UPenn Applicants c/o 2017

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is there a facebook page for incoming/current UPenn vet students?
 
mnkyrat said:
is there a facebook page for incoming/current UPenn vet students?
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I'm not sure if there is one for V17 yet, but my class has one, as does the others.I think the Orientation Leaders typically create the group. If you PM me your name and stuff I can at least invite you to our class' page if you're interested in looking at housing and stuff. Some of my classmates are already looking for new housemates.
 
Penn is tied for my 1st choice school- I got accepted to the other one but am still waiting to hear from Penn. There are 5 Friday info sessions to choose from for the other school, but I'm hesitant to sign up for one and book a flight if there's even a chance I'll be invited for a Penn interview on the same day. How many days in advance did you guys receive interview invites, and were you given a choice of days?
 
mlk45 said:
Penn is tied for my 1st choice school- I got accepted to the other one but am still waiting to hear from Penn. There are 5 Friday info sessions to choose from for the other school, but I'm hesitant to sign up for one and book a flight if there's even a chance I'll be invited for a Penn interview on the same day. How many days in advance did you guys receive interview invites, and were you given a choice of days?
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You usually get about a month's notice, unless a spot opens up due to a declined interview and they decide to offer it to you. And you don't get to pick a day. It's whatever they give you.
 
i wonder how many more interview invites they are sending out? does anyone know how many they send out all together, or perhaps percentage of applicants?
 
orca2011 said:
I'm not sure if there is one for V17 yet, but my class has one, as does the others.I think the Orientation Leaders typically create the group. If you PM me your name and stuff I can at least invite you to our class' page if you're interested in looking at housing and stuff. Some of my classmates are already looking for new housemates.
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lol. I guess I'm rushing things! It has just begun hasn't it?! So excited! How far into the first semester does that wear off?
 
Got my large animal interview invite today!!! Had a mild heart attack reading my email before milking the cows. February 8th here I come! Now to figure out what "interview appropriate clothes and farm appropriate shoes" refers to haha don't believe muck boots and dress pants go together...
 
I was thinking the same thing! Do they just want shoes with no heels and closed or actual boots?? hah it would look a little ridiculous 😛
 
Cstewie21 said:
Got my large animal interview invite today!!! Had a mild heart attack reading my email before milking the cows. February 8th here I come! Now to figure out what "interview appropriate clothes and farm appropriate shoes" refers to haha don't believe muck boots and dress pants go together...
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Picturing this outfit alone is making me laugh
 
pooter said:
We have turned orca2011 into a cynic. 🙁

I was squeeful on and off for at least the whole month of September. (And then exams started;-))
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Hahaha. Well I guess it was more like week 3 because our first test was like Sept 26th and then I was sick for a month.

But in all seriousness, I'm really happy here...except during exam time.
 
pooter said:
We have turned orca2011 into a cynic. 🙁

I was squeeful on and off for at least the whole month of September. (And then exams started;-))
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My new favorite word as of today: squeeful :claps:
 
just wondering if any current UPenn students care to comment on the loan situation. Could you guess what monthly living expenses are like on average...and how freaked out you are about the looming mountain of debt?! What do you do in the summers?

Thanks!
 
mnkyrat said:
just wondering if any current UPenn students care to comment on the loan situation. Could you guess what monthly living expenses are like on average...and how freaked out you are about the looming mountain of debt?! What do you do in the summers?

Thanks!
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Pretty freaked but I would have been looking at a ton of debt either way. I took out the full amount this year to be on the safe side (but not be the best thing) but I had almost $4000 left over after the first semester. If you PM, I'd be willing to try to give you a better monthly breakdown. I feel like I did pretty good since I wasn't coming into school having save a lot. I'm hoping to take whatever I have left over and either pay off part of what I took out or use it to pay off some of my undergrad debt. I'm in the process of possibly looking for a PT job this semester since it's supposedly lighter work wise in the hopes that maybe it will give me something for the summer. Otherwise, I supposedly have a job at the clinic I worked at before school, but I'm not sure if that will actually be true several months from now.
 
mnkyrat said:
just wondering if any current UPenn students care to comment on the loan situation. Could you guess what monthly living expenses are like on average...and how freaked out you are about the looming mountain of debt?! What do you do in the summers?

