Third Timers!

[Robdude]

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I read a study that said vet students who get accepted on their 3rd year of trying end up earning, on average, 47% more, than vet students who get in on their first or second try.

They are also better looking.

....or so I heard.

 

[natalieises]

hahaha I love that. Any third timers had any interviews yet???

 

[HopefulAg]

I read a study that said vet students who get accepted on their 3rd year of trying end up earning, on average, 47% more, than vet students who get in on their first or second try.

They are also better looking.

....or so I heard.

So I know the second statement is true but not so sure about the first. If it is, I wonder what the underlying cause is.

hahaha I love that. Any third timers had any interviews yet???

I have one the day after tomorrow. Which hopefully goes better than the movie by the same name.

 

[natalieises]

If a tornado blows through NYC than we won't have to worry about interviews anymore...the world is ending.

Good luck with the interview! Still waiting til mid Jan for any news here. bleh

 

[Sophie10]

I read a study that said vet students who get accepted on their 3rd year of trying end up earning, on average, 47% more, than vet students who get in on their first or second try.

They are also better looking.

....or so I heard.

Do you have a source for the first part?? I would love to bring that up in my interview if need be!! 🙂

 

[AlaskaGrad]

I have one the day after tomorrow. Which hopefully goes better than the movie by the same name.

Good luck on your interview!!

 

[Robdude]

hahaha I love that. Any third timers had any interviews yet???

None here 🙁 Got a rejection though. Still have three schools I haven't heard back from.....

 

[jpeterman13]

They are also better looking.

....or so I heard.

haha, that's weird.

If a tornado blows through NYC than we won't have to worry about interviews anymore...the world is ending.

Don't worry, Dennis Quaid is still around to save the day if we need him.

I'm probably going to have to wait until Jan. for Western and Illinois. Hopefully I hear from Iowa soon. No rejections yet I suppose, it's hard to see that things are already moving along for a lot of the people in the acceptance thread.

 

[Sophie10]

hahaha I love that. Any third timers had any interviews yet???

My OSU interview is Thursday. I'm feeling good!

 

[natalieises]

Don't worry, Dennis Quaid is still around to save the day if we need him.

I'm probably going to have to wait until Jan. for Western and Illinois.

Those are two of my 3 schools! We can wait in torture together because it will be mid jan before we hear anything. bleh.

I have no faith in dennis quaid...maybe hugh jackman though😍

 

[jpeterman13]

Those are two of my 3 schools! We can wait in torture together because it will be mid jan before we hear anything. bleh.

I have no faith in dennis quaid...maybe hugh jackman though😍

yea hugh jackman is pretty much a bad a**. I mean, he's got a skeleton made of adamantium. It's good to know that I'm not alone in having to wait until Jan. I'm really on the edge of my seat about Western. I really want to go there, it's my 1st OOS choice. Maybe we'll be classmates

 

[natalieises]

I'm really on the edge of my seat about Western. I really want to go there, it's my 1st OOS choice. Maybe we'll be classmates

Yea I fell in love with western when I went for my interview last year. Plus, the 70 degree weather in January (when it was -15 in chicago) didn't hurt either! Here's hoping we get a california vacation in january!

 

[Sophie10]

I just wanted to tell you guys that I interviewed today at OSU and I think I did so well!! I felt really really good coming out of there.. not out of cognitive dissonance, but because I actually did well! WOOT!

 

[Wolphcats]

This is my first time posting here, but my third time applying. I have my fingers crossed! I went to an undergraduate school which does not offer grades (but is constantly rated as one of the top 5 public schools in the US by US News and the Princeton Review). When I entered the school, I was originally planning on going into research. I returned to my original goal of becoming a vet my 2nd year, but did not want to transfer. Let me tell you, having no GPA has been a downer. I was told from a few schools that they will not even look at my classes (I will not name them here in case they have changed their policies). I have since continued my education with a MS and many more hours of vet experience. Hopefully with a GPA, the 3rd time will be the charm. So far, I have one interview at Glasgow.

