What are my chances?

[Museum Nerd]

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I agree I would look into the 400 hours to see if you could switch from Animal Experience to Vet experrience if it under a Phd. If the reseach was not under a PhD you might consider trying to get another category of experience, like research or small exotic or avian. I would try and find another category other than additonal hours in Large animal unless you know large animal is what you want to focus on. I only had 55 hours of large animal but that was enough for me to know i did not want to go into large animal. If you are applying to NC State as Trilt has guessed you may be, the min hours for them is 400 and you barley have over that. If you look at the statistics for the class of 2015 they list the average number of vet hours and the number of categories of vet areas is much higher than that so i would keep trying to gain hours even if it is in one of the categories you already have. Good Luck!!

 

[2CatMatt]

A weak point of my vet experience is that all of it is shadowing/volunteering, although I have done things like give shots, draw blood, fill prescriptions, and restrain animals.

Shadowing or volunteering is not a weak point or considered weaker in comparison to working a paid tech job. Don't worry about that. If you have a job that pays well now in a different field, just continue to shadow. The goal of vet experience is not to see if you can get a job as a tech. It's also not to prove you can do a tech job, such as drawing blood, giving shots, etc. it's to gain sufficient knowledge of what the field entails.

I agree with others, I think your animal and vet experience is unique and diverse. Just continue to accumulate hours and seek out opportunities that might diversify your experience further.

 

[vethopeful2011]

Because I should be studying for a calculus test I decided I would post on here.

I'm a non-tradish student; first time applicant and FREAKED OUT.

Applying to: Cornell (IS), Tufts, Penn, Wisconsin

STATS:
CUM GPA: 3.8
LAST 45: 4.0
SCIENCE: 4.0
GRE: 164 verbal, 166 quant, essay/writing part 5

Animal Cruelty Investigator (supervisor) +/- 10,000 hrs
LVT in an Emergency Clinic/ICU +/- 2000hrs
LVT Internal Medicine +/- 1000hrs
Equine (NOT clinical) +/- 2000 total between several experiences
Various labs et associated with vet tech school
Ecological Field Research +/- 2500 hours
Various teaching/speaking positions associated with the aforementioned jobs

Fears: Have a BA from a 4yr school but most post bacc work was at 2 year schools due to my work schedule. I literally 'asked' the schools I planned to apply to before taking some classes to be sure this was ok, but it still worries me.

 

[Bracco Pointer]

Because I should be studying for a calculus test I decided I would post on here.

I'm a non-tradish student; first time applicant and FREAKED OUT.

Applying to: Cornell (IS), Tufts, Penn, Wisconsin

STATS:
CUM GPA: 3.8
LAST 45: 4.0
SCIENCE: 4.0
GRE: 164 verbal, 166 quant, essay/writing part 5

Animal Cruelty Investigator (supervisor) +/- 10,000 hrs
LVT in an Emergency Clinic/ICU +/- 2000hrs
LVT Internal Medicine +/- 1000hrs
Equine (NOT clinical) +/- 2000 total between several experiences
Various labs et associated with vet tech school
Ecological Field Research +/- 2500 hours
Various teaching/speaking positions associated with the aforementioned jobs

Fears: Have a BA from a 4yr school but most post bacc work was at 2 year schools due to my work schedule. I literally 'asked' the schools I planned to apply to before taking some classes to be sure this was ok, but it still worries me.

Judging by the stats you put on here, I think you should do very well as long as there aren't any red flags (multiple course drops, etc) and as long as you kept up a decent course load even with your work schedule and finished pre-reqs in a timely manner. Your GPA and GRE scores are fantastic, and you obviously have plenty of vet experience. I'd consider you extremely competitive with those stats.

 

[Awendela]

Thanks everyone for your advice! I am definitely focusing on trying to expand my hours right now (I am non-trad, and most of these are just in the last year, so it's been hard to get enough to be competitive in terms of the stats for the schools where I'm applying). So hopefully I can get some different types in there in the meantime. 🙂

From your combo of dairy farm, turtle rescue team and sea turtle hospital, I'm curious if you're in NC? If so (and you're applying to NCSU), your dairy research trials most likely count as veterinary experience. At least some of your sea turtle stuff at the hospital probably should, too, unless you really just did husbandry?

I am in NC! 🙂 I did talk to NCSU about the sea turtle hospital, but they said it didn't count because there wasn't a vet actually on staff. I was doing a lot of wound care though. I hadn't thought about including the dairy research, but that is a great thought; thank you. How are you liking vet school at NCSU so far?

 

[deb1123]

Hey all! I'm a little late to the party, but I've been a long-time lurker here at SDN and it's probably time I try to get a little more involved.

22 years old, female.

I'm not a resident of any state because my background is a little different. I was born in Boston, MA, but moved around the East Coast and Mid-west. When I was ten, my parents decided to move our family to Taiwan, where they were born and raised. From age 10 to 19, I attended an international school (where they teach in English, and provide AP classes and SAT counseling). Then, I decided to come back to the US for college and hopefully Veterinary School. I spent the last 4 years getting my undergrad degree at the U of Minnesota. However, I don't qualify as in-state for Veterinary School admission purposes here because I have yet to prove that I am not just in the state for educational purposes only, which I am trying to change now because I've finally graduated and have started working a full-time job.

