VMCAS Questions C/O 2017 (Post your questions here.)

[wildcatj]

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I took research for credit. Should I put it under whatever the research was in? or "other"?

Thank you! 🙂

I would put it in whatever category the research was in. I have some internship credits and I just put those under whatever category they were in.

 

[Minnerbelle]

Would you guys classify Organic chemistry as lower division or upper division? the course is 2310, but I did take it as a junior like most people at my university. I will probably end up putting it under lower division, just wondering what you guys have done in the past.

See if your registrar's office has specific criteria for what they consider lower and upper division. It should be outlined in the course bulletin or registrars web page or somewhere. Or you could always call/email/visit and ask. Orgo was upper level at my school.

 

[squirrelsrule]

For the wildlife rehab experience, I was told by OSU that it counts as vet experience if there is a vet that is present and oversees it and animal experience if there isn't a vet actually present. I'd count yours as vet experience for all of your time volunteering there.

 

[RetroUnicorn]

In the section where you describe your duties for your experiences, do you need to use complete sentences?

 

[Trilt]

In the section where you describe your duties for your experiences, do you need to use complete sentences?

Discussed (with examples!) on the first page. 🙂

 

[T_Rose]

Second question: I work at a wildlife rehab clinic that is attached to a vet hospital. We have a veterinarian that volunteers for us and can also use the vets next door. Last summer we had a vet in the clinic with us almost all the time because we were short staffed, but this year she's probably only there 1-2 hours a day. Since we're connected to a vet hospital, would you guys call all my hours there veterinary? Should I split the difference and list half as animal half as veterinary?

For the wildlife rehab experience, I was told by OSU that it counts as vet experience if there is a vet that is present and oversees it and animal experience if there isn't a vet actually present. I'd count yours as vet experience for all of your time volunteering there.

I have a similar experience, and I'm listing all my hours as veterinary experience. 🙂

Okay, cool! Thanks! I called, but if I don't hear a response by next week I'll email.

Well, there you go....definitely wait for Joyce. 🙂 Hope she okays it for you.

Were you able to talk to Joyce? I have been trying to contact VMRCVM, and haven't been able to reach anyone yet. My hours to call are limited because of my classes, but I haven't received a response to the e-mail I sent either.

 

[irrelephant23]

Were you able to talk to Joyce? I have been trying to contact VMRCVM, and haven't been able to reach anyone yet. My hours to call are limited because of my classes, but I haven't received a response to the e-mail I sent either.

Nope, nothing yet. I was planning on sending an email later on this week just to be sure that I won't be applying without all the pre-req's (since I graduated and have 0 desire to pay for more classes right now). I'll let you know if I hear something soon!

 

[SoundofMusic]

When I shadowed at a multi-doctor clinic I put down the vets name that I shadowed the most and the one that signed off my vet hours verification form. Then for the multi-doctor clinic I worked at I put down the name of the vet that wrote me a letter of recommendation.

Hey there, how/where do I get an hours verification form? I've never even heard of it.

 

[kakurubird]

Hey there, how/where do I get an hours verification form? I've never even heard of it.

I was going to tell you all about Ohio State's form that needs a vet to sign off on you having shadowed 80 hours, which is what I assume squirrels is referring to because that's where she's going in the fall and just found the link to show you where to find it, but apparently, it is no longer required, based on what's said here: http://vet.osu.edu/education/application-checklist

 

[equineconstant]

Course classifications: what would neuroscience go under? It's a different department from biology, but I don't think it's really a "physiology" class, and I feel like "none of the above" makes it seem less important.

 

[T_Rose]

Nope, nothing yet. I was planning on sending an email later on this week just to be sure that I won't be applying without all the pre-req's (since I graduated and have 0 desire to pay for more classes right now). I'll let you know if I hear something soon!

If it was me, I would keep trying to call. I know of people who had trouble contacting them through e-mail last cycle, but an e-mail would be worth a try.

I was going to tell you all about Ohio State's form that needs a vet to sign off on you having shadowed 80 hours, which is what I assume squirrels is referring to because that's where she's going in the fall and just found the link to show you where to find it, but apparently, it is no longer required, based on what's said here: http://vet.osu.edu/education/application-checklist

It's true that it is no longer required! I talked to the admissions office last month. That just means there is one less form I need to worry about. Unfortunately, it was probably also one of the easier parts of the application.

