WAMC- Low Overall GPA, okay Science, decent last 45, and decently varied experience

[natalieevincent]

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I’m a first time applicant, first generation student applying this cycle!! Super excited but super nervous as my overall GPA is horrendous due to a rough first year during covid, familial deaths and illnesses, my own illnesses, and lack of a support system while away for the semesters. I fortunately got the opportunity to retake every class I got below a B in, and got all As in them and have not gotten lower than a B since 2022.

I would really like some feedback on where to improve, and if there are holistic schools I should look more into that aren’t already on my list. I know the island schools are a good option, but I don’t think I could be that far away for so long. I have the budget to apply to 10-14 schools, and plan to use this cycle and application reviews to gage where I stand and improve even more for next year’s. Please be brutally honest, any feedback helps!!!

applying to: Iowa (top), UPenn (IS), LIU, LMU, Ohio, VMRCVM, Tennessee, LSU, Auburn, Kansas State, Arizona, Illinois, Minnesota, Tufts

cGPA: 3.0 (3.3 with grade replacement)
universityGPA: 3.89
sGPA: 3.2 (3.6 with grade replacement)
last 45: 3.95


Vet experience: 2130 total
-about 1900 in small animal GP as a technician (surgery tech, performed dentals and other small procedures, treatments, history, handling, doc assistant, the usual technician duties)
- 110 hrs in avian and exotics (shadow but had me doing technician duties, so all hands on)
- 90 in equine (extern shadowing surgeries, treatments, procedures, drew meds, surgery prep etc)

Animal experience: >3,000
- About 2,800 hrs as a kennel tech at a dog daycare facility
- About 200hrs as another kennel tech at another facility that also did cats and grooming
- 40 hrs volunteering at a wildlife hospital
- About 100 hrs at an equine assisted therapy facility working with disabled children and as the farmhand.

Awards/scholarships:
- deans list fall 2023 semester
- presidents list all semesters from 2022-now
-Biomed program scholarship at my university
-NHS in high school junior and senior year
-WLNHS in high school junior year


Extracurriculars:
- National Prevet club
- Student Ambassador
-National leadership forum invitee
-Model congress
-Multiple merit-based clubs in high school
-3 sport athlete in HS- captain of JV cheer for one season

Employment:
- > 3,500hrs- Manager at Panera since 2022, supervise a group of 7-10 associates as head closing manager
- 1.5 years as a server
-4 months as a server at another company
-several other food-industry positions in high school

Volunteer:
-Less than 30 at a local soup kitchen
-several different volunteer experiences in high school totaling up to 200+ hrs

LORS:
-2 vets at current animal clinic
-Professor I’ve had for 11 classes
-Psychology Professor I’ve had for 3 classes
-Supervisor at Panera

Please let me know of any feedback on what I could do in the next month to help myself stand out better and put my best foot forward!

 

[whateverforever]

I'd definitely add Michigan State to your list if you meet pre-reqs and all their application criteria. As long as you write great essays and have good LOR's and I expect you'd get an interview invite from them. Plus it's on the more affordable side for an OOS school - it has a low cost of living and OOS tuition is pretty middle of the pack - right around 200k.