VMCAS Questions and Rants c/o 2023

Veterinary Science Graduate Programs from U. of I.
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csequine said:
This is probably a dumb question, but I can't find my answer on the VMCAs help button:
None of my letter writers have their LORs turned in yet, but my application is done and I want to make sure I have time for my transcript entry to be reviewed before the deadline... Can I submit before they have their letters turned in?
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csequine said:
This is probably a dumb question, but I can't find my answer on the VMCAs help button:
None of my letter writers have their LORs turned in yet, but my application is done and I want to make sure I have time for my transcript entry to be reviewed before the deadline... Can I submit before they have their letters turned in?
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Lyra already answered the question, but
Congrats on finishing! NOW TIME TO WAIT PATIENTLY FOR MONTHS.
 
LyraGardenia said:
What kind of necropsy lab are we talking about? If it was supervised by a veterinarian, I'd consider it veterinary experience, if not I'd probably go with animal experience. Don't stress too much about how to categorize things, do your best to follow the chart in the VMCAS instructions (Experiences), but if a school disagrees with how you categorized something, they probably won't penalize you unless it's blatantly incorrect in an attempt to pad your hours somewhere.

I would definitely include band, things like that show that you're well-rounded! Just give your best estimate of the hours, again as long as it's not outrageous, schools probably aren't going to be looking closely at that number.
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Thanks for the advice! The necropsy lab was part of the Wildlife symposium held at NC State. I'm not sure if a veterinarian supervised or not.
I do remember the vet school student helping, but I think I'll just put it as animal experience to be on the safe side. Thanks again!
 
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Almost doneeee... question: should I list each semester I was on the Dean's List separately or just create one "Dean's List" achievement and list all the semesters in the comment box? I have like 11 semesters on it.
 
forks4spoons said:
Almost doneeee... question: should I list each semester I was on the Dean's List separately or just create one "Dean's List" achievement and list all the semesters in the comment box? I have like 11 semesters on it.
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Do one entry and list the start date as the first semester and end date as the end of the last semester(I can’t remember if that section HAS start and end dates, if it’s just like an award date do the date for the first one) and just list the number of semesters in the description. A LOT less cluttered that way (and how obnoxious would it be to read through 11 of the exact same entry:laugh:)
 
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forks4spoons said:
Almost doneeee... question: should I list each semester I was on the Dean's List separately or just create one "Dean's List" achievement and list all the semesters in the comment box? I have like 11 semesters on it.
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I listed them them all under one achievement. I believe I read somewhere that this is how most people do it.
 
That’s what I was thinking, too, y’all, but I just wanted to be sure! It’d also be a PITA to enter each one of them in. Haha. Thanks!!!
 
VMCAS calculated my core sci GPA completely differently than I did. I guess all I have to say is.............

See y'all next cycle lol


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vethopeful_2 said:
VMCAS calculated my core sci GPA completely differently than I did. I guess all I have to say is.............

See y'all next cycle lol


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Schools calculate science GPAs differently so I wouldn't worry too much about whatever VMCAS spit out.
 
finnickthedog said:
Schools calculate science GPAs differently so I wouldn't worry too much about whatever VMCAS spit out.
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Forgive my ignorance, but when is that calculation made available on vmcas? After you submit your app? Back in the Stone Age when I last applied, this wasn’t a thing!
 
Ok this might be a dumb question but what does "ver" mean in the credits & grade column? That's from my application that I downloaded after it was all done and verified.
 

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gabynicolex said:
Ok this might be a dumb question but what does "ver" mean in the credits & grade column? That's from my application that I downloaded after it was all done and verified.
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I was looking at this earlier because I got my transcripts verified, and that column remained blank except for one class. From what I can tell, that's where they put a grade for a class that they calculate differently than you. For example, I had put down one of my grades as being a B, but under the "Ver" column they placed a "B+" beside that course. I think I missed the plus so they just added it and put it in that column. If that makes sense


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Is anyone else struggling with the UF question about soring, shelter euthanasia, and TNR? Any advice would be greatly appreciated, this is the only question I have not been able to finish yet.
 
Question: for veterinary experiences, does the listed supervisor on the application need to be a veterinarian?
 
