What are my chances?

[csequine]

Since you're IS for ISU, I actually think that you have a pretty fair shot! I was admitted back in 2016 with GPAs similar to yours, and I was also considered an Iowa resident for application purposes at the time. Also, if you take a look at the average admitted stats for previous classes, you'll see that ISU consistently tends to have lower average GPAs than most other US vet schools; this is, I imagine, mostly a result of the somewhat unorthodox way that science GPA is calculated. Hopefully that helps you feel a little bit better about your chances.

Thank you for your reply! Definitely makes me feel a little better. My app was just verified, I found out my science GPA is 3.41. Not as bad as I had predicted, so I am cautiously hopeful. If I get waitlisted I will be happy, lol!

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[SkiOtter]

Thank you for your reply! Definitely makes me feel a little better. My app was just verified, I found out my science GPA is 3.41. Not as bad as I had predicted, so I am cautiously hopeful. If I get waitlisted I will be happy, lol!

Just an FYI, some schools will calculate their own science GPA and don’t use the one vmcas calculates. I know ISU is one of them that does. They list on their website what gets calculated into their science GPA.

 

[csequine]

Just an FYI, some schools will calculate their own science GPA and don’t use the one vmcas calculates. I know ISU is one of them that does. They list on their website what gets calculated into their science GPA.

I read that too on a different thread, I *think* I did it correctly.

 

[crazyshibalady]

First year applicant, FL resident, 24 years old.
Applied to: Midwestern, Colorado State, Michigan State, Minnesota

Main concerns: GPA and GRE obviously... Just need some more insight on how to make my app stronger besides the obvious academic part.

GPA:
Cum: 3.09
Science: 3.45
Last 45: 3.25
Last 36: 3.33 (Michigan uses this one instead of last 45)

GRE: 144V/148Q/4.0W (I know, I suck at those things)

Veterinary Experience:
Veterinary Assistant at SA clinic: 4000 hrs
Practice Manager at SA clinic: 5000 hrs (currently still working in this position)
Veterinary Assistant/Shadowing LA (racing horses): 50 hrs
Attended Conference (attended lectures and wet labs taught my vets): 10 hrs

Animal Experience:
Volunteer at Feline Rescue: 8 hrs
Pet Sitting: 100 hrs
Worked at dog grooming/boutique: 1750 hrs

Extracurricular:
Travel Soccer team (Parkland)
High School soccer team

Non-Animal Employment:
Bartender: 450 hrs
Barista: 7000 hrs

Volunteer Non-Animal:
Nursing home: 12 hrs
Alliance for Eating Disorders Walk/Awareness: 5 hrs
Women's Club of Coconut Creek various activities: 100 hrs
St. Mary's Catholic Church: 20 hrs
Camp Counselor: 240 hrs

Awards:
Deans list
Gold Graduation Cord (High School)
Florida Bright Futures Scholarship
Women's Club of Coconut Creek Scholarship

LOR’s: Veterinarian/Board Certified Surgeon SA, Chemistry Professor, Veterinarian SA

 

[SkiOtter]

I read that too on a different thread, I *think* I did it correctly.

Cool cool
I thought you were just looking through the GPAs on the verified vmcas app. Because I know ISU doesnt use that one and calculates their own. Also, ISU doesnt initially include any summer courses from this past summer in their calculations but they DO eventually update it after the fall semester to include summer and fall grades and before decisions go out, so if the initial one you see on the portal isn’t what you calculated and you took summer classes, that’s probably why.

 

[SkiOtter]

First year applicant, FL resident, 24 years old.
Applied to: Midwestern, Colorado State, Michigan State, Minnesota

Main concerns: GPA and GRE obviously... Just need some more insight on how to make my app stronger besides the obvious academic part.

GPA:
Cum: 3.09
Science: 3.45
Last 45: 3.25
Last 36: 3.33 (Michigan uses this one instead of last 45)

GRE: 144V/148Q/4.0W (I know, I suck at those things)

Veterinary Experience:
Veterinary Assistant at SA clinic: 4000 hrs
Practice Manager at SA clinic: 5000 hrs (currently still working in this position)
Veterinary Assistant/Shadowing LA (racing horses): 50 hrs
Attended Conference (attended lectures and wet labs taught my vets): 10 hrs

Animal Experience:
Volunteer at Feline Rescue: 8 hrs
Pet Sitting: 100 hrs
Worked at dog grooming/boutique: 1750 hrs

Extracurricular:
Travel Soccer team (Parkland)
High School soccer team

Non-Animal Employment:
Bartender: 450 hrs
Barista: 7000 hrs

Volunteer Non-Animal:
Nursing home: 12 hrs
Alliance for Eating Disorders Walk/Awareness: 5 hrs
Women's Club of Coconut Creek various activities: 100 hrs
St. Mary's Catholic Church: 20 hrs
Camp Counselor: 240 hrs

Awards:
Deans list
Gold Graduation Cord (High School)
Florida Bright Futures Scholarship
Women's Club of Coconut Creek Scholarship

LOR’s: Veterinarian/Board Certified Surgeon SA, Chemistry Professor, Veterinarian SA

FYI, Colorado State is very academic heavy. What’s your reasoning for choosing there?

 

[MixedAnimals77]

First year applicant, FL resident, 24 years old.
Applied to: Midwestern, Colorado State, Michigan State, Minnesota

Main concerns: GPA and GRE obviously... Just need some more insight on how to make my app stronger besides the obvious academic part.

GPA:
Cum: 3.09
Science: 3.45
Last 45: 3.25
Last 36: 3.33 (Michigan uses this one instead of last 45)

GRE: 144V/148Q/4.0W (I know, I suck at those things)

Veterinary Experience:
Veterinary Assistant at SA clinic: 4000 hrs
Practice Manager at SA clinic: 5000 hrs (currently still working in this position)
Veterinary Assistant/Shadowing LA (racing horses): 50 hrs
Attended Conference (attended lectures and wet labs taught my vets): 10 hrs

Animal Experience:
Volunteer at Feline Rescue: 8 hrs
Pet Sitting: 100 hrs
Worked at dog grooming/boutique: 1750 hrs

Extracurricular:
Travel Soccer team (Parkland)
High School soccer team

Non-Animal Employment:
Bartender: 450 hrs
Barista: 7000 hrs

Volunteer Non-Animal:
Nursing home: 12 hrs
Alliance for Eating Disorders Walk/Awareness: 5 hrs
Women's Club of Coconut Creek various activities: 100 hrs
St. Mary's Catholic Church: 20 hrs
Camp Counselor: 240 hrs

Awards:
Deans list
Gold Graduation Cord (High School)
Florida Bright Futures Scholarship
Women's Club of Coconut Creek Scholarship

LOR’s: Veterinarian/Board Certified Surgeon SA, Chemistry Professor, Veterinarian SA

My biggest piece of advice. Choose where you pick carefully! CSU states one their website: " Given the size of the applicant pool, applications with a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or lower will undergo an early screening process for evidence of the candidate's ability to handle a rigorous upper division biomedical sciences curriculum. Some candidates will move forward, those who do not meet expectations will be denied."
Otherwise work on more diversified vet hours (more LA,exotics, etc) Try to get more diversified animal experience as well. I'll admit it looks like you have an uphill battle, but apply smartly and be open to file reviews if you get rejections. Schools give the most useful feedback.
ETA: I reread and saw you already submitted after I had typed most of this...so yeah

 

[crazyshibalady]

FYI, Colorado State is very academic heavy. What’s your reasoning for choosing there?

