UF c/o 2021 Applicants

Veterinary Science Graduate Certificate from UofI
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Anyone else struggling with the diversity statement? I honestly have no idea what to write about.
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Hatter2012 said:
I had some D's in my chem and C-'s in other prereqs so it brought my GPA down. I was able to sit down with a woman named Nicole in admissions ( she's on the website) she said to me, look if you couldn't do it I'd tell you to get out of my office right now. I've retaken most of those classes and gotten an A or B in all courses C or lower. Was also working a full time vet internship while doing so. Lackluster was due to my grandfather dying through my last two semesters ( I was taking care of him) and my house being flooded out before that ( living in friends houses/basements). I did put that in my explaination statement that my friend Tessa died during my retakes and it did not effect them. I learned from the last time.
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Thank you for your response! I am sorry for the loss of your friend and grandfather. It sounds like you made up for a few bad grades though by retaking them.

I heard GRE is a big thing Florida cares about?
 
VetMed1 said:
Thank you for your response! I am sorry for the loss of your friend and grandfather. It sounds like you made up for a few bad grades though by retaking them.

I heard GRE is a big thing Florida cares about?
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UF looks at your academic and your experience heavily from what I have seen and heard. Its not a what do I have to focus on, more of a what can I do to make myself well rounded. If you have a 4.0 but no veterinary experience, you are going to have to make up for that. If you have a lacking GPA but good LOR's and experience you are going to have to try and do what you can to make up for that in other areas.

I think most vet colleges are that way.

Im probably the worst person to talk about it, frankly if i get in it will probably be a miracle. I'm prepared to keep working and apply next cycle if I don't. I don't know how well I'll do on the GRE on the 22nd and my application is pretty much riding on it.
 
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floridajl said:
Anyone else struggling with the diversity statement? I honestly have no idea what to write about.
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So am I but Im making headway with this mind map of sorts

What have you done experience wise that you think sets you apart?
What skills has this experience given you? How will you use them to be a better vet/vet student?

I think the overcoming roadblocks is best put in your explanation statement and thats what is tripping me up.
 
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floridajl said:
Anyone else struggling with the diversity statement? I honestly have no idea what to write about.
Click to expand...

Hatter2012 said:
So am I but Im making headway with this mind map of sorts

What have you done experience wise that you think sets you apart?
What skills has this experience given you? How will you use them to be a better vet/vet student?

I think the overcoming roadblocks is best put in your explanation statement and thats what is tripping me up.
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I wrote about my childhood and overcoming adversity, I flip-flop between thinking it's great and awful. It is what it is :shrug: we'll see what happens.
 
Hatter2012 said:
So am I but Im making headway with this mind map of sorts

What have you done experience wise that you think sets you apart?
What skills has this experience given you? How will you use them to be a better vet/vet student?

I think the overcoming roadblocks is best put in your explanation statement and thats what is tripping me up.
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The thing is, I answered those questions in my personal statement, for the "what unique experiences have prepared you/what do you have to offer" parts. And the only thing I've really had to overcome is the overarching theme of my personal statement. I definitely understand the difficulty of not using something from your explanation statement. I guess I'll just have to get creative!
 
Hatter2012 said:
UF looks at your academic and your experience heavily from what I have seen and heard. Its not a what do I have to focus on, more of a what can I do to make myself well rounded. If you have a 4.0 but no veterinary experience, you are going to have to make up for that. If you have a lacking GPA but good LOR's and experience you are going to have to try and do what you can to make up for that in other areas.

I think most vet colleges are that way.

Im probably the worst person to talk about it, frankly if i get in it will probably be a miracle. I'm prepared to keep working and apply next cycle if I don't. I don't know how well I'll do on the GRE on the 22nd and my application is pretty much riding on it.
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The only real downfall is the GRE for me. I'm hoping that won't matter that much!
 
floridajl said:
The thing is, I answered those questions in my personal statement, for the "what unique experiences have prepared you/what do you have to offer" parts. And the only thing I've really had to overcome is the overarching theme of my personal statement. I definitely understand the difficulty of not using something from your explanation statement. I guess I'll just have to get creative!
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Ya exactly, everything I would want to say is already in my PS!

Anyone who applied here in the past have insight?
 
floridajl said:
Anyone else struggling with the diversity statement? I honestly have no idea what to write about.
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Definitely riding the struggle bus for this essay. The only thing that makes me diverse isn't really something I feel like discussing and can come off boohoo and whiny which I definitely don't want. This site was helpful in pointing out some areas of diversity that I didn't originally think about, maybe it can help you too.

http://www.collegebasics.com/college-planning-2/37/138-are-you-diverse-enough-to-stand-out.html
 
FeenyFee said:
Definitely riding the struggle bus for this essay. The only thing that makes me diverse isn't really something I feel like discussing and can come off boohoo and whiny which I definitely don't want. This site was helpful in pointing out some areas of diversity that I didn't originally think about, maybe it can help you too.

http://www.collegebasics.com/college-planning-2/37/138-are-you-diverse-enough-to-stand-out.html
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This is a great link! I love what it says in the "under-represented section" - it really offers up a different perspective. I managed to get mine finished the other day, but it was definitely one of the most challenging essays I've written. I hope you can finish yours without too much frustration!
 