Degrees:
B.S. in Animal Science w/ Biotechnology
University of Minnesota: Twin Cities (graduated in 3.5 years)

Cum GPA: 3.41
Science GPA:3.2
Last 45 GPA: 3.3

GRE:
1st: 157Q (71%), 159 V (80%), 4.5 W (73%)
2nd: 159 Q (77%), 159 V (80%), 4.0 W (49%)

Veterinary Experience:
- 342 SA (Taiwan + Minnesota)
- 1300 SA Emergency (Taiwan)

Animal Experience:
- 560 [so far] UMN Veterinary Diagnostic Lab serology (my full-time 40 hr/week job)
- 102 UMN Equine Center Horse Caretaker and Equine Camp Counselor
- 130 UMN Raptor Center Raptor Caretaker and Vet Tech's Assistant
- 1600 UMN Medical School Research (Part-time Research Assistant during my undergrad years. Worked with mice, rats, and chinchillas.)
- 160 Zoo Animal Enrichment (Taiwan)

Other Employment:
- 480 3M Company Fuel Cell Lab Tech
- 640 UMN Plant Pathology Clinical Technician
- 110 Yu-Da University (Taiwan) English Lecturer, Tutor, and English Textbook Voice and Editor

Honors and Awards:
- UMN Outstanding Student Employee Award (awarded to top 5% student employees)
- AP Scholar with Honor Award

Extracurricular:
- Co-founder of a Hip Hop dance student org
- TedX member
- Co-Entertainment Coordinator of a cultural organization that spans across the Midwest
- Elected Vice-president of UMN Chinese American Student Association

Letters of Recommendation
-University of Minnesota Professor/ Veterinary Population Med Chair
-SA Veterinarian
-PI from my research job
-Undergraduate Academic Counselor

My concerns:

-Basically, I'm afraid that my GPA will really pull me down. It is lower than average for all of the schools that I've applied to. I really hope everything else in my application will balance out my poor GPA. Still, I feel like I am extremely mediocre and probably don't stand a chance at getting into anywhere this year... especially because I'm also out of state everywhere.


I applied to: U of Minnesota, UPenn, Oklahoma, Michigan, Kansas, and Virginia-Maryland.

What do you think my chances are?

Thanks so much!

 

[vethopeful2011]

Hey all! I'm a little late to the party, but I've been a long-time lurker here at SDN and it's probably time I try to get a little more involved.

22 years old, female.

I'm not a resident of any state because my background is a little different. I was born in Boston, MA, but moved around the East Coast and Mid-west. When I was ten, my parents decided to move our family to Taiwan, where they were born and raised. From age 10 to 19, I attended an international school (where they teach in English, and provide AP classes and SAT counseling). Then, I decided to come back to the US for college and hopefully Veterinary School. I spent the last 4 years getting my undergrad degree at the U of Minnesota. However, I don't qualify as in-state for Veterinary School admission purposes here because I have yet to prove that I am not just in the state for educational purposes only, which I am trying to change now because I've finally graduated and have started working a full-time job.

Degrees:
B.S. in Animal Science w/ Biotechnology
University of Minnesota: Twin Cities (graduated in 3.5 years)

Cum GPA: 3.41
Science GPA:3.2
Last 45 GPA: 3.3

GRE:
1st: 157Q (71%), 159 V (80%), 4.5 W (73%)
2nd: 159 Q (77%), 159 V (80%), 4.0 W (49%)

Veterinary Experience:
- 342 SA (Taiwan + Minnesota)
- 1300 SA Emergency (Taiwan)

Animal Experience:
- 560 [so far] UMN Veterinary Diagnostic Lab serology (my full-time 40 hr/week job)
- 102 UMN Equine Center Horse Caretaker and Equine Camp Counselor
- 130 UMN Raptor Center Raptor Caretaker and Vet Tech's Assistant
- 1600 UMN Medical School Research (Part-time Research Assistant during my undergrad years. Worked with mice, rats, and chinchillas.)
- 160 Zoo Animal Enrichment (Taiwan)

Other Employment:
- 480 3M Company Fuel Cell Lab Tech
- 640 UMN Plant Pathology Clinical Technician
- 110 Yu-Da University (Taiwan) English Lecturer, Tutor, and English Textbook Voice and Editor

Honors and Awards:
- UMN Outstanding Student Employee Award (awarded to top 5% student employees)
- AP Scholar with Honor Award

Extracurricular:
- Co-founder of a Hip Hop dance student org
- TedX member
- Co-Entertainment Coordinator of a cultural organization that spans across the Midwest
- Elected Vice-president of UMN Chinese American Student Association

Letters of Recommendation
-University of Minnesota Professor/ Veterinary Population Med Chair
-SA Veterinarian
-PI from my research job
-Undergraduate Academic Counselor

My concerns:

-Basically, I'm afraid that my GPA will really pull me down. It is lower than average for all of the schools that I've applied to. I really hope everything else in my application will balance out my poor GPA. Still, I feel like I am extremely mediocre and probably don't stand a chance at getting into anywhere this year... especially because I'm also out of state everywhere.


I applied to: U of Minnesota, UPenn, Oklahoma, Michigan, Kansas, and Virginia-Maryland.

What do you think my chances are?

Thanks so much!

Hi! I'm in the applicant pool this year too and haven't applied before, so take that into consideration with my 2 cents. Just from what I have spent many hours talking to veterinarians (aka bugging) vets about, GPA isn't a death sentence. Most of the vets I know didn't have perfect GPA's, and they managed to get into vet school anyway. Most of those schools will love to see all the research experience you have, that's something that will set you apart from many other applicants. You also have a very interesting and unique background, which if you drummed it up in your personal statement, will definatley make you stand out. Remember that vet schools try to assemble a diverse class that will fulfill the needs of the veterinary profession, so they do take into consideration your interests and background. What is your primary area of interest?