SkiOtter said:
Since vet experience according to vmcas is “under the supervision of a veterinarian,” I’d say yes. If there was no vet, it’s not considered vet experience.
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Hmm..is there a way I can change this? I already submitted my application. For example, I volunteer at a vaccine clinic (supervised by a vet) but I put the program coordinator as the "supervisor" who is not a vet.
 
Hey guys! I was wondering if I should list 4-H as an animal experience or extracurricular. I raised and exhibited cattle and swine which I know would be animal experience, but I also participated in other clubs/events that did not involve animals at all.
 
Completely forgot about two sign language classes I took in HS at the local community college. Application got bounced back and so I sent over the transcript from there, it was received, and now I'm waiting for it to actually post to my account so I can resubmit. :grumpy: Old vmcas FAQ says it could take up to 10 days - anybody have an idea of how long it took for you?

Update: Took about 36 hours 😳:smuggrin: Now to wait for verification!!

dvm2be2023 said:
Hey guys! I was wondering if I should list 4-H as an animal experience or extracurricular. I raised and exhibited cattle and swine which I know would be animal experience, but I also participated in other clubs/events that did not involve animals at all.
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Depending on the amount of non-animal experience, I would almost be inclined to list them separately. 4H animal experience, and 4H extracurricular, and then in the description identify the differences in duties?
 
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Hey guys! Getting closer and closer to the deadline :dead:. I have a question about how to list an experience. I house sat at a place that has cats, dogs, horses, a donkey, a pony, a pig, and chickens and I'm not quite sure how to list that in VMCAS. For organization who should I put "self" and for supervisor info put the house owners?

-Also, I grew up on an equine farm with several other animals up until the age 15ish, should I include this on my app? I don't want to seem like I'm milking more experience hours but I have seen that many others list their personal pets as experience.

Thanks in advance for the advice 🙂
 
fmdub said:
Hey guys! Getting closer and closer to the deadline :dead:. I have a question about how to list an experience. I house sat at a place that has cats, dogs, horses, a donkey, a pony, a pig, and chickens and I'm not quite sure how to list that in VMCAS. For organization who should I put "self" and for supervisor info put the house owners?

-Also, I grew up on an equine farm with several other animals up until the age 15ish, should I include this on my app? I don't want to seem like I'm milking more experience hours but I have seen that many others list their personal pets as experience.

Thanks in advance for the advice 🙂
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I think self would be fine for the organization, or you could probably even put the owners names there as well as in the supervisor section. They’re not going to dock you if you do one or the other.
YES DEFINITELY INCLUDE YOUR HOME FARM EXPERIENCE. Just don’t over estimate your hours. If you spent two hours a day every day 365 days a year, from ages 8-15 or whatever, definitely put down that many hours. If you know you only helped for a couple hours three days a week and not every week, calculate that number. I wouldn’t count hours from ages where you weren’t actively involved in the care and workings of the farm though. You likely weren’t actively helping when you were 3 years old haha
 
Hi! I'm applying to a school where I haven't done one of the prereqs for yet but I'm planning on taking an online course this spring (checked with the school and this will fulfill the requirement). Does anyone know how I should assign that prerequisite on my vmcas application? I haven't registered for the course yet so I don't have it on my transcript. thank you!
 
sirius24 said:
Hi! I'm applying to a school where I haven't done one of the prereqs for yet but I'm planning on taking an online course this spring (checked with the school and this will fulfill the requirement). Does anyone know how I should assign that prerequisite on my vmcas application? I haven't registered for the course yet so I don't have it on my transcript. thank you!
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Should place it somewhere in your planned courses.
 
Like mixy said, it goes in the planned courses section.
But your transcripts wouldn’t have it on there anyway even if you were registered for it. They don’t put planned courses on them because you can change them.
 
