What are my chances?

[allieh8607]

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Thanks! That's very helpful!
What about subject-wise? I'm a little confused how it works, do you just take one subject? >__<

There is a "general" test which is the one that most people take and vet schools require. That test covers the math, verbal, and writing sections. So you're technically being tested in three subjects. In addition though, I know there's like a biology subject GRE portion but I don't think many people take it and I also don't think any vet schools require it.

 

[epivetlove]

I just wanted to thank everyone for their insight and suggestions! I'll be retaking the GRE in May, so that gives me time to take it again before apps are due, though I hope to avoid taking it a 3rd time. I'm very excited (and fearful, haha) to apply this year! Thanks again! 🙂

Our interests are super similar! I haven't heard of EIS, though. Is that through the CDC, by chance? Just out of curiosity, where are you getting your graduate degree?

Yeah, the EIS is part of the CDC. If you're interested in public health, I'd look into it. They have an awesome training program for DVMs, but you have to have an MPH too. Experience may be used in lieu of a degree, but I'm not sure.

Edit: Totally didn't answer your 2nd question, durr. I'll be graduating from the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. Or School of Public Health, as I prefer to call it.

 

[Fragaria]

There is a "general" test which is the one that most people take and vet schools require. That test covers the math, verbal, and writing sections. So you're technically being tested in three subjects. In addition though, I know there's like a biology subject GRE portion but I don't think many people take it and I also don't think any vet schools require it.

Thanks for clarifying! I feel less scared now xD!

 

[bunnity]

Thanks so much! That's amazing advice. I did take a Biological Speech class last semester, but with the few presentations I've done this semester I don't think it helped! I really do need to practice more. If my research actually makes it anywhere, I have at least 3 conferences my professors want to take me to. It's too early to be scared though!

I think I am very interested in shelter medicine. I probably need to see how another shelter is organized before I say this, because the one I'm at now is no-kill and the vet is AWESOME...and she has told me a lot about other shelters without such great organization where a lot of unnecessary tragedies happen 🙁 But I do like the unique challenges associated with it, at least from the position I'm in now.

I would like to perform research more oriented towards veterinary medicine, but I don't know where to begin. I don't think there are any veterinary research labs near me.

I will definitely take your advice on asking to shadow! There are now 3 clinics within walking distance of me since I've moved, and so I really need to get on that.

Good luck on your research! I sort of knew someone who went to UF for graduate school, and he studied something about horse fertility. It sounded cool, and I definitely wish you the best!

Wow, I sure ramble...thanks again for your advice. I definitely need the reminder to have fun! I hope you are having fun as well.

Just so you know, there is a lot of controversy about "no kill" shelters and I think it's something you need to look more if you want to do shelter medicine. I'm going to give you an example so you can see how it is not as simple as "we don't kill animals so we're a better shelter."

In Pittsburgh where I'm from, there is a "no kill" shelter and there are two "kill" shelters. The "no kill" shelter does not take in strays, and only accepts select owner surrenders off a waiting list. So any animal in need of urgent help will go to one of the "kill" shelters, who will never turn away any animal in need. As you might imagine, the "kill" shelters get way more animals than the "no kill" shelters. And even though they place way more animals in homes than the "no kill" shelter, they do end up with all the animals that are very unhealthy or dangerously aggressive, because the "no kill" shelter won't take them in the first place.

If I find a stray dog on the street, get turned away by the "no kill" shelter, take it to the "kill" shelter and the dog is later euthanized due to lack of space (after the stray hold is up) - the "no kill" shelter is patting themselves on the back that they don't put animals to sleep, and the "kill" shelter is broke because no one wants to donate to a place that kills dogs, while in reality the dog has been put to sleep anyway, at the financial and emotional cost of the "kill" shelter and its employees, and ultimately the dog is still dead.

When animals are euthanized due to overpopulation in a community, that "fault" belongs to the entire community. No matter who is pushing the needle, that animal is dying because the community failed its animals. Animal overpopulation is so complicated and in the average shelter animal's life there are so many points of intervention that could have saved that animal (people willing to trap and fix feral cats, vets promoting microchipping, people donating to shelters, landlords allowing animals, pet food pantries, availability of low cost vet care, laws against puppy mills, people willing to report animal cruelty, people willing to fight poverty and lack of education, foster homes... it goes on and on).

I don't think it's wrong to be a "no kill" shelter by any means, and a lot of shelters choose to have a smaller adoption program to focus a lot of their energy on preventative measures, which is great. The "no kill" shelter in Philadelphia has a low cost vet clinic and does a ton of spay/neuter, and every one of their animals is brought over from the "kill" shelter as space permits. But they realize exactly what's going on and urge people to support the "kill" shelter as well as supporting them.

