VMCAS Questions and Rants c/o 2024

Veterinary School Application Advising Ad
This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.
Members do not see this ad.
“They recommend it because as the deadline gets closer, the more people start to submit, and the verification of transcripts backs up and takes longer than normal. When this happens, if it ends up being something wrong on your transcript that you need to correct, you won’t know as quickly as you may need in order to make the changes before the application closes.”

I was under the impression that you have to submit your application before the deadline and then the verification takes whatever time it takes. Are you saying that in fact if you submit your application and there is some error on your transcript as input to VMCAS that your whole application will be invalidated or something?
 
Hp48g said:
I was under the impression that you have to submit your application before the deadline and then the verification takes whatever time it takes. Are you saying that in fact if you submit your application and there is some error on your transcript as input to VMCAS that your whole application will be invalidated or something?
Click to expand...
I believe it depends on the school. I submitted my application on the day of the deadline. I didn’t have any major issues in my application. There was one transcript entry issue where a planned class was listed as a year later than I was actually going to take it. I made that known and the schools that it would’ve matter for said it was okay. But if it’s something like a LOR or something that mistakenly didn’t get uploaded and you submitted the app on the deadline, you’d probably be SOL.
 
I'm trying to enter a future course for Spring 2020 but 2020 isn't an option. What is everyone else doing in this situation?
 
DishonorOnUrCow said:
I'm trying to enter a future course for Spring 2020 but 2020 isn't an option. What is everyone else doing in this situation?
Click to expand...
Are you sure you can’t? Last cycle I had no problem doing that. You create an entirely new term as “planned/in progress” and enter your classes there.
 
ajs513 said:
Are you sure you can’t? Last cycle I had no problem doing that. You create an entirely new term as “planned/in progress” and enter your classes there.
Click to expand...
275063
 
ajs513 said:
Oh that’s weird. I would contact VMCAS tomorrow to ask what to do because I absolutely remember this not being an issue.
Click to expand...

Ah, ok. Wasn't sure if the spring semester before vet school was not recommended or something weird. Thanks, I'll reach out tomorrow!
 
Hello, am I allowed to put "veterinary technician" as my position on VMCAS experiences even if I'm not certified? It's my official title at work (since my state does not require technicians to have certification), but my co-worker (second-year vet student) recommended that I put "veterinary assistant" instead. Any thoughts?
 
sonagi said:
Hello, am I allowed to put "veterinary technician" as my position on VMCAS experiences even if I'm not certified? It's my official title at work (since my state does not require technicians to have certification), but my co-worker (second-year vet student) recommended that I put "veterinary assistant" instead. Any thoughts?
Click to expand...
If that’s your title at work, put it.
 
sonagi said:
Hello, am I allowed to put "veterinary technician" as my position on VMCAS experiences even if I'm not certified? It's my official title at work (since my state does not require technicians to have certification), but my co-worker (second-year vet student) recommended that I put "veterinary assistant" instead. Any thoughts?
Click to expand...
I agree with Ski. You’re a veterinary technician. If you’re in a state that has no laws governing the title, then you can call yourself that. Especially if that’s literally your job title.
 
I have a question about one of Florida's essay questions. This is the prompt.

Question 4: You have been involved in a discussion that addresses one of the topics below. Select one topic and in 500 words, design a clear strategy that demonstrates how you will support or counter your selected topic. Consider your experiences. The goal should be convincing and your strategy valid and defensible. Consider all sides of the issue.
Topics below:
  • Use of genetically modified organisms (GMO's)
  • Use of growth hormone in the dairy industry
  • Use of antibiotics in the feed in poultry industry
  • Effects of global warming
  • Mandatory vaccination for children
I may just be overthinking this, but when they say strategy, do they just mean coming up with an argument to support or counter the topic? And I suppose the "goal" is whether you are supporting or countering? I'm struggling with how to answer this. Thanks.
 
LittleSparrow said:
I have a question about one of Florida's essay questions. This is the prompt.