How important is it to list a supervisor for your experiences (since it was listed as optional)? I didn't put down a supervisor for some of my experiences and am now starting to worry about that.. ://
 
rawreo said:
How important is it to list a supervisor for your experiences (since it was listed as optional)? I didn't put down a supervisor for some of my experiences and am now starting to worry about that.. ://
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Feel like it might be a little odd, but shouldn’t be a problem as long as you listed supervisors for the experiences that are animal related so they can contact them if need be
 
Hello,
This is my first post on here and I'm in a weird situation and I couldn't find any answers for this anywhere else. So I submitted my vet school application and I noticed a mistake on one of my experiences. I accidentally put down that I had worked at a pet shop 30 hours per week for 2 years instead of 20 hours per week for 2 years. 30 and 20 look pretty similar and I don't know how I missed it when looking through my app a million times before submitting it. It was an honest mistake and I don't want it to look like I'm lying (thats a lot of hours). There is a big difference between 2020 hours and 3030 hours.... and 3030 hours looks a little suspicious. Should I notify the schools I applied to or just let it go. I feel like if I notify the schools, they won't take my application seriously because it looks like I didn't take the application seriously (which I did and had MANY people look it over including my manager at that job). But if I don't notify them then it looks like I'm fabricating hours because I have so many in such a short period of time (I was also working for a vet at that time while attending school part time).

Help!!!
 
marsupialman117 said:
Hello,
This is my first post on here and I'm in a weird situation and I couldn't find any answers for this anywhere else. So I submitted my vet school application and I noticed a mistake on one of my experiences. I accidentally put down that I had worked at a pet shop 30 hours per week for 2 years instead of 20 hours per week for 2 years. 30 and 20 look pretty similar and I don't know how I missed it when looking through my app a million times before submitting it. It was an honest mistake and I don't want it to look like I'm lying (thats a lot of hours). There is a big difference between 2020 hours and 3030 hours.... and 3030 hours looks a little suspicious. Should I notify the schools I applied to or just let it go. I feel like if I notify the schools, they won't take my application seriously because it looks like I didn't take the application seriously (which I did and had MANY people look it over including my manager at that job). But if I don't notify them then it looks like I'm fabricating hours because I have so many in such a short period of time (I was also working for a vet at that time while attending school part time).

Help!!!
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So... let me assure you that this kind of thing happens all of the time and, so long as you don't try to cover it up and are honest with the schools about it, it's really not a big deal. I made a similar error while applying three years ago and it didn't appear to have much, if any, impact on the outcome.

I would contact the schools that you're applying to and let them know. I did it via email, but I would imagine that dropping a phone call would work, too. Most of the schools that I was applying to got back to me very quickly and thanked me for the heads up.

I can promise you that it's not going to ruin your chances of admission. It's an easy enough mistake to make and not catch until it's too late. Just ensure that the schools are made aware.
 
Elkhart said:
So... let me assure you that this kind of thing happens all of the time and, so long as you don't try to cover it up and are honest with the schools about it, it's really not a big deal. I made a similar error while applying three years ago and it didn't appear to have much, if any, impact on the outcome.

I would contact the schools that you're applying to and let them know. I did it via email, but I would imagine that dropping a phone call would work, too. Most of the schools that I was applying to got back to me very quickly and thanked me for the heads up.

I can promise you that it's not going to ruin your chances of admission. It's an easy enough mistake to make and not catch until it's too late. Just ensure that the schools are made aware.
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Thank you! I've really been freaking out about this one and feeling like a complete idiot. Thankfully, I met with the admissions manager at my top school 2 weeks ago and talked with her for about an hour and got along really well. She seems like an understanding person, but this is not the type of thing I wanted to have happen.... its a little anxiety producing!! Also, not to mention that I used some of the space in my Explanation Statement to talk about how I only went to school part time for a year because I worked full-time hours, including working at that store for about 20 hours per week. I still can't help but think this will screw me somehow, but you made me feel a little better and I already knew deep down I would have to contact them about it...

Also, did you get in that cycle?
 
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First time posting here, and I had a quick question. I emailed VMCAS asking and didn't really get a clear answer to my question, so hoping someone here can help me clarify.

I am applying to 5 schools and am done with all of the "Program Materials" for 4/5 of these schools. I submitted and paid for these 4 schools today and plan to finish up the remaining supplemental info for the one school this week. I am waiting on one official transcript to arrive with them which should happen tomorrow or Wednesday. My question is, will the transcript verification process start right when VMCAS receives this last transcript, even though I have not submitted the application to my final school? Or will it wait until I submit and pay for this last program to put me in the verification queue?
 
Hey y'all!

