What are my chances?

[animaldoc1]

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Do you have more experience you haven't told us about? 1000 hours is fine, but if it's only SA tech work that could be an issue.

Your GPA is a challenge. Can you find a way to take classes on a post-bacc level?

I already did a post bacc and all my course work is done and I can not go back to school. I did more than 1000 hours but since I live in NYC large animal experience is hard to come by so I was told that my SA experience would be sufficient from TUFTS and UPENN.

 

[abbercadaver]

I was told that since I am no longer in school I just need to increase my verbal score on the GRE. My work experience and writing samples were perfectly acceptable. Upenn and Tufts both said that only my academics are a problem and that I can only improve them with a GRE boost at this point.

I already did a post bacc and all my course work is done and I can not go back to school. I did more than 1000 hours but since I live in NYC large animal experience is hard to come by so I was told that my SA experience would be sufficient from TUFTS and UPENN.

G.P.A. Cumulative: 2.985
G.P.A. Required Courses: 2.544
G.P.A. Last 45 Credit Hours: 2.544
GRE:
Verbal: 530
Quantitative: 770
Analytical: 3.5

Vet Experience: over 1000 Hours Small Animal Practice as an assistant
Distinctions:
· Dean’s List:
.o .Fall 2009
.o .Spring 2010

· Magna Cum Laude and High honors in business and (If I pull all As this Fall I’ll be Summa Cum Laude)

Took a year off just to do vet work after my first round of applications were rejected. I really would like to know my chances here. Veterinary work is my passion and I am dying to become a DVM. I also am retaking the GRE soon to up my verbal and I am no longer in school so my GPA is sadly frozen in its current state.
I have 3 letters of rec and lots of experience.
Can anyone help me?

Wait...so are you in school or not? You will graduate magna/summa cum laude if you pull off all As this fall.....but you aren't in school?

You also mentioned that you cannot go back to school. Obviously we all understand that you probably have a job, and money is probably a little tight, and you don't want to waste it on going back to school...but can't is a bit strong of a word, don't you think? I mean...vet school tuition is going to be ridiculous, anyway. Why not better your chances by retaking some courses or taking some different sciences at night/online?

How many credit (roughly) do you have? I just can't fathom how you could graduate magna/summa cum laude but have a 2.5-2.9 in all required science courses...? Unless you just have a TON of credit hours? Did you graduate with two separate degrees?

If you already went back for post-bacc courses....did you flunk your science courses the first round, but ace them the second time around? Or did you just get a second degree, and not necessarily re-take any of your pre-reqs for vet school? I know you said your GPA was trending upwards, and that's good, but I'm not sure how it's upwards if your last 45 GPA is 2.5.

I'm sorry for all of the questions....but I'm honestly confused. If UPenn and Tufts think your GPA is fine, then I guess you have your answer, but that just seems odd to me. Most schools (admittedly, I have not looked into the two you mentioned) have a 'lower cutoff' of 3.0, usually.

Of course, none of us has seen your app in it's entirety...so this is all speculative and estimation. If you'd be willing to PM/email (or post on here, if you'd feel comfortable doing that. We try to be helpful and you'd of course be safe to put your info here, if you'd like more than my opinion). There are so many factors at play, sometimes it helps to see the whole application and not a brief snippet, as in such cases like yours. 🙂 I would love to see your 'whole app' profile to help.

Please don't take all my questions or any other criticisms you may find as ill will; we are just trying to give you the best idea we can on your chances. 🙂

 

[hai1983]

You also mentioned that you cannot go back to school. Obviously we all understand that you probably have a job, and money is probably a little tight, and you don't want to waste it on going back to school...but can't is a bit strong of a word, don't you think? I mean...vet school tuition is going to be ridiculous, anyway. Why not better your chances by retaking some courses or taking some different sciences at night/online?

This. If animaldoc1's primary issue is GPA, I cannot imagine why he wouldn't take more classes. I get that it's expensive, and annoying, and tiring, but if getting into veterinary school is the goal, taking more classes just seems like the next step he has to take.

And grades aside, I don't think getting more and different experience would hurt an application. Even if there aren't LA opportunities around, there are shelters and zoos and research facilities. Everybody here always says awesome GRE scores and experience are the two things that help to compensate for a lower GPA, right?

 

[MaiT]

I would definitely still apply to Cornell, since it's your IS. 🙂 Just rock the GRE!

Are you applying as a junior or a senior?

I'm applying as a senior. I heard that Kansas often takes OOS moreso than other schools; do you happen to know of others that take OOS more often?

 

[MaiT]

Going to an Ivy League school does not automatically lower your GPA. Getting Cs in courses worth 3.5-5 credits does. I'm not trying to be mean, but it's ludicrous to use going to your specific university as an excuse for your GPA, especially given that you know the meds you're on have affected your performance. The good news is Penn does care about where you went for undergrad, so you might get a little bump there for having gone to your school.

I didn't say going to an Ivy League automatically lowers one's GPA. Obviously, there are fellow classmates that do fabulous with high GPAs, so if that were to be the assumption, it's wrong. However, I was asked why was my GPA so low. My main answer was the medicine. I was also speculating possibly because it's considerably a school that grades harder. I'm not saying the school is automatically harder (which is why, in my original post, I was hesitant about writing that), but that from personal experiences, I've been in classes where the test is hard, proven by the fact that everyone does terribly, and the teacher does nothing to raise the grades (even though the entire class is getting C's). I'm sure there are plenty of universities that do this; it just so happens my school is one of them.