Question 4: You have been involved in a discussion that addresses one of the topics below. Select one topic and in 500 words, design a clear strategy that demonstrates how you will support or counter your selected topic. Consider your experiences. The goal should be convincing and your strategy valid and defensible. Consider all sides of the issue.
Topics below:
  • Use of genetically modified organisms (GMO's)
  • Use of growth hormone in the dairy industry
  • Use of antibiotics in the feed in poultry industry
  • Effects of global warming
  • Mandatory vaccination for children
I may just be overthinking this, but when they say strategy, do they just mean coming up with an argument to support or counter the topic? And I suppose the "goal" is whether you are supporting or countering? I'm struggling with how to answer this. Thanks.
Click to expand...

I struggled with this one because of the “consider your experiences” part of the question. This is how I ended up organizing my essay ...

I started with a paragraph about my own experience with the topic and how I was against it because of what was portrayed in the media, where I was living at the time, and not having any significant biology education to think otherwise. In my second paragraph I talk about sitting next to a man on an airplane that was a financial advisor for one of the big companies involved in the topic I chose and his side of the story made the tide start to change for me. In my third paragraph I talk about how my biology education changed my opinion permanently and the facts that swayed me. And in my last paragraph I talk about the implications of my topic in the future and why it’s necessary.
 
EngrSC said:
I struggled with this one because of the “consider your experiences” part of the question. This is how I ended up organizing my essay ...

I started with a paragraph about my own experience with the topic and how I was against it because of what was portrayed in the media, where I was living at the time, and not having any significant biology education to think otherwise. In my second paragraph I talk about sitting next to a man on an airplane that was a financial advisor for one of the big companies involved in the topic I chose and his side of the story made the tide start to change for me. In my third paragraph I talk about how my biology education changed my opinion permanently and the facts that swayed me. And in my last paragraph I talk about the implications of my topic in the future and why it’s necessary.
Click to expand...

Thank you. I guess I hadn't thought about how to apply my own experiences to the essay yet, but you make a good point. This will definitely help me with the layout!
 
Hp48g said:
“They recommend it because as the deadline gets closer, the more people start to submit, and the verification of transcripts backs up and takes longer than normal. When this happens, if it ends up being something wrong on your transcript that you need to correct, you won’t know as quickly as you may need in order to make the changes before the application closes.”

I was under the impression that you have to submit your application before the deadline and then the verification takes whatever time it takes. Are you saying that in fact if you submit your application and there is some error on your transcript as input to VMCAS that your whole application will be invalidated or something?
Click to expand...

It is possible. And it has happened (not to me, but to others). It ends up being that you submit before the deadline but verification takes after the deadline and there is an issue, you may not be able to log back in to fix them. This is from what others have told me.
 
EngrSC said:
I struggled with this one because of the “consider your experiences” part of the question. This is how I ended up organizing my essay ...

I started with a paragraph about my own experience with the topic and how I was against it because of what was portrayed in the media, where I was living at the time, and not having any significant biology education to think otherwise. In my second paragraph I talk about sitting next to a man on an airplane that was a financial advisor for one of the big companies involved in the topic I chose and his side of the story made the tide start to change for me. In my third paragraph I talk about how my biology education changed my opinion permanently and the facts that swayed me. And in my last paragraph I talk about the implications of my topic in the future and why it’s necessary.
Click to expand...

Another question. Did you cite sources in this essay or that not required?
 
I have a dilemma. 😳 I am working on a disadvantaged statement for one of my supplemental applications, but now I am thinking of forgoing this optional essay to write an explanation statement in VMCAS. I come from a unique background (low income, child of immigrants, first-gen, poc, etc.), so I have definitely overcome many challenges. However, I am not sure if I need an explanation statement, because my grades/gre scores have not been affected by my adversities. Should I even bother with an explanation statement?
 
blueheeler said:
I have a dilemma. 😳 I am working on a disadvantaged statement for one of my supplemental applications, but now I am thinking of forgoing this optional essay to write an explanation statement in VMCAS. I come from a unique background (low income, child of immigrants, first-gen, poc, etc.), so I have definitely overcome many challenges. However, I am not sure if I need an explanation statement, because my grades/gre scores have not been affected by my adversities. Should I even bother with an explanation statement?
Click to expand...
The explanation statement isn’t just for why you didn’t do as well as you think you could have. It’s a place to put information about yourself that doesn’t appear elsewhere on the general application. You can definitely use it to explain how, despite the adversity you faced, you came out on top and did well.
 
LittleSparrow said:
Another question. Did you cite sources in this essay or that not required?
Click to expand...