Sorry to talk your ear off, but it's a huge pet peeve of mine and an incredibly important thing to understand if you're in the shelter field at all. 😳

 

[Hotfillyky]

Just so you know, there is a lot of controversy about "no kill" shelters and I think it's something you need to look more if you want to do shelter medicine. I'm going to give you an example so you can see how it is not as simple as "we don't kill animals so we're a better shelter."

In Pittsburgh where I'm from, there is a "no kill" shelter and there are two "kill" shelters. The "no kill" shelter does not take in strays, and only accepts select owner surrenders off a waiting list. So any animal in need of urgent help will go to one of the "kill" shelters, who will never turn away any animal in need. As you might imagine, the "kill" shelters get way more animals than the "no kill" shelters. And even though they place way more animals in homes than the "no kill" shelter, they do end up with all the animals that are very unhealthy or dangerously aggressive, because the "no kill" shelter won't take them in the first place.

If I find a stray dog on the street, get turned away by the "no kill" shelter, take it to the "kill" shelter and the dog is later euthanized due to lack of space (after the stray hold is up) - the "no kill" shelter is patting themselves on the back that they don't put animals to sleep, and the "kill" shelter is broke because no one wants to donate to a place that kills dogs, while in reality the dog has been put to sleep anyway, at the financial and emotional cost of the "kill" shelter and its employees, and ultimately the dog is still dead.

When animals are euthanized due to overpopulation in a community, that "fault" belongs to the entire community. No matter who is pushing the needle, that animal is dying because the community failed its animals. Animal overpopulation is so complicated and in the average shelter animal's life there are so many points of intervention that could have saved that animal (people willing to trap and fix feral cats, vets promoting microchipping, people donating to shelters, landlords allowing animals, pet food pantries, availability of low cost vet care, laws against puppy mills, people willing to report animal cruelty, people willing to fight poverty and lack of education, foster homes... it goes on and on).

I don't think it's wrong to be a "no kill" shelter by any means, and a lot of shelters choose to have a smaller adoption program to focus a lot of their energy on preventative measures, which is great. The "no kill" shelter in Philadelphia has a low cost vet clinic and does a ton of spay/neuter, and every one of their animals is brought over from the "kill" shelter as space permits. But they realize exactly what's going on and urge people to support the "kill" shelter as well as supporting them.

Sorry to talk your ear off, but it's a huge pet peeve of mine and an incredibly important thing to understand if you're in the shelter field at all. 😳

BEAUTIFULLY said!👍

I agree with you on all points. I have worked in shelter medicine....it can be heartbreaking. When I was there, we had an outbreak of Bordetella in cats (confirmed by testing) which is costly and time consuming to treat. 66 cats were in house at the time....it was recommended that we euthanize them all. We lost some but managed to save about 2/3 and they were adopted to forever homes. 🙂

 

[Naturalist]

Just so you know, there is a lot of controversy about "no kill" shelters and I think it's something you need to look more if you want to do shelter medicine. I'm going to give you an example so you can see how it is not as simple as "we don't kill animals so we're a better shelter."

In Pittsburgh where I'm from, there is a "no kill" shelter and there are two "kill" shelters. The "no kill" shelter does not take in strays, and only accepts select owner surrenders off a waiting list. So any animal in need of urgent help will go to one of the "kill" shelters, who will never turn away any animal in need. As you might imagine, the "kill" shelters get way more animals than the "no kill" shelters. And even though they place way more animals in homes than the "no kill" shelter, they do end up with all the animals that are very unhealthy or dangerously aggressive, because the "no kill" shelter won't take them in the first place.

If I find a stray dog on the street, get turned away by the "no kill" shelter, take it to the "kill" shelter and the dog is later euthanized due to lack of space (after the stray hold is up) - the "no kill" shelter is patting themselves on the back that they don't put animals to sleep, and the "kill" shelter is broke because no one wants to donate to a place that kills dogs, while in reality the dog has been put to sleep anyway, at the financial and emotional cost of the "kill" shelter and its employees, and ultimately the dog is still dead.

When animals are euthanized due to overpopulation in a community, that "fault" belongs to the entire community. No matter who is pushing the needle, that animal is dying because the community failed its animals. Animal overpopulation is so complicated and in the average shelter animal's life there are so many points of intervention that could have saved that animal (people willing to trap and fix feral cats, vets promoting microchipping, people donating to shelters, landlords allowing animals, pet food pantries, availability of low cost vet care, laws against puppy mills, people willing to report animal cruelty, people willing to fight poverty and lack of education, foster homes... it goes on and on).

I don't think it's wrong to be a "no kill" shelter by any means, and a lot of shelters choose to have a smaller adoption program to focus a lot of their energy on preventative measures, which is great. The "no kill" shelter in Philadelphia has a low cost vet clinic and does a ton of spay/neuter, and every one of their animals is brought over from the "kill" shelter as space permits. But they realize exactly what's going on and urge people to support the "kill" shelter as well as supporting them.

