VMRCVM Class of 2014!

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Is this what it would cost anyone or only those that are participating in the university's insurance plan? If I have my own private insurance do you know if the fee would still be around $200?
 
Just signed up for health insurance and my credit card is crying...especially because I sadly need dental and vision! Ah well.

Financial aid is all squared away, although I still can't find any solid info about when to expect the refund.

Dissection kit is ordered.

Still working that whole rabies vaccination/allergist crapola that I have to deal with. (Ahh the joy of vaccine reactions)

Has anyone started buying textbooks yet? If so, any tips/suggestions?

Also still looking for a nice pair of rubber boots that a) don't have a buckle and b) fit a 15-inch calf...

I did try on some lab coats the other day at a uniform store in the mall. I admit, I did a happy little "I'm gonna be a doctor" snoopy dance 🙂 But alas, I forgot what size I ordered from school (erring to big vs small), so I'll wait on that. But I loved the Grey's Anatomy lab coat. Although the embroidered ECG on it would really worry me if I ever saw it on a patient!!!

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Someone from the financial aid office told me that our refund checks should be ready by the Thurs before classes start so...Aug 19th? Also, she gave me the tip to go into hokiespa and sign up to have your refund directly deposited into your account. That way you can avoid those long lines at the bursar's office.
 
Just got my rabies titre done about 2 weeks ago...8 years later and I still have adequate titre levels. Craziness.

On the other hand, I was trying to fill out my health and immunization history form. I've moved at least 7 times in the past 8 years, so it was sheer luck I actually found some old medical records that had my immunization history on them. I'm hoping they let my "patient reported" tetanus shot fly...I got it done in 2006 but the last RECORDED one I could find was 1998. However, I got it about a month before my wedding and caused a HUGE fight between my fiancee and I (this was how/when I found out he didn't believe in vaccines). Its hard to forget something like that!

I think I might just have to go try on some jackets as well...SOOOO excited!
 
So, I have been told by many people that vet school often turns out to be very cliquey. I noticed at the accepted students day that most people who attended Vtech as undergrads sat together etc. This aspect does make me feel a bit intimidated considering how many students have previously graduated from vtech. For all of you that did, are you all already really good friends with other people in our class? It seems like a stupid question to ask if you guys are planning on making friends with other non vtech undergrads but i've heard the trend is for you all to stick together.

Anyone else worried about this aspect and finding a good group of friends?
 
It depends on the person whether they want to be cliquey or not.

I saw people from all different schools sticking together as well as groups of alumni from VT or UVA or whatever ( and we don't all know each other haha...I went to VT as an undergrad but didn't know ANY of the other VT grads....remember, VT is a BIG school!!). Everyone is nervous at first; that's why you seek out familiar people you may know so you feel less scared. Its not cliquey per se 🙂 Only one of my friends ended up being from VT and I didn't even know it. I didn't see too much "sticking together" in terms of school - more people "sticking together" for personality similarities.

Don't worry about finding friends too much - they will happen through lab groups, study groups etc. The friends I made first year were totally different than the friends I had fourth year (although I'm a bit of a shy person so I never had many).
 
flipflopper said:
So, I have been told by many people that vet school often turns out to be very cliquey. I noticed at the accepted students day that most people who attended Vtech as undergrads sat together etc. This aspect does make me feel a bit intimidated considering how many students have previously graduated from vtech. For all of you that did, are you all already really good friends with other people in our class? It seems like a stupid question to ask if you guys are planning on making friends with other non vtech undergrads but i've heard the trend is for you all to stick together.

Anyone else worried about this aspect and finding a good group of friends?
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Well, I think we combat this by making sure we all find each other and sit together all year... 😉

If it makes you feel any better, I didn't graduate from VT and I know of a few other people who didn't go here either. I think its like Whts said... People look for common ground and tend to stick together to make themselves feel more comfortable. But if you work on it, you really CAN find common ground with a large variety of people.

And I know I probably come off as super annoying on the forums, but if you're nervous or feeling left out just come find me during orientation week. I'll be super nervous, and a little lost and confused as well. We can just Forest Gump our way through it together until you find less annoying friends to hang out with 😉 Which really - that invitation goes out to everyone 🙂
 
Veracosa said:
I don't know why I didn't think about this before, but I know you can run windows on your mac, so you might be able to work around issues there.
The lab computers at my old school were macs that could run the mac OS as well as windows XP. Not sure how that worked, whether it was a partitioned drive or emulator or what. Just throwing that out there!

