WCVM or UCVM C/O 2017

Started by LeilaFay
Veterinary Science Graduate Programs from U. of I.
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I would be interested in hearing responses too. I strongly considered enrolling in a master's program, but it would have been in equine science and technically veterinary-related. I figured working in a clinic and gaining exposure to other areas of practice would be the best use of my time. Are you debating about applying to other programs this app cycle?
 
Well potentially yes. I have all the class requirements for all professional programs, but the only thing I have to consider is the DAT (which I'm not sure if I'm into dentistry enough to even consider pursuing that.) But I know if I want to apply to medicine (and even pharmacy again) I should be looking into getting some direct shadowing experience as opposed to just knowledge gleaned and experience working in a different (veterinary) professional environment, and definitely some other volunteer experience that is more people oriented. Looking at a few masters programs, I haven't really found any that really snag my interest so far, although there are some up in Saskatoon that are animal related but non-clinical. Actually, one of the veterinarians I work with asked my why not apply to medicine, and that kind of got me thinking. Her daughter is a recent grad of the MD program. But again, this really just caters to my interest in medicine, and completely ignores my serious desire to work with animals, so I find myself facing a conundrum. I'm hoping someone else is having similar thoughts (or completely different ones too) that will help me make a decision.
 
I had considered a masters in Vet Med at UCVM. I did not get very far in the application/decisions. However, what I was looking into is their rotational degree. The first part is exploring different research interests to find something that fits with you, or a mentorship that fits well.
 
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So I dont know about you guys, but I am very jealous of all of the wcvm students who started this week! Hopefully that will be us one year from now!
At work last night a girl came in and she just started at wcvm this year and she said that she tried for 5 years before she got accepted and she finally moved to sask last year and got accepted! I was extremely excited to hear this since I just move to Saskatoon to do the same thing!
 
Yeah... I definitely feel the same about those who started. BUT I will say this - I'm also quite irritated about someone in that exact same position, because lots of people move here just to get in... and I've been wait listed several years now. So these people moving to SK, with no intentions of staying, are literally taking up positions of people like me who have been here and applying every year. This will be my fifth time applying too... so... it doesn't feel fair to see SK spots being filled by others. Just saying.
 
There are many people who will not even return to their home province. One in our class uprooted her whole family, despite her wishing to return to her home province of AB, she says she won't... That Sask and area will be where she stays, for her family's sake.

I know it's hard not to be bitter, by try and focus on the things you can control... What is it that's holding you back? No offense, but it is something about your application that just hasn't made the cut... So what are you going to do about it??
 
LeilaFay said:
There are many people who will not even return to their home province. One in our class uprooted her whole family, despite her wishing to return to her home province of AB, she says she won't... That Sask and area will be where she stays, for her family's sake.

I know it's hard not to be bitter, by try and focus on the things you can control... What is it that's holding you back? No offense, but it is something about your application that just hasn't made the cut... So what are you going to do about it??
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Oh I completely agree with you. I know there are some who will stay, and some who will go. It's just frustrating because it's competitive enough for everyone without the added stress of province hopping. What we really need is more options for veterinary medicine in Canada.
It's been a tough go for me because admissions hasn't really had anything to tell me the last 2 years except basically apply again. This year after speaking with Dr. Grahn I at least have some concrete path set for myself!
This just really struck a chord with me because of something personal that happened this year. I know I shouldn't be bitter, but it still stings because this is the career I want, and being wait listed again didn't make it any easier... Of course I'll get over it, but it's still pretty fresh.
 
Hopefully the advice Dr Grahn gave you helps for this cycle! What are you planning for the next few months?
 
frozen_canadian said:
No no we don't! The salaries are already poor enough, especially with the added competition from the UCalgary graduates. The last thing we need is even more veterinary graduates!
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More options doesn't necessarily have to equate to more graduates. For their skill sets and amount of knowledge, veterinarians are severely under-compensated! Right now as it stands though, if you live in AB you have the advantage of applying to two colleges to everyone else in the western provinces' one. Maybe in the face of a changing profession and growing populations its time for the colleges to re-think their admission policies? Just a thought. I'd be curious to hear more opinions either way...

