WAMC - Non-traditional, low overall GPA. Options?

[miniaturedove]

Hello! First time applicant here! I am a very non-traditional student with a background in software development. My low overall is due to the fact that I wasn’t the greatest student in undergrad (I used my explanation statement for this), but I’ve made good improvement since then and hope that the application committee will take that into account.

Still, I am concerned about my lower overall GPA and am not sure if I will get weeded out immediately by the places I’m applying to. I would appreciate any advice on how to apply strategically! I’m most interested in UGA (my in-state), UMN, as well as any schools that are less than ~30-40 minutes away from large cities. My SO will be applying for jobs after grad school and one of the criteria we’re hoping for is a reasonable commute into the city.

I’m thinking about applying to up to 12 schools total. The schools I am considering thus far are as follows: UGA, UMN, Washington State, Virginia-Maryland, Colorado State, University of Illinois, Iowa State, LMU, Western University, Cornell(?), Upenn(?)

Cumulative GPA: 3.2
Science GPA: 3.8
Last 45: 3.9

Any degrees achieved: B.S. in Computer Science in 2021

Veterinary Experience:
- 1000 hrs employed as a vet assistant at a small animal clinic (with occasional exotics)
- 500 hrs employed as a scribe for an ER (small animal/exotics)
- 100 hrs volunteering as a vet assistant for a local county shelter
- 20 hrs assisting traveling specialists (cardiologist, internal medicine, ultrasonographer) who see patients at both the ER & GP I work at
- 20 hrs shadowing lab animal veterinarian during primate surgeries

Animal Experience:
- 200 hrs employed at a research lab as an animal care technician (non-human primates)
- 50 hrs volunteer at spay neuter & vaccine clinic
- 100 hrs medical volunteer at cat rescue (animal care + giving medications)
- 100 hrs volunteering as animal care tech for a songbird rehab

Research Experience: Possible opportunity over the summer but I’m waiting for a response. Otherwise no research experience

Extracurriculars:
- Small art business owner. I sell art on Etsy & travel to conventions across the U.S to sell my artwork

Employment:
- 2000 hrs about 2 years working as a software developer in financial technology
- 500 hrs summer internship during undergrad as a user experience design intern for a large bank

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[DVMdreamn]

Hello! First time applicant here! I am a very non-traditional student with a background in software development. My low overall is due to the fact that I wasn’t the greatest student in undergrad (I used my explanation statement for this), but I’ve made good improvement since then and hope that the application committee will take that into account.

Still, I am concerned about my lower overall GPA and am not sure if I will get weeded out immediately by the places I’m applying to. I would appreciate any advice on how to apply strategically! I’m most interested in UGA (my in-state), UMN, as well as any schools that are less than ~30-40 minutes away from large cities. My SO will be applying for jobs after grad school and one of the criteria we’re hoping for is a reasonable commute into the city.

I’m thinking about applying to up to 12 schools total. The schools I am considering thus far are as follows: UGA, UMN, Washington State, Virginia-Maryland, Colorado State, University of Illinois, Iowa State, LMU, Western University, Cornell(?), Upenn(?)...

My advise is always to go the cheapest school you can manage. You will get a solid education at any accredited college, and the student loan debt is no joke once you get out and realize most of your salary is going to loan payments. Unless you plan to go into a residency down the road and specialize, it won't matter where you got your DVM, and even then it probably won't matter that much. WSU is great because you can apply for residency to pay the lower tuition after your first year. NCU is probably the cheapest school in the US.

Found this today:

Choosing the Best Veterinary School for You - VIN Foundation

Choosing the veterinary schools you apply to is an exciting, yet confusing process. Several publications generate lists of the “best” veterinary schools using various criteria. Unlike some other professions, which veterinary school you attend likely won't impact your future earnings or career...

vinfoundation.org

As a fellow non-traditional student, I would avoid ISU. They don't have a good support system, and they loose like 10-15 first year students every year. Something isn't right.

 

[wayne455338]

What is your definition of large cities? Like Los angles, SF, New York City? If yes, I will cross out Washington state, Cornell and LMU. WSU and Cornell are college towns and they are really far away from large cities based on my definition of large cities (have to have over 1 million of population). LMU is basically located in the middle of nowhere. If you want to close to big cities, Midwestern and Long Island University would be good options.

