The Support Group - A place for admissions-related rants and worries.

[Hotfillyky]

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I'm having a mini panic attack over paying for my application and other stuff

Dude! Mine's not a mini, it is a full blown panic.....I have already cut my list of schools twice. I have 4 schools to get transcripts from not to mention that I have barely started my supp apps. Plus, I am working 40 hours a week and getting ready to start shadowing an equine vet.😱

 

[485501]

Thanks for the PS character-cutting advice!

 

[lolobend86]

Hey guys.. I didnt get in last cycle so I attempted to improvemy application..I took Biochem and Animal Nutrition at the Graduate level and didnt do so hot...( A C in Biochem and a B in AnimalNutrition)-the courses were taught by the dept. heads....sigh* I was working 40-50 hrs a week, volunteering , doingmy apps and ended a 2 yr relationship...all at the sametime...somy question is...since I actually weakened my application is it best to wait another year when hopefullyy it will be stronger? I know you all say GPA isnt everything but that is what is preventing them from looking at the rest of my app... I just woke up this morning wondering if im just not a strong enough candidate...and beatingmyself up for not getting As like they say you should do (as if my osmosis) - any support would be appreciated.

le sad.

 

[uoguelph]

Hey guys.. I didnt get in last cycle so I attempted to improvemy application..I took Biochem and Animal Nutrition at the Graduate level and didnt do so hot...( A C in Biochem and a B in AnimalNutrition)-the courses were taught by the dept. heads....sigh* I was working 40-50 hrs a week, volunteering , doingmy apps and ended a 2 yr relationship...all at the sametime...somy question is...since I actually weakened my application is it best to wait another year when hopefullyy it will be stronger? I know you all say GPA isnt everything but that is what is preventing them from looking at the rest of my app... I just woke up this morning wondering if im just not a strong enough candidate...and beatingmyself up for not getting As like they say you should do (as if my osmosis) - any support would be appreciated.

le sad.

I'm not sure which veterinary school you are applying to but if you weakened your application it's probably not a good idea. Try again if you really want to but working 40 - 50 hours every week is a little too much if you are trying to improve your grades!!! 😱That's my opinion anyways so maybe work less if you can and slow down with the volunteering because you need to concentrate on your GPA. Good luck!

 

[wldlfstdnt]

I feel sick. One of my eLOR people is gone for 2 weeks. He has constantly asked me to pester him about the eLOR. So last week I reminded him about it and he said he would get it done before he left. HE DIDN'T DO IT! It makes me stressed and I want to cry.

 

[485501]

I feel sick. One of my eLOR people is gone for 2 weeks. He has constantly asked me to pester him about the eLOR. So last week I reminded him about it and he said he would get it done before he left. HE DIDN'T DO IT! It makes me stressed and I want to cry.

That really sucks. I recommend chocolate (if you're somewhere where there's a See's Candy, you can go in and they'll give you a free sample), and sending him emails every other day after he gets back until he does it (unless that will annoy him).

 

[Minnerbelle]

I feel sick. One of my eLOR people is gone for 2 weeks. He has constantly asked me to pester him about the eLOR. So last week I reminded him about it and he said he would get it done before he left. HE DIDN'T DO IT! It makes me stressed and I want to cry.

Oh don't worry, he'll be back before the deadline so I'm sure he'll pull through for you. Not good for the heart, but the person who wrote me my best LOR didn't submit until the last day...

 

[wldlfstdnt]

That really sucks. I recommend chocolate (if you're somewhere where there's a See's Candy, you can go in and they'll give you a free sample), and sending him emails every other day after he gets back until he does it (unless that will annoy him).

He sent it in last night! I sent the official vmcas reminder and he did it.

Oh don't worry, he'll be back before the deadline so I'm sure he'll pull through for you. Not good for the heart, but the person who wrote me my best LOR didn't submit until the last day...

Sent from my PC36100 using SDN Mobile

 

[485501]

He sent it in last night! I sent the official vmcas reminder and he did it.

Yay!

 

[Kpowell14]

Im having a lot of anxiety about this whole app process. Mostly about my PS & essays.. Before getting on SDN I thought I was an excellant candidate.. lots of experience, great grades.. I knew the process was competetive.. Ive done research for as long as I can remember on the schools I wanted to attend, what the stats were for their classes etc etc. But now after scoping out the pre-vet thread, I feel like im just like everyone else that is applying. This has made writing my essays a struggle... I have put a lot of pressure on myself to stand out.. be memorable, and now im in a panic because I feel Normal.'

has anyone else been through this?
how did you overcome it?
any advice at all is appreciated!