LeilaFay said:
Hopefully the advice Dr Grahn gave you helps for this cycle! What are you planning for the next few months?
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Going back to university to take some of the other classes I had interest in but no time to take during my degree. I have a good amount of diverse animal/veterinary experience (and will add some more this year) but I think I can rock a better best full year than I had previously and get just a few more points in the academic portion of my application. I'm also planning on taking some interview coaching. He said my interview scores were good, but if I can improve even by a few points in both portions I should have the kick I need to get off the wait-list and into the class.
 
thenuttyclub said:
More options doesn't necessarily have to equate to more graduates. For their skill sets and amount of knowledge, veterinarians are severely under-compensated! Right now as it stands though, if you live in AB you have the advantage of applying to two colleges to everyone else in the western provinces' one. Maybe in the face of a changing profession and growing populations its time for the colleges to re-think their admission policies? Just a thought. I'd be curious to hear more opinions either way...
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What I find interesting is the limitation of options through the residency requirements. Last summer I was working at my undergrad (Univ. of Minnesota) for the summer and an email came to the head of the agriculture dept that OVC was looking for more American applicants. From how they worded their email, they didn't have enough to fill their International seats and since they're charging a lot more, were encouraging any qualified American students to apply for the incoming class. And this was in the middle of June. So if we're having issues filling the international quota of students, why are the seats not opened up to the rest of the country at the same cost? Just something I thought of when you mentioned the number of schools that each province can apply to.
 
thenuttyclub said:
Going back to university to take some of the other classes I had interest in but no time to take during my degree. I have a good amount of diverse animal/veterinary experience (and will add some more this year) but I think I can rock a better best full year than I had previously and get just a few more points in the academic portion of my application. I'm also planning on taking some interview coaching. He said my interview scores were good, but if I can improve even by a few points in both portions I should have the kick I need to get off the wait-list and into the class.
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Sounds like a good plan. If you can rock out a perfect year it will definitely help!

My guess is in my circumstance I was on the lower end for grades, but I did really well in my interview, and definitely felt a huge improvement from the previous two. I had two people "quiz" me. Not on just veterinary issues, but those same questions that come up in job interviews.

It felt so good to be asked a question where I thought "oh, I have a pre-formed answer to this question! Let's just pull that out here..." so I think the practice interviews may give you the same thing it did for me.

Good luck in your classes! Do you start this week?
 
I think one thing that should possibly be considered is taking the top 80 or however many they take from the western provinces instead of dividing up the provinces and taking the top 20 from each. I think it could possibly improve the average ability of the vets-to-be. I dont know if I am explaining what I am trying to say correctly haha I have just heard from past years that it can be a bit disappointing sometimes when there are say 40 amazing applicants from one province but they can only take 20 and there are only 5 amazing applicants from another province but they need to take 20...saying this, I am also glad they do not do this because it would definitely alter many people's chances of getting in.
It would also be nice if they would take grades less into consideration...I am one of the many people who have great experience etc but my grades are holding me back
...it is how it is! haha
 
yeah, ideally things would work out that way 🙁 might prove tricky with any provincial government contributions though.
 
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Here's some food for thought...

We just had someone drop out, and we're getting someone new starting Monday.

If you got that call, having to start two weeks into the semester... Or how about longer? One class has had 8 people drop in the first month...

Could you, and would you do it??
 
LeilaFay said:
Here's some food for thought...

We just had someone drop out, and we're getting someone new starting Monday.

If you got that call, having to start two weeks into the semester... Or how about longer? One class has had 8 people drop in the first month...

Could you, and would you do it??
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I think it'd be super scary to just be thrown into it..two weeks behind in a normal degree program would be tough, let alone the DVM program or any professional program that moves at such a fast pace and has so much content jam packed into it..not only that but having to find a place to live and move within a couple days notice would be so nerve-wracking. But at the same time, how do you turn down that opportunity? Ah! I don't know, it would be so scary and exciting all at the same time, I don't know what I would think if presented with the offer.

What province was this person from? I wonder what the reason was...I hope it wasn't that they weren't expecting it to be a lot of work/challenging/etc. because that's pretty much a given and you have to, at least, be expecting it.
 
dls116 said:
I think it'd be super scary to just be thrown into it..two weeks behind in a normal degree program would be tough, let alone the DVM program or any professional program that moves at such a fast pace and has so much content jam packed into it..not only that but having to find a place to live and move within a couple days notice would be so nerve-wracking. But at the same time, how do you turn down that opportunity? Ah! I don't know, it would be so scary and exciting all at the same time, I don't know what I would think if presented with the offer.

What province was this person from? I wonder what the reason was...I hope it wasn't that they weren't expecting it to be a lot of work/challenging/etc. because that's pretty much a given and you have to, at least, be expecting it.
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I think Alberta. I still don't know all my classmates!