 

[philomycus]

It took me 3x to get in- you'll do it this year!!! Good luck everyone!

 

[Truth74]

hey everybody! You know I'd be right there with you, if someone hadn't given me their seat.
I have high hopes for each and everyone of you.
You're getting in this year!

 

[natalieises]

truth I'm trying to be this year's version of you. haha. Third time and have my residency in illinois this year!

 

[Pandacinny]

I got in my third time, too. Good luck!

 

[Jill418]

Hi all! Just found the SDN network and am thrilled to learn about your experiences and know that I'm not alone! On my 3rd try as well, having been wait-listed at a few schools my first year, and no luck my second year. Just got word of 2 interviews though and am now just keeping my fingers crossed! Wishing everybody tons of luck this year! Happy holidays!! 🙂

 

[gone2dogs]

No pressure everyone, but I am now going to be seriously stalking this thread watching and waiting for you to ALL get in this cycle! Since I am now officially a third timer, you are all my inspiration!

I am currently scrambling to figure out what to do next semester as far as classes... perhaps you are a good crowd to bounce this idea off of: I am basically planning on taking animal nutrition even though I don't know that any of my expanded list of schools required it. It will at least be another upper division class to add to my list! But here's the deliema. I have been very CSU-centric for the last few years and they do not require intro biology. I took intro bio in a summer high school program for college credit which was now 16 years ago (and I got a C! My only C in a science class ever... apparently because I was more into my social life and not understanding that college was different from high school where it took essentially no effort to get top grades). Although I used it to place out of some stuff years ago in college (it was treated like AP credit I think, only no AP credit!), it has been pretty much off my radar. But now that I am looking more closely at other schools, I see that some have intro bio as an actual prereq. So... I am debating retaking it. And if the local community college will let me, I am considering trying to take both Bio I and II simultaneously. Given that I passed the cc's placement test to skip those courses to be able to take A&P and micro, it seems like they might let me. So my question is, do you think it is worth it to retake them, or should I dig up the records of the old class, or should I try and convince the schools I apply to that since I have higher level bio classes that the lower level ones aren't needed?

Since registration has already basically come and gone (many sections filled) I need to try and sort this out this week when I am guessing there will be minimal luck contacting schools and before my file review (with a school I know doesn't care about the class and previously told me to not bother). Sorry that became so long winded, but any input would be appreciated!

 

[HopefulAg]

I believe you'll have to retake it anyways, as courses only count for pre-reqs up to 8 years after you've finished the course.

 

[gone2dogs]

I believe you'll have to retake it anyways, as courses only count for pre-reqs up to 8 years after you've finished the course.

Good point... you are reminding me of a whole other can of worms! Although I haven't found time limits for all the schools on my potential list yet, I really do need to check more carefully. CSU was really flexible about the age of my prereqs (all but genetics and biochem are 12+ years old) since I have a more recent MS in Chem and have been taking some other classes more recently. I checked with Kansas (since I almost applied there this year) that they were willing to work with me despite their quoted limit of 6 years, and they were. If a school isn't willing to work with me then I just won't be able to apply there as it isn't realistic for me to retake all those classes at this point (although I bet I would do great in chem!). Since I am lacking in the bio department, I would consider retaking intro bio though.

 

[parietal]

I believe you'll have to retake it anyways, as courses only count for pre-reqs up to 8 years after you've finished the course.

That depends on the school. And the course. None of my schools cared that I took physics or intro bio more than a decade ago. I doubt that would have been the case with microbiology or genetics, however.

But retaking it sounds like a decent idea. Or you could take more upper-division bio courses (cell bio, zoology, etc.) if you haven't done that already.

Sorry, gone2dogs, didn't see your post before I started writing!

 

[Wolphcats]

That depends on the school. And the course. None of my schools cared that I took physics or intro bio more than a decade ago. I doubt that would have been the case with microbiology or genetics, however.

But retaking it sounds like a decent idea. Or you could take more upper-division bio courses (cell bio, zoology, etc.) if you haven't done that already.

