WAMC 2029: First time applicant, low gpa, low diversity in hours, low research hours.

[toastiesimba]

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Hi everyone! I was wondering what my chances look like maybe? I don't have many hours in equine or marine. Most of my hours are in small animal, exotic, and avian. I also don't have any research hours as it was extremely difficult to find any opportunities in my city. These are my stats:

I graduated with a degree in psychology but continued to take vet school pre-reqs at my local 4 year in California.
cumulative gpa is 3.67
science is a 3.68
last 45 is like a 3.7

vet hours:
4482 vet hours from a small animal/exotic/avian clinic
630 vet hours from small animal only
30 vet hours marine (once a week as needed)
10 vet hours equine (shadowing vet only),

non-vet animal hours:
770 hours no vet small animal

research:
4 hours of kit fox research (they only needed me on an as needed basis to help with gathering data for about 20 mins a week).

I'm pretty worried about my lack of hours in equine and marine, and the fact I only have 4 research hours.

awards:
Dean's list multiple times through under-grad
Best upcoming club (I founded and was the president of a BIPOC for Mental Health club at my local 4 year that I took my pre-reqs at)
Best collaborative club event (for the club stated above)
Vet assistant of the month twice at one of my previous employers.

extracirrculars:
besides the BIPOC for Mental Health club I started, I was active in many other clubs like a gaming club, kit fox conservation club, anime and manga club, and indigenous people's club. At my undergrad, I was part of the school's music and entertainment committee.

I applied to:
iowa state, colorado state, cornell, michigan state, long island university, north carolina state, midwestern, oregon state, ross, tufts, st george's, uc davis, university of florida, university of illinois, university of minnesota, university of wisconsin, washington state, university of sydney, and university of melbourne.

Thank you so much and good luck to everyone! <3

 

[supershorty]

I would not classify your GPAs as low. They are competitive.

Likewise, many people have no research at all. Research is a bonus, not a requirement.

I think you will likely be a pretty competitive applicant at several of the programs you applied to.

 

[toastiesimba]

I would not classify your GPAs as low. They are competitive.

Likewise, many people have no research at all. Research is a bonus, not a requirement.

I think you will likely be a pretty competitive applicant at several of the programs you applied to.

do people with my GPA and lack of vet experience diversity get in with such low research hours? I feel like i keep seeing people post with hundreds hours of research and it's making me really doubt myself right now?

 

[supershorty]

do people with my GPA and lack of vet experience diversity get in with such low research hours? I feel like i keep seeing people post with hundreds hours of research and it's making me really doubt myself right now?

The vast majority of applicants have minimal to zero hours of research.

 

[toastiesimba]

The vast majority of applicants have minimal to zero hours of research.

this makes me feel so much better :') do you think the hours i got at the small animal/exotic/avian clinic will be enough to show diversity? the vets there saw all 3 groups which was really nice! i dont have much in equine since all i could land was a shadowing opp. and i learned very quickly i had zero interest in equine vet med LOL

 

[_rae_]

Hey! I had what I feel are similar stats to you and I was accepted to UPEI, Tufts, and UMN last year. My only difference was I had marine and equine experience (though not a ton!) and zilch research:

Overall GPA: 3.65
Science Prerequisite GPA: 3.65
Last 45 GPA: Honestly unsure

Degree(s):
Bachelor of Arts in Music with minors in Biology and Chemistry

Veterinary Experience:
Oncology Assistant, both rad and med onc: ~3500 hrs and counting
Oncology Attendant, both rad and med onc: ~2500 hrs
Shadow, small animal hospital: 80 hrs

Animal Experience:
Marine and aquatics: ~200 hrs
Exotics/reptiles/fish: ~530 hrs
Equine: ~100 hrs
Wildlife rehab: ~50 hrs
Wild birds: ~50 hrs and counting
Shelter volunteer: ~720 hrs
Pet sitting: ~100 hrs

Research:
None!

Things I think made me stand out: my personal statement, I talked about music and how working together in an orchestra and the thought process that goes into making music is similar to problem solving and teamwork in science. You don't mention here what you wrote about and obviously it's too late to change that, but I feel it's worth mentioning. My degree, which you have a psychology degree so that'll help a bit. And finally, interviews. Practice practice practice your interview questions. Ask vets you work with what answers they would want to hear or what kinds of questions they got asked. I was very lucky that the doctor I worked with closely was previously on Tufts admissions committee and she started coaching me basically as soon as I started applying. Even with all that prep, I completely froze during my UPEI interview. But! I recovered, moved on, and still managed to get an offer.

 

[toastiesimba]

Hey! I had what I feel are similar stats to you and I was accepted to UPEI, Tufts, and UMN last year. My only difference was I had marine and equine experience (though not a ton!) and zilch research:

Overall GPA: 3.65
Science Prerequisite GPA: 3.65
Last 45 GPA: Honestly unsure

Degree(s):
Bachelor of Arts in Music with minors in Biology and Chemistry

Veterinary Experience:
Oncology Assistant, both rad and med onc: ~3500 hrs and counting
Oncology Attendant, both rad and med onc: ~2500 hrs
Shadow, small animal hospital: 80 hrs

Animal Experience:
Marine and aquatics: ~200 hrs
Exotics/reptiles/fish: ~530 hrs
Equine: ~100 hrs
Wildlife rehab: ~50 hrs
Wild birds: ~50 hrs and counting
Shelter volunteer: ~720 hrs
Pet sitting: ~100 hrs

Research:
None!

Things I think made me stand out: my personal statement, I talked about music and how working together in an orchestra and the thought process that goes into making music is similar to problem solving and teamwork in science. You don't mention here what you wrote about and obviously it's too late to change that, but I feel it's worth mentioning. My degree, which you have a psychology degree so that'll help a bit. And finally, interviews. Practice practice practice your interview questions. Ask vets you work with what answers they would want to hear or what kinds of questions they got asked. I was very lucky that the doctor I worked with closely was previously on Tufts admissions committee and she started coaching me basically as soon as I started applying. Even with all that prep, I completely froze during my UPEI interview. But! I recovered, moved on, and still managed to get an offer.

Wow, this helps a lot! Thank you so much for this information. Your personal statement sounds really creative and unique, that's awesome. My personal statement is a little generic when I think about it 🙁