I did not. There was one sentence were I listed facts and I wrote it as “According to SDN, yada yada yada...” (not actually SDN, just using that as an example)
 
Hello all! When entering in experiences on the VMCAS, if I have served in multiple leadership positions in an organization, should I enter that as separate experiences for each position or should I just include the different positions in the description for the organization and only have it entered as one actual experience? Which way would be better?

Thanks for any help!!!
 
EngrSC said:
I did not. There was one sentence were I listed facts and I wrote it as “According to SDN, yada yada yada...” (not actually SDN, just using that as an example)
Click to expand...
Ok awesome thank you
 
k.griffin said:
Hello all! When entering in experiences on the VMCAS, if I have served in multiple leadership positions in an organization, should I enter that as separate experiences for each position or should I just include the different positions in the description for the organization and only have it entered as one actual experience? Which way would be better?

Thanks for any help!!!
Click to expand...
I entered it in as one experience, then listed when I did each thing.

For example:
Here Comes Treble A Cappella (Fall 2014-Spring 2018)
-Treasurer (Fall 2016-Spring 2017)
-Musical Director (Fall 2017-Spring 2018)
 
Hi, all!
I took this year post-grad off and I’m currently applying to vet schools. That said, I took a Basic Veterinary Care course at a local adult education center. I know it’s not a college from which I can request a transcript- so that’s not the issue. My quandary is thus: the course was a total of 72 hrs of coursework (including hands-on experience with cats and dogs), but how can I classify this experience without looking like I’m overselling it, and would it be problematic that it’s a course for which I don’t have a transcript? I am planning to add my supervisor’s email and phone number for verification, but I really don’t want to be accused of misrepresenting myself.
I also attended an 8-hour awareness-level Technical Large Animal Rescue Seminar sponsored by a local equine vet group, and I’m struggling about how to classify that experience as well.

Thanks for your help!
 
Hi everyone,

I am some what confused as to how the last 45 credits GPA is calculated, such as if my fall 2019 grades will be included or not. I have done some research on the forums already and can't seem to find an exact answer to my question, any help is greatly appreciated!


I am applying to UC Davis, Texas A&M, Ross, Cornell, NC State, Iowa State, and Auburn
 
Hida98 said:
Hi everyone,

I am some what confused as to how the last 45 credits GPA is calculated, such as if my fall 2019 grades will be included or not. I have done some research on the forums already and can't seem to find an exact answer to my question, any help is greatly appreciated!


I am applying to UC Davis, Texas A&M, Ross, Cornell, NC State, Iowa State, and Auburn
Click to expand...

At Texas A&M, fall 2019 grades will not count towards your last 45 GPA until *after* interviews. After the interview, your GPAs will be recalculated to include fall 2019 grades. I don't think fall 2019 grades will be included in your last 45 GPAs in any other school however.
 
I can't think of a school that includes fall 2019 grades in the last 45 GPA. The grades would come out way passed most admissions committees cut off dates, I would think. A ton of schools send out decisions for either interview or acceptance prior to Christmas break.
 
I am not finding a clear answer, so maybe one of you have run into this before. For extracurriculars, when is "per diem" appropriate? For example clubs & hobbies? I am not sure putting part-time is appropriate, and I think full time would mean full-time hours? It's not very clear to me.
 
RahyneDays said:
I am not finding a clear answer, so maybe one of you have run into this before. For extracurriculars, when is "per diem" appropriate? For example clubs & hobbies? I am not sure putting part-time is appropriate, and I think full time would mean full-time hours? It's not very clear to me.
Click to expand...
Per diem would be if you do it every now and then, but not consistent weekly hours (like if you helped as a soup kitchen for 3 hours once every month). Part time would be consistent weekly hours, but not more than 30-40(depending on what your job classified as full time), weekly or most weeks during that date period (like if you volunteered at a shelter 3 hours a week every week).
 
