VMRCVM Class of 2014!

Veterinary Science Graduate Programs from U. of I.
This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.
my ppt slide is goofy. Some pictures and some text blurbs, like silly "likes" and "dislikes."

Oh, btw not sure if anyone here is on livejournal, but I have the same username on there if you want to friend me.
(And I will happily add you on fb as long as I can figure out how I know you!)
 
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Question for those second and up years:
I inherited a bunch of dissecting supplies from a friend of a friend so I only had to buy 3 things to have a complete kit according to all the lists I've seen floating around VMRCVMs websites (and saved a LOAD of money).
Do I really need a fancy little case that will hold all of my instruments separately or could I just throw them all in something like a cloth/fabric pencil case?
 
GreennWhite said:
Question for those second and up years:
I inherited a bunch of dissecting supplies from a friend of a friend so I only had to buy 3 things to have a complete kit according to all the lists I've seen floating around VMRCVMs websites (and saved a LOAD of money).
Do I really need a fancy little case that will hold all of my instruments separately or could I just throw them all in something like a cloth/fabric pencil case?
Click to expand...

NO! I made my own dissecting kit, too, from old pieces donated by vets I worked with. I did just fine. I used a crochet hook case to hold my kit, but that's because I'd already made one and had it lying around. You could use anything - plastic bag, cardboard box, pencil case, etc. I would avoid a fabric pencil case since you'll probably get it all grody from being in anatomy lab, but if you go with something that wipes down more easily or if you store things in a baggy inside the pencil case, you'll be fine.
 
Pandacinny said:
NO! I made my own dissecting kit, too, from old pieces donated by vets I worked with. I did just fine. I used a crochet hook case to hold my kit, but that's because I'd already made one and had it lying around. You could use anything - plastic bag, cardboard box, pencil case, etc. I would avoid a fabric pencil case since you'll probably get it all grody from being in anatomy lab, but if you go with something that wipes down more easily or if you store things in a baggy inside the pencil case, you'll be fine.
Click to expand...

Awesome!

By fabric I meant something like the parachute plastic-y material like on makeup cases and the like.
 
Anyone else think it is ridiculous how many fees there are that we have to pay? Such as the bus fee (I don't think I will ever take the bus), the Rec sports fee (I will not have time to play nor watch any type of rec sport), the student activity & student services fee (don't they just sound the same?), the Vet med facility fee for fall (why isn't faculty pay included in our tuitions and this is a fall fee so....there will be another $700 fee for spring??)

There are about $1,000 just in fees. Too many fees!! No wonder we will be paying off debt forever, a good portion of it will be from various university fees.
 
I was a little concerned looking at all the fees as well. Wish you could pick and choose some of them - especially since I have my own gym membership right now that's good through January.

On a completely different note - anyone else thinking about running for class offices?
 
There are so many clubs that sound interesting and probably multiple officer positions available. Hopefully I can figure out how many clubs I can actually handle and not overwhelm myself by joining them all (although attending club meetings sounds a bit more interesting then studying...)

Anyone thinking about going to the VAVMA picnic and water tubing on Saturday the 21st? Does sound like a good event to meet and get to know people. What are people's thoughts?
 
I plan on going. I kind of figure that I'm only going to get to do this whole shindig once, and I want to take as much advantage as possible. So I might as well jump in and then scale back whatever doesn't work out later on.

Plus, tubing and BBQ is never a bad way to go 🙂

Final orientation schedule came out yesterday! The only thing I'm grimacing about is the Camp Alta Mons date. NOT because of the activities, just because its been so freaking hot and humid here lately and I'm a little paranoid of people grabbing me while I'm all sweaty and gross. I used to be the deodorant queen... Never left home without it. I'm better now, but I still have BO fears. All I can hope is that we get a break in the weather in the next few weeks!
 
The only thing that worries me about the Camp Alta Mons day is the 45 min drive to get to the destination. Since I am not from the Blacksburg area I am worried about getting lost! But like you mentioned in a previous post tobysgirl, hopefully some carpooling will be done.

I am getting really excited to meet everyone and the nervous/giddy feeling about starting classes has begun.