Course classifications: what would neuroscience go under? It's a different department from biology, but I don't think it's really a "physiology" class, and I feel like "none of the above" makes it seem less important.

I personally would put it under Biology. How you classify it is not going to make a huge difference on your application.

 

[zanydogz]

Course classifications: what would neuroscience go under? It's a different department from biology, but I don't think it's really a "physiology" class, and I feel like "none of the above" makes it seem less important.

What department in your school offers it? More than likely it can go under biology.

 

[equineconstant]

What department in your school offers it? More than likely it can go under biology.

It's its own "neuroscience" department. I'll put it under biology, though. Thanks!

 

[LetItSnow]

~ The VMCAS email is: [email protected]

I presume that was a typo and should be [email protected]. VMCAS001, if you read this, you may want to edit your post in case anyone clicks on it and ends up sending email to an address that doesn't exist.

Unless it really is correct, anyway.

 

[squirrelsrule]

I was going to tell you all about Ohio State's form that needs a vet to sign off on you having shadowed 80 hours, which is what I assume squirrels is referring to because that's where she's going in the fall and just found the link to show you where to find it, but apparently, it is no longer required, based on what's said here: http://vet.osu.edu/education/application-checklist

Yes, I should have mentioned the form was only for Ohio. Surprised it is no longer required, maybe they realized that was giving the people the impression that having 80 hours or so of vet experience was good. I know before I found this site, I thought 100 hours was gonna be a good amount of experience 😳.

 

[irrelephant23]

If it was me, I would keep trying to call. I know of people who had trouble contacting them through e-mail last cycle, but an e-mail would be worth a try.

Joyce called me back this morning so hopefully she'll be responding to you soon!

For anyone else interested, she said that having only one Orgo lab is fine and fulfills their requirement. 🙂

 

[irrelephant23]

Yes, I should have mentioned the form was only for Ohio. Surprised it is no longer required, maybe they realized that was giving the people the impression that having 80 hours or so of vet experience was good. I know before I found this site, I thought 100 hours was gonna be a good amount of experience 😳.

I'm also surprised that they are now only requiring one letter of recommendation from a vet. I know last year that was a deterring factor for me because at the time I had experience with only one vet that knew me well enough to write a letter.

 

[Museum Nerd]

What category should I put my research experience under?
I'm helping a professor with his project. I am not paid, so I didn't think it would go under "Employment". He is not a vet, so it's not "Veterinary Experience", and the research is on people, so it's not going under "Animal Experience".
It's not an "Honor or Award", so all that leaves is "Community Activities", but that doesn't seem quite right either.

Help?

If the research was with a PhD it can go under Vet Experience. also my pre vet advisor told me that my work as a Teaching Assistant should go under employement even though i did not get paid so you could list it there also.

 

[wildcatj]

So I have a merit based scholarship that I receive every year, and have been on dean's list multiple times. I should list each of this just once right? Not for every time it's happened? I was planning on just explaining that I had received it multiple times and when. That makes sense, right?

 

[Trilt]

So I have a merit based scholarship that I receive every year, and have been on dean's list multiple times. I should list each of this just once right? Not for every time it's happened? I was planning on just explaining that I had received it multiple times and when. That makes sense, right?

That's what I did. I also saw some applications where it was listed separately each time, but to me that just seems repetitive after a point...

 

[Wildlife woman]

Nope, nothing yet. I was planning on sending an email later on this week just to be sure that I won't be applying without all the pre-req's (since I graduated and have 0 desire to pay for more classes right now). I'll let you know if I hear something soon!

Most schools don't require you to be completely done with the pre-reqs when applying. If you do get in though they need to be finished by a certain deadline. Usually in the following summer before classes start. For example I just finished animal nutrition and Auburn had a deadline of June 15th

 

[T_Rose]

Joyce called me back this morning so hopefully she'll be responding to you soon!

Yay! I'll keep trying to get in touch with her!

So I have a merit based scholarship that I receive every year, and have been on dean's list multiple times. I should list each of this just once right? Not for every time it's happened? I was planning on just explaining that I had received it multiple times and when. That makes sense, right?

I would list it just once and use the explanation statement to indicate you received it multiple times. I was actually told by a veterinary school to list them that way. It gets repetitive to see the same award or scholarship listed 3 or 4 times!

 

[zanydogz]

So I have a merit based scholarship that I receive every year, and have been on dean's list multiple times. I should list each of this just once right? Not for every time it's happened? I was planning on just explaining that I had received it multiple times and when. That makes sense, right?

