The 8 year plan (really!)

[vulturesrow]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

Hello all,

Stumbled on to this site while reading up on vet stuff. Quick background on me, Im an active duty Navy officer who is going on 11 years of service. I do plan to stay until retirement and then Id like to go into veterinary school. In about 2 and half years I can go on shore duty. My plan is to get stationed at or near a university so I can get all my prereqs done. Obviously I have some time but I want to have a solid plan. I have 2 questions for you guys right now:

1. Im thinking I should just get another 4 year degree. This is because a) my GPA the first time around was not good at all and b) I figure whatever prereqs I had from my bachelors degree before will be expired anyways. I figure getting another whole degree, heavy in science of course, will help offset my poor academic showing the first time around. Anything wrong with this reasoning?

2. Can anyone comment on the UF vet school? This is my first choice by a large margin because it is my home state.


Love to hear from any non-trads as well on your experiences. Thanks everyone.

 

[Backwoods Boy]

There is a very good chance that your pre-reqs have expired by this point. As far as UF goes, from what I hear, they have a very strong program (of course, all CVM's do). They have a heavy exotic specialization too.

 

[sumstorm]

Depends on the school on whether your pre-reqs have expired and whether your former GPA will sitll be part of your newer GPA. For most applicants, I don't think getting an entire degree is warranted, if they already have one. The pre-reqs required are generally around 30-46 credit hours (would need to look at individuals schools to determine) and a degree typically requires >100 credit hours. That is a lot of money...and I am not sure you can get fin aid for pursuit of a second degree (I am not sure on this one.) the other reason I wouldn't go back for a full four years if I could avoid it is the cost/benefit ratio will go up.....you will be earning less, paying out more, for a longer period of time.

Another thing would be to contact FL and ask what their residency requirements are. Every school/state is different, and you need the school's version. I would mention military, since that does alter residency in many places (tends to make it more fluid.)

Might talk to recruiters and determine if there is a way to shift over towards army vet corp. I know someoene else was looking for info on that, but not sure what they found.

 

[vulturesrow]

Depends on the school on whether your pre-reqs have expired and whether your former GPA will sitll be part of your newer GPA. For most applicants, I don't think getting an entire degree is warranted, if they already have one. The pre-reqs required are generally around 30-46 credit hours (would need to look at individuals schools to determine) and a degree typically requires >100 credit hours. That is a lot of money...and I am not sure you can get fin aid for pursuit of a second degree (I am not sure on this one.) the other reason I wouldn't go back for a full four years if I could avoid it is the cost/benefit ratio will go up.....you will be earning less, paying out more, for a longer period of time.

Another thing would be to contact FL and ask what their residency requirements are. Every school/state is different, and you need the school's version. I would mention military, since that does alter residency in many places (tends to make it more fluid.)

Might talk to recruiters and determine if there is a way to shift over towards army vet corp. I know someoene else was looking for info on that, but not sure what they found.

I can get aid for the pursuit of a second degree. And Im guessing that if I do get a degree from another school, I may be able to use some of my prior coursework to substitute for credits requirements for that particular school, especially a lot of the gen ed stuff. That will allow me to concentrate on the prereq stuff and get the degree done a little faster. As for the residency requirements, I will definitely check into it, my Florida resident status holds as a military member. Pretty sure this is federal law type stuff but I will check to make sure. As for Army vet corps, not really something Im looking at. It would be hard to both switch services and get into the vet program at this point in my career. Thanks for the responses!

 

[david594]

I'll throw it out, but something to keep in mind is that getting a second bachelors can usually be done in far less than 4 years. To finish up my pre-reqs I went back as a second bachelors student in animal science and I was given an outline of 45 credits I would need to take to earn the degree.

And if you see the second bachelors degree as simply a means to an end(vet school) you can focus your time purely on the necessary classes and easily be done in 3 years, possibly as little as 2. It helps if you focus just on the pre-reqs instead of the requirements for the major since graduating isn't as high a goal as getting into vet school.

 

[nyanko]

And if you see the second bachelors degree as simply a means to an end(vet school) you can focus your time purely on the necessary classes and easily be done in 3 years, possibly as little as 2. It helps if you focus just on the pre-reqs instead of the requirements for the major since graduating isn't as high a goal as getting into vet school.

I actually completely finished my second bachelors degree (with an honors thesis) in 2 years (counting both summers), so it can definitely be done in 2 years.

