like a dream I get to post on this thread, and I am very fortunate to have been accepted to schools despite my short vet hours history coupled with low variety of vet hours. I think what set my application apart was definitely my academics, essays, and LoRs. I made sure to focus on the depth of my vet hours and what I have learned in such a short span of time in my application.

This application cycle was particularly difficult for me. My beloved dog of almost 14 years passed just after the VMCAS application was due. I wasn't sure if I could continue through the process, interviews and all, without her. I'm glad I didn't give up. I hope she's proud of me. I miss her so much.

Age, Gender, State/Country of Residence, Traditional/Non-traditional applicant, # of times you've applied:
32(at the time of application), Non-Binary, CA, Non-traditional, First Time Applicant

Applied: UC Davis, Western, RVC, Ross, University of Minnesota, UIUC, Michigan State, Oregon State, Washington State, University of Wisconsin, Tufts, Cornell, Purdue, University of Pennsylvania, Colorado State
Interview Invites: UC Davis, Western, RVC, Ross, University of Minnesota, UIUC, Michigan State
Waitlisted: UC Davis, Western, RVC, Oregon State University, Washington State University (T2), Michigan State
Accepted: University of Minnesota, UIUC, Ross, University of Wisconsin, Tufts, UC Davis (pulled off 4/16)
Attending: UC DAVIS!!!!!! 💙💛

VMCAS Overall GPA: 3.94 (3.89 overall for my undergrad degree, 4.0 Post-Bacc)
VMCAS Science GPA: 3.98
Science Prerequisite GPA: 4.0
Last 45 GPA: 4.0

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

Degree(s): Bachelor's of Science in Mathematics/Economics (joint major) with specialization in computing

Veterinary Experience:
Experience - Approximately 1150 hours for VMCAS (Accumulated over 10 months while completing 8 upper div classes), and approximately 1450 for University of Wisconsin (by the time of the supplemental due date).
All of the hours come from one small animal hospital where I shadowed, volunteered, and currently work at.

Animal Experience:
Experience - Approximately 323 hours in total.
105 hours - Volunteer at a dairy farm
18 hours - Volunteer at a therapeutic riding center
200 hours - Volunteer at a humane society

Research:
Experience - 0 lol

Extracurriculars:
Experience - A lot of hours from my hobbies (Custom PC building, Baking, Lifting)

Awards:
Mathematics Departmental honors from my university, awarded to 2 graduating students in my major
Biology Scholarship from my community college
Physics award from my community college
Organic Chemistry award from my community college
magna cum laude
Dean's/Administration honors across multiple institutions I attended

Non-Animal Employment:
680 hours - Science tutor/Tutor lead at my local community college
360 hours - Freelance math tutor
400 hours - Freelance artist

LORs:
DVM who I shadowed and work for currently
Organic Chemistry professor
Physics professor
Tutoring center manager

Essay Questions/Personal Statement:
- For my SOP, I talked about how my queerness and love for vet med are interconnected. I grew up in an extremely conservative country where homophobia was common, especially in my household. I talked about how animals gave me the safe space and healing I desperately needed, and how I want to pursue DVM so I can return the same healing to animals and their people.
- For my explanation statement, I talked about a debilitating injury I sustained just after deciding to go back to school to pursue vet med. I had to do a LOT of physical therapy to regain my mobility, and even now this condition has turned into chronic pain with flare-ups. This was the primary reason I was not able to gain a variety of vet experience, as I couldn't commit consistently with unpredictable flare-ups. I explained how my recovery journey - learning to manage my condition and eventually discovering my new love for fitness/weightlifting - made me a more resilient person.
- Like many others who applied to numerous schools, I wrote SO many supplemental essays. I wrote about specific cases from my animal hospital that gave me a better understanding of the field/shaped what kind of veterinarian I wanted to become. I also wrote about my recovery journey more in detail in some other supplemental essays, as I focused less on the journey and the psychological rollercoaster I had to go through in my explanation statement.

On a side note, a couple of things I wish I had done differently in this cycle were being proactive in using available resources and picking schools with more consideration and research. The number of schools I applied to was honestly more a reflection of my anxiety. Basically, I wish I had applied "smarter".

 

[riordaa]

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

Applied: UGA, UF, NCSU, Midwestern, USU, SGU, Ross, Illinois, OSU, Purdue, UTK, CSU, Clemson
Interview Invites: USU, SGU, Ross, UTK, Clemson
Waiting to hear: N/A
Accepted: USU, Midwestern, SGU, Ross, UGA, Clemson (waitlist)
Attending: UGA

Overall GPA: 3.93
Science Prerequisite GPA: 3.93
Last 45 GPA: 3.95

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

Degree(s): Bachelor of Science in Marine Science, Bachelor of Science in Biology from University of South Carolina (2026)

Veterinary Experience:
- (270hrs) small animal GP private practice in 2 summers of shadowing

Animal Experience:
- (56hrs) local shelter volunteer
- (352hrs) Rover pet sitter

Research:
None

Extracurriculars/Awards:
(3750 hours)- D1 athlete on the swim team at UofSC
- Pre-vet club
- Rensselaer Medal
- full athletic scholarship
- 2x NCAA All American in the 200 backstroke
-2x SEC freshman of the week
-2024 Olympic Trials qualifier in the 200m freestyle
- 7x SEC honor roll
-CSCAA First-Team Scholar All-America
-CSC Academic All-District
- 3x Deans and 3x Presidents Lists at UofSC

Non-Animal Employment:
None

LORs:
2 DVMs, 1 college swim coach

Essay Questions/Personal Statement:
Connected my why to the skills I've developed through swimming and being a collegiate athlete

 

[kitzsuna]

Age, Gender, State/Country of Residence, Traditional/Non-traditional applicant, # of times you've applied:
32F, Tx, Non-Traditional, First time applicant

Applied: Texas A&M, Ohio State, Auburn, Virginia-Maryland, NCSU
Interview Invites: Texas A&M, Ohio State, Auburn, Virginia-Maryland
Rejected: NCSU
Accepted: Texas A&M, Ohio State, Auburn, Virginia-Maryland
Attending: Texas A&M! (unless I really fall in love with tOSU at visitation day)

Overall GPA: 3.92 (TMDSAS) 3.88 (VMCAS)
Science Prerequisite GPA: 3.84 (TMDSAS) 3.76 (VMCAS)
Last 45 GPA: 4.0

Degree(s): Bassoon Performance (Bachelor of Music) & Biology (Bachelor of Arts)

Veterinary Experience:
Research Associate - 2880 hrs **I worked directly with a veterinary ophthalmology doing pre-clinical studies in rabbits and rodents. Learned injections, anesthesia monitoring/administration, performed different ocular dissections and imagining, performed minor ocular surgeries
Veterinary Technician working interview - 5 hrs (avian/exotics, my dream place but I couldn't justify the drop in pay)
Emergency Veterinarian shadowing - 10 hrs (valuable experience despite short time, watched euthanasias and difficult clients refuse to pay after service and others take animals home against medical advice)
Equine Hospital Shadowing - 10 hrs (LOVED this one and horses terrify me. Absolutely fascinating and saw everything from cryptorchid surgery, removing pins from foals, lameness, colic, stud collection, humane society welfare. 10/10 and now I'm kinda interested in equine medicine lol)