Ehh.. No, I don't think that a school is automatically more difficult if it's Ivy League. And you're right, the OP did bring up the medication thing to justify a lower GPA. But as someone who has taken majority of their science classes at a large university and some at a community college, I will say that there is a CLEAR difference in difficulty and in GPA. As a matter of fact, I know multiple people who transferred to my UG from both community colleges and smaller UG who either failed out or switched majors due to the difference in difficulty.

I wish more schools did pay attention to UG institution difficulty. Cause I graduated with a 3.2 (on no medications) and know that I worked significantly harder than many people with higher GPAs who took more classes at a CC or smaller UG schools.

Yes I do agree with you, there is a clear difference in difficulty in GPA amongst some schools, NOT necessarily Ivy Leagues. Also, I was always hesitant about mentioning my GPA issues on here, because I didn't want anyone to think I was using it as an excuse; I only wrote it on the post because it's what I'm planning to put in my explanation statement, I wanted to know what the adcoms would think of it.
The reason why I feel my medications had an effect on me was because they actually did. I know it's hard to take word over a computer, but the research I did in college was on the medication (it hit close to home, so I was interested in the topic), and we did find subjects, like myself, that had similar side effects. Cognitive impairment is a known side effect of this medicine. I'm hoping, as I stated in my original post, that the adcoms might notice that as my dosage is decreasing, my grades are increasing (evidenced by my last 45 hrs GPA).

Wouldn't not curving be to your benefit if there is a lot of competition? 😕
As in, if there's a curve and everyone does well, some have to do worse to keep the curve a curve because you need people at every end of that curve. But with no curve, you get what you get no matter what everyone else gets.
right?

And, honestly curious, having As and Bs shouldn't make your GPA low?

I have A's and B's, but C's (the 4 I mentioned in my original post) do in fact make one's GPA lower.

I'm hoping adcoms don't have the the same impression about my explanation statement as the posters on here do.

 

[animaldoc1]

Wait...so are you in school or not? You will graduate magna/summa cum laude if you pull off all As this fall.....but you aren't in school?

You also mentioned that you cannot go back to school. Obviously we all understand that you probably have a job, and money is probably a little tight, and you don't want to waste it on going back to school...but can't is a bit strong of a word, don't you think? I mean...vet school tuition is going to be ridiculous, anyway. Why not better your chances by retaking some courses or taking some different sciences at night/online?

How many credit (roughly) do you have? I just can't fathom how you could graduate magna/summa cum laude but have a 2.5-2.9 in all required science courses...? Unless you just have a TON of credit hours? Did you graduate with two separate degrees?

If you already went back for post-bacc courses....did you flunk your science courses the first round, but ace them the second time around? Or did you just get a second degree, and not necessarily re-take any of your pre-reqs for vet school? I know you said your GPA was trending upwards, and that's good, but I'm not sure how it's upwards if your last 45 GPA is 2.5.

I'm sorry for all of the questions....but I'm honestly confused. If UPenn and Tufts think your GPA is fine, then I guess you have your answer, but that just seems odd to me. Most schools (admittedly, I have not looked into the two you mentioned) have a 'lower cutoff' of 3.0, usually.

Of course, none of us has seen your app in it's entirety...so this is all speculative and estimation. If you'd be willing to PM/email (or post on here, if you'd feel comfortable doing that. We try to be helpful and you'd of course be safe to put your info here, if you'd like more than my opinion). There are so many factors at play, sometimes it helps to see the whole application and not a brief snippet, as in such cases like yours. 🙂 I would love to see your 'whole app' profile to help.

Please don't take all my questions or any other criticisms you may find as ill will; we are just trying to give you the best idea we can on your chances. 🙂

I went back to school for post bacc classes for two years to do all my sciences. I graduated with all those honors in my normal undergrad and then got a 2.5 in my post bacc sciences which accounts for a far lower gpa overall now.
I really would love to go back to school but in my current situation it would not be feasible to do in the amount of time before apps go out and decisions are made. It would take months before i can even sign up to courses and by then the 2013 decisions will be done.
I have over 170 credits from two colleges so my first 120 credits were very impressive and the last 45 is where all my failings come in.

 

[kakurubird]

I went back to school for post bacc classes for two years to do all my sciences. I graduated with all those honors in my normal undergrad and then got a 2.5 in my post bacc sciences which accounts for a far lower gpa overall now.
I really would love to go back to school but in my current situation it would not be feasible to do in the amount of time before apps go out and decisions are made. It would take months before i can even sign up to courses and by then the 2013 decisions will be done.
I have over 170 credits from two colleges so my first 120 credits were very impressive and the last 45 is where all my failings come in.

If I were an adcom, this would be a huge red flag to me.
Sure, you can do well in your business undergrad classes, but if you have a 2.5 in your required science pre-reqs, how do I know that you're going to get through in a program that's all science and probably many more than you've ever taken at once?

 

[abbercadaver]

If I were an adcom, this would be a huge red flag to me.
Sure, you can do well in your business undergrad classes, but if you have a 2.5 in your required science pre-reqs, how do I know that you're going to get through in a program that's all science and probably many more than you've ever taken at once?

I've got to agree with this...

 

[abbercadaver]

I'm applying as a senior. I heard that Kansas often takes OOS moreso than other schools; do you happen to know of others that take OOS more often?

I know Western and Tufts are not considered in-state anywhere, so technically they accept a lot of OOS applicants. I'd have to hunt for anywhere else.

I think LSU has roughly 20 spots, Oklahoma, I've heard is good for OOS applications.

Definitely NOT Georgia or Texas A&M, I can tell you that much.

 

[MaiT]

I know Western and Tufts are not considered in-state anywhere, so technically they accept a lot of OOS applicants. I'd have to hunt for anywhere else.

I think LSU has roughly 20 spots, Oklahoma, I've heard is good for OOS applications.

