WAMC - Second time applicant

[clementine21]

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It is currently 4 am and I haven't slept because I'm SO nervous about this cycle!! Please be brutally honest and help me fill in any gaps you might notice. My in-state is Virginia-Maryland (I applied last cycle as OOS but I will be IS this cycle), but I am also planning to apply to Ross (I already interviewed with them, just waiting to hear back), Missouri (2nd time), Kansas (2nd time), Arizona (2nd time), LMU (1st time), Long Island (1st time). VAMD is of course my top school, but please also feel free to give school suggestions that might be more fitting given my stats.

Cumulative GPA: 3.5
science/pre-req GPA: 3.3-3.9 depending on the school (my pre-req for VAMD is a 3.9)
last 45: 3.6

Any degrees achieved: B.S in Biology, May 2026

Veterinary Experience :
- Large animal (at a GP and alpaca research farm) - 614 hours
- Small animal (at a GP and at Virginia-Maryland VTH ICU) - 2,488 hours, will be more at time of application
Total : 3,102 hours

Animal Experience:
- Equestrian - 3,140 hours
- Farm hand - 3,040 hours
- Pet sitting (large and small) - 82 hours
Total : 6,226 hours

Research Experience:
- Equine breeding self-conducted study - 50 hours, but will be more at time of application

Awards/scholarships:
- Dean's list every semester
- Presidential scholarship annually for 4 years
- 3 scholarships from organizations in my hometown before entering college
- 3 awards of excellence in high school
- National honor society
- NSF Stem scholarship annually for 4 years
- Honors program for 4 years
- National society of leadership and success for 2 years in high school through a community college

Licenses/Certifications:
- None currently, but recently got a VetGirl membership and hoping to have at least 3 certificates by the time I submit my application

Extracurriculars:
- President of NHS - 106 hours
- JV soccer - 442 hours
- Student council rep - 380 hours
- Piano lessons and competitions - 176 hours
- Choir member - 12 hours
- NSLS member - 91 hours
- Bible study group - 252 hours
- Honors program - 99 hours
Total : 1,558 hours

Employment:
- Office assistant for contracting business - 1,345 hours
- Hostess - 300 hours
- Barista - 1,050 hours
- Barista - 520 hours
Total : 1,870 hours

Volunteer:
- Office assistant at sobriety center - 55 hours
- Special olympics aid - 14 hours
- Equine camp counselor - 42 hours
- Cancer institute fundraiser volunteer - 10 hours
- Tutoring - 40 hours
- Food pantry volunteer - 10 hours
Total : 171 hours


LOR's
- DVM/GP practice owner
- Academic advisor
- Lead veterinary technician
- Possibly one more DVM

 

[Kirb]

Hello. As someone also applying in-state to VAMD this cycle, I think you have a good shot to make it to the interview stage. Although your cGPA is slightly lower than the average (3.56), it only makes up 10% of the review. The 3.9 prereq science gpa will make up 30% of your review which is great for you. Last 45 being 3.6 seems about average and that makes up 20% of the application review. You have ample experience in all other sections so that doesn't seem like it'd be an issue. You may already know this but keep in mind that when you get invited to interview your score is reset so you'll need to do well in the interview to get accepted.

 

[indysadventures]

While your GPAs aren’t competitive, they’re fine, especially for your in-state.

Unfortunately, though, this means that you’re going to really have to make sure your essays, experience write-ups, and LORs are spot-on and stand out.

I’d also make sure that having your academic LOR be an advisor isn’t hurting you. Some schools objectively require it be a professor, while others will only tell you they highly prefer it….but in the application world, take “highly prefer” to mean “please do it.”

I’d consider adding Washington State and Ohio State, both would be affordable as an OOS.