Tufts Cummings c/o 2015 applicants!

[tigerkitten]

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Questions? Advice? Commiseration?

I'll start off with a question. If you're not done with your prerequisites, have you listed the course(s) you have not yet taken in the prerequisites section with the grade space blank, or did you leave the whole prerequisite line blank and just make an entry in the Courses In Progress section?

Good luck to all of us!!

 

[canis13]

I was just about to post a Tufts thread!
I am in the middle of taking biochemistry and genetics right now; I put my courses both in the prerequisites section with blank grades and also in the "courses in progress" section.

My questions:
- I am kind of stumped by the extracurriculars section. Specifically, I have no idea what to put under "social" activities...I mean, it has to be something official, right? The only thing I can think of for either high school or college is the semester I played in the local gay band...but that could be also classified as "community activities".

- How much of a no-no is it to go over the word limit on the essays?

- What are people putting under the "additional information" essay? I am kind of including a hodge-podge of stuff (info about having a learning disability but how i've been able to overcome my issues, vet experiences I couldn't fit in the official section, 2 random volunteer things I did), but I'm wondering if there's some sort of format for the "other" essay that I am just blatantly disregarding right now.

Also, if anyone has an amazing opening sentence for the "what unique qualities do you bring to the school/profession" essay, let me know, because I need one! Haha.

 

[Tonkamoo]

I thought going over the world limit is not allowed. But I'm also having trouble getting one of my essays down to just 500 words.

Did anyone else have science courses that included lab? I'm not sure how to denote this in the application form. Do you list the same course twice, for the course and then for the lab line?

 

[chyactnate]

I thought going over the world limit is not allowed. But I'm also having trouble getting one of my essays down to just 500 words.

Did anyone else have science courses that included lab? I'm not sure how to denote this in the application form. Do you list the same course twice, for the course and then for the lab line?

My school has the lecture and lab grade averaged together, so the lab doesnt show up seperate. I emaile them about this and they told me to just list the lecture grade 🙂 Hope this helps!

 

[Tonkamoo]

Thanks that helps! So you just left the lab line empty?

 

[Whyevernot55]

I'm applying! Although I'm having a REALLY hard time motivating myself to finish my essay.

I was waitlisted last year and I am hoping with all of my being that I get in this year! Tufts is my top choice.

If you have any questions, call the admissions office. They are literally the nicest people ever. Even when you call on a weekly basis. Not that I speak from experience or anything. 🙄

 

[chyactnate]

Thanks that helps! So you just left the lab line empty?

Yup!!

 

[bonaparte]

Thanks that helps! So you just left the lab line empty?

They can tell from the number of units that there is a lab included, though, because of my paranoia, I listed the same class under lab and wrote in the description "Included with Lec." Teehee.

 

[tigerkitten]

My school also bundles the lab units and grade in with the lecture for my science courses. I put lab on a separate line, but listed it as zero units. I suspect that they'll figure it out.

I admit I wonder why they haven't told some student volunteer to add some verbiage to the instructions about that, because it has obviously come up a lot! 🙂

 

[jl123]

Thanks that helps! So you just left the lab line empty?

I called too, and they told me to leave it blank. I ended up leaving 2 bio labs, one chem lab and one orgo lab blank because my school only has one semester of chem & orgo lab.

 

[Horsingaround31]

Is it terrible that I edited the personal statement I used for VMCAS down and added it as the "Additional Information" essay? I'm really proud of my PS and I think it says a lot about what I've done and who I am. I figure if that's not what they're looking for, they'll just ignore it -- but that probably isn't the right attitude!

 

[tigerkitten]

Is it terrible that I edited the personal statement I used for VMCAS down and added it as the "Additional Information" essay?

I don't think it's terrible at all. I edited down my VMCAS personal statement and used it as my "why should I be one of the few" essay.

Man, I hate this process. I really really want to be a vet, but applications are the PITS!

 

[StartingoverVet]

Is it terrible that I edited the personal statement I used for VMCAS down and added it as the "Additional Information" essay? I'm really proud of my PS and I think it says a lot about what I've done and who I am. I figure if that's not what they're looking for, they'll just ignore it -- but that probably isn't the right attitude!

I did something similar last year. Why would it be terrible? Anything that "says alot about what you;ve done and who you are" is relevant. Don't worry!

 

[laitmanvet]

Is it terrible that I edited the personal statement I used for VMCAS down and added it as the "Additional Information" essay? I'm really proud of my PS and I think it says a lot about what I've done and who I am. I figure if that's not what they're looking for, they'll just ignore it -- but that probably isn't the right attitude!

Also did the same thing. Used it as my why should I be included in the few essay. I liked my PS too, I just cut it down a bit and changed the wording in the beginning and end.
I think it should be what they're looking for because thats what a PS should revolve around: making yourself stand out.

 

[Whyevernot55]

Count me in - I edited my PS for use as my "pick me!" essay. I'm considering using the "extra" space for additional animal experience there wasn't room for, too. Need to finish it all up!

 

[Tonkamoo]

Anyone else a non-trad applying to Tufts? I find it weird for the Awards, Activities and organizational involvement section there is no way to include life after college...

 

[Tonkamoo]

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[laitmanvet]

Anyone else a non-trad applying to Tufts? I find it weird for the Awards, Activities and organizational involvement section there is no way to include life after college...

Another non-trad here!
Yeah its definitely weird and hard to think of award/club/activities from HS (soooo long ago).
I haven't had much to include after college. I've done some triathlons and running races, and I put those in under hobbies but I put the date next to it.

I just submitted it this morning! ALL DONE! (finally)

 

[tigerkitten]

Anyone else a non-trad applying to Tufts? I find it weird for the Awards, Activities and organizational involvement section there is no way to include life after college...

Another non-trad over here! So many things on a traditional application seem ludicrous to me. (How long have my parents lived in their current house? HELLO?) On this one I listed several things that fell in between first college and current college as having been done "in college". I just had... a really long sabbatical, yeah, that's it. I'll explain in the Additional Information essay.

 

[squibby]

Someone on here mentioned a length limit for these essays. I can't seem to find any mention of it. Does anyone know what it is?

Also, the essay about any break we've had in either being in school or employed--I haven't had such a break, thus I have nothing to write. Can I simply not upload a response?
When I do the application inspector I isn't showing the essays as required....are they not?

I can't seem to find any specific instructions for this thing!

 

[deleted266066]

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[squibby]

Thank you TheEvilShoe! Sometimes I am so blind.

 

[smilesoup]

I'm glad the deadline was pushed back a day! I know I'm going to aim for sending my application in by tomorrow night at the latest, but it's nice to know that there's a little leeway in case something goes wrong 🙂

 

[IthacaIsGorges]

Quick question on putting in animal experiences... in the Veterinary, Animal, and Heath Science Experience Report the title indicates to me that that any animal experience should be included but when I read the instructions it sounds like only vet or research experience is included:
Veterinary, Animal, and Health Science Experience Report Related Work Experience Experience with animals is required and includes the care, knowledge, and experience gained working with animals in the veterinary profession or in a research or biomedical setting. Please document below your work experience giving the duration, description of duties, and exposure to different animal species. List most recent first.

Where do you think is the right place to put volunteering with a local dog rescue fostering dogs or equestrian? Here or in the community activities/hobbies maybe? Thanks!

 

[jl123]

Where do you think is the right place to put volunteering with a local dog rescue fostering dogs or equestrian? Here or in the community activities/hobbies maybe? Thanks!

I had that same question and called to ask, since I didn't know where to put in volunteer work for a cat rescue. They told me to put it in the veterinary/animal experience section even though there was no supervising veterinarian/Ph.D. I guess if you want to be 100% safe, you could call yourself or just list it under Additional Information! 🙂

 

[IthacaIsGorges]

Thanks jl123!

 

[squibby]

My last evaluator still hasn't submitted her form!!! 😱

 

[laitmanvet]

My last evaluator still hasn't submitted her form!!! 😱

uh, one of mine too! I have every intention of emailing/harassing nicely tomorrow.

 

[deleted266066]

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[squibby]

I've had everything done but that annoying "pick one of these 3 prompts" essays for a while... I am finding it difficult to find any inspiration or creative oomph to get it out! Gah.

That one was tough to start, though, the "only 100 admitted" question was the hardest for me. I think it is getting near impossible for me to write anything else about myself after so many applications!

 

[Whyevernot55]

That one was tough to start, though, the "only 100 admitted" question was the hardest for me. I think it is getting near impossible for me to write anything else about myself after so many applications!

This! I actually had a great time with the pick-a-prompt essay, chose the one about art. I struggled with the "only 100 admitted" as well. Blarg.

 

[laitmanvet]

This! I actually had a great time with the pick-a-prompt essay, chose the one about art. I struggled with the "only 100 admitted" as well. Blarg.

Yeah I really liked the creative writing pick-one-of-these-three essay. I picked the sports one...I think it turned out well. The 100 people one was sorta boring, its basically a personal statement.

 

[chyactnate]

My last evaluator still hasn't submitted her form!!! 😱

Me too!!! I am freaking out! I am harassing him at school tomorrow!

 

[tigerkitten]

I think it is getting near impossible for me to write anything else about myself after so many applications!

Yes, this! Exactly this! I hope my essays don't show how tired my mind is getting. I found both the "only 100 people" essay and the "pick a question" essay quite difficult, and I'm still doing major edits at this late date -- bad me!

 

[deleted266066]

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[laitmanvet]

Yes, last one just submitted and no harassment necessary! (even better)

 

[Horsingaround31]

My last application is finally done! Yeah. This application cycle has been exhausting!

Did anyone else find the "Why Tufts?" short answer hard to finish in 50 words or less? That was difficult for me.

Good luck everyone!

 

[Mama070609]

Did anyone else find the "Why Tufts?" short answer hard to finish in 50 words or less? That was difficult for me.

The limit is 50-100 words.

I think I'm done finally. No more essay edits, LOL! I was thankful for the deadline extension also.

I used the 'additional info' section to talk about activities since graduating college, in addition to the family commitments I've had during that time (such as becoming the primary caregiver to my husband's elementary and middle school aged brothers for a period of time, and being the sole household manager and somewhat of a single parent during my husband's deployments, etc...).

I also have one evaluator who hasn't finished yet. He told me last week that he would upload it over this past weekend. I'm a bit nervous about it, but I don't think I really need to be. I have faith that he'll come through for me. 🙂

 

[squibby]

Me too!!! I am freaking out! I am harassing him at school tomorrow!

If you or anyone else is still waiting for an evaluator to submit their form, I just spoke to the admissions office and told me some helpful info. They said they don't like to advertise it though, so PM me and I will fill you in. 😀

 

[canis13]

whew! it's done! out of my hands and now onto the waiting game!

(TheEvilShoe - I also wrote about music for the 2nd short essay...)

 

[chyactnate]

If you or anyone else is still waiting for an evaluator to submit their form, I just spoke to the admissions office and told me some helpful info. They said they don't like to advertise it though, so PM me and I will fill you in. 😀

hahahahaah awww thanks 🙂 He ended up submitting it at 6am this morning hahah. I am just so relieved that it is DONE!!!! and so the waiting game begins!

 

[Minnerbelle]

and so the waiting game begins!

and yes, the waiting game for tufts is a very very long one, so hang in tight guys! good luck!!!

 

[Whyevernot55]

and yes, the waiting game for tufts is a very very long one, so hang in tight guys! good luck!!!

So, so true. I talked to admissions today - they're hoping to get the status pages up in a week or two to confirm receipt of materials for everyone, so be on the lookout for those emails soon! Sounds like there were a lot of applicants this year! 😱

 

[IthacaIsGorges]

Is the total number of VMCAS applicants this year ever posted on the website?

 

[Whyevernot55]

Is the total number of VMCAS applicants this year ever posted on the website?

I don't think so...last year I got an interview invite and the letter said they'd had over 700 applicants. Patty told me today that I'd gotten my application in before "400 other people," so I'm betting this year will be a similar applicant pool size-wise.

Talk about eeeeek.

 

[phaedraeos]

When I called to check on the status of my application, the admissions office told me that there were approximately 690 applications this year.

 

[squibby]

That doesn't seem like very many compared to other schools. What's up with that?

 

[laitmanvet]

That doesn't seem like very many compared to other schools. What's up with that?

I've been told that usually Tufts doesn't get as many applicants simply due to them having a separate application. I don't know if the same is true for Texas A&M and Tuskegee (those are the other 2 separate apps right?).

 

[canis13]

That doesn't seem like very many compared to other schools. What's up with that?

Tufts uses their own application system, which means that folks have to do more than just check another box on the VMCAS application. Even though many/most VMCAS schools have supplemental applications, filling out an entirely different application form requires more time and effort and it means that only people who really want to go to Tufts end up applying. [I only applied to Tufts this year, though, so I don't know how much more effort the whole Tufts application is than filling out supplemental apps for VMCAS schools, but this is the reasoning told to me by Laura in admissions].

But yeah, Tufts still having their own application system keeps the application numbers down, which is a good thing for all of us applying.

Last year, Tufts had 672 applicants, so the numbers aren't far off from last year (and, in fact, applications for the classes of 2013, 2012, and 2011 were all over 700).

 

[Horsingaround31]

I met with an advisor at Penn this past summer who told me that all vet schools are projecting fewer applicants this year. It's part of a trend they have seen over the last few years. I thought that was interesting.