VMCAS 2014: What YOU Need to Know

[dalmatiandoc17]

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After checking out the VMCAS page, the new process is a little more clear:

And



Simply put for current applicants, treat Sept. 1st as your deadline.

I still think using words like "recommend" and giving an "advantage" to applying by September 1st is misleading. I realize VMCAS is hedging in that some applications submitted after Sept 1st may still be verified in time. But it is more than a recommendation if an application not "completed" by September 1st doesn't get verified by Oct and therefore disregarded by schools. Honestly, this just adds an additional deadline to worry about.

Not to hound you about this, but can we get affirmation from VMCASSTAFF?

It seemed to me that VMCASSTAFF was saying something contradictory to the website, that we would not be penalized for submitting everything by Oct 1 instead of Sept 1? 😕

 

[cs5910]

Not to hound you about this, but can we get affirmation from VMCASSTAFF?

It seemed to me that VMCASSTAFF was saying something contradictory to the website, that we would not be penalized for submitting everything by Oct 1 instead of Sept 1? 😕

Your best bet would be to call the VMCAS hotline if you have important questions. Better to hear it from an actual person, then through a forum.

 

[VMCASSTAFF]

Not to hound you about this, but can we get affirmation from VMCASSTAFF?

It seemed to me that VMCASSTAFF was saying something contradictory to the website, that we would not be penalized for submitting everything by Oct 1 instead of Sept 1? 😕

The deadline VMCAS 2014 is October 2nd, 2013 at 1pm eastern time. At that time, the portal shuts down for evaluations and application. By that time, you need to have all VMCAS requirements completed: Application, Application Fee Paid, All Official Transcripts Received by VMCAS, and your minimum 3 evaluations received.

Transcript verification is a very detailed audit of your coursework entries and can take up to four (4) weeks to complete. Hitting "submit" on your application after Sept 1st *MAY* mean your application *MIGHT* not get verified by the deadline. While there IS NO penalty, provided you have submitted everything prior to the deadline, your completed application *MAY* be stuck in the verification queue until verification is completed.

Our recommendation of submitted by September 1st (or earlier) is simply to avoid the backlog that is likely due to 85% of our VMCAS applicants applying at the last minute.

Unlike other years, it *IS* true that this year, your applications will get to the schools earlier (and POSSIBLY reviewed) earlier if you submit earlier.

Hope that helps 🙂

 

[wildcatj]

The deadline VMCAS 2014 is October 2nd, 2013 at 1pm eastern time. At that time, the portal shuts down for evaluations and application. By that time, you need to have all VMCAS requirements completed: Application, Application Fee Paid, All Official Transcripts Received by VMCAS, and your minimum 3 evaluations received.

Transcript verification is a very detailed audit of your coursework entries and can take up to four (4) weeks to complete. Hitting "submit" on your application after Sept 1st *MAY* mean your application *MIGHT* not get verified by the deadline. While there IS NO penalty, provided you have submitted everything prior to the deadline, your completed application *MAY* be stuck in the verification queue until verification is completed.

Our recommendation of submitted by September 1st (or earlier) is simply to avoid the backlog that is likely due to 85% of our VMCAS applicants applying at the last minute.

Unlike other years, it *IS* true that this year, your applications will get to the schools earlier (and POSSIBLY reviewed) earlier if you submit earlier.

Hope that helps 🙂

I think it got mentioned above someplace, but it is possible that even though your application is technically submitted on time, if it isn't verified by Oct 2nd, the schools you are applying to may not look at it. So even though you'll still be able to submit, they might not look at your app. At a minimum though, if you submit too close to the deadline, your app won't be looked at until later than everyone elses.

 

[VMCASSTAFF]

I think it got mentioned above someplace, but it is possible that even though your application is technically submitted on time, if it isn't verified by Oct 2nd, the schools you are applying to may not look at it. So even though you'll still be able to submit, they might not look at your app. At a minimum though, if you submit too close to the deadline, your app won't be looked at until later than everyone elses.

Veterinary schools *WILL* still review applications that don't make the verification deadline, provided you've completed all your VMCAS requirements. Veterinary schools will not penalize applications that are not verified by October 2nd.

You're correct though, if you submit too close to the deadline, your application *may* not get looked at by veterinary schools until later in their review process.