I listed it once and then explained that I received it multiple times. Its probably easier to read and looks more organized IMO.

The only app I had to list it separately was with TAMU (warning for anyone applying there). They make a "calendar of activities" (annoying right?) and so I had to list awards for every year I got them, all with the same explanations.

 

[irrelephant23]

Most schools don't require you to be completely done with the pre-reqs when applying. If you do get in though they need to be finished by a certain deadline. Usually in the following summer before classes start. For example I just finished animal nutrition and Auburn had a deadline of June 15th

The only pre-req's I haven't completed are cell bio and maybe a second orgo lab if a school was really wanting one. So far, though, I seem to be misinterpreting having 2 semesters of "Organic Chemistry with Laboratory" as 1 orgo lab appears to be fine. Pretty happy about that one! 😀 I applied to Michigan last cycle and was planning on cramming in a cell bio class if absolutely necessary in the last half of the semester, but, of course I didn't get in so no need! I'm not even going to bother this time. (My gpa ~ 3.5 OOS)

 

[NStarz]

The only pre-req's I haven't completed are cell bio and maybe a second orgo lab if a school was really wanting one. So far, though, I seem to be misinterpreting having 2 semesters of "Organic Chemistry with Laboratory" as 1 orgo lab appears to be fine. Pretty happy about that one! 😀 I applied to Michigan last cycle and was planning on cramming in a cell bio class if absolutely necessary in the last half of the semester, but, of course I didn't get in so no need! I'm not even going to bother this time. (My gpa ~ 3.5 OOS)

Hey irrelepehant--I did the same thing with 1 orgo lab last year. The only school that I was going to apply to that didn't like it was Cornell. HTH

 

[irrelephant23]

Hey irrelepehant--I did the same thing with 1 orgo lab last year. The only school that I was going to apply to that didn't like it was Cornell. HTH

Good thing I'm not applying there!

 

[kakurubird]

This is a rant/question...

I have to send transcripts for everything completed when I apply and then again at the end of the fall semester, right?
So, I have to send transcripts twice from the school that charges me for each from which I will have one class by October 2nd and two total at the end of the fall semester? And my wonderful undergrad which does not charge me, I only have to have send transcripts once?

 

[zanydogz]

This is a rant/question...

I have to send transcripts for everything completed when I apply and then again at the end of the fall semester, right?
So, I have to send transcripts twice from the school that charges me for each from which I will have one class by October 2nd and two total at the end of the fall semester? And my wonderful undergrad which does not charge me, I only have to have send transcripts once?

If I get what you're saying, yes you will have to send it twice since you will have new grades by the end of the semester. You're basically giving an update of your grades. If you don't have any new grades from your undergrad by the end of the semester, then you only have to send that one once. It sucks, believe me, especially since its for only a few courses. I had to do the same thing for one of my transcripts and it was not fun at all...

 

[kakurubird]

If I get what you're saying, yes you will have to send it twice since you will have new grades by the end of the semester. You're basically giving an update of your grades. If you don't have any new grades from your undergrad by the end of the semester, then you only have to send that one once. It sucks, believe me, especially since its for only a few courses. I had to do the same thing for one of my transcripts and it was not fun at all...

Ugggghhh, yeah, for the one school that's the only one that will charge me, I will be sending one course at a time. Fun.
Then again, I hope some school asks me to send a third copy when I finish in the spring. Because that will mean someone decided to admit me.

 

[zanydogz]

Ugggghhh, yeah, for the one school that's the only one that will charge me, I will be sending one course at a time. Fun.
Then again, I hope some school asks me to send a third copy when I finish in the spring. Because that will mean someone decided to admit me.

This 👍

In a devious sort of way, I really hope that you have to resend ALL of your transcripts to a school in the end of spring. Cuz then, you're in and you're official! 😀

 

[kakurubird]

I know we've been over the animal ownership thing a few different times in a few different threads, but how have you all (or are you all going to) handled pet sitting on your application?

 

[StartingoverVet]

I know we've been over the animal ownership thing a few different times in a few different threads, but how have you all (or are you all going to) handled pet sitting on your application?

animal experience. cut and dried.

 

[kakurubird]

animal experience. cut and dried.

Well, yeah, that part is obvious.

But in terms of estimating time and describing what I did--it feels so silly to be like, "I fed some animals that weren't mine" (but, phrased better).