 

[deb1123]

Thanks for your encouragement and input!

I for sure want to go into small animal emergency medicine, but I'm also really interested in wildlife and shelter medicine as well. My dream is to do all of them.

 

[kernel]

Hey all! I'm a little late to the party, but I've been a long-time lurker here at SDN and it's probably time I try to get a little more involved.

22 years old, female.

I'm not a resident of any state because my background is a little different. I was born in Boston, MA, but moved around the East Coast and Mid-west. When I was ten, my parents decided to move our family to Taiwan, where they were born and raised. From age 10 to 19, I attended an international school (where they teach in English, and provide AP classes and SAT counseling). Then, I decided to come back to the US for college and hopefully Veterinary School. I spent the last 4 years getting my undergrad degree at the U of Minnesota. However, I don't qualify as in-state for Veterinary School admission purposes here because I have yet to prove that I am not just in the state for educational purposes only, which I am trying to change now because I've finally graduated and have started working a full-time job.

Degrees:
B.S. in Animal Science w/ Biotechnology
University of Minnesota: Twin Cities (graduated in 3.5 years)

Cum GPA: 3.41
Science GPA:3.2
Last 45 GPA: 3.3

GRE:
1st: 157Q (71%), 159 V (80%), 4.5 W (73%)
2nd: 159 Q (77%), 159 V (80%), 4.0 W (49%)

Veterinary Experience:
- 342 SA (Taiwan + Minnesota)
- 1300 SA Emergency (Taiwan)

Animal Experience:
- 560 [so far] UMN Veterinary Diagnostic Lab serology (my full-time 40 hr/week job)
- 102 UMN Equine Center Horse Caretaker and Equine Camp Counselor
- 130 UMN Raptor Center Raptor Caretaker and Vet Tech's Assistant
- 1600 UMN Medical School Research (Part-time Research Assistant during my undergrad years. Worked with mice, rats, and chinchillas.)
- 160 Zoo Animal Enrichment (Taiwan)

Other Employment:
- 480 3M Company Fuel Cell Lab Tech
- 640 UMN Plant Pathology Clinical Technician
- 110 Yu-Da University (Taiwan) English Lecturer, Tutor, and English Textbook Voice and Editor

Honors and Awards:
- UMN Outstanding Student Employee Award (awarded to top 5% student employees)
- AP Scholar with Honor Award

Extracurricular:
- Co-founder of a Hip Hop dance student org
- TedX member
- Co-Entertainment Coordinator of a cultural organization that spans across the Midwest
- Elected Vice-president of UMN Chinese American Student Association

Letters of Recommendation
-University of Minnesota Professor/ Veterinary Population Med Chair
-SA Veterinarian
-PI from my research job
-Undergraduate Academic Counselor

My concerns:

-Basically, I'm afraid that my GPA will really pull me down. It is lower than average for all of the schools that I've applied to. I really hope everything else in my application will balance out my poor GPA. Still, I feel like I am extremely mediocre and probably don't stand a chance at getting into anywhere this year... especially because I'm also out of state everywhere.


I applied to: U of Minnesota, UPenn, Oklahoma, Michigan, Kansas, and Virginia-Maryland.

What do you think my chances are?

Thanks so much!

deb,

Our stats are very similar 🙂 although you have a lot more hours than I do--which is great. I think your extracurriulars/employment make you a well-rounded candidate. As others have said, GPA isn't everything! I think you've got a good shot. Best of luck!

 

[Posey]

Couple of questions
1. If I do research for a summer between school years does that help my chances or is it just something sciency but not animaly?
2. If I already have a BA (and an MBA) but am trying to improve my GPA is it better to just take the pre-reqs plus "fun" upper level sciences, or should I do a formal degree plan and aim for a BS in Biology or Physics?

Not going to get into my stats here because frankly my undergrad grades ended less than stellar, and I'm trying to fix that. Just trying to figure out the right strategy.

Thanks!

 

[twelvetigers]

1. Research is always nice on an app. Something kind of animal related is good, but the more important thing is that you are interested in it and will get something out of it (on a personal level I mean - that you will learn from it)

2. You can just do pre-reqs and whatever other courses you want if you find a university that allows it. You don't even need a degree to apply - just completed requirements.

 

[LetItSnow]

Not going to get into my stats here because frankly my undergrad grades ended less than stellar, and I'm trying to fix that. Just trying to figure out the right strategy.

Fair enough, but remember that the degree to which you limit the info you give people, the more limited value their response is. It's as if you went to a doctor and gave them one symptom and withheld others and then asked for a diagnosis.

TT's answers were spot-on, but if you want good info, you may want to consider giving the entire story! 🙂

 

[Posey]

Thanks Twelve Tigers and Let It Snow!

Let It Snow, I'm not trying to be evasive, but you're right that more information = more informed response. 🙂

I have a BA in Chemistry that is over ten years old. My grades weren't stellar the last few semesters; so def have to bring them up. My undergrad GPA was 3.1 (all in, not sure of science GPA - almost afraid to look). My GPA for the MBA was 3.5.

Essentially I've had a career as an analyst with a couple of large corporations for the past decade and always intended to go back and do something more related to my undergrad degree, specifically veterinary medicine. I wanted the business experience because it ought to translate to any future careers.

I don't have direct experience working for a vet yet and am working on lining that up. For the past six years I've volunteered with animal rescue - first in a shelter and most recently with a dog rescue. I have easily 1,000 volunteer experience, but they're limited to small animals.

