Were you accepted with an imperfect transcript/GPA?

[sambone]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Some of us future applicants are concerned about getting into vet school with minor/major blemishes on otherwise strong transcripts. Did any of you acceptees have this situation to overcome? Mind telling us about it? (I ask because I'm doomed to get a B- in my physiology class, and hoping for some inspiration!)

 

[tygris]

If a B- in physio is your only blemish, I wouldn't be too horribly concerned about it. If you have C's in your sciences, that's a bigger problem. I had a few of 'em... and it took me 3 years of applications to get in (and a 4.0 M.S. in Biology didn't hurt me, either).
With the experience I had, my undergrad GPA (esp. science GPA) was not what it needed to be for me to be a competitive applicant. But to make up for that, I did the following:
1) Expected 3-4 years of applications to get in, and committed myself to that from the start.
2) Got a ton of experience in vet med/animal-related fields/research in a variety of environments (small animal, horse hospital, exotics, wildlife, zoo, etc.).
3) Started a 2-year M.S. program in Biology and got straight A's, and focused my thesis research on an animal-related field (reproductive endocrinology in captive cheetahs).
4) Made sure my GRE scores were way above average - I took them 3 times to make sure of this.
So if you have weaker grades, make sure to have good GRE scores and experience. If you have really bad blemishes in your academic record, consider some of the international schools that aren't as ridiculous as US schools about straight A's or consider starting a graduate program.
Hope that helped!

Some of us future applicants are concerned about getting into vet school with minor/major blemishes on otherwise strong transcripts. Did any of you acceptees have this situation to overcome? Mind telling us about it? (I ask because I'm doomed to get a B- in my physiology class, and hoping for some inspiration!)

 

[hmarie05]

Some of us future applicants are concerned about getting into vet school with minor/major blemishes on otherwise strong transcripts. Did any of you acceptees have this situation to overcome? Mind telling us about it? (I ask because I'm doomed to get a B- in my physiology class, and hoping for some inspiration!)

DO NOT worry about it. I was accepted into a couple of schools this year on my first application cycle (I've decided to go to Davis) and I had not one, but TWO C's on my transcript. I had reasons for them, but chose not to explain them at all on my applications. The point is, I majorly stepped it up after those two grades and my transcripts showed major improvement, and my overall GPA was still very good. I also scored pretty high on my GREs which I think helped as well. SO don't get discouraged at all!! I am proof that vet schools will still want you with "imperfect" grades!!!

 

[chickenboo]

Me too--I had two C's on my transcripts, and a few B's, and I got in my first app cycle to 3 schools. My boyfriend had it even worse than me--overall about 3.3 GPA, with 2 C's in fairly important science classes (genetics and physiology) and a bunch of B's, but he also got accepted to 3 schools his first apps cycle (including UCD). We both had high GRE scores, and he had TONS of experience and great, great letters. (I had a bunch of experience and, probably, good letters (never got to read 'em), but not as much/good as his). So it definitely can be done.

 

[adenovirus]

FEAR NOT! Take heart, for here is your inspiration: I had like a 2.0 GPA for my 1st two years of college (just wanted a liberal arts degree--absolutely hated school). And then after switching to biology as my major, I had 2 C+'s in organic lecture series, a C- in an intro Biology course (took me some time to adjust to college science courses--actually having to study--was a new concept for me), B- in calculus, and C in an animal behavior class. I did a MS degree in Vet. Pathobiology and did well there. Didn't get in on my first try though, but persistence and maturity pay off. This year got into Michigan State Univ. (as out of stater) and Western, too. So don't sweat a few C's. Also very average GRE scores.

Adeno

 

[LynnKat]

Another vote not to let the B- worry you . I had a C+ and a D on my transcript which otherwise had A's and high B's. They were from freshmen year and I retook them as postbacc classes, but they still got averaged into my science GPA. With these, I applied to 7 schools, 5 of which interviewed. I was invited to interview at 4 places. I recieved 3 acceptances, 2 rejections and withdrew two applications, because I already was in to my top choices, so I wouldn't even blink at a B-, especially if your GPA is high, you have good GRE's and good experience.

 

[Miranda]

Me too! I even had a C- in an intro greography course. It all added up to a 3.12 and I'm in! Did take me three times, but the first two times I only applied to one school (Tufts). No worries, you can make up for almost anything with good and varied experience (and good GRE's certainly help!!!), and a little persistance. I did have one interviewer mention how I had "handicapped" myself, which made me feel a little out of my league.... But I got into that school (Kansas State) despite that!

🙂
Miranda

 

[AbbeyRoad]

yep, i had two C's as well - one in General Chemistry and one in Biochemistry lab- and I had a lot of B's too! but my overall GPA was pretty good. Do not worry! C's are not the end! 🙂

 

[HorseyVet]

Me too! I even had a C- in an intro greography course. It all added up to a 3.12 and I'm in! Did take me three times, but the first two times I only applied to one school (Tufts). No worries, you can make up for almost anything with good and varied experience (and good GRE's certainly help!!!), and a little persistance. I did have one interviewer mention how I had "handicapped" myself, which made me feel a little out of my league.... But I got into that school (Kansas State) despite that!