It depends on the school you're looking into for this, but at the University of Central Florida they counted my first BS as completely fulfilling all gen ed requirements, so all I had to take were the classes required for my major, which wound up being about 60 credits for me (since I did the honors in the major option + thesis - if I hadn't chosen to do this I probably could have graduated in May 07 instead of August 07).

 

[JustCats]

UF is a terrific vet school. Do you really need a second degree? To get the second degree you will have to be accepted into a program and matriculate. If you just do post-Bac work you can take courses at various schools without matriculating. Many of us have had successful applications to vet school with liberal arts degrees and post-Bac sciences. If you find my post under the "successful applicant 2013" thread you'll see that's what I did. I took classes from many different schools.

Your Navy service will differentiate you from the pack as well. You can try to knock out some prereqs via correspondence while you're aboard your ship. Suppo? Nuke? Line? Just curious. Good luck and thank you for serving!

Hello all,

Stumbled on to this site while reading up on vet stuff. Quick background on me, Im an active duty Navy officer who is going on 11 years of service. I do plan to stay until retirement and then Id like to go into veterinary school. In about 2 and half years I can go on shore duty. My plan is to get stationed at or near a university so I can get all my prereqs done. Obviously I have some time but I want to have a solid plan. I have 2 questions for you guys right now:

1. Im thinking I should just get another 4 year degree. This is because a) my GPA the first time around was not good at all and b) I figure whatever prereqs I had from my bachelors degree before will be expired anyways. I figure getting another whole degree, heavy in science of course, will help offset my poor academic showing the first time around. Anything wrong with this reasoning?

2. Can anyone comment on the UF vet school? This is my first choice by a large margin because it is my home state.


Love to hear from any non-trads as well on your experiences. Thanks everyone.

 

[nyanko]

UF is a terrific vet school. Do you really need a second degree? To get the second degree you will have to be accepted into a program and matriculate. If you just do post-Bac work you can take courses at various schools without matriculating. Many of us have had successful applications to vet school with liberal arts degrees and post-Bac sciences. If you find my post under the "successful applicant 2013" thread you'll see that's what I did. I took classes from many different schools.

I think the problem with taking things non-degree-seeking is that at a lot of schools financial aid can't apply to you if you aren't enrolled in a degree program. Also, registration at a decent sized university can be pretty brutal without being in a degree program - you get the leftovers after all the degree seeking candidates have registered.

 

[rileyroo]

I think the problem with taking things non-degree-seeking is that at a lot of schools financial aid can't apply to you if you aren't enrolled in a degree program. Also, registration at a decent sized university can be pretty brutal without being in a degree program - you get the leftovers after all the degree seeking candidates have registered.

i ran into both of those problems so i switched over from postbacc to "degree seeking" and didn't have any issues.

 

[vulturesrow]

UF is a terrific vet school. Do you really need a second degree? To get the second degree you will have to be accepted into a program and matriculate. If you just do post-Bac work you can take courses at various schools without matriculating. Many of us have had successful applications to vet school with liberal arts degrees and post-Bac sciences. If you find my post under the "successful applicant 2013" thread you'll see that's what I did. I took classes from many different schools.

Your Navy service will differentiate you from the pack as well. You can try to knock out some prereqs via correspondence while you're aboard your ship. Suppo? Nuke? Line? Just curious. Good luck and thank you for serving!

I dont need a second degree, but like I said, I had a poor GPA on my first Bachelor's degree so my thought was that if I took another whole degree it would a)offset my poor GPA to some degree and b) show a serious amount of desire to attend vet school. But maybe prereqs will achieve the same ends. However I will say that it will be pretty hard for me o go full time, even I get orders to an ROTC unit or something.

As for my Navy job, Im a line officer, aviation to be exact. And thank you, I appreciate that.

I think the problem with taking things non-degree-seeking is that at a lot of schools financial aid can't apply to you if you aren't enrolled in a degree program. Also, registration at a decent sized university can be pretty brutal without being in a degree program - you get the leftovers after all the degree seeking candidates have registered.

i ran into both of those problems so i switched over from postbacc to "degree seeking" and didn't have any issues.

Now that is something I never thought of. Thanks for the insight on that.

Thanks for the answers, keep them coming. 🙂

 

[nyanko]

i ran into both of those problems so i switched over from postbacc to "degree seeking" and didn't have any issues.

Yeah, I think what david594 did was similar. To be completely honest, when I went back after my first BS I didn't necessarily intend to complete the second degree either, but ended up doing it for various reasons.

What JustCats was saying though was to avoid having to apply and matriculate, and to be in a degree program you won't be able to avoid those things, but the payoff is worth it in my opinion.