Did a lot of searching before actually applying there. I am aware of the posting they have on their site about the few amount of applicants that are admitted with lower GPA's. However I have also seen in previous years and lots of searching on here that they tend to like upward trends for GPA which I have significantly improved (took a two year gap and went back to school last Spring to finish pre-reqs). Also, Colorado is beautiful and I have heard such great things about their curriculum.

 

[crazyshibalady]

My biggest piece of advice. Choose where you pick carefully! CSU states one their website: " Given the size of the applicant pool, applications with a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or lower will undergo an early screening process for evidence of the candidate's ability to handle a rigorous upper division biomedical sciences curriculum. Some candidates will move forward, those who do not meet expectations will be denied."
Otherwise work on more diversified vet hours (more LA,exotics, etc) Try to get more diversified animal experience as well. I'll admit it looks like you have an uphill battle, but apply smartly and be open to file reviews if you get rejections. Schools give the most useful feedback.
ETA: I reread and saw you already submitted after I had typed most of this...so yeah

Yeah for sure I am aware that CSU does not admit a lot of applicants with my type of GPA so that one may be kind of a long shot. But as I said to SkiOtter, I know they tend to appreciate trending upward GPA's at least. It is a little more difficult to get large animal experience in south florida unfortunately but exotic experience could be done for sure. Thanks for the reply and advice!!

 

[DVMoftheFuture]

First year applicant, FL resident, 24 years old.
Applied to: Midwestern, Colorado State, Michigan State, Minnesota

Main concerns: GPA and GRE obviously... Just need some more insight on how to make my app stronger besides the obvious academic part.

GPA:
Cum: 3.09
Science: 3.45
Last 45: 3.25
Last 36: 3.33 (Michigan uses this one instead of last 45)

GRE: 144V/148Q/4.0W (I know, I suck at those things)

Veterinary Experience:
Veterinary Assistant at SA clinic: 4000 hrs
Practice Manager at SA clinic: 5000 hrs (currently still working in this position)
Veterinary Assistant/Shadowing LA (racing horses): 50 hrs
Attended Conference (attended lectures and wet labs taught my vets): 10 hrs

Animal Experience:
Volunteer at Feline Rescue: 8 hrs
Pet Sitting: 100 hrs
Worked at dog grooming/boutique: 1750 hrs

Extracurricular:
Travel Soccer team (Parkland)
High School soccer team

Non-Animal Employment:
Bartender: 450 hrs
Barista: 7000 hrs

Volunteer Non-Animal:
Nursing home: 12 hrs
Alliance for Eating Disorders Walk/Awareness: 5 hrs
Women's Club of Coconut Creek various activities: 100 hrs
St. Mary's Catholic Church: 20 hrs
Camp Counselor: 240 hrs

Awards:
Deans list
Gold Graduation Cord (High School)
Florida Bright Futures Scholarship
Women's Club of Coconut Creek Scholarship

LOR’s: Veterinarian/Board Certified Surgeon SA, Chemistry Professor, Veterinarian SA

If you're not looking at raising your GPA or re-taking the GRE, I'd say apply smarter next time, if there is a next time. Pick schools that don't look at the GRE (VA-MD, Purdue, Michigan). Pick schools that don't focus on cumulative GPA (Michigan, Iowa, Illinois [maybe, there's also definitely more but anatomy has drained my brain]). Of the schools you picked this cycle, I'd say Michigan and Midwestern were smart choices. At the moment, your last 45 is showing an upward trend, yes, but it's not a great/very strong upward trend, so idk if Colorado State was a smart choice. Taking some additional courses, even super easy non-science courses to bring up your last 45 GPA would probably help. I'd also suggest getting LA or exotics vet experience if possible. Apply to your in-state. Seriously. Even if you don't think you'll get in. There is always a chance.

 

[9inety6ix]

I think you have a good shot. Your vet hours look fine. I would try to go a couple days with a LA vet if possible but if you can't, I wouldn't worry about it. It could help to get some research also. I would only worry about breadth of experiences if your GPA was much lower. When are you applying? What's your GRE? How did you chose the OOS schools you are applying to? If you are looking for cheaper options, check out NCSU, WSU, and Mizzou.

Also, what volunteering were you doing at the vet school. This could be vet experience, not animal. Same with equine therapy. If it is under a vet, it is vet experience.

Thanks for your response! I am applying this year so very soon here. Tuition has definitely played a large role in choosing the OOS schools so I will look more into those you mentioned! At the vet school I volunteered in the ICU and Oncology unit as a "pet sitter", basically comforting patients, taking them outside, providing updates, etc. It was a veterinary setting obviously but I was not working directly under a veterinarian (volunteers walked in and out freely for our shifts) so I was unsure whether or not I would be able to consider that veterinary as opposed to just animal experience.

 

[LabVet4Life]

Hello all ! First time posting! What an exciting time for us all - let me know what you think.
24 year old female Mass Resident

Applying to: Tufts, Ohio State, Purdue, Michigan State, Washington State and UC Davis (I know, a stretch!)

GPA: 3.7 from Becker College, B.S. in Vet Med, Pre-Vet Concentration Minor in Global Citizenship & A.S. In Vet Technology
Not sure of science/last 45 GPA yet, assuming around the same ish.
CVT & LATg Certified
GRE's: V 153, Q 152,

Veterinary Experience:
>2000 Certified Lead Veterinary Technician, Small Animal
100 Hours Emergency Internship
200 Hours Exotic Veterinary Internship
A lot of CE's including Fear Free Certification ect

Research Experience:
>5000 Hours Research Associate @ Charles River Labs
>1500 Hours Study Research Technician @ Vertex Pharmaceuticals
300 Hours Intern at Agilux Labs
Received ALAT, LAT, & LATg certifications, attended/spoke at National Conferences
Assistant Tech Branch Rep for New England Brach of AALAS


Volunteer Animal/Not:
300 hrs Vet Tech Specialist @ Cat Shelter
150 hrs Suicide Hotline Call-Taker
300 hrs Dog Shelter
100 hours Spay/Neuter Clinic
400 hours Big Brother Big Sister in High School
Various church positions over the years..


