The Doin It Again Gang (Not) CO 2022

[CoffeeQuestionMark]

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Hi friends.

Welcome to a spot for all eternally waitlisted/unfortunately rejected applicants. Please gather, introduce yourselves to whatever extent you'd like, and share your frustrations

We can all wallow together.

I'll start. I am Coffee?, a second time applicant. First year I applied to two schools, rejected from both. This time I applied to three, waitlisted at all (if the trend continues, that means next year I'll be accepted at all)

I went in thinking, "ok this is the year, I am so ready". Which has made each passing week that I don't get pulled off the waitlist that much harder. It is this looming feeling like, I'm almost 24, heading into my second gap year, I can't start my life yet, and some days I feel like getting a good cry in but never do.

Your turn.

 

[Rozzieray]

Aww this is a good idea
Second time applicant, applied to 8 schools, 1 interview, waitlisted at 2 schools and 1 acceptance (Ross vet prep) as of today I withdrew my seat for ross because of the cons out weighing the pros. I’m also having the feeling maybe even number years aren’t lucky for me just kidding but ‘20 and ‘22 haven’t gone too well taking another gap year or two and getting more experience, working on some classes and making sure I have a 100% solid force field for the next time I apply. And my wallet will thank me as well

 

[jaboo]

MY TIME TO SHINE!

1st application cycle:
Cornell (IS)* - Rejected
Tufts - Interview waitlist, pulled off, then waitlisted
PennVet - Rejected
OSU - Rejected
Purdue - Rejected

2nd application cycle (this year):
Cornell (IS)* - Waitlisted (class currently full)
Tufts* - Rejected
PennVet* - Rejected
OSU - Rejected
OVC Guelph (Int'l) - Interviewed, then rejected
UW Madison - Waitlisted

*Doing/did a file review

As a low-income student who didn't become pre-vet until sophomore year of college, there are a lot of factors that I'm weak on. I also made several mistakes, including only file reviewing with Cornell last year and only applying to more competitive programs (mostly due to location--I'd like to stay close to home if possible).

This is great idea for a thread so we can learn from each others mistakes and support one another!

 

[jaboo]

I went in thinking, "ok this is the year, I am so ready". Which has made each passing week that I don't get pulled off the waitlist that much harder. It is this looming feeling like, I'm almost 24, heading into my second gap year, I can't start my life yet, and some days I feel like getting a good cry in but never do.

Major sympathy feels. I 100% relate to this. My tip is to watch a sad movie or YouTube videos (dogs seeing their military owners for the first time in a long time usually does it for me). Crying imo is very cathartic and necessary to move forward.

 

[SkiOtter]

I LOVE YOU ALL

 

[Rozzieray]

Are you guys planning on taking another gap year or going right back into reapplying?

 

[jaboo]

Are you guys planning on taking another gap year or going right back into reapplying?

I'll be re-applying. Thankfully I'm in a full time job at a vet school and my boss is both a researcher and a clinician. As it turns out, they'll be needing some extra help in the clinics this summer so I'll be shadowing/helping out a bit to get more veterinary experience.

ETA: I'll be doing this alongside my usual role as a lab manager/tech for the research side of things.

 

[LyraGardenia]

Just wanted to say I feel for you guys, I had to apply 3 times before I got my one acceptance! If you want to rant/commiserate feel free to PM me.

If you need some inspiration, here's my successful applicant stats post: Successful Applicant Stats - Class of 2020
And my thread from the last time I applied where I was almost about to give up after one of my LORs didn't get submitted on time: Late evaluation, need advice
And some general tips I wrote shortly after my acceptance, some of it is more for people earlier in the process, but some of it might help: Do's and Don'ts of Applying to Vet School

Do your file reviews, breathe, and know that this is not the end of the world!

 

[RedLauren]

I really feel for all of you too. After I didn’t get in my first try I was completely devastated. I think when you do get an acceptance you’ll be so much more appreciative of the opportunity to be a vet and it will be more meaningful to you than someone who didn’t have to work as long to get there. I’ll be rooting for you

 

[Madison2017]

I like this idea!! First time applicant, Florida resident, 22 years old.