 

[JaynaAli]

It’s good that your science GPA and last 45 are high, that’ll help your chances. Just be sure to do your research and make sure you meet their minimums for cumulative GPA. Don’t waste your money to apply to a place if they’ll just dump your app in the trash because you don’t meet one GPA requirement. Focus instead on schools where you meet the minimums and/or that like to have high last 45s.

 

[dancingvet_loading]

What is your definition of large cities? Like Los angles, SF, New York City? If yes, I will cross out Washington state, Cornell and LMU. WSU and Cornell are college towns and they are really far away from large cities based on my definition of large cities (have to have over 1 million of population). LMU is basically located in the middle of nowhere. If you want to close to big cities, Midwestern and Oregon would be good options.

They said the SO wants a decent commute to a city. LMU is about an hour from Knoxville which many classmates have SO’s doing this. And there are places that are in between Harrogate and Knoxville to live so you and your SO can have a decent commute time for work and school.

 

[wayne455338]

They said the SO wants a decent commute to a city. LMU is about an hour from Knoxville which many classmates have SO’s doing this. And there are places that are in between Harrogate and Knoxville to live so you and your SO can have a decent commute time for work and school.

I agree with you that they want a decent commute to the city, but they want about 30-40 mins away from the city. If they are just fine spending 2 hours driving a day back and forth Knoxville if they live close to the school, I can’t say anything. Or is there any place they can live in between LMU and Knoxville where both of them have to drive everyday? I am not familiar with that area so I can’t recommend where to live if OP decides to go to LMU. I just recommend the schools which fit their needs. Midwestern is about 20 mins away from Phoenix, and Long Island university is at Brooklyn in New York, which is even in the city. I think those options might be better options if the communication is a huge concern for them.

 

[miniaturedove]

I am reading all of these comments and will look into the schools you have mentioned! I'm not very familiar with all of the locations and will start reworking the list together with my SO. Muchas gracias

 

[eleanor713]

Virginia maryland is pretty rural! It's about 45 min to Roanoke but around 3 hours to Richmond or Charlotte. Minnesota, Wisconsin, UPenn, North Carolina, and Tennessee are all located within a more urban area. UF is about an hourish from Jacksonville.

 

[miniaturedove]

Here's a revised list! Anything you guys think I should change or consider adding to the list?

UPenn, Colorado State, University of MN, University of GA (IS), University of Illinois, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Western University, Long Island University, Midwestern State University

 

[thenontraveler]

I know some schools have a 6 or 10 year expiration for some or all pre reqs. I am not sure what your school situation is, but definitely make sure to double check all schools for how that might affect your ability to apply and, if needed, reach out to all those schools and get written confirmation they will accept your coursework.

 

[miniaturedove]

I know some schools have a 6 or 10 year expiration for some or all pre reqs. I am not sure what your school situation is, but definitely make sure to double check all schools for how that might affect your ability to apply and, if needed, reach out to all those schools and get written confirmation they will accept your coursework.

Great point! I will double check that

 

[JaynaAli]

Just something to think about, but you’ve got some of the absolute most expensive schools on your list. Be sure you’re considering/have thought about debt load and what having 400k+ in loans from Penn or Midwestern or LIU would mean for your life after graduation. Definitely talk to UGA because your in-state option is going to be literally less than HALF the cost of a lot of the other options on your list. If I were you I’d take the school-list-ordered-by-cost on VIN’s vet school bound site and start at the bottom (cheapest) and look up all the criteria and focus more on cheaper schools. I’m not saying don’t apply to the ones on your list, but make sure you know what you’re getting in to and choose the cheapest school you can to set your future self up for success post-vet school.

 

[Georgethecat]

Agree with JaynaAli, UGA is going to be by far your most affordable option. Approx $164k COA versus UPenn $436k, Midwestern $425k, Western $381k, etc.

UGA has the 10 year rule for required science courses, but I've known people who were able to get exceptions. UGA uses required pre-req's instead of an overall science gpa. While your cum gpa is likely below their average, your last 45 and likely pre-req (assuming it's close to your 3.8 science gpa) are higher than their averages. If you have other specific concerns, I'd suggest making an appointment with Parker in admissions.