It's funny how much more communication is being done through SDN vs our class facebook page. I guess we all like our anonymity :laugh:
 
I know! I keep looking at the facebook page wondering "Hmmm, who is that??". It will be neat to see everyone face to face finally. And I'm pretty open to ousting myself in private messages, but since this is a PUBLIC forum I'd prefer not to put down any personal information. Or, at least nothing that can be traced back to me later on 😉
 
So I think class registration opens up again this week and I had a question...at the moment i am signed up for Domestication. Although the topic does interest me, the pass/fail grading policy is also appealing. I remember reading somewhere that former 1st yrs recommended taking both electives and that doing so will help greatly later on....

My question is....is this really true and if so can someone tell me why exactly. My thoughts of taking 1 elective (and the pass/fail one) was that i will then have more time to focus on the more important classes. I do not want to be too overwhelmed during my first year and thought that adding an additional class into the mix that i didn't necessarily have to take would be too much.

However, I don't want to be behind on credits or whatever. I don't want to make an uninformed decision my first semester that will negatively impact me in the next couple of years.

Thoughts from the experienced ones?
 
I didn't take Domestication but I know a lot of people who did...it was enjoyable and not a lot of work. I think Sponenberg still teaches it too - so you'll have, er, *entertaining* class periods lol.

The main reason taking extra "easy-ish" electives early on will help later on is by third year, you feel so DONE with class (plus all the other craziness you are thinking about at that time, like clinics, applying for internships/res, etc) that the last thing you want to to is be stuck having to take extra credits.
 
How many credits do we need by third year, exactly? (I'm sure it says somewhere but i'm womped).
 
I found this in the handbook online:

For a DVM student to advance to the next academic year, the following MINIMUM DVM credits are required:

advance to second year: 35 credits
Advance to third year: 70 credits
Advance to fourth year: 113 credits
 
I see...it really does become an issue for advancing from third to fourth year.
 
I still don't really understand why it is such a big deal for advancing to 4th year. It looks like we average about 19 or 20 credits per semester. Therefore wouldn't we automatically have about 120 credits after 6 semesters when we are ready to enter into 4th year?

Am i wrong? Do some people not take ~20 credits each semester? Are there some semesters when you just don't take electives? On intranet there is the course syllabus for each semester and that is what i'm basing this on. For example 2nd semester we have 19 credits of core classes and then the choice of 2 electives so basically 20 credits.

Am i missing something really important?
 
I RSVP'ed for the VVMA picnic as well; I figure tubing sounds nice and it's a good excuse to get out. Plus it's good to get my hubby out to meet people, maybe make some friends with other spouses 😛

Orientation week seems really damned busy. I am also not looking forward to sweating. I don't take heat well! Must.remember.sunblock.

As far classes, I still cannot get excited for embryology; it's off the list. Better stuff on the horizon!

Had my last day at work the other day; it was sad. I've been a tech there 5 years! I will really miss working in a clinic, but it will also nice to not have to worry about working, especially at a practice in the middle of the transition to paperless charting, lol. (even more so when I am pretty much the only computer-savvy person there).
 
flipflopper said:
I still don't really understand why it is such a big deal for advancing to 4th year. It looks like we average about 19 or 20 credits per semester. Therefore wouldn't we automatically have about 120 credits after 6 semesters when we are ready to enter into 4th year?

Am i wrong? Do some people not take ~20 credits each semester? Are there some semesters when you just don't take electives? On intranet there is the course syllabus for each semester and that is what i'm basing this on. For example 2nd semester we have 19 credits of core classes and then the choice of 2 electives so basically 20 credits.

Am i missing something really important?
Click to expand...

As you go along there are fewer core and tracking credits required - for example if you are a small animal tracker and choose to JUST do your core and tracking credits in the third year of classes the first semester you would only take 13 credits, and the second semester you would only take 15 credits. That's 28 credits for the entire YEAR. But, as Whts said by that year most people are pretty burnt out and refocused anyhow, so it may be more tempting to take fewer classes and fewer credits for each semester anyhow.

I'm guessing most people don't have a problem with it, but as I always say - they wouldn't have to make a point of it if it hadn't come up in the past.

Haha Vera... I'll put some sunscreen in my car just in case 😛

OK, I'll admit, I'm an over-eager super dork and I already have my clothes planned for orientation week. Mostly because I needed to make sure I had appropriate attire for the week 🙄 I have not had khakis for the past few years, so I finally sucked it up and went out to buy a pair this weekend. In trying them on I realized WHY I don't have any...Nooooooot the most flattering look on me. Thankfully, New York & co had a really nice pair that made me look human and not like a sausage stuffed in a cheese cloth.

