Successful Underdog Stories?

[WildlifeSaver]

---

Members do not see this ad.

I think what the poster was saying is that if you're undergrad GPA was a 3.8 and you obviously have a great deal of experience, there must be something else in your application that is inhibiting you from getting into vet school. I know that you said your GRE was low, but after 7 cycles how much will you be able to improve it (I assume that you've taken it several times)?

While I don't want to put words in the other posters mouth, I think they were saying for the "make more money" do something to set yourself apart by doing a study abroad experience or something similar.

I'm curious, how is it that your annual salary is higher than most veterinary graduates? Do you have more than one job or are you saying immediately after graduation?

Exactly what I am talking about, a GPA of a 3.8 which is higher then average I think and very competitive. Also yes "make more money", so you can do a study aboard trip of something since she/he made a point about money being somewhat of an issue and is trying to avoid spending money on a Masters and what not..See someone gets me 👍. Something is really wrong with her/his application if she/he can't even get interviews. Needs more life and outside of animal oriented experiences maybe? I don't know because LVT2DVM hasn't said what other things LVT2DVM has done, but says has lots of experiences.

 

[VAgirl]

do a study aboard trip

Hmm...I dunno, sounds kind of boring to me. Boards don't quite do it for me. Just sit there, being all wooden. Now, a study abroad trip sounds pretty cool.

WildlifeSaver, I get that you think you're being helpful. But you really just sound awfully critical and obviously haven't read the numerous other posts by LVT2DVM giving more info on her personal situation. Perhaps you should do that before launching into critiques. Also, I'm sorry, but I just can't let this slip...some of the peculiar characteristics of your writing leave me wondering what qualifies you to be quite so harsh on LVT2DVM. Because it's entirely unclear to me.

Oh, and thanks for the dig about my undergrad GPA. Glad I could be your, "if this yahoo got in" example.

 

[WildlifeSaver]

Forgive me for saying that, I know it's been mentioned before in another thread, but maybe your choice of schools is off? I know you applied to 16 schools at one time, but some of them are notorious for very high GPA/GRE scores (such as Penn and Cornell). Then UGA....notorious for a VERY small OOS number. If they only take up to 2 people contracting with DE, your chances are extremely small, especially compared to 4.0 people with master's etc. I would never apply to UGA, because I know that with my 3.6 average and 3.9 science, I would still be at a disadvantage. I know, that you said they calculate it differently from other schools, but your chances are still not good. Just look at the successful applicants' thread: I can't compete with some of those stats. If I were you (this is purely hypothetical and not in any way derogatory), I would move to a different state and establish residency there, and I would probably go for Kansas/Iowa/Illinois, who are not quite that fixated on GPA. During my Illinois interview, I met a student who did just that: before she applied, she moved from CT to IL and established residency, then applied there and got in (with in-state tuition!). Is there a possibility you could find a tech job in another state? I still think one of the biggest issues with your application is your school selection. Moving to another state (even with your family staying where they are) would probably be cheaper in the end than paying all of those application fees over the years.

With a 3.6 ave GPA and a 3.9 in sciences, you would not dare to apply to Penn or Cornell? You have to have at lest a 3.5, so what do you have to lose? I mean they can't just accept a 100% 4.0 GPA people, actually they make the rules so maybe they can.

 

[WildlifeSaver]

Hmm...I dunno, sounds kind of boring to me. Boards don't quite do it for me. Just sit there, being all wooden. Now, a study abroad trip sounds pretty cool.

WildlifeSaver, I get that you think you're being helpful. But you really just sound awfully critical and obviously haven't read the numerous other posts by LVT2DVM giving more info on her personal situation. Perhaps you should do that before launching into critiques. Also, I'm sorry, but I just can't let this slip...some of the peculiar characteristics of your writing leave me wondering what qualifies you to be quite so harsh on LVT2DVM. Because it's entirely unclear to me.

Oh, and thanks for the dig about my undergrad GPA. Glad I could be your, "if this yahoo got in" example.

She wants help or advice? I apologize if I am being overly critical to LVT2DVM and I apologize to you as well LVT2DVM for stating what I did. I can say "Hey yay! Go for your dreams and never give up" advice or give reality advice. I will give a lot of credit for LVT2DVM still going for her dreams even though she has been through a lot and I honestly can't imagine what that feels like being rejected that many times and still moving forward in a positive direction. So LVT2DVM if you read this soon I hope you don't think I am a an a**, and see I am just giving criticism. I wish you the best of luck with your application cycle.