 

[wildcatj]

Veterinary schools *WILL* still review applications that don't make the verification deadline, provided you've completed all your VMCAS requirements. Veterinary schools will not penalize applications that are not verified by October 2nd.

You're correct though, if you submit too close to the deadline, your application *may* not get looked at by veterinary schools until later in their review process.

Thanks for the clarification. Figure it's always safer to err on the side of caution!

 

[twelvetigers]

There are too many 'maybes' this year. I think all the schools should agree to either evaluate as they come in or evaluate all applicants equally despite that. Or, at the very least, point out which of the two approaches they will be taking.

 

[Lab Vet]

Greetings, SDN:

Did everyone know that VMCAS also added a 'Research Experience' section to the application for the 2013-2014 cycle? This will clear up a lot of confusion (it was always difficult to decide in previous cycles whether research should be placed under 'Animal Experience' or 'Veterinary Experience.'). I obtained this information from a VMCAS representative via their Facebook site (me inquiring of VMCAS directly), so the response is legit. Personally, I'm excited about it. Thought that folks would want to know.

 

[dalmatiandoc17]

Greetings, SDN:

Did everyone know that VMCAS also added a 'Research Experience' section to the application for the 2013-2014 cycle? This will clear up a lot of confusion (it was always difficult to decide in previous cycles whether research should be placed under 'Animal Experience' or 'Veterinary Experience.'). I obtained this information from a VMCAS representative via their Facebook site (me inquiring of VMCAS directly), so the response is legit. Personally, I'm excited about it. Thought that folks would want to know.

I did know this because I'm currently in a "pre-vet development" class that is taught by one of the cvm admissions staff for NCSU. I just wanted to add that (at least for NCSU) she said this will mean that it will be important not to leave this area blank!

 

[lionking101]

I have a quick question regarding prerequisites on the VMCAS. (first time applicant! 🙂 )

Not all the schools have the same prerequisites, or will accept the same course to satisfy a certain prereq. I have contacted several of the schools that I'm planning on applying to in order to find out if I could use an upper level genetics course for the genetics prerequisite (I got a better grade on the upper level course and figured it would look better). Most of the schools accept the upper level to satisfy the requirement, but not all.

I'm wondering if there is a way on the VMCAS to indicate to which schools I intend to use the upper level course as a prerequisite.

Hope that makes sense.

 

[ViaBea]

I'm wondering if there is a way on the VMCAS to indicate to which schools I intend to use the upper level course as a prerequisite.

The way it was last year at least, you couldn't. Basically, you would put in all of your courses that you have taken and put what category they fall under (for example, physics, chemistry, organic chemistry, etc.). However, on some supplementals you can specify what courses you want to fulfill the school's pre-requisites.

 

[cs5910]

I have a quick question regarding prerequisites on the VMCAS. (first time applicant! 🙂 )

Not all the schools have the same prerequisites, or will accept the same course to satisfy a certain prereq. I have contacted several of the schools that I'm planning on applying to in order to find out if I could use an upper level genetics course for the genetics prerequisite (I got a better grade on the upper level course and figured it would look better). Most of the schools accept the upper level to satisfy the requirement, but not all.

I'm wondering if there is a way on the VMCAS to indicate to which schools I intend to use the upper level course as a prerequisite.

Hope that makes sense.

I would contact the school individually, with your class requests, after you have submitted the VMCAS and their supplemental application.

 

[lionking101]

The way it was last year at least, you couldn't. Basically, you would put in all of your courses that you have taken and put what category they fall under (for example, physics, chemistry, organic chemistry, etc.). However, on some supplementals you can specify what courses you want to fulfill the school's pre-requisites.

I would contact the school individually, with your class requests, after you have submitted the VMCAS and their supplemental application.

thanks so much for your input guys! trying to figure out what to expect but sure am ecited!

 

[1103]

Hi VMCAS,
Thank-You for being a part of this forum. My question is one of my summer classes get finished on Sept. 6th. I would really like to include that grade. Is it possible to submit my application and then send in my transcript for that class for it to be calculated at it school?
Thank-You,
Jen

 

[WolvesDragon55]

Hi VMCASSTAFF,

Thank you so much for being on here!

My school has a single credit system. That is, each of our classes are worth 1 credit for our purposes, and are supposed to transfer as 4 each to other schools (we do a whole bunch of outside work/extra stuff in our non-lab classes to keep this rating). I know that it really hasn't been a problem with previous applicants to vet school, but will this be a problem with the VMCAS verification? Do I list them all as counting for 1 credit or 4?