 

[JustCats]

Vulturesrow will have the Montgomery GI Bill/VA benefits so I doubt he/she will need other financial aid.

Nyanko raises good points about registering for classes when you haven't matriculated, but there are ways to circumvent those issues.

1) I took my lower division courses through community colleges so there was no problem registering for classes as I did just matriculate at each of those.

2) When I took upper-division course, I did so either online or during summer sessions so that I didn't have to wait for matriculated students to enroll. All of the 4-year colleges I took upper-division courses through open up online and summer sessions to everyone so you have an equal chance of getting the classes you want, matriculated or not. The schools were: UC Santa Cruz, UC Berkeley, UCSB, and Cal State Northridge. UF, by the way, does the same. (I almost took online Animal Nutrition through them.)

I think the problem with taking things non-degree-seeking is that at a lot of schools financial aid can't apply to you if you aren't enrolled in a degree program. Also, registration at a decent sized university can be pretty brutal without being in a degree program - you get the leftovers after all the degree seeking candidates have registered.

 

[nyanko]

Vulturesrow will have the Montgomery GI Bill/VA benefits so I doubt he/she will need other financial aid.

Can you use the GI Bill at a higher learning institution if you're not seeking a degree? The language doesn't seem to support that.

 

[vulturesrow]

Vulturesrow will have the Montgomery GI Bill/VA benefits so I doubt he/she will need other financial aid.

Yeah I shouldve made this point clear. You can assume that the financial aid is taken care of and doesnt really need to figure in to any advice that you might have for me

Nyanko raises good points about registering for classes when you haven't matriculated, but there are ways to circumvent those issues.

1) I took my lower division courses through community colleges so there was no problem registering for classes as I did just matriculate at each of those.

2) When I took upper-division course, I did so either online or during summer sessions so that I didn't have to wait for matriculated students to enroll. All of the 4-year colleges I took upper-division courses through open up online and summer sessions to everyone so you have an equal chance of getting the classes you want, matriculated or not. The schools were: UC Santa Cruz, UC Berkeley, UCSB, and Cal State Northridge. UF, by the way, does the same. (I almost took online Animal Nutrition through them.)

Thanks, more great information.

 

[vulturesrow]

Can you use the GI Bill at a higher learning institution if you're not seeking a degree? The language doesn't seem to support that.

I wont be using the GI bill for the prereqs. I'll be using the Navy tuition assistance program for those. I'm saving the GI Bill for the CVM I eventually get into. 😉 The GI Bill program just underwent an extensive overhaul.

 

[Angelo84]

I would look at where your previous GPA was bad--is it in pre req's, science, random gen ed classes you didn't care about? Depending on that answer you know where you need to strengthen your academics. If your GPA is low due to gen ed stuff but your science, pre req and what will be your last 45 credit hours are strong you are probably fine as long as you overall GPA isn't low enough to knock you into the reject pile immediately (ie below a schools minimum acceptable GPA). If your issues were in sciences etc then I would try to take additional courses in addition to the exact pre reqs to show that you can now handle a rigorous course load. I would also check with the schools you are applying to and see how they feel about part time classes. Some like to see at least one semester where you took a full load (15 credits+) to make sure you can do well in classes when you are taking many not just one or two at a time. Your courseloads in vet school will be high (30 credits this past semester).

Hope that helps.

 

[vulturesrow]

I would look at where your previous GPA was bad--is it in pre req's, science, random gen ed classes you didn't care about? Depending on that answer you know where you need to strengthen your academics. If your GPA is low due to gen ed stuff but your science, pre req and what will be your last 45 credit hours are strong you are probably fine as long as you overall GPA isn't low enough to knock you into the reject pile immediately (ie below a schools minimum acceptable GPA). If your issues were in sciences etc then I would try to take additional courses in addition to the exact pre reqs to show that you can now handle a rigorous course load. I would also check with the schools you are applying to and see how they feel about part time classes. Some like to see at least one semester where you took a full load (15 credits+) to make sure you can do well in classes when you are taking many not just one or two at a time. Your courseloads in vet school will be high (30 credits this past semester).

Hope that helps.

To put it bluntly, my GPA was bad across the board. Long story short, I was lazy and got off on the wrong foot because of the transition from a rural school to a demanding academic environment. The issue of pre-reqs aside, if I were to try to get into a CVM right now, I would go into every school's reject pile immediately. Thats why Im leaning towards basically completing another 4 year degree. I think ultimately I am going to just have to contact a CVM directly and see what advice they have for me. Please keep the ideas coming, you have all been very helpful. Thank you so much.