 

[Steelmagghia]

...Doing a Masters can help for vet school, but if you were going to human medicine forget it. Undergraduate GPA sets in human medcine sets the mark if you are "good" or not. Vet medicine you have a little more leway...

Not true. My aunt was a straight C student in high school and undergrad. She's now a D.O. and going through a second residency to go into psychiatry (which she has a Fellowship for).


Just an FYI for anyone on the fence about vet or human med.

 

[WildlifeSaver]

Not true. My aunt was a straight C student in high school and undergrad. She's now a D.O. and going through a second residency to go into psychiatry (which she has a Fellowship for).


Just an FYI for anyone on the fence about vet or human med.

Sure it is possible and I don't want anyone to be offended, but DO can be less rigorous then MD program to get into for meeting standards.

 

[Steelmagghia]

Sure it is possible and I don't want anyone to be offended, but DO can be less rigorous then MD program to get into for meeting standards.

Also not true. Same program. D.O.s just take more on anatomy and a few other classes for holistic medical stuff. She didn't decide to do D.O. until her third year.

 

[VAgirl]

Sure it is possible and I don't want anyone to be offended, but DO can be less rigorous then MD program to get into for meeting standards.

Also not true. Same program. D.O.s just take more on anatomy and a few other classes for holistic medical stuff. She didn't decide to do D.O. until her third year.

Steelmagghia, I have to agree with WildlifeSaver on this one. (Or at least, my interpretation of what WLS is saying, since his/her wording is a bit ambiguous.) No idea about how hard the programs of study are relative to one another, but DO is definitely supposed to be easier to get into than MD and (having had TONS of premed friends), DO is the route that people are advised to go when their stats are perhaps not quite competitive enough to go the MD route. This is only a commentary on the admissions side of things, not anything else.

 

[ri23]

Also not true. Same program. D.O.s just take more on anatomy and a few other classes for holistic medical stuff. She didn't decide to do D.O. until her third year.

While the program is not easier, in general DO schools do accept people with lower GPAs and MCAT scores.

 

[hoodle]

Exactly what I am talking about, a GPA of a 3.8 which is higher then average I think and very competitive. Also yes "make more money", so you can do a study aboard trip of something since she/he made a point about money being somewhat of an issue and is trying to avoid spending money on a Masters and what not..See someone gets me 👍. Something is really wrong with her/his application if she/he can't even get interviews. Needs more life and outside of animal oriented experiences maybe? I don't know because LVT2DVM hasn't said what other things LVT2DVM has done, but says has lots of experiences.

WildlifeSaver, have you read anything LVT2DVM has said? She is an adult, with multiple kids, with all of their needs, trials and tribulations. You don't qualify that as "life and outside of animal experience"? You think she should drop her family and go off on some college-age "study abroad trip or something"? I'm not trying to get in a fight with you, but that's crazy. One could say other things - in fact, LVT2DVM has been her harshest critic: GRE scores need to go up, maybe more diverse animal experiences, maybe better explanation statements on VMCAS. But really, if you want to constructively criticize, try a little harder on the constructive part...

And you should know that VAgirl, your example of "if she can do it, anyone can!" has had admissions committees absolutely slobbering over her. So maybe pick your examples a little more carefully.

 

[VetMed555]

With a 3.6 ave GPA and a 3.9 in sciences, you would not dare to apply to Penn or Cornell? You have to have at lest a 3.5, so what do you have to lose? I mean they can't just accept a 100% 4.0 GPA people, actually they make the rules so maybe they can.

Well...GPA is not as simple for Cornell and Penn as it is for other schools...they also look at how competitive your undergrad institution is. Mine is "less competitive", so I'd have to have near 4.0 to run in the same category. They have the right to do things their way, but I just wouldn't feel comfortable applying there. I was OK with not applying/going to an Ivy league university, so I just crossed them off my list. (Penn for other reasons, but Cornell was mostly because I didn't like the location, and couldn't justify having to pay so much money OOS). Overall, admission statistics is not as simple as just numbers. Many factors go into it. 3.6 from 3 "competitive" to "less competitive" schools may not be considered in the same category as 3.4 from an Ivy league. And don't get me started on that. 😀

 

[hoodle]

I agree with VetMed555, though in a somewhat opposite situation. My GPA is about a 3.5-3.6, but from a very very competitive school. Thankfully admissions committees seemed to understand, and I got in everywhere I applied.

