WAMC - Waitlisted IS (2029 cycle), preparing my 4th application

[oakleygirl]

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Female, 23, FL resident, waitlisted at my IS school (UF) this cycle (third time applying), preparing my fourth application, heavy interest in equine med - potential interest in specializing within the field.
Previously applied to UF, UGA, Auburn, TAMU, MSU, UT, Penn (over the course of three cycles).

Cumulative GPA: 3.53
science GPA: 3.44
last 45: 3.77
Master's GPA: 3.95

Any degrees achieved
Bachelor's in Science - Biology at UCF
Masters in Science - Comparative Biomedical Sciences - UGA

GRE results: N/A

Veterinary Experience:
- Equine vet tech with sports med and rehab vet - 400
- Intern at specialty equine hospital - 360
- Small animal treatment tech at high volume clinic - 216
- Small animal tech at GP - 1750
- Shadow with large animal vet - 24

Animal Experience:
- Volunteer at Equine Adapted Riding non-profit - 200
- Volunteer at Equine Assisted Learning non-profit - 2500
- Riding/assistant trainer of young horses and school horse program - 500
- Intern for rehab practitioner (laser, bemer, pemf, etc. on equines and canines) - 192
- Therapy dog training - 100
- 4-H - 2000

Research Experience:
- Purple Martin Conservation Research - 64

Awards/scholarships:
- Dean's list - 2021 and 2023
- President's Honor Roll - 2020
- Undergrad scholarship provided by school
- Local, independent scholarship
- 4-H scholarship
- Published Research Paper (summer btw high school and undergrad)

Extracurriculars:
- Fellowship of Christian Athletes (leadership roles) - 800
- Competitive rider for school's equestrian team - 1200
- Volunteering with VBS - 60
- Volunteering with church -200

Employment:
- Office manager for animal rehab practitioner -126
- Administrative assistant - 60

Personal Statement: Wrote about my grandfather's Alzheimer's diagnosis and the influence he's had on my first animal interactions. Spoke on a few vet experiences and how I translated what I learned of his character into my love for client relationships and desire to meet the need for lack of equine vets.

LORs:
- Sports med and rehab equine vet
- Small animal GP vet
- Master's program head advisor and professor
- Research advisor and professor

I know my GPA is average, hence the Master's to show my acknowledgment and also to raise my GPA. I would really love advice on how to stand out since I feel that I kind of blend in with other applications. I'm wondering if I don't have enough diverse experience or employment outside of animals? One file review said they were impressed with my packet, concerned with my GPA, but were encouraged that I was doing a Masters and doing well in it.
My dream school is UGA, which I know is very competitive for OOS with their limited seats. I'd be open to moving there before to gain a better shot at applying IS. As I'm starting to prepare my application schools on my radar are UF, UGA, Auburn, Mississippi St, and LMU. Thank you all in advance for your thoughts! I'm open to any suggestions and all the hard work to find success in this fourth application!!

 

[JaynaAli]

Have you had a variety of people read your personal statement? Your stats are pretty average (which is not a bad thing! It’s good.) and your experience should be sufficient and is reasonably varied, so I wonder if maybe your PS just isn’t conveying what it needs to. It sounds like you’ve taken a slightly unique approach and I’m not saying you shouldn’t to talk about someone you admire who inspired you, but I’d make sure it conveys enough about YOU, not just your beloved grandfather. Characters are limited. And for all I know your PS is amazing, but reading your post it made me wonder and changing a personal statement is one of the easiest things to change about an application compared to new experiences and better GPA so I’d start there. Maybe have a few people read it and see if they have feedback. Maybe consider asking an advisor or even some of the SDN PS readers what they think just to get more opinions.

 

[oakleygirl]

Have you had a variety of people read your personal statement? Your stats are pretty average (which is not a bad thing! It’s good.) and your experience should be sufficient and is reasonably varied, so I wonder if maybe your PS just isn’t conveying what it needs to. It sounds like you’ve taken a slightly unique approach and I’m not saying you shouldn’t to talk about someone you admire who inspired you, but I’d make sure it conveys enough about YOU, not just your beloved grandfather. Characters are limited. And for all I know your PS is amazing, but reading your post it made me wonder and changing a personal statement is one of the easiest things to change about an application compared to new experiences and better GPA so I’d start there. Maybe have a few people read it and see if they have feedback. Maybe consider asking an advisor or even some of the SDN PS readers what they think just to get more opinions.

Thank you for this perspective! I did have some SDN PS read it this past cycle. They were very consistent in saying I was on the right track, but I will definitely get more eyes on it this year and revise my approach. It's something I've always struggled with in each application, as I've never had a defining moment to join the field. It's something I've always known I wanted to do. So I do think you are right that maybe it isn't conveying well. I appreciate your perspective and kind feedback! Thank you!

 

[nicole98]

You're stats all seem very solid to me! LMU also has a very strong equine program so I definitely recommend applying, plus you can apply to start in January or August depending on what you're doing while you're waiting to hear back. I don't think you necessarily need to work outside of vet med just to add it to your resume unless it's something you actually want to explore. I applied three times before I was accepted and chose to continue working primarily at a small animal clinic during that time because I felt like I was also learning a lot about vet med while I was there and I still reflect on those cases all the time now that I'm in school. Best of luck!

 

[battie]

I'm also wondering if your subjectives are the problem. Anything written can be open to interpretation right down to your experience sections. How confident are you in your letters of recommendation?

Maybe casting a wider net would benefit you as well, especially with your master's degree being a phenomenal gpa.