Definitely NOT Georgia or Texas A&M, I can tell you that much.

You have been such a great help!! 🙂 I looked at Oklahoma and unfortunately, I don't have one of the reqs (Nutrition) 🙁 I was going to e-mail admissions and ask if I can take it the summer before matriculation (if I were to get in), but then I read that everything must be completed by the spring term, so I figured it would be just stupid to ask lol.

I was also told that Kansas takes some OOS.

Good luck in everything that you endeavor at vet school -- you will make a great vet! 🙂

 

[NStarz]

You have been such a great help!! 🙂 I looked at Oklahoma and unfortunately, I don't have one of the reqs (Nutrition) 🙁 I was going to e-mail admissions and ask if I can take it the summer before matriculation (if I were to get in), but then I read that everything must be completed by the spring term, so I figured it would be just stupid to ask lol.

I was also told that Kansas takes some OOS.

Good luck in everything that you endeavor at vet school -- you will make a great vet! 🙂

Ohio is also kind to OOS applicants. I believe Tufts still has IS/OOS but they don't give so much of an advantage (or a tuition break) to the IS students. I would also look at Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, and Purdue.

 

[orca2011]

You have been such a great help!! 🙂 I looked at Oklahoma and unfortunately, I don't have one of the reqs (Nutrition) 🙁 I was going to e-mail admissions and ask if I can take it the summer before matriculation (if I were to get in), but then I read that everything must be completed by the spring term, so I figured it would be just stupid to ask lol.

I was also told that Kansas takes some OOS.

Good luck in everything that you endeavor at vet school -- you will make a great vet! 🙂

You can take nutrition online. Ok state even offers a course online that's cheaper than many of the others.

And Penn takes a lot of oos. I think like 60-70% of the class are non residents. You'd just have to be willing to deal with the cost. Although both Tufts and Western are expensive schools too.

 

[abbercadaver]

You have been such a great help!! 🙂 I looked at Oklahoma and unfortunately, I don't have one of the reqs (Nutrition) 🙁 I was going to e-mail admissions and ask if I can take it the summer before matriculation (if I were to get in), but then I read that everything must be completed by the spring term, so I figured it would be just stupid to ask lol.

I was also told that Kansas takes some OOS.

Good luck in everything that you endeavor at vet school -- you will make a great vet! 🙂

You can take nutrition online. Ok state even offers a course online that's cheaper than many of the others.

And Penn takes a lot of oos. I think like 60-70% of the class are non residents. You'd just have to be willing to deal with the cost. Although both Tufts and Western are expensive schools too.

Definitely look into taking it online. Is it not offered at your school presently, or are your future semesters/quarters just so full that you can't fit it in?

 

[Emiloo4]

FL doubled their OOS spots this past cycle to 24 and are thinking about more this cycle. I also believe Auburn upped their OOS spots to 40 this past cycle.

 

[animaldoc1]

I am currently enrolled into a single course for next semester (all I can take/afford) and I do have some LA experience but not a lot really. Mostly just some horse handling on a ranch. At this point I can not make my science GPA anything insanely good or special but I guess the Microbio Lab course I am applying too will help me apply to more places that have that requirement. I am working full time at my vet clinic for almost 3 years now so I think I have the experience part of my resume down for the most part. I have extra curriculars as well and I am working heavily on my writing. GRE is being retaken to achieve a better verbal, currently at 153 according to the website.

Any advice anyone can hand me will definitely help. As well as any schools you think I should apply to as well. (No Caribbean schools please.)

 

[orca2011]

I am currently enrolled into a single course for next semester (all I can take/afford) and I do have some LA experience but not a lot really. Mostly just some horse handling on a ranch. At this point I can not make my science GPA anything insanely good or special but I guess the Microbio Lab course I am applying too will help me apply to more places that have that requirement. I am working full time at my vet clinic for almost 3 years now so I think I have the experience part of my resume down for the most part. I have extra curriculars as well and I am working heavily on my writing. GRE is being retaken to achieve a better verbal, currently at 153 according to the website.

Any advice anyone can hand me will definitely help. As well as any schools you think I should apply to as well. (No Caribbean schools please.)

I'm pretty sure we all just gave you advice and expressed concern in your low post-bac GPA that was science heavy. That is definitely going to be a red flag to ad coms. If you have a large number credits, there really isn't a way to bring your GPA up significantly without spending a small fortune on taking/retaking classes. I guess I'd recommend looking into schools that allow you to replace grades if you were to retake a course. I don't know which one's do that off the top of my head. Look on the AAVMC/VMCAS site.

As to where you want to apply, ultimately that's up to you. Look at schools that will look at a high GRE score to replace a lower GPA and ones that put a lot of weight on experience. I hate to say it, but I don't think one course is really going to help you that much. I have a fairly solid GPA and was told by a school to take another FT semester of science courses.

 

[2CatMatt]

I'm hoping adcoms don't have the the same impression about my explanation statement as the posters on here do.

Don't conflate the two issues and responses you've received.

Reason's for low GPA:
Ivy league undergrad - poor excuse
Medical condition - good reason

I think discussing your medical condition in your personal statement is a great idea. Especially, if you do it in a way that doesn't sound like an excuse, but as a life challenge that you faced head on, grabbed by the horns by doing your own research and ultimately overcame. It's a great story and at the same time explains the lower grades in the beginning. Positive spin.

Talking about how hard your school is on the other hand, eh, not so much. As an adcom, I don't care that you went to an Ivy. You got into that school, you didn't do well, why? You telling me because it was hard doesn't answer my question and as an adcom I would simply assume you weren't up to the challenge.

Which PS sounds better?