I am only taking one class right now with plans to go full time in the fall. So at this point I am still working the corporate job, volunteering with the dog rescue and taking biology + lab. I plan to get a job at a vet's office (or volunteer for one) when I go back to school full time, and I'm also looking into either working at or volunteering with a horse-riding therapy center in the area.

I was asking about research because it sounds like a fun thing to do in the summer, but I also thought it might be a way to get food animal or some other animal type of experience, depending on what's out there.

Basically any suggestions to strengthen my chances are appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[economic]

I notice people on here say certain things are "red flags" - and then I started noticing.. Hey, I think I have a good number of these "red flags" on my application now..

I was wondering what are some examples of "red flags"? Do universities/adcoms use this term or is it just a general term?

Thanks for your input 😍

 

[cowgirla]

I notice people on here say certain things are "red flags" - and then I started noticing.. Hey, I think I have a good number of these "red flags" on my application now..

I was wondering what are some examples of "red flags"? Do universities/adcoms use this term or is it just a general term?

Thanks for your input 😍

Anything on here is the opinion of pre-vets/vet students for the most part. I'd say 99% of us have no idea what goes on in the inner workings of an ad-com review other than through our own failures "Red flag" doesnt mean you won't get in. It just means that people here think you might want to provide a little more info about (IE, explanation section) or work to overcome it before you apply (low experience hours, low GRE, etc).

 

[OH Bunny Girl]

I notice people on here say certain things are "red flags" - and then I started noticing.. Hey, I think I have a good number of these "red flags" on my application now..

I was wondering what are some examples of "red flags"? Do universities/adcoms use this term or is it just a general term?

Thanks for your input 😍

During a file review, an ad-com told me that taking a traditionally difficult pre-req during the summer as an only class is a red-flag b/c it could indicate that you can't handle a rigorous schedule. I did this with O-Chem II, and found out about the whole red-flag thing wayyy later.

I don't know what any others would be, but that's my experience

 

[economic]

During a file review, an ad-com told me that taking a traditionally difficult pre-req during the summer as an only class is a red-flag b/c it could indicate that you can't handle a rigorous schedule. I did this with O-Chem II, and found out about the whole red-flag thing wayyy later.

I don't know what any others would be, but that's my experience

😱 Yikes! Taking O-chem during the summer doesn't make it any easier - you are taking it in a shorter amount of time and going to the lecture/lab for 5+ hours each day! Guh! Is that seriously the main indicator they use to judge if you can handle a rigorous schedule? Because I took a lot of summer school - great!

Do you mind if I ask which university told you this?

So, anyways, I did this as well. I'll go ahead and add this 'red flag' to my long list of other 'red flags' 👎thumbdown

 

[orca2011]

I can provide an example of a "red flag" from my experience. When I first applied, I took the GRE twice, once in August and then again in September. I did average on it both times (my verbal score dropped a good bit the second time but my quantitative and writing went up). I ended up not taking it a third time because I did my file reviews really late in the summer and didn't have time to take it before it switched to the new test and none of the schools were accepting the new score. I also didn't retake it because I was wait listed at 4 schools and thought maybe a list would move. Stupid planning on my part.

Well, during this past cycle, the one school told me that the fact that I didn't take the GRE a third time was a huge red flag, since me taking it a month apart showed that I recognized that my scores weren't good enough. I actually took it twice because I had already signed up for and paid for it in case I completely bombed it the first time...wasn't going to waste the money. But that's besides the point. That combined with my drop in verbal score prevented me from getting an interview. And that was basically the only thing holding me back from that school according to my file review.

There were other reasons that factored into me not taking it a third time, but it wouldn't have really made a difference in the end.

So moral of the story, if you have enough time to take the GRE again to improve your score and have it actually count, do it.

 

[kernel]

I can provide an example of a "red flag" from my experience. When I first applied, I took the GRE twice, once in August and then again in September. I did average on it both times (my verbal score dropped a good bit the second time but my quantitative and writing went up). I ended up not taking it a third time because I did my file reviews really late in the summer and didn't have time to take it before it switched to the new test and none of the schools were accepting the new score. I also didn't retake it because I was wait listed at 4 schools and thought maybe a list would move. Stupid planning on my part.

Well, during this past cycle, the one school told me that the fact that I didn't take the GRE a third time was a huge red flag, since me taking it a month apart showed that I recognized that my scores weren't good enough.

😱

Crap. This is totally me. I took the GRE twice this summer, barely two months apart. Average scores both times... Didn't have time to retake it before apps were due.

Aaaaaaaand now I'm freaking out.

 

[orca2011]

😱

Crap. This is totally me. I took the GRE twice this summer, barely two months apart. Average scores both times... Didn't have time to retake it before apps were due.

Aaaaaaaand now I'm freaking out.

It was a red flag because I had a year to retake it after the 2nd time. I didn't because I was wait listed at schools and had some other personal stuff going on.

 

[StartingoverVet]

It was a red flag because I had a year to retake it after the 2nd time. I didn't because I was wait listed at schools and had some other personal stuff going on.

Red flag to one, meaningless to another.

Doesn't seem to have stopped you from getting accepted elsewhere!

 

[orca2011]

Red flag to one, meaningless to another.

Doesn't seem to have stopped you from getting accepted elsewhere!

Exactly.

Another moral: just because something is a red flag at one school doesn't mean it will be at another.