I wasn’t very hopeful I’d get in anywhere this time around because of low gpa (3.18) and alright GRE scores. Only applied to UF (IS) & rejected, LMU (waitlist) and Ross (accepted). I wasn’t quite ready to decide to move out of the country so I’m going to reapply as I finish up my masters.

Also have lots of small animal experience and good LOR. Just not a ton of large animal experience but have 2 research projects lined up for the summer. Feeling hopeful & this forum definitely helps!!

 

[CoffeeQuestionMark]

Aww this is a good idea
Second time applicant, applied to 8 schools, 1 interview, waitlisted at 2 schools and 1 acceptance (Ross vet prep) as of today I withdrew my seat for ross because of the cons out weighing the pros. I’m also having the feeling maybe even number years aren’t lucky for me just kidding but ‘20 and ‘22 haven’t gone too well taking another gap year or two and getting more experience, working on some classes and making sure I have a 100% solid force field for the next time I apply. And my wallet will thank me as well

I cant believe how expensive it is to apply.
I have been joking around with friends and coworkers that after applying all that happened was I became poor and said

MY TIME TO SHINE!

1st application cycle:
Cornell (IS)* - Rejected
Tufts - Interview waitlist, pulled off, then waitlisted
PennVet - Rejected
OSU - Rejected
Purdue - Rejected

2nd application cycle (this year):
Cornell (IS)* - Waitlisted (class currently full)
Tufts* - Rejected
PennVet* - Rejected
OSU - Rejected
OVC Guelph (Int'l) - Interviewed, then rejected
UW Madison - Waitlisted

*Doing/did a file review

As a low-income student who didn't become pre-vet until sophomore year of college, there are a lot of factors that I'm weak on. I also made several mistakes, including only file reviewing with Cornell last year and only applying to more competitive programs (mostly due to location--I'd like to stay close to home if possible).

This is great idea for a thread so we can learn from each others mistakes and support one another!

I did the same thing with more competitive programs. I had in my head that I really wanted to go to Colorado. And if not, be close to the water. This year will forget all that :/

Major sympathy feels. I 100% relate to this. My tip is to watch a sad movie or YouTube videos (dogs seeing their military owners for the first time in a long time usually does it for me). Crying imo is very cathartic and necessary to move forward.

I cry from watching sad movies, but it never turns into a bawling session which is what I feel like would be good. And the triggers for those are random/unpredictable.

Are you guys planning on taking another gap year or going right back into reapplying?

I am definitely reapplying.
I think to determine whether or not you should reapply, evaluate whether you've improved the weak areas of your application or not. Like if you are lacking experience, was the last year spent diversifying yourself or doing the same thing, if it was GPA, has that gone up, etc

 

[CoffeeQuestionMark]

I like this idea!! First time applicant, Florida resident, 22 years old.

I wasn’t very hopeful I’d get in anywhere this time around because of low gpa (3.18) and alright GRE scores. Only applied to UF (IS) & rejected, LMU (waitlist) and Ross (accepted). I wasn’t quite ready to decide to move out of the country so I’m going to reapply as I finish up my masters.

Also have lots of small animal experience and good LOR. Just not a ton of large animal experience but have 2 research projects lined up for the summer. Feeling hopeful & this forum definitely helps!!

You should try applying to Michigan and Illinois! Both schools over look GPA once you make it to file review. My GPA is ok but I have a lower last 45 so at a disadvantage and I plan on applying to those 2

It really sucks that GPA is so hard to fix. But sounds like you're making good improvements

 

[SkiOtter]

I had in my head that I really wanted to go to Colorado. And if not, be close to the water. This year will forget all that :/

In the state of Michigan, you’re never more than 6 miles from a body of water and never more than 85 miles from the shore of a Great Lake 😉

 

[greeneyegal92]

Hello all, popping in to encourage and send love I finally got in this round (my 3rd round) with a not awesome GPA or GRE scores it can be done I believe in you all

 

[SkiOtter]

One of you guys should start the co 2023 thread 😉

 

[Relz.]

