What are my chances?

[sheltermed]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Thank you for reading through it! I really hope increasing vet experience will help and I'll definitely consider retaking the physics series.. thanks again!

Sorry if I missed this, but I'm just curious - what were your grades in the physics series courses? Just curious about the threshold of retaking!

 

[sheltermed]

I actually don't know what the threshold is.. I 2.0d physics 2 and 3.0d the rest. My undergrad did final grades in increments of 0.5 instead of .25 which hurt! I think the 2.0 is retakeable though?

I think people retake Cs if they don't have a whole lot else they can improve on. Cs are also generally the minimum accepted grade, so if an application is otherwise solid I don't think someone would retake a C. It all depends on the individual!

Sent from my SM-G935V using SDN mobile

 

[Momokeen]

Hi all! I haven't posted much here but I frequently lurk and with invitations due soon in the next few months I thought I'd give it a go. My application is pretty average at best but I applied to A LOT of schools due to getting some unexpected scholarship money and really wanting a shot at getting in this year.

First Time Applicant, 25 y/o male, CA resident. Bachelor's in Biology.

Schools applied to: Davis, Western, Ohio, Michigan, Minnesota, Kansas, Mizzou, Aunurn, UGA, VMRCVM, Illinois, Washington, Oregon

Cum GPA: 3.46
Sci GPA: 3.39
Last 45: 3.64

Pre-req GPA ranges from 3.4-3.7ish depending on the school.

GRE: 1st attempt -- Q 150 (39%) V 157 (72%) A 4.0 (82%)
2nd -- Q 153 (51%) V 159 (82%) A 5.5 (98%)

LORs:

-LA vet who was also my professor, did a lot of Hands-on LA work with him.
-Pre-Vet program director at Pierce college
-SA vet at my former hospital
-Exotic/Avian vet I shadowed for around a year
-Former research advisor/Assistant dean of biology at CSU Northridge
-Former entomology professor

Veterinary experience

-Veterinary Assistant (SA) ~2300 hours; began as kennel tech but given the high volume nature of the clinic I had to learn to do everything from blood draws to dentals
-Volunteered shadowing an exotics/avian/wildlife vet ~600 hours
-Charity spay/neuter clinic ~50 hours
-Shadowing the LA vet on the campus farm, was able to administer injections, intubate, do blood draws on a variety of species ~350 hours
- Shadowed the veterinarian and lab animal techs at a large biomedical research institute ~400 hours

Animal experience:

-Shelter volunteer ~ 110 hours
-Volunteered at an equine rescue~30 hours
-Assistant at a dog training and boarding facility ~700 hours

Research:

-Was a part of the Laboratory of Comparative and Integrative Herpetology on campus. Participated in original research on Mediterranean House Geckos. Consisted of running a variety of physiological experiments and is still underway after my time there. Did not work on the project long enough to be a main author when it's published (next year hopefully) but will receive an acknowledgement lol. ~ 750 hours
-As a part of the same lab, would collect and curate specimens for use in the classroom setting for vertebrate biology courses ~100 hours
-Assisted a masters candidate with preliminary research on Red Eyed Tree Frogs. We injected frogs IP with GnRH to induce spermatogenesis, spermeated the frogs and then analyzed the sperm count via fluorescence microscopy. Purpose of the research was to develop a useful method for Captive breeding to use in other species who are facing endangerment. ~250 hours

Non animal employment:

-Cashier and eventual supervisor on campus where I received my bachelors ~ 5 years
- In home supportive care assistant for my disabled mother. ~10+ years, unsure of the exact amount.

EC:

Long distance running
Pre-vet club
Biology, Ecology, and Evolution Reading Club (BEER Club) on campus

Achievements:

Multiple deans lists
Audubon society conservation award
Bank of America Writer's Award
Scholarship I received for working with the sheep on campus and demonstrating humanitarian qualities

I know my GPA and GRE will drag me down but I'm hoping some schools will consider other aspects of my application!
.

I'm gonna be a creeper and say: I know you! Hahaha. Fellow Dr. Cohen animal phys student and ecology student (graduated) from CSUN. Your experience is very strong. GPA may or may not be an issue depending on the school (I.e. Davis) though it's not bad by any means. And your last 45 gpa shows improvement. So hopefully they will see the value in what you've accomplished. Maybe I'll see you at interviews! We applied to a lot of the same schools 🙂

 

[singhb09]

I'm gonna be a creeper and say: I know you! Hahaha. Fellow Dr. Cohen animal phys student and ecology student (graduated) from CSUN. Your experience is very strong. GPA may or may not be an issue depending on the school (I.e. Davis) though it's not bad by any means. And your last 45 gpa shows improvement. So hopefully they will see the value in what you've accomplished. Maybe I'll see you at interviews! We applied to a lot of the same schools 🙂.

Haha no way! Leah? I think we were 2 of only a handful of the pre-vetters in the class who have stuck with it thus far!

Thank you for the feedback! I applied to Davis just since its our IS and if I didn't apply I'd always wonder "what if?". We took a field trip (for Pierce College Prevet) up there and the admissions counselor was brutally honest about them not caring much about letters/PS/verbal GRE and the likes, but it's worth a shot! And congrats on the MW acceptance by the way 🙂 !

 

[Momokeen]

Haha no way! Leah? I think we were 2 of only a handful of the pre-vetters in the class who have stuck with it thus far!

Thank you for the feedback! I applied to Davis just since its our IS and if I didn't apply I'd always wonder "what if?". We took a field trip (for Pierce College Prevet) up there and the admissions counselor was brutally honest about them not caring much about letters/PS/verbal GRE and the likes, but it's worth a shot! And congrats on the MW acceptance by the way 🙂 ! .

Yep! Hahaha. And seriously! I don't know anyone else who's stuck with it. I'm on my second application cycle now and sooo glad it's going to be my last lol.

Yeah same! It would feel weird to not apply to them. I'm not holding my breath though for them to accept me. But you never know! A lot of the other schools you applied to are much more holistic with their application reviews as far as I can tell so hopefully there will be an acceptance in your near future. And thanks! I was really impressed with the school and it shot up on my ranking after the visit. The only concern is the cost XD haha

 

[singhb09]

Yep! Hahaha. And seriously! I don't know anyone else who's stuck with it. I'm on my second application cycle now and sooo glad it's going to be my last lol.

Yeah same! It would feel weird to not apply to them. I'm not holding my breath though for them to accept me. But you never know! A lot of the other schools you applied to are much more holistic with their application reviews as far as I can tell so hopefully there will be an acceptance in your near future. And thanks! I was really impressed with the school and it shot up on my ranking after the visit. The only concern is the cost XD haha.

Yeah, literally everyone I knew who planned on applying ended up changing their minds! Glad we've stuck with it though!

And yeah, I'm trying to not get my hopes up too high but I've seen quite a few students with "average" academics get accepted into some great schools, so I am a tad bit optimistic about hopefully getting another interview or two somewhere!

 

[Momokeen]

Yeah, literally everyone I knew who planned on applying ended up changing their minds! Glad we've stuck with it though!

And yeah, I'm trying to not get my hopes up too high but I've seen quite a few students with "average" academics get accepted into some great schools, so I am a tad bit optimistic about hopefully getting another interview or two somewhere! .

