WAMC- First time applicant, feeling average

[cheyana99]

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I am a first-time applicant, took a year off, graduated in May this year and am applying for the Fall 2026 school year. I’m a Missouri resident and am only applying to two schools this cycle: University of Missouri and Kansas State University.
I have a very average, maybe even below average GPA and honestly not that special of an application, I am just looking for advice and what anyone thinks, the veterinarians I work for graduated 20 years ago so they aren’t familiar with the applicant pool nowadays.

cGPA: 3.66
Last 45: 3.52
Science: 3.6

Degrees Achieved: B.S. in Biology with 2 minors in Companion Animal Science and Chemistry

No GRE required for schools I am applying to

Veterinary Experience

• Vet Assistant/Technician at a small animal practice since 2021, ~4400hrs
• Companion Animal Health/Behavior and Management Courses, taught by a DVM, we were training and working with shelter dogs during class as well as performing clinical tasks like UAs, fecal floats, ear cleanings, etc. ~130hrs

Animal Experience

• Pet/Farm Sitting: been farm sitting for my vets for ~3 years now, they have goats and chickens that I am also responsible for, so I like to say I have some knowledge when it comes to food animal because of this, I do have to manage them for 2 weeks at a time multiple times a year. This also includes me medicating their domesticated pets as well twice daily and monitoring them as they are medical disasters. ~1800hrs
• Cidr Application, I applied Cidr’s in the goats once, it only took an hour, but more food animal experience doesn’t hurt to add, ~1hr
• Cat Rescue/Shelter Intern: As part of an organization in undergrad I was partnered with a cat rescue to work with them for a semester as an “employee”, but they didn’t have to pay me, my school did. So, I worked on a medical/stuff everyone should know binder during my time with them, due to my extra knowledge in the veterinary field. I also helped with feeding, medicating, cleaning, etc, while there. ~190hrs
• Zookeeper Internship: Over a summer I interned at a local zoo, I didn’t get to actually see much or learn much unfortunately since they really just used me to do their dirty work and I just cleaned exhibits mostly, but I did learn SOME things and worked with some exotics. ~80hrs

Extracurriculars

• Leaders in Community Service: Organization in undergrad where I was involved in the community and they compensated me
• National Honors Society, High School
• High School Band
• High School Choir

Volunteer
Many volunteer hours at a couple local food pantries and/or organizations similar. Have been doing annual volunteer dates for years. ~100hrs

Employment

• Vet Clinic (2021-present)
• A pizza place I worked at as a teen (2018-2024)

Achievements

• Dean’s List Honoree x5
• Provost Scholarship (ACT awarded scholarship by my university)
• Evelyn A. Porter Scholarship (Foundational scholarship awarded by my university)

LOR

• 2 from the doctors I work for (they both are alum at my IS and know who is on the admittance committee…)
• 1 from the general manager at the pizza place I worked at for 6 years

I’m struggling with my personal statement as well, while I’ve had many experiences in clinic, it is so hard not to write something super cliché, even though that is truly how I feel when it comes to this field. Any advice is welcome.

 

[JaynaAli]

Average isn’t a bad thing. It means you’re right on track. We can’t guarantee you’ll get in and with average stats sometimes it means it could go either way, but I think you have a reasonable shot, especially for an in-state spot. OOS is more competitive but I don’t think you’re uncompetitive even for a OOS seat.

When your stats are average, you do need to do what you can to make your essays great. If things don’t work out your way this year, you might consider trying to get some more varied vet experience, that’s really the main area I see for improvement. It sounds like you have a good relationship with your current employer and I’m not saying to leave that position, but spending time in a specialty hospital, large animal, or even just seeing how another GP clinic operates can be valuable if you can add that in. But again, I think you’re reasonably competitive as it is.