Raw gre v157 and Q145 yeah not even wanting to apply im screwed. I knew id do bad without accommodations, probably would have been worse without tutoring. Struggled to get the math done in time..ADD sucks. I can do clinical and real life work fine..timed tests..ugh im already planning on how to get accommodations set up in time for next cycle.
 
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Hatter2012 said:
Raw gre v157 and Q145 yeah not even wanting to apply im screwed. I knew id do bad without accommodations, probably would have been worse without tutoring. Struggled to get the math done in time..ADD sucks. I can do clinical and real life work fine..timed tests..ugh im already planning on how to get accommodations set up in time for next cycle.
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Im sorry Hatter :( That verbal is good though!


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Im still applying just prepared for rejection. I still have round 3000 vet hours and around 2k animal. My lors are good and my verbal was over their average. Im just not looking foward to redoing this again.
 
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Hatter2012 said:
Im still applying just prepared for rejection. I still have round 3000 vet hours and around 2k animal. My lors are good and my verbal was over their average. Im just not looking foward to redoing this again.
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Hey don't worry a little thing like Quant GRE won't break you, how's your GPA?
 
Coopah said:
Hey don't worry a little thing like Quant GRE won't break you, how's your GPA?
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It wasnt pretty but I retook anything less than a c and some cs ( 8 courses )to get A's and B's so its probably a lot better. My math was cs I was in ese classes before working my way up into regular so my math has been behind. I was honors in hs but yeah putting that bit in my explanation segment.

My quant was supposed to make up for that but 147 is actually good for not having accommodations.

In a real world setting I deal well with my add. I do functional electrical stim treatments by myself, do multiple jobs at one time during joint injections on horses ( hold twitch..hit the ultrasound button and take a needle off with my teeth. ) but on standardized tests especially math, I struggle. I say this because a lot of folks go well then you wont get extra time in the real world..in the real world im not doing a standardized test.

Im hoping the fact im making it clear that I want to do production and equine, and not small will help me. Goats and horses are my life.
 
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Hatter2012 said:
It wasnt pretty but I retook anything less than a c and some cs ( 8 courses )to get A's and B's so its probably a lot better. My math was cs I was in ese classes before working my way up into regular so my math has been behind. I was honors in hs but yeah putting that bit in my explanation segment.

My quant was supposed to make up for that but 147 is actually good for not having accommodations.

In a real world setting I deal well with my add. I do functional electrical stim treatments by myself, do multiple jobs at one time during joint injections on horses ( hold twitch..hit the ultrasound button and take a needle off with my teeth. ) but on standardized tests especially math, I struggle. I say this because a lot of folks go well then you wont get extra time in the real world..in the real world im not doing a standardized test.

Im hoping the fact im making it clear that I want to do production and equine, and not small will help me. Goats and horses are my life.
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I think you still have a great shot! I hope so, because my GPA isn't pretty either ;). They will look at all your experiences and see that you are really dedicated! Besides, science GPA and Last 45 GPA weight just as much don't they? Since you retook classes, I'm sure your last 45 is good. I have a feeling you'll do great Hatter!
 
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cdoconn said:
How did y'all do the pre-requisite course sheet? Did you fill it out as a PDF, or print, fill out, and scan?


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I'm filling it out as a PDF, and having someone take a picture of me in a buisness shirt for the picture. Found out my main LOR vet had been approached to be on the admissions board. She can't because she's working on a book we did disections for ( distal limb ultrasound) but she said each vet has 45-60 packets to look through. She advised me to be pretty concise with my PS and DS because they are going to be wiped out come the end of that stack.
 
Hatter2012 said:
I'm filling it out as a PDF, and having someone take a picture of me in a buisness shirt for the picture. Found out my main LOR vet had been approached to be on the admissions board. She can't because she's working on a book we did disections for ( distal limb ultrasound) but she said each vet has 45-60 packets to look through. She advised me to be pretty concise with my PS and DS because they are going to be wiped out come the end of that stack.
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Did you have any AP credit? I'm not sure how to fill out the ones I had AP credit for


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cdoconn said:
Did you have any AP credit? I'm not sure how to fill out the ones I had AP credit for


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If I remember correctly, there should be instructions either in the online supplemental or at the bottom of that page that say what to do with AP classes.
 
cdoconn said:
It didn't, explicitly. It just told us the classes they take. I called them!


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I have AP history credit ( 5 whoohoo) I just called UF because I saw they needed 4 credits for Biochem and I almost died. They said theirs includes the lab and that a three credit lecture course still counts. Thanks UF you about gave me a heart attack.

However I was short a credit and took American history I over but yeah the AP credits are confusing.
 
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cdoconn said:
So I filled it out as a PDF, and the comments aren't showing on the VMAS portal when I click on it. So you might want to print and scan.
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Have you tried downloading Adobe Acrobat Reader DC? It's free and lets you add text anywhere you want, then you can save it an upload it. It's kind of a pain in the butt but it works!
 
cdoconn said:
It didn't, explicitly. It just told us the classes they take. I called them!