Extracurriculars:
SO MANY....
Campus Activities Board Member, various positions --> Prez
First Year Course Assistant
Orientation Leader
Alumni Scholarship Speaker
Alpha Lambda Delta Prez
Junior Class President
Food Recovery Network

Non-Veterinary Work Experience:
Family Owned Pizzeria
Mexican Restaurant
Breakfast Place

Awards:
Deans List every semester
Alpha Lambda Delta
Alpha Chi
Outstanding Freshman of the Year
Academic Achievement Award
Beudain Scholar - Top Evans Scholarship Winner every year
A few other awards from high school that were thrown in there..

eLOR:
Vet at Vertex
Study Director from my job at Charles River
Small Animal Vet that I've worked for 4 years
2 professors, Chemistry/Biochem & Lab animal professor (for Tufts)

Essays were focused on my desire to work in laboratory animal medicine and of my struggles as an immigrant growing up undocumented. Other essays not animal related dived into my focus on fighting hunger through the Food Recovery Network.

Any advice welcome, this list not exhaustive of course. I have an okay-ish GPA with okay-ish GRE scores. Hoping the rest of my experience compensates.

 

[wannabeDVM123]

Well, just submitted my apps. Here goes nothing (but also everything eeek!)

First year applicant, TX resident, 26 years old.
Applied to: Cornell, UC Davis, Colorado, Guelph, Michigan, Ohio, Oregon, VA-MD, Penn

Main concerns: cum GPA, variety of experience

GPA:
Cum: 3.45
Science: 4.00
Last 45: 3.80
Last 36: 4.00 (Michigan uses this one instead of last 45)

GRE: 165V/161Q/3.5A (I know, I was hopped up on NyQuil thanks to a cold, not the most coherent essays I've ever written)

Veterinary Experience:
Vet tech at shelter clinic: 1000 hours
Vet assistant/receptionist at shelter clinic: 1000 hours
SA shadowing: 200 hours
Equine: 30 hours

Animal Experience:
Volunteer at animal shelter: 300 hours
Horseback riding, stablehand: 2000 hours

Non-Animal Employment:
Worked in public relations, tech support, marketing and business operations, yada yada

Awards:
Deans list
UMD transfer scholarship

LOR’s: medical clinic director and lead vet where I work, manager, ochem professor

Other info: have a BS in finance, BA in economics from University of Maryland in 2013. Zero interest in either, thought it was a "smart" choice. Had lots of personal stuff happen in my junior semester (dad died, mum diagnosed with a brain tumour, grandma died). Hence the lower cumulative because I didn't try very hard. Decided two years ago to go back for veterinary, lifelong dream, etc. 4.00 ever since. Wrote all this in my explanation statement in the hopes that it will soften the judgement of my undergrad stuff.

Good luck to everyone!

 

[Coopah]

Hello all ! First time posting! What an exciting time for us all - let me know what you think.
24 year old female Mass Resident

Applying to: Tufts, Ohio State, Purdue, Michigan State, Washington State and UC Davis (I know, a stretch!)

GPA: 3.7 from Becker College, B.S. in Vet Med, Pre-Vet Concentration Minor in Global Citizenship & A.S. In Vet Technology
Not sure of science/last 45 GPA yet, assuming around the same ish.
CVT & LATg Certified
GRE's: V 153, Q 152,

Veterinary Experience:
>2000 Certified Lead Veterinary Technician, Small Animal
100 Hours Emergency Internship
200 Hours Exotic Veterinary Internship
A lot of CE's including Fear Free Certification ect

Research Experience:
>5000 Hours Research Associate @ Charles River Labs
>1500 Hours Study Research Technician @ Vertex Pharmaceuticals
300 Hours Intern at Agilux Labs
Received ALAT, LAT, & LATg certifications, attended/spoke at National Conferences
Assistant Tech Branch Rep for New England Brach of AALAS


Volunteer Animal/Not:
300 hrs Vet Tech Specialist @ Cat Shelter
150 hrs Suicide Hotline Call-Taker
300 hrs Dog Shelter
100 hours Spay/Neuter Clinic
400 hours Big Brother Big Sister in High School
Various church positions over the years..


Extracurriculars:
SO MANY....
Campus Activities Board Member, various positions --> Prez
First Year Course Assistant
Orientation Leader
Alumni Scholarship Speaker
Alpha Lambda Delta Prez
Junior Class President
Food Recovery Network

Non-Veterinary Work Experience:
Family Owned Pizzeria
Mexican Restaurant
Breakfast Place

Awards:
Deans List every semester
Alpha Lambda Delta
Alpha Chi
Outstanding Freshman of the Year
Academic Achievement Award
Beudain Scholar - Top Evans Scholarship Winner every year
A few other awards from high school that were thrown in there..

eLOR:
Vet at Vertex
Study Director from my job at Charles River
Small Animal Vet that I've worked for 4 years
2 professors, Chemistry/Biochem & Lab animal professor (for Tufts)

Essays were focused on my desire to work in laboratory animal medicine and of my struggles as an immigrant growing up undocumented. Other essays not animal related dived into my focus on fighting hunger through the Food Recovery Network.

Any advice welcome, this list not exhaustive of course. I have an okay-ish GPA with okay-ish GRE scores. Hoping the rest of my experience compensates.

You should try to calculate your last 45 and science. Davis only really cares about those plus your quant GRE. 3.7 looks good! I hope you'll get an interview. Sorry can't help for the rest of the schools.

 

[Coopah]

Well, just submitted my apps. Here goes nothing (but also everything eeek!)

First year applicant, TX resident, 26 years old.
Applied to: Cornell, UC Davis, Colorado, Guelph, Michigan, Ohio, Oregon, VA-MD, Penn

Main concerns: cum GPA, variety of experience

GPA:
Cum: 3.45
Science: 4.00
Last 45: 3.80
Last 36: 4.00 (Michigan uses this one instead of last 45)

GRE: 165V/161Q/3.5A (I know, I was hopped up on NyQuil thanks to a cold, not the most coherent essays I've ever written)

Veterinary Experience:
Vet tech at shelter clinic: 1000 hours
Vet assistant/receptionist at shelter clinic: 1000 hours
SA shadowing: 200 hours
Equine: 30 hours

Animal Experience:
Volunteer at animal shelter: 300 hours
Horseback riding, stablehand: 2000 hours

Non-Animal Employment:
Worked in public relations, tech support, marketing and business operations, yada yada

Awards:
Deans list
UMD transfer scholarship

LOR’s: medical clinic director and lead vet where I work, manager, ochem professor

Other info: have a BS in finance, BA in economics from University of Maryland in 2013. Zero interest in either, thought it was a "smart" choice. Had lots of personal stuff happen in my junior semester (dad died, mum diagnosed with a brain tumour, grandma died). Hence the lower cumulative because I didn't try very hard. Decided two years ago to go back for veterinary, lifelong dream, etc. 4.00 ever since. Wrote all this in my explanation statement in the hopes that it will soften the judgement of my undergrad stuff.

Good luck to everyone!

I definitely think you'll get an interview for Davis! Sorry I'm not much help for any other schools. I look forward to seeing you in December! Best of luck!

 

[MixedAnimals77]

Hello all ! First time posting! What an exciting time for us all - let me know what you think.
24 year old female Mass Resident

Applying to: Tufts, Ohio State, Purdue, Michigan State, Washington State and UC Davis (I know, a stretch!)