I have had my Eee pc for a few days now and I am in love with it. I can put it in my purse! It weighs a bit less than 3 lbs. I think I will name her "Femputer," from Futurama...
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OK, I know this is an old post, but I was just rereading the thread to see if I could glean anymore useful information... (yes, I am an uber geek like that). Vera, I think I'm going to have to track you down and make you my bestest friend... Femputer FTW!
 
Veracosa said:
Also still looking for a nice pair of rubber boots that a) don't have a buckle and b) fit a 15-inch calf...
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I just bought a great pair of Smoky Mountain boots that are identical to the Original Muck Boot Company waterproof boots, but are $30 less. I would recommend them because they have a very roomy, stretchy neoprene upper calf that would most likely fit any calf size and still leave you with enough stretch to stick coveralls inside. Anyways, I love them 🙂 I ended up getting the ones with a heel that are made for riding, but I also know they come in a flat bottom style.

I bought them in a store, but here they are online: http://www.equestriancollections.com/product.asp?groupcode=SB00187

Or you can get them at Smoky Mountain's website...hope that helps too!
 
flipflopper said:
So, I have been told by many people that vet school often turns out to be very cliquey. I noticed at the accepted students day that most people who attended Vtech as undergrads sat together etc. This aspect does make me feel a bit intimidated considering how many students have previously graduated from vtech. For all of you that did, are you all already really good friends with other people in our class? It seems like a stupid question to ask if you guys are planning on making friends with other non vtech undergrads but i've heard the trend is for you all to stick together.

Anyone else worried about this aspect and finding a good group of friends?
Click to expand...


Yes!

I did go to VT for undergrad, but the only friends I have there I had when I started. I'll recognize quite a few vet students from classes, but I, for one, will be entering in a similar state as the rest of you. I think Tobysgirl has it right...we sdners should stick together for a while 😀.

On an unrelated note, when are people arriving? Is anyone (besides me!) going to be around for Steppin Out on Aug 6 & 7th? It's a street fair and is tons of fun. Great food, lots of arts and crafts, live music, etc.

Let me know if you will be in town, maybe we can meet up!
 
So I'm not class of 2014 but VMRCVM is my in-state, so I figure this is the best place to ask: did any of you meet with Joyce about your application? I have a weak GPA and while it meets the requirements to apply, it's definitely low (2.93 right now). I feel that the rest of my application is strong and competitive, and I don't want to be overlooked just for this GPA. Do you think it's worth meeting with her to discuss this? I guess I feel a little hesitant to say, "Hey, my GPA sucks, what can I do?" but I do really want to get in, and she may have some valuable insight.

Anyway, thoughts welcome 🙂
 
Never hurts to bounce ideas off of anyone. I personally never spoke to Joyce prior to applying but it can't hurt. It would definitely show initiative and interest. Joyce may also have some good suggestions for you on how to improve your application.

I do think that GPA is a huge part of the application but perhaps if you still have some classes to take you can raise your low GPA to a more competitive one.

In my opinion talking to Joyce can only help. Good Luck!
 
that redhead said:
So I'm not class of 2014 but VMRCVM is my in-state, so I figure this is the best place to ask: did any of you meet with Joyce about your application? I have a weak GPA and while it meets the requirements to apply, it's definitely low (2.93 right now). I feel that the rest of my application is strong and competitive, and I don't want to be overlooked just for this GPA. Do you think it's worth meeting with her to discuss this? I guess I feel a little hesitant to say, "Hey, my GPA sucks, what can I do?" but I do really want to get in, and she may have some valuable insight.

Anyway, thoughts welcome 🙂
Click to expand...

I actually met with her the spring before I applied for exactly the same reason. My GPA was something like a 2.96 and I wanted to know if they would even LOOK at me... She looked over my grades and at my GRE scores and gave me some suggestions for how to make my application look better (my undergrad had been long enough ago that I could shuffle some classes around to be used in place of others, and I could retake O-chem). She was VERY nice and SO super helpful. It was well worth the experience 🙂

And did anyone else have a mini-squee moment when they got the orientation email today?
 