 

[rileyroo]

To put it bluntly, my GPA was bad across the board. Long story short, I was lazy and got off on the wrong foot because of the transition from a rural school to a demanding academic environment. The issue of pre-reqs aside, if I were to try to get into a CVM right now, I would go into every school's reject pile immediately. Thats why Im leaning towards basically completing another 4 year degree. I think ultimately I am going to just have to contact a CVM directly and see what advice they have for me. Please keep the ideas coming, you have all been very helpful. Thank you so much.

you could just take all of the prereqs over (that you have already completed if you did poorly in them) and take the other prereqs you haven't already completed. some schools look at upward trends, prereq gpa, and last 45 hours gpa. and i think that some people on this forum have been in a similar situation, and explained their lack of focus prior to deciding to pursue veterinary medicine and how their gpa improved, showing their ability to handle the course load. if you are set on completing another degree there is nothing wrong with that, but if you're wanting to just do the prereqs, i think you could go that route as well.

as you mentioned, calling the CVMs you are interested in, is a really good idea as each school will tell you what they think is best. 🙂

 

[shelterURIgirl]

I would try graduate school instead. Is there a way you can complete a masters degree in 2 years and satisfy any additional pre-reqs? If you get another BS/BA degree, your undergrad GPA is still averaged from both degrees. When you start graduate school, your [graduate] GPA is completely reset. I had a horrible undergrad GPA and after one year of grad school, I can now proudly say I have a 3.87 GPA when I apply for scholarships, etc. Also, if you get a PhD or MS degree, thats an additional title you can add to your DVM title.

To put it bluntly, my GPA was bad across the board. Long story short, I was lazy and got off on the wrong foot because of the transition from a rural school to a demanding academic environment. The issue of pre-reqs aside, if I were to try to get into a CVM right now, I would go into every school's reject pile immediately. Thats why Im leaning towards basically completing another 4 year degree. I think ultimately I am going to just have to contact a CVM directly and see what advice they have for me. Please keep the ideas coming, you have all been very helpful. Thank you so much.

 

[JustCats]

Good thinking! 👍

I would try graduate school instead. Is there a way you can complete a masters degree in 2 years and satisfy any additional pre-reqs? If you get another BS/BA degree, your undergrad GPA is still averaged from both degrees. When you start graduate school, your [graduate] GPA is completely reset. I had a horrible undergrad GPA and after one year of grad school, I can now proudly say I have a 3.87 GPA when I apply for scholarships, etc. Also, if you get a PhD or MS degree, thats an additional title you can add to your DVM title.

 

[sumstorm]

Most vet schools do not 'reset' your GPA and use a grad program for it instead...they average all of it. I also can't see an advantage to a second bachelors though. I would consider a master's program...one of the ones specifically aimed at vet school entrance.

 

[shelterURIgirl]

It's not the vet school that resets your GPA, its the school you are attending (assuming you attend the same college for both grad and undergrad.) Your transcript will be clearly marked with graduate GPA separate from undergraduate GPA. Also, there is a "graduate/professional schools" section of the VMCAs application, so I bet that they do view the two GPAs separately.

Most vet schools do not 'reset' your GPA and use a grad program for it instead...they average all of it. I also can't see an advantage to a second bachelors though. I would consider a master's program...one of the ones specifically aimed at vet school entrance.

 

[vulturesrow]

I would try graduate school instead. Is there a way you can complete a masters degree in 2 years and satisfy any additional pre-reqs? If you get another BS/BA degree, your undergrad GPA is still averaged from both degrees. When you start graduate school, your [graduate] GPA is completely reset. I had a horrible undergrad GPA and after one year of grad school, I can now proudly say I have a 3.87 GPA when I apply for scholarships, etc. Also, if you get a PhD or MS degree, thats an additional title you can add to your DVM title.

This is not a bad idea. But Im concerned due to the large number of prereqs I have to fulfill. Its definitely food for thought and a very clever idea. Thanks for the help everyone, much appreciated. 👍

Most vet schools do not 'reset' your GPA and use a grad program for it instead...they average all of it. I also can't see an advantage to a second bachelors though. I would consider a master's program...one of the ones specifically aimed at vet school entrance.

Do you have any links with info on this?

