Texas A&M Applicants Unite!

Veterinary Science Graduate Programs from U. of I.
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Oh, thanks! I hadn't gotten a chance to look, yet, and I didn't recall them saying anything about it in our packet, so I wasn't sure. I'll have to check my work schedule...
 
I am definitely going to the Vet School Open House since both times I visited A&M it was during break, there were no students there, and I didn't get a good tour of the school. I also just need to get a better idea of what College Station is like, since I haven't had the opportunity to spend more than a few hours there, so if anyone has some insight or can show me around that weekend, feel free to PM me.

We should get a group of TAMU CVM c/o 2014 students together in CS the day of the Vet School Open House, whether it is through Facebook or whatever. I know not everyone has accepted yet (like me who is still waiting on UF) but I think meeting together would help those that are still not sure about accepting A&M learn more about the school. Plus, it would help those that are already accepted talk about housing and such. What do yall think?
 
I might be going up to vet school open house (emphasis on the might) this year but I've been 4 times already so I don't know, really. But Open House is always jam packed with students (under grad and vet), parents, faculty, kids (boy/girl scouts), and so on. It's quite hectic at some parts. If you get there a day early you might want to walk around the vet school or arrange a tour for then, because getting one during Open House is possible, but I don't know how much you'd 'see'. Never gone on one through the Open House but I do know the lines for them are long and the vet school is packed.

But if you have questions about it (parking, suggestions, whatever) or the cities, I've lived there for 4 years so I know a good bit about the restaurants, parks, bars, living areas, etc if there's anything specific you want to know.
 
I just booked my flight to Houston, so I'm coming up for open house. Faith, I would love to meet you and hear your thoughts on A&M vs. UF, since that's what I'm waiting on as well. Should I post something on the facebook page, or arrange by PM?
 
I would say through PM. HopefulAg, if you would like to join us we can let you know when/where we are meeting via PM.
 
I appreciate the offer but I really don't think I'm going to be going this year. It's a three hour drive and again, I've been there 4 times already. But I'll PM y'all if anything changes.

Just check out the gift shop, as they have some awesome shirts in there. Also if you want to do the fistulated cow exhibit (it's a HUGE hit, especially with the boy scout groups; plus you get free ice cream) get in line early. And don't be put off too much by the dated look of the small animal clinic. They still have good equipment, just poor aesthetics.


Oh and eat at Freebird's! 😀
 
So I'm curious: did y'all go to open house? What'd y'all think?
 
I wish I had been able to go! I didn't plan far enough ahead of time and last weekend was my weekend to work, and I couldn't fit in a 6-hour round trip drive in-between. Plus, I'll be down in CS house-hunting in two weeks! I really wish I could have seen it with everyone there, since my interview was also during break... What was y'all's impressions, livvie and faith? Any better idea of where you'll be going?
 
To be honest, overall I wasn't really impressed. I'm so fortunate to even have a decision to make, but I'm in a really tough situation deciding between schools. As much as the tuition is tempting at A&M, I just felt like an outsider being there. I know after a month or so of settling in it will go away, but it just makes me wonder. I know open house is not the best time to be looking at the school as a prospective student since it was SO crowded, but still I didn't get a welcoming feeling like I did at other schools I visited.

I did note the small animal hospital could use some updates as HopefulAg mentioned. I'm hoping they don't decide to do that in the middle of our clinical roatations.... I was suprised at how dated the main lecture hall was as well. Every classroom that I have been in at OkSU is nicer than that specific lecture hall. It makes me wonder since I assume we will be in it for 4-5 hours a day.

There were also positives about the day. I enjoyed talking to a few residents that were there presenting equipment, and was impressed by the boy scout and girl scout outreach that the hospital did. I'm big into being involved in the community and volunteering, so that is something important to me. Overall, College Station is just like where I'm from in Texas, so the town wasn't anything new.

