WAMC - 2nd Time App - Low GPA - Exotics Focus

[sakura_3]

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Hi everyone! I am currently in the process of reapplying for this cycle and would like some insight. I applied last cycle as an upcoming senior to 8 schools and was only accepted to SGU. (I am contemplating reaching out to try and defer my acceptance until the Fall of 2026).

21-year-old Female, Florida Resident, Second-Time Applicant, First-Generation, Semi Non-Trad, Low GPA, Exotics Focus

**STATS FROM 2024-2025 CYCLE**

Applied: SGU, Ross, UF, LIU, U of A, VAMD, LSU & KSU
Interview invites: SGU & Ross
Rejected: Ross (after interview), UF, LIU, U of A (waitlist interview), VAMD, LSU & KSU (waitlist interview)
Accepted: SGU

Cumulative GPA: 3.22
Last 45 GPA: ~2.92
Science GPA: 2.93

GRE (Q/V/W): Did Not Take
CASPer: 4th Quartile (70-100%) for Ross and LIU

Degree
Associate of Arts, General Studies, Veterinary Medicine Emphasis (Spring 2023)
Bachelor of Science, Biology, Integrative Animal Biology (Anticipated Fall 2025)

Veterinary Experience (~3,200 Hours)
GP/Exotic Veterinary Technician - 1440 Hours
GP/Exotic Veterinary Assistant - 792 Hours
GP Veterinary Technician - 100 Hours
GP Veterinary Assistant - 120 Hours
ER Veterinary Scribe - 814 Hours

Animal Experience (756 Hours)
Pet Resort Specialist - 756 Hours

Non-Animal Employment (~5,150 Hours)
Fast Food Assistant Manager / Fill in General Manager - 630 Hours
Fast Food Shift Manager - 645 Hours
Fast Food Crew Member - 798 Hours
Fast Food Crew Member - 2068 Hours
Theme Park Merchandise Associate - 990 Hours

Extracurriculars (~400 Hours)
Social Media Influencer - 246 Hours
Headband Brand Affiliate - 14 Hours
Veterinary Brand Affiliate - 43 Hours
Vet Med Mental Health Brand Affiliate - 25 Hours
VMX Attendee - 8 Hours
Pre-Vet Society President - 60 Hours
Pre-Vet Society Fundraising Coordinator - 8 Hours

Volunteering (8 Hours)
Wildlife Ranch - 8 Hours

Research Experience (0 Hours)
None

Honors/Awards/Certificates
Certificate of Excellence from my GP
Associate of the week from my theme park
3 Dean’s List Semesters
Multiple honor societies
IACUC Rodent
BLS/ALS
Fear Free
QPR Suicide Prevention

Letters of Recommendation - 3
1 Science Academic Advisor
1 ER Vet
1 GP, DACVIM Vet

My GPA is low as I have worked full time throughout the entirety of my undergraduate education. I also applied with four outstanding prerequisites (Orgo 1 Lecture, Orgo 2 Lecture and Lab, Biochemistry, Micro Lecture) last cycle. I am currently in a few petitions with my school to try and get a few bad marks turned to WCs, which should improve my GPA a TON. I continued to work full-time during the last app cycle, so I have amassed a lot more hours of GP/Exotic and ER experience.

Prior to reapplying to this cycle, I plan to do a 100-hour Loop Abroad online summer research program and volunteer at an equine facility to try and round out my application a little more. I also plan to get another LOR from an ER vet and my ani sci professor, so 5 LORs total. I may also start a Master’s program, but I’m not sure if I will add that to my planned courses as of yet.

I also forgot to add that I was a senior center volunteer in late high school, so I will be adding that to my application (roughly ~2,000 hours). I also did an orientation session with a local aquarium and humane society, but I couldn’t commit the required hours with full-time school and work - would you include this?

Just looking for general recommendations, as I’m trying to apply smart again. I want to reapply to UF, of course, but I’m not sure what other schools I should reapply to or add to my list.

Thank you all in advance 🙂

 

[JaynaAli]

Honestly, with your science and last 45, I’d just take the spot at SGU since it’s a sure thing. Your experiences and stuff seem good but your GPA may hold you back, especially if applying OOS. Your SGU acceptance proves it can be overcome, but if you don’t accept the spot at SGU/if they don’t give you a deferral, you may not get in. We’ve seen trends lately of increasing GPA averages and you never know what will happen in subsequent cycles. You mention that you’re appealing to get grades changed to Ws and it will improve your stats…how much exactly will it improve it and it that something that actually happens at your school or are you just being optimistic?

 

[sakura_3]

Honestly, with your science and last 45, I’d just take the spot at SGU since it’s a sure thing. Your experiences and stuff seem good but your GPA may hold you back, especially if applying OOS. Your SGU acceptance proves it can be overcome, but if you don’t accept the spot at SGU/if they don’t give you a deferral, you may not get in. We’ve seen trends lately of increasing GPA averages and you never know what will happen in subsequent cycles. You mention that you’re appealing to get grades changed to Ws and it will improve your stats…how much exactly will it improve it and it that something that actually happens at your school or are you just being optimistic?

Yeah, my GPA is the biggest holdback, unfortunately. I've already deferred to Spring 2026 at SGU, so I'd have to inquire if they'd let me defer to Fall 2026. Just weighing my options currently. And I'm actively in the petitions with my school. We can submit a petition to the school board for extenuating circumstances that affected academic performance. If it goes through, the 3 Ds on my transcript (in prerequisite courses) will be replaced with WCs (withdraw with cause). In turn, my cGPA and last 45 would be almost or at a 3.4, and my science would be like a 3.1 or 3.2, so it would drastically improve. Again, not a guarantee they will go through, but my academic advisor believes I have a good chance. Regardless, all 3 of my GPAs would be above a 3.1 or 3.2. 🙂

 

[supershorty]

My GPA is low as I have worked full time throughout the entirety of my undergraduate education

I would be surprised if programs were willing to consider this "extenuating circumstances," there are many people who do this and have better GPAs. The hypothetical improved GPAs you're talking about, while better than your current, are still not going to be particularly competitive.

Take the spot at SGU.

 

[sakura_3]

I would be surprised if programs were willing to consider this "extenuating circumstances," there are many people who do this and have better GPAs. The hypothetical improved GPAs you're talking about, while better than your current, are still not going to be particularly competitive.

Take the spot at SGU.

Thank you for your advice. I know not all programs will consider extenuating personal circumstances, but I'm glad the explanation statement is there to give an idea. I had a lot going on in the past year on top of 16+ credits and working 60 hours a week, so hopefully, some schools will take it into consideration when making a decision.

 

[Fishy_Applicant]

Thank you for your advice. I know not all programs will consider extenuating personal circumstances, but I'm glad the explanation statement is there to give an idea. I had a lot going on in the past year on top of 16+ credits and working 60 hours a week, so hopefully, some schools will take it into consideration when making a decision.

I had an abysmal first year or two of undergrad. Flunked a bunch of classes and dropped more before I could flunk etc. I used that explanation statement to say that I was an idiot and I am not an idiot anymore and it worked FWIW lol. I think in your case, as it was mine, the last 45 metric is so so so important. You gotta do everything you can to crush that out of the park.