Thanks!

 

[StartingoverVet]

Hi VMCASSTAFF,

Thank you so much for being on here!

My school has a single credit system. That is, each of our classes are worth 1 credit for our purposes, and are supposed to transfer as 4 each to other schools (we do a whole bunch of outside work/extra stuff in our non-lab classes to keep this rating). I know that it really hasn't been a problem with previous applicants to vet school, but will this be a problem with the VMCAS verification? Do I list them all as counting for 1 credit or 4?

Thanks!

You can wait for their answer, but you are supposed to be input your credits the same way it appears on your transcript. My undergrad did that with the single credit classes as well, and it was no problem.

 

[KCgophervet]

Hi VMCASSTAFF,

Thank you so much for being on here!

My school has a single credit system. That is, each of our classes are worth 1 credit for our purposes, and are supposed to transfer as 4 each to other schools (we do a whole bunch of outside work/extra stuff in our non-lab classes to keep this rating). I know that it really hasn't been a problem with previous applicants to vet school, but will this be a problem with the VMCAS verification? Do I list them all as counting for 1 credit or 4?

Thanks!

You can wait for their answer, but you are supposed to be input your credits the same way it appears on your transcript. My undergrad did that with the single credit classes as well, and it was no problem.

My undergrad also had a single credit policy (drove me nuts, but that's not the point). On the back of the transcripts that they sent out to schools was a credit conversion, basically stating that each credit = 4 regular credits. So when I input the information into VMCAS I just converted all of the classes into 4 credits. Hope that helps

 

[WolvesDragon55]

Thanks guys 🙂

 

[Michelle25]

VMCASStaff - will vet schools take the credits from a 4 year college or does it have to be from a university? I was going to do the university but all my classes I need filled up before I was even allowed to register :/

 

[twelvetigers]

That's a question for the vet schools you are applying to, not the people running the application program. You should probably email your schools. I will say that, for some schools, not all classes are okay to take at a CC - but it's not across the board. So you'd want to check.

 

[Michelle25]

It's not a community college though. Its a 4 year college.

 

[VMCASSTAFF]

VMCASStaff - will vet schools take the credits from a 4 year college or does it have to be from a university? I was going to do the university but all my classes I need filled up before I was even allowed to register :/

Thanks for your post.. great question! Schools typically do not have any problems with taking courses that are taken at any 4 year institution (college or University). *IF* they are lower level courses, most veterinary schools will accept courses from a 2 year community college, but not upper level courses. I agree that you should contact the admissions office at the school(s) you are thinking of applying to and ask them directly. they can give MUCH better guidance based on your situation.

 

[KCgophervet]

It's not a community college though. Its a 4 year college.

A 4 year accredited college generally has the same level of academics as many larger universities. Also, I may be wrong, but I believe the only actual difference between a "college" and a "university" is that a university offers graduate programs along with undergraduate degrees whereas a college only has undergraduate degrees.

Many people get their bachelor's degree from a "college" instead of a university - myself included, so I'm not sure why you think there would be a problem with them accepting the course.

 

[equineconstant]

A 4 year accredited college generally has the same level of academics as many larger universities. Also, I may be wrong, but I believe the only actual difference between a "college" and a "university" is that a university offers graduate programs along with undergraduate degrees whereas a college only has undergraduate degrees.

Many people get their bachelor's degree from a "college" instead of a university - myself included, so I'm not sure why you think there would be a problem with them accepting the course.

👍 I'm graduating from a "college" this year and I got into multiple vet schools with no problems from that. Never thought to ask it, really.

 

[twelvetigers]

I misunderstood the college part, thought you meant a CC. My bad. Most schools should think that's fine.

 

[HowIMetYourPet]

Hey VMCAS staff!!! question for you (I hope this is the right place to ask!!)

When breaking down hours of experience, how "far down" should we break the hours up? Especially with general animal experience?

I have show dogs and I have handled/boarded/trained/groomed/etc dogs for clients too. Should I just put all of my hours related to dog showing together, or should I break it down into grooming, training, general care, and actual presentation at the shows? Also,should I differentiate between what I've done with my own dogs, and what I've done with the dogs' of others? And finally, should I separate this from general ownership/care of my dogs? I've also bred a few litters (all parents AKC champions and all health testing through OFFA, just in case anyone was wondering) so I have similar questions regarding the breakdown of that (hours spent whelping, hrs spent raising the litters, etc)

 

[Easnadh]

Hey VMCAS staff!!! question for you (I hope this is the right place to ask!!)