GPA: 3.7 from Becker College, B.S. in Vet Med, Pre-Vet Concentration Minor in Global Citizenship & A.S. In Vet Technology
Not sure of science/last 45 GPA yet, assuming around the same ish.
CVT & LATg Certified
GRE's: V 153, Q 152,

Veterinary Experience:
>2000 Certified Lead Veterinary Technician, Small Animal
100 Hours Emergency Internship
200 Hours Exotic Veterinary Internship
A lot of CE's including Fear Free Certification ect

Research Experience:
>5000 Hours Research Associate @ Charles River Labs
>1500 Hours Study Research Technician @ Vertex Pharmaceuticals
300 Hours Intern at Agilux Labs
Received ALAT, LAT, & LATg certifications, attended/spoke at National Conferences
Assistant Tech Branch Rep for New England Brach of AALAS


Volunteer Animal/Not:
300 hrs Vet Tech Specialist @ Cat Shelter
150 hrs Suicide Hotline Call-Taker
300 hrs Dog Shelter
100 hours Spay/Neuter Clinic
400 hours Big Brother Big Sister in High School
Various church positions over the years..


Extracurriculars:
SO MANY....
Campus Activities Board Member, various positions --> Prez
First Year Course Assistant
Orientation Leader
Alumni Scholarship Speaker
Alpha Lambda Delta Prez
Junior Class President
Food Recovery Network

Non-Veterinary Work Experience:
Family Owned Pizzeria
Mexican Restaurant
Breakfast Place

Awards:
Deans List every semester
Alpha Lambda Delta
Alpha Chi
Outstanding Freshman of the Year
Academic Achievement Award
Beudain Scholar - Top Evans Scholarship Winner every year
A few other awards from high school that were thrown in there..

eLOR:
Vet at Vertex
Study Director from my job at Charles River
Small Animal Vet that I've worked for 4 years
2 professors, Chemistry/Biochem & Lab animal professor (for Tufts)

Essays were focused on my desire to work in laboratory animal medicine and of my struggles as an immigrant growing up undocumented. Other essays not animal related dived into my focus on fighting hunger through the Food Recovery Network.

Any advice welcome, this list not exhaustive of course. I have an okay-ish GPA with okay-ish GRE scores. Hoping the rest of my experience compensates.

You stuff doesn't look bad to me! My cum GPA was 3.76 and gre scores similar. Is there a reason you didn't apply to Missouri or NC state? Only thing I feel I could suggest is LA experience if you could afford to find some. I think you at least have a fair shot at some of the schools assuming your lors and essays are good! Good luck!

 

[LabVet4Life]

You stuff doesn't look bad to me! My cum GPA was 3.76 and gre scores similar. Is there a reason you didn't apply to Missouri or NC state? Only thing I feel I could suggest is LA experience if you could afford to find some. I think you at least have a fair shot at some of the schools assuming your lors and essays are good! Good luck!

Mostly because NC State is so hard to get into, and they so tend to have more of large animal focus I feel, which I don't ha e haha.. And Mizzou, I didn't meet the prereqs

 

[MixedAnimals77]

Mostly because NC State is so hard to get into, and they so tend to have more of large animal focus I feel, which I don't ha e haha.. And Mizzou, I dunno. I picked schools with a research focus, and it didn't stand out. Is that incorrect?

NC state is hard to get into but you never know. Also schools will have opportunities for both. Overall La vs sm is what you want to learn about. Like you have to learn about all species to some extent for navle but rotation wise if schools dont track you can self track as long as you're still meeting all the required rotations. Mizzou actually has alot of research plus IS after the first year. Most vet schools have alot of research opportunities even if not inherently present from online research. Idk if you really have time or can afford it but I would give yourself a shot at lower tuition and apply to those schools assuming you have the prereqs. What exactly do you mean by Mizzou didn't stand out?

 

[LabVet4Life]

NC state is hard to get into but you never know. Also schools will have opportunities for both. Overall La vs sm is what you want to learn about. Like you have to learn about all species to some extent for navle but rotation wise if schools dont track you can self track as long as you're still meeting all the required rotations. Mizzou actually has alot of research plus IS after the first year. Most vet schools have alot of research opportunities even if not inherently present from online research. Idk if you really have time or can afford it but I would give yourself a shot at lower tuition and apply to those schools assuming you have the prereqs. What exactly do you mean by Mizzou didn't stand out?

Mizzou always slipped past my radar because my biochemistry class didn't have an organic chemistry pre-req which is required by Mizzou and also takes a few other schools off my list.. That s why I didn't research it farther, I knew there was something. Lol.. Sorry.
NC State with it's super low tuition would be phenomenal but my lack of LA experience and lower than a 3.8+ GPA would make me a poor candidate, or at least that's what I reasoned.

 

[ziggyandjazzy]

Mostly because NC State is so hard to get into, and they so tend to have more of large animal focus I feel, which I don't ha e haha.. And Mizzou, I dunno. I picked schools with a research focus, and it didn't stand out. Is that incorrect?

Mizzou has one of the country's largest mouse labs. They definitely had research as a big focus when I visited.

 

[ziggyandjazzy]

Well, just submitted my apps. Here goes nothing (but also everything eeek!)

First year applicant, TX resident, 26 years old.
Applied to: Cornell, UC Davis, Colorado, Guelph, Michigan, Ohio, Oregon, VA-MD, Penn

Main concerns: cum GPA, variety of experience

GPA:
Cum: 3.45
Science: 4.00
Last 45: 3.80
Last 36: 4.00 (Michigan uses this one instead of last 45)

GRE: 165V/161Q/3.5A (I know, I was hopped up on NyQuil thanks to a cold, not the most coherent essays I've ever written)

Veterinary Experience:
Vet tech at shelter clinic: 1000 hours
Vet assistant/receptionist at shelter clinic: 1000 hours
SA shadowing: 200 hours
Equine: 30 hours

Animal Experience:
Volunteer at animal shelter: 300 hours
Horseback riding, stablehand: 2000 hours

Non-Animal Employment:
Worked in public relations, tech support, marketing and business operations, yada yada

Awards:
Deans list
UMD transfer scholarship

LOR’s: medical clinic director and lead vet where I work, manager, ochem professor

Other info: have a BS in finance, BA in economics from University of Maryland in 2013. Zero interest in either, thought it was a "smart" choice. Had lots of personal stuff happen in my junior semester (dad died, mum diagnosed with a brain tumour, grandma died). Hence the lower cumulative because I didn't try very hard. Decided two years ago to go back for veterinary, lifelong dream, etc. 4.00 ever since. Wrote all this in my explanation statement in the hopes that it will soften the judgement of my undergrad stuff.

Good luck to everyone!

Any reason you didn't apply to Texas A&M?

 

[LabVet4Life]

Mizzou has one of the country's largest mouse labs. They definitely had research as a big focus when I visited.

Yah, I misspoke. I didn't research them more because I didn't meet the prereqs. I'm sorry.

 

[wannabeDVM123]

Any reason you didn't apply to Texas A&M?

Trying to get the animal nutrition pre-req is a nightmare post bacc. Not able to get locally, difficult to find online.

