WAMC? Low but Improving GPA!

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PlumPoppy

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Hi everyone. This is my semi-annual WAMC post. I submitted my 1st application last week because I had to turn one in to keep my fee waiver. VMCAS just verified my GPA, and I'm freaking out to say the least.

24 y.o. female, LA resident, moving to MN, 1st-time applicant

Definitely applying to:
LSU, UW-Madison, Minnesota, Colorado (hoping for Vet Prep)
Considering/applying if I don't get in this cycle: Virginia-Maryland, Iowa, Michigan

Undergrad cGPA: 3.33
Overall GPA: 3.28
Science GPA: 3.12
Last 45 Hour GPA: 3.63

Degree: B.S., Wildlife Ecology, Minor: Sociology
M.S., Microbiology and Cell Science (in progress)

Veterinary Hours: (2905+ hours)
- Necropsy/Histology Associate @ IS School: 1500+ hours
- Cross-training in Micro dept: 100 hours
- Small animal Vet Tech: 1200 hours
- Overnight ER tech: 100 hours
- Wildlife Sanctuary w/ Vet: 5 hours

Animal Experience(1250+ hours):
- Kennel Tech: 200 hours
- Fostering Senior Cats & Neonate Kittens: 70 hours
- Cat Shelter: 50 hours
- Cleaning up after parade horses: 5 hours
- Wildlife Sanctuary: 90 hours
- Raptor Rehab: 10 hours
- Exotic Pet Shelters: 60 hours
- Pet-Setting: 200 hours
- Pilling Sick Personal Pets: 65 hours (Separated because I have had multiple ill pocket pets that needed daily medication for months)
- Personal Pets: 500 hours

Research Experience (1200-ish hours):
- Lab assistant for agricultural chemistry dept (3+ years)
- Microbiology research projects: 10 hours

Non-Animal Volunteer Experience: (195 hours)
- Planting trees for Earth Day: 6 hours
- Hospital/shadowing RNs, CNAs, NTs: 120 hours
- Renovating the local library's YA section and promoting the project: 40 hours
- Various local marathons for a cause: 18 hours
- Shadowing an OBGYN: 6 hours
- Local "get healthy" fair set-up and face-painting: 5 hours

Non-Animal Work Experience:
- GIS student worker (1 year)
- Retail/Restaurant (3 years)
- Medical records at vet school (1 year)

Honors/Awards/Scholarships:
- Dean's List (2 semesters)
- Staff Senate Scholarship 2018
- HS AP Scholar Award (2 years)
- HS 3rd Place District English III Exam (1 year)
- HS Highest Average Award in Honors Biology, Art I, and Talented Art IV

Professional Organizations/Certificates:
- FearFree Certified (6/2022)
- "Safe Space" Certified (2022-2025)
- The Wildlife Society (3+ years)

Extracurriculars:
- LGBTQ+ Faculty Caucus: <1 year
- Pre-Vet Club member: 2 years
- Wildlife Club member: 3 years
- Wildlife Club Treasurer: 1 year
- Exotic Animal Club member: 2 years
- PreMed Honor Society: 1 semester
- HS Key Club Treasurer: 1 year
- HS Student Council Treasurer: 1 year
- HS Beta Club member: 2 years

LORs:
- SA vet I worked with
- Director of my Dept at my IS-school
- Professor/Senior Advisor of my degree
- Supervisor of my lab in undergrad
- Possible LORs: vet pathologists I work with, former practice managers?

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Definitely applying to: LSU, UW-Madison, Minnesota, Colorado (hoping for Vet Prep)
Considering applying?: Virginia-Maryland
Why these schools specifically? Would you consider other schools?

I would highly caution against CSU, even in the hopes of getting the vet prep program.

However, you have quite a few more unique experiences working in the vet school itself. If the letters from the faculty/staff that work at LSU are stellar, that could be amazing for you. Your last 45 GPA is also doing you a solid.
 
Why these schools specifically? Would you consider other schools?

I would highly caution against CSU, even in the hopes of getting the vet prep program.
One of the DVM's I worked for is a UMN alum, and highly recommended it to me. I also love their holistic admissions.

CSU is just a pipe-dream honestly, and I've always wanted to go even before vet school. I'd beat myself up if I didn't at least apply.

These are all schools I either have or can have the prereqs on time. There's other schools I'd consider if I didn't get in this cycle like Illinois and Michigan, but I don't have the prereqs for them. (Like Michigan requires ALL science courses to be finished before app deadline.)
 
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