wamc

[wooperlooper]

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[JaynaAli]

Why did you choose the schools you chose? I don’t think things are hopeless for you by any means, but I don’t think all of these schools were optimal choices based upon your stats. Western, Midwestern, and Oregon all have a minimum science GPA requirement of 3.0, and you’re below that so you have essentially donated your application fees there since you’re below it; minimum requirements aren’t suggestions they’re firm cutoffs. Oklahoma State makes initial cuts based upon GPA when choosing who to interview; I don’t know that a 3.1 cumulative would be high enough to get an interview, but they do also factor in last 45…you say upward trend but do you mean really high like 3.8-4.0 or just slightly better? But OkStates selection criteria is like 75% based on GPA. Kansas State’s selection criteria is 60% academics according to their website so you may struggle there, especially with slightly below average experiences too. Iowa is probably a decent choice since they don’t interview and academics are 45% of the selection criteria. CSU is one of the more holistic schools too, but they also get lots of applications. And I don’t know enough about the newer schools to assess your chances at those.

I think the unfortunate situation is that many schools make initial cuts based on GPA and they’re just never going to look beyond that to see other experiences. Their process is their process. When your stats are below average, you really need to research the schools and find those that don’t do initial cuts based solely on GPA. Also find those that prioritize/factor in last 45 too, if your last 45 is higher than your cumulatives. That way, you maximize your chances at getting noticed for your other experiences, but your other experiences are also on the lower side too. 600 hours is nothing to scoff at by any means, but much of your competition will likely have more. Breadth of experience is also usually good, but I do also want to see some stability and not just flitting from one brief experience to another.

Again, I don’t think it’s hopeless for you, but if things don’t work out for you this cycle, my advice would be to keep trying to get more vet experience and also thoroughly research the schools and apply very smartly to places where you meet all minimums and that will actually consider the entirety of your app.

 

[wooperlooper]

Why did you choose the schools you chose? I don’t think things are hopeless for you by any means, but I don’t think all of these schools were optimal choices based upon your stats. Western, Midwestern, and Oregon all have a minimum science GPA requirement of 3.0, and you’re below that so you have essentially donated your application fees there since you’re below it; minimum requirements aren’t suggestions they’re firm cutoffs. Oklahoma State makes initial cuts based upon GPA when choosing who to interview; I don’t know that a 3.1 cumulative would be high enough to get an interview, but they do also factor in last 45…you say upward trend but do you mean really high like 3.8-4.0 or just slightly better? But OkStates selection criteria is like 75% based on GPA. Kansas State’s selection criteria is 60% academics according to their website so you may struggle there, especially with slightly below average experiences too. Iowa is probably a decent choice since they don’t interview and academics are 45% of the selection criteria. CSU is one of the more holistic schools too, but they also get lots of applications. And I don’t know enough about the newer schools to assess your chances at those.

I think the unfortunate situation is that many schools make initial cuts based on GPA and they’re just never going to look beyond that to see other experiences. Their process is their process. When your stats are below average, you really need to research the schools and find those that don’t do initial cuts based solely on GPA. Also find those that prioritize/factor in last 45 too, if your last 45 is higher than your cumulatives. That way, you maximize your chances at getting noticed for your other experiences, but your other experiences are also on the lower side too. 600 hours is nothing to scoff at by any means, but much of your competition will likely have more. Breadth of experience is also usually good, but I do also want to see some stability and not just flitting from one brief experience to another.

Again, I don’t think it’s hopeless for you, but if things don’t work out for you this cycle, my advice would be to keep trying to get more vet experience and also thoroughly research the schools and apply very smartly to places where you meet all minimums and that will actually consider the entirety of your app.

Thank you for taking the time to respond! I appreciate what you told me about GPA cutoffs and school selection. I did try and focus on holistic schools such as U of A, LMU, Texas, Colorado, and WSU will look at me as a in state.

I didn't realize my science GPA would calculate below a 3.0 until my VMCAS was verified. I thought it would be closer to my overall. I also just applied to schools I know have admitted people from my undergraduate institution before. My institution is well known for pre-vet. I also had the support of my parents who helped finance applications and encouraged me to apply a lot of places.

Even if things don't go my way this cycle my senior year grades are already better and I plan on working in a veterinary clinic.
My upward trend sadly is not that high because I did not start improving until the last semester of my junior year, that is when I got the right medical help. If I re-apply though I think it will be more obvious.

Thank you for your perspective! I really appreciate the honesty.