I have 2 of 3 evaluators who submitted their letters to VMCAS. One of my evaluators has hers ready; however, she cannot get it sent until August 19th.
I know that according to the VMCAS website that it is possible to send the VMCAS application before all evaluators have submitted their evaluations. Does this mean that I can submit my VMCAS applications first, and the schools will see that my application is updated when my late evaluator sends her letter? Or do the schools only receive the currently submitted evaluations?
 
hobose said:
I have 2 of 3 evaluators who submitted their letters to VMCAS. One of my evaluators has hers ready; however, she cannot get it sent until August 19th.
I know that according to the VMCAS website that it is possible to send the VMCAS application before all evaluators have submitted their evaluations. Does this mean that I can submit my VMCAS applications first, and the schools will see that my application is updated when my late evaluator sends her letter? Or do the schools only receive the currently submitted evaluations?
Click to expand...
You can submit before all of your evaluations are submitted, but if something goes wrong and she is not able to submit it for some reason by the deadline, you will be SOL and not able to assign someone else to be an evaluator.
Submitting this early just is to ensure transcript verification has enough time to happen and if there are any major problems that you have time to fix anything with your transcript entry, which is why they recommend it. Schools don’t receive your application until all evaluations are submitted and your transcripts are verified.
 
SkiOtter said:
You can submit before all of your evaluations are submitted, but if something goes wrong and she is not able to submit it for some reason by the deadline, you will be SOL and not able to assign someone else to be an evaluator.
Submitting this early just is to ensure transcript verification has enough time to happen and if there are any major problems that you have time to fix anything with your transcript entry, which is why they recommend it. Schools don’t receive your application until all evaluations are submitted and your transcripts are verified.
Click to expand...

Thanks for your reply. So you're saying that transcripts only begin getting verified once I submit, correct? Will VMCAS let me know that my transcript has been verified?
I feel like, at this point, I need to trust that my evaluator will get it done. If she loses the email for whatever reason, then is it possible for me to resend the request link?
 
hobose said:
Thanks for your reply. So you're saying that transcripts only begin getting verified once I submit, correct? Will VMCAS let me know that my transcript has been verified?
I feel like, at this point, I need to trust that my evaluator will get it done. If she loses the email for whatever reason, then is it possible for me to resend the request link?
Click to expand...
Yes, transcripts will only be verified after you submit. VMCAS will email you when they’re verified and they’ll calculate a whole page of GPAs.

No idea if you can resend the link or not, but you can definitely contact VMCAS help and I would think they should be able to resend it, as long as you’re not trying to do that the night of the deadline (which could still be possible but pls don’t wait until then if your evaluator is supposed to do it around August 19th and there’s a problem, in case it’s not an easy fix).
 
SkiOtter said:
Per diem would be if you do it every now and then, but not consistent weekly hours (like if you helped as a soup kitchen for 3 hours once every month). Part time would be consistent weekly hours, but not more than 30-40(depending on what your job classified as full time), weekly or most weeks during that date period (like if you volunteered at a shelter 3 hours a week every week).
Click to expand...
Thank you! (Is there anything you DONT know?? lol)
 
I feel like I’m struggling with my personal statement just because the prompts seem so generic. They don’t seem “personal” at all if that makes sense. I’m having a hard time making it sound unique enough and I’m generally a very good essay writer. Am I the only one that feels like this lol?
 
gianna1018 said:
I feel like I’m struggling with my personal statement just because the prompts seem so generic. They don’t seem “personal” at all if that makes sense. I’m having a hard time making it sound unique enough and I’m generally a very good essay writer. Am I the only one that feels like this lol?
Click to expand...
Yes, but it just takes time. Last year I spent months working and reworking it. I just plugged one or two relatable things and spent my actual interview letting them get to know me (as much as you can in 30 minutes anyway). Some of the schools I am applying to this year have additional individual statements or prompts to answer so I am hoping the combination gives a better view of me than trying to make each statement try to answer everything.
 
Alright so I am struggling with this Kansas State supplemental application. My school is on the quarter system, and when I put classes under the school in it says quarter. For prerequisites do I need to convert them to semester hours then put them in? Either way doesn't work, because they don't even always let me put as many units as I received for my classes... I am not really sure what to do.
 
justwannabeavet said:
Alright so I am struggling with this Kansas State supplemental application. My school is on the quarter system, and when I put classes under the school in it says quarter. For prerequisites do I need to convert them to semester hours then put them in? Either way doesn't work, because they don't even always let me put as many units as I received for my classes... I am not really sure what to do.
Click to expand...
Contact the school and see what they want you to do. They are the ones evaluating your application, so they’re the only ones who can give you an official answer as to how they want it.
 