 

[Caninerepro]

I don't know about your particular situation, but I was in a similar situation when I restarted my quest for vet school. Poor GPA first time across the board. My school actually had a program where if you were gone > 5 years you could start over with a fresh GPA and credit for classes I received a C or better in. Anyhow, I went back and finished my BS with about a 3.4 and one weaker semester during the transition. My last 45 was a 3.8 however. Then i did a 1 year coursework MS program designed for pre-med/vet people, and nailed that with a 4.0. Hey, I got a few offers my first time around, and am starting vet school in a few weeks! I think ad coms understand when people with "seniority" come back from an initial weak start and prove that we can make it with our later efforts. They understand we have grown up now and are not who we were at 18. Plus you will be retired Navy, and that is hard to beat. A proven hardworking track record. I suspect all you really need to worry about is showing that you are capable now, and not to worry about the past misdeeds. As for a complete redo on your BS, I do not think that is needed. Why not ask the admissions dept at a few chosen schools directly what they might want to see?

 

[JustCats]

Will you give us numbers? What was your gpa for each year of undergrad? What was your major? What school did you graduate from? This will be 19-20 years in your past by the time you apply. Correct?

To put it bluntly, my GPA was bad across the board. Long story short, I was lazy and got off on the wrong foot because of the transition from a rural school to a demanding academic environment.

 

[vulturesrow]

Will you give us numbers? What was your gpa for each year of undergrad? What was your major? What school did you graduate from? This will be 19-20 years in your past by the time you apply. Correct?

My final GPA was 2.34. I dont have the year by year breakdown at my fingertips because Im in Iraq right now and dont have my transcripts with me. I was an Economics major and was a Naval Academy grad (dont hold that against me JustCats 😉 ). One silver lining to the cloud is that I have no biological type sciences on my transcript so I wont have to average a poor bio grade with a good one. I did well in my english courses, terrible in chem (2 semesters 🙁 ) , mediocre in physics , and pretty terrible in calculus. So a bit of a mess to say the least. But yes I did graduate in 98 so when do apply for a CVM that will be 20 years in the past.

PS The next thing I have to figure out after I figure how to salvage my academics is how Im going to get significant volunteer experience. I grew up on a horse farm and I have helped foal horses, deliver puppies and kittens, trained people's dogs for them and assorted and sundry other farm related tasks (rabbits, dont forget the rabbits!) but I obviously didnt log them and I'm thinking "I grew up on a farm" isnt really going to cut experience-wise on a CVM app. But thats for another post perhaps. 😀

 

[JustCats]

You graduated from a highly competitive college so that's in your favor. You might have been lazy when you were young but your 20 year work history (at the time of application) and your more current classes (the ones you will be taking soon) will make it obvious that you've overcome that problem. If you took gen chem and calculus again and then did the rest of the science prerequisites, you'd be 1) raising your overall gpa, 2) establishing a good science gpa, and 3) establishing a good "last 45 hour" gpa. If I were you, I'd pick up with gen chem and move forward as a post-Bac pre-vet and forget the master's, especially since you're also going to have to log time getting experience. I'm sure others will weigh in.

I went to Wellesley so I can't hold it against you that you went to a service academy. 😉

My final GPA was 2.34. I dont have the year by year breakdown at my fingertips because Im in Iraq right now and dont have my transcripts with me. I was an Economics major and was a Naval Academy grad (dont hold that against me JustCats 😉 ). One silver lining to the cloud is that I have no biological type sciences on my transcript so I wont have to average a poor bio grade with a good one. I did well in my english courses, terrible in chem (2 semesters 🙁 ) , mediocre in physics , and pretty terrible in calculus. So a bit of a mess to say the least. But yes I did graduate in 98 so when do apply for a CVM that will be 20 years in the past.

PS The next thing I have to figure out after I figure how to salvage my academics is how Im going to get significant volunteer experience. I grew up on a horse farm and I have helped foal horses, deliver puppies and kittens, trained people's dogs for them and assorted and sundry other farm related tasks (rabbits, dont forget the rabbits!) but I obviously didnt log them and I'm thinking "I grew up on a farm" isnt really going to cut experience-wise on a CVM app. But thats for another post perhaps. 😀

 

[JustCats]

http://www.vetmed.ufl.edu/education/dvmadmissions/requirements.html

 

[sumstorm]

It's not the vet school that resets your GPA, its the school you are attending (assuming you attend the same college for both grad and undergrad.) Your transcript will be clearly marked with graduate GPA separate from undergraduate GPA. Also, there is a "graduate/professional schools" section of the VMCAs application, so I bet that they do view the two GPAs separately.