I think she was home sick, having left her fiancé behind etc.

But agreed it would be nerve wracking! Especially if you turn it down, would it be offered the next year?? That's a risk too!
 
I hanging out with my friend and one of her friends last night and they mentioned it and she both thought she was from Manitoba. I would definitely take up the opportunity! No question! I would rather work my butt off catching up then having to go through the stress of applying and interviewing again! And from what I hear from my friend, most of the first week was review and getting everything settled and they didnt learn anything earth shattering and this past week was a short week (every day counts! haha) so I think it would be more catching up from one week...which would still be hard, but doable! That is going to be so exciting for who ever gets the call! Congrads to her/him!
 
I work with someone that knew someone from BC that was called late in a previous year. Supposedly she was given the option to defer to the next year? That would be ideal 🙂 If faced with re-applying, I would probably still take it. It would be incredibly difficult, but they wouldn't offer it if they didn't think a person could still catch up and be successful (one would hope). However, if deferring was an option, that would be my first choice.
 
This girl is deferring, but someone thought she was going to try for Calgary. Maybe I heard incorrectly, since I didn't know her myself.
 
Out of curiosity, I wonder which ranking she was at on the wait list. Looks like one less spot next year for AB if she deferred. 🙁
 
They actually increase the total number of students... So it doesn't take away from the 20 spots for the AB pool for that year.

Since we have a total of 80 students in our class.

Dr Grahn briefly went through it on our first day...

20 AB
20 BC
20 SK
15 MB
= 75

Plus
2 YK
1 deferral from years ago (there was supposed to be 2 I believe...)

And... Hmmm... The other 2 people I'm not sure!
 
Maybe NWT/Nunavut? Glad to know that they're just increasing the number 🙂 Mind you, that way they're still getting all of the tuition money, just averaged out haha.
 
AH! What a tough decision!! I did hear from my friend who got in this year that someone dropped out (although she did reluctantly tell me she wasn't from SK.) I'd definitely go... interviewing, waiting, panicking, and re-applying is so stressful!!! But realistically, if they don't think you'd be able to catch up on the material, they wouldn't be calling you. Being on the wait list before, I've asked and been told that it's only the first few weeks that are fair game for wait listers, but after that when things start getting heavy (and midterms start happening) they're not going to drag someone in and make them hope for the best. It's costly to put students through; they WANT you to succeed 🙂
 
That's sweet they let you defer as an option though! And just increase the class size the next year. I'd probably do that..
 
Hi everyone! I've been following the board for a year now and I've decided to jump in this year as the other thread was mighty insightful and helpful.

For those of us applying again to WCVM this year, their online application is open already! As for UCVM, it still says on their website to wait till October 2012 for applications to open.

Question for everyone, what are the perks and disadvantages of WORKING at a vet clinic, versus VOLUNTEERING/SHADOWING with a vet and vice versa?
 
aquatho said:
Question for everyone, what are the perks and disadvantages of WORKING at a vet clinic, versus VOLUNTEERING/SHADOWING with a vet and vice versa?
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If you're working at a clinic, especially full time, you are more likely to see cases from beginning to end. But it limits your variety, so if for example you are working small animal, try to shadow some large on your days off.

If you are shadowing, they may or may not teach you as much. It depends on the clinic really. If you've been shadowing at a clinic for a long time, it can be very beneficial. Who doesn't like free labour? As long as you have a great relationship you will still get what you need, a reference and the experience of learning the day to day life of a veterinarian.
 
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I almost found the job shadowing better (besides the fact that your putting in so many hours and not getting paid for it). I found with working I was assigned to some of the not so great jobs because I was not a technician. But when I job shadowed, the vets made sure I got to see the really cool cases and while I was watching they were able to teach me a lot. I think it really depends on the clinic.

Saying that, I think working at a vet clinic looks better on a resume cause in my mind it looks like you were the person able to "beat out" everyone else to get the job whereas multiple people can job shadow on different days etc.
 
Thanks LeilaFay and jumpergirl! I was thinking along the same lines as well, so it's good to hear my perspective on it is consistent.
 
Hey everyone!

Going into this next application round, I have a question that I thought I'd ask here before asking admissions.

So, last app, I had filled that "animal/veterinary experience" block to the maximum (200 words I think?). But, I also added the approximate dates that the experience lasted, and also an approx. hours. This year, I've added a couple new things. Do you think I should scrap the dates and hours? Since there's no way to verify that anyway other than through the interview, I figure they probably don't care about it. As long as it's a "significant" experience, it should show in the interview (hopefully if I get one).

