WAMC? Second time applicant, co/2025

[raywildcat]

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Hello! I am currently waitlisted at K-State (OOS) and Mizzou (IS, #5). I have been told my both schools to plan on reapplying, so I’m being proactive and trying to improve my application as best as I can in these current times. I am interested in specializing in surgery particularly with companion animals/pocket pets.

Schools I’m looking at this cycle: Mizzou(IS), K-State, Iowa State, maybe Colorado. I might add another
Cumulative GPA: 3.72
science GPA: depends on the school, probably like 3.7 now
last 45: 3.5 (thanks organic chemistry)

A.S Natural Science, Spring 2018, Summa Cum Laude
B.S Environmental Science, Spring 2020, Magna Cum Laude

GRE results: 147(Q)/153(V)/4.5

Veterinary Experience:
- ~1000 hours with companion animals/occasional pocket pets at the clinic I work at, more by the end of the summer
- numerous assistance and scrubbing in on surgeries
- large animal vet experience in the works

Animal Experience:
- ~600 hours as a Kennel Technician
- ~15 hours shadowing live stock farmer, also saw some goat neuters
- rabbit ownership for 2 years, can I list this???
- I’ve also owned several freshwater fish for 3 years and have done quite a bit of research so that I could provide them the best environment, is that something I can list? I feel likes it’s unique, but not sure if relevant. Help!!

Research Experience:
800 hours of research in amphibian species and genetic variation of populations in the Philippines, co-author on publication coming out soon, 2018-2020
3-week research trip to the Solomon Islands for mammal and herpetology research and inquiry into the biodiversity of Tetepare Island, summer 2019
Awards/scholarships:
- Presidents list/ Deans list for most semesters
- Stutzke scholarship 2018
- I have other various awards from high-school for marching and concert band as well as Track so I won’t list out everything here because it would be a lot to read
-graduated with honors for both of my degrees

Extracurriculars:
High school
- marching band and concert band in high-school
- track all 4 years of high-school
- Cheerleading 2 years of high-school (Varsity Captain Senior year) + first year of college
-Drama club
- some academic clubs
College
-Eco ambassadors club
-scientific journal club
-volunteering at Salvation Army, 40 hours

Employment:
- Internship with Mark Twain National forest for summer 2017
- Chipotle, 2017-2018
- Kennel technician, 2018-current
-Veterinary assistant, 2018-current

LOR: 3 from the vets I’ve worked with closely for the past 2 years, 1 from my research P.I. I was also told a letter from a large animal vet would be great, which I’m hoping will work out if I can shadow with the large animal vet I’m contacting!

After being waitlisted at both K-state and my in state Mizzou, I’ve been really analyzing my application once I was able to do my file reviews. The overall consensus for Mizzou was that my lack of large animal experience really hurt me so I am trying to find anything I can do for that this summer. For K-state, I was told some more volunteering would be great and to continue gaining experience.

Also, last semester (Fall 2019), I earned a D+ in Organic Chemistry. I learned from it, re-enrolled for this spring, and just got my final grade a few days ago!! An A- !!!! I received an A in biochemistry this semester as well, which was my last pre-req to take besides an anatomy course for Iowa, which I’m starting soon. Any advice is greatly appreciated!

 

[EngrSC]

Good job on your o-chem retake!!

I was just going to pop in and say...
#1 - fingers and toes crossed that you’re pulled from a waitlist! You’ve definitely earned your seat so at the very least I hope you’re accepted for c/o 2025!
#2 - have you searched in your area for a therapeutic riding group? I started volunteering with one a couple years ago and it’s been so rewarding. It would only be animal experience but you may be able to network your way into riding with the vet they use.

 

[WildZoo]

These are post-interview waitlists, right?

I think the things that I see that could be improved, you already know about. Your veterinary experience is all from one clinic. That organic chem grade probably didn't help, so the retake grade will be great for you. Having multiple recommendation letters from the same place also doesn't really help you, so agree with the plan to try to get one from another source.

 

[battie]

I second Dubz that the retake will be a good advantage, particularly at K-State (I was also a CSU reject, K-State waitlist child; ended up not getting into either lol). Whatever volunteer experience you can get right now would be valuable. Are there any large animal or equine rescues in your area you could volunteer at once things start to open back up.

Is there a specific reason you want to apply to these specific schools, particularly the OOS ones. Your application is all around pretty decent, and I think you would have a chance at other schools that aren't listed here.

Edited to add: did either school give you details on how you interviewed? That may be a point where you can improve as well.