Animal Experience:
A lot.
Zoo/aquarium - 18,404 hrs **encompassed several years of full time work as a zookeeper/bird trainer, as well as unpaid internships and volunteering
Pet sitting - 120 hrs (dog/cat/chickens/hedgehog)
Petco - 120 hrs (part time job while in between full time work)
Shelter - 40 hrs (high school volunteer for adoption events and cat care at pet stores)

Research:
Research associate - 1320 (current job, behavioral drug discrimination in rats and locomotor activity studies in mice)
Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology Conference - 40 (attended a week long conference and presented a poster)
Lab Assistant - 32 (semester assistant for Brown Tree Snake Locomotor Activity research)
Algae research - 14 (random summer field gig from college collecting water samples)

Extracurriculars/Awards:
A lot. I participate in endurance sports and counted training hours for the races, since it took a lot of outside time to train for events.

For example:
Ironman Texas - 800 hrs (Completed 2024 Ironman Texas. Involved 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, and 26.2 mile run. Required extensive training in order to build endurance in order to complete event in under 17 hours. Required careful monitoring of nutrition and working with both a coach and nutritionist to ensure optimal performance. Required exceptional balance between work, training, and social life in order to manage multi-hour training days 6 days a week.)

*I did this for all the half marathons and triathlons I have done to highlight my lasting involvement outside of work and the dedication and consistency that it requires.

Also put all the clubs I've done my adult life (triathlon clubs, world axe throwing league, book club, a fanzine I was a moderator for) as well as my involvement from college (sororities, clubs etc) and high school activities (orchestras mainly)

Non-Animal Employment:
Petco - 507 hrs (sales)
Concessions - 120 hrs (through college honors program to pay for study abroad trips)
Naturalist - 900 hrs (spent a couple summers in charge of developing and leading pre school summer camps at a county park)
Volleyball Referee - 96 hrs

LORs:
DVM - veterinary ophthalmologist in research
DVM - director of lab animal medicine at the university in which I work
PhD - Professor from my summer Physics I course
Bird and Small Animal Manager - my manager from one of my zoo jobs
Professor - my bassoon major professor

Essay Questions/Personal Statement:
Personal statement opened with my spark experience of having to drive an hour away in rush hour traffic while my bird was actively trying to die in the passengers seat. Discussed the lack of accessibility for exotic pets despite it being so easy to purchase them. Also discussed my gradual journey into veterinary medicine and how I all roads have lead to where I am today.

My supplemental essays discussed my resiliency in surviving an abuser (toxic ex boss), and I really tried to highlight how I am a person with interests outside of just animals. Talked about completing my ironman whenever I could haha. And it all worked out better than I could have imagined!

Feel free to message me with any questions!

 

[kt__todd]

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

23, female, UT, Traditional, first application cycle

Applied: WSU, UAZ, USU
Interview Invites: USU
Waiting to hear: N/A
Accepted: USU
Attending: USU

Overall GPA: 3.89
Science Prerequisite GPA: 3.86
Last 45 GPA: 3.98

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

Degree(s):
Bachelor of Science in Animal and Dairy Science, minor in Chemistry, graduating this spring.

Veterinary Experience:
Small Animal GP Vet Assistant: 1380 hours
Shadowed 3 small animal GP and an exotics veterinarian: 120 hours, most of these were with the small animal team.

Animal Experience:
Exercise Rider for several different horses and their owners: 2575 hours
Working Student at an Equine Eventing facility: 2080 hours
Participated in Ram breeding soundness exams: 42 hours

Research:
N/A

Extracurriculars/Awards:
Dean's List 2 semesters
Academic Undergraduate Scholarship for 2 semesters

Non-Animal Employment:
None that I included on my application

LORs:
Medical Director at the GP clinic I work at (DVM)
Ochem and BIochem professor (PhD)
History Professor (PhD)
Animal Anatomy and Physiology Professor (DVM)

Essay Questions/Personal Statement:
I wrote about my desire to pursue veterinary medicine because it offers me the opportunity to combine scientific knowledge and experience with the service of others. I wrote about my first experience helping a family navigate a terminal diagnosis. Their dog was diagnosed with osteosarcoma; this experience taught me how veterinary medicine involves not only diagnostics and treatment but also compassion during difficult decisions.
I then talk about my cat being diagnosed with end-stage kidney failure about a year and a half later and how I worked with the Doctor's I worked with to manage his disease. I wrote about how I eventually had to say goodbye and how that experience deepened my understanding of the profession from the client’s perspective, which made me more empathetic.
Essentially, I argued that veterinary medicine appeals to me because it sits at the intersection of science, empathy, and the human–animal bond. I am motivated by the opportunity to combine my future knowledge with compassion.

 

[smoky0408]

MY WORDS OF WISDOM as a Canadian, first-time applicant to US and Canadian Schools
I did not have crazy high grades as you can see. Honestly, I had a brutal couple of years of university before pulling it together and felt very lost. Despite that, I got 3 acceptances and 1 interview (still waiting on the decision) even as a first time Canadian student applying to these amazing US schools that I felt I had NO shot at. I always felt like I didn't have enough vet experience and was late to the game because I only figured out I wanted to do vet med when I was 19 and everyone I talked to seemed to have wanted it since they were little. Anyone who's in the same boat, you're not alone and I know how you feel. Put in your best effort, and really lean into unique experiences 🙂 I think speaking about things that I loved like robotics was what pushed me into a competitive position for these amazing schools even if they weren't veterinary related.

Age, Gender, State/Country of Residence, Traditional/Non-traditional applicant, # of times you've applied:
21, Female, Canada, Traditional first-time applicant!

Applied: Michigan State University (MSU), Iowa State University (ISU), Colorado State University (CSU), Ontario Vet College (OVC), University of Calgary (UCVM), University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI)
Interview Invites: UPEI, MSU, UCVM
Waiting to hear: OVC
Accepted: UPEI, MSU, ISU
Attending: Likely ISU for a DVM/PhD!

Overall GPA: 3.51
Science Prerequisite GPA: 3.49
Last 45 GPA: 3.85

GRE (Q/V/W): x (%) / y (%) / z (%)
N/A, but MCAT was 502 for UCVM!

Degree(s): Bachelor of Health Sciences in Biomedical Sciences

**FYI for experiences some of mine started in highschool for rowing and robotics, hence the crazy hours 🙂 **

Veterinary Experience:
Small animal GP veterinary assistant - 430 hours
Equine practice student volunteer - 140 hours

Animal Experience:
Shelter dog walker - 104 hours

Research:
Veterinary Immunology Lab working with swine - 636 hours
Summer Research Intern in Germany working with surgical robotics and haptic feedback - 560 hours
Surgical robotics lab - 870 hours

Extracurriculars:
Executive team of Canadian Pre-vet Association - 160 hours
Varsity Rower - 1008 hours
Competitive robotics (as a student) - 2420 hours
Competitive robotics (as a mentor) - 246 hours
Canadian Blood Services volunteer - 1002 hours

Awards:
1x Published paper
2x Published abstracts
3x 1st place oral research presentations
Countless posters at research conferences
2x Provincial scholarships
2x research scholarships
2x research awards
Dean's list 2 years

Non-Animal Employment:
Most was encapsulated in research.