I didn't get to look at any places to live b/c I had a hard time figuring out where the best places were to look. Plus, I'm really wanting to find a roommate and I want to live in a house or duplex, so that would require some planning and scheduling. If I'm going to be at A&M, I will have to make another trip sometime soon to figure all that out.

Overall, I guess I will just have to wait to hear from UF and then try to decide between OkSU, A&M and possibly UF. Its just crazy that A&M is on one extreme of the tuition scale and distance from my family, while UF is at the other. 🙁 Maybe the decision will be made for me. It sure seems easier to stay at OkSU where everything is right in the middle and I already have a place to live, but something tells me its time for a change.
 
By the way, I did eat at Freebirds and it was good! Also, I have a sheltie and I enjoyed seeing all the collies and shelties running around at the open house. 🙂
 
So actually, Faith and I met up, and it's funny because we're coming from totally opposite positions with regard to the school. I really liked A&M and was really impressed by all the students there and spent a lot of time talking to them. I learned a couple new things about the school in the open house - mainly about clubs and such - but not much more than I had learned on my tour.

However, open house was totally, overwhelmingly, claustrophobically, crowded. Apparently there were 15,000 people there. I waited in long lines *everywhere*. It was an exausting day just in that respect. And then I got lost on the Houston freeways on my way back to the airport. Yuck yuck yuck.

Interestingly, it didn't change my opinion of the school any - I still think it's a great school with great people and I would be excited to go there, but the trip made me wonder if I want to stay closer to home....

So now I'm unsure. I'm trying to get my husband to make the decision for me. 😛

Link to an article about open house: <http://www.thebatt.com/news/vet-school-open-house-draws-record-number-of-visitors-1.1287441>
 
Every classroom that I have been in at OkSU is nicer than that specific lecture hall. It makes me wonder since I assume we will be in it for 4-5 hours a day.
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Hmm...which one are you talking about? There's two main lecture halls that I know of. The updated one would've been the ZEW Room at the open house (or well, what was traditionally the ZEW room, no idea if it still was this year). If that's the one you're talking about, then you have high expectations 😀

But I'm assuming you're talking about the big blue room way at the end (201 I think its number is) that seats about 300 people (that's where we have our Pre-Vet meetings and we fill that room up). Yah that's not the most inspiring room in the world but it's not too bad. And you don't spend all your time in there, you move about throughout the day.



However, open house was totally, overwhelmingly, claustrophobically, crowded. Apparently there were 15,000 people there. I waited in long lines *everywhere*. It was an exausting day just in that respect.
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Yah, it always is. During the school days it's quite empty other than other students/faculty/workers and then that one day everyone and their mother is there. Was quite a shocker the first time I went lol.



From that article:
The estimated count of 15,000 visitors set a record for the annual open house, whose 2009 event drew about 9,000 visitors.
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Man, if those numbers are anywhere near accurate, it must've been absolutely packed. I was there in the 2009 one and thought it was way more busy than before. Can't imagine an extra 6,000 bodies in the mesh. Seems like we're going on an upwards trend but damn, gonna run outta room completely!
 
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I'm pretty positive that you are talking about VMS 201. Vet students don't stay there all day, but first years start their day in that room both semesters. Its not much to look at, but if you sit in the front you don't see much of it and if you sit in the back, less distractions.

I'm so happy for all of you who will be attending A&M. You will be in class with one of my best friends and study partners. Congrats!
 
I saw that you went to a Fry's and got to try out one of the Lenovo Thinkpad Xseries Tablets? I have called around and haven't been able to find a place that has one on display. Can you tell me which town that was in?

Thanks
 
Yah sure, it was in Arlington (or Mannsfield, I always get the two mixed up).
 
For those of you who are already down at A&M, what is a good range for rent for a 2 bed/2 bath apartment/condo/town home/whatever? My future roommate and I are going down to look at places and I have no idea what range to look for. I plan on taking out loans to pay for everything, so should I just base my rent off of A&M's estimated living expenses for 1st years?
 