When breaking down hours of experience, how "far down" should we break the hours up? Especially with general animal experience?

I have show dogs and I have handled/boarded/trained/groomed/etc dogs for clients too. Should I just put all of my hours related to dog showing together, or should I break it down into grooming, training, general care, and actual presentation at the shows? Also,should I differentiate between what I've done with my own dogs, and what I've done with the dogs' of others? And finally, should I separate this from general ownership/care of my dogs? I've also bred a few litters (all parents AKC champions and all health testing through OFFA, just in case anyone was wondering) so I have similar questions regarding the breakdown of that (hours spent whelping, hrs spent raising the litters, etc)

For what it's worth, I wrote down all of my collective riding and horsemanship experience dating back to when I was 5. I titled it "horseback riding - collective" and put the range of dates from 1992 until anything more specific, since before I started working for any barns I had kind of bounced around with my horse and pony.

 

[kenggy]

Hi VMCAS staff! Thanks for answering our questions! I was wondering if I need to include my transcript from my CC where I received my A.A. if I did so during high school (so, they also counted for me to able to graduate high school). The classes I took are listed on my university transcripts with credits but not the grades.

TIA!

 

[HorsesRLife]

Hi VMCAS staff! Thanks for answering our questions! I was wondering if I need to include my transcript from my CC where I received my A.A. if I did so during high school (so, they also counted for me to able to graduate high school). The classes I took are listed on my university transcripts with credits but not the grades.

TIA!

I also took classes at a CC when I was in high school and the vet school I was applying to required every transcript from every college/university I attended. All of my grades/credits from the CC were on my University transcript but they needed it from every school anyway. Hope that helps.

 

[willagirl]

I think I may have asked this question in a round about way, but I wanted to double check.

I took a few of the pre reqs like Biology and Chemistry a long time ago. I retook them over the last year. Do I still list both times I took them on the application, or just the most recent? Thanks!

 

[kenggy]

I also took classes at a CC when I was in high school and the vet school I was applying to required every transcript from every college/university I attended. All of my grades/credits from the CC were on my University transcript but they needed it from every school anyway. Hope that helps.

Do you know how they calculate GPA with the two different colleges? Do they combine them for the cumulative GPA?

 

[HorsesRLife]

Do you know how they calculate GPA with the two different colleges? Do they combine them for the cumulative GPA?

As for OkState, they won't take an average of the 2 GPA's, they divide all your hours taken by all the 'points' you've earned for each class (ie 4-A 3-B 2-C 1-D for each credit hour). Hope that makes sense. CC credits wont be worth any less, but make sure what vet schools you apply to accept the CC credits. Some require upper level courses to be taken at a 4-year institute.

 

[Michelle25]

Thanks for your post.. great question! Schools typically do not have any problems with taking courses that are taken at any 4 year institution (college or University). *IF* they are lower level courses, most veterinary schools will accept courses from a 2 year community college, but not upper level courses. I agree that you should contact the admissions office at the school(s) you are thinking of applying to and ask them directly. they can give MUCH better guidance based on your situation.

I contacted almost all the schools and each one said as long as the numbers are equivalent and the classes are the same (schools numbers will differ but they have a system to check the equivalency) then you will be fine. You don't have to go to a university, so yayy 🙂

 

[willagirl]

I am finishing up my last 2 classes this summer. I would like to wait and submit my app, so that I can get those grades in as part of my GPA, but I am concerned about the timing. I will be done with the classes in August.

Suggestions on what to do?

 

[dalmatiandoc17]

I am finishing up my last 2 classes this summer. I would like to wait and submit my app, so that I can get those grades in as part of my GPA, but I am concerned about the timing. I will be done with the classes in August.

Suggestions on what to do?

All transcripts are due September 1st (http://aavmc.org/transcriptver.aspx) they also recommend submitting by then. As long as they definitely get your transcripts before that date I don't see the harm in waiting? The schools will get your application whether you submit July 1st or September 1st.

But I haven't been through VMCAS myself so maybe someone else knows better than me 😳

 

[catsoncats]

As for future experience, if you are aware of upcoming experience, list it anyway with future dates, and add that it's upcoming in your duties explanation.