LORs:
MD/PhD Research Supervisor
DVM/PhD Research Supervisor
P.Eng/PhD Research Supervisor
**All my research supervisors were from different labs and experiences and I used them for my dual degree DVM/PhD applications**
RVT (Small animal GP practice manager)
DVM, DAVCS-LA (Equine practice veterinarian)
Canadian Blood Services Volunteer Committee President

Essay Questions/Personal Statement:
I talked about how I didn't always want to be a vet - in fact, I chose the profession only after my first year of university when my dog passed away. He was my beloved german shepherd who I spent the entirety of COVID-19 with, and in a freak accident he passed. Before that, I developed a lot of unique experiences not related to animals (like all the robotics). This made me very fond of research and problem solving/innovation. After my dog passed, I started volunteering with animals more and more, but this made me see how underutilzied biomedical engineering is in vet med. I really hammered my passion for research and pursuing a DVM/PhD, specifically combining my work in animals to my robotics research background. I talked about my research incorporating 3D printed and custom-made solutions that I designed to improve experiments and quality of life for the research animals. Also made it clear why I wanted BOTH the DVM/PhD and not just the PhD - I saw the importance of understanding clinical practice and how that influences bench to bedside innovation, especially for accessibility.

 

[blacklabrador2025]

I'm so excited to be able to post on this thread! I've been (mostly) silently stalking this forum for the past year and it has been soooo helpful. Congrats everyone!

Age, Gender, State/Country of Residence, Traditional/Non-traditional applicant, # of times you've applied:
22, F, Virginia, traditional, 1st cycle
Applied: Virginia Maryland, North Carolina, University of Tennessee, Oklahoma State, LMU Harrogate, Kansas State, Purdue, Illinois, Georgia, Iowa, Auburn, Florida
Interview Invites: Virginia Maryland, Tennessee, LMU, Kansas (declined invite), Purdue, Illinois, Auburn, Florida
Rejected: North Carolina
Waitlisted: Tennessee, Purdue, Georgia, Florida (declined spots)
Accepted: Virginia Maryland, Oklahoma, LMU, Illinois, Iowa, Auburn
Attending: Virginia Maryland!!

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

GRE (Q/V/W): x (%) / y (%) / z (%)
N/A

Degree(s): BS in Biology (almost- graduating this spring!)

Veterinary Experience:
Small Animal GP assistant - 1500hrs
Equine ambulatory shadowing - 80hrs
Virginia Dept. of Ag. Animal Health Lab shadowing - 30hrs
Large animal shadowing - 40hrs
Exotic shadowing - 24hrs

Animal Experience:
SPCA volunteering in dog walking & foster program coordination - 60hrs

Research:
Axolotl research lab assistant - 200hrs
Organic chem synthesis project - 450hrs

Extracurriculars/Awards:
Philomathes society - 10hrs
Alpha Chi honor society president - 15hrs
TriBeta treasurer - 40hrs
College pre-health society - 40hrs


Non-Animal Employment:
on-campus student assistant in autism spectrum support program - 72hrs
Gen chem lab assistant - 72hrs
Biology tutor - 48hrs
Retail shoe sales - 800hrs
Fast food - 900hrs


LORs:
Small animal DVM and practice owner
Academic advisor and Biology professor I've taken 3+ classes with
Organic chem professor and research advisor

Essay Questions/Personal Statement:
My personal statement focused on the fact that I had little knowledge about the field of vet med growing up, and the importance of access to veterinary care and client education. I tied it back to a specific case I helped with in small animal GP, and to my family's history and love for animals despite their lack of veterinary care. I wrote soooo many other supplemental essays I can't remember what they were all about - but generally I emphasized how I've grown through doing my undergrad at a small liberal arts college and how this has instilled in me a love of learning and a desire to be a well-rounded individual. Overall just trying to show that I am a human, not just a pre-vet student.

I thought of myself as being a pretty strong writer but struggled so much with word counts and squeezing my passion for vet med into one essay. The amazing people on here who offer to read and give feedback on essays were so so helpful to me! To me, I think my application was pretty boring on paper but I was able to show a lot more personality by writing strong, and personal essays. My one piece of advice would be to not shy away from bragging on yourself and your experiences in essays, start early, and have as many people as you possibly can read through them!

 

[aodvm2002]

23, Female, California Resident, Semi Non-traditional applicant/Lower GPA, # of times you've applied: 1

Applied: UC Davis, Ohio State, Tufts, Lincoln-Memorial, Midwestern, Western, Dublin, Edinburgh, RVC, U of A, Utah, Purdue

Interview Invites: UC Davis, Ohio State (declined interview), Midwestern, Western, Dublin, RVC, Edinburgh (declined interview)


Accepted: UC Davis, RVC, LMU, Dublin, Midwestern, Ross, Western (waitlisted)

Attending: UC DAVIS!!! 🥹


Overall GPA: 3.46
(For those who may have struggled early on, I had 4 Fs on my transcript from my first couple semesters at a CC and still did it!!!!!) also 2 Cs, and quite a few Ws also from my time at a CC showing growth is SO important if you were like me!

Science Prerequisite GPA: 3.54

Last 45 GPA: 3.92


Degree(s): B.S. Animal Science, Associates in Biological Sciences


Veterinary Experience: i don't know the exact number as I never officially kept track, but ~3500 hours
-Veterinary Receptionist and then cross trained as a Vet Assistant at GP SA hospital
-Veterinary Assistant at different GP SA & small exotics hospital
-Veterinary Assistant at GP/ER/Specialty hospital
-project street vet volunteering as vet assistant to provide free veterinary services
-seabird rescue volunteering (monitored anesthesia, gave IM injections, med admin under vet directions, restrained birds for vet examinations)


Animal Experience: unsure exact number, probably close to 2000?
-dog walking/pet sitting
-volunteering at a dairy farm a couple times
-volunteered at a wildlife center in the NICU for 6 months
-volunteer at animal shelters & pet adoptions since high school
-petting farm worker at school events

Research: less than 100 hours in 2 projects

Extracurriculars/Awards:
-Pre-Vet Club Member and e-board member
-Zoology club member and e-board member
-Animal Health Science club member
-Horsemanship club member
-Avian and Exotics club member
-TA for Animal Genetics and Animal physiology
-volunteered with my mom’s church since high school to donate clothes and food to the unhoused community

Non-Animal Employment: 6000-7000 hours
-Various jobs ranging from food service, retail, and customer service since I was 16 years old
-Instructional Student Assistant (paid TA) for Domestic Animal Physiology

LORs:

3 veterinarians from the same hospital, one was chief of staff and the other 2 were associate vets

2 professors (one is the assistant dean who i TAed 3 of his classes and did some research with, the other professor was my ochem 2 professor)


Essay Questions/Personal Statement:

I wrote about always being interested in the human-animal bond and appreciating how symbiotic our relationships are. used an example of a case i worked on at the vet hospital i worked at, and also tied in my wildlife experiences and how formative those were to reaffirming my passion for helping voiceless animals (cliche i know! but i worded it in ways that weren't straight up cliches lol) i also used a jane goodall quote at the end of my personal statement that really brought everything all together nicely.

