University of Arizona C/O 2025

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yourheartandsoul

yourheartandsoul

CSU C/O 2026
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I just submitted my VMCAS last week and am hoping to get into U of A but have been hearing some bad rep about it. How do I decide if it is the right school for me? Anyone have any pros and cons they have made for U of A?
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I didn’t personally apply to this program but these would be my personal pros/cons:

Pros:
- you’ll get to be a DVM from a (soon to be) fully accredited program 🙂 (probably a big enough pro to outweigh all of the cons for a lot of people)
- save a bit of money in cost of living by graduating sooner
- looks like a good program if you want to do GP

Cons:
- accelerated curriculum in what is already a difficult program- burnout? student welfare? Biggest con for me tbh.
- not great if you intend on specializing. I believe you’d miss the match cycle for the year you graduate, so if you wanted to match into an internship or residency, you’d have to wait nearly another year to start
- no free time over summers for research/externships/whatever (another ding for specializing)
- no teaching hospital (a personal con for me, I know others prefer this model- a pro would be you’d get to spend time at more clinics, see what you want in a future job, and perhaps make connections that will help you get a job)
- new school- likely lots of bumps in the road for the first several classes to encounter

If you’re not sure if this school would be a good fit for you, maybe try reaching out to current students and seeing how they feel about the program? If you want to specialize, it might not be the best fit, but if you just want to get into the GP field as fast as possible, it might be a good choice for you!
 
BigCats said:
accelerated curriculum in what is already a difficult program- burnout? student welfare? Biggest con for me tbh.
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This is the absolute biggest con for me. I need my breaks. I’m so burnt out from studying and learning at the end of a semester that I need a summer break. Our 3ish week winter break isn’t even enough for me and I went into second semester already d y i n g
 
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BigCats said:
I didn’t personally apply to this program but these would be my personal pros/cons:

Pros:
- you’ll get to be a DVM from a (soon to be) fully accredited program 🙂 (probably a big enough pro to outweigh all of the cons for a lot of people)
- save a bit of money in cost of living by graduating sooner
- looks like a good program if you want to do GP

Cons:
- accelerated curriculum in what is already a difficult program- burnout? student welfare? Biggest con for me tbh.
- not great if you intend on specializing. I believe you’d miss the match cycle for the year you graduate, so if you wanted to match into an internship or residency, you’d have to wait nearly another year to start
- no free time over summers for research/externships/whatever (another ding for specializing)
- no teaching hospital (a personal con for me, I know others prefer this model- a pro would be you’d get to spend time at more clinics, see what you want in a future job, and perhaps make connections that will help you get a job)
- new school- likely lots of bumps in the road for the first several classes to encounter

If you’re not sure if this school would be a good fit for you, maybe try reaching out to current students and seeing how they feel about the program? If you want to specialize, it might not be the best fit, but if you just want to get into the GP field as fast as possible, it might be a good choice for you!
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I have talked to some students and they all seem to love it but I also hear stuff that makes me feel like I wouldn’t love it?

I love the idea of a flipped classroom & team based learning. I don’t love the idea of not specializing.

I want to specialize in orthopedic surgery for both large and small animal.

I’m used to not having a summer. My current school is year round so it’s okay. I know U of A offers like week long mental breaks through the semesters like 3-4 times I think.

what would a teaching hospital give me that the clinical visits wouldn’t?

I really don’t know what to do. I’ve applied to Oregon, Washington, Colorado, MidWestern, and then U of A.

Any help will be appreciated.
 
I’m from Hawaii so Michigan is a bit far for me sadly 🙁
SkiOtter said:
Michigan state does this too but does get regular breaks and could set you up for specializing better with graduating in time to start internships like normal in June/July if that’s a concern like bigcats mentioned
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yourheartandsoul said:
what would a teaching hospital give me that the clinical visits wouldn’t?
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I haven’t started vet school yet, but I know a lot of people at my school volunteer through clubs with some of the different departments, are part of on-call teams for dystocia or colic so they can go in for those procedures, and do research over the summers with professors they’ve met in the teaching hospital. I’m interested in specializing, so extra opportunities for networking and getting experience are something I’m looking for. Not quite as important, but I also don’t want to be running around during my clinical year bouncing between different clinics and having to make a bunch of different arrangements when I could have all of my necessary rotations in one place 😆
 
yourheartandsoul said:
I want to specialize in orthopedic surgery for both large and small animal.