And it is something that should be included, yes? Because the actual doing of it isn't much more than my own animals except that they are someone else's and they are paying me for it.

 

[LetItSnow]

And it is something that should be included, yes? Because the actual doing of it isn't much more than my own animals except that they are someone else's and they are paying me for it.

I sure did, and some of mine was from about the time of Cortez's expedition to the Americas. What do you lose by including it?

As for how to write it: don't understate it, don't overstate it. Just be straight up about what your responsibilities were and what you did.

 

[kakurubird]

I sure did, and some of mine was from about the time of Cortez's expedition to the Americas. What do you lose by including it?

As for how to write it: don't understate it, don't overstate it. Just be straight up about what you responsibilities were and what you did.

Point well taken.

Thanks.

 

[squirrelsrule]

Pet sitting might not be the greatest animal experience, but someone trusted you enough to watch their pets while they were away, that shows you're responsible and mature. Definitely count it and give a brief description of what you did.

Oh, and while I'm thinking of it, if anyone is applying to Ohio and their supplemental is like last year and asks you to rank your animal experience by group (small, large, wildlife, lab, etc.) watch your characters on the description, there is a limit. I can't remember what it was, but it wasn't listed and several people got upset after painstakingly listing all the details of what they had done and got it all the way they wanted and hit submit and then it said what the character limit was Just keep your descriptions short and sweet, they will ask you plenty more questions about what you wrote in the interview just joking, Ohio's interview isn't bad.

 

[kakurubird]

Oh, and while I'm thinking of it, if anyone is applying to Ohio and their supplemental is like last year and asks you to rank your animal experience by group (small, large, wildlife, lab, etc.) watch your characters on the description, there is a limit. I can't remember what it was, but it wasn't listed and several people got upset after painstakingly listing all the details of what they had done and got it all the way they wanted and hit submit and then it said what the character limit was Just keep your descriptions short and sweet, they will ask you plenty more questions about what you wrote in the interview just joking, Ohio's interview isn't bad.

Just looked up the Ohio State supplemental. "The approximate number of animals within this species you have handled"?? What the heck! And number of hours? I don't even know how to begin estimating things like that!

 

[McKatz]

I'm hoping someone can give me some advice on reporting hours worked as a receptionist versus as an tech/rooming assistant. I have around 2,000 hours at the small animal clinic where I work including around 900 as a receptionist and 1,200 as a tech/assistant. I actually have more doctor interaction working as a receptionist and want to highlight that in my application.

I'm wondering if I should do separate entries on VMCAS or one entry with the hours broken down and an explanation of duties.

What do you guys think? Thanks much!

 

[irrelephant23]

I'm hoping someone can give me some advice on reporting hours worked as a receptionist versus as an tech/rooming assistant. I have around 2,000 hours at the small animal clinic where I work including around 900 as a receptionist and 1,200 as a tech/assistant. I actually have more doctor interaction working as a receptionist and want to highlight that in my application.

I'm wondering if I should do separate entries on VMCAS or one entry with the hours broken down and an explanation of duties.

What do you guys think? Thanks much!

I definitely think two entries. The 900 as employment and mention that you have doctor interaction, and then the rest where you were working with the vet as vet experience. I know that even when I was working at a SA clinic, there were a lot of times where I was doing jobs around the clinic and not with the vet that I couldn't justify as vet hours so I just included them with employment.

 

[Trilt]

I definitely think two entries. The 900 as employment and mention that you have doctor interaction, and then the rest where you were working with the vet as vet experience. I know that even when I was working at a SA clinic, there were a lot of times where I was doing jobs around the clinic and not with the vet that I couldn't justify as vet hours so I just included them with employment.

I disagree with this; if you want to split them up, I'd definitely put them both as vet. Working as a receptionist and as an assistant/tech both fully fall under "supervised by health professional," which is VMCAS' way of deciding veterinary experience. Even if you decide not to place it as vet experience, it is most definitely animal experience. You don't need to be working specifically hand in hand with the vet for it to be a valid learning experience.

 

[irrelephant23]

I disagree with this; if you want to split them up, I'd definitely put them both as vet. Working as a receptionist and as an assistant/tech both fully fall under "supervised by health professional," which is VMCAS' way of deciding veterinary experience. Even if you decide not to place it as vet experience, it is most definitely animal experience. You don't need to be working specifically hand in hand with the vet for it to be a valid learning experience.