Yeah! Haha same 🙂 I couldn't see myself doing anything else at this point.

Yeah some schools definitely weigh more than just gpa which is nice. I think you will definitely get some interviews/acceptances! When is your interview at Western? I'm on Oct 31st in the afternoon.

 

[singhb09]

Yeah! Haha same 🙂 I couldn't see myself doing anything else at this point.

Yeah some schools definitely weigh more than just gpa which is nice. I think you will definitely get some interviews/acceptances! When is your interview at Western? I'm on Oct 31st in the afternoon..

I hope so! Nervous but excited with all the waiting!

My interview is one th 31st as well, 7:45 is the check-in time and I think the interviews are around 10-11ish.

 

[Momokeen]

I hope so! Nervous but excited with all the waiting!

My interview is one th 31st as well, 7:45 is the check-in time and I think the interviews are around 10-11ish..

Yeah seriously! At least some we are hearing from a little early 🙂.

Ok cool! Maybe I'll see you in passing then haha

 

[Enzo07]

Hi all - posted a while back but here I am. Trying to decide if I should take a gap year or not, I'm currently a junior, so this would mean not applying this coming summer (2017) for 2018 matriculation. I'll sum up my stats:

Cum GPA: 3.43
Last 45: 3.63 right now but will change after this semester & next semester grades. Also, I'll be going abroad next semester...will those grades count in my last 45 if I apply next year, or do they skip over it because it's not my home university?

GRE (lacking here): 149V, 154Q, 4.5 AWA

Veterinary experience:
160 hours small animal clinic at shelter intern
80 hours this winter @ equine clinic

Animal experience:
430 hours wildlife rehabilitation intern
200 hours cat care volunteer
6 hours dog walking volunteer @ shelter
16 hours dog training at shelter

LOR's will be from: my academic advisor, my boss from the wildlife rehabilitation center, and DVM is unknown yet because I haven't worked with one closely enough to write me a good one

Schools I'm interested in: Cornell (IS), VA-MD, ISU, OSU, UF, Mizzou, not a cut and dry list obviously but here it is.

I feel number-wise, I'm not very impressive. But I will be going abroad to Australia next spring and I feel that's something that helps me stand out, my summer-long internship at the wildlife rehabilitation center was VERY hands on and was my favorite experience, not to mention she'll give me a great letter. I also did my best to get a diversity of experiences since I'm not high in numbers (I have shelter, small animal, equine, and wildlife). My hopes are to maybe get to know the veterinarian at the equine clinic well enough to write me a LOR, or I've been contacting places near my abroad university to try and volunteer while I'm there (anyone have any Brisbane contacts?).

Thanks in advance!

 

[mmmdreamerz]

Hi all - posted a while back but here I am. Trying to decide if I should take a gap year or not, I'm currently a junior, so this would mean not applying this coming summer (2017) for 2018 matriculation. I'll sum up my stats:

Cum GPA: 3.43
Last 45: 3.63 right now but will change after this semester & next semester grades. Also, I'll be going abroad next semester...will those grades count in my last 45 if I apply next year, or do they skip over it because it's not my home university?

GRE (lacking here): 149V, 154Q, 4.5 AWA

Veterinary experience:
160 hours small animal clinic at shelter intern
80 hours this winter @ equine clinic

Animal experience:
430 hours wildlife rehabilitation intern
200 hours cat care volunteer
6 hours dog walking volunteer @ shelter
16 hours dog training at shelter

LOR's will be from: my academic advisor, my boss from the wildlife rehabilitation center, and DVM is unknown yet because I haven't worked with one closely enough to write me a good one

Schools I'm interested in: Cornell (IS), VA-MD, ISU, OSU, UF, Mizzou, not a cut and dry list obviously but here it is.

I feel number-wise, I'm not very impressive. But I will be going abroad to Australia next spring and I feel that's something that helps me stand out, my summer-long internship at the wildlife rehabilitation center was VERY hands on and was my favorite experience, not to mention she'll give me a great letter. I also did my best to get a diversity of experiences since I'm not high in numbers (I have shelter, small animal, equine, and wildlife). My hopes are to maybe get to know the veterinarian at the equine clinic well enough to write me a LOR, or I've been contacting places near my abroad university to try and volunteer while I'm there (anyone have any Brisbane contacts?).

Thanks in advance!

I'd definitely try to get more veterinary experience, especially because all schools require at least one letter to be from a veterinarian. If I were you, I'd probably also try to take the GRE again. What's your science GPA?

 

[Enzo07]

I'd definitely try to get more veterinary experience, especially because all schools require at least one letter to be from a veterinarian. If I were you, I'd probably also try to take the GRE again. What's your science GPA?

Yeah the vet experience is definitely low, hence me hoping that my diversity sheds a different light on me...also considering taking the GRE again next summer. I won't be back from abroad until beginning of July, which doesn't leave me much time to study and get a new score in to VMCAS, but it's in my thoughts. Science GPA is around a 3.3 or 3.4 I think. Still not great, I know.

 

[mmmdreamerz]

Yeah the vet experience is definitely low, hence me hoping that my diversity sheds a different light on me...also considering taking the GRE again next summer. I won't be back from abroad until beginning of July, which doesn't leave me much time to study and get a new score in to VMCAS, but it's in my thoughts. Science GPA is around a 3.3 or 3.4 I think. Still not great, I know.

I highly recommend Magoosh for the GRE. I spent all of last summer working on research in the middle of nowhere, got back in August, last minute decided to retake the GRE, used Magoosh for two weeks and managed to improve my GRE score by 9 points. Now I'm not saying anyone should take my approach, but my point is using Magoosh/retaking the GRE really benefitted me.

Honestly your GPA's aren't spectacular but they aren't terrible. You definitely have a shot. If I was you, I would retake the GRE and try to get the highest score you can. It can only help you.

Any extracurricular involement?

 

[Enzo07]

I highly recommend Magoosh for the GRE. I spent all of last summer working on research in the middle of nowhere, got back in August, last minute decided to retake the GRE, used Magoosh for two weeks and managed to improve my GRE score by 9 points. Now I'm not saying anyone should take my approach, but my point is using Magoosh/retaking the GRE really benefitted me.

Honestly your GPA's aren't spectacular but they aren't terrible. You definitely have a shot. If I was you, I would retake the GRE and try to get the highest score you can. It can only help you.

Any extracurricular involement?

Yes I've heard great things about Magoosh! I did use it shortly this summer, but my full-time internship turned into 50+ hour weeks where I was so drained I just stopped studying. But that is my own fault and I still should have devoted time. 9 points?! That's so great!

Extracurriculars: I'm heavily involved in intramural sports at my school, I know it's not vet related at all or academic, but I really do enjoy it and I play on 4+ teams every 2 months or so. It helps relieve my stress and I've done it consistently every semester for most sports my school offers. I was also the Intramural Representative in my dorm's hall council last year. I'm also pretty involved in my school's pre-vet club, would run for office this year but I'm going abroad next semester, so if going abroad counts for something, I've got that. And I've just recently joined the Archery Club here. I think that's about it.

 

[singhb09]

Yeah seriously! At least some we are hearing from a little early 🙂.

Ok cool! Maybe I'll see you in passing then haha

I'm sure we'll see each other, I look forward to it!