 

[happyyellowturtle]

25F, Minnesota, Non-traditional, 1st Cycle

Applied: Arizona, Colorado, Cornell, Illinois, Michigan, Midwestern, Minnesota, Oregon, Penn, Tennessee, Tufts, UC Davis, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin
Interview Invites: Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Utah (withdrew)
Accepted: Colorado, Cornell, Illinois, Michigan, Midwestern, Minnesota, Oregon, Tennessee, Tufts, Washington, Wisconsin
Attending: Minnesota 💛

Overall GPA: 3.98
Science Prerequisite GPA: 3.97
Last 45 GPA: 3.98

Degree: Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and Biology (double major)

Veterinary Experience:
2160 hrs SA GP VA
370 hrs SA/Exotics ER VA
160 hrs SA/Exotics ER Shadowing
200 hrs LA/Equine Shadowing
10 hrs Exotics Shadowing

Animal Experience:
450 hrs Animal Shelter Volunteer
150 hrs Animal Interpreter at Zoo
100 hrs Farm Sanctuary Volunteer

Research:
400 hrs Cancer Genetics Research with 3 presentations
120 hrs Microbiology Research with 1 presentation and 1 published report
50 hrs Published Peer-reviewed Scholarly Article

Extracurriculars:
College:
1800 hrs NCAA D2 Sport
1000 hrs Campus Ministry (1yr member + 3yrs leader)
300 hrs Chemistry Tutor
250 hrs Honors Program
150 hrs Biology Lab Teaching Assistant
120 hrs Undergraduate Journal Chief Editor
90 hrs Science Outreach Teacher
75 hrs Athletes Ministry
30 hrs Student Hearing Panel Member
High School:
1200 hrs 1st Varsity Sport (Captain senior year)
1200 hrs 2nd Varsity Sport (Captain senior year)
900 hrs Junior Varsity Sport
750 hrs Youth Group Member
480 hrs Summer Camp Leadership Program + Junior Camp Counselor
280 hrs Fellowship of Christian Athletes (2yrs member + 2yrs leader)
140 hrs Student Council
100 hrs National Honor Society (Executive council member)
100 hrs Student Volunteering Club

Awards/Scholarships:
College:
Dean's List x8 semesters
Latin Honors
University Honors Program
Department of Chemistry Honors Program
Senior Honor Society
2 Research Program Awards / Grants
5 University Scholarships
Departmental Achievement Awards
Red Cross Hometown Hero Award
High School:
MN Senior Students of Excellence
Academic Excellence x4 yrs
Presidential Academic Excellence
National Honor Society and Executive Council Member
All-Conference x4
All-Conference academic x8
Captain x2
4 Year Scholarship

Non-Animal Employment:
2400 hrs Youth with a Mission
1000 hrs Summer Camp Counselor
960 hrs Nursing Assistant
840 hrs Medical Scribe
700 hrs Online Tutor
410 hrs Chemistry Teaching Assistant
350 hrs University Dining Center
280 hrs Personal Care Assistant
260 hrs Grader

Volunteering:
600 hrs Red Cross
470 hrs Church Youth Group Leader
250 hrs Youth After-School Program
120 hrs Food Bank
60 hrs Senior Living Facility
50 hrs University Art Museum

LORs:
Medical Director / DVM from SA GP
DVM / Mentor from SA GP
Anatomy / Physiology Professor (student for 2 semesters and then Lab TA for 2 semesters)
Calculus Professor (student for 2 semesters and then TA / grader for 2.5 years)

Essay Questions/Personal Statement:
How I went from not even considering vetmed because I was scared of euthanasia to seeing it as a privilege and act of compassion. Taking a leap of faith after trying different career fields - academic research, human medicine, missionary work - but not finding one that sparked genuine passion. Being instantly drawn to both the intellectual challenge and the service/hands-on side of vetmed - and not only with serving animals but specifically their human owners too - finishing with my personal mission to become not only a skilled clinician but an advocate and educator who empowers owners.

 

[dew5]

Age, Gender, State/Country of Residence, Traditional/Non-traditional applicant, # of times you've applied:
31-year-old female, California resident, Non-traditional, first-time applicant!

Applied:
- University of California, Davis
- Western University
- Oregon State University
- Washington State University
- Colorado State University
- Iowa State University
- University of Missouri
- University of Minnesota
- University of Wisconsin, Madison
- Ohio State University
- Purdue University
- Michigan State University
- North Carolina State University
- University of Tennessee, Knoxville
- Auburn University
- Mississippi State University

Interview Invites:
- University of California, Davis
- Western University
- University of Missouri
- University of Minnesota
- Auburn University
- Mississippi State University
- Purdue University [withdrew interview invitation]
- Michigan State University [withdrew interview invitation]

Rejections:
- North Carolina State University
- Ohio State University
- Oregon State University

Waitlisted:
- Colorado State University [withdrew non-sponsored alternate position]

Accepted:
- University of California, Davis
- University of Tennessee, Knoxville [accepted w/o interview]
- Washington State University
- Auburn University
- University of Minnesota
- Iowa State University [$83k scholarship offer]
- University of Missouri
- University of Wisconsin, Madison
- Mississippi State University [$50k scholarship offer]
- Western University [pulled from waitlist]

Attending: Auburn University! 🧡💙 🐅

Overall GPA: 3.93
Science Prerequisite GPA: 3.89
Last 45 GPA: 4.0

Standardized Tests:
CASPER (4th quartile)

Degree(s):
- Bachelor of Science in Clinical Laboratory Sciences
- Chemistry Minor

Veterinary Experience:
- Veterinary Assistant at Small Animal, Avian, Exotic General Practice (>10,000 hours)
- Veterinary Assistant at Mobile Large Animal Practice (300 hours)
- Veterinary Assistant at Equine Lameness Specialty Practice (10 hours)
- Shadow at Equine Mobile Practice (50 hours)
- Shadow at various small animal practices (500 hours)

Animal Experience:
- Horseback Riding Drill Team Instructor (2000 hours)
- Volunteer at Wildlife Sanctuary (300 hours)
- Pet Sitting (1500 hours)
- Ranch Sitting (2000 hours)
- Search and Rescue Mounted Volunteer for the Ventura County Sheriff's Office (100 hours)

Non-Animal Employment:
- Clinical Laboratory Scientist (ASCP) at a regional reference laboratory in the Infectious Disease Department (>13,000 hours)
- Chemistry Teaching Assistant (300 hours)

Research:
- Antimicrobial resistance patterns and pneumococcal vaccine efficacy within Infectious Disease Microbiology Laboratory (100 hours)
- Fellow w/ Loop Abroad through Crocodile Research Coalition in Belize (100 hours)