 

[WhtsThFrequency]

Mostly because NC State is so hard to get into, and they so tend to have more of large animal focus I feel, which I don't ha e haha.. And Mizzou, I didn't meet the prereqs

Really? I always considered NC State a school that heavily emphasized research. Hm. Guess times have changed.

 

[wannabeDVM123]

Trying to get the animal nutrition pre-req is a nightmare post bacc. Not able to get locally, difficult to find online.

Okay not exactly difficult...more like expensive and only really opens a&m for me. But of course as I sit here late at night thinking about in state versus out of state costs...probably worth it :face palm:

 

[SkiOtter]

Trying to get the animal nutrition pre-req is a nightmare post bacc. Not able to get locally, difficult to find online.

Okay not exactly difficult...more like expensive and only really opens a&m for me. But of course as I sit here late at night thinking about in state versus out of state costs...probably worth it :face palm:

The ok state one is I think like $700 (versus some that are ~$2k) and you have a whole year to do it (so you can take your time on it and do little bits at a time). If you do decide to go with that option, it’s really easy to sign up, you just fax the form in and call with a card number if paying by card or I think you can mail a check in and then you get the course guide in the mail a few days later. Not sure when TMDSAS closes, but I feel like I remember it being later than vmcas, so it theoretically could still be possible for you to apply.
Personally, I’d apply if it were me since it’s your in state, better odds of an acceptance since you’re in an in state pool, and more than likely your lowest cost.

 

[rileyprevet]

Hello everyone! Trying to get an idea of what my chances are.. application has been submitted, anxiously awaiting verification

21 Years old, female, Ohio resident
Applied to- Ohio, North Carolina, LMU, VAMD, Oregon, Washington, Purdue, Missouri, Mississippi, and Tennessee

Degrees:
B.S. in Animal Science, Minor in chemistry (graduating in December 2018)

Cum GPA: 3.79
Science/last 45 GPA: similar to cumulative

Vet experience-
large animal- 200 hours
equine- 48 hours
small animal- 380 hours
wildlife/exotics- 80 hours
shelter medicine- 200 hours

Animal Experience-
2000+ hours- horse back riding/showing, rabbit showing/breeding, goats 4H, dog training, kennel tech in shelter, food animal classes at school

extracurricular- photography for humane society and police K9's, piano, pre-vet club

research-
300 hours equine nutrition research, published abstract and presented at ESS

Letters of Recommendation
veterinarian i shadowed
employer at humane society
adviser/research professor

GRE: 156 V/ 159 Q/ 4.0 W

 

[morganjanai]

Are you able to afford more applications?
Not to be a downer, but I don't know how competitive your application would be for NCSU. Since they do not interview, you really need to stand out on paper. It would be a great one to get into but you're up against a lot of other people.

I also applied to Purdue, Missouri, and Washington State. I also retook the GRE and got 158V/155Q 4.0A

 

[ERVetTech]

Hello everyone! Trying to get an idea of what my chances are.. application has been submitted, anxiously awaiting verification

21 Years old, female, Ohio resident
Applied to- Ohio, North Carolina, LMU, VAMD, Oregon, Washington, Purdue, Missouri, Mississippi, and Tennessee

Degrees:
B.S. in Animal Science, Minor in chemistry (graduating in December 2018)

Cum GPA: 3.79
Science/last 45 GPA: similar to cumulative

Vet experience-
large animal- 200 hours
equine- 48 hours
small animal- 380 hours
wildlife/exotics- 80 hours
shelter medicine- 200 hours

Animal Experience-
2000+ hours- horse back riding/showing, rabbit showing/breeding, goats 4H, dog training, kennel tech in shelter, food animal classes at school

extracurricular- photography for humane society and police K9's, piano, pre-vet club

research-
300 hours equine nutrition research, published abstract and presented at ESS

Letters of Recommendation
veterinarian i shadowed
employer at humane society
adviser/research professor

GRE: 156 V/ 159 Q/ 4.0 W

Your GPA, GRE, Veterinary hours, and animal hours look great! I think you're a very competitive applicant at each of the schools you applied to, and your diversity of experience will look really awesome to those schools. Best of luck, I'm sure this cycle will go very well for you @rileyprevet

 

[scags]

Have you thought about moving somewhere in order to get in state tuition? This would make it both easier to get in as well as much less expensive.

I go to school in South Carolina, and have tried, but their residency process is super difficult.
My backup plan is to move to NC after this year if I don't get in and establish residency there.

 

[muffinsrtasty]

Hello! I just recently decided to pursue veterinary medicine (hence the very few animal/vet hours) and was considering applying next application cycle (May 2019). Based on my schedule for shadowing now, I should be able to get about 1000+ total vet/animal hours by the time of application.

25 year old, Female, TX resident (maybe NY by the time I apply?)

cGPA: 3.55
sGPA: 3.65
last 45: 3.75

Degree: BS in Chemistry (Biochem concentration) Expected Graduation: Spring 2019

Haven't taken the GRE yet, planned for Dec 2018.

Vet Experience: (~100 hours)
- Small Animal Hospital
- Equine Vet Practice
- SPCA Surgery Dept.

Animal Experience: (~100 hours)
- SPCA Surgery/Vet Services
- Zoo Animal Care Internship - for credit (Fall 2018)

Research:
-(non-veterinary) Design of molecular receptor systems as sensors for biomedical applications (~300 hours)

My biggest concern is my overall application appearance being messy (and risky). By the time I apply, it will have taken me 8 years to get my BS in Chem, and 2 consecutive years of medical withdrawals (approved by the university I was attending, full semesters of W's not just one drop). As always, it was a combo of immaturity, actual medical problems, and absence of passion that left me with this headache-inducing transcript. Long story longer, I have followed around my fiancé throughout medical school and have been to 8 different schools (various community colleges and universities) during the process. 3 years ago, I switched from an engineering major to chemistry and my grades improved drastically, semesters varying 8-15 hours. I attribute most of my improvement to finding a major that I enjoyed and dating a med student (haha) because it was during that time I really learned how to study, so my grades definitely show an upward trend. He's a resident now in New York state, so I'm finishing up 4 classes at a SUNY university and will transfer the credit back/graduate from a TX university. In addition, I can only apply to US schools because my fiancé won't be to practice out of country when he finishes residency.

Anyway, I just wanted to get some feed back on my stats/non-traditional student history. Will two years of straight W's be too much of a risk for admission teams?

 

[SkiOtter]

Anyway, I just wanted to get some feed back on my stats/non-traditional student history. Will two years of straight W's be too much of a risk for admission teams?

If you have a strong upward trend after those Ws, that is definitely good. You can also use the explanation statement to explain what you were going through and how you learned from it and improved yourself and are making sure it won’t happen again.

What schools are you thinking about? You didn’t mention.

 

[muffinsrtasty]

If you have a strong upward trend after those Ws, that is definitely good. You can also use the explanation statement to explain what you were going through and how you learned from it and improved yourself and are making sure it won’t happen again.

What schools are you thinking about? You didn’t mention.