 

[Momokeen]

I'm sure we'll see each other, I look forward to it!

Me too!

 

[mmmdreamerz]

Yes I've heard great things about Magoosh! I did use it shortly this summer, but my full-time internship turned into 50+ hour weeks where I was so drained I just stopped studying. But that is my own fault and I still should have devoted time. 9 points?! That's so great!

Extracurriculars: I'm heavily involved in intramural sports at my school, I know it's not vet related at all or academic, but I really do enjoy it and I play on 4+ teams every 2 months or so. It helps relieve my stress and I've done it consistently every semester for most sports my school offers. I was also the Intramural Representative in my dorm's hall council last year. I'm also pretty involved in my school's pre-vet club, would run for office this year but I'm going abroad next semester, so if going abroad counts for something, I've got that. And I've just recently joined the Archery Club here. I think that's about it.

I understand completely. It's not easy to balance all the things!

Non-vet med extracurriculars are good. You want to be as diverse as you can be. Biggest things would be keep your grades up, def consider retaking the GRE, and get as many veterinary hours as you can. Good luck!

 

[JRod94]

Hey everyone! I have a question that I figured could best be answered on this thread! I applied this cycle but I know that I am lacking in my vet. hours. I only have 650 hours (but a variety of hours. 400 in Mixed animal, 150 in shelter med, 50 in large animal, 10 hours in exotics, and some other hours give or take) of veterinary experience and I was wondering if I would still be considered even with my lack of hours?

I didn't start pursuing vet med until my senior year of university. Before that I was an EMT (Emergency Medical Technician) so I have roughly 600 hours for that. I've also been a TA for 2 years and I was the lab. manager of the Biology Department at my University for 1 year. I also played a sport for 4 years at my university. Academically I am in good standing (3.7+ for all my GPA's) and I know the letters of rec that I received from my vets are very strong.

But I'm really doubting whether I'll even be considered with so few hours compared to everyone else who seems to have thousands of hours. I am continuing to work as a vet. tech and by the time interviews come around I will definitely have 1000+ hours . Any and all thoughts are welcomed! 🙂 thank you!

 

[katashark]

Hey everyone! I have a question that I figured could best be answered on this thread! I applied this cycle but I know that I am lacking in my vet. hours. I only have 650 hours (but a variety of hours. 400 in Mixed animal, 150 in shelter med, 50 in large animal, 10 hours in exotics, and some other hours give or take) of veterinary experience and I was wondering if I would still be considered even with my lack of hours?

I didn't start pursuing vet med until my senior year of university. Before that I was an EMT (Emergency Medical Technician) so I have roughly 600 hours for that. I've also been a TA for 2 years and I was the lab. manager of the Biology Department at my University for 1 year. I also played a sport for 4 years at my university. Academically I am in good standing (3.7+ for all my GPA's) and I know the letters of rec that I received from my vets are very strong.

But I'm really doubting whether I'll even be considered with so few hours compared to everyone else who seems to have thousands of hours. I am continuing to work as a vet. tech and by the time interviews come around I will definitely have 1000+ hours . Any and all thoughts are welcomed! 🙂 thank you!

650 hours is no joke! You will definitely still be considered especially if they are quality hours in diverse settings. The rest of your stuff is outstanding as well. You don't know what the thousands of hours consist of for other people. So don't sell yourself short. If you don't get in this cycle, you know what to work on and continue to get hours even now during the waiting process. Might come up in interviews or something.


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile

 

[JRod94]

650 hours is no joke! You will definitely still be considered especially if they are quality hours in diverse settings. The rest of your stuff is outstanding as well. You don't know what the thousands of hours consist of for other people. So don't sell yourself short. If you don't get in this cycle, you know what to work on and continue to get hours even now during the waiting process. Might come up in interviews or something.


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile

Thank you! You don't know how much you've calmed my nerves! I guess now I just wait and see what the application committees think! 🙂

 

[wildlifevet99]

I understand completely. It's not easy to balance all the things!

Non-vet med extracurriculars are good. You want to be as diverse as you can be. Biggest things would be keep your grades up, def consider retaking the GRE, and get as many veterinary hours as you can. Good luck!

It all depends where you want to go mate. There are competitive vet schools just like there are competitive undergraduate institutions. I don't like your chances at UC-Davis, Tufts, CSU, or Cornell, but you're a shoe-in at both Caribbean schools and probably a few others in the states with lower admission standards.

 

[Enzo07]

I understand completely. It's not easy to balance all the things!

Non-vet med extracurriculars are good. You want to be as diverse as you can be. Biggest things would be keep your grades up, def consider retaking the GRE, and get as many veterinary hours as you can. Good luck!

Thanks so much, will do! Good luck to you too!

 

[katashark]

Thank you! You don't know how much you've calmed my nerves! I guess now I just wait and see what the application committees think! 🙂

Check out this thread to see other applicants who had various amounts of hours. I had less than 800 I think, so don't worry so much!
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/successful-applicant-stats-class-of-2020.1171065/

 

[Enzo07]

It all depends where you want to go mate. There are competitive vet schools just like there are competitive undergraduate institutions. I don't like your chances at UC-Davis, Tufts, CSU, or Cornell, but you're a shoe-in at both Caribbean schools and probably a few others in the states with lower admission standards.

Yeah, I see what you mean. I am applying to Cornell, only because it's my in-state, but not to the others because I know my academics are slacking. Thanks for your input!

 

[Lily251]

Any tips or advice?

I'm a junior in college currently:
Major: Animal Science
Minor: Spanish
GPA: 3.63
GRE: Haven't taken it yet
(I started getting Experience when I was around 15-16):
Veterinary Experience: Around 1,000 Hours small animal experience, about 1,300 equine experience, about 250 large animal experience.
Animal Experience: About 850 Hours volunteering at an animal shelter, 150 at a pet soup kitchen (families who couldn't afford to feed their pets anymore), 1,000 hours at an equine therapy farm and equine rehabilitation center, 150 Hours at a wildlife refuge. I did a large animal internship over the past few summers and have about 250 hours and have a little bit of experience from being a zoo volunteer: 450 hours.
Extracurriculars/Community Service:
~Clubs: Pre-vet club and Block and Bridle Club
~I also participate in a volunteer program at my college where I tutor middle/high school students in Spanish, as well as working with disabled people and their service animals.

Do you think I have good chances of getting into veterinary school?? How can I make my chances better? I feel like my GPA is a little low (thanks organic chem).

I'm planning on applying to these vet schools: UGA (in-state), University of Tennessee, Purdue, Auburn, Texas A&M, Washington State and University of Wisconsin (because I have family there)

 

[lhmhtd]

Any tips or advice?

I'm a junior in college currently:
Major: Animal Science
Minor: Spanish
GPA: 3.63
GRE: Haven't taken it yet
(I started getting Experience when I was around 15-16):
Veterinary Experience: Around 1,000 Hours small animal experience, about 1,300 equine experience, about 250 large animal experience.
Animal Experience: About 850 Hours volunteering at an animal shelter, 150 at a pet soup kitchen (families who couldn't afford to feed their pets anymore), 1,000 hours at an equine therapy farm and equine rehabilitation center, 150 Hours at a wildlife refuge. I did a large animal internship over the past few summers and have about 250 hours and have a little bit of experience from being a zoo volunteer: 450 hours.
Extracurriculars/Community Service:
~Clubs: Pre-vet club and Block and Bridle Club
~I also participate in a volunteer program at my college where I tutor middle/high school students in Spanish, as well as working with disabled people and their service animals.