 

[fluffyunicorns]

Hello friends! I've been browsing this site for months and finally decided to make an account and hear some feedback from you fine folk 🙂I'm a traditional student, female, 22, first time applying, applied to 3 contract schools and 2 oos. I realize my gre is rather pathetic..but that's the reality i face. I made A's in all my math classes in college and had no problems in HS or ACT/SAT...just sucked it up on the GRE!

CUM GPA: 3.76
(don't have my last 45 or science gpa calculated..but last 45 estimate is ~3.89 and science is probably ~3.70ish)

GRE: V-157 Q-149 A-4.0

Vet experience:
558 hrs at a primate research facility(first summer as an intern, 2nd summer asked back to work as a vet tech)
325 hrs vet tech at a small animal clinich connected to the county animal shelther(so i got a lot of shelter medicine experience too)
175 hrs shadowing at a small animal clinic

Animal exp:
146 hrs working with my university's pre-vet club (i co-founded the club and am VP..we do a lot of work with community pets and shelters)
120 hrs training and socializing dogs (worked here the summer i took o-chems)
200 hrs experience with ducks and chickens--> high school bio classes, family chicks, and small animal clinic

250 hrs micro research
150 hrs bio tutor

 

[hai1983]

.

 

[fluffyunicorns]

73% for verbal...but dum dum dum..40% for quant, yikes! And the fact that i'm not sure what LA stands for is probably also a problem...land animal? Thanks for your feedback, hai1983 !

 

[Bracco Pointer]

Large animal = LA.

Your GPA is definitely solid. As aforementioned, you have good experience but could improve your application by diversifying (large animal, zoo med, etc). As long as you had various responsibilities in your small animal experiences, and can show a good understanding of the profession, I don't think the lack of LA will necessarily hurt your application.

Did you have the opportunity to retake the GRE and didn't? That might be a flag for some schools. Many schools allow a high GPA to counteract a low GRE, so that may work in your favor. If you end up applying again, I would definitely retake the GRE, study really hard for it and ace it.

 

[Fireflysushi]

How your GRE is viewed totally depends on the schools you applied to. Some don't really care about GRE and it is 40% of the consideration process at other schools. I didn't rock the quantitative part of my GRE (similar % to you I think) and still got in, and received interviews.
I agree with the others that your GPA is pretty solid and should help counteract your GRE.
I also recommend getting some large animal or exotic veterinary experience just to make your app stronger, but it looks like you are doing well!

 

[cs5910]

Hello Everyone!

I have a question if anyone can provide me some insight, I would be SO grateful!! I just realized that I input contact information incorrectly on my VMCAS for my research experience. Would it be looked down upon to email the schools I applied to in order to clarify it? I was also told to put my animal research into the "animal experience" section, but just realized I should have put it into the veterinary experience because my professor has a PHD. Would it be looked badly upon to include that in the email to the schools I applied to as well? Please help! I am freaking out now 🙁( Thanks everyone!

 

[psilovethomas]

Hello Everyone!

I have a question if anyone can provide me some insight, I would be SO grateful!! I just realized that I input contact information incorrectly on my VMCAS for my research experience. Would it be looked down upon to email the schools I applied to in order to clarify it? I was also told to put my animal research into the "animal experience" section, but just realized I should have put it into the veterinary experience because my professor has a PHD. Would it be looked badly upon to include that in the email to the schools I applied to as well? Please help! I am freaking out now 🙁( Thanks everyone!

No. The adcoms will look at your application and realize it for what it's worth.

 

[economic]

Hello Everyone!

I have a question if anyone can provide me some insight, I would be SO grateful!! I just realized that I input contact information incorrectly on my VMCAS for my research experience. Would it be looked down upon to email the schools I applied to in order to clarify it? I was also told to put my animal research into the "animal experience" section, but just realized I should have put it into the veterinary experience because my professor has a PHD. Would it be looked badly upon to include that in the email to the schools I applied to as well? Please help! I am freaking out now 🙁( Thanks everyone!

It does not hurt to try to correct the contact information. I do not think ultimately it matters if your research/PhD-related work is under animal or vet.. they will see all of it in the end (I think it may even differ for each college - I put my research experience under 'animal'). However, I may be wrong.. they might have a ranking system in place for hours or something.. who knows! Try not to freak out! I would direct your questions to the admission office at the colleges you are applying though.

 

[vethopeful2011]

It does not hurt to try to correct the contact information. I do not think ultimately it matters if your research/PhD-related work is under animal or vet.. they will see all of it in the end (I think it may even differ for each college - I put my research experience under 'animal'). However, I may be wrong.. they might have a ranking system in place for hours or something.. who knows! Try not to freak out! I would direct your questions to the admission office at the colleges you are applying though.

I listed research under a Phd as animal experience too bc it was ecological not biomedical. I guess I could have listed it under veterinary. Please don't be too worried, ultimately I HOPE the adcoms will look at the experience itself not how you categorized it.

 

[vethopeful2011]

73% for verbal...but dum dum dum..40% for quant, yikes! And the fact that i'm not sure what LA stands for is probably also a problem...land animal? Thanks for your feedback, hai1983 !

If you do end up taking the GRE again don't despair! The first time I took it I did pretty awfully, and that was after completing 3 study books cover to cover!!!! I don't really want to say what my first scores were but suffice it to say I almost doubled my percentiles the second time around...just the fact that that was possible should clue you in as to how bad they were the first time!