Tobysgirl81 said:
I actually met with her the spring before I applied for exactly the same reason. My GPA was something like a 2.96 and I wanted to know if they would even LOOK at me... She looked over my grades and at my GRE scores and gave me some suggestions for how to make my application look better (my undergrad had been long enough ago that I could shuffle some classes around to be used in place of others, and I could retake O-chem). She was VERY nice and SO super helpful. It was well worth the experience 🙂

And did anyone else have a mini-squee moment when they got the orientation email today?
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Yeah, I'm at a 2.93 but I really do believe the rest of my application is really strong. I'm taking summer courses which will (if all continues as it has) only help me inch higher but at best, I'm only looking at a 3.0 by the time of application submission. I sent her an email and she replied, said to send her my transcripts and stuff and we could discuss over the phone. I'm nervous but she seemed very nice at the open house, so I may as well go for it. Thanks for the help!
 
Tobysgirl81 said:
And did anyone else have a mini-squee moment when they got the orientation email today?
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I did, and then I read through everything...
Dress code, what?!
And boy does it look like a busy week!

And yes, Tobysgirl, any friend of Futurama is a friend of mine!
 
Busy is right! and what about Tuesday when we are driving 45 mins somewhere...is that some sort of ropes course/ team building exercise? and tubing on Saturday? we better enjoy these last few weeks of free time. i'm excited to meet everyone though!!
 
You guys definitely have to go to Steppin Out! 😍It's a huge town tradition and tons of fun - the live music is especially awesome as well as all the countless little street stores they set up.
 
Hahaha Vera, I was kind of cursing at the Dress code as well. I guess they don't want any boobies flying around, but I'd HOPE most people would dress at least moderately appropriately for the first week 😛

Though apparently I'm actually going to have to buy a real suit for the "business" day. Either that or find a dress that doesn't make me look A) like a hooker or b) I just stepped off the short bus. And while that SEEMS like an easy task, I always feel like those are my two choices....

Flipflopper - I'm pretty sure that is a ropes course day. If anyone wants to carpool I can fit a few in my car so noone gets lost and we can save on some gas (and the environment or whatever). And tubing is fun 🙂 At least it's mellow and you can't get into too much trouble. Unless the river is as shallow as it was last weekend and you get stuck on a rock....

I'm not sure if I'll be around for Steppin' Out this year. I've been trying to work out my vacation and I just got offered a nice beach house for a week...Soooo I might be soaking in some rays instead of hanging out in BBurg. But if I'm here I'm definitely down to meet up with people!
 
Dress code smesh code. We all wore jeans and t shirts and sweatshirts all the time. Just no ripped stuff, no tank tops, etc. The nice dress of the first few weeks wears off quick 😉
 
Didn't realize that the "dress code" applied to more then just orientation week. Not like I was planning on walking around school in a crazy tank tops but i'm glad to hear jeans are permitted (unlike at Mississippi State)...
 
How about sandals? I wear Birks from March to December...not in labs, of course...
 
Tobysgirl81 said:
Though apparently I'm actually going to have to buy a real suit for the "business" day. Either that or find a dress that doesn't make me look A) like a hooker or b) I just stepped off the short bus. And while that SEEMS like an easy task, I always feel like those are my two choices....
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Well, you can always combine the two! More bang for your buck you know, looking like a short-bus hooker....*giggle*

I think we will get along *just* fine 🙂

I have a suit I bought for the interview but wound up not wearing. here is to hoping my ass still will fit in the pants...I really don't want to buy more business clothes.

And we better be able to wear jeans,etc. during the year, otherwise I am gonna be SOL. I have a few pair of cargo/khakis, but the rest are all jeans/twill etc. I guess I could just get by wearing skirts with my giant 6" platform combat boots....:laugh:

I guess there are those people who are either super slovenly or love wearing stilettos to college. *shrug* I mean, labs are kind of obvious,you have to cover up and not have open shoes, but if you're sitting in a lecture hall, who cares? I mean I know it's grad-level and all, but I never personally cared if people wore their jammies to an 8 am class. lol
 
WhippetsRule said:
...and this is related to the study of veterinary medicine how?
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I know, right? I will play along to make it go by more quickly, but I cringe and kind of hate that structured team-building stuff. Oh well.
I mean, I always worked with my team members at work just fine without doing a trust fall or ropes class 😛
 
As I remember, you had to dress semi professionally for orientation, but that's pretty much it. Sandals, I'm not sure about. I know they arent allowed in lab. Maybe nice looking heeled sandals but not like flip flops. Not sure though since I never wore them. But I pretty much lived in jeans and t shirts for 3 years.