Do you think I have good chances of getting into veterinary school?? How can I make my chances better? I feel like my GPA is a little low (thanks organic chem).

I'm planning on applying to these vet schools: UGA (in-state), University of Tennessee, Purdue, Auburn, Texas A&M, Washington State and University of Wisconsin (because I have family there)

I think your stats look pretty good- do well on the GRE and write an awesome personal statement. Great experiences and extracurriculars though. Obviously bringing up your GPA isn't going to hurt anything. You've got a good shot at UGA though as an IS.

 

[Lily251]

I think your stats look pretty good- do well on the GRE and write an awesome personal statement. Great experiences and extracurriculars though. Obviously bringing up your GPA isn't going to hurt anything. You've got a good shot at UGA though as an IS.

I think your stats look pretty good- do well on the GRE and write an awesome personal statement. Great experiences and extracurriculars though. Obviously bringing up your GPA isn't going to hurt anything. You've got a good shot at UGA though as an IS.

Thank you! Hopefully I can manage to raise my GPA a little before I have to apply.

 

[kayed12]

I'd definitely try to get more veterinary experience, especially because all schools require at least one letter to be from a veterinarian. If I were you, I'd probably also try to take the GRE again. What's your science GPA?

Hello I am new here. I am wondering when vet schools say "science GPA" is it all the sciences ever taken? or just the pre-req sciences? Thank you for your help.

 

[mmmdreamerz]

Hello I am new here. I am wondering when vet schools say "science GPA" is it all the sciences ever taken? or just the pre-req sciences? Thank you for your help.

Welcome to SDN!

Kind of just depends on the school...they all do it differently! When VMCAS calculates your science GPA they use all the science classes you've taken.

 

[kayed12]

Welcome to SDN!

Kind of just depends on the school...they all do it differently! When VMCAS calculates your science GPA they use all the science classes you've taken.

Thank you so much for the quick response! Additional question... might be too specific. In undergrad I majored in Sports Medicine. It included biology classes and Sports Medicine classes. Do you think the sports medicine classes are considered science classes? They mostly focus on exercise health disease...

 

[SummerTheLynx]

Thank you so much for the quick response! Additional question... might be too specific. In undergrad I majored in Sports Medicine. It included biology classes and Sports Medicine classes. Do you think the sports medicine classes are considered science classes? They mostly focus on exercise health disease...

I would ask the schools you are thinking of applying to. That's definitely a grey zone.


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile

 

[deleted676737]

Thank you so much for the quick response! Additional question... might be too specific. In undergrad I majored in Sports Medicine. It included biology classes and Sports Medicine classes. Do you think the sports medicine classes are considered science classes? They mostly focus on exercise health disease...

Agreed with STL. They might be considered in the science GPA by the individual schools that you apply to; I don't think that they will count for VMCAS's calculated science GPAs, though. I would contact the schools you're interested in directly and get confirmation on that. 🙂

 

[katashark]

These will be my stats by Sep 1st when I plan to submit 🙂 Any feedback appreciated.

23 y/o Florida Resident 1st time applicant.
Major: Biomedical Sciences
Minor: Psychology
Applying to: FL, Missouri, NC and possibly GA.

Cum GPA: 3.85
Science GPA: 3.7+ish
Last 45 GPA: 3.9ish

GRE Verbal: 161 (87%)
GRE Quant: 150 (40%) YIKES. 🙁
Analytical: Not up yet.
Can't retake unfortunately, studied for months mainly focused on quant and all my powerprep and manahattan prep tests estimated me at the 50-64th percentile. Got a 28% my first time with the quant so yay for minor improvement lol.

Veterinary Experience: 1140 hrs
1000 SA/Food Animal Vet Tech
70 hrs shadowing surgeon
40 hrs shadowing equine
32 hrs shadowing SA

Animal Experience: 1180
210 hrs exotic animal sanctuary (tigers, lions, ocelots, binturongs, genet)
970 horse experience. Riding, camp counselor, stablehand, etc. (Done before high school)

Research Experience: 142
Chemistry lab: 100
Microbio lab: 42
Wasn't a big fan of research. Basically did the grunt work so nothing exciting here.

LOR's
Vet I worked for who said she will write me an excellent letter
Vet I shadowed who wrote me probably a decently good letter
Literature professor who probably wrote me a generic letter

Non-Animal Employment: 448
Retail: 448

Non-Animal Volunteer: 95
American Cancer Society: 63
Community Hospital: 32

Extracurriculars:
Dance Team in high school for one year.
Track and Field team for one year. Placed in a few discus tournaments.

Awards/Honors:
Dean's List multiple semesters
Magna Cum Laude
Scholarships
Phi Eta Sigma National Honor Society

Going to work hard on making my PS and other essays to make them strong and cohesive. I've gotten a lot of feedback so going to overhaul that bad boy and hopefully make it much better.

I don't know much about the schools you are applying to. But, if you don't get in this year, I'd strongly recommend retaking the GRE. You've got a lot of veterinary experience, I don't know what your balance is between SA/food animal, but either way that looks good. Your GPA is on point, much higher than mine was. You don't have to have research experience to apply anywhere, so I wouldn't worry about that very much. It's good you've got stuff outside of vet med. I hope your LORs are good and your PS turned out well. If you don't get in this cycle, ask for a file review. Main thing would be the GRE in my opinion.

 

[coffeelauren]

Hey, this might not be the best place to ask, idk. I am very interested in shadowing at an emergency clinic, but i currently have a very limited amount of pretty much exclusively spay neuter clinic experience. Do you think a substantial amount of regular small animal is a kind of an unspoken, pre-req, for lack of a better word, before trying to contact an emergency clinic about shadowing?

 

[PrincessButterCup]

Hey, this might not be the best place to ask, idk. I am very interested in shadowing at an emergency clinic, but i currently have a very limited amount of pretty much exclusively spay neuter clinic experience. Do you think a substantial amount of regular small animal is a kind of an unspoken, pre-req, for lack of a better word, before trying to contact an emergency clinic about shadowing?

There's absolutely no harm in talking to the clinic to see if they would consider having you shadow. Where I work (a small animal hospital) we currently have several shadows who didn't have any relevant experience before they came to us.

 

[the_dogtor]

I could definitely use some feedback on areas of improvement for my application!
Applied: UF (IS), Auburn, UGA, LSU

Cumulative GPA:3.83
Science: 3.75
Last 45: 3.84
Prereq GPA (some schools calculated this): 3.87

GRE:
155/154/3.5 (not an accurate representation of my writing level)

Veterinary:
392- Veterinary Technician at a shelter (current)
306- Surgical Technician Assistant at a shelter's spay and neuter clinic (current)
4- Shadowing hours when a vet came to treat colic at the barn I volunteer at
*700 hours isn't much but these were quality hours, all hands on and done within a year (I decided on vet med early my junior year)

Animal-
30- Public education at a wildlife hospital
55- Volunteering working with horses at a barn that does riding therapy for special needs kids (current)
12- Aiding special needs kids for riding lessons
36- volunteering at a shelter (Walking dogs, doing events, fundraising)

Research
195- Directed independent Organic Chem research on gene transfer agents (current)
40- Independent Field work tracking mammals on my campus (Current)
Also starting a new animal behavior research project (independent)

Extracurricular
888- Two leadership positions in my sorority. One executive board position overseeing a $100,000 programming budget, a board of directors, and chapter materials. The other assisting new member education, overseeing another team.
192- VP of a dance club- We raised money for local philanthropies, performed at local venues. I was in charge of membership.