 

[bbeventer]

Im having a lot of anxiety about this whole app process. Mostly about my PS & essays.. Before getting on SDN I thought I was an excellant candidate.. lots of experience, great grades.. I knew the process was competetive.. Ive done research for as long as I can remember on the schools I wanted to attend, what the stats were for their classes etc etc. But now after scoping out the pre-vet thread, I feel like im just like everyone else that is applying. This has made writing my essays a struggle... I have put a lot of pressure on myself to stand out.. be memorable, and now im in a panic because I feel Normal.'

has anyone else been through this?
how did you overcome it?
any advice at all is appreciated!

Just talk about yourself... no one else is you.

 

[Emiloo4]

Just talk about yourself... no one else is you.

So I didn't know how to make myself stand out either. So I told of an experience I had of a cat engulfing in flames under anesthesia. I tied my "critical thinking skills" into it, and I figured I would be sure to stand out at least a little

 

[bbeventer]

So I didn't know how to make myself stand out either. So I told of an experience I had of a cat engulfing in flames under anesthesia. I tied my "critical thinking skills" into it, and I figured I would be sure to stand out at least a little

👍
Yep, this is what I did. Basically, each person has different personal experiences that only they can elaborate on, so use those to your advantage.

 

[orca2011]

Im having a lot of anxiety about this whole app process. Mostly about my PS & essays.. Before getting on SDN I thought I was an excellant candidate.. lots of experience, great grades.. I knew the process was competetive.. Ive done research for as long as I can remember on the schools I wanted to attend, what the stats were for their classes etc etc. But now after scoping out the pre-vet thread, I feel like im just like everyone else that is applying. This has made writing my essays a struggle... I have put a lot of pressure on myself to stand out.. be memorable, and now im in a panic because I feel Normal.'

has anyone else been through this?
how did you overcome it?
any advice at all is appreciated!

Don't worry. I still don't think I stand out at all. In fact, I feel downright unimpressive next to a lot of applicants and I still managed to get accepted/wait listed at several schools. All you can do is present yourself in the best way possible on paper and then really shine during interviews.

Also, SDN tends to have that effect on people. My first cycle I was not a member of this site and had no idea who I was being compared with. My second cycle was wayyy more stressful because I felt like I didn't deserve to get in (despite doing pretty well during my first cycle and getting good feedback on my applications) and didn't match up to a lot of people. It really is a catch-22 situation; meet awesome people but become uber stressed from September to April. Just do your best and know we're all here for you no matter the outcome.

 

[futurehealervet]

Hi Guys,
I have been thinking about all the components required for apps to vet school and am particularly worried about extracurriculars and leadership experience. I'm not very outgoing, in fact I am painfully shy and while I can join clubs, I am not sure how to make my extracurriculars strong or how to get any leadership experience. Does anyone have any advice? Also, Cornell is my #1 choice, how much does this stuff count on their app.?

 

[Emiloo4]

Hi Guys,
I have been thinking about all the components required for apps to vet school and am particularly worried about extracurriculars and leadership experience. I'm not very outgoing, in fact I am painfully shy and while I can join clubs, I am not sure how to make my extracurriculars strong or how to get any leadership experience. Does anyone have any advice? Also, Cornell is my #1 choice, how much does this stuff count on their app.?

Are you a NY resident?

 

[futurehealervet]

Are you a NY resident?

Yes

 

[485501]

Hi Guys,
I have been thinking about all the components required for apps to vet school and am particularly worried about extracurriculars and leadership experience. I'm not very outgoing, in fact I am painfully shy and while I can join clubs, I am not sure how to make my extracurriculars strong or how to get any leadership experience. Does anyone have any advice? Also, Cornell is my #1 choice, how much does this stuff count on their app.?

A few thoughts:

One, definitely join clubs - anything that interests you and that you have time for. Often clubs have administrative positions that don't involve talking to people much. In one of the clubs I was in, the Secretary just took notes, voted quietly when there was a vote, and then sent the meeting minutes around.

Two, can you think of something to do that isn't in person? Helping with a phone-calling campaign or letter-writing campaign for an animal rights or environmental cause, starting an online forum for people to talk about something, etc. etc. I have run riddle/puzzle contests via email and the internet for friends and interested parties, and I definitely put that on my application.

Three, you might have to do something about that shyness. It is a serious handicap in interviews and office hours and such, not to mention will make being a practicing vet very difficult for you. Does your school have a public speaking course? Is there a club you can join that helps people be more comfortable with being outgoing? I'm saying this because I was told by several professors, advisors, and vets that being outgoing (or being able to act outgoing) was very important for working as a vet.

