What are my chances? How can I do my best to improve my application to apply again

[Ivy2020]

Hi all! I am looking for some insight on how to improve my application for the class of 2025!
22 year old, Iowa resident, traditional applicant, 1st time applying for c/o2024 but also plan on re-applying for c/o 2025
I applied to Iowa State (IS), midwestern, LMU, WSU, and UF

I am currently waitlisted at Midwestern c/o 2024 but am trying to improve my app in case I never make it off the waitlist.

this next cycle I was thinking of applying to ISU, CSU, Midwestern, KSU, Missouri, NC state (I would need animal nutrition),

I may also apply to more than those schools but worried about my GRE score
LMU, Tufts, UM, Tennessee, Texas, UF
overall GPA: 3.42
Last 45: 3.64
Pre-req science: 3.5

GRE: (Q/V/W) 155, 155, 4 (not the best)

Degree: BS in Biology

Veterinary Experience:
- 40 hours SAgeneral practice job shadow that turned into a paid position below
- 2000+ small animal and exotic/avian general practice as a veterinary technician (Still working here) I’ve got to do a lot with this experience, including assisting with all kinds of surgeries (general, orthopedic, dental, spay/neuter, growth removal)
*** also I often get to assist with treatments for sick birds and reptiles

- 20 hours community outreach volunteer as a veterinary technician giving free vet care to underprivileged communities

NEWLY ADDED and working on experience with a vet:
- 80 hours large animal job shadow primarily with cattle and pigs
- 10 hours Equine job shadow (but scheduled for 40 total hours and planning on getting more)

Animal Experience:
- 50 hours volunteer as a veterinary technician and animal caretaker at an animal rescue (no vet)

NEW ANIMAL EXPERIENCE:
- 100 hours volunteer at a horse rescue and barn doing general barn cleaning, general horse care and behavior/positive reinforcement training with abused and rescued horses
- includes general care of chickens, pigs, goats etc.
- I’ll also keep volunteering here throughout the summer and get 100+ more hours hopefully

Research:
Undergraduate semester research in physiology primarily doing muscle strength in injury prevention (knee injuries, ACL tear, etc.)

Extracurriculars/Awards
-4000+ hours 4 years of competitive college soccer/ 4 years varsity letter winner
- Academic All Conference x2
- Stormathon/ Dance marathon Executive Board Member: raising money for children’s miracle network hospital for 2 years
- Deans List (3.7+) my last 3 semesters of undergrad
- 4 year varsity letter winner for high school soccer
- 1 year honorable mention for High school soccer performance
- the next year I got 2nd team all conference for high school soccer performance
- Member of FCCLA (Family Career and Community Leaders of America)

Non-Animal Employment:
- Waitress at local pizza restaurant (sophomore year to current) 2000 hours
- Copy Center assistant at my undergrad institution (work study) Freshman - junior year 800 hours
- Food server at horse track and casino (freshman year of undergrad) 900 hours
- Corn Detasseler/ Team leader all 4 years of high school (hard work!!)

** I had to work a lot through my undergrad to support myself, bills, and tuition. Including also working at the SA animal clinic, I often was working 3 jobs at once including my full time commitment to soccer.


I’m mostly wondering if I should retake some classes online and take more classes to apply to more schools. I can also plan on scheduling more job shadows particularly with Equine vets since I have a new interest in horses. I have just had a hard time finding vets to shadow.

- I am also trying to get exotic animal hours by applying to a job at my local zoo or even becoming a volunteer at the zoo
- I applied for an internship at a different zoo but they cancelled for 2020 due to covid so my application got pushed back for spring of 2021

Any recommendation or tips on further improving my app in a short period of time? Since the app is due late august? Am I on the right track?
Do I have a good chance for the next application cycle?

** so many questions: but I was also wondering if I should send updates to Midwestern since I’ve added new experiences to increase my chances of getting ofthe waitlist.

thanks so much for any advice!(Sorry for the long post)

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[MixedAnimals77]

On phone so not going to do super indepth, but did you do file reviews with the previous schools? They are the BEST source on how to improve your application, especially when talking about why you weren't accepted to your IS.
I think you've added value to your application with the vet and animal experience expansion.
Your GRE is about average-many schools are waving GRE for this cycle because COVID.
I'm not sure with your last 45 and science GPA that retaking classes will necessarily be super beneficial in making a huge dent in your cGPA
PS Texas has a totally separate application from VMCAS and take few OOS from my understanding.

 

[Ivy2020]

On phone so not going to do super indepth, but did you do file reviews with the previous schools? They are the BEST source on how to improve your application, especially when talking about why you weren't accepted to your IS.
I think you've added value to your application with the vet and animal experience expansion.
Your GRE is about average-many schools are waving GRE for this cycle because COVID.
I'm not sure with your last 45 and science GPA that retaking classes will necessarily be super beneficial in making a huge dent in your cGPA
PS Texas has a totally separate application from VMCAS and take few OOS from my understanding.

Thanks for your feedback! I did not know that about Texas. I’m thinking about retaking bio 2 since that is weighing down my pre req GPA and May help my last 45 a little bit.
I will also have to take classes anyway if I don’t get off the waitlist to defer my loans for the year.
But fingers crossed! 🙂

 

[WonderingStudent]

Any recommendation or tips on further improving my app in a short period of time? Since the app is due late august? Am I on the right track?
Do I have a good chance for the next application cycle?

** so many questions: but I was also wondering if I should send updates to Midwestern since I’ve added new experiences to increase my chances of getting ofthe waitlist.

When I've spoken to Midwestern, admissions encouraged sending them updates and showing continued interest in the program when you are on the waitlist/alternate list.

Continuing to add more diverse experiences to your application will definitely help. Part of the advice that I received from an application review from Penn was that you can add expected experience hours that you will gain in the next year (the amount of hours you will accrue after you have already submitted your application) which may help.

 

[Ivy2020]

This was really helpful! Thank you!

I have been a little worried that even adding these new experiences still won’t get me in to my in state ISU (or OOS) for the next cycle.

I was thinking of trying to apply to my local zoo for additional positions that are available as well or even continuing to get more hours shadowing large animal vets