I have no idea if anyone else here will know what I'm talking about, but I'm currently taking a class to get TEFL certified (teaching English as a foreign language) to teach English in Mexico. I'm just wondering if anyone has any experience or ideas on where/how to put this on the VMCAS application??? Any thoughts would be helpful!! Thanks guys.
 
marsupialman117 said:
Hello,
This is my first post on here and I'm in a weird situation and I couldn't find any answers for this anywhere else. So I submitted my vet school application and I noticed a mistake on one of my experiences. I accidentally put down that I had worked at a pet shop 30 hours per week for 2 years instead of 20 hours per week for 2 years. 30 and 20 look pretty similar and I don't know how I missed it when looking through my app a million times before submitting it. It was an honest mistake and I don't want it to look like I'm lying (thats a lot of hours). There is a big difference between 2020 hours and 3030 hours.... and 3030 hours looks a little suspicious. Should I notify the schools I applied to or just let it go. I feel like if I notify the schools, they won't take my application seriously because it looks like I didn't take the application seriously (which I did and had MANY people look it over including my manager at that job). But if I don't notify them then it looks like I'm fabricating hours because I have so many in such a short period of time (I was also working for a vet at that time while attending school part time).

Help!!!
Click to expand...

If it’s before the deadline, and your application hasn’t been verified yet, you can call VMCAS and have them unsubmit it for you. I did that last cycle when I applied. Hit submit, then realized I messed something up, called them, and they sent it back to me. It has to start over again in the queue for verification, but it can be done! I think I submitted last year originally on th 31st of Aug, got it sent back to me, and then resent it again on the 6th of September. It didn’t affect any other part of my application. Not sure if you can do that after the entire verification process has gone through, but I would still call and ask VMCAS. But, as was said earlier, plenty of people make mistakes like that on their apps and notify schools without issue. Best of luck!
 
Would working with chickens at commercial farms (meat birds) be considered food animal or exotic/avian under the experienece section?
 
Hi there! I recently submitted my app and it has since been verified but I found a mistake. I listed the year I TA'd for a class incorrectly (I said I ta'd in 2014, but I actually took the class in 2014 and was a TA 2015). Should I contact the schools I've applied to and correct this or is it minor?

Also, I made a similar mistake that was previously mentioned. For "veterinary experience", I listed my volunteer coordinator as the contact even though I do work under a vet. Should I also contact schools about this? I just want to make sure those hours actually do count for vet experience, since they were.
 
cubbie94 said:
Hi there! I recently submitted my app and it has since been verified but I found a mistake. I listed the year I TA'd for a class incorrectly (I said I ta'd in 2014, but I actually took the class in 2014 and was a TA 2015). Should I contact the schools I've applied to and correct this or is it minor?

Also, I made a similar mistake that was previously mentioned. For "veterinary experience", I listed my volunteer coordinator as the contact even though I do work under a vet. Should I also contact schools about this? I just want to make sure those hours actually do count for vet experience, since they were.
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I’d contact them about the TA one. They might assume you made a mistake and that it was a different year, but just to be safe.
Not sure about the second but when you contact them about the TA position you could tell them you put the volunteer coordinator down and ask them if they want you to give them the info of the vet you were working under too or not.
 
Hey guys. I'm currently working on the supplemental app for NC State. The last question on the supplemental is:

"7. If there have been events or circumstances that have had an impact (either positive or negative) on your academic performance, please explain. (Yes / no / Unsure)"

I am at a loss as to how this question is to be interpreted. Is this an 'extenuating circumstances' sort of question like "My relative died this semester and I was out of school for weeks and that is why my grades or poor" or is it just an explanation of the curve of your grades?

I ask because my grades in the beginning of my college career were poor due to ill-knowledge of study habits. Once I met someone who showed me how they studied, my marks DRASTICALLY improved. Like, from some C's and mostly B's to Dean's List every semester. All because I met a kindred spirit who showed me good study habits and I redoubled my efforts.

Not sure if I should explain that, because it will sound ridiculous to the admissions committee if it is the former.

Thank you!
 
Strix said:
First time posting here, and I had a quick question. I emailed VMCAS asking and didn't really get a clear answer to my question, so hoping someone here can help me clarify.

