I could go on about this for literally ever so I'm going get to try to keep it concise.
1. UTK is my IS school so it's the cheapest option. Although that is really the least notable reason for why I love it, I know I need to mention that the cheapest school usually equals the school you should attend from what I've learned as an SDN member
2. UTKCVM places a large emphasis on the human-animal bond, and has several outreach programs dedicated to it, (as hopeful_vet2023 also mentioned)! This is one of the reasons why I chose vet med and I really want to be involved with the different outreach programs UT has to offer.
2. UTK and Knoxville as a whole both have great opportunities for students who want to work with the ag industry
3. They have a fantastic reputation with the locals (and elsewhere), and since I want to come back to Knox to practice, having a degree from UT would be a major step towards gaining trust and building rapport with my local clients.
4. They have access to literally everything a vet student could ever want. New equine facility, exotics, close relationship with local zoo, large animal and small animal specialties, nutrition center, etc. I have not exactly narrowed down exactly what I want to do in terms of specialties and I know that UTK would allow me to gain exposure to anything I could possibly want.
5. This is probably the biggest one for me. I don't know how they do it, but UTKCVM has cultivated the kindest and most caring atmosphere ever. Their currents students and faculty are some of the best people I've come across in vet med thus far. I was actually convinced for several years that UT was my #2 option, but those words are literally painful to type now haha. I visited so many vet schools over the past 2 years-ish, and no place made me feel the way UT did. When I was at UT for my interview, I had current students coming up to me left and right asking if I needed help, or even just to chat. I made several life-long friends with current students (and others) in just my short weekend of being there for my interview. I did not have this experience anywhere else I visited. People who go to UTKCVM seem to genuinely love it.
I basically cried the whole drive home after my interview weekend because I realized how much I have to lose when it comes to this school.
And to answer the last part of the question, I want to do both large and small animal medicine, but unsure of if I want to specialize in anything or not. I'm interested in oncology but there isn't a huge need for oncologists in the large animal world and I'm not willing to give up my cows. Lol!
*wow, so much for keeping it concise. Sorry y'all*
That's actually a good question... Yeah I'd say like 5pm right? Cuz they'll be leaving for the day around then?
...except that if they said "by March 1st", I would assume the date is March 1st. That way if you hear anything earlier you'll be pleasantly surprised 