Volunteer
81- Fundraising for various organizations, a LOT of event planning leading to raising $10K+.

Work
930- orientation leader at my college- heavy leadership position, worked with a team and helped 200+ students over the course of the summer.
306- Science tutor (bio 1/2)
1620- retail sales (I had been working since high school)
720- Server

Honors/awards
Honors program
Order of Omega Greek Honors Society
$1000 Honors program research grant
Panhellenic Scholarship award
Deans/Presidents list every semester

I want to pursue shelter medicine but I understand my application is lacking veterinary diversity. Any tips on where to get other veterinary experience? Having a hard time finding equine vets that would allow a shadow or wildlife animal hospitals that allow shadowing/hands on work.

 

[CelestialVeterinarian]

I am a transfer student who is attending University of Michigan - Dearborn who's main goal in life is to be accepted into Michigan State University of College of Veterinary Medicine.
My story is different, though.
In 2012 I lost my father and in 2016 I lost my mother. I am an orphan.
I am trying so hard to stay in school and aim for my dreams. It's hard to handle the weight of the world whilst going to school.

Since I am a transfer student I attended a community college and during those events of losing my parents I was a 3.6 GPA to my last semester being 2.9. I tried so hard to stay on top of it but depression and the stresses of life haunted me.
I am starting my year off alright but I might get a C in Organic Chemistry, which I really don't want to do... I am aiming for a B.

What do you think? I personally think I am strong and awesome for trying despite my struggles but I don't think that'll land me a spot in MSU.
HELP!!!!




Cumulative GPA: N/A
Science: N/A
Last 45: N/A
Prereq GPA (some schools calculated this): N/A

GRE:
Not taken yet.

Veterinary:
110 and counting small animal clinic experience alongside surgical procedures.
Waiting to get the OK for large animal job shadowing.

Animal-
Volunteering at a shelter.

Research
Trying to get a professor for this right now. It's so hard.

Extracurricular
None.

Volunteer
160 (and counting) between a soup kitchen and a animal shelter.

Work
Waitress since I was 16 (I am 21 and still working as a waitress).
Helped disabled classmates with writing notes for them for a semester.

Honors/awards
Phi Theta Kappa
National Honor Society
National Technical Honor Society
Deans list back in 2013 (or 2014, I forget)

 

[pp9]

I am a transfer student who is attending University of Michigan - Dearborn who's main goal in life is to be accepted into Michigan State University of College of Veterinary Medicine.
My story is different, though.
In 2012 I lost my father and in 2016 I lost my mother. I am an orphan.
I am trying so hard to stay in school and aim for my dreams. It's hard to handle the weight of the world whilst going to school.

Since I am a transfer student I attended a community college and during those events of losing my parents I was a 3.6 GPA to my last semester being 2.9. I tried so hard to stay on top of it but depression and the stresses of life haunted me.
I am starting my year off alright but I might get a C in Organic Chemistry, which I really don't want to do... I am aiming for a B.

What do you think? I personally think I am strong and awesome for trying despite my struggles but I don't think that'll land me a spot in MSU.
HELP!!!!




Cumulative GPA: N/A
Science: N/A
Last 45: N/A
Prereq GPA (some schools calculated this): N/A

GRE:
Not taken yet.

Veterinary:
110 and counting small animal clinic experience alongside surgical procedures.
Waiting to get the OK for large animal job shadowing.

Animal-
Volunteering at a shelter.

Research
Trying to get a professor for this right now. It's so hard.

Extracurricular
None.

Volunteer
160 (and counting) between a soup kitchen and a animal shelter.

Work
Waitress since I was 16 (I am 21 and still working as a waitress).
Helped disabled classmates with writing notes for them for a semester.

Honors/awards
Phi Theta Kappa
National Honor Society
National Technical Honor Society
Deans list back in 2013 (or 2014, I forget)

I don't think one semester with a 2.9 is going to be the end of the world. If your cumulative GPA is a 2.9, that makes things much harder, but not impossible. a C in organic chem hardly puts you out of the running.

For Michigan State specifically, they don't even consider cumulative GPAs. They only look at your science GPA and last 45 credits, as well as the GRE. https://cvm.msu.edu/future-students/dvm/apply/sis-calculator for more info. If you still have a year or two left in school, you have time to bring your science GPA up. Do well in your upper level science courses (biochem, for example). If you can make your science GPA competitive (probably at least a 3.4 for MSU), you might have a better shot than you think. Make an appointment with the pre-vet advisers when you're able.

Keep getting vet experience in varied areas (small, large animal, exotics, shelter, etc.). It sounds like you're from my neck of the woods (metro Detroit), so if you need places to check out, message me.

I'm sorry you lost your parents, I can't imagine how hard that is.

 

[mmmdreamerz]

I am a transfer student who is attending University of Michigan - Dearborn who's main goal in life is to be accepted into Michigan State University of College of Veterinary Medicine.
My story is different, though.
In 2012 I lost my father and in 2016 I lost my mother. I am an orphan.
I am trying so hard to stay in school and aim for my dreams. It's hard to handle the weight of the world whilst going to school.

Since I am a transfer student I attended a community college and during those events of losing my parents I was a 3.6 GPA to my last semester being 2.9. I tried so hard to stay on top of it but depression and the stresses of life haunted me.
I am starting my year off alright but I might get a C in Organic Chemistry, which I really don't want to do... I am aiming for a B.

What do you think? I personally think I am strong and awesome for trying despite my struggles but I don't think that'll land me a spot in MSU.
HELP!!!!




Cumulative GPA: N/A
Science: N/A
Last 45: N/A
Prereq GPA (some schools calculated this): N/A

GRE:
Not taken yet.

Veterinary:
110 and counting small animal clinic experience alongside surgical procedures.
Waiting to get the OK for large animal job shadowing.

Animal-
Volunteering at a shelter.

Research
Trying to get a professor for this right now. It's so hard.

Extracurricular
None.

Volunteer
160 (and counting) between a soup kitchen and a animal shelter.

Work
Waitress since I was 16 (I am 21 and still working as a waitress).
Helped disabled classmates with writing notes for them for a semester.

Honors/awards
Phi Theta Kappa
National Honor Society
National Technical Honor Society
Deans list back in 2013 (or 2014, I forget)

First off. I'm so sorry for yours lose. I can't even imagine.

One semester at 2.9 is not the end. Especially given your extenuating circumstances. Focus on doing the best that you can from here on our and you can make this happen!

Keep up with getting experience and kick butt on the GRE.

If you want to get involved with research, sometimes asking your advisor who has projects going on can help. They usually know who is doing what and who is likely to let undergrads do work. Just gotta get your foot in the door...