Yes, but it won't erase or reset your undergrad GPA. It is still reported and reviewed. I noted on my app that my recent GPA (post bac) was a 4.0, so that isn't a claim exclusive to grad programs. So yes, you will have evidence that you can do better now, and you will have a high (hopefully) GPA that shows more maturity, dedication, time, whatever, and is very helpful, but it won't negate your undergrad GPA, meaning that it could still knock a candidate out of competition. And unless the master's covers the pre-reqs, it won't help a lot with pre-req GPA. I am with the suggestion of take the pre-reqs needed to complete or redo. If doing a master's, I woudl go for one of the pre-vet ones that is designed to improve competitivity. Or go for schools that 'forget' old GPA's or have some sort of forgiveness program.

 

[nyanko]

Not to mention that some schools explicitly state that they don't take graduate GPA into account at all (KSU is one of them off the top of my head).

Then again, I'm pretty much never an advocate of doing a traditional Masters solely to improve your application for vet school. The special programs like the ones at CSU and Drexel are in a different class altogether, though.

 

[shelterURIgirl]

Good point, but just to be clear I never meant the term "reset" to mean "erase". All I was pointing out is that most schools report the two types of GPA separately, which could give our friend a clear advantage. For example, if you have ~120 undergrad units with a GPA of 2.4, whats the most that your undergrad GPA can change? If you take another 120 units with a 4.0 GPA, then the average is still a 3.2. If you take another 120 units with a more reasonable GPA of 3.5 (these classes are hard), then your averaged GPA is 2.95, which is not competitive. Somebody else check this--is my math correct?

Yes, but it won't erase or reset your undergrad GPA. It is still reported and reviewed. I noted on my app that my recent GPA (post bac) was a 4.0, so that isn't a claim exclusive to grad programs. So yes, you will have evidence that you can do better now, and you will have a high (hopefully) GPA that shows more maturity, dedication, time, whatever, and is very helpful, but it won't negate your undergrad GPA, meaning that it could still knock a candidate out of competition. And unless the master's covers the pre-reqs, it won't help a lot with pre-req GPA. I am with the suggestion of take the pre-reqs needed to complete or redo. If doing a master's, I woudl go for one of the pre-vet ones that is designed to improve competitivity. Or go for schools that 'forget' old GPA's or have some sort of forgiveness program.

 

[vulturesrow]

Good point, but just to be clear I never meant the term "reset" to mean "erase". All I was pointing out is that most schools report the two types of GPA separately, which could give our friend a clear advantage. For example, if you have ~120 undergrad units with a GPA of 2.4, whats the most that your undergrad GPA can change? If you take another 120 units with a 4.0 GPA, then the average is still a 3.2. If you take another 120 units with a more reasonable GPA of 3.5 (these classes are hard), then your averaged GPA is 2.95, which is not competitive. Somebody else check this--is my math correct?

Yeah this partly the reason for my original question. Its going to be hard to pull cumulative GPA up to a competitive level no matter what I do. My thought was that getting another 4 year degree might show a little more desire than just going and knocking out pre reqs. Not sure whether that is worth it since I have a (at my planned time of application) successful 20 year career to demonstrate some of the "intangibles". Also rather than killing myself trying to knock out another bachelor's, I could use some of that time for volunteer work. That is going to be pretty hard to do and my Navy job and my husband and dad job.

I was intrigued at the mention of masters programs specifically designed for getting people into CVMs but Ive been unable to find much info on any of them.

Also, is it URI as in "Go Rams!" ? 🙂


Thanks again everyone.

PS I did email UF yesterday so hopefully they'll be able to provide some clarity on this issue. But please keep the thread going, you have really given me some good ideas and highlighted stuff I didnt think of.

 

[nyanko]

Good point, but just to be clear I never meant the term "reset" to mean "erase". All I was pointing out is that most schools report the two types of GPA separately, which could give our friend a clear advantage.

Well, if you read the VMCAS instructions, it says under student reported GPA to put the GPA from your "primary institution" and then to list others under explanation section. So whether it's post-bacc or special masters shouldn't really make a difference as far as that goes.

 

[shelterURIgirl]

Also, is it URI as in "Go Rams!" ? 🙂

Nope, its not for the Rams! (I'm not that cool, LOL) 🙄 Instead, I'm completely obsessed with cats, shelter medicine, and infectious disease so the URI stands for "upper respiratory infection" which is common in cats and shelters. But thanks for asking! 🙂

I'm glad you are seeking counsel at the schools you are interested in. I did this and was surprised at how many options were available to me that I didn't know about. Your situation is unique, so it might be best to arrange a sit down meeting with someone who can advise you and go from there. I was able to do this with a faculty member from the graduate group I was interested in and oh man, it was beyond helpful.

