heya, i currently just finished my first year of vet school and i am also interested in pursuing a residency in anatomic veterinary pathology after graduation.
from what i read from the various posts in the forum, i gathered that path-related research, externships and rotations during vet school will look favorable on my application to a residency program.
Just a few questions here:
1) How difficult/competitive is it exactly to get into a vet path residency program in the US (or UK)? What are the selection committee looking out for really?
2) Looking at how anatomic path programs are tied with PhD program, is research at veterinary school a very important prerequisite? I am struggling whether to arrange research next summer, as it will take a long period of time, and I do not want forfeit my time doing other veterinary clinical/path related stuff.
3) Any other suggestions?
Thanks a million!
Pretty competitive. At our program (in the US) there are anywhere from 30 to 50 applicants (both international and native) per spot depending on the year.
Things that they are looking for:
1) Proving you are dedicated to the field. This includes externships, pathology elective classes, jobs, etc. Just getting good grades won't cut it - you need to prove to them you want to do pathology specifically.
2) Grades (as with all residencies). Although, with a few exceptions, path programs tend to take a "whole applicant approach" - they don't just look at numbers.
3) Good letters of recommendation - pathology is a small field and everyone knows everyone - if you can get letters from important people, it will really help you. Mine were from a double-boarded pathologist (anatomic and clinical), the senior associate dean of research for the vet school, and my PI from my NIH project.
4) People with research potential, since many programs are combined now. This may include summer projects, part-time lab work, publications, etc.
For anatomic pathology specifically, I would say research experience, especially for a combined program, is HUGE. That isn't to say that people can get into one without it, but it will definitely be a feather in your cap.
Here's what I did
Throughout college: Research with chemistry division for Navy (as civilian student, over summers and breaks). BS in Biochemisty.
Summer before vet school: Research with wildlife department.
During first year: Did part time admin/filing work with the anatomic pathology department, got to know pathologists. Worked on weekends and any free afternoon as a lab animal care technician.
Summer after first year: Externship at Wake Forest Comparative Medicine/Pathology dpt working with their monkey studies
During second year and third year: Worked as an after-hours/emergency clinical pathology technician during school year and on weekends. Took any pathology elective I could find, be is clinical or anatomic.
Summer after second year: NIH T35 summer research program, independent research project with lupus and nutrition
During fourth year: Used elective blocks to set up anatomic pathology and research-specific rotations.
I was a busy little bee. My vet school grades were mediocre (I was never that good of a classroom learner), but I managed to prove myself by doing all the things above.
VMRCVM pretty much is part of Virginia Tech, just a different name.