The trick was making the GRE a part of my daily life and taking some math (hadn't taken a math class besides doseaging since HS). The thing that helped most with vocab was reading Dickens. Dickens is chock full of GRE vocab words, there is at least 2-3 GRE words used on every page. I read Dickens for 6 months straight and took PreCalc and Calc. U have an awesome GPA so you probably don't have to worry too much. I guess I just wanted to say don't give up on the GRE, at one point I thought it was impossible, but in the end it's just another test.

 

[economic]

If you do end up taking the GRE again don't despair! The first time I took it I did pretty awfully, and that was after completing 3 study books cover to cover!!!! I don't really want to say what my first scores were but suffice it to say I almost doubled my percentiles the second time around...just the fact that that was possible should clue you in as to how bad they were the first time!

The trick was making the GRE a part of my daily life and taking some math (hadn't taken a math class besides doseaging since HS). The thing that helped most with vocab was reading Dickens. Dickens is chock full of GRE vocab words, there is at least 2-3 GRE words used on every page. I read Dickens for 6 months straight and took PreCalc and Calc. U have an awesome GPA so you probably don't have to worry too much. I guess I just wanted to say don't give up on the GRE, at one point I thought it was impossible, but in the end it's just another test.

I am glad to hear someone was able to raise their percentile by a huge amount. I do not remember who told me - I think it was the people at one of those GRE classes - said you usually do not raise your score by more than 10% if you retake it (or something like that) which discouraged me from taking it again.

However, I am without-a-doubt taking it again if I reapply next cycle to try to prove that 10% thing wrong!!

I also think READING a lot helps - read scientific journals, novels, anything you want.. it is extremely helpful. My boyfriend barely studied for the vocab, but he reads a great amount, and was able to make 90+ percentile on that section.

 

[fluffyunicorns]

Thank you all for your feedback! If things don't work out for me this round I'll for sure be making some changes to my app for the next round. Appreciate you all!

 

[futurehealervet]

I second economic's post. I got an 800 on verbal on the SAT without really studying because I read all the time. You really learn a lot of vocab and how to analyze written works. Pick up a book every weekend, it doesn't have to be War and Peace, honestly even Twilight might do the trick. I don't know how different the GRE will be but I think this is the most productive and enjoyable way to study.

 

[485501]

I knew a lot of GRE words from books I had read, too. My best advice is to read things that were written more than 50 years ago (I like mysteries and British YA novels from that era). They are chock-full of mildly antiquated words.

Also: FreeRice ftw

 

[Goatmeister]

Hello! I thought I'd get some feedback, even though my applications are already in. I'm a first-time applicant and NY resident (temporarily in MO).

GPA: 3.55
Science GPA: 3.48
Last 45 credits: 3.92

GRE:
V: 90%
Q: 77%
A: 11% (ouch)

I'm a pretty weak writer. I took the GREs in 2007 and got 48% analytical, but since it was 5+ years ago, I doubt it'll make a difference. What I'm saying is, my PS probably isn't all that great.

Hours at time of application submission:

Vet:
Behavior research intern at a zoo: 78 (more added after submission)
Intern at 2 SA vets: 150

Animal:
Volunteer, Humane Society, LA: 150 (and counting)
Volunteer, Wildlife Rescue: 50
Equine externship at a boarding stable: 30
Various SA volunteer work: 250
Employment as a kennel attendant in high school: 70
High school internship at a zoo: 55

I graduated in 2008 with my B.S. in psychology. In 2011, I moved to St. Louis to do a post-baccalaureate premedical program (I carefully maintained my NY residency for Cornell). I'm hoping the non-traditional-ness of me might help a little bit.

I applied to Cornell, Tufts, Illinois, and Penn. Trying to keep my sanity while I wait to hear back from them.

What do you think?

 

[skysong13]

Hello! So I am a first time applicant. Just thought I'd get a little feedback on my chances. I haven't heard from anyone yet, so I'm a little paranoid right now. :/

School: Purdue University
Degree: Animal Sciences
I am a junior, so I am applying a year early, but I will have all my prerequisites done by the spring semester and I will be graduating in Fall 2013.

Cumulative GPA at Purdue: 4.00
Cumulative GPA if you include transfers from high school: 3.99
Last 45 credits: 4.00
Science GPA: 4.00

GRE:
Verbal: 154/ 61%
Quantitative: 156/ 68%
A: 4/ 49%
I only took it one time because I didn't have time. I did 0 studying prior to this test. I was also in the middle of a big family conflict when I took this test and I was terribly distracted.

Vet experience:
total ~620
half of that was with an equine veterinarian
I also shadowed some Rood and Riddle vets so I have a small amount of hours from there
I realize this number is not very high, but I didn't include my hours working at the Purdue Small Animal Hospital because my job does not require that I am under direct supervision of a vet. I am very conservative with all of my time logs

Animal Experience:
~3000
this includes my SAH job, any experience with my horses, an equine training internship, what I did in my animal management courses, and volunteering at the shelter, etc

Employment:
I am a Resident Assistant which is considered a 20hr a week job
I work at the small animal hospital at about 5 hrs a week but varies
Last semester I was working as a research assistant for a Purdue Vet but unfortunately they had no projects going on and so I only got like 30 hours working with them
Have worked at a restaurant at home on and off since senior year of high school

I have always had at least one job since my second semester at purdue. 3 of the semesters I have had 2 jobs. I have completely paid for my school with my own money/scholarships. So the honors and awards section was ridiculously long.