One of you guys should start the co 2023 thread 😉

I second this!

 

[Devastating]

I went in thinking, "ok this is the year, I am so ready". Which has made each passing week that I don't get pulled off the waitlist that much harder. It is this looming feeling like, I'm almost 24, heading into my second gap year, I can't start my life yet, and some days I feel like getting a good cry in but never do.

Your turn.

Hey, I totally get that feeling. This was my 3rd cycle applying, and I just turned 26 in March.

First attempt (2015-'16 cycle) - 4 schools, rejected at all. tbh, I wasn't well prepared at all on my first try, but I had taken a gap year after graduating to finish/retake some prereqs, and was so ready to finally start applying.

Second attempt ('16-'17) - 3(?) schools, "alternate for interview" at Ohio State

Current attempt - 4 schools, but this time I switched some out, so it's my first time applying at OK state and my in-state (TAMU). I interviewed at TAMU and the OSU, and soon afterward found out I'm an alternate at OKsu. Unfortunately, I didn't make it into either of the schools where I interviewed, so that (numberless) OK waitlist is my last hope for this year. It was painful because I really thought this would be my year too, that I could get into my IS at least. I'm hoping with all my being that I get called off the waitlist, but in the meantime I'll have to start another application to be safe.

I have a phone file review scheduled for Ohio State next week, and I won't be able to make TAMU's applicant workshop thing since it's the same day as graduation but I requested they send me my file review info too.

 

[RedLauren]

Hey, I totally get that feeling. This was my 3rd cycle applying, and I just turned 26 in March.

First attempt (2015-'16 cycle) - 4 schools, rejected at all. tbh, I wasn't well prepared at all on my first try, but I had taken a gap year after graduating to finish/retake some prereqs, and was so ready to finally start applying.

Second attempt ('16-'17) - 3(?) schools, "alternate for interview" at Ohio State

Current attempt - 4 schools, but this time I switched some out, so it's my first time applying at OK state and my in-state (TAMU). I interviewed at TAMU and the OSU, and soon afterward found out I'm an alternate at OKsu. Unfortunately, I didn't make it into either of the schools where I interviewed, so that (numberless) OK waitlist is my last hope for this year. It was painful because I really thought this would be my year too, that I could get into my IS at least. I'm hoping with all my being that I get called off the waitlist, but in the meantime I'll have to start another application to be safe.

I have a phone file review scheduled for Ohio State next week, and I won't be able to make TAMU's applicant workshop thing since it's the same day as graduation but I requested they send me my file review info too.

If you by some chance can make the TAMU applicant workshop I HIGHLY reccomend it. It helped me immensely with all of my applications last cycle. They print you out a personalized report of how you stacked up in every category compared to everyone else who applied that cycle.

 

[britzen]

Hey, I totally get that feeling. This was my 3rd cycle applying, and I just turned 26 in March.

Chin up to you and @CoffeeQuestionMark... Don't stress too much about age. Keep in mind that "full retirement age" per government definition is 67 years old now. Even if it takes a few tries to get in, you're still looking at a 35+ year career.

I was stressing at about ~30 because I didn't like the job path I was on and really felt like I needed to be settled already into a career. Then I realized if I graduated at age 37 (the current plan) I'd still have a 30 year career as a veterinarian. That took the stress off a bit.

 

[Relz.]

Chin up to you and @CoffeeQuestionMark... Don't stress too much about age. Keep in mind that "full retirement age" per government definition is 67 years old now. Even if it takes a few tries to get in, you're still looking at a 35+ year career.

My partner likes to remind me of this as well. I'm 23 and recently decided Vet Met was the career path for me, but I will need another year to take the pre-reqs, then wait another year while applying. I likely won't get in on my first try, so there goes another two years! It's stressful and sucks, especially since i'll have loads of debt when most people will be buying houses and starting families. But honestly? I wouldn't change it! If being a vet is what you want to do, you figure it out and pursue it with the same dedication and drive you had your first application cycle.

 

[Aqua_girl87]

Hey, I totally get that feeling. This was my 3rd cycle applying, and I just turned 26 in March.