I’m used to not having a summer. My current school is year round so it’s okay. I know U of A offers like week long mental breaks through the semesters like 3-4 times I think.

what would a teaching hospital give me that the clinical visits wouldn’t?
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Just as a side note that afaik you'd have to become double board certified to do orthopedics in large and small if you want to specialize-just something to think about. Small animal sx+Eq sx most likely.

I'm sure other UofA students answered this question better, but I have heard from a few of the students yes it's a "break" but it's more like a break to catch up on stuff.

I think there are a couple of things to consider with the teaching hospital vs not:
-travelling: you may have a significant increase in costs 4th year to account for travel depending where rotations are located
-standard of care: (full disclosure I'm 100% for practicality and helping patients with what clients can afford-which is usually not gold standard) I know the schools in an ideal world do their best to see what these places are like but there is a certain amount that gold standard can't be known with off site rotations. I think having a solid foundation of knowledge for gold standard medicine is important to know (via clinics or didactics) and obviously some of that is individual drive to do good medicine. In the same stroke gold standard is definitely not available to a majority of the patient populace, and you have to do the best with what you have, but I have seen some very questionable medicine at some places-including a main rotation through a school that has an off site rotation set up. Not to say less than ideal medicine might not happen in a vth, but just something to consider-hope that made sense and didnt come off in a way I didnt intend
 
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I worked for a vet that was in LMU’s first graduating class (no teaching hospital). She loved it. She put all of her things in storage and spent her clinical year bouncing from extended stay hotel to extended stay hotel. By the time she graduated she had 3 job offers from practices she’d rotated through. So that model can work for people.

However, I’m personally glad I chose a school with a teaching hospital. Many of our professors are also clinicians and I love that they talk cases with us. We have an integrative session each week where we work through real cases in teams of 4, and have things like path rounds each week with the pathologists that we can be involved in. There are opportunities to work in the teaching hospital (I jumped on the opportunity) and I love that I can make a few bucks, get to know clinicians, and have the reminder of why I’m here and working so hard. And I befriended a resident in my field of interest

But ditto what was said above about breaks and burnout. I don’t know how a 3-year curriculum gives you time for r&r or time to get out there and network in your field of interest. I 1000% felt like I needed summer break to decompress after first year.
 
yourheartandsoul said:
I have talked to some students and they all seem to love it but I also hear stuff that makes me feel like I wouldn’t love it?

I love the idea of a flipped classroom & team based learning. I don’t love the idea of not specializing.

I want to specialize in orthopedic surgery for both large and small animal.

I’m used to not having a summer. My current school is year round so it’s okay. I know U of A offers like week long mental breaks through the semesters like 3-4 times I think.

what would a teaching hospital give me that the clinical visits wouldn’t?

I really don’t know what to do. I’ve applied to Oregon, Washington, Colorado, MidWestern, and then U of A.

Any help will be appreciated.
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A con for me regarding lack of teaching hospital is you don't get to build as strong of bonds with the clinical faculty. For example, I have a rotation where I spent 4 months on campus with small animal primary care clinicians... and while I don't want to work SA GP, I still think it was a great opportunity for them to see who I am and be able to offer a better LOR for my upcoming VIRMP application than a clinician who I spent 2 weeks with.
I also love that when I have an interesting case I can do a "fly by consult" with specialists in my school and can get a consult on a patient that benefits my education as well as the client.. this is something you're likely to not be able to get at most off-campus places.
Also, standard of care is a huge one that MA touched on. At my teaching hospital I learned gold standard medicine. While this doesn't always apply to what I could do in the real world... while starting an off-campus rotation I was able to answer what I'd like to do in an ideal world as well as what would be realistic for this client. Not too mention, the competition that'll be had to get rotations off-campus at the times you want them with students within your program, Midwestern students, OOS, and island schools.

For the full-breaks off I LOVED and needed mine. Family things happened during my first year that made it to where if I didn't have a summer off I likely would've needed to defer. During my second year vacation I did research projects that definitely help with VIRMP applications if you're considering specializing and pursuing an internship. This was another way I was able to bond with faculty in ways, develop relationships and show my capabilities.
 
