Hi there! My name is Maggie and I’m applying for the first time this cycle! I’m not really sure how competitive an applicant I am in the grand scheme of things and I’m in desperate need of some brutally honest advice. I’m about to be a Senior at the University of Alabama and I’m looking to apply to Mississippi State (in-state for me), Georgia, Auburn, and Tennessee. It wouldn’t be the end of the world if I end up taking a gap year, but I’d love to get in on my first try. Let me know what y’all think.
Majors: Biology and Psychology
Cumulative GPA: 3.8
Science GPA: 3.73
Last 45 credits GPA: 4.0
Research experience:
I’m currently in a lab studying behavioral plasticity and aggression in the mangrove rivulus. It’s the only simultaneous hermaphroditic vertebrate in existence, so super cool stuff. Involves a lot of behavior watching, measurements, fish egg maintenance, and general care for our entire fish population. I’ve been consistently working in this lab for about a year and a half. I’m also supposed to co-author a research paper alongside 2 other grad students this upcoming year.
Veterinary experience:
Reading everyone else’s posts on this subforum is always super intimidating. I feel like everyone else has 3,000+ hours of varied experience (don’t get me wrong – I’m definitely amazed and impressed by their dedication and work ethic, but I got a bad case of imposter syndrome). I’ve been telling myself I’m a competitive enough applicant, but it’s getting close to crunch time and I’m starting to panic. Keep in mind, my dream school is MS State (which is in-state for me). If y’all think I’m at least able to get in there, I’m set. Otherwise, any advice is appreciated! Thanks a million!
Majors: Biology and Psychology
Cumulative GPA: 3.8
Science GPA: 3.73
Last 45 credits GPA: 4.0
Research experience:
I’m currently in a lab studying behavioral plasticity and aggression in the mangrove rivulus. It’s the only simultaneous hermaphroditic vertebrate in existence, so super cool stuff. Involves a lot of behavior watching, measurements, fish egg maintenance, and general care for our entire fish population. I’ve been consistently working in this lab for about a year and a half. I’m also supposed to co-author a research paper alongside 2 other grad students this upcoming year.
Veterinary experience:
- 142 hours shadowing an equine vet
- Got to shadow a doctor specializing in equine Chinese herbal medicine, chiropractics, and podiatry – potentially unique experience?
- 500+ hours working as a kennel technician in a small animal clinic
- Includes lots of tech work – reading fecals, giving vaccines, nail trims, surgery pack making, restraining animals for the vet/techs, communicating with clients, etc.
- …and that’s it. I know I’m kind of low on hours in this area, but I’m currently working full time as a kennel technician (36-46 hours a week at least). Hopefully, by the end of this summer, I’ll have at least 1000 hours total working as a kennel tech.
- 100 hours volunteering at the humane society
- 100 hours working as a kennel tech for another small animal vet clinic in high school and mid-college
- Only worked weekends with no vet present
- 100 hours volunteering at the humane society
- Random volunteer opportunities thru my sorority, but not enough to make a big difference (maybe 10 hours total)
- Served as the Public Relations Chair for UA’s Pre-Veterinary Medical Association in 2019
- Currently serving as the Alumni Chair for the same club
- Chi Omega Sorority
- Society of Women in Medicine (SWIM)
- Geriatric Organization for Animal Therapy (GOAT)
- Pre-Veterinary Medical Association (PVMA)
- Psychology Club
- Golden Key Honor Society
- Cardinal Key Honor Society
- Psi Chi Honor Society
- Dean’s List (Fall 2019)
- President’s List x3 (Spring 2020, Fall 2020, Spring 2021)
Reading everyone else’s posts on this subforum is always super intimidating. I feel like everyone else has 3,000+ hours of varied experience (don’t get me wrong – I’m definitely amazed and impressed by their dedication and work ethic, but I got a bad case of imposter syndrome). I’ve been telling myself I’m a competitive enough applicant, but it’s getting close to crunch time and I’m starting to panic. Keep in mind, my dream school is MS State (which is in-state for me). If y’all think I’m at least able to get in there, I’m set. Otherwise, any advice is appreciated! Thanks a million!