That'll probably run you around $600 - 800 a month, without utilities (though the $800 one a month I know of [Laurel Ridge] includes internet and cable).

The only expensive utility is electricity. Electricity in College Station ranges from $75 - 175 per month and electricity in Bryan is about 3/4 of that.



Actually I was up there literally just yesterday, so I still have pamphlets from various apartments if you want more information.
 
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For those of you who were worried about the facilities at Texas A&M, I received an e-mail recently (because I am in a grad program through the CVM) about this very topic and I thought of you!

The e-mail was in regards to AVMA accreditation and compliance with physical facility standards. Although no time schedule was given, the e-mail stated, "This places even more urgency on our plans for a new Veterinary Medical Education Building and Small Animal Hospital Expansion."

It also stated that class size should not be increased until facilities are updated and expansions made, but also that these facility changes need to be made regardless of class size increases.

So, for those of you about to start your first year, or hopefuls for the near future... I would probably expect some construction on the vet school side of campus (but this is just an assumption based on the urgency mentioned in that e-mail).

Hope that helps!
 
Maybe I was too starry-eyed when I visited A&M, but I didn't think the small animal facilities were horrible. I felt like they were better than Tufts anyways.
 
They're just dated. They're the worst out of all the schools I've visited in terms of aesthetics but I really don't see how they can improve that. They'd have to build another SA facility completely I'd think, and that would move the clinic way off to the side (as that's the only place that has room).

Either way, looks like we might be facing construction while in vet school. Nothing new to A&M though lol. Hell, Ross St. has been under construction for a little over a decade and no end in sight.
 
HopefulAg said:
Ross St. has been under construction for a little over a decade and no end in sight.
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Is that the one that goes by the petroleum engineering building and the geology building? I have never seen it open and its been....um a lot of years.

As for how the vet school looks🙄 I don't care at all. We could be taking classes in an ancient tiki hut that was on fire, infested with telemarketers and sliding down a mountain on a wave o' sewage and I would still be happy because WE ARE GOING TO VET SCHOOL!!!!!!!!WHOOP!!!!!!👍👍👍


So in the fall when you are sitting in the 'blue room' or having to walk around some construction at least it's not on fire-infested with telemarketers-sliding down a mountain, on a wave o' sewage.😀

Also A&M is usually ranked pretty high so I can't imagine that it is too bad.
:xf:
 
Is that the one that goes by the petroleum engineering building and the geology building? I have never seen it open and its been....um a lot of years.
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The one and only. Goes from Northgate, stretches through the dorms, past Sbisa, then a straight shot out to...wherever the hell it eventually winds up at.

When I was showing my cousin around at Aggieland Saturday, there was a gigantic hole in the middle of the street where they were doing whatever they like to do to it, so no end of construction in sight it looks like.

They really should just give up on it and euthanize the poor thing.
 
Anybody out there happen to know if the A&M waitlist is moving yet? This waiting has been driving me CRAZY, and it isn't even the 15th yet!! 😕:scared:

I really think they should put some kind of countdown/ticker thing on their website so we can see where they are on the list! I know it would ease some of the stress!:xf:
 
I don't anything, maybe check for posts around this time last year? I didn't think they would notify anyone till April 15th, but I could be totally wrong about that.
 
When I was on the waitlist they never gave any updates unless you were being called off of it. I just called Yolanda every couple of weeks to find out what number they were on. It moved pretty steadily until June last year and then stopped completely.
 
What number did it go up to?
 
I was on the waitlist a few years ago and they called up to number 9. I called Yolanda every now and then. I wouldn't bother thought until the end of April or beginning of May. I do know that the last person that called off the list was called near the end of summer.

As for a sad and creepy way of trying to figure out how many people are saying yes....I resorted to looking at the facebook group and seeing what the total number of people was subtracting it from the average number of spots. I am not saying this is a good thing to do or that it is very accurate🙁.