First time applicant OOS! Got a message my supplemental was received and I was being considered for an MMI 9/24. I wonder when they'll send out more interviews?
 
katiemcat said:
First time applicant OOS! Got a message my supplemental was received and I was being considered for an MMI 9/24. I wonder when they'll send out more interviews?
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When did you submit the assessment? I completed mine on 9/9 and haven't heard anything since..
 
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lentilsmom said:
When did you submit the assessment? I completed mine on 9/9 and haven't heard anything since..
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I submitted my supplemental 9/1/21. I'm not too sure how their timeline works with supplementals. I know there are people haven't received a supplemental yet and people who have already been offered interviews.
 
katiemcat said:
First time applicant OOS! Got a message my supplemental was received and I was being considered for an MMI 9/24. I wonder when they'll send out more interviews?
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I completed my supplemental on 8/19 and received an email of confirmation on 8/30. Do you know if people who have already been offered interviews submitted their application earlier? Thanks!
 
Horserider47yt said:
I completed my supplemental on 8/19 and received an email of confirmation on 8/30. Do you know if people who have already been offered interviews submitted their application earlier? Thanks!
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Some people who have already received interviews on the APVMA Facebook said they submitted in August and September. They are rolling though so they’re probably just going through their first round of invites.
 
Horserider47yt said:
I completed my supplemental on 8/19 and received an email of confirmation on 8/30. Do you know if people who have already been offered interviews submitted their application earlier? Thanks!
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I got my conformation email 9/14 for my supplemental. I was offered an interview 10/5. Don’t start worrying yet. It’s still early.
 
katiemcat said:
Some people who have already received interviews on the APVMA Facebook said they submitted in August and September. They are rolling though so they’re probably just going through their first round of invites.
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Good to know! Thanks for the info
 
nseig said:
I got my conformation email 9/14 for my supplemental. I was offered an interview 10/5. Don’t start worrying yet. It’s still early.
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I’ll try to do my best haha! Thanks for letting me know!
 
I’m seeing on Facebook some people have received denials today. Have they also sent out more interviews does anyone know ? Nervous 🥲
 
Has anyone had difficulty scheduling their interview? The link they sent doesn't go anywhere 😅
 
carlyrsmith said:
Has anyone had difficulty scheduling their interview? The link they sent doesn't go anywhere 😅
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Like anywhere at all?? When I clicked on it it brought up a page and the “register” button was way at the top and not super obvious
 
Ingaok said:
Like anywhere at all?? When I clicked on it it brought up a page and the “register” button was way at the top and not super obvious
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It went to their regular home page, but I emailed them and thankfully they fixed it!
 
Hey guys! I just wanted to reach out as a first year student, for anyone that might have burning questions about the program feel free to message me and I’ll try to get back ASAP ! Good luck ☺️You guys got this !
 
katiemcat said:
I submitted my supplemental 9/1/21. I'm not too sure how their timeline works with supplementals. I know there are people haven't received a supplemental yet and people who have already been offered interviews.
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Yeah, I JUST submitted my supplemental!
 
Second time IS applicant. I recently got my "Supplemental Assessment Completed" email. I was just wondering what dates have been offered for people that are interviewing. Are you signing up for interview dates in January/February already?
 
When you guys say you got an email confirmation the supplemental was received… is this just the automatic email you get when you finish the Kira assessment or is there another one that comes when they start to review your app? Thanks!
 
thankdog said:
When you guys say you got an email confirmation the supplemental was received… is this just the automatic email you get when you finish the Kira assessment or is there another one that comes when they start to review your app? Thanks!
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I got two, the automated one when I finished the assessment and then another like 2 weeks later saying they’d received everything and my application was now under review for an MMI
 
Vet01 said:
Second time IS applicant. I recently got my "Supplemental Assessment Completed" email. I was just wondering what dates have been offered for people that are interviewing. Are you signing up for interview dates in January/February already?
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I received my interview invitation 11/10 and was offered a couple of dates early-mid January.
 
thankdog said:
When you guys say you got an email confirmation the supplemental was received… is this just the automatic email you get when you finish the Kira assessment or is there another one that comes when they start to review your app? Thanks!
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The supplemental completed email was very similar to the application under review email from last cycle. It basically just said they received my application, received my supplemental application, and that my application was now being considered for a MMI between October 2021 and February 2022.
 
