WAMC - first time applicant, non-traditional, non-diverse vet experience

[beanybaby]

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First application cycle, nontrad, 29yo woman, NC resident

BA in scientific communication, class of 2017
MPH, concentration in epi, class of 2021

Cumulative GPA: 3.72 (from undergrad - probably higher now)
Pre-req GPA: 3.80
Last 45: 4.00

Veterinary Experience:

• ~900 hours as a vet assistant at small animal GP (exclusively on weekends as I work full-time during the week)
• ~600 hours as a veterinary receptionist for a small animal GP with occasional exotics (during my MPH)
• Two days of riding along with an equine vet

** this is the part of my application I’m most concerned about, I know I lack diversity in hours, working full-time limited options

Animal Experience:

• ~500 as a lab animal attendant at medical research facility
• ~1000 hours riding/caring for horses over the course of my life

Research Experience:

• ~600 hours in my current job as a librarian assisting with systematic reviews, supporting research in general (assisting investigators throughout entire publishing process)
• ~100 hours in a public health project as part of my practicum during my masters (MIS-C in pediatric population)
• ~350 hours working as clinical research coordinator at large cancer center
• ~500 hours doing fish/aquatics related field work for a summer research program (in undergrad)

** I indicate publications in my descriptions for each of these, but really wish there was a specific section for publications in VMCAS

Awards/scholarships:

• Dean’s list every semester of undergrad
• Outstanding new student scholarship for MPH first year

Extracurriculars:

• Didn’t do many clubs in undergrad so I just put hobbies in this section, like running/reading/hiking/etc

Employment:

• Feb 22 to present - clinical librarian at health library at large academic medical center
• June 21 to Feb 22 - public health analyst at non-profit consulting group
• Aug 20 to April 21 - public health intern (started during practicum, employed after practicum ended)
• May 18 to Aug 20 - clinical research coordinator in rad onc dept at large cancer hospital
• In college I worked as an intramural referee and bookstore employee, when I would go home I would work at the beverage distribution company that I worked at during high school

Volunteering:

• Was in the Peace Corps for 8 months after undergrad
• Support local NC org that provides books/reading material to people that are incarcerated

I will probably only apply to NCSU for financial and personal reasons. Would appreciate any and all feedback!

 

[pp9]

First application cycle, nontrad, 29yo woman, NC resident

BA in scientific communication, class of 2017
MPH, concentration in epi, class of 2021

Cumulative GPA: 3.72 (from undergrad - probably higher now)
Pre-req GPA: 3.80
Last 45: 4.00

Veterinary Experience:

• ~900 hours as a vet assistant at small animal GP (exclusively on weekends as I work full-time during the week)
• ~600 hours as a veterinary receptionist for a small animal GP with occasional exotics (during my MPH)
• Two days of riding along with an equine vet

** this is the part of my application I’m most concerned about, I know I lack diversity in hours, working full-time limited options

Animal Experience:

• ~500 as a lab animal attendant at medical research facility
• ~1000 hours riding/caring for horses over the course of my life

Research Experience:

• ~600 hours in my current job as a librarian assisting with systematic reviews, supporting research in general (assisting investigators throughout entire publishing process)
• ~100 hours in a public health project as part of my practicum during my masters (MIS-C in pediatric population)
• ~350 hours working as clinical research coordinator at large cancer center
• ~500 hours doing fish/aquatics related field work for a summer research program (in undergrad)

** I indicate publications in my descriptions for each of these, but really wish there was a specific section for publications in VMCAS

Awards/scholarships:

• Dean’s list every semester of undergrad
• Outstanding new student scholarship for MPH first year

Extracurriculars:

• Didn’t do many clubs in undergrad so I just put hobbies in this section, like running/reading/hiking/etc

Employment:

• Feb 22 to present - clinical librarian at health library at large academic medical center
• June 21 to Feb 22 - public health analyst at non-profit consulting group
• Aug 20 to April 21 - public health intern (started during practicum, employed after practicum ended)
• May 18 to Aug 20 - clinical research coordinator in rad onc dept at large cancer hospital
• In college I worked as an intramural referee and bookstore employee, when I would go home I would work at the beverage distribution company that I worked at during high school

Volunteering:

• Was in the Peace Corps for 8 months after undergrad
• Support local NC org that provides books/reading material to people that are incarcerated

I will probably only apply to NCSU for financial and personal reasons. Would appreciate any and all feedback!

Not sure what you might be looking to hear - your GPA far exceeds their class of 2026 average. You have an MPH. 1500-ish hours of vet experience is fairly competitive in my opinion, but if you can get more, that will only help you. You say experience is your main concern, but I wouldn't let 1500 hours hold you back from applying this cycle given the rest of what you've written here.

 

[Drjc1977]

Relax, though there are never any quarantines; you are very competitive. Best wishes.