Good luck!

 

[vulturesrow]

Well I am familiar with the term as a medical one, I just didnt figure someone would include it in their screen name. But then again, this is a veterinary board so I shouldnt have found it that unlikely. 😉 Also, I noticed in one thread that you went to UCF, but you have a picture of Sid the Kid Toucher in your avatar and you are going to UC Davis for vet school. Thats quite an odyssey!

I'm glad you are seeking counsel at the schools you are interested in. I did this and was surprised at how many options were available to me that I didn't know about. Your situation is unique, so it might be best to arrange a sit down meeting with someone who can advise you and go from there. I was able to do this with a faculty member from the graduate group I was interested in and oh man, it was beyond helpful.

Good luck!

Yeah Im thinking in a case like mine its pretty much a requirement to seek counseling from the school(s) you are interested. But as I said, this thread has been very helpful and given me lots to think about. You guys are great! By the way, you keep some odd hours. 🙂

 

[bunnity]

Here are a couple of the one year master's programs designed to help you get into professional school:

The one at Colorado State that Caninerepro mentioned:
http://www.cvmbs.colostate.edu/bms/planB.htm

Drexel's VMS program, designed especially for veterinary school applicants:
http://www.drexelmed.edu/Home/Acade...grams/VeterinaryMedicalScienceVMSProgram.aspx

Drexel's also has a two year MLAS (master's of lab animal science) program, also geared toward veterinary applicants:
http://www.drexelmed.edu/Home/Acade...grams/VeterinaryMedicalScienceVMSProgram.aspx

There are a large amount of special master's programs (SMP's) designed to help people get into med school. Some of them are also probably designed to help dental and vet applicants as well. If you look around on google you could probably find a program in your area.

 

[vulturesrow]

Here are a couple of the one year master's programs designed to help you get into professional school:

The one at Colorado State that Caninerepro mentioned:
http://www.cvmbs.colostate.edu/bms/planB.htm

Drexel's VMS program, designed especially for veterinary school applicants:
http://www.drexelmed.edu/Home/Acade...grams/VeterinaryMedicalScienceVMSProgram.aspx

Drexel's also has a two year MLAS (master's of lab animal science) program, also geared toward veterinary applicants:
http://www.drexelmed.edu/Home/Acade...grams/VeterinaryMedicalScienceVMSProgram.aspx

There are a large amount of special master's programs (SMP's) designed to help people get into med school. Some of them are also probably designed to help dental and vet applicants as well. If you look around on google you could probably find a program in your area.

Thanks Bunnity!

 

[Caninerepro]

Yes I did the MS at Colorado State -- Go Rams! It amazes me how many people know where I went -- am I really that obnoxious? 🙄 Don't answer that!

I enjoyed doing the MS at CSU, but really it was a bit over the top for someone who just wants to bring their stuff up to date. It really is a lot like doing the first year of vet school, and that is exactly what it is designed for -- to show you can handle professional school level coursework. It was designed for pre-med/vet kids who are applying, and that is exactly how it is run. 80% of the students go onto med/vet/dental school. The anatomy courses are taught by awesome professors, in the animal case by the vet school anatomy instructor (who also does the human neuroanatomy course all are required to take), and the physiology classes are done by researchers who do not teach at the undergrad level. As I have said before, I loved my year in the program, by far the best of the three I spent getting ready for vet school. But something that in depth may be a bit over the top for your needs. I was simply offered a slot in the program by the head, and I took the opportunity and ran with it. I don't know that it was required in my case to get accepted to a vet school, it just made me feel better about my chances.

 

[Angelo84]

You guys are great! By the way, you keep some odd hours. 🙂

I think SDN puts the time as the time in your time zone. So on my computer you posted at 4am while you may have actually where you are it seems less likely!

 

[zpinkpanther]

Hey, I know I'm a little late chiming in here (it's finals week and my internet procrastination has been mostly relegated to Facebook 😳), but welcome to the board!

I also think that a grad program might be helpful. Besides the separate GPA, I think that doing well in an MS or PhD program would show that you're capable of graduate-level coursework. I'm not sure how that will work with your pre-reqs, that is if you have pre-reqs from before that you'll be able to use. But it sounds like you're well on your way to figuring out a good plan, once you've heard back from UF.

Good luck and keep us posted!

 

[nyanko]

Well I am familiar with the term as a medical one, I just didnt figure someone would include it in their screen name. But then again, this is a veterinary board so I shouldnt have found it that unlikely. 😉 Also, I noticed in one thread that you went to UCF, but you have a picture of Sid the Kid Toucher in your avatar and you are going to UC Davis for vet school. Thats quite an odyssey!