After a few rejections I asked a few deans during the post-application interview whether I should retake my courses. They recommended taking advanced courses over retaking. But then again, my courses were within 5 years... so their recommendation might be different for you.

 

[pitbull lover]

I got in on my second time applying, but I applied to 17 schools (~$4000) because I was determined to not have to go through the emotional rollercoaster again. The first time, I applied to 9 schools.

It will happen. Please don't give up.

 

[sumstorm]

I believe you'll have to retake it anyways, as courses only count for pre-reqs up to 8 years after you've finished the course.

Depends on the school. Some expire pre-reqs more recently than that, while others have no time limit. All my core sciences were over a decade old when I applied. I took animal nutrition, 2 business courses, genetics, and biochem via distance learning the year I applied.

I always felt it was unfair to expire the pre-req but not the resulting GPA! I might have 'started over' if that was the case!

 

[lunajett]

I'm only on my second try this year, but just wanted to pass along something one of the vets I work with told me the other day. According to her the "smartest guy in our class" (she went to CSU) didn't get into until his SIXTH try. And now he's head of small animal surgery or some such at a hospital somewhere out here in SoCal. So sometimes it does just take a loooong time, and that is not necessarily a reflection of skill or potential. But imagine how bad you must want it to go through this six times?! I think I'll give myself three tries, but that's mainly just becuse of my age (42). At this point, I can't fart around in limbo endessly trying. If I were in my mid-20's, I think I might give it that many tries, too.

 

[cowgirla]

I'm only on my second try this year, but just wanted to pass along something one of the vets I work with told me the other day. According to her the "smartest guy in our class" (she went to CSU) didn't get into until his SIXTH try. And now he's head of small animal surgery or some such at a hospital somewhere out here in SoCal. So sometimes it does just take a loooong time, and that is not necessarily a reflection of skill or potential. But imagine how bad you must want it to go through this six times?! I think I'll give myself three tries, but that's mainly just becuse of my age (42). At this point, I can't fart around in limbo endessly trying. If I were in my mid-20's, I think I might give it that many tries, too.

Took the best vet I know six tries to get in as well. He was State vet, vet of the year multiple times, equine practicioner of the year, owned a multimillion dollar practice, and the list goes on and on. Of course, he went to school inthe 60s, but still!

 

[Jill418]

Took the best vet I know six tries to get in as well. He was State vet, vet of the year multiple times, equine practicioner of the year, owned a multimillion dollar practice, and the list goes on and on. Of course, he went to school inthe 60s, but still!

It's so interesting to hear these stories! From what I've heard, the current average is 2-3 years of applying. I heard a similar story that someone applied 5 times, then was told by the school directly to stop trying. But s/he applied a 6th time and got in to that particular school .... it really does seem that persistence can pay off! I'm technically on year 3 for one school, year 2 for two other schools, and year 1 for two new schools this time around.

I'm curious if others are trying a similar pattern of reapplying repeatedly to their desired schools, but also trying other new schools each round as well? Or are most people just reapplying to the same schools each time?

Keeping my fingers crossed for everyone!
Happy New Years to all! 🙂

 

[Minnerbelle]

It's so interesting to hear these stories! From what I've heard, the current average is 2-3 years of applying. I heard a similar story that someone applied 5 times, then was told by the school directly to stop trying. But s/he applied a 6th time and got in to that particular school .... it really does seem that persistence can pay off! I'm technically on year 3 for one school, year 2 for two other schools, and year 1 for two new schools this time around.

I'm curious if others are trying a similar pattern of reapplying repeatedly to their desired schools, but also trying other new schools each round as well? Or are most people just reapplying to the same schools each time?

Keeping my fingers crossed for everyone!
Happy New Years to all! 🙂

I also know a non-trad vet who applied 3 times to UC Davis, and I think after the 2nd time, they told her never to apply again because there was no way in hell they were EVER going to take her. She got in on her 3rd try, and now she's an amazing vet!

The Dean of Student Affairs at Ohio State also said that she was the very last person to fill a seat for her class, but that she graduated 6th in her class! It doesn't matter how many times it takes you to get there, or whether you're first pick or last pick for a class, and that's not indicative at all as to what kind of vet you will become.