 

[Janie9117]

Fall will be the start of my 4th year

I have completed all prerequisites, I will be applying next cycle (2013) in order to gain more experience.

My current cumulative GPA is a 3.28 and my science and math GPA is a 3.22.
GRE: 155 Verbal, 155 Math

I have completed 200 hrs as a Zoo intern/volunteer, there were farm animals and wildlife there (No Vet). I have 60 hrs of volunteer experience at an animal shelter. I haves 80 hrs shadowing at an animal clinic,

I recently started working as a kennel tech (April) and will be doing vet tech work in the Fall there. I would have worked at the hospital for a year at the time of my application.

I am graduating next Spring, but there aren't many classes I "need" to take.

Can you give me any suggestions as to becoming a more competitive applicant in the year I have before I apply?

I know getting more experience elsewhere would be ideal, but I don't have a car ( my job is a 10 minute bike ride from where I live, I got very lucky) and public transportation isn't very great here.

 

[485501]

Greetings, lovely people!

I've been lurking on the forum for a while, and I've finally decided to post some questions.

My question here is: How much can good grades and GRE scores make up for mediocre/limited experience? I've got lots of research experience, but my actual vet experience is limited, and broken up among many, many clinics - there's only one place I volunteered long enough to feel comfortable asking for LORs.

I'm applying to UC Davis in-state (don't tell me to apply to other places, I've got to stay in CA and I wouldn't go to Western even if I got in there and didn't at Davis).

Thanks!

 

[orca2011]

Greetings, lovely people!

I've been lurking on the forum for a while, and I've finally decided to post some questions.

My question here is: How much can good grades and GRE scores make up for mediocre/limited experience? I've got lots of research experience, but my actual vet experience is limited, and broken up among many, many clinics - there's only one place I volunteered long enough to feel comfortable asking for LORs.

I'm applying to UC Davis in-state (don't tell me to apply to other places, I've got to stay in CA and I wouldn't go to Western even if I got in there and didn't at Davis).

Thanks!

Research experience definitely helps and I think people are saying it can count in the vet experience section if it's under a vet or someone with a PHD. You'd have to ask VMCAS or Davis for sure though. There are several people on here who have thousands of research hours and not many vet hours. I myself only had like 400 hours at time of application but have 1000+ from working as a lab assistant. I also only had average to slightly above average grades and probably average GRE scores. You don't need thousands of vet hours to get in if you can prove in your PS, interviews, etc that you understand the profession and know what you're getting into.

I have heard that Davis has changed how they evaluate applicants, so take that into consideration as well.

 

[485501]

Thanks, orca. That makes me feel a lot better!

 

[orca2011]

Thanks, orca. That makes me feel a lot better!

Are you interesting in research at all? Because then those hours are definitely even more helpful. If you're interested in another field, I would try to get some more ours in that area in addition to what you have. They do like to see that you have actual experience in your area of interest.

 

[Tegan05]

Posting this again now that I have more stats!

Overall GPA: ~3.7+
Last 45: ~3.66
Science: ~3.65

GRE
Verbal: 164 (~94%)
Quant: 154 (~67%)
Taking the GRE again in a month to improve my math score. I did absolutely no prep for the first time so I'm hoping to raise it at least a few points.

Experience:
Animal: lifetime of equine experience, position as a working student at a breeding/training farm, about 20 hours volunteering at a bat sanctuary, some farmwork/equine hours

Vet: rough estimate right now of 800 hours, haven't done the official count...
250 equine, 100 shelter/spay neuter clinic, 15 hours zoo med, 100 hours dairy research, 20 hours equine research, 100 hours emergency med, 250 hours small animal general practice


No real employment experience, everything I have done is animal related.
Honors awards include dean's list for maybe 5 semesters, and awards related to horse showing.



I feel like my application is fairly solid, but I still have to take the physics series and biochemistry, so I'm worried my GPA will be lowered. I'm applying instate to UF, and out of state to Wisconsin. First time applicant!

 

[Emiloo4]

Posting this again now that I have more stats!

Overall GPA: ~3.7+
Last 45: ~3.66
Science: ~3.65

GRE
Verbal: 164 (~94%)
Quant: 154 (~67%)
Taking the GRE again in a month to improve my math score. I did absolutely no prep for the first time so I'm hoping to raise it at least a few points.

Experience:
Animal: lifetime of equine experience, position as a working student at a breeding/training farm, about 20 hours volunteering at a bat sanctuary, some farmwork/equine hours

Vet: rough estimate right now of 800 hours, haven't done the official count...
250 equine, 100 shelter/spay neuter clinic, 15 hours zoo med, 100 hours dairy research, 20 hours equine research, 100 hours emergency med, 250 hours small animal general practice


No real employment experience, everything I have done is animal related.
Honors awards include dean's list for maybe 5 semesters, and awards related to horse showing.



I feel like my application is fairly solid, but I still have to take the physics series and biochemistry, so I'm worried my GPA will be lowered. I'm applying instate to UF, and out of state to Wisconsin. First time applicant!

You look average-to-competitive as far as GPA goes, and I would say your verbal score is pretty stinkin awesome! I think raising that Q score will help, but the one you have now isn't terrible by any means. It looks like you have a nice range of experiences. I think with a well written PS you definitely stand a chance! Don't let physics and biochem scare you. Do well in them because they will definitely help you over the bubble that you might end up on.
Yay for UF applicants! 😍

 

[hai1983]

I feel like my application is fairly solid

I'm glad we're only applying to one school in common! I don't want to compete with you more than that. 🙂

 

[Museum Nerd]

Fall will be the start of my 4th year

I have completed all prerequisites, I will be applying next cycle (2013) in order to gain more experience.