What was he/she referring to by "handicapped" yourself...your gpa or something else?

just curious

 

[Ladydvm]

Definitely don't worry about the B-. I was accepted (as a first time applicant) with a C in Physics. My GPA (last 45hrs and science) are about average for my state school (3.6/3.7), but from my first semester I've shown a positive academic trend and have worked hard to increase my GPA every semester. I also scored very high on my GRE.

Short of it is, most applicants have that bad semester. As long as you don't let it shake you, and work on improving yourself, it shouldn't be a problem. And as everyone else has said, experience and good GRE scores help wonders. 😉

Good-luck!

 

[sambone]

Thanks everyone! Doing the postbacc thing has made me a little crazy - it feels like I've got absolutely no room for error. And reading this forum usually makes me even more psycho and obsessive about applying, thanks to the superhuman stats I've seen posted during the last few months! But Im definitely feeling much better now. Congrats on all your acceptances!

 

[HorseyVet]

I just thought of something that happened to me that's relavent to this thread.

In one of my interviews...I was asked about a B- in a vet prereq, it was the lowest grade I had gotten in like 3 years....also I was taking some 17 other credits which were all A/A-.... also 4 of the other classes had the name "animal" directly in their title...

The interviewer was like "so you got this B- here......." and then just kinda trailed off....I told him, jokingly, the class wasn't worth the absrud energy needed to get an A and that all my other courses were a million times more interesting. I started listing the courses and he sort of interupted, aknowledged what I was saying, agreed with me, and then sort of brought up the B- again, like he wanted a magical reason for this one grade...my gpa for the quarter was still over a 3.7...

...it was sort of strange...I thoughted they'd focus on the bounty of crappy old grades, not the one crappy recent one

Anyway, be prepared to talk about any blemishes

 

[sulcatta]

Hi everybody,

I myself did not have the best grades and applied 4 times. I was able to receive interviews 2 times but came up short both times. After reading about everybody's experience it is clear to me that I will definitely need to get a masters or do some post bac work. I think the GRE's saved my butt big time but
I wouldnt worry about the B- too much if your overall gpa was good.

 

[youthman]

Thanks everyone! Doing the postbacc thing has made me a little crazy - it feels like I've got absolutely no room for error. And reading this forum usually makes me even more psycho and obsessive about applying, thanks to the superhuman stats I've seen posted during the last few months! But Im definitely feeling much better now. Congrats on all your acceptances!

Well the post-bacc thing is a little different - you do have much less room for error. At this point you should be more mature and focused on what you want. Not saying a B- would kill you but you have to weigh in your previous GPA and if it's not that great, than post-bacc is your only chance to prove that you ARE capable.

 

[mokadet]

My GPA is also on the low end (3.2) and I'm in my second year of applying. I'm currently on 2 waiting lists and hoping to get in off of those, but at the same time I'm thinkinig about my other options.

Something I'm thinking about that hasn't really been mentioned on this thread is changing residency. I'm currently a Virginia resident. VA-MD, like all US vet schools, highly stresses GPA in their criteria for admittance. However, there are other schools that may be more willing to look at the bigger picture (ie - what was going on in your life during that one bad semester, what you did to improve, how your GRE scores compare to GPA, etc).

In any case, I have been interviewed as an out-of-state applicant both years I have applied at Tufts (even when I was not interviewed at VA-MD, my state school, last year). I am considering making the move to Massachusetts in order that next time I can compete in the in-state pool, which is about one third the size of the out-of-state pool.

Has anyone had success doing something like this? Are there negatives I'm not thinking about?

 

[youthman]

I'll let you know in a couple years if it was a successful move! I knew my previous in-state school was gonna be rough on applicants like me so I changed residency before ever applying. In your case you've already gotten interviewed twice, so definitely I think the move would not only improve your odds, but show how much you want to go to Tufts. As far as negatives, the biggest one is becoming a resident. Usually there are requirements like you have to live there 1 year while working and not taking more than a couple classes. It would suck BIG TIME if you did all that and they still found some reason to deny your residency. The other negative of course is that you give up your other state, which in your case I think you're already over that anyways. Best thing is to talk to a residency advisor at Tufts and have them tell you EXACTLY what the requirements are. When doing this I think a good back up plan is to be prepared to go out of the country, because if your residency is denied that's another year, if you get denied admission that's yet another year, etc...

 

[mokadet]

I talked to Patty at Tufts this morning about obtaining in-state status. They require one year of residency from the date of matriculation (verses date of application). Residency includes become a registered voter/driver and working in order to file state income taxes in spring of 2007. Also, as youthman mentioned, you are only allowed to take one class per semester while obtaining residency.

 

[LilBowWow]

as youthman mentioned, you are only allowed to take one class per semester while obtaining residency.

Huh? I don't get it. If you're paying to take classes, why can't you take more than one a semester? This makes no sense.