 

[AlaskaGrad]

I'm curious if others are trying a similar pattern of reapplying repeatedly to their desired schools, but also trying other new schools each round as well? Or are most people just reapplying to the same schools each time?

All three years I applied to CSU (IS). The first year I only applied to CSU. the second year I applied to 9 schools either because I liked their program/location or because the school didn't have a supplemental ap and I was strapped for time. Based on feedback from those schools I applied to another 9 schools this year. 4 of them were schools I applied to last year and 5 were new (based again on their program and a bit on entrance requirements).

If you are able to make up the deficiencies in an application, then I don't see why you wouldn't apply to a school again. If however it is clear that you don't fit the acceptance criteria for a school, or the minimum rubric that school uses to weight students, then it is silly to apply again.

Some AdComs start with just a few folks screening the applications, and they go through so many. I doubt there is much negative bias if you applied to them before. In fact they may like the commitment and interest demonstrated by repeatedly applying.

Schools that only accept 1-2% of their OOS applications know more than 2% are qualified. They might want you to keep trying to improve the likelihood that you are accepted.

 

[gone2dogs]

I'm only on my second try this year, but just wanted to pass along something one of the vets I work with told me the other day. According to her the "smartest guy in our class" (she went to CSU) didn't get into until his SIXTH try. And now he's head of small animal surgery or some such at a hospital somewhere out here in SoCal. So sometimes it does just take a loooong time, and that is not necessarily a reflection of skill or potential. But imagine how bad you must want it to go through this six times?! I think I'll give myself three tries, but that's mainly just becuse of my age (42). At this point, I can't fart around in limbo endessly trying. If I were in my mid-20's, I think I might give it that many tries, too.

Just yesterday the vet I work with told me about "the smartest guy in her class" at CSU who had applied 6 times before he got in, and is now a big deal out in CA or something... I'm thinking this must be the same guy! Small world! Was this sometime in the 80's by any chance? Or do people regularly apply to CSU 6 times?

I'm afraid that I don't have the stamina to try for 6 years... Or at least I don't have the stamina to keep doing what I have been doing working 7 days a week (between my regular job that pays the bills and my unpaid jobs at 2 different vet clinics) and taking classes on top of everything. Something will have to change if I don't get in next year, just not sure what.

 

[twelvetigers]

The vet I work for tried three times, and was told to quit trying on time two. She had one same interviewer the first two times and finally didn't have him the third time - I think she's convinced that's why. Also, side note (and a toss-over the the singles thread) ... she met her husband in vet school. But he was her teacher. Lol. It was 4th year and she graduated first!

 

[flyhi]

Also, side note (and a toss-over the the singles thread) ... she met her husband in vet school. But he was her teacher.

Now, THAT is something to consider 😀 thanks, TT 😉

 

[lunajett]

Just yesterday the vet I work with told me about "the smartest guy in her class" at CSU who had applied 6 times before he got in, and is now a big deal out in CA or something... I'm thinking this must be the same guy! Small world! Was this sometime in the 80's by any chance? Or do people regularly apply to CSU 6 times?

Wow, that is weird. Does the vet you work with have the initials TP by any chance? She would have graduated probably late-90's.

 

[luplodw]

I know a vet student who is dating her teacher too

 

[Minnerbelle]

Also, side note (and a toss-over the the singles thread) ... she met her husband in vet school. But he was her teacher. Lol. It was 4th year and she graduated first!

haha, i went to an all woman's college and the fantasy of students dating their professors is HUUUUUGE.

some students go crazy... to the point where male professors (under 50 or so) are always told to have a picture of a woman on their desk, even if they're single.

seriously, the level of obsession was kind of disturbing. i would go to study groups, and some of the other girls wouldn't stop bragging to each other for the first half hour about that prof. X said to her in an email, etc...

 

[HopefulAg]

some students go crazy... to the point where male professors (under 50 or so) are always told to have a picture of a woman on their desk, even if they're single.

Crazy...