 

[futurehealervet]

A few thoughts:

One, definitely join clubs - anything that interests you and that you have time for. Often clubs have administrative positions that don't involve talking to people much. In one of the clubs I was in, the Secretary just took notes, voted quietly when there was a vote, and then sent the meeting minutes around.

Two, can you think of something to do that isn't in person? Helping with a phone-calling campaign or letter-writing campaign for an animal rights or environmental cause, starting an online forum for people to talk about something, etc. etc. I have run riddle/puzzle contests via email and the internet for friends and interested parties, and I definitely put that on my application.

Three, you might have to do something about that shyness. It is a serious handicap in interviews and office hours and such, not to mention will make being a practicing vet very difficult for you. Does your school have a public speaking course? Is there a club you can join that helps people be more comfortable with being outgoing? I'm saying this because I was told by several professors, advisors, and vets that being outgoing (or being able to act outgoing) was very important for working as a vet.

Thanks for the great suggestions. I am working on my shyness, I have been assissting a vet at a small animal hospital so that has helped. Talking to "animal people" is always easier as well. Luckily I just started sophomore year so Ive got a little time to work on this stuff. Thanks for the advice!

 

[equinelvr]

Thanks for the great suggestions. I am working on my shyness, I have been assissting a vet at a small animal hospital so that has helped. Talking to "animal people" is always easier as well. Luckily I just started sophomore year so Ive la little time to work on this stuff. Thanks for the advice!

I can definitely understand the shyness 🙄 but getting involved in a variety of clubs or activities that force me to deal with new people all the time has really helped me come out of my shell and get over being shy 🙂

 

[Abnerrs]

I'm getting sick thinking about this. I JUST went through this. With interviews and traveling for said interviews and the ups and downs. Did I get in? Waitlisted. Did I get a call? No. Never getting a chance to catch my breath. I just, in this exact moment, don't want to do it again. Sigh.

 

[wildcatj]

I'm getting sick thinking about this. I JUST went through this. With interviews and traveling for said interviews and the ups and downs. Did I get in? Waitlisted. Did I get a call? No. Never getting a chance to catch my breath. I just, in this exact moment, don't want to do it again. Sigh.

You can do it!!!!

The dancing bananas say so.

 

[Abnerrs]

I think I'm scared I won't be quite good enough again......

 

[DVMDream]

I think I'm scared I won't be quite good enough again......

You CAN do it!! I know how hard it is to keep throwing that application back into the ring, but don't give up!! You are amazing and you just have to show them how amazing you are!! Keep your chin up and just keep trucking along and if you need to talk, PM me. I can't tell you how many times I had the same thought of not wanting to go through the process again.

 

[Emiloo4]

I think I'm scared I won't be quite good enough again......

Abs, I know your stats and they are awesome. I am still rather confused on what happened last year for you, as I see you as above average and a promising candidate. I have SO much faith in you, and you know this place is gonna explode this year each time you get good news. Don't take that away from us 😉. No but seriously, you got this. I'm no adcom, and obviously admissions is a crap shoot, but I can't see how you couldn't have positive outcomes this year. DO IT FOR US!!!!!! 😉

You are MORE then welcome to stay with me for your FL interview 🙂xf🙂 and I will ask my dogs if they'd still be willing to share their food 😀

 

[Hotfillyky]

I think I'm scared I won't be quite good enough again......

I feel your pain........I am freaked about this too and it makes me want to do this

Honestly, I don't know what I will do if no school can see my worth this time 🙁


Perhaps I shall just move to the islands with my volleyball and drink margaritas and rattlesnakes all the rest of my days.....

 

[Daydreamer03710]

I am applying for the second time and one of my letter of references was from my high school tennis coach, I also taught as a counsler for his summer camps for 4 years. I know his letter was very good last year so would it be bad if he didnt change his? The vet I work for is changing his to include all the new stuff Ive been doing at the clinic but it doesnt seem that necessary for my tennis coach...right?

 

[bbeventer]

I am applying for the second time and one of my letter of references was from my high school tennis coach, I also taught as a counsler for his summer camps for 4 years. I know his letter was very good last year so would it be bad if he didnt change his? The vet I work for is changing his to include all the new stuff Ive been doing at the clinic but it doesnt seem that necessary for my tennis coach...right?

Was the counselor position post high school? I don't know what others think about this, but I feel that using a high school connection for the VMCAS would be a weak reference, especially if you are relying on it as one of your pivotal 3.

 

[Emiloo4]

Was the counselor position post high school? I don't know what others think about this, but I feel that using a high school connection for the VMCAS would be a weak reference, especially if you are relying on it as one of your pivotal 3.