 

[verbal_kint]

many people go out of state for school, so school is the reason they are living there. If you're only taking one class, then you're working there too. You're more a resident in that sense.


Another reason why bad grades are brought up in interviews is because it's an easy question to ask and it's a good question to ask in order to see how the interviewee responds to it. Do they answer rudely? Do they try to make excuses? Do they start crying? etc.

Unless you have bad grades all around, I think they're mostly asking just to see how you repsond not really because they care all that much about one bad grade.

 

[LilBowWow]

many people go out of state for school, so school is the reason they are living there. If you're only taking one class, then you're working there too. You're more a resident in that sense.

Ah ha. That makes sense. Sort of. I have had a full-time job for several years now and with the exception of last semester have taken two classes a semester (including two summer classes last semester that each met five days a week and had a five weeks of overlap when they both met!)

I understand if you moved to a state and enrolled in a formal post-bac or Master's that might look fishy in terms of establishing residency, but if you're working full-time and enroll in individual classes at an area college that accepts open enrollment, I don't see why you shouldn't be allowed to take two classes if your schedule allows.

 

[mokadet]

The way Patty explained it to me was that during the year you are obtaining residency you must be "less than a half-time student" and apparently two classes is half-time so you can only take one.

To me the rule is a little weird too.

While researching I found this site that will tell you the requirements for every state:
http://www.collegeboard.com/about/association/international/residency.html

 

[UKYWildcat]

I think the point is that your purpose for relocating has to look like it wasn't for school. I think it may be worth the gamble but know that they can deny you for pretty much any reason. I know the school in question is Tufts but I've been an Ohio resident (according to the state) for six years. Ohio State sill considers me a non-resident, however. I've filed residency requirement paperwork 3 or 4 times and have been denied each time. I've had a full time job in Ohio since October 1999, registered voter, paid taxes, vehicle registration, residence leased in my name with all utilites in my name, no outside income to pay for any of it. The last reason they denied me for was because when I moved here I owned 3 horses, all leased to different people. They've all since been sold and they questioned why I had such a significant increase in my savings account during the year. I explained it and provided the bill of sale and registration transfers - still a no-go. I finally gave up since I'm an Ohio State CVM employee and they pay my tuition so I really don't care if they get clobbered with the $1500 nonresident fee, it still only costs me $9 to take two classes 🙂 I never intended to apply to Ohio State either, so that didn't concern me.

Keep in mind, though that every school is different. UK considers me a resident simply because I filed paperwork with them that had a Lexington address, no questions asked. Oh well.

 

[youthman]

I think the point is that your purpose for relocating has to look like it wasn't for school. I think it may be worth the gamble but know that they can deny you for pretty much any reason. I know the school in question is Tufts but I've been an Ohio resident (according to the state) for six years. Ohio State sill considers me a non-resident, however. I've filed residency requirement paperwork 3 or 4 times and have been denied each time. I've had a full time job in Ohio since October 1999, registered voter, paid taxes, vehicle registration, residence leased in my name with all utilites in my name, no outside income to pay for any of it. The last reason they denied me for was because when I moved here I owned 3 horses, all leased to different people. They've all since been sold and they questioned why I had such a significant increase in my savings account during the year. I explained it and provided the bill of sale and registration transfers - still a no-go. I finally gave up since I'm an Ohio State CVM employee and they pay my tuition so I really don't care if they get clobbered with the $1500 nonresident fee, it still only costs me $9 to take two classes 🙂 I never intended to apply to Ohio State either, so that didn't concern me.

Keep in mind, though that every school is different. UK considers me a resident simply because I filed paperwork with them that had a Lexington address, no questions asked. Oh well.

Wow, Ohio State sounds particularly difficult. Thanks for sharing that!

 

[miltonmcdougall]

Some of us future applicants are concerned about getting into vet school with minor/major blemishes on otherwise strong transcripts. Did any of you acceptees have this situation to overcome? Mind telling us about it? (I ask because I'm doomed to get a B- in my physiology class, and hoping for some inspiration!)

Really, if one B- is your worst flaw, I wouldn't lose sleep over it. I had a C+ in Organic I, and I got 2 acceptances (first time applicant). Just aim for a decently high biological and physical sciences GPA (3.6 and up), and try to get interesting and varied experiences. You'll be fine!!!

 

[tallycat00]

Ohio State made my life difficult for a while. I attended undergrad and am working on finishing my M.S. in Arizona currently, however, I have always voted in Ohio, paid taxes in Ohio, have an OH driver's license, etc. So for all legal purposes other than tuition, they consider me an OH resident. After sending in my app this year (applied as an OH resident), they made me jump through all sorts of hoops and I had to file a petition to reclaim my OH residency despite the fact I have never changed any of the above listed things in the six years I have been away from Ohio to attend school. In the end, the Ohio Board of Regents did re-grant me my Ohio residency before my interview at OSU. I've also heard that other schools make you file reclassification petitions if you left your home state to attend undergrad. Definitely keep this in mind when applying to schools too.