WAMC – 3rd time applicant

[biomajor2024]

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Hello! This fall will be my third application cycle. My first cycle (2024-2025) I applied to CSU, MSU, tOSU (IS), OSU (Oregon), Purdue, RVC, Edinburgh, and UPenn and got an interview with tOSU. This past cycle (2025-2026) I applied to CSU, ISU, KSU, LSU, LIU, tOSU (IS), Mizzou, and WSU (rejected from all). This cycle I am trying to cast a wider net (open to any input on schools to add or take off this list) and thinking of applying to CSU, MSU, tOSU, ISU, KSU, LSU, UAZ, and maybe adding WSU, LIU, Virginia-Maryland, Mississippi, LMU, SGU and/or Ross, Western, Midwestern, or Oregon, and potentially adding some international schools as well. I would like to narrow down this list at least a little so input is welcome. I am trying to pick more holistic schools and am currently interested in lab animal medicine.

Cumulative GPA: 3.29 (retakes averaged) and 3.32 (retakes replaced)
science GPA: 3.02 (retakes averaged) and 3.06 (retakes replaced)
last 45: 3.49 (retakes averaged) and 3.58 (retakes replaced)


Any degrees achieved: B.S. in Biology with a concentration in animals, currently earning a Master of Animal Science with a concentration in nutrition and welfare (will be completed by application submission).

GRE results: N/A

Veterinary Experience:
-Research Veterinary assistant (800 hrs)
-Shadowed at a cat only clinic (336 hrs)

Animal Experience:
- Volunteer trainer for SDiT (3072+ hrs)
- Lead riding volunteer (20 hrs)

Research Experience:
- Undergrad research with wolf spiders (96 hrs)

- Research student (312 hrs)

- Masters research project with dairy cattle (250+ hrs)


Awards/scholarships:
- Deans list (4 semesters)
- College scholarship for volunteering

- Pell grant (all 4 years of undergrad)

Certifications:

- Rat tickling


Extracurriculars:
- Pre-vet club treasurer (96 hrs)
- Pre-vet club president (152 hrs)
- Teacher Assistant (48 hrs)

Employment:
- Engineering intern (1032 hrs)
- Prep cook (320 hrs)
- Engagement intern (40 hrs)

I am most worried about my GPA(s) and I have retaken several classes to boost it. During my file reviews this is the main, if not only thing they have touched on. I have had several people look over my essays and said they were strong so I don’t think that’s a major problem, although I will probably try to have someone here read it over this year. I also think my recommendations are strong as they’re from vets and professors I have/had a close working relationship with. I didn’t write an explanation statement this year (I regret this), but I did my first cycle, and I wonder if this is part of the reason I was outright rejected everywhere. The statement explained a drop in grades my senior year due to sustaining a back injury.

 

[breezywonton]

if you're interested in international schools, Massey University in New Zealand has a fairly straightforward application process and is generally more holistic compared to state side schools. do note though that their program for international students is 5 years. and of course it's expensive to move across the world, plus considering the international student tuition. with that said, upon graduating, you can practice in NZ, Australia, Europe, and North America (pending NAVLE pass ofc)

 

[apoptosis09]

I like your expanded schools list and would highly support VMCVM as they only consider GPA up to the point of interview invites. The island schools are also a good call.

If you can get more large animal clinical experience, or if any of your cattle research hours are under a veterinarian, that would be great to add.

Also a good call to bring back your explanation statement.

 

[biomajor2024]

I like your expanded schools list and would highly support VMCVM as they only consider GPA up to the point of interview invites. The island schools are also a good call.

If you can get more large animal clinical experience, or if any of your cattle research hours are under a veterinarian, that would be great to add.

Also a good call to bring back your explanation statement.

Thank you for the response! I didn't mention it in the post but my PI has a DVM/PhD.

 

[HorseObsessed]

Shucks, I wish you got an interview at Penn this year because you would have killed it with the lab animal related question!

Lab animal is a fantastic, niche interest that will help you stand out from the crowd. I see you've done research with a vet, but have you actually shadowed/ worked for a lab animal vet? Is that what your research veterinary assistant role was? If you haven't, message me for the name of a fantastic vet that takes pre-vet externs here in Texas.

I'm a little worried that your actual clinical experiences may be low for some of the holistic schools. As I'm sure you already know, if you are applying to holistic schools with a low GPA, the rest of your application has to really SHINE to stand out among the thousands and thousands of applications they receive. I love your school list, but consider finding a clinical job +/- shadowing in more diverse areas of vet med.

good luck!

 

[biomajor2024]

Shucks, I wish you got an interview at Penn this year because you would have killed it with the lab animal related question!

Lab animal is a fantastic, niche interest that will help you stand out from the crowd. I see you've done research with a vet, but have you actually shadowed/ worked for a lab animal vet? Is that what your research veterinary assistant role was? If you haven't, message me for the name of a fantastic vet that takes pre-vet externs here in Texas.

I'm a little worried that your actual clinical experiences may be low for some of the holistic schools. As I'm sure you already know, if you are applying to holistic schools with a low GPA, the rest of your application has to really SHINE to stand out among the thousands and thousands of applications they receive. I love your school list, but consider finding a clinical job +/- shadowing in more diverse areas of vet med.

good luck!

My role as a research veterinary assistant involved working with 3 lab animal vets at a minimum of several days a week, if not daily. I also got to scrub in and assist on surgeries with them occasionally. I'm hoping to get a job with more clinical experience once I graduate with my masters, preferably a clinic that also sees exotics so I can diversify my experience more. I also want to do some additional shadowing/volunteering this summer once I nail down my schedule. Thank you for the response!