TAMU (This is my #1-not sure if I will qualify as in-state when I apply, moved to NY in June 2018), Cornell (Only because I might be a NY resident at time of app), Oregon State, OK State, UF, Tennessee, LMU, Midwestern, Ohio, Kansas State, etc. I haven't narrowed it down because it is hard to assess previous successful applicants who have similar stats as me, given that I have way more baggage than the more traditional student. Any recommendations?

 

[DrinkWater95]

Hi! My main concerns are my very average/below average GPA and GRE.

First time applicant, 22 y/o female Florida Resident.

Applied to: Purdue, Virginia-Maryland, Michigan, Penn, Ohio, Auburn, Georgia, Florida, Illinois, Colorado, Midwestern, Washington, RVC, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Sydney. (A lot, I know!)

Degree: B.S. expected in December for Biology for Pre-professionals

Cum GPA: 3.53
Science: 3.31
Last 45: 3.31

GRE: Q - 157 (65%) V - 152 (56%) A - 3.5 (41% LOL)

Veterinary Experience:
~3000 hours with small animals at 3 different practices. One practice did exotics.
~80 hours shadowing an equine vet
~30 hours shadowing a veterinary pathologist

Animal experience:
~500 hours at wildlife rehabilitation center
~200 hours volunteering at shelter

Non-Animal Experience:
~2500 hours working at a restaurant as hostess/server
~500 hours assisting fiancé run business

Research:
~50 hours with dairy calves researching the influence of vitamin d on growth.
~180 hours with dairy cows researching the influence of lysine on milk production.

Extracurriculars:
Pre-Vet Club
Dairy Science Club
Jiu Jitsu
Weightlifting

Hobbies:
Gardening
Cooking
Crocheting
Fishing
Hiking
Fostering animals
Singing

Achievements:
A few merit-based scholarships
President’s List
Deans List

 

[SkiOtter]

Hi! My main concerns are my very average/below average GPA and GRE.

First time applicant, 22 y/o female Florida Resident.

Applied to: Purdue, Virginia-Maryland, Michigan, Penn, Ohio, Auburn, Georgia, Florida, Illinois, Colorado, Midwestern, Washington, RVC, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Sydney. (A lot, I know!)

Degree: B.S. expected in December for Biology for Pre-professionals

Cum GPA: 3.53
Science: 3.31
Last 45: 3.31

GRE: Q - 157 (65%) V - 152 (56%) A - 3.5 (41% LOL)

Veterinary Experience:
~3000 hours with small animals at 3 different practices. One practice did exotics.
~80 hours shadowing an equine vet
~30 hours shadowing a veterinary pathologist

Animal experience:
~500 hours at wildlife rehabilitation center
~200 hours volunteering at shelter

Non-Animal Experience:
~2500 hours working at a restaurant as hostess/server
~500 hours assisting fiancé run business

Research:
~50 hours with dairy calves researching the influence of vitamin d on growth.
~180 hours with dairy cows researching the influence of lysine on milk production.

Extracurriculars:
Pre-Vet Club
Dairy Science Club
Jiu Jitsu
Weightlifting

Hobbies:
Gardening
Cooking
Crocheting
Fishing
Hiking
Fostering animals
Singing

Achievements:
A few merit-based scholarships
President’s List
Deans List

I think you probably have a decent shot at getting an interview for Illinois. And then once you make it to interviews academics aren’t considered anymore.
MSU doesn’t look at academics beyond making sure you have above a 3.0 so your gpa and gre won’t be really any sort of a factor there. They rank you in their different categories based on the rest of your app and that’s how they determine interview offers.

 

[DrinkWater95]

I think you probably have a decent shot at getting an interview for Illinois. And then once you make it to interviews academics aren’t considered anymore.
MSU doesn’t look at academics beyond making sure you have above a 3.0 so your gpa and gre won’t be really any sort of a factor there. They rank you in their different categories based on the rest of your app and that’s how they determine interview offers.

Good to know! I’ll be (somewhat) confident once (if) I land an interview. I’m just hoping some schools can look at the bigger picture with all the time I’ve allotted to experiences outside of school.

 

[Spoot]

Hey guys! Kind of a non-traditional student here. Wanted to be a vet my whole life. Went to school and majored in essentially pre-vet. Did awful for a few semesters before I got into the swing of things, and did pretty great my last 5 semesters. Got a little focused on my academics and unfortunately didn’t branch out in many of the activities and orgs my school provided.

My final year I freaked out about finances, acceptance, future, etc, didn’t apply to school and decided I wanted to be a Physician’s assistant because it’s a career in medicine that is financially strong. Got about a year into that before I literally was just struck with how stupid I was being and how I was lying to myself about my passions. Got back on track and am applying for the first time in this 2018-2019 cycle. Currently working a job as a manager which pays the bills and I hope demonstrates my leadership ability.

Applied to: Mizzou, Virginia-Maryland, Ohio State, LMU, NC State (long shot I know. I'm going to be taking an organic course this spring just for the chance to apply here. I know I'm probably wasting time and money but I feel like it's worth a shot)

Undergrad Education:
Penn State, Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences BS 2013

GPA:
Cum GPA: 3.68 or 3.7 depending on the selection
Last 45: 3.9
Science: 3.73

GRE:
Verbal GRE: 160
Quant GRE: 158
Analytical: 4

Vet Experience:
152 Hours Large Animal Vet Shadow
400 Hours Small animal (Vet receptionist, but I spent most of my time in the back assisting techs)
720 Hours Small Animal Shadow (same vet as above)

Animal Experience:
48 hours trout caretaker in high school
700 hours family chicken care taker (I included this, as well as like 10000 hours of having a personal pet. Figured it can’t hurt).

ELOR:
Small animal vet, Large animal Vet, Head of Vet program at my school, Physical Therapy Employer

Research:
None I tried too late to get into research and profs either blew me off after promising a spot or were unable to accommodate me into their program that late.

Work/Extracurricular:

[During school]
1 Semester Bio Lab Assistant TA
Pre-Vet Club
Desk Attendant At Gym for 1 semester

[After School]
Physical Therapy Tech ~1000 hours
Manager of gym ~700 hours, current occupation

Awards
High school valedictorian (?)
Numerous scholarships and Dean’s list 5 semesters.

 

[EngrSC]

Hi y’all! I’ve been around forever it seems and I’m finally applying to vet school next year! Basically I’ve been too chicken **** to leave my stable engineering job so I’ve taken the extra long route to get here. Anyway, I’m looking for honest input from you vettie wizards! I’m having a heck of a time finding a vet to shadow in another area of vet med and I’m wondering if it’s worth stressing over/continuing to pursue or if I should just focus on the things I still have ongoing. Any other honest feedback is appreciated as well!