 

[pcram93]

Hey guys,

First off, thank you to all who respond to my post. Any type of response is appreciated. I am inquiring from the pre-veterinary/veterinary community here at SDN on the competitiveness of my application. I have spent some time going through some of the numerous accepted statistics threads from previous years and I must say they make me nervous about my chances.

I am a c/o 2021 applicant with submitted applications to Illinois (my IS), Missouri, and Washington State. I have some serious deficiencies in my application that I'm sure the community can breakdown and give plenty advice on.

Here is the general rundown of my stats:

Male, 22, First-time applicant
Animal Science major (BS-expected Fall 2017)

Cumulative GPA: 3.89
Science GPA: 3.98
Last 30: 4.0

GRE: 148Q (31%--horrible I know), 152V (55%), 4.0 A (59%)

Veterinary Experience:
- 390 hours as a veterinary assistant working with both dogs/cats and exotics
- 72 hours shadowing primarily surgeries: spay/neuter, benign mass removal, dentals, necropsy...
- 30 hours shadowing avian veterinarian

Animal Experience:
- 100+ hours at dog/cat shelter
- 20 hours working with beef cattle in animal science classes

Awards/Honors:
- 2 academic scholarships
- Deans List or Academic Honors almost ever semester (5/7 total semesters)
- Honors Day award at university-wide honors ceremony

Extracurriculars:
- pre-vet club (General member)
- anthropology club (general member)

I also have fours years work experience as a landscaper and worked a year at my university doing maintenance.
Clearly, I have serious deficiency in the experience department especially with LA. I have had considerable difficulty finding volunteer/work opportunities to expand on LA experience. And I have seriously tried, I am just always rejected. Can anyone provide some suggestions on last minute ways to improve my chances? Obviously my application has already been submitted, but I am trying to add stuff on in case I am fortunate enough to make it to interviews and therefore can separate myself in the phase II process.

Once again, thank you to all who respond. Your advice is greatly appreciated.

 

[singhb09]

Hey guys,

First off, thank you to all who respond to my post. Any type of response is appreciated. I am inquiring from the pre-veterinary/veterinary community here at SDN on the competitiveness of my application. I have spent some time going through some of the numerous accepted statistics threads from previous years and I must say they make me nervous about my chances.

I am a c/o 2021 applicant with submitted applications to Illinois (my IS), Missouri, and Washington State. I have some serious deficiencies in my application that I'm sure the community can breakdown and give plenty advice on.

Here is the general rundown of my stats:

Male, 22, First-time applicant
Animal Science major (BS-expected Fall 2017)

Cumulative GPA: 3.89
Science GPA: 3.98
Last 30: 4.0

GRE: 148Q (31%--horrible I know), 152V (55%), 4.0 A (59%)

Veterinary Experience:
- 390 hours as a veterinary assistant working with both dogs/cats and exotics
- 72 hours shadowing primarily surgeries: spay/neuter, benign mass removal, dentals, necropsy...
- 30 hours shadowing avian veterinarian

Animal Experience:
- 100+ hours at dog/cat shelter
- 20 hours working with beef cattle in animal science classes

Awards/Honors:
- 2 academic scholarships
- Deans List or Academic Honors almost ever semester (5/7 total semesters)
- Honors Day award at university-wide honors ceremony

Extracurriculars:
- pre-vet club (General member)
- anthropology club (general member)

I also have fours years work experience as a landscaper and worked a year at my university doing maintenance.
Clearly, I have serious deficiency in the experience department especially with LA. I have had considerable difficulty finding volunteer/work opportunities to expand on LA experience. And I have seriously tried, I am just always rejected. Can anyone provide some suggestions on last minute ways to improve my chances? Obviously my application has already been submitted, but I am trying to add stuff on in case I am fortunate enough to make it to interviews and therefore can separate myself in the phase II process.

Once again, thank you to all who respond. Your advice is greatly appreciated.

I haven't been accepted anywhere yet so take my words with a grain of salt😉

In terms of GPA you're pretty high up there clearly. A lot of schools have a GPA cut-off which gives you a good shot at getting to the interview phase for a lot of programs (since you have the minimum hours for most programs as well). In terms of LA experience -- some schools value it highly while others really don't care. VA-MD for instance puts very little weight into it since they know "not everyone lives in an area where they have a realistic opportunity of gaining agricultural experience". Point in short is to consider applying to schools your application is best tailored to. Your grades give you an excellent shot though! If I could go back and focus more on my grades to have a GPA as strong as yours I would in a heartbeat. You can always go back and accumulate hours but grades are a different story 😱 many programs also conduct behavioral interviews, where the interviewing panel haven't even seen your application and are basically testing to see HOW you respond under pressure so I wouldn't worry about much other than your interview skills!

 

[pcram93]

I haven't been accepted anywhere yet so take my words with a grain of salt😉

In terms of GPA you're pretty high up there clearly. A lot of schools have a GPA cut-off which gives you a good shot at getting to the interview phase for a lot of programs (since you have the minimum hours for most programs as well). In terms of LA experience -- some schools value it highly while others really don't care. VA-MD for instance puts very little weight into it since they know "not everyone lives in an area where they have a realistic opportunity of gaining agricultural experience". Point in short is to consider applying to schools your application is best tailored to. Your grades give you an excellent shot though! If I could go back and focus more on my grades to have a GPA as strong as yours I would in a heartbeat. You can always go back and accumulate hours but grades are a different story 😱 many programs also conduct behavioral interviews, where the interviewing panel haven't even seen your application and are basically testing to see HOW you respond under pressure so I wouldn't worry about much other than your interview skills!

Thank you singhb09 for your response! Yeah I definitely should have looked more into researching which schools put less emphasis on LA experience. I'll just have to hope for the best. Also, thanks for the advice on interview prep and taking time to respond to my post!

 

[sheltermed]

Female from Michigan, 21 years old, Graduating in May 2017. First time applying.
Cum GPA: 3. 517 Science GPA: 3.34 Last 36 credits (MSU/Wisc): 3.83
GRE Verbal - 158 (80%) Quantitative - 156 (63%) AW - 4.0 (59%)

LOR's - Exotic Veterinarian, Feline Veterinarian, Behavior Specialist at Humane Society
PS: Talked about my interest in behavior modification, stress handling and how my positions as a receptionist and a resident assistant have helped me to work on my communication skills needed when being a vet.