On the upside - computer arrives today! On the downside - budgeting in another $950 for the year. *sigh* If its not one thing its another!
 
Oh hey, quick question:
What is the bus system like? Is it reliable and easy to use? I have a bus stop like 50 ft. from my soon-to-be apartment, and I'd hate to spend $200 on a parking permit, but I am reluctant to rely on someone else for my transportation.
And I know the weather can be dastardly in the Winter...
 
Veracosa said:
Oh hey, quick question:
What is the bus system like? Is it reliable and easy to use? I have a bus stop like 50 ft. from my soon-to-be apartment, and I'd hate to spend $200 on a parking permit, but I am reluctant to rely on someone else for my transportation.
And I know the weather can be dastardly in the Winter...
Click to expand...

Bus system is suprisingly reliable - but CHECK that they made the stop near the Vet school/the Cage permanent - it was only temporary when I was there. Otherwise you gotta walk from Burruss Hall to the school - not so fun in winter!!!!

Sure taking 20 credits can be normal. BUT trust me, by third year, you will NOT want to be taking 20 credits. You will be taking fewer credits for far more work in your core classs - a 3 credit first year course does NOT equal a 3 credit 3rd year course. Take it while its easy.

BTW if you need housing advice I'm all ears - have lived in several diff placed in the Burg over 8 yrs (undergrad AND vet)
 
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I think that this has been asked before, but not answered...

What is the livestock pre test during orientation?
 
gilch said:
I think that this has been asked before, but not answered...

What is the livestock pre test during orientation?
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Whatever it is i am pretty sure I will not be doing well considering i know relatively nothing about livestock...

Oh well, can't be expected to know everything. Besides, I am more of a small animal kind of person 😉

Our daily schedule is up online. It even states when our first test is which happens to be on labor day. I'll admit, I was a bit sad to see that we don't have labor day off from classes. Vet school doesn't mess around, we're in the big leagues now...
 
So far as I understand the livestock exam is just to see if you pass out of large animal husbandry. It does not count against you 🙂
 
flipflopper said:
Whatever it is i am pretty sure I will not be doing well considering i know relatively nothing about livestock...

Oh well, can't be expected to know everything. Besides, I am more of a small animal kind of person 😉

Our daily schedule is up online. It even states when our first test is which happens to be on labor day. I'll admit, I was a bit sad to see that we don't have labor day off from classes. Vet school doesn't mess around, we're in the big leagues now...
Click to expand...

Where did you find our daily schedule?
 
http://www.vetmed.vt.edu/acad/dvm/index.asp

Under the heading "DVM Student resources", their is an option that says "DVM class schedules" and under it lists 1st yr, 2nd yr, 3rd yr. Click on 1st yr and it will bring up a big calendar that you can view by day, week or month. They recently changed this so it has our class's info and not 2013. It doesn't have anything listed for orientation week but once you click Aug 23 the fun begins 😉 and we will be busy!
 
For those that are still looking for boots, and are looking for cheapos and not planning on them lasting a lifetime - go to Walmart!!! I just bought a pair of rubber boots (not the fancy rainboots, but like fishing, mucking stalls boots) for $18!

Also, how is the backpack load - how much did you find yourself lugging to and from school? Small backpack or...duffel bag? Did you guys find it useful to bring your laptops often if not every day?

Lastly (for now) - is the SAVMA Symposium something that is mandatory? I'm assuming it's important since our spring break pretty much revolves around it. How do you guys find the money to pay for it? It's in Cali this year and I don't see myself having a penny to spare at all this year.
 
GreennWhite said:
Also, how is the backpack load - how much did you find yourself lugging to and from school? Small backpack or...duffel bag? Did you guys find it useful to bring your laptops often if not every day?
Click to expand...

I carried a regular sized back pack and it was fine. I bring my laptop every day, but I have a tablet I use to take notes on. I have friends who never bring their laptops or who only bring them occasionally and they do fine, too. It just depends on how you take your notes.

GreennWhite said:
Lastly (for now) - is the SAVMA Symposium something that is mandatory? I'm assuming it's important since our spring break pretty much revolves around it. How do you guys find the money to pay for it? It's in Cali this year and I don't see myself having a penny to spare at all this year.
Click to expand...