30 y/o female, B.S. Aerospace Engineering (2010)
Cumulative GPA: 3.10 (I was a mess physically and mentally in undergrad so I plan on utilizing the explanation statement)
Science GPA: 3.68
Last 45 GPA: 3.91
GRE TBD but historically I perform pretty average on standardized tests
My only pre-req left is genetics, which I plan to take in the spring and am looking at taking advanced biochem and pathophys as well.
My IS is UGA but I also plan on applying to schools that don’t use cumulative GPA, like Michigan and Minnesota

Vet experience:

• 2800 hours small animal (paid)
• 30 hours SA ER
• 100 hours equine & swine (ongoing)

Animal experience:

• 30 hours wildlife center
• 70 hours therapeutic riding center (ongoing)
• 30 hours riding along with a farrier (ongoing)
• 60 hours animal shelter
• 400 hours cat rescue

Other animal-related things:

• 6 years as a board member and caseworker for a non-profit that provides funding for non-routine veterinary expenses for people in need (ongoing)
• 3 years on the board of a non-profit dog rescue as the Family Adoption Director
• 2 years on the board of a new non-profit dog rescue as the Family Adoption Director (also a founding member)

Work
16,000 hours as a mechanical and systems engineer. The highlight was being on the software test team for this really cool program that won the Collier trophy (a pretty huge deal). I’ve received several awards through my company over the years.

Personally I love running and have run a dozen or so half marathons and a couple full marathons ... also a few triathlons sprinkled in there. I’m married to a career-military man so there was a cross country move in the midst of all that stuff above as well.

 

[Coopah]

Hi y’all! I’ve been around forever it seems and I’m finally applying to vet school next year! Basically I’ve been too chicken **** to leave my stable engineering job so I’ve taken the extra long route to get here. Anyway, I’m looking for honest input from you vettie wizards! I’m having a heck of a time finding a vet to shadow in another area of vet med and I’m wondering if it’s worth stressing over/continuing to pursue or if I should just focus on the things I still have ongoing. Any other honest feedback is appreciated as well!

30 y/o female, B.S. Aerospace Engineering (2010)
Cumulative GPA: 3.10 (I was a mess physically and mentally in undergrad so I plan on utilizing the explanation statement)
Science GPA: 3.68
Last 45 GPA: 3.91
GRE TBD but historically I perform pretty average on standardized tests
My only pre-req left is genetics, which I plan to take in the spring and am looking at taking advanced biochem and pathophys as well.
My IS is UGA but I also plan on applying to schools that don’t use cumulative GPA, like Michigan and Minnesota

Vet experience:

• 2800 hours small animal (paid)
• 30 hours SA ER
• 100 hours equine & swine (ongoing)

Animal experience:

• 30 hours wildlife center
• 70 hours therapeutic riding center (ongoing)
• 30 hours riding along with a farrier (ongoing)
• 60 hours animal shelter
• 400 hours cat rescue

Other animal-related things:

• 6 years as a board member and caseworker for a non-profit that provides funding for non-routine veterinary expenses for people in need (ongoing)
• 3 years on the board of a non-profit dog rescue as the Family Adoption Director
• 2 years on the board of a new non-profit dog rescue as the Family Adoption Director (also a founding member)

Work
16,000 hours as a mechanical and systems engineer. The highlight was being on the software test team for this really cool program that won the Collier trophy (a pretty huge deal). I’ve received several awards through my company over the years.

Personally I love running and have run a dozen or so half marathons and a couple full marathons ... also a few triathlons sprinkled in there. I’m married to a career-military man so there was a cross country move in the midst of all that stuff above as well.

You should apply to Davis. I had a similar GPA and was coming from a real job too. For some reason they let me in!

 

[EngrSC]

You should apply to Davis. I had a similar GPA and was coming from a real job too. For some reason they let me in!

Were you OOS with a sucky cumulative GPA?

 

[Coopah]

Were you OOS with a sucky cumulative GPA?

Yes I was! 3.02 to be exact.

 

[sheltermed]

6 years as a board member and caseworker for a non-profit that provides funding for non-routine veterinary expenses for people in need

I love this and I think the schools to which you apply will, too. I actually wrote about providing services as a veterinarian to disadvantaged populations on my applications, though I don't have personal experience with it (my boss does and we've talked about it, does that count? lol). I recently started taking courses toward a MPH and have learned a lot about health disparities and would like to apply what I've learned to vet med. I'd love to hear more about your experience if you're willing to share - may I PM you about it?

@Coopah (hey, how are you? ) is right, you should try applying to Davis if it's a school that you're interested in especially if your quantitative GRE is high, which it sounds like it might be due to your background as an engineer - don't sell yourself short! You have an INCREDIBLE background going for you and your current academic performance is great.

 

[EngrSC]

@sheltermed sure, you can PM me any time! No guarantees that I won’t try to recruit you to volunteer with us

So I’m originally from California (lived in both LA and SD areas) and I’m not applying to Western because there’s no way I want to live there. I had thought about eliminating Davis for the same reason buuuuut y’all may have persuaded me not to write it off. I visited Davis long ago and remember loving it so I guess it’s back on my list!

Ugh, the GRE. Magoosh has me at like 40th percentile verbal and 75th percentile quant. I need to get my butt in gear and really start studying for that beast

 

[ctqp]

Hey all! First post here! I'd love to hear what some of you seasoned vet people have to say about the strengths/weaknesses of my application. Any advice or comments would be super appreciated! I don't plan to apply until Fall 2019, so these are projected details.

25 year old
Non-Traditional
Female
B.A. in Cognitive Science, B.A. in Religious Studies
NYC Resident

Applying to: Virginia, Minnesota, Penn, Davis, NC State, Cornell (IS), Colorado, Tufts, Wisconsin, Ohio **I know the programs are really competitive! I'd be moving with my longterm boyfriend, so there are some big personal/work factors involved in choosing where I apply.

Cumulative GPA: 3.56
Science GPA: 3.74
Last 45 GPA: 3.89
GRE's: V 163 Q 162 (2016)

Veterinary Experience:
>2000 hours small animal/exotics vet tech

Animal Experience:
-Organized and petitioned the city for dog park renovations (website, social media, committee meetings, etc)
>200 hours as an Animal Care Intern (farm animals)
>200 hours volunteering at an animal rescue in India (dogs, cows, pigs, sheep)
-Organized 3 adoption events for dog/cat rescue
>200 hours volunteering at a dog/cat rescue
>200 hours volunteering at a bird rescue
>500 hours dog/cat sitter/walker
>200 hours with my dog doing therapy at a hospital

Non-Veterinary Work Experience:
-Medical Assistant (1.5 years)
-Yoga Instructor (4 years)

Research Experience:
1.5 years at an Integrative Medicine Lab (from like 4 years ago, health but not animal related)

eLOR:
-Vet at practice where I worked for a year
-Client whose dog I've helped take care of 2-4x a week for almost 2 years
-Professor from school
-Owner of animal rescue I lived/volunteered at for over a month

Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[MixedAnimals77]

Hey all! First post here! I'd love to hear what some of you seasoned vet people have to say about the strengths/weaknesses of my application. Any advice or comments would be super appreciated! I don't plan to apply until Fall 2019, so these are projected details.