I'm gonna have to agree. Not because he wouldn't write a good letter, but adcoms may want to see someone "vouch for you" in a much more recent sense. JMO I guess, but something to think about. Applying to veterinary school, IMO, requires different recommendations than you would put down for a job reference.

 

[Kpowell14]

Having a panic attack.. We recently got a a new Pre vet advisor at my university... like last week 😱 ..... She is really awesome, but after reading my PS she basically told me I needed to cut most of it out.. And put other stuff in it... I do not mind doing this... But time is just running out. I feel like I could .. Crawling under a bridge now.

 

[DVMDream]

Having a panic attack.. We recently got a a new Pre vet advisor at my university... like last week 😱 ..... She is really awesome, but after reading my PS she basically told me I needed to cut most of it out.. And put other stuff in it... I do not mind doing this... But time is just running out. I feel like I could .. Crawling under a bridge now.

Has anyone else read your PS? Every person is going to have a different opinion about what makes a good PS vs. what does not (In one year the review I got from one school said to work on my PS and one of the other schools said it was good, so opinions will vary even between the schools). If other people have read it and suggested the same things, then I would probably be more willing to change it up, but if other people have read it and think it is good the way it is, then I may only take some of the advisors advice. I think it is best to get varying opinions and to combine all of the opinions that you get (including your own opinions, after all this is YOUR PS) to kind of make a final PS based off all of them. There will probably be some opinions that you do not use and some that you do but not quite to the extent they had suggested. Best of luck! 🙂

 

[Kpowell14]

Has anyone else read your PS? Every person is going to have a different opinion about what makes a good PS vs. what does not (In one year the review I got from one school said to work on my PS and one of the other schools said it was good, so opinions will vary even between the schools). If other people have read it and suggested the same things, then I would probably be more willing to change it up, but if other people have read it and think it is good the way it is, then I may only take some of the advisors advice. I think it is best to get varying opinions and to combine all of the opinions that you get (including your own opinions, after all this is YOUR PS) to kind of make a final PS based off all of them. There will probably be some opinions that you do not use and some that you do but not quite to the extent they had suggested. Best of luck! 🙂

She is not the only person that has read it. I have been going to the writing lab on campus to have professors read it too. I guess since she knows the field better than the other people it has made me weigh her opinion heavily. Bleh. I am gonna take into account some of he things she said and head bak to the writing lab on monday! Thanks!

 

[Emiloo4]

I think it is best to get varying opinions and to combine all of the opinions that you get (including your own opinions, after all this is YOUR PS) to kind of make a final PS based off all of them. There will probably be some opinions that you do not use and some that you do but not quite to the extent they had suggested. Best of luck! 🙂

THIS 👍

 

[bbeventer]

She is not the only person that has read it. I have been going to the writing lab on campus to have professors read it too. I guess since she knows the field better than the other people it has made me weigh her opinion heavily. Bleh. I am gonna take into account some of he things she said and head bak to the writing lab on monday! Thanks!

Not that you should not make use of your pre-health advisors but most of them are trained more for the dental and medical fields. I highly suggest you get some people here on SDN to read your PS before you decide to scrap the whole thing.

 

[anotherbusybee]

I'm almost done with my apps and I'm going so friggin stir-crazy I can't think of anything else, am losing interest in basic things like food and exercise (WHICH I USED TO LOVE??!?!?!), and am wasting precious study-time on freaking out.

But talking about it helps a lot. So, here's a big question:
I seem to get the feeling that schools care more about your evaluations than your PS. I chose my evaluators carefully, and they are all DVM/PhDs who've known me for >1 year and who have promoted me to higher positions. One even sent me a draft of the letter, and it reflected highly of me regarding my leadership and communication skills. So, I'm confident that my evaluations will be strong. This is especially vital for my app because my science GPA is abysmally low (3.1-3.2). My overall GPA is close to a 3.6.

My top schools right now are Washington, Illinois, and Davis. What do you guys think????

 

[fromthebox]

I'm almost done with my apps and I'm going so friggin stir-crazy I can't think of anything else, am losing interest in basic things like food and exercise (WHICH I USED TO LOVE??!?!?!), and am wasting precious study-time on freaking out.

But talking about it helps a lot. So, here's a big question:
I seem to get the feeling that schools care more about your evaluations than your PS. I chose my evaluators carefully, and they are all DVM/PhDs who've known me for >1 year and who have promoted me to higher positions. One even sent me a draft of the letter, and it reflected highly of me regarding my leadership and communication skills. So, I'm confident that my evaluations will be strong. This is especially vital for my app because my science GPA is abysmally low (3.1-3.2). My overall GPA is close to a 3.6.

