Supplemental Applications 2010

Veterinary Science Graduate Programs from U. of I.
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twelvetigers said:
I plan on doing it for myself, not a general plan. Since no one ever responded to this. :d

GUYYSS... are you doing bullets for the list of handling?

And, what do you think counts as "proficient"? I fall into the 'limited experience, but enough that I'm not terrified any more' category for equines. I can't decide if it's warranted to include or not.

Also, just wanted to throw in an additional "UGH" for the integrity question.
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Although I can't claim to have actually REALLY started yet, I plan on doing bullets for what that's worth. I also plan to include my "limited" equine experience... I figure if the therapeutic riding center I volunteer with will let me lead horses I could probably claim "proficient." Hopefully I am not overstating the situation!
 
twelvetigers said:
I plan on doing it for myself, not a general plan. Since no one ever responded to this. :d

GUYYSS... are you doing bullets for the list of handling?

And, what do you think counts as "proficient"? I fall into the 'limited experience, but enough that I'm not terrified any more' category for equines. I can't decide if it's warranted to include or not.

Also, just wanted to throw in an additional "UGH" for the integrity question.
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It defines proficient as being able to do something without "remidiation." Meaning you're able to do it on your own without being corrected. But no one is perfect all the time you know? Gah. So my guess would be just list the things you could do (and do correctly) without asking for help. So like with horses, if you think you could halter and lead one, restrain it, groom it, pick its feet, etc., put that. I'm going to have on heckuva time listing my horse experience...ick.

One I'm having trouble with is cats. I have cats, but they don't require much "handling." And I haven't done a lot of work with cats in a clinical setting. I mean...I can pick one up and carry it? lol

As for bullet points, I'll let someone else answer that because honestly I have no clue.
 
TT, I'm doing sections by species for the handling experience. IE:
Equine: Blah blah blah.
Cats: Blah blah blah some more.

As for "proficiency," I'm pretty much listing everything I've handled and what I'm comfortable doing. It's SO HARD to really get everything in there though. I mean seriously, how do I express that I've had cats since I was tiny, and now I can handle the evil cats at the clinic generally without being mauled to death. Generally. 🙄

Ellie, I'm also going to spend most of the section on equines. I've been riding for 17 years! ACK. 😱
 
For equines, it would just be haltering, leading, and minor restraint. I haven't ever messed with the feet. I'm not scared, but I'm also no expert.

And is anyone even listing bovines? I mean, there's not really any non-mechanical restraint there... I gave ivermectin and vitamins SQ and IM in cattle that were just tied to a tree, that has to be worth some brownie points. Lol.

For cats, I'm listing like... the different sorts of treatments I've restrained for. I mean, restraint for a nail trim and restraint for a cystocentesis are completely different and should be listed separate, right? I'm also pointing out that I've done nail trims and injections without someone restraining the animal, because um... that's pretty hard to do. Then I'm mentioning scruffing, towel, and 'cat sack' restraint, which I hope will show them I mean business.

Whyever, listing them out in the "blah blah blah" format is proving a bit difficult to keep organized... once the list gets long enough...
 
I know, TT. I'm going to have to go back and organize better. I was debating whether to list things like restraint for jug sticks, catheter placement, cystos, etc, because that's technically veterinary experience, and the prompt states NOT to list veterinary experience and duties. The line is so very, very blurry.
And if you want some excellent equine handling experience, come meet mine! He'll teach you plenty. Especially about wound care!
 
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twelvetigers said:
For equines, it would just be haltering, leading, and minor restraint. I haven't ever messed with the feet. I'm not scared, but I'm also no expert.

And is anyone even listing bovines? I mean, there's not really any non-mechanical restraint there... I gave ivermectin and vitamins SQ and IM in cattle that were just tied to a tree, that has to be worth some brownie points. Lol.

For cats, I'm listing like... the different sorts of treatments I've restrained for. I mean, restraint for a nail trim and restraint for a cystocentesis are completely different and should be listed separate, right? I'm also pointing out that I've done nail trims and injections without someone restraining the animal, because um... that's pretty hard to do. Then I'm mentioning scruffing, towel, and 'cat sack' restraint, which I hope will show them I mean business.