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Oh, you're right! I must've been thinking of the actual VMCAS or another supplemental. For my UF sheet, I just put "AP credit" for institution and grade, then left year taken blank.
 
PS kinda done..My vet mentor has been putting them through the ringer. I have had to trash 3 diversity statements and yes I have been brought to tears. I'm trying to use my interest in food animals and equine to set me apart. There are not a lot of folks who want to do food animal, but it was my first choice since we lost a sheep because no vet in the area would work on sheep and our normal vet was out of town. The ewe died convulsing in my arms. After a few more cases elsewhere of we can't come out we don't do goats or sheep I kinda chose what I wanted to do. Horses came because they were the closest small animal I could get experience with and I worked at a rescue where I ended up doing most of the minor medical and taking care of 32 horses. I never want to see another case of rainnrot ever again ( any of you all who do equine know what I mean) . I worked there and a better rescue that had their own cattle,goats, and chickens they raised to pay for the rescue costs.

Trying to make that pretty is my issue and I'm unsure if I should put in my ADD and the vet experience since I already put that in my PS.
 
About AP credit I emailed them and this is what they said "You may put AP for the grade, the instruction that accepted the AP course for instruction, and for the year you will put the year it was accepted."
 
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Coopah said:
About AP credit I emailed them and this is what they said "You may put AP for the grade, the instruction that accepted the AP course for instruction, and for the year you will put the year it was accepted."
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Awesome, that's much clearer. Thanks!
 
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Hatter2012 said:
I have AP history credit ( 5 whoohoo) I just called UF because I saw they needed 4 credits for Biochem and I almost died. They said theirs includes the lab and that a three credit lecture course still counts. Thanks UF you about gave me a heart attack.

However I was short a credit and took American history I over but yeah the AP credits are confusing.
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So I just reread your post like 6 times cause it gave me that same heart attack thinking that I needed a lab credit! Why is this process so stressful?!
 
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palahala said:
So I just reread your post like 6 times cause it gave me that same heart attack thinking that I needed a lab credit! Why is this process so stressful?!
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I called the admissions office in a total panic and got a chuckle on the other end. They said the sheet was talking about their biochem which includes a lab. They don't require the lab for pre-req so a 3 credit hr course is just fine. Hell my biochem course 75% was an A grade, I'm not retaking that. I pulled that up from a C- the first time I took it to a B (74..so close). As much as I like biochem, I was waking up and writing out the equations from memory. I saw mechanisms in my sleep :eek:.
 
I'm taking it this semester online (like legit just started it today) and I already hate it. I graduated 3 years ago and decided to finally apply to vet school this year and it's basically the last pre-req that I never took in undergrad. It feels like orgo is coming back to haunt me.
 
palahala said:
I'm taking it this semester online (like legit just started it today) and I already hate it. I graduated 3 years ago and decided to finally apply to vet school this year and it's basically the last pre-req that I never took in undergrad. It feels like orgo is coming back to haunt me.
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If you have any issue PM me I can help a bit with how to study for that monstrosity. You want to grab that gen chem one and two textbook you couldn't resell or go look at Khan academy. Go over thermodynamics, the acid base stuff, and the rate laws. Most people fail biochem because they take it so far off from genchem but if you go over that you should be fine. Orgo comes in with the mechanisms but they aren't that hard. Seriously love biochem though, it will help you understand micro so much better and I understand Laminitis in horses more because of it.
 
What did everyone use for the professional photos part
 
Hatter2012 said:
What did everyone use for the professional photos part
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My best friend is a photographer by hobby, so I had him take a head shot of me. Didn't pay to get one professionally done, but I've heard that's okay.
 
My friend agreed to take mine, shes a professional photographer so hopefully it works. Im so ready to be done with this app.
 
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My statements are done :soexcited:. The two besides my explanation statement
 
cdoconn said:
I'm halfway through with mine... I'm not entirely sure what to put- my ideas are basically done


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My vet may or may not have been hounding me and telling me to scrap them a total of 5 times. I'm still trying to make my explanation one clear and concise. I'm just hoping it's all enough.

What helped me was doing an outline and then filing it in from that. My diversity one just came to me after way too much coffee and a two page rant of my frustrations I then promptly erased.
 
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Hey so for anyone that plans to take ansci and nutrition in the summer - how do you enter this on the pre-reqs page??? Should I just put the UF down?
 
palahala said:
Hey so for anyone that plans to take ansci and nutrition in the summer - how do you enter this on the pre-reqs page??? Should I just put the UF down?
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On the prereqs page You simply list the University you plan to take the courses at, and put planned in the grade section.
 
Can I turn in the vmcas before uf's app?
 
kapais and dunkels said:
You can submit programs individually, but I'm not sure if you can turn the vmcas part in separately if Florida is your only program
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Uf has their own on their website that im doing as well but Im waiting on paperwork for it.
 
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