 

[VetMed555]

I agree with VetMed555, though in a somewhat opposite situation. My GPA is about a 3.5-3.6, but from a very very competitive school. Thankfully admissions committees seemed to understand, and I got in everywhere I applied.

Oh, don't get me wrong, I think 3.5-3.6 is still an excellent GPA, and I don't underestimate the amount of work that goes into it especially at a competitive school. I'm glad that the schools that I applied to gave me a chance and focused on the whole picture. If I have to name one thing I was really scared of this application cycle, it would be my school's rating. Penn made me obsess over it, but 4 schools I applied to didn't seem to care. They did ask me during my interviews why I chose my undergrad. school, and my reasons seemed to be pretty solid for them. 🙂

 

[Steelmagghia]

Oh, don't get me wrong, I think 3.5-3.6 is still an excellent GPA, and I don't underestimate the amount of work that goes into it especially at a competitive school. I'm glad that the schools that I applied to gave me a chance and focused on the whole picture. If I have to name one thing I was really scared of this application cycle, it would be my school's rating. Penn made me obsess over it, but 4 schools I applied to didn't seem to care. They did ask me during my interviews why I chose my undergrad. school, and my reasons seemed to be pretty solid for them. 🙂

I totally understand what you mean here.
I went to a very small, very local, private Christian undergrad university. It is great if you want to go into ministry or teaching, but not so highly rated in the sciences area (no surprise, really). I just couldn't refuse getting through undergrad with no loans at all, though.
It worked out well for me, though, but Cornell definitely rejected me flat out.

 

[Steelmagghia]

While the program is not easier, in general DO schools do accept people with lower GPAs and MCAT scores.

Yeah, sorry, I should have stated everything more clearly, but it was definitely late at night and I was in a bad mood.

I was saying that the curriculum is certainly not easier.
Also, I was saying that my aunt decided in the third year of her M.D. that she wanted to be a D.O. instead (it combined more of what she wanted to do).
So she was accepted into the M.D. program with all of those C's. So it is certainly possible and medical schools do have options just like vet schools do.
Again, sorry for not stating that clearly, I type well (or speak well, for that matter) past 10 at night.

 

[CanadianGolden]

I think at this point you should consider another career. The amount of time and money that you are spending on these attempts (and apparently not changing much each app cycle) is probably starting to make the whole endeavor less-than-cost-efficient. Just my opinion of course, but if you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you've always gotten.

 

[loo]

Talk about a thread that has seriously derailed...Jeez.

 

[WildlifeSaver]

WildlifeSaver, have you read anything LVT2DVM has said? She is an adult, with multiple kids, with all of their needs, trials and tribulations. You don't qualify that as "life and outside of animal experience"? You think she should drop her family and go off on some college-age "study abroad trip or something"? I'm not trying to get in a fight with you, but that's crazy. One could say other things - in fact, LVT2DVM has been her harshest critic: GRE scores need to go up, maybe more diverse animal experiences, maybe better explanation statements on VMCAS. But really, if you want to constructively criticize, try a little harder on the constructive part...

And you should know that VAgirl, your example of "if she can do it, anyone can!" has had admissions committees absolutely slobbering over her. So maybe pick your examples a little more carefully.

Oh man, have you read one of my previous post? I revealed I was being a bit harsh.

I don't know geez husbands and wifes together go through many things in life and I said a volunteer trip would help out. I never said to "drop her kids", now that is ridiculous. All because someone has kids doesn't mean that their life stops and is only limited to XYZ in every scenario. No, I don't have children (thank god, I am only 22), but I know you give up a lot and it is not about "you" anymore once you have them. Look at the people who join the armed forces and go to Iraq, you don't think they don't have a family or lives? Just gave a suggestion. A month or so special volunteer work never disowned your life. Unless she really can't because she is a single parent and has no one to help out or some kind of circumstance. I also know she may be more of a disadvantage because of her life situations, but I know even when people are put in the worst or hard positions in life, they get around it and figure it out. My motto in life is everything is possible even the thought of the impossible is possible.