My current cumulative GPA is a 3.28 and my science and math GPA is a 3.22.
GRE: 155 Verbal, 155 Math

I have completed 200 hrs as a Zoo intern/volunteer, there were farm animals and wildlife there (No Vet). I have 60 hrs of volunteer experience at an animal shelter. I haves 80 hrs shadowing at an animal clinic,

I recently started working as a kennel tech (April) and will be doing vet tech work in the Fall there. I would have worked at the hospital for a year at the time of my application.

I am graduating next Spring, but there aren't many classes I "need" to take.

Can you give me any suggestions as to becoming a more competitive applicant in the year I have before I apply?

I know getting more experience elsewhere would be ideal, but I don't have a car ( my job is a 10 minute bike ride from where I live, I got very lucky) and public transportation isn't very great here.

Do you have an IS school? Which schools do you think you will be applying for? If i was you I would consider taking some additional science courses. Even though your pre req are complete can you take some higher level biology classes or addional science classes that you could bring your science GPA up. Since your GPA is on the lower end you will def need extra hours of experience so waiting another cycle is probably a very good idea.

 

[EngrSC]

You all mention very specific information regarding specific schools. I haven't been able to find this information on their websites ... are you getting it from the VMSAR?

I haven't bought a copy yet but if it goes over things like how many OOA students they accept and how they calculate science GPA, I should definitely buy one!

Please let me know where this information is coming from.

Thanks! 🙂

 

[CloudlessNights]

You all mention very specific information regarding specific schools. I haven't been able to find this information on their websites ... are you getting it from the VMSAR?

I haven't bought a copy yet but if it goes over things like how many OOA students they accept and how they calculate science GPA, I should definitely buy one!

Please let me know where this information is coming from.

Thanks! 🙂

You can find some of that information here: http://www.aavmc.org/College-Specif...ific-Requirements_College-Specifications.aspx

🙂

 

[Bracco Pointer]

Tegan, I think you're definitely competitive for UF IS. You've got an above average GPA and a pretty solid overall GRE. I'd say you've got a really good shot at getting in. If you can continue to get more experience, even better.

 

[EngrSC]

Thank you!

 

[Museum Nerd]

I was told that since I am no longer in school I just need to increase my verbal score on the GRE. My work experience and writing samples were perfectly acceptable. Upenn and Tufts both said that only my academics are a problem and that I can only improve them with a GRE boost at this point.

Your GPA is going to be an obstacle. Since it looks like you are interested inTufts I would schedule a visit and an academic review before you apply. They do visits March through Sept. When I called two years ago to schedule avisit she was very honest that if I didn’t have above a 3.8 GPA I was mostlikely wasting my time. ( I did haveabove a 3.8 ). Their website says theaverage is a 3.6 so it seems to be a little lower than when I went tovisit. They will give you honestfeedback on your chances.

 

[Janie9117]

Do you have an IS school? Which schools do you think you will be applying for? If i was you I would consider taking some additional science courses. Even though your pre req are complete can you take some higher level biology classes or addional science classes that you could bring your science GPA up. Since your GPA is on the lower end you will def need extra hours of experience so waiting another cycle is probably a very good idea.

UFis my IS, I am definitely applying

I plan on applying to ISU, Western, Auburn , and maybe Kansas

I'm already trying to take extra courses, I could have graduated this summer but put it off to try to take more courses. There aren't very many options of courses per semester, and to get any significant change I have to be in school yet another year or 2 longer than necessary.

 

[hai1983]

I'm already trying to take extra courses, I could have graduated this summer but put it off to try to take more courses. There aren't very many options of courses per semester, and to get any significant change I have to be in school yet another year or 2 longer than necessary.

What are you planning to take this year? I think the suggestion that's been put out there for you (and that I would second) is to spend this year taking physiology, immunology, histology, some upper level science courses you can do well in. That shouldn't take more time.

 

[485501]

Are you interesting in research at all? Because then those hours are definitely even more helpful. If you're interested in another field, I would try to get some more ours in that area in addition to what you have. They do like to see that you have actual experience in your area of interest.

I am actually applying to the Davis DVM/PhD program (hopeful PhD in Genetics), but I'll still go to the vet school if I don't get in to that. I'm pretty sure I can, if I can get in to the vet school, because I've been told by my professors that I'm a very competative applicant for grad school...not that that really helps for vet school.

I'm not really sure what I'm interested in, other than probably not small animal general practice or food animal. I'm interested in zoo, exotics, avian, internal medicine, wildlife rehab, research, feral cat management, epidemiology, zoonotic diseases, maybe large animal of some kind. The problem is I can't really get more hours before I apply this time - for various reasons, most of my time this summer is otherwise occupied. I am shadowing a few days per week, but that's not adding up to many hours.

 

[Janie9117]

What are you planning to take this year? I think the suggestion that's been put out there for you (and that I would second) is to spend this year taking physiology, immunology, histology, some upper level science courses you can do well in. That shouldn't take more time.

This Summer I took 2 6 week sessions.
Session 1
Cell Structure and Function - B+
Medical Terminology - A (The grade isn't going to be reflected in my GPA until after the 2nd session)

Session 2
Evolution
Public Speaking
Still in these courses

I've already taken vertebrate physiology
In the Fall I'm taking
Animal Development
Plant Biology, and Lab (Needed for graduation)
Spanish Phonetics (My Minor).

I can only have classes on certain days because of work.

I won't know what courses are available for the Spring until early in the Fall semester,

With a lot of the biology courses at my school, they're not all offered every semester, not even every year, but I'm going to try and take as many as I can.

Thanks for your suggestions!🙂

 

[MaiT]

Don't conflate the two issues and responses you've received.