Whyever, listing them out in the "blah blah blah" format is proving a bit difficult to keep organized... once the list gets long enough...
Click to expand...

I'm listing bovines, because at Ohio State we have the Buckeye Dairy Club and each year they do a thing called the Buckeye Royal. You sign up and you get a heifer from the OSU dairy farm at random through a drawing and then you have a month to teach her to lead and set up for a showmanship competition that is held at the end of the month. I had pretty much zero experience with cows before that, but now I'd consider myself proficient at haltering, leading, and basic restraint of cows since I had to train a basically untouched heifer how to do all those things. It was really fun, too, and my heifer and I won first place =) I can also manually milk one...does that count? lol

Also, I would list nail trims but not injections-that should go under veterinary experience. I agree that the line is very blurry as to what they want where. I'm also afraid that I will a.) leave something out or b.) "think" I know how to do something but perhaps don't do it the way the person on the adcom would and then if they ask me about it and I say the wrong thing...AHHH. Hate =(
 
I'm working on Ohio some more this morning (since they have the most essays!) I'm trying to get my list of the "top 5 non-technical skills" narrowed down! Yikes. I started out just making a list of what I think are the most important things, and now I have to get from 15 to 5, and rank them.

I have to finish the integrity question (halfway there) and haven't even touched the one on the intersection of human and animal medicine. But I think I'm done with one! 🙄 I keep adding to the list of handling experience and re-organizing things. Ick.
 
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I spent four hours working on it this morning. I see you your cracked knuckles and raise you a caffeine buzz.

And then I rewrote my entire personal statement from scratch. And then my brain exploded, and I came home and ate an entire bowl of popcorn and half a bag of hershey's hugs. Whoops.
 
Eww. I'm not messing with my PS.

And I more or less just woke up. :d

So I shouldn't ever stop procrastinating on reviewing your PS? Do you want to send me the new one? Lol.
 
Since I seem determined to change everything 9000 times....I'll send you the new one too. I can't decide which one I want to work with. Or maybe I'll write ANOTHER one.

:beat:

Just kidding about the third version. We're not playing that game.
 
I'm procrastinating on my "Why Auburn?" essay. Anyone know anything special about Auburn that I would not find on the website?
 
twelvetigers said:
I haven't even started that one. 😛

Seems like saying, "You added those 20 OOS seats!" wouldn't quite work.
Click to expand...

Psh. I think that's a perfectly acceptable response.

As for me, well, I'm revising my personal statement and I have so many things running around in my head and I'm having a hard time putting them down. Grrrr.
 
twelvetigers said:
Seems like saying, "You added those 20 OOS seats!" wouldn't quite work.
Click to expand...

What? I can't put that down? That's not a valid reason? Haha

At least there website is pretty informative. I just can't decided whether to pick 3 or 4 things I like and expand on those, or whether I should pick a lot (8-9) things and just not really expand on those ideas too much 😕
 
hunterjumper12 said:
What? I can't put that down? That's not a valid reason? Haha

At least there website is pretty informative. I just can't decided whether to pick 3 or 4 things I like and expand on those, or whether I should pick a lot (8-9) things and just not really expand on those ideas too much 😕
Click to expand...

Personally, I would pick just a few things and expand on those to get as much of your own ideas in there as possible. If you just list 8-9 things taht are mentioned on the website and don't expand as to WHY those contribute to your desire to attend that school, then it's just going to look like you went to the site, wrote down whatever you could find, and called it a day. It will show more thought and feel more sincere if you expand on a few reasons why you REALLY want to go there.
 
Quick note for you Ohio folks... I was in the same boat and finally broke down. I called them to ask for clarification on Friday...

The final answer: Anything you've done to handle an awake animal counts. So, restraint for injections, blood collection, cysto, etc... This also includes training animals... For instance, lab or shelter people - leash and collar training of naive dogs counts and should be listed.