I do agree that they should put a countdown on their website...maybe only where applicants can see.
 
This is the first day you can register to get a parking pass. I believe that you will need a student id name/account to actually get into the ordering website. I have no idea how you would do that since I was already a student. I would call account services though if you don't have one or know how to get one.

First choice should be lot 36 and second choice should be 71.

I saw that people were asking about this on the facebook group so I thought I would share...they have posted signs all over campus today so you might want to do this as soon as you can.
 
There's a lot of non-2014ers in the Facebook group. At least 10 I'd say, but likely more.
 
In the facebook group, someone mentioned sweating in professional clothes if you get stuck in lot 71. Does that mean we have to dress up everyday for class? I thought I read elsewhere that the dress code is pretty low key, but maybe that was for another school.
 
Vet Engineer said:
In the facebook group, someone mentioned sweating in professional clothes if you get stuck in lot 71. Does that mean we have to dress up everyday for class? I thought I read elsewhere that the dress code is pretty low key, but maybe that was for another school.
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I am not sure but there is a section on it in the student manual......


  • DRESS AND PERSONAL GROOMING CONSIDERATIONS FOR STUDENTS IN THE PROFESSIONAL PROGRAM
    • Professional Responsibility
      • The personal appearance and dress for the man or woman in the health professions and for those students working toward these careers are extremely important in establishing and maintaining respected doctor - client relationships. The public demands and expects that the doctor be neatly dressed and properly groomed. Research has clearly confirmed the importance of this professional appearance and behavior. Students in the College of Veterinary Medicine are expected to develop and uphold these standards at all times and to use good judgment in proper dress and grooming. Students have a professional responsibility to demonstrate these standards and to set proper attitudes and behaviors while pursuing their DVM degree.
      • Students enrolled in the professional curriculum of the College of Veterinary Medicine participate in a professional medical field where the threat of exposure to and the chance for spread of infectious agents are greater than in the general population. Therefore, for the safety of all personnel, extra care and attention must be given to cleanliness and sanitation as essential safeguards.
      • The person, his/her equipment, and his/her environment must be kept in such orderliness as to reduce the chance of his/her becoming infected or his/her spreading infection to others. It is for this reason that students will not wear the protective clothing, smock, lab coat, overalls or coveralls, in public places away from the College of Veterinary Medicine (retail establishments, public gatherings, entertainment and sports events, etc.). These clothing items are to be worn only while engaged in educational, research and/or service activities directly related to veterinary medicine.
      • The College of Veterinary Medicine takes seriously its responsibility to the veterinary medical profession to teach and to train our students the professional ethics to respect colleagues, clients and authority. Interactions and respect for colleagues, clients and licensing authorities are a part of the daily professional life. Therefore, the College expects students to dress and act in a manner consistent with this obligation and requests that hats and caps not be worn in class or indoor laboratories, with the exception of religious head wear.
    • Lecture And Laboratory Classes - The following regulations are established by which students will be guided.
      • Students should be attired in neat, professional clothing.
      • The student should be dressed appropriately. Protective wear or a white jacket or white coat will cover dress clothes, except in the large animal clinic, in necropsy, and in other laboratories specified by the instructors in which dark blue coveralls or overalls will be worn.
      • Name tags must be worn at all times.
    • Clinical Rotations
      Students will dress in the manner prescribed by the clinic in which they are meeting the public. Maintaining a professional appearance is of the utmost importance. Adherence to the specified criteria is an essential factor in performance evaluation in the clinical setting. Name tags will be worn at all times.
      ​
    • Special Protective Clothing Special protective clothing will be worn in designated areas as specified by the course instructor.
    • Authority
      For violation of these dress and personal grooming regulations, the instructor is authorized to dismiss a student from the laboratory, clinic, or other official activity. Repeated violation may be sufficient cause for an unsatisfactory grade.
      ​
 
That's so vague! When I think of professional, I think of a full suit. I really hope/doubt they would make us wear a suit to every class. I suppose we'll find out soon enough.
 