Reason's for low GPA:
Ivy league undergrad - poor excuse
Medical condition - good reason

I think discussing your medical condition in your personal statement is a great idea. Especially, if you do it in a way that doesn't sound like an excuse, but as a life challenge that you faced head on, grabbed by the horns by doing your own research and ultimately overcame. It's a great story and at the same time explains the lower grades in the beginning. Positive spin.

Talking about how hard your school is on the other hand, eh, not so much. As an adcom, I don't care that you went to an Ivy. You got into that school, you didn't do well, why? You telling me because it was hard doesn't answer my question and as an adcom I would simply assume you weren't up to the challenge.

Which PS sounds better?

Thanks for the advice. I feel the Ivy League thing has gotten way blown out of proportion, and I'm sorry if what I meant to say didn't actually come out how I would like it. My main reason for a low GPA (and it's NOT an excuse, it's the truth) is my medical history. I was asked about other reasons, so if I had to choose another reason, I speculated that my school, like many other schools, grades harder. I would never mention that to adcoms because I realize that sounds ridiculous and maybe cocky, and that's definitely not how I'm trying to come off.

My PS actually is about my medical struggles and how I'm overcoming them, so I think it's great how you came up with that idea as well, which indicates hopefully adcoms will understand my PS. Thanks for the advice 🙂

 

[kathryno]

Hey guys!

I know I posted somewhere else about this, so I'm sorry!!! I think that thread was a few years old... I'm new here really.

Anyways... Classes start at UT on Aug. 22. I'm an alternate.

My GPA is 3.43, GRE is 1300, I have 6000 large animal experience hours working as a riding instructor/groom/barn manager (all volunteer), I have 90 hours in a small animal ER, 120 at Rood and Riddle Equine, 150 at Hagyard Equine (everything volunteer), and am due to start a job on the 13th at small animal clinic (super excited!). I even have dental experience. It shows i try different things. 😉 I have my BS in biology from UKY and have a letter from an evolution professor, and a large animal vet so far. I've also done a lot of research in equine influenza and am hoping to get a letter from him as well.

1st question: Has ANYONE heard from UT about the alternate list?? Has anyone known anyone that has heard anything about the alternate list?
My dog's vet said UT called people two weeks after classes started when the letter said the 22nd was the deadline. I don't know who to believe really. My problem is I'm kind of homeless til I figure things out. My lease ran up on the 30th, and I guess I'll be couchsurfing until September. (Never give up hope!!!)

2nd question: What to I need to improve on in those qualifications I listed above? 😀 I got 2 C's in organic 1 and 2 and had to retake cell biology and got a B. ( .5% away from an A! so frustrating!)

 

[capirinha]

.

 

[teaparty]

Alright this is my first post. Arkansas Resident, first time applicant

Applying to
Kansas State
Oklahoma State - 2 contract spots
Louisiana State - 9 contract spots
Mississippi State
Auburn

Almost done with my bachelors in animal science from The University of Arkansas. WPS

Cum GPA - 3.47
Science GPA- 3.63
Last 45 GPA- 3.35
Organic and Physics GPA (for Auburn)- 3.63

GRE
Verbal- 158
Quant- 158
Analytical- 3

Vet Experience
Equine- 400
Small Animal- 500

Animal Experience
Ring Steward - 125
Lamb Watch- 30
Barn Manager/Trainer - 4500
Jousting Team- 100

Employment
Head Lifeguard at Air Force Base Pool - 2000
Director of Swim Program at Base Pool- 500
Swim Team Coach- 750
Lifeguard - 2800

Awards
Honor Roll- Spring 2011 and Fall 2010
Deans List- Spring 2010
Chancellors Scholarship (8000 per year)
Governors Scholarship (4000 per year)
Arena Chair Scholarship (500)
Brangus Endowed Scholarship (2000)
Kent Knight Scholarship (2000)
Graduated with High Honors
AP Scholar -2008

Lots of clubs and sports in my community stuff, but this post has been long enough already. Lay it on me

 

[hairlessratlvr]

I am actually applying to the Davis DVM/PhD program (hopeful PhD in Genetics), but I'll still go to the vet school if I don't get in to that. I'm pretty sure I can, if I can get in to the vet school, because I've been told by my professors that I'm a very competative applicant for grad school...not that that really helps for vet school.

I'm not really sure what I'm interested in, other than probably not small animal general practice or food animal. I'm interested in zoo, exotics, avian, internal medicine, wildlife rehab, research, feral cat management, epidemiology, zoonotic diseases, maybe large animal of some kind. The problem is I can't really get more hours before I apply this time - for various reasons, most of my time this summer is otherwise occupied. I am shadowing a few days per week, but that's not adding up to many hours.

What type of research experience do you have? There are other supplemental applications to Davis such as Intent for Public Health etc. that aren't as competitive as the joint DVM/PhD program. Although, like you said....you can always get into the DVM program even if you don't make the cut for the DVM/PhD. If you get an interview for the joint program, make sure you can explain why a DVM degree compliments a PhD, etc. Have specific reasons you are pursuing both degrees ready even though you may not know what type of medicine you want to go into at this point. Good luck!

 

[LetItSnow]

Lots of clubs and sports in my community stuff, but this post has been long enough already. Lay it on me

All the pieces are there, you just need to write a good application. And ensure that your LORs are great. Don't stop gaining experience - if you don't get in the first time around future you will thank past you.

 

[485501]

Although, like you said....you can always get into the DVM program even if you don't make the cut for the DVM/PhD. If you get an interview for the joint program, make sure you can explain why a DVM degree compliments a PhD, etc. Have specific reasons you are pursuing both degrees ready even though you may not know what type of medicine you want to go into at this point. Good luck!

Thanks!