School's Applied to: Mich State (IS), Wisconsin

Vet Experiences
-Wildlife Rehab - 390 hr as intern
-Exotics clinic receptionist - 1000 hr
-Equine Fertility Specialists - 10 hr, shadowing
-Random shadowing at several small animal vet clinics - 30 hours.
Total Vet Hours - ~1350 Hours

Research
1290 hours working for a research lab studying insects and toxicology.
30 hours research in chicken feed efficiency

Animal Experience
-Doggy Daycare, watched dog pack - 1200
-Humane Society Dog Trainer - 950
-Teaching Assistant at Univeristy for a Horsemanship course - 45 hr
-Worked as stable hand - 50 hours
-Alpaca Ranch, worked with vaccinating - 20 hours
-Shadowed zookeepers - 30 hours
-Puppy raiser for Leader Dogs for the Blind - 30 hours (I own her for first year of life, but only included monthly required training sesssions)
Total: ~2300 hours

Other Employment
Resident Assistant for 2 years


Class Experiences
Zoology Major

Extracurriculars
Random Acts of Kindness Club - secretary 1 year

Achievements
-Deans List

~~~~~~~~~
Please feel free to be honest and discuss my strengths and weaknesses in this app. Also, MSU is my top choice and it is IS for me. My SIS score runs about 886.

I think you have a strong application, especially for your in-state. You have some unique experiences which definitely count for something, and your GPA & GRE scores are decent. I think minimum SIS for MSU is 790, which you probably already know. I'm pretty sure you have a good shot there, and probably other places as well! Not a whole lot of people can say they worked at exotics clinics or for equine fertility specialists.

 

[BishopFaust]

Hello everyone! I have lurked around for about a year now and I'm looking for a little advice and/or encouragement. I just completed my first round of applications to various vet schools in September and my first rejection letter came yesterday from Davis. Ultimately I knew Davis was a long shot but it still hurts to be rejected so quickly. I also applied to CSU, Cornell, OSU, MSU, WSU and Western. This is my first year of vet school applications and the rejection from Davis has me worried about the other schools. Should I be worried? I realize it impossible to know how I stack up compared to virtually thousands of other candidates, but I would love honest input from others with similar experiences.


28 yro female
BS in Biochemistry earned 2015

Cumulative GPA: 3.40
Science: 3.30
calculated overall GPA: 3.35 - 3.55 (ranges depending on the school)

I wish my gpa was a little higher. I worked full time while completing my Bachelor's while supporting my family financially for years which inadvertently caused my academics to suffer a little.​

GRE
Test date Verbal Verb % Quantitative Quant %
07/23/2016 155 68 149 35
08/17/2016 157 75 148 31

(Yikes, I know....unfortunately, I know this is my weakest aspect as candidate. I had very little time to study and prepare.)​

Veterinary/ Work:
over 40,000 hours of hands on experience on shelter, clinical, hospital, and emergency levels. ( I've worked in veterinary medicine or over 13.5 years....often working multiple jobs simultaneously).

Animal / Volunteer
Volunteered at Best Friends Animal Society, LA - Neonatal Ward (~25 hours)
Local animal S&N Nonprofit group (~200 hours)
Local church volunteer work (~200 hours)
Tutoring


Research
Entomology & Ecology - paper published in Ecology & Evolution (~4 semesters)

Extracurricular
Local rescue!
Rose Parade float decorator
Sew and sell stuffed plush squids (this lets me practice my surgical suturing techniques)
Math, Science and English tutor


Honors/awards
Dean's list for 4 years (undergrad/ AA)
President' Honor List for 2 years (undergrad/ AA)
Special Congressional Recognition Award
Alpha Gamma Sigma Honor Society Permanent Member since 2011

eLORs:
4 - From veterinarians that I have worked with for years at various facilities
1 - From a local 501 c3 non-profit animal rescue founder and writer that I have worked with for years.
1 - my research professor (and author of the published paper)

 

[mht2k3]

Veterinary/ Work:
over 40,000 hours of hands on experience on shelter, clinical, hospital, and emergency levels. ( I've worked in veterinary medicine or over 13.5 years....often working multiple jobs simultaneously).

Not to speak to the rest of the post, but are you sure you have 40k+? Even with 13.5 years, this would mean working close to 60 hours per week for those 13.5 years with no vacation or time off. Did you go to college while working 60 hours a week? Since you say you are 28, I can't imagine that you worked those kind of hours when you were 15-18.

I'm a non traditional student who has been going back to school while working a full time (40 hour) job, and with only taking 2 classes (and labs) there is no way I could work more than 40 hours. I mean if you can back up that claim go for it, but I think schools are going to question such a high number and I really doubt 5-10k hours is any different than 40k in their minds.

 

[supershorty]

Hello everyone! I have lurked around for about a year now and I'm looking for a little advice and/or encouragement. I just completed my first round of applications to various vet schools in September and my first rejection letter came yesterday from Davis. Ultimately I knew Davis was a long shot but it still hurts to be rejected so quickly. I also applied to CSU, Cornell, OSU, MSU, WSU and Western. This is my first year of vet school applications and the rejection from Davis has me worried about the other schools. Should I be worried? I realize it impossible to know how I stack up compared to virtually thousands of other candidates, but I would love honest input from others with similar experiences.


28 yro female
BS in Biochemistry earned 2015

Cumulative GPA: 3.40
Science: 3.30
calculated overall GPA: 3.35 - 3.55 (ranges depending on the school)

I wish my gpa was a little higher. I worked full time while completing my Bachelor's while supporting my family financially for years which inadvertently caused my academics to suffer a little.​

GRE
Test date Verbal Verb % Quantitative Quant %
07/23/2016 155 68 149 35
08/17/2016 157 75 148 31

(Yikes, I know....unfortunately, I know this is my weakest aspect as candidate. I had very little time to study and prepare.)​

Veterinary/ Work:
over 40,000 hours of hands on experience on shelter, clinical, hospital, and emergency levels. ( I've worked in veterinary medicine or over 13.5 years....often working multiple jobs simultaneously).

Animal / Volunteer
Volunteered at Best Friends Animal Society, LA - Neonatal Ward (~25 hours)
Local animal S&N Nonprofit group (~200 hours)
Local church volunteer work (~200 hours)
Tutoring


Research
Entomology & Ecology - paper published in Ecology & Evolution (~4 semesters)

Extracurricular
Local rescue!
Rose Parade float decorator
Sew and sell stuffed plush squids (this lets me practice my surgical suturing techniques)
Math, Science and English tutor


Honors/awards
Dean's list for 4 years (undergrad/ AA)
President' Honor List for 2 years (undergrad/ AA)
Special Congressional Recognition Award
Alpha Gamma Sigma Honor Society Permanent Member since 2011

eLORs:
4 - From veterinarians that I have worked with for years at various facilities
1 - From a local 501 c3 non-profit animal rescue founder and writer that I have worked with for years.
1 - my research professor (and author of the published paper)

Aside from the hours, I'm going to be honest, I applied the first time with GPAs that were pretty similar to yours and did not get in anywhere. Didn't even interview. I didn't see in your post if you have an IS school, but that will be your best shot. If you don't get in this time around, you might want to figure out a better way to study for the GRE (since you took it twice and got essentially the same score), especially if you want to apply to schools like Davis, which looks hard at the quantitative portion. What's your last 45 credits GPA?

I wouldn't be worried, but if I were you, I'd be making a plan for how to strengthen my application for next year as plan B. Get that sGPA and last 45 GPA as high as you possibly can.

 

[Coopah]

Hello everyone! I have lurked around for about a year now and I'm looking for a little advice and/or encouragement. I just completed my first round of applications to various vet schools in September and my first rejection letter came yesterday from Davis. Ultimately I knew Davis was a long shot but it still hurts to be rejected so quickly. I also applied to CSU, Cornell, OSU, MSU, WSU and Western. This is my first year of vet school applications and the rejection from Davis has me worried about the other schools. Should I be worried? I realize it impossible to know how I stack up compared to virtually thousands of other candidates, but I would love honest input from others with similar experiences.