Full suit is definitely not expected. It's more a certain level of "neatness" that they're looking for. No holes in jeans, tank tops, flip flops, etc. A decent top with a pair of intact jeans will get you through most days. Some people wear khakis/button-downs everyday, others wear jeans and scrub tops everyday. Everyone tries to make a good 1st impression, then it's downhill from there. How far down you slide is up to you.
 
I've the feeling I'm gonna hit the bottom rather quickly.
 
4paws said:
Everyone tries to make a good 1st impression, then it's downhill from there. How far down you slide is up to you.
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lol :laugh:

HopefulAg said:
I've the feeling I'm gonna hit the bottom rather quickly.
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Looks like I'll be joining you... Business casual clothing for women is extremely expensive! Not to mention I typically go to school in a t-shirt and jeans... Not like I'll do that in vet school but still. I'm a little more concerned about getting my education than how I look every day. 😛

On a side note, even though it took me a long time to make a decision to go to A&M, don't get me wrong.. I am extremely excited to be joining all of you in the fall and can't wait to meet you!
 
I've never seen anyone get in trouble for not being up to "dress code" but for the first couple weeks everyone dresses up. Then, its kind of up to you. There are a few people who still dress up every day and some who just settle for scrubs (which are comfortable and not looked down upon). Being a grad student, I dressed up at the beginning of each semester and now wear pretty much whatever I want. I'm a huge fan of cargo shorts so now that its warming up...

But vet students at least look presentable... except on test days... then they usually end up rolling out of bed and just surviving the day lol.
 
Does anyone know when they will assign as UIN? Everyone on the facebook group said to rush and sign up for parking but I can't because I've never gone to A&M before and so I don't have any kind of accounts or user information.
 
No flip flops! 🙁 I live in flip flops (except for labs/at work obviously).

circusbear said:
Does anyone know when they will assign as UIN? Everyone on the facebook group said to rush and sign up for parking but I can't because I've never gone to A&M before and so I don't have any kind of accounts or user information.
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I wish I knew, but it sounds like the non-A&Mers are screwed as far as parking goes.
 
I wouldn't worry too much about parking, since they seem to do a lottery system anyway once registration closes. I signed up within a day of the registration opening last year and still got waitlisted, whereas other people who had signed up later than me got a spot before the year started. They were in the process of fixing the lot 36 last year, so that's why so many people were put on the waitlist. There should be enough spots to go around. Just remember to register by the deadline.
 
Heavenfordogs, I can't help but wonder who you are! We are in the same physiology class. Said class is the reason I am up so early (8am) and why I have not yet been to sleep (exam today!)...

Oh and in regards to parking, it is essentially lottery, but with a few small differences. You can register for parking anytime within the limits (something like April until July). Once it closes, spots are given according to availability, but they try to give preference according to classification (year in school). I'm not sure how it works specifically with vet students though (if they are classified above others or if preference increases as your year does 1VM, 2VM, etc). Also, all people who had lot 36 and want to renew are guaranteed their spot back, not redrawn in the lotto (including undergrads... which is really inconvenient).
 
Hey HopefulAg, I don't suppose there's anyway you can scan/e-mail a copy of some of those apartment pamphlets, is there? Or maybe condense the relevent info? I'm heading down there with my future roommate this weekend to shop around (I know, it's A-Day weekend or whatever it's called in Aggieland, but we've had this weekend planned pretty much since we got accepted and it was the ONLY one that worked out...go figure, haha). We're looking for 2 bed/2 bath that is pet friendly...other than that, no major requirements, I guess, so I dunno how much that narrows it down. Anyway, just wanted to have some idea in my head about what all there was. Thanks! 😀

Or, if they have websites, that would be even better!
 