Thanks!
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I pay $700/month in rent plus gas ($20/month in summer or $150/month in winter), electric ($25/month), and internet (not sure I just pay my GF when she asks haha). I live with my GF so she's paying that same amount too. I spend probably $200-$300 a month on groceries, about $1800 a year in car insurance (I have a perfect record but Philly is $$$, lame!). The car gets great mileage so I probably only pay $50 or less a month in gas. The only other things I really spend money on are rabbit food/vet and delivery BBQ lol.

Last year I took out the full amount and had about 7k left over when the school year ended (I saved it like crazy so I could buy the car). Bear in mind the student loans are not designed to cover the summer months... you could probably make them last if you were super careful and didn't have a car or pets.

I have worked full time both summers to pay my rent and bills. First summer I worked for a vet's office and second summer I had two jobs at school.

Forgot to add the debt stuff. Income based repayment is your friend!
 
Not a current Penn student but I did my undergrad literally 3 blocks away. You can find places easily for $400 a month in the area, that's what I did my last 2 years. Also being in the city you don't necessarily need a car unless you plan on driving home a lot or you'll be traveling to NBC frequently. Just my 2 cents on that!
 
I budgeted about 12K a year for living expenses, made a few thousand over the summer, leaned on my parents for groceries and car insurance like a little baby, and finished with a couple thousand left over. I pay about $600 a month in rent, and that's with a crapload of housemates. Electric, water, and cable are pretty cheap because, again, crapload of housemates (yes, we have cable and even HBO because when you're splitting the bill ten ways, you might as well). Heating oil is the biggest problem utility-wise. We pay about a hundred bucks each every three weeks or so from December to March. This will vary depending on the kind of housing you get, so beware of large, old, lightly-insulated houses. Food was more of a problem than I thought it would be; I live within walking distance of Expensive Chain Grocery and Shady Independent Grocery Which Is Also Not Cheap. I was glad to have a car so I could get to a slightly cheaper grocery store, but I'm still paying a lot more than I was in undergrad. Or, rather, my parents are paying because I'm a little baby that way.

So, yeah, I pinched a lot of pennies and did non-vet work over the summer because it paid more, but it mostly worked out. Of course, that was before the Dog Who Eats Like a Horse came into my life. Here's to hoping she stays healthy.
 
catlady816 said:
Not a current Penn student but I did my undergrad literally 3 blocks away. You can find places easily for $400 a month in the area, that's what I did my last 2 years. Also being in the city you don't necessarily need a car unless you plan on driving home a lot or you'll be traveling to NBC frequently. Just my 2 cents on that!
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The $400/month is definitely not anything I've seen in this area unless you have quite a few roommates or are splitting a tiny place with an SO and you're considering your money separate.

You're right about the car thing but I wanted to do externships during my rotations which is why I bought it before third year.
 
Do you think they send out the invites for a certain interview day all at the same time? AKA have all the feb 8th ppl been notified yet? i just want to hear something!
 
stressedvet308 said:
Do you think they send out the invites for a certain interview day all at the same time? AKA have all the feb 8th ppl been notified yet? i just want to hear something!
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Seems like they send out all the invites for a specific day a month in advance. If prospective students decline to interview and a space opens up, you may get an invite at a random day. Im hopefully waiting too!!
 
Hey everyone --

Does anyone know if there is a way to track/confirm that all of one's pre-reqs have been fulfilled? I had a question about one pre-req... I think what I have is sufficient but I would like to confirm that information while I still have the opportunity to take the course through a local school here... I am currently enrolled in the course, just in case, but I would really like to drop it (while I can still get a refund) if I don't have to take it (to save myself the money and time away from work). Anyone have any suggestions?

Also, I emailed Rosanne Herpen with the same question over a week ago, but I have yet to hear back from her... (And I'm hesitant to email her again right now, I know things must be very hectic/crazy with all the interviews and admissions decisions going on)...
 