Hey all! I was wondering if you could help me figure out where to put stuff like National & State EMT Certification, CPR/AED, Behavioral Health First Aid.. things like that? They are all certifications. Thoughts?
 
The experiences section is confusing me -- am I supposed to be inputting them manually from most recent to least recent? I thought that since VMCAS automatically ordered them by time on the experiences page, regardless of the order I inputted each one, that it wouldn't matter. But I checked a preview pdf for one of my schools and they were all disorganized. Any help would be appreciated!
 
sonagi said:
The experiences section is confusing me -- am I supposed to be inputting them manually from most recent to least recent? I thought that since VMCAS automatically ordered them by time on the experiences page, regardless of the order I inputted each one, that it wouldn't matter. But I checked a preview pdf for one of my schools and they were all disorganized. Any help would be appreciated!
Click to expand...

I thought it automatically categorized them by date... I thought wrong I guess. I have been inputting my experiences into VMCAS in a random order lol.
 
blueheeler said:
I thought it automatically categorized them by date... I thought wrong I guess. I have been inputting my experiences into VMCAS in a random order lol.
Click to expand...

Me too. I wonder how much it actually matters?
 
For those that aren’t applying to Oklahoma, they sent out this email yesterday:

Greetings from OSU-CVHS!
Did you know… submitting your application early could help you in the long run. Although the deadline for submission is September 17th, if VMCAS finds an issue with your application after September 17th you will not be able to correct the problem if submitted on the deadline. We advise you to submit your application at least 2 weeks in advance.
 
Hey guys, I have experience questions. I worked for a petting zoo throughout high school - I am assuming animal experience. I apprenticed with a farrier and continued to do farrier work - also animal experience? I have had my own equine reproduction business the last 3 years where I ultrasound, AI, collect stallions, prepare cooled and frozen semen, do embryo transfers, foal out mares, uterine cultures/lavage's, give all drugs required, etc - would this be considered vet experience or animal experience? My husband trains horses so I am always there for the vet appointments for our client horses and help the vet with whatever he needs. - Would this count as vet experience? Thank you!
 
CWeber7 said:
Hey guys, I have experience questions. I worked for a petting zoo throughout high school - I am assuming animal experience. I apprenticed with a farrier and continued to do farrier work - also animal experience? I have had my own equine reproduction business the last 3 years where I ultrasound, AI, collect stallions, prepare cooled and frozen semen, do embryo transfers, foal out mares, uterine cultures/lavage's, give all drugs required, etc - would this be considered vet experience or animal experience? My husband trains horses so I am always there for the vet appointments for our client horses and help the vet with whatever he needs. - Would this count as vet experience? Thank you!
Click to expand...
If it’s under the supervision of a vet (the majority of the time), it’s vet experience. If it is with animals but it’s part of a research project, it’s research experience. If it’s neither, then it’s animal experience. And if you have a strong feeling that someone on an admissions committee would look at an experience and say “is this REALLY vet experience?” then maybe put animal experience. Usually vet experience means you’re employed by/volunteering for a veterinarian and it’s not for your own pets.
 
CWeber7 said:
I have had my own equine reproduction business the last 3 years
Click to expand...

Since your supervisor is not a veterinarian, it is animal experience and not veterinary experience.

CWeber7 said:
My husband trains horses so I am always there for the vet appointments for our client horses and help the vet with whatever he needs.
Click to expand...

Again, since this is through your business and not as a jobunder a veterinarian, it should be animal experience.
 
Hello! I am wondering if I need to resubmit GRE scores to schools that I applied to last cycle. I asked one school and she replied the school GRE code so I’m not sure if that was much of an answer. Just trying to save some money where I can. Thanks!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

stinkydog
  • Sticky
VMCAS Questions and Rants c/o 2030
7 8 9 10 11
Replies
509
Views
33K
Kula_Hula
Kula_Hula
V
VMCAS Questions and Rants c/o 2029
7 8 9 10 11
Replies
544
Views
63K
amm1
A
Mr.Smile12
VMCAS 2026 opens! Webinars!
Replies
1
Views
950
Mr.Smile12
Mr.Smile12
Shiloh47
  • Locked
Vet School / Vet Profession and Economic Policy
2
Replies
99
Views
3K
supershorty
supershorty
M
VMCAS cycle 2025
Replies
4
Views
1K
supershorty
supershorty
Top