I think you're getting me and her mixed up. 😉

"Sid the Kid Toucher", pfft, sounds like jealousy to me!

 

[zpinkpanther]

I'm so confused... who is Sid and why does he touch kids?

 

[nyanko]

Sidney Crosby is the fine young hockey playing gentleman in my avatar holding up the Stanley Cup. His nickname in the NHL is Sid the Kid. Somebody must be a fan of a team that didn't win the Stanley Cup this year. 😉

 

[zpinkpanther]

I don't know much about hockey, but that is one cute hockey player! 😉 Now, if you were going to talk about football, I would have to put my fingers in my ears and go "lalalalalalalala" 🙄

Baseball, anyone? Let's go O's! 😀

 

[rustysmom]

Sidney Crosby is the fine young hockey playing gentleman in my avatar holding up the Stanley Cup. His nickname in the NHL is Sid the Kid. Somebody must be a fan of a team that didn't win the Stanley Cup this year. 😉

I've been waiting for something like this since you changed your avatar, nyanko 😉

And, yes, I am guilty of being a fan of the team that didn't win this year (but won last year 😀)

back on topic.... as a non-trad who went back, I found it much, much easier to register for classes as a second degree seeking student even though I had no intentions of completing the second degree... I also took as many upper level science classes as I could to prove that I could handle the work (my previous degrees are in business)

 

[vulturesrow]

Hey, I know I'm a little late chiming in here (it's finals week and my internet procrastination has been mostly relegated to Facebook), but welcome to the board!

I also think that a grad program might be helpful. Besides the separate GPA, I think that doing well in an MS or PhD program would show that you're capable of graduate-level coursework. I'm not sure how that will work with your pre-reqs, that is if you have pre-reqs from before that you'll be able to use. But it sounds like you're well on your way to figuring out a good plan, once you've heard back from UF.

Good luck and keep us posted!

Thanks! I like the idea of a grad program, but I dont see how that is going to work along with having a bunch of prereqs to get. Also my GPA issues may cause me the same issues Im wrestling with right now.

I think you're getting me and her mixed up. 😉

"Sid the Kid Toucher", pfft, sounds like jealousy to me!

I'm easily confused. 😀

Sidney Crosby is the fine young hockey playing gentleman in my avatar holding up the Stanley Cup. His nickname in the NHL is Sid the Kid. Somebody must be a fan of a team that didn't win the Stanley Cup this year.

My first loyalty is to the Bruins, and then the Caps (and no Im not a bandwagon fan, those have always been my two favorite teams). But yeah,

I don't know much about hockey, but that is one cute hockey player! Now, if you were going to talk about football, I would have to put my fingers in my ears and go "lalalalalalalala" 🙄

Baseball, anyone? Let's go O's! 😀

Thanks for the reminder that football season is almost upon us, thank God! And Go Sox!

I've been waiting for something like this since you changed your avatar, nyanko 😉

And, yes, I am guilty of being a fan of the team that didn't win this year (but won last year 😀)

back on topic.... as a non-trad who went back, I found it much, much easier to register for classes as a second degree seeking student even though I had no intentions of completing the second degree... I also took as many upper level science classes as I could to prove that I could handle the work (my previous degrees are in business)

Thanks for the input. Id be interested in anything relevant you have to share with me about being a non-trad, feel free to PM me if you dont want to post it here. Thanks!


Seriously though, Nyan, get rid of the crybaby avatar. 😉

 

[spikey]

Drexel's also has a two year MLAS (master's of lab animal science) program, also geared toward veterinary applicants:
http://www.drexelmed.edu/Home/Acade...grams/VeterinaryMedicalScienceVMSProgram.aspx

There are plenty of people in my class that did the above to come to Penn. Besides that and my encouragement, I don't really have much to add to all the great things everybody has helped you with already. Good luck! 🙂

PS nyanko : Flyers for the cup in 2010! 😛

 

[zpinkpanther]

Thanks for the reminder that football season is almost upon us, thank God! And Go Sox!

As long as you're not a Yankees fan, I have no beef with you. 😉

ICK. Soooo not looking forward to another football season.

 

[shelterURIgirl]

I'm with you there on both accounts!

As long as you're not a Yankees fan, I have no beef with you. 😉

ICK. Soooo not looking forward to another football season.

 

[buckeye4runner]

More hijacking....
Not excited about football season??? Not even college?
wow....
Go Bucks! 😀