- rabbit ownership for 2 years, can I list this???
- I’ve also owned several freshwater fish for 3 years and have done quite a bit of research so that I could provide them the best environment, is that something I can list? I feel likes it’s unique, but not sure if relevant. Help!!

You can include them knowing that if the school doesn't care, they won't consider it. I would also estimate the numbers very conservatively since these are pets. Most schools realize that the vast majority of applicants had pets, and a decent minority of that number had "unique" pets. So also keep in mind that these "pet hours" probably won't give you any sort of advantage.

 

[WildZoo]

Oh, and if you wanted suggestions on schools you could look into adding to your list (not necessarily saying all, just options if you're looking for them): Purdue, Mississippi State, Auburn, Illinois. I would leave Colorado off if you are restricted on the number of schools you can apply to...tbh I don't understand why so many OOS people apply there when it is stupid expensive and has one of the lowest OOS acceptance rates of any school.

 

[MixedAnimals77]

...tbh I don't understand why so many OOS people apply there when it is stupid expensive and has one of the lowest OOS acceptance rates of any school.

Being from CO I literally do not understand this either. TBH I was wishing I lived in a lower IS tuition state (like Iowa) when I applied

 

[WildZoo]

If I had unlimited application money, I would always include the schools that allow residency change after the first year (except Ohio because their first year tuition is so high it still ends up being upper middle of the pack for total COA). So you could consider throwing NC State and UC Davis on there too even though from an application alignment perspective they would be reaches. Washington if you wanted to really roll the dice lol But those options would make more sense to me to have in your reach category than Colorado.

 

[battie]

Being from CO I literally do not understand this either. TBH I was wishing I lived in a lower IS tuition state (like Iowa) when I applied

Saaaaame. Cost of living is ridonculous!

 

[raywildcat]

I second Dubz that the retake will be a good advantage, particularly at K-State (I was also a CSU reject, K-State waitlist child; ended up not getting into either lol). Whatever volunteer experience you can get right now would be valuable. Are there any large animal or equine rescues in your area you could volunteer at once things start to open back up.

Is there a specific reason you want to apply to these specific schools, particularly the OOS ones. Your application is all around pretty decent, and I think you would have a chance at other schools that aren't listed here.

Edited to add: did either school give you details on how you interviewed? That may be a point where you can improve as well.



You can include them knowing that if the school doesn't care, they won't consider it. I would also estimate the numbers very conservatively since these are pets. Most schools realize that the vast majority of applicants had pets, and a decent minority of that number had "unique" pets. So also keep in mind that these "pet hours" probably won't give you any sort of advantage.

I loved K-state and its campus and also the fact that it is not too far from home in Missouri. I also work with two alumni and they have really influenced my outlook on the program too probably, lol. As for Iowa, I’ve really enjoyed all of my interactions with the recruitment people and I also liked that it wasn’t crazy far from home. I don’t necessarily need to stay in this area, I guess I was nervous to apply somewhere across the country.

I am super open to suggestions on other OOS programs I might be competitive at, I thought a solid 4-5 schools would be a good reapplication amount

 

[raywildcat]

Oh, and if you wanted suggestions on schools you could look into adding to your list (not necessarily saying all, just options if you're looking for them): Purdue, Mississippi State, Auburn, Illinois. I would leave Colorado off if you are restricted on the number of schools you can apply to...tbh I don't understand why so many OOS people apply there when it is stupid expensive and has one of the lowest OOS acceptance rates of any school.

You’re right, I didn’t consider how expensive Colorado is compared to a lot of other schools

I am drawn to schools that don’t require the GRE, my score isn’t really great and I know it’s not very competitive so I was trying to avoid that!

 

[raywildcat]

You’re right, I didn’t consider how expensive Colorado is compared to a lot of other schools

I am drawn to schools that don’t require the GRE, my score isn’t really great and I know it’s not very competitive so I was trying to avoid that!

Also, Organic Chemistry was a huge struggle for me and I would love to not take Ochem 2

 

[battie]

I loved K-state and its campus and also the fact that it is not too far from home

Same, fam, same. They were my top OOS choice when I was applying.

With your stats, I think, if you were interested, you could take a serious look at most schools. Not even getting an interview at CSU vaguely surprises me cause you're relatively solid. So that tells me that this year was particularly competitive (which looking at the stats, it definitely was!). I think the big deal for you would be to 1) apply to schools that have a high number of OOS students, 2) have a low number of applicants that apply per seat, and 3) have a more holistic approach.

 

[that redhead]

Definitely work on diversifying your experiences. And if your vet letters are all from the same place...pick ONE from that place. Quality >>> quantity.

You can list pet ownership but most places probably won't really care. It doesn't hurt to list it though.

Congrats on the Ochem retake