Stb1473 said:
Since they're already sent out invites for the large animal/equine day, do you think they are done inviting people for that day? I'm starting to get really nervous...I'm IS with interest in equine.
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In the past there has been more than one NBC day, so I bet Feb. 8 is not the only New Bolton interview day. Good luck!
 
Just read the following in the interview feedback section, and I have to say that if this person thinks Student AdComs are running a popularity contest, or are swayed by insincerity and fakeness, you utterly, totally, entirely, completely, do not understand UPenn:

"Don't let students have a say in who gets into veterinary school. It is, quite frankly, ridiculous that our PEERS can influence one of the most important decisions in our lives. Years of hard work should not be circumvented by a popularity contest."

For those who don't know, Student AdComs have no vote in admissions. Their opinions are heard - and VALUED - but they have no vote. Your "PEERS" in this case, my dear, are the best and brightest veterinary students in the world who have just spent an entire day with you, far more time than your interviewers. It's not surprising the AdComs value them.
 
Angelus9 said:
Your "PEERS" in this case, my dear, are the best and brightest veterinary students in the world who have just spent an entire day with you, far more time than your interviewers. It's not surprising the AdComs value them.
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Agreed completely, and I was very impressed with the students at Penn. Not only incredibly bright, but everyone I met was very friendly and spoke very highly of the student body in general (specifically with regard to how close and supportive everyone is).

There's definitely more to a good vet student/vet than what goes on the transcript, and I think Penn does a great job acknowledging that.

I'm trying not to think anymore about how much I enjoyed my experience at Penn until I get an acceptance or rejection...
 
Angelus9 said:
Just read the following in the interview feedback section, and I have to say that if this person thinks Student AdComs are running a popularity contest, or are swayed by insincerity and fakeness, you utterly, totally, entirely, completely, do not understand UPenn:

"Don't let students have a say in who gets into veterinary school. It is, quite frankly, ridiculous that our PEERS can influence one of the most important decisions in our lives. Years of hard work should not be circumvented by a popularity contest."

For those who don't know, Student AdComs have no vote in admissions. Their opinions are heard - and VALUED - but they have no vote. Your "PEERS" in this case, my dear, are the best and brightest veterinary students in the world who have just spent an entire day with you, far more time than your interviewers. It's not surprising the AdComs value them.
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I found that bit quite ridiculous. I think it's great that they get the students involved. It also gives you a chance to discuss the school with people who are currently going through the program.
 
Also, for the people who already interviewed, what kind of recent picture did you send/bring? I didn't get any senior pictures taken when I graduated so I have no "recent" professional pictures of me.
 
catlady816 said:
Also, for the people who already interviewed, what kind of recent picture did you send/bring? I didn't get any senior pictures taken when I graduated so I have no "recent" professional pictures of me.
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(Haven't interviewed yet, but) I didn't send a professional picture. I picked a nice picture of me that was taken over the summer and cropped it so there's not really any background. It's the same picture I used for my Honor Forum profile at school (although I left more in for this, the HF pic was just my face). Now you're making me nervous...I hope a not-professionally-shot and not-so-professional-context picture doesn't hurt my chances. It's not like a fun picture, it's just me standing in front of some stuff which was cropped out for sending...I thought it looked nice...
 
catlady816 said:
Also, for the people who already interviewed, what kind of recent picture did you send/bring? I didn't get any senior pictures taken when I graduated so I have no "recent" professional pictures of me.
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It doesn't have to be a professional one. I remember when I interviewed, people used pictures where they were the only person in the background. They take photos during the interview day to use when reviewing your application that night anyway.
 