VMCASSTAFF, some users mentioned this a change from previous years. Can you please clarify? Thank you!

 

[1103]

Hi,
One of my summer classes isn't ending until Sept. 6th so my transcript will not go out until like sept. 15.....If I send it without the grade and then with the grade as soon as I get it..will that count? Also Will they start verifying my other transcripts while I am waiting?

 

[lionking101]

Does anyone know, do I have to wait for all of my eLORs to be in before submitting my application or can they be submitted at different times? Telling one of my eLORs when they need to be in, and I'm hoping to submit sometime in September.

 

[ChittyBang]

My understanding is that only ONE has to be submitted by 9/1...the others have until 10/2.

Excellent questions! Thanks for bringing them up.

An application is considered ready to be verified upon completion of the following:

• Complete Application (Personal Statement included)
• Three (3) Registered eLORs (but only one (1) has to be received (FYI - Schools STILL require all three to be submitted by 10/2 - or your app will be incomplete)
• Application Submission (Paid in full)
• All official transcripts received by VMCAS

If all your application materials are in BEFORE October 2nd, your application will still be considered COMPLETE, but not yet verified, VMCAS will continue to verify until completed. That's why we STRONGLY recommend getting all this in by September 1st, to ensure verification prior to October 2nd.

For those that do NOT have all this material in by October 2nd, 2013 at 1pm Eastern, your application WILL be considered "incomplete" regardless of status of your transcript verification.

Hope that helps. 🙂

 

[ChittyBang]

Basically, 9/1 is the VMCAS due date

 

[lionking101]

i'm wondering what to put for "title of research" in the research experiences section. there is a really short limit for number of characters that can be used, not sure what they are expecting us to do.

the title i would like to put is "Systematics, biogeography, and high-altitude adaptation in Andean birds" but there's barely enough room for "biogeography"

 

[VMCASSTAFF]

Unless VMCAS is doing this in-house, I am pretty certain I've temped for the company doing the transcript verification (as a verifier). My advice, aside from applying early, is filling out everything absolutely correctly. Check your credit hour conversions, especially. The verifiers make small adjustments, but if all of the credits are wrong, or all of the grades are on some weird scale (this actually happens), or there's a transfer credit from a school they don't have a transcript for, they send it back. And If the application gets sent back to the applicant for editing, you go to the end of the queue when it is resubmitted. Not to scare everyone--most people do it right enough--but just be mindful.

Thanks for the input on transcript verification. All is correct, except that when an application is resubmitted by the applicant after making corrections, the verification system will notify VMCAS, and we will place the corrected application in the front of the verification queue. 🙂

 

[1103]

Yes especially when you already have a degree from 10 years ago and 9 other transcripts

 

[sblove17]

HOLD UP... THE VMCAS FEES ALMOST DOUBLED FROM LAST YEAR??!?!?!!!!!!! It was $100/school last year and now it's so much more depending on how many schools you apply to!!! 😡😡😡😡👎thumbdown👎thumbdown seriously??

 

[1103]

Hello VMCAS:
Thank-You for taking the time to help us. It is very important for my summer grades to be included in my GPA calculations as it is going to make or break me. Two of my classes don't get done until after Sept. 1. Can I put in progress but call VMCAS to let them know I overnighted the transcripts and have them include the grades before Oct. 1. so they are in the queue? This is very stressful because the schools I talked to are only taking what VMCAS does. Is THERE anyway to get them included?

 

[remi4301]

I want to make sure I understand this correctly.
I have 3 LOR's already submitted on VMCAS but am waiting on 2 more. If I submit Sept 1st, with only those three, the other 2 can still submit by Oct 2nd and VMCAS can start verifying my transcripts Sept 1st right?
Second question: Do I wait to submit my application until I see that my transcripts have been received by VMCAS or can I submit as long as I've requested them to be sent to VMCAS? I guess what I'm asking is, if I submit my application Sept 1, do I have until Oct 2 to submit updates?

Thanks!!

 

[LetItSnow]

Hey VMCAS... we're all talking over in a different thread, and the issue of "how many times does it take" came up.

Just curious: Do you have stats on the number of attempts the average applicant makes? I suppose you might not have any way to know who is successful or not (versus who just gives up and quits trying), but I'd think you'd know how many attempts the average person makes?