Tips from a vet.

[Backwoods Boy]

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I was wondering if any vets that you have worked for have gave any of you tips for applying to vet school? I asked the vet that I am working for and he gave me some vet simple ones that while I already know, never hurt to hear again.

Tip 1:
Keep your GPA up.

Tip 2:
Get as many extracurricular as you can and still gain experience and keep your GPA up. Of course you want to be well rounded.

This will be my biggest problem as I live 50 miles from my school.

Tip 3:
Know how you are going to pay for school. He told me that when he interviewed (of course it was 25 years ago) they asked him how he expected to pay for it. We all know that vet school is expensive. However, it made perfect sense. Have an idea how you are going to pay for it before you go too far.

You guys have any?

 

[david594]

Tip 3:
Know how you are going to pay for school. He told me that when he interviewed (of course it was 25 years ago) they asked him how he expected to pay for it. We all know that vet school is expensive. However, it made perfect sense. Have an idea how you are going to pay for it before you go too far.

You guys have any?

Did that vet go to Ohio state by chance? I'm pretty sure everyone one of us that had interviewed there this year was asked how much vet school costs and how we planned to pay for it.

You also want to be familiar with all the different roles a veterinarian can fill.

 

[Backwoods Boy]

Not quite Ohio State. He went to Mizzou actually.

 

[katryn]

Work on your interview skills. The best advice I've gotten on that note was to start every answer with a one sentence synopisis of your answer. That way if you're like me and have a tendency to ramble, they know where you're going with it and you don't end up sounding daft.

 

[aretoo]

One of my references told me that it's super important to be truthful on your application - i.e. if you worked as kennel staff at a clinic, don't say you were a tech...they will find out...also don't exaggerate your hours.

 

[Minnerbelle]

I asked my vet mentor a couple of years ago for advice and he just said, "well, do you have at least a 3.5 for your GPA?" and when I nodded, he goes "then you have nothing to worry about"

.......

I have a feeling it's not quite that simple...

 

[Backwoods Boy]

One of my references told me that it's super important to be truthful on your application - i.e. if you worked as kennel staff at a clinic, don't say you were a tech...they will find out...also don't exaggerate your hours.

Yeah, I've heard the stuff about exaggerations.

I asked my vet mentor a couple of years ago for advice and he just said, "well, do you have at least a 3.5 for your GPA?" and when I nodded, he goes "then you have nothing to worry about"

.......

I have a feeling it's not quite that simple...

Unfortunately, we know it is not...

 

[sumstorm]

I asked my vet mentor a couple of years ago for advice and he just said, "well, do you have at least a 3.5 for your GPA?" and when I nodded, he goes "then you have nothing to worry about"

.......

I have a feeling it's not quite that simple...

Apparently, when my boss went to school, it WAS that simple. If you had a certain GPA from certain schools, and applied through a particular process, you were automaticly entered. It also wasn't a super-high GPA...it was something like a 3.4 or 3.6. Not a 3.8 and up. She just turned 40...so it can't be that long ago.

Just remember to take what current vets say with a grain of salt. Admissions processes can change from year to year, let alone over a decade! I have heard really bad advice from vets (just tell them you want to do LA, you will get in for sure!)

 

[cwazy cat lady]

I have heard loads of different things from vets, so I don't take their advice to seriously at this point. It's a matter of personal opinion!

 

[Kate2010]

Excellent advice!

 

[StayingHopeful]

I definitely got asked at UTK about how I planned to pay for vet school, so be ready with a particular answer bc that can throw you off if you don't have an answer (even if you know for yourself).

That reminds me about the ABSOLUTE best advice I was given and want to pass on is about interview questions. On this forum is are tons of questions people post that they got asked, and I would strongly suggest printing them and having a friend or mentor ask you them out loud. I had my roommate (not pre-vet or even a science major) ask me questions in a random order. It forced me to really think about my answers and try to word them well. I ended up getting asked a bunch of the same questions and it really helped to be prepared. On a similar note, if you can do a mock interview with an advisor or professor it could really help (it simulates more of the pressure-seat situation).

 

[cwazy cat lady]

I definitely got asked at UTK about how I planned to pay for vet school, so be ready with a particular answer bc that can throw you off if you don't have an answer (even if you know for yourself).

That reminds me about the ABSOLUTE best advice I was given and want to pass on is about interview questions. On this forum is are tons of questions people post that they got asked, and I would strongly suggest printing them and having a friend or mentor ask you them out loud. I had my roommate (not pre-vet or even a science major) ask me questions in a random order. It forced me to really think about my answers and try to word them well. I ended up getting asked a bunch of the same questions and it really helped to be prepared. On a similar note, if you can do a mock interview with an advisor or professor it could really help (it simulates more of the pressure-seat situation).

Good advice. Preparation can really ease your mind and also mean that you have a better answer.

I would add that 'scripting' is a really great way to frame answers.

Practice using phrases like
"This is a very complex issue"
"I have thought about this over the course of my preparation"
"I'm glad you asked me that" (etc.)

I have found that scripting has helped me a lot in my job (working with difficult people and managing employees) and I am hoping to prepare as much as possible for any interviews.

 

[susiewaits]

A little off course..

I think preparing for an interview works differently for everyone. I took a look at potential questions and thought about my basic feelings or reasons and left it at that. For me, over preparing leads to studdering and backtracking and all sorts of badness. Take a moment to collect your thoughts before answering, the interviewers even recommended it! If it takes longer then a few moments, just tell them you are collecting your thoughts. This will prevent rambelling. During my UMN interview (behavioral) I literally had to take 2 full minutes to come up with a response, I was mortified. I was accepted 🙂

Know where you stand on major issues in the veterinary profession. Know where the questions in your application lie. IE. I transferred after my sophmore year, and a difficult junior year. I got asked in all my interviews about my choice to transfer and how I felt about it. Be prepared for these types of questions. But I feel like hammering out a cookie cutter response does nothing to set your interview apart.

 

[susiewaits]

oh and if you don't know...just admit you don't know.