The waiting part of this process is becoming absolutely unbearable. :bang:

I'm assuming that no one has heard anything from the Friday (1/11) interview?
 
pookiemuffin said:
The waiting part of this process is becoming absolutely unbearable. :bang:

I'm assuming that no one has heard anything from the Friday (1/11) interview?
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Totally understand your anguish!! I interviewed this year on 1/4 and didn't get a phone call until Thursday afternoon around 1pm. Crazycatlady77 got a call at 8pm!!
 
equineconstant said:
(Haven't interviewed yet, but) I didn't send a professional picture. I picked a nice picture of me that was taken over the summer and cropped it so there's not really any background.
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I didn't use a professional picture either. Just a picture of me from a fair I went to this past summer. I hope it doesn't matter but now I'm a little nervous! haha
 
Any word on whether or not they'll be doing more interview dates? I'm still hoping for an interview invite. :/
 
equineconstant said:
(Haven't interviewed yet, but) I didn't send a professional picture. I picked a nice picture of me that was taken over the summer and cropped it so there's not really any background. It's the same picture I used for my Honor Forum profile at school (although I left more in for this, the HF pic was just my face). Now you're making me nervous...I hope a not-professionally-shot and not-so-professional-context picture doesn't hurt my chances. It's not like a fun picture, it's just me standing in front of some stuff which was cropped out for sending...I thought it looked nice...
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Mine had a bunny in it, and two people forgot theirs and just had the school make a copy of their drivers' license. It's really just so they can put a face to the name when they are discussing your application and interview later.
 
orca2011 said:
Depends on how quickly they fill the class. Usually they're through February at least. There might be a few done in very early March.
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Thanks Orca! I'm pretty sure I've asked that same question in different ways...and you always respond so patiently hahah! I'm just so anxious
 
LoveMyHotDog said:
Any word on whether or not they'll be doing more interview dates? I'm still hoping for an interview invite. :/
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i would hope that if there's no interview slots left, they would send out rejections already!!
 
MaiT said:
i would hope that if there's no interview slots left, they would send out rejections already!!
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It's a long and painful wait.. When I applied for Fall 2011 they didn't send me the rejection until March 2012 (although I had figured it out by then, I just wanted closure.. haha). Hope more of us hear from them soon! :xf::luck:
 
I'm still waiting to hear also! I'm starting to get really anxious. Every time I see a number next to my Inbox my heart flutters but its always some spam 🙁
 
For the Feb. 8th Food Animal/Equine interview day, they said in the letter wear attire appropriate for both the interview and proper shoes for NBC ("farm appropriate shoes" is the term I think they used).

Does anyone know how to pull this combo off? Perhaps bring a pair of farm boots to change in to on the bus? Since our interviews are at the end of the day, does that mean we should wear the interview outfit to the NBC?

I just couldn't reconcile the interview outfit with farm wear 😕
 
BladeofGrass said:
For the Feb. 8th Food Animal/Equine interview day, they said in the letter wear attire appropriate for both the interview and proper shoes for NBC ("farm appropriate shoes" is the term I think they used).

Does anyone know how to pull this combo off? Perhaps bring a pair of farm boots to change in to on the bus? Since our interviews are at the end of the day, does that mean we should wear the interview outfit to the NBC?

I just couldn't reconcile the interview outfit with farm wear 😕
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I'll ask a friend of mine who did the NBC day and see what she/they did. It'll take me a few minutes to get back to you though.
 
The men wear what they normally wear and I know a number of women take a pair of paddock boots or something similar along and switch to them for the NBC tour. It's gotta be mentioned in previous years' UPenn threads.
 
I wore suit pants, ballet flats, a button down shirt with a cotton sweater over, plus scarf and warm coat. Others wore nice Danskos, paddock boots, etc. I felt appropriately and similarly dressed to others.
 
so when you guys say that it depends on how quickly they fill up the class does that mean they don't even look at all applications if they've filled up the class early?? that seems unfair if that's what they do!
 
stressedvet308 said:
so when you guys say that it depends on how quickly they fill up the class does that mean they don't even look at all applications if they've filled up the class early?? that seems unfair if that's what they do!
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I had my interview at Missouri the weekend before last, and it sounded like they start going down a list ordered by GPA (or academic strength, factoring in GRE and courseload and such, I'm not entirely sure) and invite until they've filled their interview invite quota. So if Penn doesn't really look at all applications, they aren't the only ones.
 
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