25 year old
Non-Traditional
Female
B.A. in Cognitive Science, B.A. in Religious Studies
NYC Resident

Applying to: Virginia, Minnesota, Penn, Davis, NC State, Cornell (IS), Colorado, Tufts, Wisconsin, Ohio **I know the programs are really competitive! I'd be moving with my longterm boyfriend, so there are some big personal/work factors involved in choosing where I apply.

Cumulative GPA: 3.56
Science GPA: 3.74
Last 45 GPA: 3.89
GRE's: V 163 Q 162 (2016)

Veterinary Experience:
>2000 hours small animal/exotics vet tech

Animal Experience:
-Organized and petitioned the city for dog park renovations (website, social media, committee meetings, etc)
>200 hours as an Animal Care Intern (farm animals)
>200 hours volunteering at an animal rescue in India (dogs, cows, pigs, sheep)
-Organized 3 adoption events for dog/cat rescue
>200 hours volunteering at a dog/cat rescue
>200 hours volunteering at a bird rescue
>500 hours dog/cat sitter/walker
>200 hours with my dog doing therapy at a hospital

Non-Veterinary Work Experience:
-Medical Assistant (1.5 years)
-Yoga Instructor (4 years)

Research Experience:
1.5 years at an Integrative Medicine Lab (from like 4 years ago, health but not animal related)

eLOR:
-Vet at practice where I worked for a year
-Client whose dog I've helped take care of 2-4x a week for almost 2 years
-Professor from school
-Owner of animal rescue I lived/volunteered at for over a month

Thanks in advance for your help!

Your stats look pretty good overall! I know your moving with your SO, but is there a reason you're not thinking of applying to WSU or Mizzou?

 

[grebes4lyfe]

Hey all! First post here! I'd love to hear what some of you seasoned vet people have to say about the strengths/weaknesses of my application. Any advice or comments would be super appreciated! I don't plan to apply until Fall 2019, so these are projected details.

25 year old
Non-Traditional
Female
B.A. in Cognitive Science, B.A. in Religious Studies
NYC Resident

Applying to: Virginia, Minnesota, Penn, Davis, NC State, Cornell (IS), Colorado, Tufts, Wisconsin, Ohio **I know the programs are really competitive! I'd be moving with my longterm boyfriend, so there are some big personal/work factors involved in choosing where I apply.

Cumulative GPA: 3.56
Science GPA: 3.74
Last 45 GPA: 3.89
GRE's: V 163 Q 162 (2016)

Veterinary Experience:
>2000 hours small animal/exotics vet tech

Animal Experience:
-Organized and petitioned the city for dog park renovations (website, social media, committee meetings, etc)
>200 hours as an Animal Care Intern (farm animals)
>200 hours volunteering at an animal rescue in India (dogs, cows, pigs, sheep)
-Organized 3 adoption events for dog/cat rescue
>200 hours volunteering at a dog/cat rescue
>200 hours volunteering at a bird rescue
>500 hours dog/cat sitter/walker
>200 hours with my dog doing therapy at a hospital

Non-Veterinary Work Experience:
-Medical Assistant (1.5 years)
-Yoga Instructor (4 years)

Research Experience:
1.5 years at an Integrative Medicine Lab (from like 4 years ago, health but not animal related)

eLOR:
-Vet at practice where I worked for a year
-Client whose dog I've helped take care of 2-4x a week for almost 2 years
-Professor from school
-Owner of animal rescue I lived/volunteered at for over a month

Thanks in advance for your help!

I would look into getting another LOR from a professor or academic advisor. I know tufts requires 1 vet, 1 professor, and 1 “pre-vet/pre-medical/career advisor OR another prof” (if, like me, you don’t have experience working with a pre-professional advisor). Also, Davis requires 1 vet and 1 Prof, which you have, but on their secondary it pretty clearly mentions that they want the 3rd LOR to be from another vet or professor or research scientist.


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[ctqp]

Your stats look pretty good overall! I know your moving with your SO, but is there a reason you're not thinking of applying to WSU or Mizzou?

Thanks for the reply! Partly it's because we're not familiar with either area, and I'm unsure how we would enjoy living there. I know I'd be at school all day, so location isn't as big of a deal to me, but I'd hate to make my SO move somewhere he doesn't enjoy. Also he works in tech so area that have job opportunities for him would be best. I know Mizzou is in a large city, so now that you mention it I'll look into it!

I would look into getting another LOR from a professor or academic advisor. I know tufts requires 1 vet, 1 professor, and 1 “pre-vet/pre-medical/career advisor OR another prof” (if, like me, you don’t have experience working with a pre-professional advisor). Also, Davis requires 1 vet and 1 Prof, which you have, but on their secondary it pretty clearly mentions that they want the 3rd LOR to be from another vet or professor or research scientist.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks for the heads up! Looks like a second professor would be best. It's tough because I feel like of all my references, my professors actually know me the least well haha.

 

[grebes4lyfe]

Thanks for the heads up! Looks like a second professor would be best. It's tough because I feel like of all my references, my professors actually know me the least well haha.

I totally feel that. I was really close with my academic advisor and have kept in touch with her since I graduated in 2015, but it was tough to think of another prof who knew me well enough. You mentioned that you did research.. could your supervisor from that experience write you a good rec? I think that a research scientist fits the requirement for both tufts and Davis.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[MixedAnimals77]

Thanks for the reply! Partly it's because we're not familiar with either area, and I'm unsure how we would enjoy living there. I know I'd be at school all day, so location isn't as big of a deal to me, but I'd hate to make my SO move somewhere he doesn't enjoy. Also he works in tech so area that have job opportunities for him would be best. I know Mizzou is in a large city, so now that you mention it I'll look into it!



Thanks for the heads up! Looks like a second professor would be best. It's tough because I feel like of all my references, my professors actually know me the least well haha.

Idk what tech he is into but theres a large engineering firm in pullman plus 2 colleges for tech jobs. Between pullman and moscow we have things to do. Drive a little and you can go to lewiston which has Macy's and Costco. Drive 1.5 hours and you're in Spokane. I really encourage you to look into both schools cost wise. Both cities have their advantages and disadvantages. Plus remember it's only 4 years then you can move and never look back.

 

[ctqp]

I totally feel that. I was really close with my academic advisor and have kept in touch with her since I graduated in 2015, but it was tough to think of another prof who knew me well enough. You mentioned that you did research.. could your supervisor from that experience write you a good rec? I think that a research scientist fits the requirement for both tufts and Davis.


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I'll reach out to her to see if she remembers me! Haha I was thinking of applying to TA for one of my classes also, so if that works out maybe the professor for that class could be an option. Thanks!

Idk what tech he is into but theres a large engineering firm in pullman plus 2 colleges for tech jobs. Between pullman and moscow we have things to do. Drive a little and you can go to lewiston which has Macy's and Costco. Drive 1.5 hours and you're in Spokane. I really encourage you to look into both schools cost wise. Both cities have their advantages and disadvantages. Plus remember it's only 4 years then you can move and never look back.

I definitely see where you're coming from. It definitely doesn't hurt to apply! And college towns are great - my undergrad was in a smaller city like Pullman and I loved there. Thanks! I think I'll just have to find the time to visit!