I am applying to 5 schools and am done with all of the "Program Materials" for 4/5 of these schools. I submitted and paid for these 4 schools today and plan to finish up the remaining supplemental info for the one school this week. I am waiting on one official transcript to arrive with them which should happen tomorrow or Wednesday. My question is, will the transcript verification process start right when VMCAS receives this last transcript, even though I have not submitted the application to my final school? Or will it wait until I submit and pay for this last program to put me in the verification queue?
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I had a similar question since I submitted my full application for several of my programs yesterday, but am still working on the last few. I emailed them and they said " Your application is currently in line for verification and you will still be able to submit to other programs and it wont affect where you are in line." I believe this means they'll start working on your submitted applications as soon as they have everything they need, even if you haven't submitted all the programs you plan to apply for yet.
 
Submitted my app last night 😱 but feeling good about it! This afternoon, it's already been verified, in case anyone was wondering how long it's taking at this point. Good luck to everyone who's finishing up and submitting! Revise a million times, revise a few more, and then feel confident and hit that button! 🙂
 
dr.lyssypoo27 said:
Submitted my app last night 😱 but feeling good about it! This afternoon, it's already been verified, in case anyone was wondering how long it's taking at this point. Good luck to everyone who's finishing up and submitting! Revise a million times, revise a few more, and then feel confident and hit that button! 🙂
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Okay, hold up! I submitted mine on 9/1 and it’s still not verified. What on earth!
 
Hi! If I got a LOR from the PI of a research lab, but she wasn't my direct supervisor, should I list her as the supervisor under experiences or would I list the person who was actually my supervisor? Sorry this question was worded so poorly haha
 
forks4spoons said:
Okay, hold up! I submitted mine on 9/1 and it’s still not verified. What on earth!
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Weird! I'm sure there are a lot of factors that go into it. I was surprised it came back so early, maybe I just got lucky :bored:
 
Strix said:
First time posting here, and I had a quick question. I emailed VMCAS asking and didn't really get a clear answer to my question, so hoping someone here can help me clarify.

I am applying to 5 schools and am done with all of the "Program Materials" for 4/5 of these schools. I submitted and paid for these 4 schools today and plan to finish up the remaining supplemental info for the one school this week. I am waiting on one official transcript to arrive with them which should happen tomorrow or Wednesday. My question is, will the transcript verification process start right when VMCAS receives this last transcript, even though I have not submitted the application to my final school? Or will it wait until I submit and pay for this last program to put me in the verification queue?
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What tigerchic said was correct! I submitted all but two applications on Sunday. My submitted apps were verified on Tuesday. I'm still working on the program materials for the final two. 😱
 
dr.lyssypoo27 said:
Submitted my app last night 😱 but feeling good about it! This afternoon, it's already been verified, in case anyone was wondering how long it's taking at this point. Good luck to everyone who's finishing up and submitting! Revise a million times, revise a few more, and then feel confident and hit that button! 🙂
Click to expand...

forks4spoons said:
Okay, hold up! I submitted mine on 9/1 and it’s still not verified. What on earth!
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shee-p said:
What tigerchic said was correct! I submitted all but two applications on Sunday. My submitted apps were verified on Tuesday. I'm still working on the program materials for the final two. 😱
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So much for a queue 🙄 I (re)submitted mine about a week ago and it's still just 'completed'.

Does anyone know if I should have gotten another notification for when I resubmitted, like you get when you first submit? Just want to ensure I've got all the buttons clicked! (It was for a missing transcript, has since been posted, and I resubmitted that day).
 
Annoyed... took AP Stats in 10th grade and probably didn’t understand at the time how important it would be in the future. Got a 3 but my undergrad only accepts 4+ for AP scores so I never got credit and thus, not on my transcript. Apparently one of the schools I’m applying to, CSU, requires this on the transcript (can’t even get scores sent from college board BECAUSE THEY WONT ACCEPT IT). UGH

Literally the only difference is if my school accepted 3+ instead of 4+ then I’d be able to use it so satisfy the prerequisite
 
Pistachio556 said:
Annoyed... took AP Stats in 10th grade and probably didn’t understand at the time how important it would be in the future. Got a 3 but my undergrad only accepts 4+ for AP scores so I never got credit and thus, not on my transcript. Apparently one of the schools I’m applying to, CSU, requires this on the transcript (can’t even get scores sent from college board BECAUSE THEY WONT ACCEPT IT). UGH

Literally the only difference is if my school accepted 3+ instead of 4+ then I’d be able to use it so satisfy the prerequisite
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Are you trying to use it for a prereq? I don’t think it not being on your transcript is an issue unless you are?
 
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