This is a good point. What I meant was that I personally didn't want to put sweeping floors and answering phones as vet experience on my vmcas, but technically it counts. Maybe I will this time around.

 

[McKatz]

This is a good point. What I meant was that I personally didn't want to put sweeping floors and answering phones as vet experience on my vmcas, but technically it counts. Maybe I will this time around.

Thanks to both! I definitely will put both under vet experience per your suggestion, but still not sure if I will separate them out. I get paid for both, but each has different duties.

One other question - how far back do I go with my employment history? I'm 28 and have been working since I was 16 in restaurants and other odd jobs - many times working 2 jobs at once. Should I follow the 10-year rule or just put the most recent and relevant? I tried looking this up in other threads, but can't seem to pinpoint a suggestion. Thoughts? Thanks again for your feedback!

 

[Trilt]

Thanks to both! I definitely will put both under vet experience per your suggestion, but still not sure if I will separate them out. I get paid for both, but each has different duties.

One other question - how far back do I go with my employment history? I'm 28 and have been working since I was 16 in restaurants and other odd jobs - many times working 2 jobs at once. Should I follow the 10-year rule or just put the most recent and relevant? I tried looking this up in other threads, but can't seem to pinpoint a suggestion. Thoughts? Thanks again for your feedback!

Back till the time of the dinosaurs. 😀

(Insert SOV joke).

 

[zanydogz]

Back till the time of the dinosaurs. 😀

(Insert SOV joke).

😆

Thanks to both! I definitely will put both under vet experience per your suggestion, but still not sure if I will separate them out. I get paid for both, but each has different duties.

One other question - how far back do I go with my employment history? I'm 28 and have been working since I was 16 in restaurants and other odd jobs - many times working 2 jobs at once. Should I follow the 10-year rule or just put the most recent and relevant? I tried looking this up in other threads, but can't seem to pinpoint a suggestion. Thoughts? Thanks again for your feedback!

McKatz: I'm actually not sure. I kinda feel like putting all of them would be a lot for schools to read and just plain too much, but I could see reasons for posting all of them. You might want to call up one or two of the schools you're applying to and see what they recommend. It never hurts to ask.

 

[LetItSnow]

Thanks to both! I definitely will put both under vet experience per your suggestion, but still not sure if I will separate them out. I get paid for both, but each has different duties.

One other question - how far back do I go with my employment history? I'm 28 and have been working since I was 16 in restaurants and other odd jobs - many times working 2 jobs at once. Should I follow the 10-year rule or just put the most recent and relevant? I tried looking this up in other threads, but can't seem to pinpoint a suggestion. Thoughts? Thanks again for your feedback!

*shrug* Whatever you think makes the most sense; if they don't have hard 'n fast rules, then do what makes your application appear strongest.

I'm 42 (now), and I went all the back to 20, which is when I started my first 'real' job. Of course, that was still only three jobs total, and I included them all because I received regular, significant promotions at all of them - I wanted to be able to show that pattern of consistently earning promotions.

 

[Tegan05]

What category would you put a foreign language under? Other? Humanities? Speech/Communication?

 

[kakurubird]

What category would you put a foreign language under? Other? Humanities? Speech/Communication?

I put all of mine under humanities, though some were literature classes, so definitely humanities.

I think speech/communication would be English classes that fit school's requirements for a speech class specifically.

 

[wildcatj]

What category would you put a foreign language under? Other? Humanities? Speech/Communication?

Humanities for sure

 

[zanydogz]

What category would you put a foreign language under? Other? Humanities? Speech/Communication?

Humanities for sure. Speech/communication is for an a specific speech class, like public speaking 101, or intro to communication, or something like that. Most schools don't usually require one though...

 

[Kibo]

This is a good point. What I meant was that I personally didn't want to put sweeping floors and answering phones as vet experience on my vmcas, but technically it counts. Maybe I will this time around.

I see where you're going, but you were doing all of those things within a veterinary clinic, and thus learning about the veterinary profession the whole time. I think you can learn SO much as "just a receptionist" that will help you as a future veterinarian...client interaction and conflict management, finances, customer service, scheduling appointments in an efficient manner, marketing (those phone-shopping clients asking about your prices)... I could keep going. Really play those up on your app - as a receptionist you do so much more than answer phones even though it may seem that's all that happens in your day. I do both the front desk and technician duties at my current job and have learned a ton from both positions. I feel like I have such a greater understanding of how to actually *run* a veterinary practice from working the front desk rather than just staying in the back.