Extracurriculars:
- Horseback Riding Competition Drill Team (300 hours)
- Masters Swimming Team (1000 hours)
- Water Polo Club (100 hours)
- Pi Beta Phi Female Fraternity (500 hours)
- Special Olympics Coach (100 hours)
- Line Dancing (2000 hours)

Awards:
- Kaiser Permanente Employee Recognition Award
- Pi Beta Phi Academic Achievement Award
- Bishop Mule Days 50th Anniversary Contestant Belt Buckle
- UND Wildlife Society Newcomer Award
- Scholar Athlete Award
- Graduated Summa Cum Laude
- Dean’s List x6
- President’s Honor Roll x8
- Phi Eta Sigma Honor Society

LORs:
- DVM/practice owner at small animal GP
- Avian/exotic DVM at small animal GP
- Office manager at small animal GP
- Assistant Director at reference lab
- Operations Manager at reference lab
- Pre-vet advisor/DVM

Personal Statement:
My journey throughout veterinary medicine was shaped by my experiences in the clinic and in the field. I started by describing a pet sitting experience with a stillborn litter, which sparked a desire to do more than just observe outcomes. Ultimately, my personal statement was framed around my experiences as both a Veterinary Assistant and a Clinical Laboratory Scientist, with the drive to serve both animals and humans alike. After a decade of diverse clinical experience across a variety of species, I felt inspired to become a veterinarian who combines analytical rigor, compassion, mentorship, etc. In the end, I talked about wanting to expand access to veterinary medicine through mixed-animal mobile practice by using a unique combination of laboratory expertise and hands-on care.

 

[kasmteit90]

Age, Gender, State/Country of Residence, Traditional/Non-traditional applicant, # of times you've applied:
22 (21 at time of application), Nonbinary, New Hampshire, Traditional, first-time applicant

Applied: CSU, Iowa, NCSU, Oregon, Purdue, Tufts, UC Davis, Illinois, Minnesota, UPenn, UPEI/AVC, UW-Madison, VMCVM, Washington
Interview Invites: Purdue, Illinois, Minnesota, UPenn (declined), UPEI/AVC, VMCVM
Waiting to hear: n/a
Accepted: CSU, Iowa, Purdue, Tufts, Illinois, Minnesota, UW-Madison
Waitlisted: NCSU, UPEI/AVC, VMCVM, Washington
Attending: UW-Madison!!

Overall GPA: 3.98
Science Prerequisite GPA: 3.97
Last 45 GPA: 4.0

GRE (Q/V/W): n/a. I scored in the 4th quartile for the Casper test though.

Degree(s): B.S. in Animal Science (graduating Spring 2026)

Veterinary Experience:
Shadowing small animal GPs - 220 hours
Shadowing equine vets - 28 hours
Shadowing dairy vet - 30 hours
Technician assistant in a small animal emergency clinic - 465 hours

Animal Experience:
Dairy herd farm hand - 225 hours
CREAM (cow management) program - 350 hours
Rabbit pet sitting - 20 hours
Dog pet sitting - 10 hours
Cat pet sitting - 5 hours
Bovine reproduction training (artificial insemination) - 14 hours

Research:
Undergraduate research assistant in an animal nutrition and welfare lab - 816 hours

Extracurriculars:
Club hockey (+ captain one year) - 375 hours
ASL club member - 5 hours
Guitarist (+ in a band) - 530 hours
High school hockey - 630 hours
Co-president of high school's LGBTQIA+ alliance club - 288 hours

Awards:
Dean's list - every semester
Presidential Scholarship - every year in college
All Star Player (hockey) - three years in a row
American Society of Animal Science Scholastic Achievement Award - freshman year of college
World Languages Award (French) - high school
Magna Cum Laude Graduate - high school
Excellence in Biology Award - high school
Excellence in Science Award - high school
St Anselm College Book Award - high school

Volunteer Hours:
Human society - 40 hours
Special olympics - 9 hours
Maintaining trails - 120 hours

Non-Animal Employment:
Barista/cashier - 100 hours

LORs:
1: Dairy vet and lecturer at my college. Was one of my advisors and my greatest mentor.
2: Animal scientist (PhD) and associate professor at my college. Was one of my advisors and I worked in his research lab.
3: Plant biologist, professor, and department chair of animal science at my college.
4: Vet at the emergency clinic I work at.

Essay Questions/Personal Statement:
I wrote about how my experience working on a dairy farm ignited my passion for veterinary medicine. I spoke about how interconnected human and animal health and how veterinary medicine goes beyond just diagnosing and treating an animal.

I had about 25 essay questions. Message me personally if you want more info on them!

 

[meowgees]

Age, Gender, State/Country of Residence, Traditional/Non-traditional applicant, # of times you've applied:
21F, CA/USA, trad, first-time applicant

Applied (12): Washington, Oregon, UC Davis, Ohio, Colorado, Illinois, NC State, Tufts, Georgia, Cornell, Wisconsin, U of Tennessee
Interview Invites (4): UC Davis, Ohio, Illinois, U of Tennessee
Waitlisted (3): Washington, Wisconsin (#96), Georgia
Rejected (6): Oregon, UC Davis, Colorado, NC State, Cornell, Ohio
Accepted (3): Illinois, Tufts, U of Tennessee
Attending: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign!🧡💙

Overall GPA: 3.90
Science GPA: 3.88
Last 45 GPA: 3.95

Degree(s): B.S. in Animal Science, Dairy Science minor, c/o 2026

Veterinary Experience: 1094 hrs

• Small animal GP vet assistant/shadowing (480 hrs)
• Mobile GP clinic providing low-cost services (348 hrs)
• Ophthalmology specialty (216 hrs)
• Small animal GP shadowing in Hong Kong (50 hrs)

Animal Experience: 920 hrs

• Volunteer at a zoo (400 hrs)
• Volunteer at dog/cat shelters (50 hrs)
• Guide Dogs for the Blind puppy sitting (300 hrs)
• Experiences with swine (30 hr), sheep (30 hr), goats (30 hr), & horses (30 hr) from my animal science classes
• Pet sitting (50 hr)

Research: 348 hrs

• Research poster project on bacteria in raw meat (224 hrs)
• Research/ecological studies trip to Costa Rica (64 hrs)
• Involved in a reptile lab at school (60 hrs)

Extracurriculars/Awards:
High school:

• Girl Scout Gold Award: organized and hosted a panel featuring women in animal science to increase awareness of animal-related careers to female high school students; included a zoo veterinarian, veterinary technicians, a zookeeper, a zoo manager, and animal conservationists
• California Certified Medical Assistant
• President’s Volunteer Service Award
• Marching band, color guard, orchestra
• Pre-vet online summer camps through NC State and Tufts
• CDC public health online summer camp

Undergrad:

• Deans List x8 quarters
• Studied abroad in South Korea for a semester (not vet related, completed arts/humanities GE’s) (2856 hr)
• Leadership role in a dance club (500 hr)
• Dairy products judging team, competed at national competition (48 hr)
• Involved with making sausages at our school’s meat processing center (30 hr)

Non-Animal Employment:
Made social media content for the study abroad program (120 hr)

LORs:
3 DVM’s, 2 professors, 1 research PhD

Essay Questions/Personal Statement:
I talked about how one of the reasons why I wanted to become a vet was that I loved how I would be able to connect animal knowledge with human connection; a career where I can use my scientific knowledge to heal animals while supporting their owners through both joy and loss. I mentioned that I am interested in companion animal medicine supporting the human-animal bond. At the end of my essay, I acknowledged that compassion fatigue and burnout can take an emotional toll on veterinarians and that I want to be part of creating a culture that prioritizes mental health.