Hope that helps some!! 🙂
 
LMMS said:
Quick note for you Ohio folks... I was in the same boat and finally broke down. I called them to ask for clarification on Friday...

The final answer: Anything you've done to handle an awake animal counts. So, restraint for injections, blood collection, cysto, etc... This also includes training animals... For instance, lab or shelter people - leash and collar training of naive dogs counts and should be listed.

Hope that helps some!! 🙂
Click to expand...

Thanks for the clarification. Even still, the line between "handling" and "veterinary duties" is REALLY fine. I mean, technically restraining for things like cystos is part of my veterinary duties. On the other hand, I regularly do IM and IV injections and administering meds to horses as part of routine handling. Blargle. Whatever. As long as it's under 500 words, they're getting everything I've ever done.
 
Anyone that wants to chat RIGHT NOW about supplementals and VMCAS, come join this chat!

WILL REPOST LINK for another chat some other time. 🙂

Use your SDN name as the username and #SDNchat as the channel.

ETA: Or just come say "hi". :d Let me know if it doesn't work.

ETA2: Anyone, anyone? Who's Niri? Lol.
 
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sorry TT and whyevernot, I got way too frustrated with the chat. Too much delay, not enough patience.
 
Whyevernot55 said:
Thanks for the clarification. Even still, the line between "handling" and "veterinary duties" is REALLY fine. I mean, technically restraining for things like cystos is part of my veterinary duties. On the other hand, I regularly do IM and IV injections and administering meds to horses as part of routine handling. Blargle. Whatever. As long as it's under 500 words, they're getting everything I've ever done.
Click to expand...

Hi again,

Sorry for not being totally clear earlier. 😕 I didn't know if I was going to get back to this tonight and thus opted to make a 'rush' reply at work. Anyway...

Yes, by all means list the injections and meds!! 🙂 It counts as part of the handling... When I spoke with the good doctor at Ohio, I asked her the following: 'Given that you're asking about handling, does restraining an animal for an injection and then giving the injection count?' She said 'absolutely'.

When I asked her further questions (and I made sure to list some pretty 'out there' stuff) she kept telling me 'yes' and 'of course'. That's when I asked her if they were looking for any procedure we were able to do as an individual on an awake animal thus including nail trims, ear cleaning, etc... and she said 'yes'. From what I understood, they're idea of 'vet experience' is the peripheral stuff - fecal floats, blood tests, x-rays interpretation, induction of anesthesia after the animal has been given a sedative injection, etc...

I hope that clarifies it some.
 
It seems like some of you have had a productive day with supplementals; I have not been as lucky. I got stuck working for 12 hours today. 12 HOURS! Non-stop; without a break because it was too busy. Instead they ordered Subway and we ate while we worked. We close at 5; I did not leave until 7:45. But, even with staying late and having a busy day I still love being a part of veterinary med. It is AMAZING! Over the last 3 days I have worked 32 hours and my applications have been neglected. Tomorrow is going to be catch up day. I am going to get Ohio's supplemental done even if it kills me! And I am going to get started on a PS; well at least I HOPE I will. 😉
 
DVMDream said:
It seems like some of you have had a productive day with supplementals; I have not been as lucky. I got stuck working for 12 hours today. 12 HOURS! Non-stop; without a break because it was too busy. Instead they ordered Subway and we ate while we worked. We close at 5; I did not leave until 7:45. But, even with staying late and having a busy day I still love being a part of veterinary med. It is AMAZING! Over the last 3 days I have worked 32 hours and my applications have been neglected. Tomorrow is going to be catch up day. I am going to get Ohio's supplemental done even if it kills me! And I am going to get started on a PS; well at least I HOPE I will. 😉
Click to expand...

It must be busy season, I've done the same thing, 23 hours over the last two days with no breaks, and had to stay way past closing. Love all the adrenaline rush with so much going on and so many cool cases, though doing way too many xrays yesterday morning definitely got a bit frustrating! But I'm also trying to get in my VMCAS by Friday and neglecting that when I get home from work exhausted.
Hopefully we all manage to be more productive in this last stretch.. we're almost there! And then, time to wait.
 