First attempt (2015-'16 cycle) - 4 schools, rejected at all. tbh, I wasn't well prepared at all on my first try, but I had taken a gap year after graduating to finish/retake some prereqs, and was so ready to finally start applying.

Second attempt ('16-'17) - 3(?) schools, "alternate for interview" at Ohio State

Current attempt - 4 schools, but this time I switched some out, so it's my first time applying at OK state and my in-state (TAMU). I interviewed at TAMU and the OSU, and soon afterward found out I'm an alternate at OKsu. Unfortunately, I didn't make it into either of the schools where I interviewed, so that (numberless) OK waitlist is my last hope for this year. It was painful because I really thought this would be my year too, that I could get into my IS at least. I'm hoping with all my being that I get called off the waitlist, but in the meantime I'll have to start another application to be safe.

I have a phone file review scheduled for Ohio State next week, and I won't be able to make TAMU's applicant workshop thing since it's the same day as graduation but I requested they send me my file review info too.

Kuddos to you for sticking through it and trying again! I finally got accepted into MSU, after 4 application cycles!

My first application cycle was immediately post-graduation in 2013; rejected from all schools I applied to. My state of residence did not have a vet school (New Hampshire) so I packed up and moved down to North Carolina. Plus, I also wanted a charge of scenery after living in New England for most of my life so that was a good excuse too for me to move. I took a gap year, moved, landed a job as a veterinary assistant, took a couple online classes, and tried again. Thinking back, I should have applied to more schools than just my now IS school (NCSU), but I didn't for whatever reason. I guess I thought I would get accepted as an IS even if it took me multiple attempts, because the chances of gaining acceptance as OOS seemed so daunting at the time. So, with that said, my 2nd and 3rd attempt were to NCSU only; rejected both times. My 4th attempt, I applied a lot more smartly than I did in all of my previous times and applied to 5 schools total. It was the first time I had applied to MSU. I was not expecting to get an interview, let alone an acceptance - I was floored when I did!

Thinking back, yes, I would have liked to have been accepted the first time around but I am so thankful for all of the experiences (life, personal, and professional) I have gained since then. Besides, I have a greater sense of appreciation and value for my vet school acceptance compared to my first time I applied.

Hard work and perseverance does pay off! If vet med is truly what you want to do and you can't imagine yourself doing anything else, it will happen. I'm a strong believer that things happen for a reason. I know it did for me. Keep applying, get though file reviews, find ways to improve, and try again. You'll get there! I have faith and the utmost respect in all of you for reapplying.

Feel free to PM me if you have any questions or just want to talk. 🙂

 

[Devastating]

If you by some chance can make the TAMU applicant workshop I HIGHLY reccomend it. It helped me immensely with all of my applications last cycle. They print you out a personalized report of how you stacked up in every category compared to everyone else who applied that cycle.

Unfortunately I absolutely can't because they're holding it on the 18th, which is when my grad ceremony is (I'm finishing up a second degree), and I live several hours from College Station--BUT, when I responded to their RSVP form to say that I won't be attending, they had a checkbox where you could request the personalized report if you can't make it, so I should at least still be getting that info! (which is great because I'm really curious about my standing and was disappointed that I wouldn't be able to make the workshop, ha. They really kept that option tucked away on the RSVP form)

And thanks @britzen and @Aqua_girl87 for the encouragement (and congrats on MSU btw!!) It's just sucked the past few years feeling that "can't start my life yet" thing, but seeing how many vet students are older than me always puts things into perspective (I had an externship at TAMU over the winter break and met a few older 4th years there too). Just weird to think that I'll be at least 30 by the time I get out, when I would have been graduating this year had I theoretically gone in straight out of undergrad. I'm also glad I had that gap year, though, and the program I'm in now has also given me a lot more insight into the field.

Just hoping hoping hoping that I do get that call from Oklahoma this summer

 

[SkiOtter]

Just hoping hoping hoping that I do get that call from Oklahoma this summer

Hoping for the best for you, Deva😍

 

[CoffeeQuestionMark]

Hey, I totally get that feeling. This was my 3rd cycle applying, and I just turned 26 in March.