Community:
Block and bridle club
Studying Abroad (wasn't sure where else to put this)
BGR team leader
member of a few scholar clubs
volunteer counselor at a camp
athletic stuff (I wasn't sure how far back to go so I just went through high school)
4-H

References:
My advisor- he's the equine extension person
A vet I worked with last summer
my boss for the SAH job
my boss for the equine internship
and a personal reference

If they only took 3 I used the advisor, vet, and I think the boss for the equine internship

personal statement: well I started it kinda late, but I think it turned out okay. I kinda just told a story of what got me interested/motivated, the experience I had last summer working with a vet (because I got to do a lot of hands on stuff), and my career goals. If you want to read it you can, but I'd probably prefer to send it in a message than post it on here.

 

[that redhead]

Hello! So I am a first time applicant. Just thought I'd get a little feedback on my chances. I haven't heard from anyone yet, so I'm a little paranoid right now. :/

I think your 4.0 will help you a lot- congratulations on that accomplishment 🙂 Sure, people have more animal hours but yours are nothing to scoff at and you've got some nice extra-curriculars.

 

[Petose]

Hi everybody I'm new here so nice to meet everyone and I have a question that I hope someone can answer. I want to apply to the WCVM as a BC resident and I am currently in third year at the University of Victoria (in BC). However during the end of my first year and beginning of second year of university one of my family members was diagnosed with cancer and I ended up failing two courses (Calculus and intro organic chem). I retook those classes after the treatment period was over and managed a B in calculus and an A- in organic chem, but those F's have really brought down my gpa. I have been working hard in 3rd year and have been getting A's and A-'s, but it feels like my gpa never seems to get higher and I calculate that it will only at about 80% when I graduate in 2 years. Does anyone have any idea if I even have a chance to get into the WCVM? Thanks for you help.

 

[futurehealervet]

Hi everybody I'm new here so nice to meet everyone and I have a question that I hope someone can answer. I want to apply to the WCVM as a BC resident and I am currently in third year at the University of Victoria (in BC). However during the end of my first year and beginning of second year of university one of my family members was diagnosed with cancer and I ended up failing two courses (Calculus and intro organic chem). I retook those classes after the treatment period was over and managed a B in calculus and an A- in organic chem, but those F's have really brought down my gpa. I have been working hard in 3rd year and have been getting A's and A-'s, but it feels like my gpa never seems to get higher and I calculate that it will only at about 80% when I graduate in 2 years. Does anyone have any idea if I even have a chance to get into the WCVM? Thanks for you help.

The application typically has an explanation section. From what Ive heard, schools are usually pretty understanding if you've had to deal with certain difficulties in undergrad. As long as the rest of your grades are good it shouldn't be such a big issue. Good Luck!🙂

 

[Raptor119]

I'm about to be a senior majoring in Microbiology, and I was wondering if my chances are still good for being accepted into vet school.

Overall GPA: 3.51
Science GPA: 3.57

These GPA's don't include the D or F I'm going to make in Biochemistry 1.

Animal Experience:
~800 hours at Southeastern Raptor Center assisting with birds
~20 hours feeding pigs for a research project at my university

Vet Experience:
~400 hours at the raptor center (supervised under a veterinarian during these hours)
~50 hours large animal
~400 hours small animal

I'll be taking the GRE in January. I'm just worried that the D/F in Biochemistry will hurt my chances too much. If I retake it and earn an A or B, do I have a realistic chance at vet school? I'll be applying this upcoming year to Auburn, U of Florida, UC Davis, and NC State. Thanks in advance for the responses!

 

[Bracco Pointer]

Raptor, the D/F will definitely hurt your application, but it's not the end of it. Is it too late to drop the Biochem course? I know of plenty of people who have retaken courses and still been successful. Since I assume you plan on applying next cycle, I would work very hard on getting As in your other courses, gaining more veterinary and animal experience, and doing very well on the GRE. The raptor experience is definitely unique and will look great on your application. Depending on what your interest is, I would try to get more in-depth small animal hours and possibly more large animal hours as well.

I'd recommend studying hard for the GRE - even though many people take it without studying and do well, I wouldn't risk it. I think you should do everything you can do do well on the GRE, since a lot of schools (UF I know for sure) will look more favorably on a low GPA if the GRE is high. Good luck!

 

[Museum Nerd]

I'm about to be a senior majoring in Microbiology, and I was wondering if my chances are still good for being accepted into vet school.

Overall GPA: 3.51
Science GPA: 3.57

These GPA's don't include the D or F I'm going to make in Biochemistry 1.

Animal Experience:
~800 hours at Southeastern Raptor Center assisting with birds
~20 hours feeding pigs for a research project at my university

Vet Experience:
~400 hours at the raptor center (supervised under a veterinarian during these hours)
~50 hours large animal
~400 hours small animal

I'll be taking the GRE in January. I'm just worried that the D/F in Biochemistry will hurt my chances too much. If I retake it and earn an A or B, do I have a realistic chance at vet school? I'll be applying this upcoming year to Auburn, U of Florida, UC Davis, and NC State. Thanks in advance for the responses!

Is one of the schools listed an IS for you?

 

[orca2011]

I'm about to be a senior majoring in Microbiology, and I was wondering if my chances are still good for being accepted into vet school.

Overall GPA: 3.51
Science GPA: 3.57

These GPA's don't include the D or F I'm going to make in Biochemistry 1.

Animal Experience:
~800 hours at Southeastern Raptor Center assisting with birds
~20 hours feeding pigs for a research project at my university

Vet Experience:
~400 hours at the raptor center (supervised under a veterinarian during these hours)
~50 hours large animal
~400 hours small animal

I'll be taking the GRE in January. I'm just worried that the D/F in Biochemistry will hurt my chances too much. If I retake it and earn an A or B, do I have a realistic chance at vet school? I'll be applying this upcoming year to Auburn, U of Florida, UC Davis, and NC State. Thanks in advance for the responses!