Though I can imagine the downside to that: all the guys buying the same picture frame with the same pre-included picture of a lady. "Dr. Johnson? Your wife looks remarkably like Dr. Smith's..."

 

[Minnerbelle]

Crazy...

Though I can imagine the downside to that: all the guys buying the same picture frame with the same pre-included picture of a lady. "Dr. Johnson? Your wife looks remarkably like Dr. Smith's..."

haaaaaaahahahaha. i've never seen anyone with a pre-included pic, but i heard that they were told to have some picture, even if it was their friend or sister, etc... though i would be totally weirded out if my brother became a professor and had a picture of me so dearly placed on his desk.

 

[sumstorm]

I know a vet student who is dating her teacher too

I am not sure I would be so ok with that as a fellow student or a fellow teacher.

 

[twelvetigers]

Yeah, my vet did wait until she had graduated to start a relationship. Guess I should mention that! Dating a professor or clinician while still a student would be a bit inappropriate IMO.

 

[Cypress]

This is only my first time applying and I have recieved rejects thus far and I'm not expecting much on my remaining apps cause they are out of state. So am a second timer to be....

I'm working on Plan B, and C and I am wondering if anyone can throw out some of the ways they have worked on improving from year to year. I know it depends on your stats but I'm just curious of for suggestions, see if there is anything that I haven't thought of.

Thanks!

 

[HandD42]

This is only my first time applying and I have recieved rejects thus far and I'm not expecting much on my remaining apps cause they are out of state. So am a second timer to be....

I'm working on Plan B, and C and I am wondering if anyone can throw out some of the ways they have worked on improving from year to year. I know it depends on your stats but I'm just curious of for suggestions, see if there is anything that I haven't thought of.

Thanks!

Do any of the schools you applied to offer a review of your application/post mortem analysis?

That way you will find out exactly what vet school adcoms think you are lacking and need to work on.

I have gotten several rejections as well and scheduled a review with CSU at the end of february. I think it should be very interesting to see where they think I am lacking and I am pretty much basing my reapplication decision on what they say. ie) if it is just retaking the gre or rewriting my ps no problem, if I need say 2,000 more clinical hours, meh maybe not so much.

 

[katryn]

Most of my improvement has really been more self evaluation. When your interviewers walk out of the room feeling as though you have no idea what you're talking about (as in, one of them wrote the comment, "has she done more than clean vet clinics?") even though you have 8k+ hours....you've said something wrong. My problem was never really having thought out how to *express* things like: why I want to go to vet school, what I like about the field, what I plan on doing with it, what I like about myself/why I'm interesting, etc. Not knowing how to say those things equaled foot-in-mouth for me.

 

[MonieBalonie]

I am a second time applicant, about to go on an interview to a school I had an interview with last year (Tufts). Does anyone know how the interviews approach that subject? For instance will they ask me what I think went wrong last year?

 

[HopefulAg]

At OSU they asked me what A&M thought I could improve upon at my last two interviews, but Iowa didn't and A&M didn't last year either. But I always take a copy of my interview feedback with me to interviews so that if they do ask, I can rattle out what they thought was wrong and, more importantly, tell them what I've done since then to correct it.

 

[MonieBalonie]

Thanks for the advice. I know how to respond to the "how did you improve your app" question, I'm just hoping I don't get anything like "why didn't you do well in your interview last year?". hahah

 

[Sheesabigstar]

😀 I just found out I got into UPenn... third time applicant!! Good luck to all you other 3rd timers!!

 

[rileyroo]

😀 I just found out I got into UPenn... third time applicant!! Good luck to all you other 3rd timers!!

congrats on your acceptance!!! don't you have interviews at like 7 schools this year?? i feel like i saw your name bolded A LOT on the interview thread. 😀 congrats on such a successful year!

 

[Sheesabigstar]

congrats on your acceptance!!! don't you have interviews at like 7 schools this year?? i feel like i saw your name bolded A LOT on the interview thread. 😀 congrats on such a successful year!

I have 4 interviews this year, so all that hard work and persistence does pay off 🙂
Thanks!!