DVMDream said:
It seems like some of you have had a productive day with supplementals; I have not been as lucky. I got stuck working for 12 hours today. 12 HOURS! Non-stop; without a break because it was too busy. Instead they ordered Subway and we ate while we worked. We close at 5; I did not leave until 7:45. But, even with staying late and having a busy day I still love being a part of veterinary med. It is AMAZING! Over the last 3 days I have worked 32 hours and my applications have been neglected. Tomorrow is going to be catch up day. I am going to get Ohio's supplemental done even if it kills me! And I am going to get started on a PS; well at least I HOPE I will. 😉
Click to expand...

I had a similar day on Saturday, we had an orthopedic clinic. Most of the time we do surgery on Sunday and just have the consults on Saturday, but we only had 2 surgeries so we did them all on Saturday. 13 hours later I was finally able to take a break and go home. I did manage to get quite a bit done yesterday though.
 
I'm so stuck on Iowa's second supplemental question about what I'll bring. I feel like I've already mentioned my big experiences (non-vet) in my PS and that repeating them in the supplemental is lame and unimaginative. I've tried writing the darn thing a couple times and it just falls flat. Urg!
 
that redhead said:
I'm so stuck on Iowa's second supplemental question about what I'll bring. I feel like I've already mentioned my big experiences (non-vet) in my PS and that repeating them in the supplemental is lame and unimaginative. I've tried writing the darn thing a couple times and it just falls flat. Urg!
Click to expand...
Yeah, that one was quite annoying. I ended up kind of combining two of my Missouri essays about diversity and valuable traits to become that essay. There's of course a little theme overlap with my PS, but that's impossible to avoid. The one essay I haven't done yet is Missouri's first question, why you are interested in vet med... so broad, I don't know how to stand out in that one!
 
I am almost done with my supplementals!!! Finally!!! Western's took forever just because there were so many. My Auburn one ended up being really good, I think. I have to write my essay for Illinios and UF and then type up my AVC supp, but that one's not due until a little bit later so not quite as stressful.

Another yay! 2/3 of my LORs have been submitted and 3/4 of my personal statement is done! Whew! I knew I could get this all done in time.
 
Anyone else in the midst of supplemental chaos and freak-out like I am? The whole misery loves company thing?

I am so excited for 2 weeks from now when this will all be behind me (except maybe Missouri... the deadline really is Nov 1 for them, right?) and then I can move on the the anxious/excited waiting! Until the first rejection rolls in, and then I will wish this never happened...

I can't quite work up the nerve to hit submit on anything yet... I am aiming for next weekend for getting everything finalized. Still waiting on 2 transcripts to arrive so I can send off a bunch of schools too! Yikes! I requested all the transcripts back in August, and these 2 schools are taking FOREVER! I did call them and at least they have record of my request, but seriously? How hard is it?

OK, I'll stop procrastinating on SDN now, especially since this turned into a rant... gotta get at least a draft for all my Ohio essays done tonight in order to feel less lame! Or maybe try and knock out most of Washington (my last minute addition... thanks MO for freaking me out causing me to add another school at the very last minute!).
 
Is anyone else debating not applying to some schools they had originally intended on applying too? I am strongly debating not finishing my Iowa and Illinois apps, as they were the last 2 schools on my list anyways. If I don't apply there, I will still have applied to 5 schools. On the other hand, I have already sent them my GRE scores and transcripts. Anyone have any advice?
 
I have thought about backing out of applying to Illinois, mainly because I do not like their essay question and feel as though any response I put down will not be very good. But, I have already subquestered an academic LOR at the last minute and she has already submitted it, I have already sent in my GRE scores and I have already purchased transcripts to send them. AND (the big AND) I really, really like their new curriculum. So, I am just going to go for it, even if my essay is less than optimal.
 
DVMDream said:
I have thought about backing out of applying to Illinois, mainly because I do not like their essay question and feel as though any response I put down will not be very good. But, I have already subquestered an academic LOR at the last minute and she has already submitted it, I have already sent in my GRE scores and I have already purchased transcripts to send them. AND (the big AND) I really, really like their new curriculum. So, I am just going to go for it, even if my essay is less than optimal.
Click to expand...

