WAMC First Time

[Sparrow124]

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I'm a 30yr old F non-traditional Georgia resident applying this cycle for the first time, hoping for UGA but I know it's not likely. I'm also looking at applying to UW Madison, NC State, and maybe a few other schools.
Cumulative GPA: 3.24
science GPA: 2.8 or 2.9
last 45: 3.1

Any degrees achieved
None yet - working towards Bachelor's in Bio currently

GRE results: Not taken

Veterinary Experience:
-Roughly 15,000hrs at small animal private practice as a vet assistant (I've been a full time assistant for 10 years consecutively)
-5,000hrs at a county shelter, also as a vet assistant


Animal Experience:
-Volunteered at various horse barns in working student programs
-Stable hand/barn manager


Research Experience: none

Awards/scholarships:
- Deans List
- NSCS member

Employment:
- 10 consecutive years as a vet assistant

My GPA is obviously my biggest concern, but also I will have about 4 or 5 pre-reqs left to take at the time of applying and I know that hurts too. I do have a strong work history with tons of hours that shows my dedication to vet med, though. I also have 2 amazingly supportive vets writing letters of recs that are determined to see me succeed on this path, as well as other mentors/supervisors that can speak to my determination and the struggles I've endured. And I have a great, very unique essay prepared that will hopefully turn heads but also speaks to my goal - I want to be a food animal vet. I'm hoping with all the good I can at least get accepted somewhere, but I am worried I'm applying too early with too many pre-reqs and with an unimpressive GPA. Do I even have a chance? What schools should I add to my list?

 

[supershorty]

To be completely honest with you, with those GPAs and with that many outstanding pre-reqs, I would not apply this cycle. Spend a year or 2 fixing those deficiencies in your application. Your last 45 needs some hard work, as does your science GPA, before you'd be competitive.

I would not apply to UW or to NCSU out of state with your stats. Those are very competitive programs for OOS and you'll be donating your application fees to them.

 

[vampyrica]

Like shorty said, alot of schools have a requirement of only a minimum of 2-3 pre-reqs can be in progress at the time of application. Don't waste your money this cycle as you would most likely be rejected just for that. Your GPA's can def use some work. Instead of applying this cycle, use this as an opportunity to get high B's and A's in those outstanding pre-reqs to boost all 3 of your GPA's. It's possible to get in with low GPA's but it is very hard.

While your vet hours are fantastic, we don't have a number for the hours of animal experience you have. Are they in the 1000's as well? Additionally, do you have any extracirriculars you are involved in? This could be out of school or in-school activities like clubs or personal hobbies. It is important to show that you have a life outside of vet med!

This forum has so many valuable resources so definitely explore some previous threads to see how people have increased their GPA's. There are lots of non-traditional applicants who gained admission this cycle as well. Their stories are posted in the "Successful Applicants" thread.

As for schools, I would consider University of Arizona, Long Island University, and St. George University. CSU is also very holistic, however they receive 3,000 applications a year so be mindful of that if you decide to apply to CSU next year (maybe consider their Vet Prep program? I feel as though you would be a good candidate for that?).

You mention wanting to be a food animal vet- do you have any correlating experience to back that up? Alot of the time people will say they want to do one thing, but have no experience to show they know what it is like in that sector of vet med. Of course people have gotten in without having that experience, but it would look better on an application to say "I want to do ABC" and show you have experience with "ABC".

 

[applepie002233]

Just want to share that I applied OOS to UW-Madison this cycle and afterward realized that they offer only ~32 OOS spots, with something like 2000+ OOS applicants, which is something I wish I knew before applying. That said, anything is possible and I wish you the best!

 

[indysadventures]

Unfortunately, I would take NC State and UW Madison off your list. They are incredibly competitive, and especially for UWM, the average OOS accepted applicant GPA is over 3.9. They accept very few OOS applicants, and I think your efforts would be better concentrated elsewhere. With upwards of 5 prerequisites pending and a lower GPA, I would wait until you have more prerequisites complete and focus as much as possible at As on those final classes to bring up your science and last 45 GPAs.

 

[Georgethecat]

You should reach out to Parker and confirm that your pre-req's are still good. UGA has a 10 year limit, although they have made some limited exceptions in the past for people who had taken graduate level science classes more recently than entry level pre-req's.

Also agree that it might be best to wait another cycle until you've finished more of your pre-req's, which will also hopefully raise your last 45 and science gpas.

 

[katiemcat]

Agree with the consensus to change your OOS target schools or retake courses and reapply. NCstate’s minimum GPA for non-residents is a 3.4 cum and science, so you are not eligible to apply there.

Source: Current Eligibility Criteria

 

[vetschoolhopeful101]

I'm a 30yr old F non-traditional Georgia resident applying this cycle for the first time, hoping for UGA but I know it's not likely. I'm also looking at applying to UW Madison, NC State, and maybe a few other schools.
Cumulative GPA: 3.24
science GPA: 2.8 or 2.9
last 45: 3.1

Any degrees achieved
None yet - working towards Bachelor's in Bio currently

GRE results: Not taken

Veterinary Experience:
-Roughly 15,000hrs at small animal private practice as a vet assistant (I've been a full time assistant for 10 years consecutively)
-5,000hrs at a county shelter, also as a vet assistant


Animal Experience:
-Volunteered at various horse barns in working student programs
-Stable hand/barn manager


Research Experience: none

Awards/scholarships:
- Deans List
- NSCS member

Employment:
- 10 consecutive years as a vet assistant

My GPA is obviously my biggest concern, but also I will have about 4 or 5 pre-reqs left to take at the time of applying and I know that hurts too. I do have a strong work history with tons of hours that shows my dedication to vet med, though. I also have 2 amazingly supportive vets writing letters of recs that are determined to see me succeed on this path, as well as other mentors/supervisors that can speak to my determination and the struggles I've endured. And I have a great, very unique essay prepared that will hopefully turn heads but also speaks to my goal - I want to be a food animal vet. I'm hoping with all the good I can at least get accepted somewhere, but I am worried I'm applying too early with too many pre-reqs and with an unimpressive GPA. Do I even have a chance? What schools should I add to my list?

NCSU requires 3.4 or higher GPA in each of their 3 GPA categories for out-of-state applicants to be eligible to apply. Not sure about other schools.