Hey guys, just a question- with my supplemental (which was sent before the deadline about 2.5 weeks ago), I never received a confirmation from UofA that they received it, just the automatic one through KiraTalent, and it seems that other people received another one sometime between 3-14 days directly from UofA. I'm not a school-I-applied-to-emailer, but I am wondering if I should shoot them an email and make sure it went through. Is that dumb, and they'll probably just get to sending the confirmation when they can, or what?
 
ruralnerd17 said:
Hey guys, just a question- with my supplemental (which was sent before the deadline about 2.5 weeks ago), I never received a confirmation from UofA that they received it, just the automatic one through KiraTalent, and it seems that other people received another one sometime between 3-14 days directly from UofA. I'm not a school-I-applied-to-emailer, but I am wondering if I should shoot them an email and make sure it went through. Is that dumb, and they'll probably just get to sending the confirmation when they can, or what?
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If you’re worried, I would definitely send them an email. They are amazingly kind and quick to respond. It’s too easy to send a quick message and relieve some of that unneeded stress! I personally had a little issue with using Kira Talent and the school was able to help me fix it that same day.
 
ruralnerd17 said:
Hey guys, just a question- with my supplemental (which was sent before the deadline about 2.5 weeks ago), I never received a confirmation from UofA that they received it, just the automatic one through KiraTalent, and it seems that other people received another one sometime between 3-14 days directly from UofA. I'm not a school-I-applied-to-emailer, but I am wondering if I should shoot them an email and make sure it went through. Is that dumb, and they'll probably just get to sending the confirmation when they can, or what?
Click to expand...

When I applied last year I didn’t receive my confirmed/under review email until December 23rd! So I wouldn’t be worried but you can always email them to double check!

This year I submitted my supplemental on 10/1 and and received the confirmation on Monday!
 
ruralnerd17 said:
Hey guys, just a question- with my supplemental (which was sent before the deadline about 2.5 weeks ago), I never received a confirmation from UofA that they received it, just the automatic one through KiraTalent, and it seems that other people received another one sometime between 3-14 days directly from UofA. I'm not a school-I-applied-to-emailer, but I am wondering if I should shoot them an email and make sure it went through. Is that dumb, and they'll probably just get to sending the confirmation when they can, or what?
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I'm on the same boat, I submitted my supplemental on 10/9, but I still haven't heard back, just from Kira talent. I emailed on October 25 re: my TOEFL scores, and they said they added them to my application, but that's all.
 
TinyTheRunner said:
When I applied last year I didn’t receive my confirmed/under review email until December 23rd! So I wouldn’t be worried but you can always email them to double check!

This year I submitted my supplemental on 10/1 and and received the confirmation on Monday!
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When did you hear back regarding their decision last year? It looks like I won't be hearing from them until the end of December...
 
justafluff said:
When did you hear back regarding their decision last year? It looks like I won't be hearing from them until the end of December...
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I've seen some folks who submitted their supplemental mid September, already get scheduled for interviews.
 
justafluff said:
When did you hear back regarding their decision last year? It looks like I won't be hearing from them until the end of December...
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I heard back on January 5th that I was rejected without an interview so about two weeks after. They didn’t allow for any file reviews last year so I‘m not sure what specifically they didn’t like but I know I‘m on the low end cumulative GPA wise (3.2 overall but 3.8 for graduate work) and at that point I didn’t have a lot of veterinary experience so that was probably also a factor for me.
 
justafluff said:
I'm on the same boat, I submitted my supplemental on 10/9, but I still haven't heard back, just from Kira talent. I emailed on October 25 re: my TOEFL scores, and they said they added them to my application, but that's all.
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I wouldn't worry. I submitted my supplemental application on 10/2 and I didn't hear back until 11/12. I also think that more people submitted their supplemental application in October, so it might take longer to process those than it did to process the ones submitted in September. They review them based on when you submitted, so they are probably close to sending you a supplemental complete email if I had to guess.
 
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