 

[boilermaker713]

You have been such a great help!! 🙂 I looked at Oklahoma and unfortunately, I don't have one of the reqs (Nutrition) 🙁 I was going to e-mail admissions and ask if I can take it the summer before matriculation (if I were to get in), but then I read that everything must be completed by the spring term, so I figured it would be just stupid to ask lol.

You can take nutrition online. Ok state even offers a course online that's cheaper than many of the others.

Purdue also offers a nutrition course online. Here is the link to it: http://www.ansc.purdue.edu/courses/animal_nutrition_online.htm

Hope this helps! Good luck!

 

[capirinha]

.

 

[orca2011]

I realize I forgot to ask my question haha. I understand that one of the best ways to counter a lower gpa is with a great gre score - however, my dilemma is that most UK schools (where I am concentrating on applying) don't even require the gre... so that won't help much.

Any ideas on how competitive I might be for the UK schools? I've looked on past applicant threads and many of them are on the higher gpa end, which is what worries me. I'm already finishing up a masters to help improve my grades, so I am not sure what else to do at this point.

Thanks!

Your gpas are around mine and I was wait listed at Glasgow my first cycle and accepted this year. When I did my file review they said it was my experience and not my grades that held me back.

So I definitely think you're competitive especially since you have way more hours than when I applied this past year.

 

[gumtree]

Hey all! Thanks in advance for your help. I'm a first time applicant from MN. Not sure about where I will be applying yet, but I'm thinking MN, Iowa, perhaps Wisconsin.. I graduated this spring with a B.A. in Biology and a minor in English. I will be finishing up 4 of my pre-reqs (2 semesters of physics, genetics, and biochem) this year.

cGPA: 3.325
Pre-Req GPA: 3.38
Last 45 credits GPA: 3.91

Official GRE scores are pending:
Verbal: 166
Quant.: 149

Vet Experience:
~3200 hrs equine
~20 hrs small animal

Animal Experience:
-Horse owner and previously showed extensively, but I'm not sure how to quantify this experience.

Employment:
-One of my jobs contributes to about 2900 hrs of vet experience--Do I list that as simply vet experience or both?
~600 hrs campus employment

Honors/Awards:
-$20,000 scholarship + $5,500 stipend for study abroad/research/etc.
-Dean's List Spring 2012
-A honor roll all of HS

Community Activities:
Lots of hours volunteering and holding leadership positions in non-vet med related activities which I will spare you from reading.

Other? Not sure where to put this:
-Completed a mentor/mentee experience in HS with a large animal vet for 1 year
-Completed a senior project in undergrad on equine exercise induced pulmonary hemorrhage
-Research presented on pollinator constancy (bees! flies! boring!) at undergraduate research symposium

I can definitely see some weaknesses in my app. My cGPA and pre-req GPA are definitely low, which I attribute to having to re-teach myself how to study and prepare for college exams. My quantitative GRE score isn't stellar either, but I don't think retaking it would improve my score (I studied my butt off) and I'm happy with my verbal score and I think the analytical went well. We'll see in a week or two.

The other weakness is that the vast majority of my vet experience hours have been in equine, which is originally what I thought I wanted to do. Now I'm leaning towards pursuing DVM/MPH (infectious diseases) and wish that I had more small and food animal experiences. I will begin volunteering at an animal shelter within the month, but I'm not sure where to find some public health related experiences near me.

So.. What are my chances? 😱

 

[wildcatj]

Hey all! Thanks in advance for your help. I'm a first time applicant from MN. Not sure about where I will be applying yet, but I'm thinking MN, Iowa, perhaps Wisconsin.. I graduated this spring with a B.A. in Biology and a minor in English. I will be finishing up 4 of my pre-reqs (2 semesters of physics, genetics, and biochem) this year.

cGPA: 3.325
Pre-Req GPA: 3.38
Last 45 credits GPA: 3.91

Official GRE scores are pending:
Verbal: 166
Quant.: 149

Vet Experience:
~3200 hrs equine
~20 hrs small animal

Animal Experience:
-Horse owner and previously showed extensively, but I'm not sure how to quantify this experience.

Employment:
-One of my jobs contributes to about 2900 hrs of vet experience--Do I list that as simply vet experience or both?
~600 hrs campus employment

Honors/Awards:
-$20,000 scholarship + $5,500 stipend for study abroad/research/etc.
-Dean's List Spring 2012
-A honor roll all of HS

Community Activities:
Lots of hours volunteering and holding leadership positions in non-vet med related activities which I will spare you from reading.

Other? Not sure where to put this:
-Completed a mentor/mentee experience in HS with a large animal vet for 1 year
-Completed a senior project in undergrad on equine exercise induced pulmonary hemorrhage
-Research presented on pollinator constancy (bees! flies! boring!) at undergraduate research symposium

I can definitely see some weaknesses in my app. My cGPA and pre-req GPA are definitely low, which I attribute to having to re-teach myself how to study and prepare for college exams. My quantitative GRE score isn't stellar either, but I don't think retaking it would improve my score (I studied my butt off) and I'm happy with my verbal score and I think the analytical went well. We'll see in a week or two.

The other weakness is that the vast majority of my vet experience hours have been in equine, which is originally what I thought I wanted to do. Now I'm leaning towards pursuing DVM/MPH (infectious diseases) and wish that I had more small and food animal experiences. I will begin volunteering at an animal shelter within the month, but I'm not sure where to find some public health related experiences near me.

So.. What are my chances? 😱

You're right about your GPA, it is a little low, but you're last 45 (or 30 depending on the school) should help to balance that. Do you have any more classes left to take? If so you may be able to get your cGPA up a little. Your explanation about why you struggled at the beginning will fit wonderfully in the explanation statement. Make sure it's about why you struggled/ were unprepared and not because of circumstances outside your control (ie. take blame for it). Spend a lot more time talking about what you did to improve that and proving that you did improve than you do explaining why.

