WAMC: Non-traditional, first time applicant

[hazysea]

Hey, everyone! I am a non-traditional (33Y) first time applicant. I had a rough start with college right after high school and ended up dropping out before going back in 2020. I'm hoping for either one of my IS schools - Texas Tech or Texas A&M. I have a lot of diverse career and life experiences so I played to that in my essays, but now I'm kinda freaking out. I also plan to stay in the panhandle and serve rural communities so I added that in there in case that would help my case for Tech. If any other non-trad people have ideas on how to get more vet hours that doesn't involve quitting your full time job, let me know!

Cumulative GPA: 3.30
Science GPA: 3.70
Last 45: 3.8

Any degrees achieved:
BS in Animal Science in May 2025
Fear Free Certified
Also attending an associates program for Veterinary Technician


GRE results: N/A
Casper: 4th quartile

Veterinary Experience: Not much - will be my downfall, I think?
100 hours as a kennel tech supervised directly by a vet
~ 36 hours shadowing a low-income clinic vet

Animal Experience:
~1600 hours as a farm hand for cattle, goats, chickens, sheep, and horses
~ a billion years as a pet owner (including special needs/disabled pets - I know this doesn't count, but thought I'd mention it anyway)
~ 100 hours as a pet sitter
200 hours and counting as a volunteer for a special needs animal rescue helping with transports

Research Experience: N/A

Awards/scholarships:
Dean's List the entirety of my BS

Extracurriculars:
Chapter Leader for Rising Tide (1040 hours)
Small Business Owner (Wedding Photographer) (4000 hours)

Employment:
Various human healthcare & customer service experience, including management and mostly centered on customer service (25k hours)
Also dabbled in pet insurance and veterinary records (10k hours)

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[pp9]

Hey, everyone! I am a non-traditional (33Y) first time applicant. I had a rough start with college right after high school and ended up dropping out before going back in 2020. I'm hoping for either one of my IS schools - Texas Tech or Texas A&M. I have a lot of diverse career and life experiences so I played to that in my essays, but now I'm kinda freaking out. I also plan to stay in the panhandle and serve rural communities so I added that in there in case that would help my case for Tech. If any other non-trad people have ideas on how to get more vet hours that doesn't involve quitting your full time job, let me know!

Cumulative GPA: 3.30
Science GPA: 3.70
Last 45: 3.8

Any degrees achieved:
BS in Animal Science in May 2025
Fear Free Certified
Also attending an associates program for Veterinary Technician


GRE results: N/A
Casper: 4th quartile

Veterinary Experience: Not much - will be my downfall, I think?
100 hours as a kennel tech supervised directly by a vet
~ 36 hours shadowing a low-income clinic vet

Animal Experience:
~1600 hours as a farm hand for cattle, goats, chickens, sheep, and horses
~ a billion years as a pet owner (including special needs/disabled pets - I know this doesn't count, but thought I'd mention it anyway)
~ 100 hours as a pet sitter
200 hours and counting as a volunteer for a special needs animal rescue helping with transports

Research Experience: N/A

Awards/scholarships:
Dean's List the entirety of my BS

Extracurriculars:
Chapter Leader for Rising Tide (1040 hours)
Small Business Owner (Wedding Photographer) (4000 hours)

Employment:
Various human healthcare & customer service experience, including management and mostly centered on customer service (25k hours)
Also dabbled in pet insurance and veterinary records (10k hours)

I'd see where this cycle takes you, but definitely work on getting more hours while you wait. Kennel experience is great, but not exactly as 'powerful' as someone who is doing more clinical work (especially when you have very few hours). You mentioned being a farm hand and a rescue volunteer - I would reach out to the vets that service the rescue/farm and see if they'll take you on for more shadowing.

 

[thenontraveler]

Definitely getting more job shadow hours (pet shelters, rescues, farms, sanctuaries, mixed animal practices, small animal, emergency, radiology/other specialties) I would email/call all the places in your area and get in there. Even if you can only do once a month or once a week. It adds up