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Anyone happen to know who's signature we need on the Immunization Record for "Signature of Official Certifying Record"? I have copies of all of my immunization records, but they are from a mish-mash of locations/doctors. If not, I suppose I'll give Yolanda a call tomorrow and she what she says, that is if my call is answered.
 
Hey Texas Tiger, are you only looking for apartments? If you would be willing to look at duplexes and small houses, I would contact one of the realty company's and make an appointment to see properties on Saturday too.

As for apartments here, I haven't lived in many of them so mostly this is second hand. I know some people who have had really bad experiences with Campus View, Taos(duh), and then rumors about all of them. There are some pretty expensive places that are student only that look like they would be really nice to live in but I don't know your budget.

There is a new complex near the vet school and it looks really fun and quirky. It is called 'Z' islander. I don't know how much it costs but I think it would be fun to go see.

Also if you could make appointments with people at the apartments instead of just walking in then that may avoid the rush of whatever A-day is.
 
TexasTiger: Yah I'll try and do that tomorrow. On a side note: you're going on Parent's Weekend? Holy ****, brave soul. Traffic is a mess that weekend! Good luck and watch for crotchety old people turning randomly (in addition to the students who normally turn randomly). Check out the tent sales along Texas too. Can usually get some pretty good stuff for (relatively) cheap.

Also, the Z-Islander is neat looking and all, but it's pretty expensive IIRC. They have a website, just google it.
 
Pouches Rock said:
Hey Texas Tiger, are you only looking for apartments? If you would be willing to look at duplexes and small houses, I would contact one of the realty company's and make an appointment to see properties on Saturday too.

As for apartments here, I haven't lived in many of them so mostly this is second hand. I know some people who have had really bad experiences with Campus View, Taos(duh), and then rumors about all of them. There are some pretty expensive places that are student only that look like they would be really nice to live in but I don't know your budget.

There is a new complex near the vet school and it looks really fun and quirky. It is called 'Z' islander. I don't know how much it costs but I think it would be fun to go see.

Also if you could make appointments with people at the apartments instead of just walking in then that may avoid the rush of whatever A-day is.
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Yeah, we're looking at duplexes, too, I just forgot to mention it. A yard would definitely be a plus (fenced in or not)...or at least a patio-type area. And A-Day is Auburn's name for their spring scrimmage game for the football team...I just have no idea what A&M calls it, haha. But apparently it's on the same weekend and just about every hotel in the area is booked, so...yeah! Fun stuff. And we're in contact with one of the apartment finders places, and another realtor recommended by one of the vets I work with (she's a recent grad). I just thought that if I could give them actual names of places that we wanted to look at (in terms of apartments, at least), it might narrow it down some. And I might be able to do some on-line research if I had specific names, as well, as far as renter reviews. Thanks for the tips...I will definitely look into the islander place
 
HopefulAg said:
TexasTiger: Yah I'll try and do that tomorrow. On a side note: you're going on Parent's Weekend? Holy ****, brave soul. Traffic is a mess that weekend! Good luck and watch for crotchety old people turning randomly (in addition to the students who normally turn randomly). Check out the tent sales along Texas too. Can usually get some pretty good stuff for (relatively) cheap.

Also, the Z-Islander is neat looking and all, but it's pretty expensive IIRC. They have a website, just google it.
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Hahaha, I know, right? Auburn is INSANE that weekend. Sigh. If I had found out about it earlier than um, last Wednesday, I would have tried to wrangle something else, but our work schedules for April were already cemented and I'm going down to AU the 22nd and putting it off 'til May just seemed a bit late, so...we'll see how it goes.

...probably something like this ----> :bang:

I'm hoping that whoever we meet to help us view places will just drive us around :meanie:
 
I think Z Islander looks likes a putt putt course from the outside. Its multicolored with a big windmill and a mermaid waiving as you drive in. Looks fun, but probably not a place I could drive into every day lol.
 
Just an FYI, the A&M alternate list is moving. My friend who was #6 got the phone call this morning!

Good luck all!
 
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