Just as a heads up, BIochem is a pre-req for NCSU and probably some of your other schools too. If you apply to to them, you WILL have to retake Biochem and earn a C or higher (maybe a C-, not sure which is their cut off). If you apply to them with a D or F in a pre-req, I'd imagine you'd be cut right away based on how other schools work, unless you indicate that you are already in the process of retaking the course.

 

[Petose]

Thanks for the response futurevethealer, I guess I will just have to keep at it and hope for the best. Good luck to you too!

 

[Raptor119]

@Museum Nerd, yes, Auburn is in-state for me (I'm actually earning my undergrad from here). And I know it might be crazy, but I'm really hoping to go out-of-state for vet school. I've lived in Alabama for a decade and I feel it's time to move on from it. But I obviously wouldn't turn down Auburn if it's the only school to accept me.
@Bracco Pointer, I got a D in the course and will be retaking in the spring. I feel like I didn't manage my time too well this semester; I took 19 hours. I didn't realize the GRE was as important as you say. I'll definitely be studying all of winter break for it, especially since UF is my top choice.

Thanks for all of the responses! I definitely appreciate them.

 

[Kpowell14]

@Museum Nerd, yes, Auburn is in-state for me (I'm actually earning my undergrad from here). And I know it might be crazy, but I'm really hoping to go out-of-state for vet school. I've lived in Alabama for a decade and I feel it's time to move on from it. But I obviously wouldn't turn down Auburn if it's the only school to accept me.
@Bracco Pointer, I got a D in the course and will be retaking in the spring. I feel like I didn't manage my time too well this semester; I took 19 hours. I didn't realize the GRE was as important as you say. I'll definitely be studying all of winter break for it, especially since UF is my top choice.

Thanks for all of the responses! I definitely appreciate them.

Someone recently pointed out to me that UFs admissions formula is 50% GRE... I didn't apply there, but I just wanted to point that out... This is the highest % I've seen on any vet school site I've been on.. Granted I didn't look into some schools, but yea. Just wanted to throw that out there!

 

[cs5910]

For UF, the GRE is 50% of their INITIAL review, that combined with the GPAs. Once you pass initial review, you are looked at hollistically. Here is how they break it down:

The Objective Academic Assessment evaluates applicants by the following criteria:

25% – Verbal GRE Score
25% – Quantitative GRE Score
25% – Science Course GPA
12.5% – Overall Course GPA
12.5% – Last 45 Credits Course GPA

Candidates are ranked in two independent applicant pools: Florida residents and Non-Sponsored (Out of state).

Each applying class will have varying academic strengths, therefore the minimum academic scores necessary to pass the Objective Academic Assessment will remain variable from year to year.

Full Application Review if you pass the initial review:

Those students that pass the Objective Academic Assessment will have their entire vet school application reviewed individually by three members of the UFCVM Admissions Committee. Once again, there will be two applicant pools: Florida residents and Non-Florida residents, and the candidates will be scored and ranked on the following criteria:

50% – Academic History and Experience – Prerequisite GPA, GRE, undergraduate institution selectivity, academic load, number of withdrawals, research participation, teaching assistant positions, strength of academic references (if any), and academic flags/concerns.

25% – Pre-Veterinary Experience and Preparation – Amount of legitimate pre-veterinary experience, amount of legitimate animal experience, strength of veterinary and animal related references, relationship between references and veterinary/animal experiences.

25% – Overall Professionalism and Readiness to Matriculate – Overall professionalism of the application, strength of written communication skills, extracurricular experiences, community involvement, international experiences, awards and recognitions, non-veterinary or animal related employment experiences.

 

[HappyCowsLieDwn]

How far does getting your Master's go towards helping with admissions? I am working on a non-thesis research project in the spring that is animal-physiology centered
I have:
B.A.-History
Grad Certificate in Chemical Biology (3.5 GPA)
^^Both from Stevens Institute of technology c/o 2012
Working on doing my MS in Biology (physiology concentration) in 1 year right now.

Cumulative GPA: 3.2
Last 45 Credit hrs: ~3.65 (not including my MS grades which will come out in the next 2 weeks)
Science GPA: 3.38 with much better grades in upper level courses (A's in immunology, Biochem 2, Epigenetics, and Molecular Genetics) than lower grades (C+ in Gen Chem I)
GRE: Q-650 V-560 Writing: 4.5 (all from the old test system obviously)

Veterinary Experience:
100 hrs LA
1000 SA
50 hrs Equine
20 hrs Shelter

Animal Experience:
40 hrs Shelter/exotics
600 Equine
800 LA
400 SA

During my undergrad I was also a member of a DIII volleyball team, captain of the Equestrian team, VP of my sorority, founded the Pre-Vet Society, and worked ~20 hrs per week.
Course load was ~17 credits per semester, I took 20 credits my last 2 semesters with mainly upper level and graduate science courses.

I know my grades are my weakest point.
The schools I'm most anxious about are Wester, Penn, and Cornell.
I applied to Penn, Cornell, and Tennessee last year and did not get interviews but was told my experience, letters, and statements were good, just had to work on the GPA (hence the Master's program which I am doing well in)
My main interest is Large Animal (mainly dairy).

Any thoughts would be appreciated (please don't tear me apart!! :-D )