Feel free to message me with any questions, I would love to help and give advice to other pre-vets!

 

[windy1]

Hi everyone! I'm really happy and grateful to be able to post here, and I hope my experience as someone with really low hours can be useful to someone, since that was something I was really worried about when applying.

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

Applied (6): Purdue, Ohio, Tufts, Oklahoma, Rowan, VMCVM
Interview Invites (2): Rowan, VMCVM
Waiting to hear: none!
Rejected (3): Purdue, Ohio, VMCVM (after interview)
Accepted (3): Tufts, Oklahoma, Rowan
Attending: ROWAN!

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

Degree(s): B.S. in Animal Science, Minor in Global Poverty, c/o 2026

Veterinary Experience (228 hrs):
Shadowing at a small animal/exotic GP - 161 hrs
Wing banding chickens with a veterinarian - 3 hrs (lol)
Training with a veterinarian to be a TA for a hands-on animal science class - 64 hrs

Animal Experience (~800 hrs):
Equestrian club - 165 hrs
Pet sitting - 250 hrs
Volunteering at a shelter - 216 hrs
Bunny grooming - 5 hrs
TAing an animal science class - 160 hrs

Research (~300 hrs):
Research assistant at a lab studying muscle abnormalities in broiler chickens / rainbow trout genetics - 282 hrs
Research project - 24 hrs

Non-Animal Employment (~3000):
Waitress - 870 hrs
Cashier - 400 hrs
Housekeeper - 1750 hrs

LORs (3):
DVM that I shadowed
Professor that I was a TA for (and I took a class with her as well)
Professor that I took a class with


Essay Questions/Personal Statement:

I wrote about how my experiences so far led to my interest in preventive medicine in food animals! That's a vague description but I spent a lot of time on the essay and I think it is one of the main things that made up for my low hours.

Feel free to reach out if you are in a low-hour situation like me!! You can do it!

 

[Sparker]

Age, Gender, State/Country of Residence, Traditional/Non-traditional applicant, # of times you've applied:
21, F, NC, Traditional, 1st cycle

Applied (7): NC State, UTK, CSU, UGA, Michigan State, LIU, Cornell
Interview Invites (2): UTK, Michigan State
Waiting to hear:
Accepted (6): NC State, UTK, CSU, UGA, Michigan State, LIU (without interview)
Attending: NC State! 🐺🐺🐺

Overall GPA: 3.93
Science Prerequisite GPA: 3.91
Last 45 GPA: 3.95

Degree(s): Graduating in May 2026 (all with honors)- BS Biology, BS Forensic Science, BA Chemistry

Veterinary Experience: 1100hrs
Small animal & exotics GP- 700
LA mobile- 120
Wildlife- 280

Animal Experience: 5200hrs
Taxidermy- 100
Wildlife Rescue- 200
FFA/4H- 650
Farmhand- 3250
Pet Sitting- 1000

Research: 2500hrs
Microbiology- 1700
Toxicology- 250
Botany- 300
Veterinary Sociology- 50
Veterinary Virology- 100
Pharmaceuticals- 100

Extracurriculars/Awards:
FFA/4H- 1200
Honors Journal Editor- 100
Church Tech Room- 500
University Greenhouse- 120
Hunter Safety Team- 800
Track and Field- 450
Pre-Vet Club Founder and President- 150
Church Volunteering- 120
Pre-Vet Club Volunteering- 25
University Volunteering- 50
Science Dean's Scholars Program
Student Honors Council
Approved Vet Assistant Certification

Non-Animal Employment:
Science Tutor- 200

LORs:
SA Vet & Practice Owner
SA & Exotics Vet
(3) Research PI/Professors

Essay Questions/Personal Statement:
I talked about growing up in an underserved rural community and how that led me to want to work with both livestock and wildlife and give back to underserved communities.

 

[appleorchid4]

I genuinely never thought I would have a chance to post on here, let alone after my first cycle, but here I am! Don't give up!!!

Age, Gender, State/Country of Residence, Traditional/Non-traditional applicant, # of times you've applied:
21, F, OH, Non-Traditional (Low GPA), 1st cycle

(Included dates of when I heard back)
Applied (8): LMU TN, LMUOP, Clemson, Univ. of Edinburgh, Ohio State, St. George's, RVC, Iowa
Denied (6): St. George's (10/15), RVC (11/2), Univ. of Edinburgh (11/2), Clemson (11/25), Ohio State (12/22), Iowa (2/16)
Interview Invites (1): LMU TN (invited to interview on 10/15), LMUOP did not do interviews
Waitlisted: LMU TN (waitlisted on 2/24)
Accepted (1): LMUOP (accepted on 3/26)
Attending: LMUOP!!!

Overall GPA: 3.07
Science GPA: 2.68
Last 45 GPA: approx. 3.7

Degree(s): Graduating in May 2026 - B.S. Biological Sciences, Certificate in Yoga Teaching

Standardized Tests:
CASPER (4th quartile)

Veterinary Experience: 1373hrs
Large animal shadow- 20
Small animal assistant- 1330
Emergency small animal shadow- 20

Animal Experience: 1946hrs
OH animal shelter- 24
Volunteer with wolf dogs at a USDA accredited rescue- 42
Dog daycare 1- 525
Volunteer in lab that had bob quail (did no research- just animal care)- 90
Primate volunteer at zoo- 85
Dog daycare 2- 360
IN animal shelter- 820

Research: 0hrs

Extracurriculars/Awards: 1266hrs
Biology Learning Assistant- 39
Dog sitting- 576
St. George's 10 day summer academy in Grenada- 80
Sorority (one leadership role)- 240
Yoga (hobby)- 124
Hall government- 27
Pre-Veterinary Society (secretary, VP, President)- 180

Non-Animal Employment: 632hrs
Chemistry stock room- 32
Resident Advisor- 600

Volunteer: 90hrs
Tutor kids in public schools- 90

LORs:
SA Vet & Practice Owner
SA Vet
1 Professor
1 Non-Animal Employment supervisor

Essay Questions/Personal Statement:
I talked about visiting a museum with a veterinary section right before college and how that inspired me to choose my major. Then lead into how once I got into a clinic I loved it and mentioned one of my favorite Dr's that I worked with, who also euthanized both of my family pets with empathy and how I want to do that for someone else.