First attempt (2015-'16 cycle) - 4 schools, rejected at all. tbh, I wasn't well prepared at all on my first try, but I had taken a gap year after graduating to finish/retake some prereqs, and was so ready to finally start applying.

Second attempt ('16-'17) - 3(?) schools, "alternate for interview" at Ohio State

Current attempt - 4 schools, but this time I switched some out, so it's my first time applying at OK state and my in-state (TAMU). I interviewed at TAMU and the OSU, and soon afterward found out I'm an alternate at OKsu. Unfortunately, I didn't make it into either of the schools where I interviewed, so that (numberless) OK waitlist is my last hope for this year. It was painful because I really thought this would be my year too, that I could get into my IS at least. I'm hoping with all my being that I get called off the waitlist, but in the meantime I'll have to start another application to be safe.

I have a phone file review scheduled for Ohio State next week, and I won't be able to make TAMU's applicant workshop thing since it's the same day as graduation but I requested they send me my file review info too.

Ugh sorry to hear you relate to it and how long it is taking you. It is so hard too that like any job that can be beneficial to an application... Doesn't pay well... So we're stuck being poor til this finally happens

Have you been strategic about where you are applying?? My two application cycles I just applied where I "wanted" to go, but after being on SDN have learned there are schools that have admissions processes which may suit my application better.

So this year I'm applying to some that I "want" to go to and some that may be a good fit... And it just *has* to happen this time

 

[SkiOtter]

So this year I'm applying to some that I "want" to go to and some that may be a good fit... And it just *has* to happen this time

It will happen!!!!!!

 

[Devastating]

Ugh sorry to hear you relate to it and how long it is taking you. It is so hard too that like any job that can be beneficial to an application... Doesn't pay well... So we're stuck being poor til this finally happens

Have you been strategic about where you are applying?? My two application cycles I just applied where I "wanted" to go, but after being on SDN have learned there are schools that have admissions processes which may suit my application better.

So this year I'm applying to some that I "want" to go to and some that may be a good fit... And it just *has* to happen this time

Yeah, I hear you on the job thing too. For these 3 years, I've only had sporadic temporary part-time jobs and unpaid/volunteer internships, so no money here! Even with help from family, it definitely limited the amount of schools I could afford to apply to.

On my first try, I definitely wasn't strategic. The 4 schools I applied to were my undergrad (LSU) and 3 others where I just happened to have all the prereqs. I quickly found out that applying to LSU was not a smart choice in my case because they have very few OOS seats and are consequently very, very competitive in the GPA area, my weak point. So did try to be more strategic last year and this year: I applied to Ohio State again because they have a lot of OOS seats, and I was able to apply to my in-state for the first time (was missing too many prereqs in previous years). Since I already had to enroll in Organic Chem II for TAMU, I added Oklahoma State since that was the only prereq I was missing for them as well. I got on the OOS waitlist, so guess that was a good choice! If I do end up having to apply a 4th time, I'm getting my LVT certification this summer and will finally be able to get a real job so I'll look into adding additional schools like MSU, or ones that favor last 45 GPA.

You mentioned being on the waitlist at 3 schools, do you know your position on the lists? There's technically still hope!

 

[SkiOtter]

Yeah, I hear you on the job thing too. For these 3 years, I've only had sporadic temporary part-time jobs and unpaid/volunteer internships, so no money here! Even with help from family, it definitely limited the amount of schools I could afford to apply to.

On my first try, I definitely wasn't strategic. The 4 schools I applied to were my undergrad (LSU) and 3 others where I just happened to have all the prereqs. I quickly found out that applying to LSU was not a smart choice in my case because they have very few OOS seats and are consequently very, very competitive in the GPA area, my weak point. So did try to be more strategic last year and this year: I applied to Ohio State again because they have a lot of OOS seats, and I was able to apply to my in-state for the first time (was missing too many prereqs in previous years). Since I already had to enroll in Organic Chem II for TAMU, I added Oklahoma State since that was the only prereq I was missing for them as well. I got on the OOS waitlist, so guess that was a good choice! If I do end up having to apply a 4th time, I'm getting my LVT certification this summer and will finally be able to get a real job so I'll look into adding additional schools like MSU, or ones that favor last 45 GPA.

