WAMC c/o 2027

[mster19]

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20F, Junior (but technically a sophomore) at UGA, planning on only applying to UGA this cycle for reasons so I'm in state, planning on going into food animal medicine.

Cumulative GPA: 3.8 (may drop to a 3.66 or a 3.7 depending on how my classes go this semester) (my overall GPA is 3.84 bc I did dual enrollment in HS)
science GPA: I don't know how to calculate this
last 45: -

Any degrees achieved: BS in Animal Science in '23

GRE results: taking it on tuesday, last practice was a 305, haven't done much studying yet

Veterinary Experience:
-UGA Vet Hospital~ 17hrs
-Mixed Animal Clinic~105
-Internship this summer with a mobile large animal vet~ 300+ required

Animal Experience:
-Practicum Student and TA: 60+hrs
-Dog sitting: 150 hrs
-Caring for animals over summer: 200+ hrs
-Prevet volunteer: 30 hrs
-Livestock judging class in college: 50 hrs
-Livestock judging in high school for 3 years: 300-400 hrs
-Taking care of livestock/ animals at home that are not mine: 80hrs

Research Experience:
None
Awards/scholarships:
-Multiple awarded from UGA college of ag
-2 from UGA ADS (one for each year)
-Deans list

Extracurriculars:
-Club Secretary- 1yr
-chairman for student run rodeo- 1 yr
-Pre-vet club member
-Book club

Employment:
-Waitress for 4 years (includes before and during college): 5000+ hrs

I am graduating a whole year early. I was a freshman during 2020 so everything was shut down due to Covid. I had to call at least 20+ vets in a 2 hour radius before I could find one that would let me shadow for the summer time because no one was allowing anyone into the clinics. Also a 1st gen student so I did not know that I needed to shadow in high school plus the local vet was not great and had a terrible reputation. So my hours for vet experience is very low. I also don't have anyone to write LORs. I have the vet for this summer, my boss of 4 years, and a high school animal science teacher/ FFA advisor that I did livestock judging with for years. I don't know if these would be good LORs; if anyone would give me advice on that, I would greatly appreciate it.

 

[battie]

I would honestly wait a cycle and set yourself up to be as successful as possible since you are applying to one school.

1) GRE: while not as difficult as other graduate exams, it can be difficult if you don't know how to take the test. It's also not cheap. If you score at/below the average for UGA, I would recommend retaking with some actual studying.

2) science GPA: varies from school to school. You can email UGA to see how they calculate it and see where you stand compared to the average.

3) last 45 GPA: do you need help calculating?

4) LOR: your choices aren't great. Many schools require a "strong" letter from a vet that shows they know you well enough to endorse you joining the profession. Likewise, having your high school teacher write one for you but not a more recent professor can be a red flag depending on the person evaluating your app. You essential have an employer who knows the current you, but not an academic or vet. Schools want to know who you are now, not who you were in high school 3 years ago.

5) Hours: you'll be squeaking just over the hours necessary for application.

Again, I strongly recommend waiting a cycle and improving your application. UGA had 269 in state applicants. You want to try to set up yourself to be as high up of that 250+ people.

 

[Georgethecat]

• Your grades are good. VMCAS will calculate your cumulative gpa that will include your grades from dual enrollment in high school and while at UGA. Do your best to maintain this.

• UGA calculates the science gpa using the science pre-req's. DVM Application Process - University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine

• Last 45 gpa is literally how ever many semesters back from the time you submit your application to get to 45 credits. For most people this is 3 semesters. If you apply this fall, it would likely by spring 2022, fall 2021 and spring 2021. If you've taken summer classes that might change things up.

• GRE. How did that go? UGA's average is around 310.

• Vet hours. Your vet experience hours are low. Hopefully your internship this summer will go well. Covid has hit everyone hard and I'm sure admissions recognizes the difficulties in obtaining experience. But, they also need to make sure that applicants have the proper exposure to the field, etc.

• LOR's. You need to think long and hard here. UGA requires at least one letter from a vet. Hopefully your internship will go well this summer. Do your best to develop a relationship with this vet and ask for a strong letter. Did you not get to know the vets at the other clinic you were at?
  • Also recommend finding a college professor that will write you a strong letter. You've received scholarships and awards at UGA, try to find professors in your department that can write letters for you.

• If you want to apply this cycle, do your very best to make your application as strong as possible. I agree with only applying in state in your case. You can't beat UGA's IS tuition. If your GRE is not where you want it to be, I advise doing intensive studying this summer and retaking before the application deadline. Does your pre vet club have a faculty sponsor that you can ask advice from?

• If this cycle is not successful, you'll have a gap year to work on your weak areas and make some money. You've already saved money by graduating a year early 🙂

 

[QuinVet]

I agree with the other viewpoints. Also, UGA does not do interviews as a part of their selection process—they rather will call your references so if they are not strong that could prevent you from being selected. They ask your references questions and you do not want your references not being able to answer them.