 

[mr.meowboy]

24, F, NC, Non-trad (2 gap years), first-time applicant:

Applied: Auburn, Colorado State, Illinois, NC State, Ohio State, Purdue, Tufts, UPenn, Virginia-Maryland, Washington State, Wisconsin
Interview Invites: Ohio State, Virginia-Maryland, UPenn
Waiting to hear: N/A
Accepted: Ohio State, Virginia-Maryland, UPenn, Tufts, NC State
Attending: NC State

Overall GPA: 3.76
Science Prerequisite GPA: 3.57
Last 45 GPA: 3.89

GRE (Q/V/W): NA

Degree(s): B.S. in Environmental Science

Veterinary Experience:
- Kennel Tech - 300
- Lab Animal Vet Assistant - 250
- ER Shadow - 50
- Equine/farm animal shadow - 90
- Lab Animal Shadow - 20

Animal Experience:
- Wildlife Rescue Volunteer - 24
- Service Dog Trainer - 120
- Aquarium Assistant - 230

Research:
- Research Internship (2 summers) - 840
- Research Fellowship (after undergrad) - 1920
- Undergrad research/thesis - 1230
- Summer research (after graduation) - 180
- Research assistant in animal behavior lab (during undergrad) - 120

Extracurriculars/Awards:
- 2 first-author publications in veterinary journals
- Certificate from journal for a top-viewed paper
- Graduation honors for defending thesis
- Attended/presented at multiple national veterinary conferences
- Pre-vet club officer
- VP of human health club
- Founder/co-leader of animal club at work
- Played/competed in piano for 10+ years
- Tons of oral & poster research presentations
- Officer of Beta club in HS
- AP scholar in HS
- Award for graduating top 10 in HS class of 430+

Non-Animal Employment:
- Server - 2010
- Math tutor - 81
- Production assistant - 30

LORs:
Current Research PI (DVM)
Undergrad Research PI (PhD)
Lab Vet (DVM)
Environmental Science Professor (PhD)

Essay Questions/Personal Statement:
Wrote about interest and experience in research, comparative medicine, and how vets are uniquely positioned to be able to help not just animals but people, too. Began my essay with an interesting anecdote that served as a pivotal moment in my pursuit of vet med. Wrote about the people and animals I worked with that inspired me to become a vet.

 

[DressageEnthusiast]

23 F, VA, first-time traditional applicant with some hiccups

Applied: Virginia-Maryland, UC Davis, Cornell, Dublin, Liverpool, Bristol
Interview Invites: Virginia-Maryland(SJT), Liverpool, Bristol(SAQ)
Accepted: Liverpool, Bristol
Attending: Liverpool!!!

(If you read my WAMC earlier this year- I had miscalculated my GPA in that post so my numbers look slightly different here!)
Overall GPA: 3.46
Science Prerequisite GPA: 3.44
Last 45 GPA: 3.40

No GRE or CASPER

Degree(s): Bachelors of Animal Science with a minor in Equine Studies (May 2026)

Veterinary Experience:
Small animal dentistry - 200hrs
Small animal ER - 150hrs
Equine hospital externship- 80hrs
Teaching clinic at my undergrad uni- 20 hrs

Animal Experience:
Wildlife transport- 50hrs
School dressage team- 200hrs
Working at a stable- 300hrs
Class involving daily care of broiler chickens- 30hrs

Research:
~50 hrs setting camera traps to study the behavior of Cambarus dubius crayfish.

Extracurriculars/Awards:
Volunteered with the COVID tracking team at my first undergrad institution (~30hrs before they stopped the program...)
Deans list for Fall 2021, Fall 2025
IDA Team Rider
Fencing Team
Member of my school's pre-vet club

LORs:
Dentistry specialist veterinarian that I had worked with for multiple years
Professor/cattle veterinarian who had taught me in multiple upper-level animal science classes
Academic advisor who is also an avian veterinarian

Essay Questions/Personal Statement:
For the general personal statement, I wrote about how in many cases veterinarians don't solely help animals but also help people and their communities, especially in rural areas where people rely on animals for their livlihoods. I wrote about how this desire to help people -especially in underserved/rural areas- inspired me to pursue vet med as someone who has a lot of family in rural areas.

 

[stinkyfreddy]

26, F, Puerto Rico, Non-traditional applicant, 2nd cycle:

Applied: UF, Purdue, LSU, Arizona, Auburn, UPenn, WSU, NCState, Mizzou, Illinois, UAGM, Ross, Wisconsin.
Interview Invites: UAGM, Ross, Mizzou
Waiting to hear: N/A
Accepted: Ross, UAGM, LSU, Mizzou
Attending: University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine!!!

Overall GPA: 3.63
Science Prerequisite GPA: 3.58
Last 45 GPA: idk

GRE (Q/V/W): f nooooo

Degree(s): B.A. in Anthropology

Veterinary Experience:
Experience - >4,000(hrs) in small animal GP, preventative medicine, specialties in ophthalmology, surgery, and cardiology

Animal Experience:
Experience - <300 (hrs) with equine

Research:
Experience - >5,000(hrs) environmental microbiology (gut microbiome studies) and medical microbiology (gut microbiome) of rare diseases in humans using animal models under a veterinarian/microbiologist
- 2 publications (2nd & 3rd co-author)
-1 first author publication pending

Extracurriculars/Awards:
Experience - >500(hrs) community service, as student president of organizations, pre-vet clubs, etc.
- 1st place biology department best poster presentation
- 3rd place innovative project award for designing an app that would help vets, government, and families to stay in touch with their pets + animal welfare education
-1st place best capstone project
-NIH funded research trainee scholar

Non-Animal Employment:
Experience - 200(hrs)
-florist
-waitress
-research assistant

LORs:
PhD in Microbiology (PI)
VMD/PhD (microbiology)
Organic Chem Professor PhD
Vet (Small animal GP)

Essay Questions/Personal Statement:
My personal statement highlights how my background in anthropology, clinical experience, and research shaped my passion for veterinary medicine. I aim to combine science and empathy to provide individualized care and strengthen the human-animal bond.

 

[FluffyFutureDVM]

*****LOW GPA ALERT***** I still can't believe I get to write this post!!!!!!! This is technically my 4th time applying. I was waitlisted by UGA 3 TIMES!!!!!!!!!! That almost broke me, and I was honestly ready to give up, but I got the best call of my life on 4/15. UGA has always been my dream school and I am soo soo sooo sooooooooo happy I didn't give up.

Accepted! UGA C/O 2030 🐶❤️ GO DAWGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (DREAMS DO COME TRUE)

Age/Gender/State: 26, Female, GA (in-state)
Applicant Type: Non-traditional, First-gen
# of Cycles: 4 (technically)

Applied: UGA, Oklahoma State, UC Davis, Auburn, Purdue
Interview Invites: — none
Accepted: UGA (off waitlist 🎉)
Attending: UGA!!!!!!!!!!! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

---

Stats
Overall GPA: 3.30 vmcas (school gpa - 3.4)
Science GPA: 3.50
Last 45 GPA: ~3.9 (strong upward trend) This included almost all the upper pre req science courses, I knew I had to make this count since my freshman gpa was a 1.92
GRE: I bombed it in 2022 and I didnt retake it since UGA no longer requires it.