If I were you I would take the GRE again. To some extent the quant is more important than the verbal (though your verbal is outstanding!). But with that quant score you're probably looking at a 50ish percentile mark, which really isn't going to cut it for a lot of schools. I would suggest trying another set of study materials or whatever for the quant and taking the GRE again.

To answer your hours questions:
If your employment hours count as veterinary they should go there, not in employment. They only go in one place and that should be the place that counts for more. Just like veterinary vs animal hours are only counted in one place.
Your mentor/mentee with the LA vet should be able to go under veterinary experience unless it wasn't really vet experience.
If your research with the equine/bee stuff was under a PhD then this can now count as veterinary experience. VMCAS now say the following: "Veterinary experiences should relate to any veterinary clinical, agribusiness, health science, or research experiences that
you have had with veterinarians, other health scientists, or other health professionals."

 

[gumtree]

You're right about your GPA, it is a little low, but you're last 45 (or 30 depending on the school) should help to balance that. Do you have any more classes left to take? If so you may be able to get your cGPA up a little. Your explanation about why you struggled at the beginning will fit wonderfully in the explanation statement. Make sure it's about why you struggled/ were unprepared and not because of circumstances outside your control (ie. take blame for it). Spend a lot more time talking about what you did to improve that and proving that you did improve than you do explaining why.

Yes, I am taking two classes this fall and two this spring, all of which I feel confident I can get A's in. Unfortunately, these grades won't factor into my cGPA and pre-req GPA until next application cycle, right? Would it be appropriate to talk about how I will be finishing those pre-reqs and anticipate a boost to my GPA when they are complete?

If I were you I would take the GRE again. To some extent the quant is more important than the verbal (though your verbal is outstanding!). But with that quant score you're probably looking at a 50ish percentile mark, which really isn't going to cut it for a lot of schools. I would suggest trying another set of study materials or whatever for the quant and taking the GRE again.

Blegh. This is not what I wanted to hear, but I'm glad someone is telling me. My biggest fear is that I go through the trouble of retaking the GRE and get another mediocre quant score. Anyone have any suggestions for studying for the quantitative? Last time I used the ETS book (the people who make the GRE) which had a large math review section and lots of practice problems. Apparently that wasn't enough.

To answer your hours questions:
If your employment hours count as veterinary they should go there, not in employment. They only go in one place and that should be the place that counts for more. Just like veterinary vs animal hours are only counted in one place.
Your mentor/mentee with the LA vet should be able to go under veterinary experience unless it wasn't really vet experience.
If your research with the equine/bee stuff was under a PhD then this can now count as veterinary experience. VMCAS now say the following: "Veterinary experiences should relate to any veterinary clinical, agribusiness, health science, or research experiences that
you have had with veterinarians, other health scientists, or other health professionals."

Gotcha. The bee research was conducted independently by myself and three other students under the guidance of a professor. We were really close to publishing our paper in a peer-reviewed journal, but the other students graduated and lost interest in that idea 🙁 The subject of the research was prairie ecology, but maybe that could fall under "agribusiness"? I'm still not sure if this would count towards vet experience.

The equine senior project was not primary research, but I think that it might still fall under vet experience. If so.. that's a lot more hours I can add! yeeeesh.

 

[wildcatj]

Yes, I am taking two classes this fall and two this spring, all of which I feel confident I can get A's in. Unfortunately, these grades won't factor into my cGPA and pre-req GPA until next application cycle, right? Would it be appropriate to talk about how I will be finishing those pre-reqs and anticipate a boost to my GPA when they are complete?

Blegh. This is not what I wanted to hear, but I'm glad someone is telling me. My biggest fear is that I go through the trouble of retaking the GRE and get another mediocre quant score. Anyone have any suggestions for studying for the quantitative? Last time I used the ETS book (the people who make the GRE) which had a large math review section and lots of practice problems. Apparently that wasn't enough.

Gotcha. The bee research was conducted independently by myself and three other students under the guidance of a professor. We were really close to publishing our paper in a peer-reviewed journal, but the other students graduated and lost interest in that idea 🙁 The subject of the research was prairie ecology, but maybe that could fall under "agribusiness"? I'm still not sure if this would count towards vet experience.

The equine senior project was not primary research, but I think that it might still fall under vet experience. If so.. that's a lot more hours I can add! yeeeesh.

Didn't realize you're applying this cycle. If that's the case not much you can do about the cum GPA, but they fact you have an upward trend will look good, plus you can explain your previously lower grades in the explanation statement.

I used the Kaplan books to study for the GRE and thought they did a really good job with strategies for the test question types and review for math concepts. I'd suggest those ones. Princeton review is supposed to be pretty good too.

If your research doesn't fall under vet experience you could always put it under extra currics. You could also talk about that more extensively in your explanation statement. You can put different things in there if need be.

 

[Emiloo4]

Didn't realize you're applying this cycle. If that's the case not much you can do about the cum GPA, but they fact you have an upward trend will look good, plus you can explain your previously lower grades in the explanation statement.

I used the Kaplan books to study for the GRE and thought they did a really good job with strategies for the test question types and review for math concepts. I'd suggest those ones. Princeton review is supposed to be pretty good too.

If your research doesn't fall under vet experience you could always put it under extra currics. You could also talk about that more extensively in your explanation statement. You can put different things in there if need be.

I second the Kaplan and Princeton review books. Kaplan has some free hour long classes online that were helpful also. I actually did the "GRE for dummies" book too and it was surprisingly helpful as well!