I feel the same way about their essay question too 😡 Although I'm thinking that I'm just feeling this way because I'm procrastinating about writing their essays. However, out of the 7 schools that I am applying too, they are numbers 6 and 7 on the list....
 
Just do it, guys. Everyone prolly hates their essay right now.

I'm studying for an exam (wait, two exams... forgot about that other one lol) so I won't be returning to my Ohio, Auburn, or Iowa until Thursday afternoon. And then, I still have Western and LSU doe a bit later.
 
Yep, push through on those essays, you'll be glad later to have lots of options. I'm done with all of my supplementals now except Missouri - all done with that except for one essay, I got sick of writing new essays and since that isn't due till Nov 1, I'm lagging on that. I should just do it so that everything is done, though. New personal deadline to submit VMCAS (aka finish editing PS) is Tuesday. Hopefully it sticks.
 
Question about research or experiences related to research . I have not participated in any undergraduate research, but I did compete at the international science and engineering fair in highschool, winning first place at the highschool and county level and competing and presenting at the state level in my junior year, and winning second place at the high school level and competing and presenting at the county level during my senior year. I'm only a second year in UG right now, so these experiences weren't too long ago. I know one of my LOR writers mentional my project from my junior year because she was the "professional scientist" who oversaw the project (effect of xray radiation on pea plant germination and growth). So, should I mention it as significant experience related to research?
Thanks!
 
hunterjumper12 said:
Is anyone else debating not applying to some schools they had originally intended on applying too? I am strongly debating not finishing my Iowa and Illinois apps, as they were the last 2 schools on my list anyways. If I don't apply there, I will still have applied to 5 schools. On the other hand, I have already sent them my GRE scores and transcripts. Anyone have any advice?
Click to expand...

I'm in the same boat as you with CSU. It's not so much the essay questions since I've got drafts of most. I even spent the time calculating credit/work hours per semester but I'm just wondering if it's worth the money.

Stats-wise my cum GPA is not competitive (3.0 if we factor in my first degree in history) and they explicitly state on their website that applicants with a cum GPA below 3.2 are "RARELY" accepted. I don't know if the fact that I have extenuating circumstances (health issues) or that my first degree is from a top tier school or that I did well on my GRE will be enough to compensate for the low cum GPA.

BLAH...but back to the main point. I'm still not sure what to do so I'm right there with ya. 😳
 
I think I have finished all 7 of my NCSU supplemental essays. Sent them off to my review board for a final read over. Now it's time to finish the PS. I originally was trying to write it without repeating anything from the supplementals, but that's not working out for me. The rough draft is 1624 characters over the max. Handed it off to my in-house editor for now.
 
Can anybody give me reasons, pro or con, for listing or not listing other schools I am applying to on a supplemental? WSU has an optional area to list other schools you are applying to, and I just can't decide whether or not to! I assume they will be able to see it on VMCAS, but maybe not.

I am applying to 9 schools which I fear makes me look a little like I am just applying everywhere trying to get in, but I really did pick each of them for a reason! Or maybe it will make me look super motivated?

Any ideas?
 
gone2dogs,
I am in the same boat! 9 schools (including WSU)...and I think that they are most likely going to see it through VMCAS and I didn't want it to look like I was hiding anything, so I put them on. Plus, I figure that it just might show my determination in becoming a vet.
just my thoughts!

GOOD LUCK!
 
Yep, I did the same with 8 schools. So many of us have tons of schools, so they hopefully won't look down on us because of it. Better to be honest than hide, cause they'll find out regardless!
 
okey dokey. all transcripts are in their envelopes, checks are written, and supplementals are submitted. Except one...(yes, illinois - that's your essay I'm glaring at!)

soo..here's my mental list...
Davis: no supplemetal app, no supp fee, transcripts mailed

WSU: supplemetal app done, supplemetal app fee paid, transcripts mailed

UPenn: form to "make you feel like idiot because no one in your family is a vet OR went to UPenn" filled out, supplemetal app fee paid, transcripts mailed

K-state: supplemetal app filled out, supplemental app fee paid (easy - no classes for me for the next year!), copy of GRE scores, transcripts mailed

Illinois: opened supplemental app, mailed transcripts..still need to write essay and finish form...oh and pay the supplemental fee...

righty oh.
done with my blabbering. off to bute the lame horse. yeehaw.
 