28 yro female
BS in Biochemistry earned 2015

Cumulative GPA: 3.40
Science: 3.30
calculated overall GPA: 3.35 - 3.55 (ranges depending on the school)

I wish my gpa was a little higher. I worked full time while completing my Bachelor's while supporting my family financially for years which inadvertently caused my academics to suffer a little.​

GRE
Test date Verbal Verb % Quantitative Quant %
07/23/2016 155 68 149 35
08/17/2016 157 75 148 31

(Yikes, I know....unfortunately, I know this is my weakest aspect as candidate. I had very little time to study and prepare.)​

Veterinary/ Work:
over 40,000 hours of hands on experience on shelter, clinical, hospital, and emergency levels. ( I've worked in veterinary medicine or over 13.5 years....often working multiple jobs simultaneously).

Animal / Volunteer
Volunteered at Best Friends Animal Society, LA - Neonatal Ward (~25 hours)
Local animal S&N Nonprofit group (~200 hours)
Local church volunteer work (~200 hours)
Tutoring


Research
Entomology & Ecology - paper published in Ecology & Evolution (~4 semesters)

Extracurricular
Local rescue!
Rose Parade float decorator
Sew and sell stuffed plush squids (this lets me practice my surgical suturing techniques)
Math, Science and English tutor


Honors/awards
Dean's list for 4 years (undergrad/ AA)
President' Honor List for 2 years (undergrad/ AA)
Special Congressional Recognition Award
Alpha Gamma Sigma Honor Society Permanent Member since 2011

eLORs:
4 - From veterinarians that I have worked with for years at various facilities
1 - From a local 501 c3 non-profit animal rescue founder and writer that I have worked with for years.
1 - my research professor (and author of the published paper)

Forewarning, I have not been accepted anywhere yet, but I have two interviews so far. It does not make me an expert, but here is my opinion. I'm going to be honest, it will be difficult with that GPA. My GPA was even worse from my first time in undergrad. I took classes after the fact and knew if I did not get an A, I failed. I took 47 credits so far of almost entirely science based curriculum while working my regular 9 to 5 job. I could only take two classes at a time because of my schedule, but I still managed to get a 4.0 after I received my degree. That put my last 45 at 4.0, and since it was almost entirely science based my science GPA shot up to 3.79. I'm sure you have a lot of science classes already, but a 3.30 isn't a bad place to start. It is possible, especially since you have an IS, I didn't. If you work at it you can get there!

One final note, I believe a good way to make them look past your GPA is to have great writing skills. They go through a lot of applications, but if they see one that makes them sit up and think wow this is interesting, that will make sure you are remembered. Best of luck!

Edit: Look into Magoosh, I believe it's helped a lot of people with the GRE. Take some time to really study and nail it!

 

[hygebeorht]

Hello everyone! I have lurked around for about a year now and I'm looking for a little advice and/or encouragement.

First, Davis rejects a ton of people. Don't let that necessarily get you down. I got in everywhere that I applied except Davis. BTW, what is your IS school?

That all looks pretty solid. Obviously, the places where you can improve are your GPA and your GRE. I knew a guy in similar shape, tons of experience over many years in vet med but he had a crap GPA from undergrad that was chasing him. In the end he did a 1-year professional master's program (1-2 years, can't remember how long it took), got good grades, and he got in to his dream school. IF you will have the support you need to be able to get good grades that can pull your GPA up, that's not a bad idea if you don't get in this year. If you think you'll be in a similar position and get similar grades, don't waste the money. Just know that it's an option. CSU has a few good professional masters programs, which can be a good avenue in if CSU is a top choice for you.

Good news - there is data that demonstrates that the verbal GRE scores correlate best with performance during vet school, not quant scores. But you may wish to retake the GRE with adequate prep for next year if you have to reapply. Over my academic career, I've had to take it 4 times, mostly because it kept aging out. Fun.

Also: that is a ton of rec letters. Usually 4 would be my max recommendation. No one wants to read that many. More isn't necessarily better. If you have to apply again, choose two vets who think you are christ on water, and choose someone you worked with in research. They really mostly want to hear from vets and academicians if possible, i.e. people who are familiar with the demands of grad/vet school and have a good idea of your ability to hack it. But you can throw in a shelter worker person if you want.

Good luck! You sound like you've really worked hard!

 

[Florida_Future_DVM]

I was skipped over so just reposting 🙂

I could definitely use some feedback on areas of improvement for my application!

Cumulative GPA:3.83
Science: 3.75
Last 45: 3.84
Prereq GPA (some schools calculated this): 3.87

GRE:
155/154/3.5 (not an accurate representation of my writing level)

Veterinary:
392- Veterinary Technician at a shelter (current)
306- Surgical Technician Assistant at a shelter's spay and neuter clinic (current)
4- Shadowing hours when a vet came to treat colic at the barn I volunteer at
*700 hours isn't much but these were quality hours, all hands on and done within a year (I decided on vet med early my junior year)

Animal-
30- Public education at a wildlife hospital
55- Volunteering working with horses at a barn that does riding therapy for special needs kids (current)
12- Aiding special needs kids for riding lessons
36- volunteering at a shelter (Walking dogs, doing events, fundraising)

Research
195- Directed independent Organic Chem research on gene transfer agents (current)
40- Independent Field work tracking mammals on my campus (Current)
Also starting a new animal behavior research project (independent)

Extracurricular
888- Two leadership positions in my sorority. One executive board position overseeing a $100,000 programming budget, a board of directors, and chapter materials. The other assisting new member education, overseeing another team.
192- VP of a dance club- We raised money for local philanthropies, performed at local venues. I was in charge of membership.

Volunteer
81- Fundraising for various organizations, a LOT of event planning leading to raising $10K+.

Work
930- orientation leader at my college- heavy leadership position, worked with a team and helped 200+ students over the course of the summer.
306- Science tutor (bio 1/2)
1620- retail sales (I had been working since high school)
720- Server

Honors/awards
Honors program
Order of Omega Greek Honors Society
$1000 Honors program research grant
Panhellenic Scholarship award
Deans/Presidents list every semester

I want to pursue shelter medicine but I understand my application is lacking veterinary diversity. Any tips on where to get other veterinary experience? Having a hard time finding equine vets that would allow a shadow or wildlife animal hospitals that allow shadowing/hands on work.

 

[BishopFaust]

Not to speak to the rest of the post, but are you sure you have 40k+? Even with 13.5 years, this would mean working close to 60 hours per week for those 13.5 years with no vacation or time off. Did you go to college while working 60 hours a week? Since you say you are 28, I can't imagine that you worked those kind of hours when you were 15-18.

I'm a non traditional student who has been going back to school while working a full time (40 hour) job, and with only taking 2 classes (and labs) there is no way I could work more than 40 hours. I mean if you can back up that claim go for it, but I think schools are going to question such a high number and I really doubt 5-10k hours is any different than 40k in their minds.

That is a rough approximation. I crunched the actual numbers for VMCAS but that is within +/- 5k of the actual number. I work two jobs when I'm not in school between a hospital and clinic, 5 days a week 14 hours a day. My undergrad took 4 years to complete even after transferring from a community college with an AS in Biology. No vacations for the past 8 years!