By the way, Whippets Rule, did you find a place for you and all of your babies? I think you came to take a look at my place before I moved out 😉

If they are still doing the ropes thing in Shawsville, it's actually rather pretty down there. I'm pretty shy and never liked that kind of stuff, but it was nice getting out into the country. That;s the great thing about BBurg if you're the outdoorsy type. Hiking, fishing, rivers, etc all minutes from your doorstep. Tell the mountains Hi for me, I miss them 🙁
 
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WhippetsRule said:
The $200+/- quoted by Schiffert is per vaccination (so $600 +/- total for all 3 in the series). Just for clarification.
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Really? I dont remember paying more than 200 and some once. Hmm. Maybe the shortage is bad. Did Schiffert actually say that? Weird.

Oh, and in terms of textbooks...I always bought the older editions of SA Med, SA surg, LA med/surg, etc because they were cheaper, and they worked fine. The differences are so slight that it aint worth the extra hundred bucks.
 
WhtsThFrequency said:
By the way, Whippets Rule, did you find a place for you and all of your babies? I think you came to take a look at my place before I moved out 😉
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I did find a place fortunately...initial move-in next week, building construction starts the following week. So much to do, so little time. I will just be glad to get the crew and myself settled in--hopefully by August 1st (and I really, really wish I could just wiggle my nose and be done with the whole moving/building thing!).

So, how rigid are the 'powers that be' during orientation? Will I get a rash of sh** if I go home at lunch to take care of my babies (so long as I am back at the appointed hour)?
 
WhtsThFrequency said:
Really? I dont remember paying more than 200 and some once. Hmm. Maybe the shortage is bad. Did Schiffert actually say that?
Click to expand...

I actually spoke with a nurse at Schiffert about it (before the memo came out about not calling Schiffert). The nurse told me the price and specified that it was $200+ per vaccine...for me, not any cheaper than getting it here before I get down there. I've had the first two and so far, so good (no reaction). Since it is coming out of pocket, I was really hoping it would be cheaper through Schiffert, but not according to the info I got from the nurse...
 
Veracosa said:
I know, right? I will play along to make it go by more quickly, but I cringe and kind of hate that structured team-building stuff. Oh well.
I mean, I always worked with my team members at work just fine without doing a trust fall or ropes class 😛
Click to expand...

👍 I'll play along to a certain extent, but there is a line. We'll just have to see how it plays out...
 
I always took lunch hour off to go and let my dog out years 1-3, unless there was a meeting is *really* needed to go to, or if there was a review. I never got any flak for it. I don't recall orientation being any different. Fourth year, for most rotations, you aren't allowed to leave hospital grounds unless its for a VERY brief period, you have literally nothing to do, inform all the clinicians, and carry your pager. I had to hire a dogsitter for several rotations like Surgery, Large Animal Clinical Services, Anesthesia where I knew I'd be working 12-14+ hour days and the dog needed out (I can recommend a great service and person if anyone needs it).
 
WhippetsRule said:
👍 I'll play along to a certain extent, but there is a line. We'll just have to see how it plays out...
Click to expand...

Eh, ya know, I figure its one day of touchy feely stuff in exchange for 4 years of fulfilling a dream. I don't think they're going to make you reveal your deepest, darkest secrets. Its just the in vogue way of getting people to feel comfortable with each other. And if it makes you feel any better, I certainly won't purposely grope you just to get a reaction...

Well, you can always combine the two! More bang for your buck you know, looking like a short-bus hooker....*giggle*
Click to expand...

You know...you might be on to something...Heck, if vet med doesn't pan out I DO have a career to fall back on....

God I hope no one official reads these forums. I'll be doomed before I even start...
 