Just sent off ISU's signature page and KSU's packet in priority mail. All that is left is UPEI, which isn't due until Nov. 1, which gives me a bit of breathing room, especially considering I've already *done* it and just need to finalize. I feel slightly better!

Now if I could just muster up the courage to "submit" my VMCAS:scared:
 
Ok my mental checklist for what I have done and what I still have left...

Completed:

-OSU 80 hour verification form and transcripts sent

-Miss State supplemental, fee, picture and transcripts sent (and received)

-Kansas State supplemental, fee, copy of GRE and transcripts sent

-Order GRE score reports to be sent to Ohio and Western (the other 4 were sent when I took the test earlier this month).

To do:

-OSU's essay questions

-ISU's essay questions

-Illinois' essay question (I do not like their question)

-Western's supplemental and essays (not due until the 15th)

-Send transcripts to Illinois

-Send transcripts to Western (with supplemental)

-Send transcripts and signature page to Iowa

-Pay all supplemental fees for Ohio, Iowa, Illinois and Western

-Do my PS.

-Submit VMCAS and pay the fees.

Holy 😱 I need to get a move on it tomorrow! I have way too much to do and so little time! Here is to hoping I can get this all done by Monday. :xf:
 
^ wow, good luck!

All I have left to do is Ohio state supplementals. Got Illinois (hated the question too, kinda stretched it a bit on the "last 3 years" bit), NCSU, and Iowa done. Guess that's why I haven't been on SDN too much in the past few months.

I almost had a heart attack when I submitted my VMCAS and the other online supplementals. Not anticlimactic for me at all!
 
My new goal: submit EVERYTHING by Tuesday (my day off). I have Saturday to work on things, and some of Sunday, which will probably be a complete wash because I'm horse showing.

I'm waiting on feedback on my PS from one more person to pick a direction and FINISH it, then finish my OSU essays - they're all written, just have to edit and make myself not sound like a *****. I have to submit my supplementals for Wash and Illinois - both done (even the Illinois essay!) but haven't had the courage to hit submit yet.
 
My progress:

PS - done
eLORs - submitted

Planning on hitting the submit button on the VMCAS probably tomorrow or Monday.

Supplementals:

The only two I haven't completed are Illinios and AVC, but AVC's isn't due until November 1st.

However, I haven't sent my transcripts out to anyone yet. They're all in addressed envelopes just waiting to be sent but I haven't had an opportunity to go to the post office. Also, I don't have pictures of myself to send to the schools that want pictures. I was going to try and dig up my senior portraits because that's the most recent one I have.
 
Bearby said:
My progress:

PS - done
eLORs - submitted

Planning on hitting the submit button on the VMCAS probably tomorrow or Monday.

Supplementals:

The only two I haven't completed are Illinios and AVC, but AVC's isn't due until November 1st.

However, I haven't sent my transcripts out to anyone yet. They're all in addressed envelopes just waiting to be sent but I haven't had an opportunity to go to the post office. Also, I don't have pictures of myself to send to the schools that want pictures. I was going to try and dig up my senior portraits because that's the most recent one I have.
Click to expand...


there are schools that ask for pictures? haha - why?
 
heylodeb said:
there are schools that ask for pictures? haha - why?
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Supposedly it's so that they can put a face with the name, but I feel like it's kind of a way to discriminate. Whatever...
 
heylodeb said:
there are schools that ask for pictures? haha - why?
Click to expand...

Mississippi State did in their supplemental. It's optional, but they say its to help associate a face with the name. I chose not to send one because of how legit unphotogenic I am and (thus) lack of pictures of myself. I should have sent a close up of a pony nose or something 😛
 
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