what are my chances or should I take a GAP year

[FirstgenMex]

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Hi y'all I'm hoping for some advice on whether to apply this cycle or take a gap year and improved my application this would be my 3rd time applying.

B.S in Biology
Master's degree in Biology (not finished)

Combining my undergrad and masters GPA here are the following stats
cumulative GPA:3.2
Science GPA:3.36
Last 45 units 3.77
I did retake 2 classes physiology C -> B and bio chem C- -> A during my master's degree

veterinary experience
2000 hours at a general practice started as kennel and now veterinary assistant

Animal
150 hours handling bird for my research in avian malaria


Research
Worked with birds to study avian malaria and researching a virus that is associated with the parasite that causes malaria. Currently finishing up a paper to get published in about 6 months

Currently assistant on a research paper by making figures so might get a spot on the paper

Extracurricular:
I'm a volleyball coach that has helped many individuals learn the sport
Motorcyclist enthusiast who has taught people to ride a motorcycle and drive safely
Did a fellowship that awarded me 10,000 dollars to help out the community

Don't know if this helps my case but aim undocumented with no legal protection came here as a kid and first in my family to attend and graduate collegenso I was thinking of talking about this when for the holistic question that some schools offer.

What do you guys think I should do any feedback is highly appreciated!

 

[JaynaAli]

Your cumulative GPA may hold you back some, but an upward trend with a strong last 45 will help make you more competitive if you can get past an initial cut. More diversity in vet experience certainly wouldn’t hurt, but you do have a good number of experience hours and good research hours. There have been several posts in this forum lately about how different schools handle masters degrees, so I’d encourage you to read those carefully and be sure you know a school will consider your masters. Some care more than others and others focus more on prerequisites from undergrad.

One thing I would also encourage you to look into further (if you haven’t already; you probably have) is how your immigration status may impact future opportunity to get a license to practice upon graduation. I’d hate for you spend so much time and money pursuing a degree you can’t put into use in the end. I know my state requires you to be a citizen or present documents like an I94, alien registration card, passport, etc. I’m hoping there are other states that are more friendly toward people in your situation and licensing wouldn’t be an issue, but be sure you have looked into it before investing four years and hundreds of thousands of dollars. I hope that isn’t a barrier, but I worry it might be.

Specifically in regards to a gap year, I don’t know that it would help or hurt you. I mean more experience never hurts, but your main barrier is going to be your cumulative GPA. It’s not hopelessly low, but it is below average in the vet admissions world for sure. If you can improve that in a gap year then in might be worth it, but if your GPA is what it will be, I don’t know that a gap year would add a lot to your app.

 

[FirstgenMex]

Your cumulative GPA may hold you back some, but an upward trend with a strong last 45 will help make you more competitive if you can get past an initial cut. More diversity in vet experience certainly wouldn’t hurt, but you do have a good number of experience hours and good research hours. There have been several posts in this forum lately about how different schools handle masters degrees, so I’d encourage you to read those carefully and be sure you know a school will consider your masters. Some care more than others and others focus more on prerequisites from undergrad.

One thing I would also encourage you to look into further (if you haven’t already; you probably have) is how your immigration status may impact future opportunity to get a license to practice upon graduation. I’d hate for you spend so much time and money pursuing a degree you can’t put into use in the end. I know my state requires you to be a citizen or present documents like an I94, alien registration card, passport, etc. I’m hoping there are other states that are more friendly toward people in your situation and licensing wouldn’t be an issue, but be sure you have looked into it before investing four years and hundreds of thousands of dollars. I hope that isn’t a barrier, but I worry it might be.

Specifically in regards to a gap year, I don’t know that it would help or hurt you. I mean more experience never hurts, but your main barrier is going to be your cumulative GPA. It’s not hopelessly low, but it is below average in the vet admissions world for sure. If you can improve that in a gap year then in might be worth it, but if your GPA is what it will be, I don’t know that a gap year would add a lot to your app.

Thank you so much for the reply I forgot to put on my post the school im thinking of applying aim limited due to my status but here is the list
Colorado State
Kansas State
Michigan state
Louisiana State
Oregon State
Davis
Minnesota
Tennesse
Western U and
Washington state