Also, a part of my personality makes me who I am. For example, I make it seem like I am putting you down, but I am not. It is an encouragement to make you have fire under *** to get moving. To make them stronger if anyone understands that. Some people don't understand. Even my ex didn't, but some people get it.

Everyone jump down my throat for getting her to explain her stats. I kept on pushing because she gives vague answers that she has lots of experiences and maybe it would of helped her out for others to see where she was coming from. I also realized that I sounded like I knew it all and I would have perceived it as anyone else who has said something about it (you and VAgirl) if no one pointed it out right away. I realized that I was wrong, now kill me! It seems like the pre-vet forums are too uptight compare to the pre-Allopathic which I am mainly at most of the time. 🙄 Enough is enough now.

 

[LVT2DVM]

🙄 Enough is enough now.

I agree, time to move on. My intention was for this thread to be more inspirational verses "how can I improve" as there are O so many threads addressing that subject. I cant officially cant speak for other repeat applicants but I think anyone who has gone through more than one cycle and had a file review is fully aware of the items they need to improve upon. I was just hoping there was some awesome stories out there that we all could relate too in one way or another. Its great that we (pre-vets and vets) are so passionate about our profession. Sometimes that passion gets the better of us. I have never taken anything said to date as personal and I hope that in return no one would take something Ive posted as anything other than helpful suggestions or pure sillyness (depending on the post). Thats not to say I think we should posted every unadulterated thought that passes through our psyche as this media is easily misinterpreted. I myself have at times been guilty of hastly making a post without thinking how something might be interpreted--Hence my many "open foot..insert mouth" replys. I do appreciate everyones candor and support. Lets all try to keep this stuff in perspective and be respectful.

 

[Wolf Vet]

Talk about a thread that has seriously derailed...Jeez.

Agreed, I'm not going to add any fuel to the furno here, just a quote:

"Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way, when you criticize them you're a mile away and you have their shoes."😛

 

[nyanko]

I myself have at times been guilty of hastly making a post without thinking how something might be interpreted--Hence my many "open foot..insert mouth" replys.

I know exactly what you mean (see: the fiasco in the "successful applicants" thread).

 

[VAgirl]

Agreed, I'm not going to add any fuel to the furno here, just a quote:

"Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way, when you criticize them you're a mile away and you have their shoes."😛

 

[VAgirl]

To return to the original theme of the thread, here is a story I find inspirational. It's not vet med related, but it's about someone who didn't give up.

Dr. Seuss, beloved children's author, started out writing other things (which were successfully published). But when he turned to children's literature after learning about serious problems with childhood illiteracy, his first book was rejected for publication between 20 and 30 time. You can read more about this on Wikipedia under "Dr. Seuss" and "And to Think I Saw It on Mulberry Street," the name of his first children's book.

Just think what all of our childhoods would have been like if Dr. Seuss had given up.

 

[BG85]

I don't know if any of you have seen Randy Pausch, the professor from Carnegie Melon that is dying of cancer, give his "last lecture". His words are very inspiring to hang in there and keep at it. This is from the WSJ internet account title: "A Beloved Professor Delivers the Lecture of a Lifetime." :

- Flashing his rejection letters on the screen, he talked about setbacks in his career, repeating: "Brick walls are there for a reason. They let us prove how badly we want things." -

Many of us are having our setbacks right now. We just have to find a way to climb over our own brick walls. And we will!

 

[BuckeyBrewster]

I have to fess up - until this point I have been a lurker (sorry!). However I thought I would offer my two cents to this thread, as I am another ‘yahoo’ that got into vet school this application cycle.

To give you little background information, I graduated with a BA in ecology/evolution from a large public university with a 3.12 (more like 2.85 if you include 2 courses repeated through a course forgiveness program). My Freshman year I was a B- student and I basically failed out my Sophomore year (I think I passed one class with a D-). I pulled things up my junior and senior year and maintained almost straight A's. I then completed an MA program from a really non-competitive public U (quick in and out in three semesters) and about 20 additional pre-requisite credits (community college) with a 4.0. My GRE was 600, 650, 5.5 and I had about 1000 hours of small animal shadowing (no large animal, some fostering hours). I was accepted to Illinois (IS), UF (OOS) and Ross.