You mentioned being on the waitlist at 3 schools, do you know your position on the lists? There's technically still hope!

I know Kansas State likes last 45 and Illinois doesn’t factor gpa into their admissions decisions, they just use it to see who makes it to phase 2 where they look at the rest of your app (and mine wasn’t super amazing and I made it to phase 2 and then interviews both times I applied). Iowa State also likes last 45 and this year didn’t interview, but idk if they’ll continue with that or if they’ll bring them back. ISU uses cumulative gpa only to make sure you meet their minimum (2.75 I think???) but it’s not factored into decisions.
Hoping Oklahoma State calls you up soon and you don’t have to worry about another cycle!!

 

[SkiOtter]

Ooo I just remembered something

Last year on the check status page of my vmcas, it still had the transcripts I had sent to schools with a vmcas code the cycle prior listed with their original received dates (which I thought was weird because schools said you had to resubmit them) so I called vmcas and asked about them and the guy told me that they were all still there so I didn’t end up having to resend my gre scores to a couple schools that had the vmcas code the first time around. So I’d recommend you guys checking with vmcas and seeing if you need to resubmit the ones that were submitted to the vmcas code. Def saved myself a smidge of money last cycle by not having to resend some.

 

[CoffeeQuestionMark]

Ooo I just remembered something

Last year on the check status page of my vmcas, it still had the transcripts I had sent to schools with a vmcas code the cycle prior listed with their original received dates (which I thought was weird because schools said you had to resubmit them) so I called vmcas and asked about them and the guy told me that they were all still there so I didn’t end up having to resend my gre scores to a couple schools that had the vmcas code the first time around. So I’d recommend you guys checking with vmcas and seeing if you need to resubmit the ones that were submitted to the vmcas code. Def saved myself a smidge of money last cycle by not having to resend some.

When I reapplied last year I didn't have to resubmit transcripts or GRE to any schools. Is submitted final transcripts to VMCAS but that was it.

 

[SkiOtter]

When I reapplied last year I didn't have to resubmit transcripts or GRE to any schools. Is submitted final transcripts to VMCAS but that was it.

Yeah that too, but I think vmcas says that transcripts they keep? Schools themselves say gres need to be resubmitted even if they used a vmcas code both years, whereas I didn’t find it anywhere on the vmcas site that gres didn’t need to be resubmitted.

 

[WildZoo]

Hey, I totally get that feeling. This was my 3rd cycle applying, and I just turned 26 in March.

First attempt (2015-'16 cycle) - 4 schools, rejected at all. tbh, I wasn't well prepared at all on my first try, but I had taken a gap year after graduating to finish/retake some prereqs, and was so ready to finally start applying.

Second attempt ('16-'17) - 3(?) schools, "alternate for interview" at Ohio State

Current attempt - 4 schools, but this time I switched some out, so it's my first time applying at OK state and my in-state (TAMU). I interviewed at TAMU and the OSU, and soon afterward found out I'm an alternate at OKsu. Unfortunately, I didn't make it into either of the schools where I interviewed, so that (numberless) OK waitlist is my last hope for this year. It was painful because I really thought this would be my year too, that I could get into my IS at least. I'm hoping with all my being that I get called off the waitlist, but in the meantime I'll have to start another application to be safe.

I have a phone file review scheduled for Ohio State next week, and I won't be able to make TAMU's applicant workshop thing since it's the same day as graduation but I requested they send me my file review info too.

First of all, HAI DEVA WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN I'VE MISSED YOU COME PLAY WW WITH US

Second, I hope you get that call this summer, but if you don't, I hope the file reviews are helpful for next cycle.

And to everone here, one of my friends applied 4 times before she got in. She is one of the best students in my class, and is one of the people I know I would absolutely trust to take care of my pets. I also know a brilliant vet who took 5 tries. And many, many people around these forums who applied multiple times. So keep your heads up. I'm rooting for you guys.