SAVMA symposium is just a thing people go to for fun, if they want. It's totally up to you what you do for spring break. I didn't go to SAVMA this past year, but the people who did seemed to have a great time. Last year, our SCAVMA chapter was able to help pay for SAVMA symposium depending on how much you'd volunteered to help with things or how many meetings you'd gone to, I think. I'm not sure what will happen this year or if they'll be able to cover it or not, but I'm sure more info will come out closer to spring break.
 
Sooo....did the whole career assessment thingie yesterday. APPARENTLY I should be a pilot. Or an engineer.

OBVIOUSLY math skills are not taken into consideration 😛 Or that whole claustrophobia and acrophobia thing. Barring those I'd be a fantastic pilot or engineer. Bored. But fantastic at it. 😉

One more week guys!
 
The personality tests were entertaining if nothing else. I got "engineering" and "mathematical/computer" as 2 of my choices, which is funny b/c my math skills were entered in as some of the lowest skill scores...😕

Went and got my Hokie passport and parking permit today. My photo is awful; it was so hot and I look tired and sweaty! Also bought a few books off a 2013 student for cheapies.
Then we went to the Farmer's Market, and I have been in Heirloom Tomato heaven since then! :biglove:

I sure hope the weather breaks for next Wednesday; I do not like the idea of physical activity in 90+ weather; I will most certainly faint!

So I am getting a bit overwhelmed with all the websites.
There is the intranet site, the c/o 2014 site, the VT sites (hokie spa, etc), my VT, Scholar....what else?! I guess it seems that we'll mostly us the Scholar site?
 
If Weathertop farms is still selling at the farmer's market...Cedric still sells the best rabbit and pork around 🙂 Also check out the new co-op that has started in Christiansburg. I guess Blackboard is gone....seems like Scholar will be the main go-to website. I am jealous of 90 degree weather in the burg. It is 105 -110 heat index here :-0. Miss my mountains, though the res is goin super well.....if anyone is a hiker and wants trail advice, I've hiked pretty much everything in that vicinity, hit me up 🙂
 
Anyone have any idea when the financial aid refund is coming through? Obviously nothing is listed on the VT website, and I had an unfortunate blunder with work on my last paycheck date (in other words - stupid, fricking, inconvenient, unhelpful, ridiculous policies). The money I have coming in on monday is like 1/4 the amount of what I was expecting, and after having been out of work for almost 3 weeks I'm not going to be doing well if I have to wait 2 extra weeks for financial aide to come through! Not to mention, my landlady will be piiiiiisssssseeeeeddddd off!
 
I just finished mine--I got Archeologist as the top pick but Veterinarian was tied for forth...so not too bad 🙂. There were a lot of cool careers in the top ten. I'm just so glad I'm done, I hate these things.
 
I got College Professor - from Physics, to Computer Science - all different kinds.

Veterinarian was on the third page - go figure!
 
Tobysgirl81 said:
Anyone have any idea when the financial aid refund is coming through? Obviously nothing is listed on the VT website, and I had an unfortunate blunder with work on my last paycheck date (in other words - stupid, fricking, inconvenient, unhelpful, ridiculous policies). The money I have coming in on monday is like 1/4 the amount of what I was expecting, and after having been out of work for almost 3 weeks I'm not going to be doing well if I have to wait 2 extra weeks for financial aide to come through! Not to mention, my landlady will be piiiiiisssssseeeeeddddd off!
Click to expand...


I'm wondering the same thing :/ My hokiespa account says that funds will be available the 13th, but who knows! I'm hoping that for all of our sakes (and peace of mind haha) it comes through soon!
 
So someone mentioned the other day that they finally posted our schedule online.
And it dawned on me today that I could upload it to my google calendar!
The link is at the bottom of the page for the entire schedule:
http://www.calendar.vt.edu/main.php?view=subscribe

So if you use any electronic calendar system you should be able to import it. 👍 Super handy!

Still no word on financial aid refund yet...
 
Holy crap! We start tomorrow!!!


And as for financial aid refunds - earliest they come out will be this Thursday. And then every tuesday and thursday after that if you haven't gotten everything filled out!
 
Whew!
It's been quite a few days; the Alta Mons thing tuckered me out!

I have been having a great time getting to know everyone; I feel like it will take me forever to learn all the names!

Anyway, if you didn't figure it out I am Kathy long-last-name, and if you haven't already feel free to add me on facebook. I am a member of the VMRCVM 2014 group.
I hopefully will be able to get out and party some this weekend; my hubby and I will be at the tubing thing on Saturday, and maybe the picnic afterwards.
 
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