So just to sum up this somewhat confusing question: Should I just list where I volunteered, and a brief description of what I did? If I omit time period and hours, I could probably fit in the new stuff I've added this year.

Unfortunately, none of my experience is actually paid, so none of it can go into the "employment" section.

Thanks for any responses 🙂
 
In my application I did not include any of the specific dates. I think it is more important to use the words to describe your experiences. Also I didnt put the amount of hours because if I remember correctly there is a box to include hours worked/volunteered.
 
I agree, I wouldn't include hours, but I would list the tasks you learned/experienced.

All of my interview questions seemed to relate back to my statement and not my animal related experience portion of my application.
 
Thanks guys! Was there a box that specified hours volunteered? I can't remember... Anyhow it sucks that I have to cram everything in to that tiny box. I'm dreading starting my application because I know it'll be difficult to fit it all in. I had the maximum words last year, and taking out dates and hours may only free up a small amount of space. I wish they had a structured form to fill out for volunteering, just like they do for employment.
 
Hey guys! So begins the exhausting journey for another round of applications! Hopefully this will be our year 🙂
 
maplegal said:
Hey guys! So begins the exhausting journey for another round of applications! Hopefully this will be our year 🙂
Click to expand...

Blah! I feel like I'm just a broken record; I'm trying to figure out a fresh approach to filling this bad boy out and it just isn't jiving yet. Such is the battle of the return applicant I guess! 😉 Anyone have any cool ideas for the statement? After so many applications I feel like I want something completely new and I just want to feel out what others might be doing.
 
It's so hard to make it interesting and exciting (while covering what you need to) with such a word limit....I don't think mine is going to end up being more than talking about my new experiences since last year.
 
Escalla said:
It's so hard to make it interesting and exciting (while covering what you need to) with such a word limit....I don't think mine is going to end up being more than talking about my new experiences since last year.
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I did that exact thing... Basically anything that Dr. Grahn mentioned in the letter on how to improve that I managed to accomplish, plus anything I had planned to do between application time and interview time. It also makes you accountable to those goals because they will ask about them in the interview.
 
So its been rather quiet on here...so I just thought I would share that I did my first CPR on a dog last week and it was quite exciting...and now I am once again trying to work on my application and I dont miss working on it at all! Third times a charm right!
 
Yeah... it has been pretty quiet on here. There's still so much time before applications are due though, so that's probably why. Otherwise, we're all a bunch of asocial hermits! So who's not working and who's taking classes? Anyone have anything exciting to share (other than CPR... which is exciting, but in the bad kind of way?)
 
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Hi guys,
Wondering if someone can answer a couple questions for me.
I am currently a student at UBC in the process of completing my per-veterinary requirements.
I completed the Animal Health Technology Program at Thompson Rivers University in 2010 and have been working as a RAHT for the last two years. I am now back in school to hopefully continue onto vet school.
My main concern is regarding my GPA. It has now been 4 years since I graduated high school, and I feel it is making it that much harder for me in my current courses, as I definitely do not remember everything from high school!
If I do not do as well in a course as I would like and I choose to retake that course, does this hinder my application in any way? Does it make it look bad??
Also does anyone know if they will take into consideration my GPA from when I attended TRU to complete my Animal Health Technology? Because my grades were high during those two years.
Thanks for any help or advice your able to give! 🙂
 
Does anyone know what type of stats are required to get an interview from the BC pool?
 
jestry said:
Does anyone know what type of stats are required to get an interview from the BC pool?
Click to expand...

I know what won't get you one 😉

Below a 3.3 is unlikely

Probably above a 3.6 would be my guess

I could probably ask the BC kids that got in
 
WesternHorseman said:
If I do not do as well in a course as I would like and I choose to retake that course, does this hinder my application in any way? Does it make it look bad??
Also does anyone know if they will take into consideration my GPA from when I attended TRU to complete my Animal Health Technology? Because my grades were high during those two years.
Thanks for any help or advice your able to give! 🙂
Click to expand...

With retakes I would check with Heather - I had one retake and eventually got accepted. UCVM allows one retake

If you're struggling A LOT seek help early from profs or consider a W and retake. A W won't affect your overall GPA.

TRU - my hunch says yes - again talk to Heather - some of those courses might transfer as pre-reqs? Might save you some time!
 
Not sure if it's changed since, but when I applied and re-took a course they weighted the initial mark and the second mark equally.
 
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