VMCAS Questions and Rants c/o 2030

[pp9]

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This situation truly does suck, and my goal is not to make you feel worse, but I want to gently throw in a quote taken directly from VMCAS in the applicant guide/instructions:

• "Do not wait until the last minute. You can submit your application up until 11:59 PM ET on the deadline date; however, ensure you allow for time to complete the required payment section. You must click Submit and complete the final payment information before the deadline in order to guarantee your submission is accepted. Additionally, be aware that during our busiest times you may experience page loading delays, and these may occur outside of customer service's hours of operation. We cannot grant deadline extensions if you miss your deadline; contact your programs directly for more information." (underlining done by myself for emphasis)​

If you are going to keep trying to plead your case, I would not mention that you didn't know this was a risk/have never heard of this 'unwritten rule.' Because it is written, and is something VMCAS has actually been really upfront about for a very, very long time.

I completely agree with the posts above saying that although this feels earth-shattering now, you will be okay though. Take some time to grieve the situation, but move on with a learned lesson. Because bats put it very well here:

The application window is many months long with zero incentive for applicants to keep their material in limbo except for self-imposed parameters.

like having a very short quiz that only takes about five minutes to complete. starting it at 11:00 pm would definitely be risky, but starting it at 11:54 pm should still feel safe since it is designed to close at 11:59.

And then there's the majority, who would absolutely be sweating bullets if they started a quiz 5 minutes before they would be locked out. I actually know someone who failed an entire course due to a tech glitch at 11:59pm. I'm telling you, never tempt fate. Murphy's Law is a real thing.

 

[bashfulbigfoot563]

thank you so much for taking the time to share the exact wording from the guide and for giving such a thoughtful response. i really do appreciate it.

i understand what you mean about murphy’s law and how risky it can feel to cut things close. in the moment, i looked at it more like taking an exam. i wanted to feel fully prepared before submitting so that what i turned in reflected my best effort. throughout undergrad this approach has served me well, since i tend to be careful, thorough, and a bit of a perfectionist like most. i did not anticipate the slowdown i faced, but i recognize now how much timing can shape the outcome.

afterward, i reached out directly to the programs i applied to, and they were supportive and did their best to help. they explained that vmcas had the final say. when i contacted vmcas, it felt as though the details and documentation i provided were set aside without much consideration, and that has been the hardest part of this situation. while i understand the importance of policies, it was discouraging to see the programs approach the matter with understanding while the central service did not appear willing to fully take into account the context behind the situation. i also viewed others who experienced similar slowdowns, so while it may not have been a system-wide issue, i know i was not alone.

i will stay hopeful that what i shared might still be taken into account. if i do find myself needing to wait until the next cycle, i know it will be a difficult, and i cannot say with certainty that another chance will be possible for me. still, i will try to carry the lessons from this experience and return stronger if given the chance. most of all, i am grateful for this community, because the support here has helped me keep perspective and reminded me that i am not facing this process entirely on my own. thank you again for your time and for sharing!

 

[vampyrica]

thank you again for your time and for sharing!

Honestly, you are handling this pretty maturely and if this is a reflection of the type of person you are offline, I would say you would be a pleasure to interview. Accepting criticism and advice even if it isn’t the answer you necessarily want to here is a good trait, actually taking the information you are given into consideration and doing a self-reflection is even better. Best of luck to you, but be weary, we’re heading into October which will decrease your chances of having an exception be made.

 

[FLBuckeye]

thank you so much for taking the time to share the exact wording from the guide and for giving such a thoughtful response. i really do appreciate it.

i understand what you mean about murphy’s law and how risky it can feel to cut things close. in the moment, i looked at it more like taking an exam. i wanted to feel fully prepared before submitting so that what i turned in reflected my best effort. throughout undergrad this approach has served me well, since i tend to be careful, thorough, and a bit of a perfectionist like most. i did not anticipate the slowdown i faced, but i recognize now how much timing can shape the outcome.

afterward, i reached out directly to the programs i applied to, and they were supportive and did their best to help. they explained that vmcas had the final say. when i contacted vmcas, it felt as though the details and documentation i provided were set aside without much consideration, and that has been the hardest part of this situation. while i understand the importance of policies, it was discouraging to see the programs approach the matter with understanding while the central service did not appear willing to fully take into account the context behind the situation. i also viewed others who experienced similar slowdowns, so while it may not have been a system-wide issue, i know i was not alone.

i will stay hopeful that what i shared might still be taken into account. if i do find myself needing to wait until the next cycle, i know it will be a difficult, and i cannot say with certainty that another chance will be possible for me. still, i will try to carry the lessons from this experience and return stronger if given the chance. most of all, i am grateful for this community, because the support here has helped me keep perspective and reminded me that i am not facing this process entirely on my own. thank you again for your time and for sharing!

Truly sorry you are in this place. Wish you the best and that you get a surprise positive resolution. Don’t give up yet. Just need one person that will listen and be willing to help.

 

[fauna]

thank you so much for taking the time to share the exact wording from the guide and for giving such a thoughtful response. i really do appreciate it.

hey I hope things work out for you and overall my heart goes out to you because this whole thing is stressful.

i want to emphasize that, for me, nothing really prepared me for truly understanding the ins and outs of VMCAS other than literally going through it that first cycle. like i thought i knew the vet school application process, seeing as this is my life’s dream, but, i had a lot go wrong during my first cycle as well. and i really beat myself up about it because i thought i should’ve known better but i just want you to know you’re not the only one and you’re taking all of this really well. my second cycle went wayyyyyy better and also the gap year i had between cycles led me to having absolutely life changing experience that i wouldn’t trade for the world.