My top schools right now are Washington, Illinois, and Davis. What do you guys think????

There is a stat thread titled "what are my chances?" that is much more likely to help with stat evaluation.

I think you have a great shot. The other place to check is stat threads for accepted students.

I know how hard it is to go through this process, I've been through it enough 🙄 if you are freaking out/ losing interest in things you love you need to address it. That is no bueno. Take a "me" day, relax, don't worry and just be you, if you have to force yourself even, it will help you to get back to where you need to be.

 

[bbeventer]

My top schools right now are Washington, Illinois, and Davis. What do you guys think????

I think you have a great shot. The other place to check is stat threads for accepted students.

Your almost there. I think you have a great shot as well 👍

 

[anotherbusybee]

I posted in the Stats thread, and I sorta got mixed reviews. So, now that I've chosen my evaluators and they're almost done turning in their letters, I was hoping to get revised opinions. Gahhhh. I just want to be sure I chose schools that put enough weight on non-science GPA criteria 🙁

 

[catlady816]

That awkward moment when there's a week left until everything is due and two of your evaluators haven't turned your evaluation in. I'm dying right now.

 

[wldlfstdnt]

That awkward moment when there's a week left until everything is due and two of your evaluators haven't turned your evaluation in. I'm dying right now.

I know!!! I have one left!!

 

[bbeventer]

That awkward moment when there's a week left until everything is due and two of your evaluators haven't turned your evaluation in. I'm dying right now.

Just send them a friendly reminder. I had an evaluator submit 30mins before the deadline, thought I was going to have a heart attack.

 

[wildcatj]

Just send them a friendly reminder. I had an evaluator submit 30mins before the deadline, thought I was going to have a heart attack.

I would have killed them. That is horrible.

 

[marino0213]

Just send them a friendly reminder. I had an evaluator submit 30mins before the deadline, thought I was going to have a heart attack.

+1 (Well mine submitted 59 minutes before the deadline!)

I sent a few reminder e-mails through VMCAS the week everything was due. I also sent a friendly e-mail reminding my evaluator of the due date. The morning of, I sent a text message to the tech at the hospital asking if he could make sure that it got submitted on time. He asked the doctor about it and the problem was that he could not operate the submission form (he is an older veterinarian who is not good with technology) so the tech had to type everything that was handwritten.

It turned out fine though! 🙂

 

[forks4spoons]

Just send them a friendly reminder. I had an evaluator submit 30mins before the deadline, thought I was going to have a heart attack.

Holy moses. I would DIE!!!

I sent my last evaluator an e-mail this morning. He's like "don't worry! it'll be submitted. I have it starred and ready to go." I did this to him last year, too. Bah. I'm sure I'm driving him crazy, but I hate waiting till the last minute to do something. Even tho there are a few days left, I still feel like it's "last minute"!

 

[wldlfstdnt]

Holy moses. I would DIE!!!

I sent my last evaluator an e-mail this morning. He's like "don't worry! it'll be submitted. I have it starred and ready to go." I did this to him last year, too. Bah. I'm sure I'm driving him crazy, but I hate waiting till the last minute to do something. Even tho there are a few days left, I still feel like it's "last minute"!

I don't want to drive mine crazy either, but it is just making me more stressed. I sent a nice email today too. Here is hoping

 

[equineconstant]

I found out yesterday that LSU didn't get my transcript, and I got my school to re-send it. Only problem is, it needs to be there by Tuesday...Registrar faxed a copy, too, but of course LSU won't count that because it's unofficial. 🙄

Right now I'm thinking if my tracking page doesn't show that they received it when I'm done with class tomorrow afternoon I'll go to the registrar and try to get them to overnight it with FedEx...guess I'll just have to eat the cost, not like I've already paid way too much for applications or anything...does that sound like the best response? LSU is one of my top choices, so it's really important that my transcript is there so they'll at least consider me!

 

[Emiloo4]

They just laid my grandpa to rest. I hate that I'm not there. Miss you already, Grandpa.

 

[DVMDream]

They just laid my grandpa to rest. I hate that I'm not there. Miss you already, Grandpa.

I'm so sorry, Emiloo... 🙁

 

[Emiloo4]

I'm so sorry, Emiloo... 🙁

And now I'm heading into an anatomy exam 🙄 Hope they don't mind tear soaked papers.

 

[nyanko]

And now I'm heading into an anatomy exam 🙄 Hope they don't mind tear soaked papers.

if it's anything like most school's anatomy exams, they're used to it