Degree: B.S. Biology w a Chemistry minor

---

Veterinary Experience (~7,700 hrs)

• Veterinary Assistant GP – 2700 hrs
• Veterinary Assistant ER/GP – 4800 hrs
• Relief Veterinary Assistant - 130 hrs
• Equine shadowing – 60 hrs

---

Animal Experience (~1,900 hrs)

• Animal shelter employee + volunteer – 720 hrs
• Kennel Technician – 600 hrs
• Family farm (livestock) – 225 hrs
• Doggy daycare – 120 hrs
• Humane Society – 100 hrs
• Zoo (behavior research) – 50 hrs
• Pet sitting – 64 hrs

---

Research (~50 hrs)

• Zoo behavioral observation project

---

Extracurriculars / Leadership (~700+ hrs)
I honestly think this part hurt my application the most, I wasnt involved in alot of extracurricular activities in undergrad (I had to work full time)

• Organic Chemistry Tutor – 240 hrs
• Running + race volunteering – ~260 hrs
• High school wrestling – 240 hrs

Awards:

• President’s List
• Dean’s List
• Outstanding Student Award (Chemistry Dept.)

---

Non-Animal Employment (~2,300 hrs)

• Medical Administrative Assistant – 1184 hrs
• Custodian – 600 hrs
• Server – 375 hrs
• Vendor / Clerk – 200 hrs

---

LORs:

• ER Veterinarian ( I worked with her closely for years)
• Small Animal Veterinarian (my mentor who submitted my letter 4 times- I've also worked with her close to 6 years)
• MD from my current job
• Nurse Practitioner - from my current job
• University Lecturer- Biochem professor - she submitted my letter 3 times (honestly, so grateful for her)

---

Personal Statement (brief):
Focused on being a first-generation student and how my family's resilience shaped my path. I discussed my early academic struggles and strong upward trend, as well as my growth through hands-on veterinary experience (especially ER). A big theme was serving as a Spanish translator for clients and improving access to care. My goal is to work in mixed animal medicine and serve underrepresented communities.

-This was technically my 4th time applying. My first cycle I had below a 3.0 GPA and wasn’t a competitive applicant yet. I was also waitlisted at UGA three times as an in-state applicant before finally being accepted off the waitlist this cycle. I still can't believe this is real.

 

[cpl211]

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

Applied: Tufts, KState, Mizzou, Purdue, Ohio State, UGA, UF, CSU, Illinois, VMCVM, Arizona
Interview Invites: KState, Mizzou, Purdue, UF, Illinois, VMCVM, MSU, Arizona
Waiting to hear:
Accepted: Tufts, KState, Mizzou, Purdue, UGA, Illinois, VMCVM, Arizona
Attending: UGA!

Overall GPA: 3.79
Science Prerequisite GPA: 3.83
Last 45 GPA: 4.0

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

Degree(s): B.S.M.A.S. in Marine Biology and Ecology (University of Miami)

Veterinary Experience:
Experience ~1600 hrs
Small Animal Clinic, Equine clinic, Small Animal and Exotics clinic, Shelter

Animal Experience:
Experience ~640 hrs
Shelter volunteer, Sea slug animal care intern

Research:
Experience ~224
Aplysia research

Extracurriculars/Awards:
Club Rugby (Captain, Alumni Chair)
Pre-Vet Society (Treasurer, President)
Marine Mammal Rescue Team (Stranding certified)
Pre-Veterinary Internship and Research Fellowship Award/Stipend Winner
Published research work
President, Provost, Dean's List

Non-Animal Employment:
Experience - 650 hrs (Barista)

LORs:
Small Animal Veterinarian/Practice Owner
Small Animal and Exotic Veterinarian
Research PI and Professor
Academic Advisor and Professor

Essay Questions/Personal Statement:
Wanting to help people through their hardest moments via education, communication, and compassion like I was helped when I was young.

 

[Speedybeans]

Age, Gender, State/Country of Residence, Traditional/Non-traditional applicant, # of times you've applied:
32F, CO resident, Non-traditional, first-time applicant

Rejections:
- UTK*
- University of Wisconsin*
Declined interview:
- Utah State
Waitlisted:
- tOSU #23OOS
- Mizzou* (declined waitlist)
Accepted:
- NCSU
- CSU
- Washington State University
- Oregon State
- University of Illinois*
- University of Florida*
- University of Georgia*
- Virginia Maryland
- Iowa State
- Auburn
- Kansas State*
- University of Minnesota*

*(did not complete prerequisites- dropped Physics II this semester while deciding between NCSU and CSU)

Attending: tbd

Overall GPA: 3.45
Science Prerequisite GPA: 3.97
Last 97 GPA: 4.0

Standardized Tests:
CASPER (4th quartile)

Degree(s):
- Bachelor of Arts, International Relations w/ Film and Media Studies Minor
- AAS in Veterinary Technology

Veterinary Experience:
- Veterinary assistant at Small Animal, Avian, Exotic General Practice (4640 hours)
- Veterinary assistant at VECCS level 1 ER (3742 hrs)
- Veterinary technician at emergency hospitals (3628 hrs)
- Assisted with wellness visits on horse ranch (50 hrs)
- Volunteered with vaccine clinic and wellness visits for homeless communities (80 hrs)

Animal Experience:
- Horseback riding instructor (800 hrs)
- Animal husbandry growing up on a horse ranch (600 hrs from time in high school)
- Surrender prevention coordinator for city shelter (2300 hrs)
- Fear Free Certified lvl 3 (120 hrs)

Non-Animal Employment:
- Designed syllabus for and instructed a vet tech program’s ECC course for 2 semesters (175 hours)
- Barista and shift lead during college (1200 hrs)
- Salesperson and photographer for agricultural magazine (4000 hours)
- Babysitting for professors during undergrad (320 hrs)

Research:
- 0 hrs

Extracurriculars:
- Horseback riding (3500 hrs)
- Rugby co-captain (220 hrs)
- Rugby coach for kids (80 hrs)
- Fundraised for breast cancer research charity (65 hrs)
- Sorority volunteering (100 hrs)

Awards:
- Dean’s list 2x
- President’s list 3x
- Chemistry Student of Choice x1
- Awards for horsing around AMHA x3

LORs:
- DVM/practice owner at small animal/exotics GP that hired me on as an assistant with no experience
- ER DVM I worked with at time of application
- DVM I worked for as an instructor at a vet tech college
- VTS who worked as my nurse trainer at two previous hospitals
- Chem 1 professor from post baccalaureate

Personal Statement:
I focused on how I’ve built community throughout my life within and outside veterinary field. Tied it together with the important role veterinarians play in community health.

Explanation statement:
Explained how I ran the family farm during mom’s cancer treatment while she divorced my dad, and how that may have affected my undergrad performance. Struggled with culture shock going from rural upbringing to private liberal arts school as a first generation undergrad. Demonstrated with my post bacc studies that I’ve learned how to be a student while managing external stressors.

To all the other vet techs considering going through a post bacc and VMCAS: