UC Davis c/o 2024 (hopefully)

[Nmakowsk]

Has this thread been made?! I can’t find it!

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[Coopah]

Oh hello! I'm the resident UC Davis student (the rest have faded with time, yet I still remain!) I'd be happy to answer any questions you have about the school, application process or life as a vet student. Welcome and good luck!

 

[Nmakowsk]

Im sad more people haven't expressed interest in Davis! I am beyond excited to apply. So you are a vet student? How do you like Davis? Im in state!

 

[Coopah]

Im sad more people haven't expressed interest in Davis! I am beyond excited to apply. So you are a vet student? How do you like Davis? Im in state!

Yes I'm a rising third year, I like Davis a lot got any particular questions?

 

[deleted676737]

Im sad more people haven't expressed interest in Davis!

This is pretty typical for most of the school threads this time of year, actually. Keep in mind that it's still very early on in the cycle; activity among current applicants tends to start climbing after VMCAS closes.

More interested people will show up over the next few months, I promise. 😉

 

[Coopah]

This is pretty typical for most of the school threads this time of year, actually. Keep in mind that it's still very early on in the cycle; activity among current applicants tends to start climbing after VMCAS closes.

More interested people will show up over the next few months, I promise. 😉

I forget when is the busy season lol, I talk to so many prevets as a part of my ambassador position it's always the busy season!

 

[EngrSC]

I’m applying! First time applicant, non-trad. Not a CA resident currently but spent the first 28 years of my life in the Los Angeles and San Diego areas. It’s a long shot that I’ll be accepted but I love the school so here I am 🙂

 

[Coopah]

I’m applying! First time applicant, non-trad. Not a CA resident currently but spent the first 28 years of my life in the Los Angeles and San Diego areas. It’s a long shot that I’ll be accepted but I love the school so here I am 🙂

Welcome! I wish you the best.

For those of you who don't know Davis has an interesting formula for admission. The first consider your last 45 GPA then your science GPA then your quantitative GRE score. Finally, they review how your letters of rec scored you without actually reading your letters. Then they rank all the California applicants this way. They invite the top 180 for nterviews. The next 180 ranked California applicants they review holistically. They look at your essays, they read your letter of recommendation, they see if you've had some huge event in your life that might've held you back GPA-wise. Then they offer 60 of these applicants interviews.

As for out of state applicants, so far they only review the numbers described about and invite approximately the top 10% get interviews. On average it's about 60 people.

A total of approximately 300 people get interviewed and the selection process is entirely based off your interview score. From there about 67% get offered admission because it's a class of about 150 and they go through their list as any other institution and have a little bit of a waitlist.

Good luck to everyone!

 

[cohen2000]

Oh hello! I'm the resident UC Davis student (the rest have faded with time, yet I still remain!) I'd be happy to answer any questions you have about the school, application process or life as a vet student. Welcome and good luck!

You saying I've faded, Coopah?

 

[Coopah]

You saying I've faded, Coopah?

Well clearly if you're just getting here now yeah 😛

 

[meelc]

2nd time IS applicant to Davis. I have all my apps in and verified, just waiting on that link for the Davis supplemental! Hopefully 2nd times the charm 🙂

 

[Coopah]

2nd time IS applicant to Davis. I have all my apps in and verified, just waiting on that link for the Davis supplemental! Hopefully 2nd times the charm 🙂

Good luck!!!

 

[DVM2024]

Hi everyone! 1st year OOS applicant here! NC resident now, but was born in CA, so I owe it to my roots (and all my grandparents) to give Davis my best shot!

 

[Coopah]

Hi everyone! 1st year OOS applicant here! NC resident now, but was born in CA, so I owe it to my roots (and all my grandparents) to give Davis my best shot!

Welcome! I wish you the best of luck!

 

[DishonorOnUrCow]

I got this email today, just FYI if you did not receive it and are waiting on the supplemental invite.

"Dear Applicants,

Many of you are waiting to hear more about the supplemental application from UC Davis. We have an open work order to VMCAS for an import error for students who have been marked verified. We have been unable to upload additional verified records for about a week. VMCAS is working to resolve the issue and will notify us once they have identified a solution.

If your record is marked verified and you have not received instructions to create your portal and submit your supplemental application, please know that we are working with VMCAS to make this available to you soon.

Thank you for your patience. We appreciate your understanding."

 

[bkitw]

Hi everyone! if anyone could share the supplemental questions, I’d really appreciate it! Im waiting for verification and the supplemental link - so its a fun time. Hahaha

Thanks in advance!

 

[DishonorOnUrCow]

Its a personal statement!

"The purpose of this personal statement is to get to know you as an individual and as a potential veterinary student. Please describe how your personal background informs your decision to pursue a veterinary degree. You can include any educational, familial, cultural, economic, or social experiences, challenges, community service, outreach activities, or opportunities relevant to your academic journey. In your response, please consider how your life experiences contribute to the social, intellectual, or cultural diversity within a campus community and your chosen field, or how you might serve educationally underrepresented or underserved segments of society with your veterinary education. (Limit 2000 characters including spaces.)
It is recommended that you type your statement in a Word doc or similar and then paste into this section."

I received the invite yesterday. I'm probably not going to move forward with their application, so hopefully this helps others who are still awaiting the email!

Hi everyone! if anyone could share the supplemental questions, I’d really appreciate it! Im waiting for verification and the supplemental link - so its a fun time. Hahaha

Thanks in advance!

 

[bkitw]

Its a personal statement!

"The purpose of this personal statement is to get to know you as an individual and as a potential veterinary student. Please describe how your personal background informs your decision to pursue a veterinary degree. You can include any educational, familial, cultural, economic, or social experiences, challenges, community service, outreach activities, or opportunities relevant to your academic journey. In your response, please consider how your life experiences contribute to the social, intellectual, or cultural diversity within a campus community and your chosen field, or how you might serve educationally underrepresented or underserved segments of society with your veterinary education. (Limit 2000 characters including spaces.)
It is recommended that you type your statement in a Word doc or similar and then paste into this section."

I received the invite yesterday. I'm probably not going to move forward with their application, so hopefully this helps others who are still awaiting the email!

Awesome, thank you!!

 

[doctor-who]

I'm probably not going to move forward with their application, so hopefully this helps others who are still awaiting the email!

Can I ask why you're not going to move forward? You don't have to share if you don't want to!

 

[DishonorOnUrCow]

The lack of communication is kind of telling, in my opinion. I emailed about a tour back in June and they replied in September saying they can’t facilitate that. I submitted course substitution forms over a month ago and haven’t heard anything. When I tried calling the other day about it, no one answered and their voicemail box is full. I’ve had such great experiences with staff at other schools that I don’t think I’d want to be a student at Davis. If that makes sense any sense at all lol

Can I ask why you're not going to move forward? You don't have to share if you don't want to!

 

[Nmakowsk]

The lack of communication is kind of telling, in my opinion. I emailed about a tour back in June and they replied in September saying they can’t facilitate that. I submitted course substitution forms over a month ago and haven’t heard anything. When I tried calling the other day about it, no one answered and their voicemail box is full. I’ve had such great experiences with staff at other schools that I don’t think I’d want to be a student at Davis. If that makes sense any sense at all lol

Where else did you apply? If you don’t me asking!

 

[DishonorOnUrCow]

I applied to Oregon, Washington, CSU, and Virginia-Maryland. Possibly Arizona later this month. All of their staff were so helpful with tours, questions, and phone meetings in lieu of tours!

Where else did you apply? If you don’t me asking!

 

[Nmakowsk]

Hey guys. For timeline purposes if people are wondering.. I submitted 9/16. Verified 9/26. Received an email invitation for UC Davis portal and supplemental application 9/27. 🙂 Hope you all are doing well! Good luck

 

[Corgi_Queen]

I made the mistake of using their transcript entry service, and it delayed my application to complete for over a week (errors when they entered the courses)....they're telling me it could be a month which is past UC Davis' supplemental deadline. Anyone have experience with this?

Im worried I'll have already paid to apply and now not be able to, and its Davis and Davis is amazing.

 

[meelc]

I made the mistake of using their transcript entry service, and it delayed my application to complete for over a week (errors when they entered the courses)....they're telling me it could be a month which is past UC Davis' supplemental deadline. Anyone have experience with this?

Im worried I'll have already paid to apply and now not be able to, and its Davis and Davis is amazing.

Last year it took the full 4 weeks for my app to be verified . When I contacted Davis about access to their supplemental, they said that I would have minimum of 24 hours for the supplemental app even if it was at the time of the due date. So, I would just make sure to work on the essay now (since the prompt was posted above) so when you get access you just have to fill in the blanks!

 

[exotic birb]

If we pay the supplemental fee, does it lock us out? Or are we still able to edit until the 17th?

 

[omgitsallyd]

If we pay the supplemental fee, does it lock us out? Or are we still able to edit until the 17th?

Paid today and am still able to edit 🙂

 

[Corgi_Queen]

Last year it took the full 4 weeks for my app to be verified . When I contacted Davis about access to their supplemental, they said that I would have minimum of 24 hours for the supplemental app even if it was at the time of the due date. So, I would just make sure to work on the essay now (since the prompt was posted above) so when you get access you just have to fill in the blanks!

Thank you for your reply! I was worried. I just got the email from them today about it.

 

[Nmakowsk]

Thank you for your reply! I was worried. I just got the email from them today about it.

CORGI QUEEN! I love the name. I have a corgi. His name is Murphy and his Instagram is @murphy.thecorgi
Okay, sorry crazy dog momma here and I got excited! Ha!

 

[DVM-2023]

The lack of communication is kind of telling, in my opinion. I emailed about a tour back in June and they replied in September saying they can’t facilitate that. I submitted course substitution forms over a month ago and haven’t heard anything. When I tried calling the other day about it, no one answered and their voicemail box is full. I’ve had such great experiences with staff at other schools that I don’t think I’d want to be a student at Davis. If that makes sense any sense at all lol

I'm sorry your experiences with UC Davis have not been pleasant up to this point. I personally did not have these issues with the school during the application process, in fact the school was always willing to answer my questions in a somewhat timely manner. I will say that the admissions staff prefers to communicate via the messaging tool in the supplemental applicant portal so you may have more luck there. This was the primary way I communicated with the school during the process last year. I am also not surprised that their voicemail box is full at this time since we are in the heat of an application cycle. My advice is to message them through the online portal and expect at least a day or two before you receive a reply.

As for not wanting to attend the school because you don't think you would want to be a student here. First of all I am sorry you feel this way. I can not speak from a whole lot of experience since I've only been a student here for 6 weeks now, but what I can say is that if there is one thing this school puts first, it's the students. The entire campus, its programs, the curriculum, and the facilities are designed to support the learning of the students. Yes they also have to conduct research and operate a veterinary hospital, but students have the opportunity and are encouraged to participate in these areas from day one. Additionally, the amount of funding that this school manages to come up with the support scholarship and grant awards is outstanding. The academic staff really put their heart into looking for ways to make vet school mentally and financially less stressful for their students. I have not encountered one person, student or faculty member, who has not stopped to answer my question or helped me out with a particular topic. Many of them even go out of their way to do so. Also, we get to bring our dogs to school with us! So that's pretty cool.

I really hope you decide to submit your application. I applied to 8 schools, I was interviewed at 1 and waitlisted at the other, UC Davis was the only school that offered me an acceptance letter after my interview. If I had not applied for whatever reason I may not be in veterinary school right now. You may be confident in your chances but it's honestly such a crap shoot when it comes to applying for vet school, don't limit your options if you don't have to!

Good luck with interviews!

 

[DishonorOnUrCow]

Thank you for your input, I'm glad you are having a great experience! Its a little too late for me to switch gears, unfortunately. Communication aside, when I finally got ahold of someone, it looks like their system did not transmit my course substitution forms. At this point, its not worth the extra $ to find out later that they will not accept my uni's upper science courses. Oh well. Best of luck to everyone else!

I'm sorry your experiences with UC Davis have not been pleasant up to this point. I personally did not have these issues with the school during the application process, in fact the school was always willing to answer my questions in a somewhat timely manner. I will say that the admissions staff prefers to communicate via the messaging tool in the supplemental applicant portal so you may have more luck there. This was the primary way I communicated with the school during the process last year. I am also not surprised that their voicemail box is full at this time since we are in the heat of an application cycle. My advice is to message them through the online portal and expect at least a day or two before you receive a reply.

As for not wanting to attend the school because you don't think you would want to be a student here. First of all I am sorry you feel this way. I can not speak from a whole lot of experience since I've only been a student here for 6 weeks now, but what I can say is that if there is one thing this school puts first, it's the students. The entire campus, its programs, the curriculum, and the facilities are designed to support the learning of the students. Yes they also have to conduct research and operate a veterinary hospital, but students have the opportunity and are encouraged to participate in these areas from day one. Additionally, the amount of funding that this school manages to come up with the support scholarship and grant awards is outstanding. The academic staff really put their heart into looking for ways to make vet school mentally and financially less stressful for their students. I have not encountered one person, student or faculty member, who has not stopped to answer my question or helped me out with a particular topic. Many of them even go out of their way to do so. Also, we get to bring our dogs to school with us! So that's pretty cool.

I really hope you decide to submit your application. I applied to 8 schools, I was interviewed at 1 and waitlisted at the other, UC Davis was the only school that offered me an acceptance letter after my interview. If I had not applied for whatever reason I may not be in veterinary school right now. You may be confident in your chances but it's honestly such a crap shoot when it comes to applying for vet school, don't limit your options if you don't have to!

Good luck with interviews!

 

[meelc]

I thought I was going to be all calm/cool/collected this cycle but with the supplemental app closing this week and it being less than a month until we hear about interviews the stress is starting to get all too real 😛

 

[Wolfie<3]

Has anyone successfully used the "Science Prerequisites Substitution Request Form". I have submitted two courses through this form (genetics and biochem from my OOS college). Once in July and once in September. I have not heard anything back about them being accepted. I also tried to email the form directly to the admissions email; again..no response. Should I just relax for now until interview invites get sent out? -- I don't want to be disqualified due to not having had upper division pre-reqs verified.

 

[DVM2024]

Has anyone successfully used the "Science Prerequisites Substitution Request Form". I have submitted two courses through this form (genetics and biochem from my OOS college). Once in July and once in September. I have not heard anything back about them being accepted. I also tried to email the form directly to the admissions email; again..no response. Should I just relax for now until interview invites get sent out? -- I don't want to be disqualified due to not having had upper division pre-reqs verified.

Try using the message board on the supplemental app. That’s how the admissions team communicates rather than email 🙂

 

[Wolfie<3]

Looking at all the stats of those who received interviews for Davis in prior years is quite worrisome. My last 45 of 3.53 will come no where close to the top % of applicants. I'm IS, but I suppose I shouldn't hold my breath 😛

 

[EngrSC]

Looking at all the stats of those who received interviews for Davis in prior years is quite worrisome. My last 45 of 3.53 will come no where close to the top % of applicants. I'm IS, but I suppose I shouldn't hold my breath 😛

I think it’s pretty unlikely that I will get one either. My last 45 is strong but VMCAS threw me for a loop when they lumped my engineering classes into my science GPA. Otherwise my science GPA is solid 🙁

Buuuuuut I’m from California originally and am not crazy about the thought of moving back. So may it’s for the best?

Fingers crossed for you! 3.53 is by no means a bad GPA.

 

[Wolfie<3]

I think it’s pretty unlikely that I will get one either. My last 45 is strong but VMCAS threw me for a loop when they lumped my engineering classes into my science GPA. Otherwise my science GPA is solid 🙁

Buuuuuut I’m from California originally and am not crazy about the thought of moving back. So may it’s for the best?

Fingers crossed for you! 3.53 is by no means a bad GPA.

Ah damn, well they rank last 45 stronger, so who knows 😛 Although maybe you're right about it being a good thing if you don't wanna come back! 😉

My Q GRE was a 159, so its not helping or hurting me as it is their average.

Fingers crossed for you too!!

 

[meelc]

Not application update related, but any fellow Sonoma County-ers on here?? With everything going on this past week I've pretty much forgotten about my stress for this application cycle 😆

 

[Coopah]

Not application update related, but any fellow Sonoma County-ers on here?? With everything going on this past week I've pretty much forgotten about my stress for this application cycle 😆

Everyone ok? All we're dealing with in Davis is the smoke so we're doing ok with random outages from the wind.

 

[meelc]

Yes! And actually, as of today, everyone is doing pretty great (as can be). There is good containment on the fire, they only lost about 200 structures out of the 90,000 threatened, most of the mandatory evacuations were lifted this afternoon, and they are starting to restore power after 5 days of the power shut off. Plus I'll finally get to go back to work in the next day or so because the hospital I work at was in an evacuation zone/right next to the fire line near Windsor, but we just checked and it's still standing with electricity already back on!

 

[Coopah]

Yes! And actually, as of today, everyone is doing pretty great (as can be). There is good containment on the fire, they only lost about 200 structures out of the 90,000 threatened, most of the mandatory evacuations were lifted this afternoon, and they are starting to restore power after 5 days of the power shut off. Plus I'll finally get to go back to work in the next day or so because the hospital I work at was in an evacuation zone/right next to the fire line near Windsor, but we just checked and it's still standing with electricity already back on!

That's great!

 

[kbandlow]

When do you guys think interview decisions will be released? I’m so nervous, I can hardly wait.

Also, a few questions for current Davis Vet students:

1) what is your typical daily schedule like during year 1? In class until what time, and around how many hours of daily studying after class is over?

2) in your opinion, would taking an animal anatomy class or histology class be more helpful before entering vet school? I would love to get a jump start on the workload if possible.

3) what is your suggestifor living with other vet students vs. living alone?

4) what do people typically wear on a daily basis to class?

thank you!

 

[Wolfie<3]

When do you guys think interview decisions will be released? I’m so nervous, I can hardly wait.

Based on previous year threads-- it looks like the earliest we might hear is by next Friday November 8th!! 😀 Excited!

 

[Coopah]

When do you guys think interview decisions will be released? I’m so nervous, I can hardly wait.

Also, a few questions for current Davis Vet students:

1) what is your typical daily schedule like during year 1? In class until what time, and around how many hours of daily studying after class is over?

2) in your opinion, would taking an animal anatomy class or histology class be more helpful before entering vet school? I would love to get a jump start on the workload if possible.

3) what is your suggestifor living with other vet students vs. living alone?

4) what do people typically wear on a daily basis to class?

thank you!

1) There really isn't a daily schedule, it's in constant flux. Some days you'll be in lecture for 5-6 hours straight. Other days you'll have only 1 or 2 and then an afternoon lab. Sometimes it'll be an awful day and you'll have four hours of lecture before lunch then a lab in the afternoon and you get out at five. Sometimes you'll be out by lunch, it depends.

2) Neither, you'll learn when you get here and if you don't have to take them just relax. I get the wanting to get started right away, but instead try to spend more time with your loved ones, get into a healthy routine for things like exercise and diet, that'll be way more useful.

3) Living with vet students is the best! They're a built in support system. Even better if they're upperclassmen. My first year I lived with a second year who calmed me down about almost everything. They've been through it and they know. Now I live with a PhD student who already has her DVM and she tells me all the useful things to know in practice.

4) Anything they want. Some people show up in sweats and some people show up in business casual. Nobody judges you for what you wear to class. Yoga pants, jeans and general relaxed clothing is the norm. Now if you have a meeting with a professor about getting involved in some of their research, maybe not sweats. Otherwise, we're very laid back.

 

[dancelover12]

I heard from someone in admissions that interview invites should be coming out sometime this next week!

 

[justwannabeavet]

I heard from someone in admissions that interview invites should be coming out sometime this next week!

now I am going to be obsessively checking this and that portal even though I have midterms...

 

[Ilovemycats]

now I am going to be obsessively checking this and that portal even though I have midterms...

Same, same!

 

[schlagzeugerin]

Hi, just thought I'd add on here! I'm OOS and my stats are more on-par with the in-state ones (I know OOS are way higher) so I'm not really expecting much but I still have a sliver of hope. I also haven't heard from any vet schools yet so it would be cool to hear from Davis this week!

 

[Lucy410]

When do you guys think interview decisions will be released? I’m so nervous, I can hardly wait.

Also, a few questions for current Davis Vet students:

1) what is your typical daily schedule like during year 1? In class until what time, and around how many hours of daily studying after class is over?

2) in your opinion, would taking an animal anatomy class or histology class be more helpful before entering vet school? I would love to get a jump start on the workload if possible.

3) what is your suggestifor living with other vet students vs. living alone?

4) what do people typically wear on a daily basis to class?

thank you!

Current third year here!

1) The schedule varies daily, but in first year I would say it's typically lectures in the morning 9-12, then 2-3 hours in lab in the afternoon. Some days are shorter and occasionally you'll be there all day 9-5. You always get an hour break for lunch. In first year you rarely start before 9am (except during orientation week) and never end later than 5pm. There are no weekend responsibilities until fourth year. In second year there are more 8am classes but you're still out by 5pm. In third year 8am is the typical start time and on your surgery days (a few times per month), you'll start at 7am, with class in the morning and labs that run from noon to whenever you finish your surgery (usually between 5:30 and 7pm) plus a 9pm night check. Fourth year is a whole other beast, with early mornings, late nights, and weekend duties.

Keep in mind that at least currently, most of our lectures are recorded and attendance is not strictly mandatory, so you can choose to watch the recordings instead of attending in person. This is kind of frowned upon by the professors but it's ok to do. Discussion sessions and labs are mandatory and attendance is taken via swiping in with your ID badge.

In terms of studying, I would say I do around 2-3 hours per weekday. Less if it's a light week, more if it's an exam week. On the weekends it probably varies from 8 to zero hours depending on how caught up I am. In first year the exams are fairly spread out so you have more time. In second year you have an exam just about every week (and sometimes it's a Friday exam that covers everything you learned Monday-Thursday) so you really have to stay on top of everything. People who are planning on going into academic internships and residency probably study more. You just have to find your rhythm and how you study best, both effectively AND efficiently. Personally, I have to be really efficient with my study time because a) I commute 45 minutes each way to school, b) I have a small child to take care of when I get home, and c) I have to get enough sleep or my health starts to suffer. So I try to treat school like a job and spend 8-9 hours per day on it, either in class or studying. Evenings and weekends are reserved for family time and nights for rest. I don't pull all nighters, but I also don't do a lot of extracurriculars or unstructured free time. It all works out.

2) I don't think it's really possible to get a jump on the vet school curriculum, honestly. There is so much info coming at you so fast that everyone's in the same boat no matter how prepared they were coming in. But if you're set on taking a class, I would vote histology. They'll go over relevant anatomy with you in each block. I didn't have any histology or microscopy skills coming in and they spend less time teaching that than they do anatomy.

3) Do whichever is cheapest! Saving money is really important. Personally, I do neither - I live with my husband and child. But I'm not the norm. 😉 Most of my classmates live with other vet students, which is cheaper than living alone and (if all goes well) gives you a built-in social network and study buddies. Keep in mind that the housing scene in Davis is pretty competitive so it's often easier to go in on something with some roommates.

4) Most people wear jeans or leggings with casual tops, like t-shirts or fleeces. Large animal people wear boots. A lot of people wear scrubs to class if they have lab that day. There is a group of people in our class who used to wear animal onesies on exam days. There's no dress code so you can wear whatever you want, but you should exercise good judgment because vet med is a smaller world than most students realize. Inappropriate or revealing clothes would be very out of place.

Feel free to ask any other questions! I absolutely love Davis and I'm so glad to be here. I'm also happy to be a resource for any returning/nontraditional students wondering about life in vet school.

 

[Lucy410]

I heard from someone in admissions that interview invites should be coming out sometime this next week!

Good luck to everyone waiting! I remember getting my interview invite back in 2016 and completely freaking out (with happiness!). Getting an invite is the biggest hurdle - once you interview your odds of being admitted are much higher. I think it was around 50/50 the year I interviewed.