WhtsThFrequency said:
I always took lunch hour off to go and let my dog out years 1-3, unless there was a meeting is *really* needed to go to, or if there was a review. I never got any flak for it. I don't recall orientation being any different. Fourth year, for most rotations, you aren't allowed to leave hospital grounds unless its for a VERY brief period, you have literally nothing to do, inform all the clinicians, and carry your pager. I had to hire a dogsitter for several rotations like Surgery, Large Animal Clinical Services, Anesthesia where I knew I'd be working 12-14+ hour days and the dog needed out (I can recommend a great service and person if anyone needs it).
Click to expand...

Good to hear re: years 1-3 and yeah, I'll take any dogsitter recommendations you can make. Thanks!
 
Tobysgirl81 said:
And if it makes you feel any better, I certainly won't purposely grope you just to get a reaction...
Click to expand...

Damn, the day'll suck for sure now!:laugh:

Seriously, it's not the deep, dark secrets, it's just that I'm not into this group 'let's all be friends' mentality--I'm more of a getting to know folks one-on-one type--so I really don't look forward to the 'group trust' exercises.
 
I agree that group, camp-like exercises can be annoying and uncomfortable at times, but honestly, i think it will be a great way to force people to introduce themselves to one another. I've had to do things like this in the past and they always end up being pretty fun... I'm looking forward to mingling with everyone since I will literally only know about 2 people! I don't think it will be as bad as it sounds 🙂
 
So.... 5 weeks from today we will all be sitting around staring at each other nervously as we get oriented to VMRCVM....

WOOT!
 
ACK!!!!!! :wow:


Way to freak me out! I thought I had most of the summer still left!
 
A lot of the first year profs are really good, if it makes ya'all feel better. Dr. Bonnie is amazing - not only for her battle with breast cancer but her amazing ability to make students exicted about material. And Uncle Larry (aka Dr. Freeman) is one of the nicest people you'll ever meet. Dr. Sponenberg, if he still teaches domestication, will make you giggle all the time with his sarcasm (he's one of my fave pathologists there), as will Dr. Caceci (histology). 😍 And Dr. Whittier for Food Animal Husbandry - well ya either love him or ya hate him - I personally love him and his feed efficiency and Brucella rants - a true Viiiir-gin-i-a cattleman!
 
Well, I got my big info and my big contacted me. Also another email about sending powerpoints. I have no idea what to put on it!
 
haven't heard from my big yet 🙁

But to brighten everyone's day, you can read this (click on the pic!):



I laughed my butt off 🙂
 
Hahahahaha...That's awesome.

I affectionately think of my Cavalier as that sweet but weird kid on the playground who dances by himself and eats paste... Nicest dog in the world, wants nothing more but to please me, just lacks the wherewithal to do so. But he's such a sweetheart you can't help but pick him up and cuddle and say "good boy".

Gilch, for the powerpoint I just mixed in a bunch of random bits of information with my actual "credentials" and threw in some pictures. Things like where I grew up, where I got my degrees, and that I like brownies 🙂
 
hmm they really did not give too many details regarding that power point....now i wonder if i did it completely wrong. I just made a little collage of pictures. I wasn't even sure if we were suppose to put our names on it - didn't know if this would be part of the orientation exercise "guess which one of your classmates created this lovely power point" etc.

ooo well....now you all will be able to pick out my slide as it will be completely different from the rest

Looking forward to meeting everyone and getting this long journey started. For those of you in the blacksburg area already do you know of any furniture stores close by? i'm moving down with literally nothing (besides some clothes etc) and need to acquire the basic necessities. Any tips would be appreciated. Thanks!!
 
flipflopper said:
hmm they really did not give too many details regarding that power point....now i wonder if i did it completely wrong. I just made a little collage of pictures. I wasn't even sure if we were suppose to put our names on it - didn't know if this would be part of the orientation exercise "guess which one of your classmates created this lovely power point" etc.
Click to expand...

I just put my name on it and a bunch of pictures - no text, so we'll both be in the same boat!
 
The local YMCA has furniture and kitchen stuff pretty cheap. Blacksburg is a total college town and the Y has a fairly good selection. There are also Goodwills in Blacksburg and Christiansburg. We have a very active Craigslist. Christiansburg has a target, wallmart and a grand home furnishings...there's probably more, but this should be a good starting point!
 
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