Obviously my stats have some low points to say the least. I can honestly say that what I believe made the difference for me was that I took chances on my application. I realize that this seems scary and it is probably controversial, but a basically pulled a George (to make a Seinfeld reference) and did the exact opposite of what I felt comfortable with, and it seems to have worked. To name a few examples, I specifically and honestly addressed the reasons for my disaster of a sophomore year in the explanation portion, my Illinois essay was very unconventional (it consisted mainly of anecdotes from my animal experiences), and the photo I submitted to Florida was an action shot of me and my Lab Buck.

Anyways, that is what worked for me. Good luck with your future attempts, I think that the strength and perseverance you have shown are great qualities for a vet.

 

[WildlifeSaver]

I have to fess up - until this point I have been a lurker (sorry!). However I thought I would offer my two cents to this thread, as I am another ‘yahoo’ that got into vet school this application cycle.

To give you little background information, I graduated with a BA in ecology/evolution from a large public university with a 3.12 (more like 2.85 if you include 2 courses repeated through a course forgiveness program). My Freshman year I was a B- student and I basically failed out my Sophomore year (I think I passed one class with a D-). I pulled things up my junior and senior year and maintained almost straight A's. I then completed an MA program from a really non-competitive public U (quick in and out in three semesters) and about 20 additional pre-requisite credits (community college) with a 4.0. My GRE was 600, 650, 5.5 and I had about 1000 hours of small animal shadowing (no large animal, some fostering hours). I was accepted to Illinois (IS), UF (OOS) and Ross.

Obviously my stats have some low points to say the least. I can honestly say that what I believe made the difference for me was that I took chances on my application. I realize that this seems scary and it is probably controversial, but a basically pulled a George (to make a Seinfeld reference) and did the exact opposite of what I felt comfortable with, and it seems to have worked. To name a few examples, I specifically and honestly addressed the reasons for my disaster of a sophomore year in the explanation portion, my Illinois essay was very unconventional (it consisted mainly of anecdotes from my animal experiences), and the photo I submitted to Florida was an action shot of me and my Lab Buck.

Anyways, that is what worked for me. Good luck with your future attempts, I think that the strength and perseverance you have shown are great qualities for a vet.

Your story is very inspirational to me and goes to show that if you really want something, you shouldn't give up because you think you screwed yourself upon the thought of not being able to fix it, but you did it. Very nice work.

 

[WildlifeSaver]

To return to the original theme of the thread, here is a story I find inspirational. It's not vet med related, but it's about someone who didn't give up.

Dr. Seuss, beloved children's author, started out writing other things (which were successfully published). But when he turned to children's literature after learning about serious problems with childhood illiteracy, his first book was rejected for publication between 20 and 30 time. You can read more about this on Wikipedia under "Dr. Seuss" and "And to Think I Saw It on Mulberry Street," the name of his first children's book.

Just think what all of our childhoods would have been like if Dr. Seuss had given up.

Wow, I never knew that about Dr. Seuss, maybe I do learn something on SDN.

 

[loo]

I don't know if any of you have seen Randy Pausch, the professor from Carnegie Melon that is dying of cancer, give his "last lecture". His words are very inspiring to hang in there and keep at it. This is from the WSJ internet account title: "A Beloved Professor Delivers the Lecture of a Lifetime." :

- Flashing his rejection letters on the screen, he talked about setbacks in his career, repeating: "Brick walls are there for a reason. They let us prove how badly we want things." -

Many of us are having our setbacks right now. We just have to find a way to climb over our own brick walls. And we will!

Could not have put it better--Thanks!

 

[LVT2DVM]

Well, readers, I just thought it was fitting to do a follow up post here. For all those stuggling to keep going, wondering if that inner voice is deceiving you down an unfruitful path, just know that God has a plan for your life and trust that it WILL happen. Sometimes no doesnt mean NO, it just means not right now or not exactly the way you think it should happen.
TRUST, HAVE FAITH AND REMAIN PERSISTANT.

 

[bunnity]

Wow, I never saw this thread when it was here before (that was long before I found SDN), and LVT I'm really glad you didn't listen to some of the nay-saying because now you're into 2 schools! And just in case anyone needs some more multiple-applications inspiration, the vet I interned / volunteered with applied 5 times and got into Penn on her fifth time. She is now the medical director of one of the city's biggest shelters.