 

[miniaturedove]

Really good food for thought before applying. I knew it was expensive, but not $400k expensive I'm so glad I asked now rather than think about it later. I appreciate your honest responses!!

 

[DVMdreamn]

Here's a revised list! Anything you guys think I should change or consider adding to the list?

UPenn, Colorado State, University of MN, University of GA (IS), University of Illinois, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Western University, Long Island University, Midwestern State University

Unless you are a Wisconsin resident I would skip that one - small class size, the large majority are residents, and they get a lot of applications. Have you considered Missouri? The state laws there are super lax on exotic animals, so if the program doesn't provide the experience your seeking it wouldn't be too hard to find it outside the school. Oregon is worth looking at since they have connections with a local aquarium, zoo and shelter, but its also an hour or more away from Portland.

 

[thenontraveler]

Unless you are a Wisconsin resident I would skip that one - small class size, the large majority are residents, and they get a lot of applications. Have you considered Missouri? The state laws there are super lax on exotic animals, so if the program doesn't provide the experience your seeking it wouldn't be too hard to find it outside the school. Oregon is worth looking at since they have connections with a local aquarium, zoo and shelter, but its also an hour or more away from Portland.

I would say Oregon is really hard to get into since their class is one of the smallest. Only 34 spots for OOS and 40 for IS. They get like 1800 apps a year. This is my IS and it is a nice town though.

 

[DVMdreamn]

I would say Oregon is really hard to get into since their class is one of the smallest. Only 34 spots for OOS and 40 for IS. They get like 1800 apps a year. This is my IS and it is a nice town though.

That's true, I was just thinking about her interest in exotic animal opportunities and being relatively close to a larger city. So crazy how many appls all the schools are getting now.

 

[thenontraveler]

That's true, I was just thinking about her interest in exotic animal opportunities and being relatively close to a larger city. So crazy how many appls all the schools are getting now.

That makes sense! They do have chintimini wild life rehab, the zoo, wildlife safari, and the Oregon coast aquarium all within 2 hours of the campus. I worked there for 6 years and it was my undergrad, so I know quite a bit of the area. The COL is HIGH though, because there are like 30k students in a town of 60k and housing is difficult to find for reasonable prices. They also do not allow big chain stores, so you have to travel a ways to get to a Target, Best Buy, or anything resembling a mall. But the area is beautiful and perfectly situated if you love the outdoors and a pretty mild climate all year around. And because of the university there is a lot of cultural diversity which is awesome!

 

[Georgethecat]

Really good food for thought before applying. I knew it was expensive, but not $400k expensive I'm so glad I asked now rather than think about it later. I appreciate your honest responses!!

More info to explore on costs etc. I do recommend confirming all info by looking at each school's website or contacting admissions. Cost of living info is probably pretty close, but I have a hard time believing that Athens, GA is more expensive than Cornell or Colorado State....

HOW MUCH WILL MY VETERINARY EDUCATION COST? - Vet School Bound

HOW MUCH WILL MY VETERINARY EDUCATION COST? New veterinarians with less educational debt have a head start on life, the VIN Foundation Cost of Education Map is here to help. A lighter debt burden translates into more financial, career, and personal flexibility. Wouldn’t it be great to pursue an...

vetschoolbound.org

COST OF EDUCATION TOOLKIT - Vet School Bound

New veterinarians with less educational debt have a head start on life, the VIN Foundation Cost of Education Toolkit is here to help.A lighter debt burden translates into more financial, career, and personal flexibility. Wouldn’t it be great to pursue an internship or residency, or even take a...

vetschoolbound.org

 

[battie]

Back to the city vs rural aspect: keep in mind fewer than 10 cities in the US have 1+ million people as actual population. The majority of vet schools are in in towns of 30-60,000 people, many of which are then a part of a suburban/urban area of 60-100k. So maybe consider having your SO look at your list and have them do their own homework on where they can work. Then see how the lists match up.

It honestly wouldn't be a bad idea to have them look at areas not on your list, such as Kansas State, Mizzou, etc. Never know where someone will actually find a job and some areas will surprise you. If anything, you should have a more broad list that they pick from, rather than you basing your list off them. It's harder to get into vet school than to get a job.

 

[stxjawa]

Any reason you’re not considering Ohio State? Columbus is a decent size city (14th largest in US) with lots of job opportunities.