WAMC: 2x applicant, lots of life changes!

[Fragaria]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Hey everyone! It's been quite some time, and I've had that lingering itch to reapply.

Also wanted to reiterate that I am not applying until next application cycle 🙂.

Here were my stats from my first application:

Spoiler

Degree: B.S. in Molecular and Cellular Biology
Overall GPA: 3.23
Science GPA: 2.92
Last 45 GPA: 3.1
Vet experience:
900 hrs with zoo/exotics
130 hrs with food/equine
800 hrs with food/equine/small
Animal experience:
96 hrs as a zoo keeper
910 hrs at a shelter
Employment:
2000+ hrs as a pharmacy technician/cashier
Research:
100 hrs in zoo research
60 hrs in tick research
Extracurricular:
Secretary for bio club
Vice President for pre vet club

Here are my stats now!
Degree: B.S. in Molecular and Cellular Biology, ADN, BSN, and currently working on my master's in nursing 🙂.
Overall GPA: 3.31
Science GPA: 3.33
Last 45 GPA: 4.0

Vet experience:
1200 hours with a zoo veterinarian
3000 hrs with a large / small animal veterinarian
1000 hours with an equine veterinarian

Animal experience:
200 hours as a zoo keeper for an endangered species of snakes, I was also responsible for their breeding program, and tracking their progress.
1000+ hours spent volunteering at animal shelters
I've owned animals my whole life, not sure whether that is something that is inclusive to animal experience.

Employment:
I was a pharmacy technician for 10 years, I grossly miscalculated my hours because I was in such a rush to finish my application.
18,720 hours would be more accurate.
5616 hours as a registered nurse. My first year as a nurse I was in a residency for an oncology unit. Unfortunately, the unit had to be overhauled due to high demands of beds for medical/surgical patients. I have spent the last two years working bedside on a medical/surgical unit and trust me when I say, I have seen everything. I recently took an outpatient job at an oncology clinic where I coordinate appointments, perform assessments, assist with procedures, and argue with insurance companies until they comply to my demands (that was a joke 😛 ).

Research:
200 hours spent researching the endangered species of snakes I worked with, and as part of the breeding program.
60 hours spent doing PCR to isolate specific tick DNA.

Extracurricular:
Member of the Phi Theta Kappa honor society.
Secretary for the biology club.
Vice President for pre-veterinary club.
Member of the Sigma Theta Tau nursing honor society.
Member of my alma mater's student nurses association, and current member of the national student nurses association.
Member of my employer's nursing practice council.
Member of my employer's nursing professional development committee.
Multiple volunteer work through my employer helping the underserved.

I literally have no idea where to apply besides my in-state schools. I applied to MSU the first time, and they were the most helpful with my file review. My goals have changed from when I was younger, as someone who has worked with the underserved, there are also so many underserved animals that require medical attention, and I would like to be a veterinarian that can provide it. I realize how unrealistic it sounds, but I've been able to navigate challenges as a nurse to help the underserved so I believe that I have an advantage in that aspect.

I have an explanation regarding the multiple transfers in my transcripts, and withdrawals - undiagnosed mental health which is now under control. I feel better this time around and I am not upset at the prospect of not getting in again because I still enjoy my time as a nurse.

 

[pp9]

Solicited:
Your last 45 is great, the other GPAs are a bit below average I think. Your experience (both vet and not) seems competitive and you have a unique background. If I were you, I’d focus on schools that weight the last 45 heavily, and schools that emphasize experience and having students with diverse backgrounds in the class. UF comes to mind for the latter - I think they still have you write an essay on what makes you diverse/what you can bring to the class.

Unsolicited:

I am not upset at the prospect of not getting in again because I still enjoy my time as a nurse.

I am curious how your personal statement sounds when this is how you ended your post. I’m a bit confused - why do you still want to be a vet when you are choosing to progress further into the nursing field? Is this a ‘well I’ve always wanted to be a vet…I’ll try one more time’ situation? Are you hoping the master’s will help you get into vet school? If you are happy where you are, why go into a lifetime’s worth of debt? If I was seeing this app while on an adcom, I’d have a lot of questions that I’d want answered in your PS. Just something to think about when you’re writing it.

 

[Cowsrcool]

I’d further pose the question of if you are happy in nursing why switch to vet med? I’ve always been told if you could see yourself being happy in any other career you should try that one. I see you have tried it and are even furthering your nursing career into a masters? Why vet school?