Sorry to talk your ear off, but it's a huge pet peeve of mine and an incredibly important thing to understand if you're in the shelter field at all. 😳

Oh, I totally get it! That's how my city back home works...but where I am now, they are working really hard to make the whole city go no-kill. About half of the animals at the no-kill shelter are transferred from the city shelter to reduce euthanasia in the city. The whole city was able to go no-kill for the whole month of November because of this shelter and how proactive they are in the community.

Each animal that leaves the shelter is sterilized, microchipped, and vaccinated. They have a bunch of dedicated foster parents (including me!) that allow neonatal orphans to be spared from euthanasia. In spring they turn a building nearby into a kitten ward when more orphans come in than foster parents can handle. There's even a parvo quarantine and a panleuk quarantine, and a good amount of them survive through it. Back home they euthanize orphans and parvo dogs immediately. The shelter vet, who I work with,.does amazing work. Her husband is the vet for the low cost animal clinic the shelter runs for the community.

I know no-kill isn't always so glamorous, but this shelter is doing it completely right. I don't think any other city in the region has made it nearly as far or tried nearly as hard as the one I'm in now. The vet here is a truly amazing person. Just today I was at a fundraiser the shelter put on downtown, and she was there working as hard as everyone else.

Sorry my thoughts seem kind of jumbled, but you have no reason to be annoyed here. 👍 This shelter is really unique, and I'm glad to be a part of it.

 

[dovelover]

Just so you know, there is a lot of controversy about "no kill" shelters and I think it's something you need to look more if you want to do shelter medicine. I'm going to give you an example so you can see how it is not as simple as "we don't kill animals so we're a better shelter."

In Pittsburgh where I'm from, there is a "no kill" shelter and there are two "kill" shelters. The "no kill" shelter does not take in strays, and only accepts select owner surrenders off a waiting list. So any animal in need of urgent help will go to one of the "kill" shelters, who will never turn away any animal in need. As you might imagine, the "kill" shelters get way more animals than the "no kill" shelters. And even though they place way more animals in homes than the "no kill" shelter, they do end up with all the animals that are very unhealthy or dangerously aggressive, because the "no kill" shelter won't take them in the first place.

If I find a stray dog on the street, get turned away by the "no kill" shelter, take it to the "kill" shelter and the dog is later euthanized due to lack of space (after the stray hold is up) - the "no kill" shelter is patting themselves on the back that they don't put animals to sleep, and the "kill" shelter is broke because no one wants to donate to a place that kills dogs, while in reality the dog has been put to sleep anyway, at the financial and emotional cost of the "kill" shelter and its employees, and ultimately the dog is still dead.

When animals are euthanized due to overpopulation in a community, that "fault" belongs to the entire community. No matter who is pushing the needle, that animal is dying because the community failed its animals. Animal overpopulation is so complicated and in the average shelter animal's life there are so many points of intervention that could have saved that animal (people willing to trap and fix feral cats, vets promoting microchipping, people donating to shelters, landlords allowing animals, pet food pantries, availability of low cost vet care, laws against puppy mills, people willing to report animal cruelty, people willing to fight poverty and lack of education, foster homes... it goes on and on).

I don't think it's wrong to be a "no kill" shelter by any means, and a lot of shelters choose to have a smaller adoption program to focus a lot of their energy on preventative measures, which is great. The "no kill" shelter in Philadelphia has a low cost vet clinic and does a ton of spay/neuter, and every one of their animals is brought over from the "kill" shelter as space permits. But they realize exactly what's going on and urge people to support the "kill" shelter as well as supporting them.

Sorry to talk your ear off, but it's a huge pet peeve of mine and an incredibly important thing to understand if you're in the shelter field at all. 😳

I used to volunteer at the particular "no kill" shelter in question, and I thought it was the best place in the world. But now that I'm older and wiser, and well, more cynical, it annoys me to no end. It's a wonderful place to adopt an animal from (that's where all my family's adopted pets are from) but the high and mighty attitudes of some (not all by any means) people there drive me bonkers. The whole no-kill vs open admissions shelters debate is so annoying. Do people not realize that shelters are all one big system, and that when animals get turned away from a no-kill shelter they end up at an open admissions one, and ultimately, likely get euthanized? Or that when you adopt from a shelter, you are opening up a space for another animal--it doesn't matter whether you adopt from a no-kill shelter or an open admissions shelter (my brother insisted on adopting from a "kill" shelter so it would open up a spot to save another animal). Animal shelters trade animals all the time. The dog I adopted from a no-kill shelter was originally surrendered at a small open admissions shelter in a rural area, and was taken in by the no-kill shelter because he had a much higher chance of getting adopted there.

Can't we all just work together and get along? We all want to save animals and reduce excess population!

 

[dovelover]

There is a "general" test which is the one that most people take and vet schools require. That test covers the math, verbal, and writing sections. So you're technically being tested in three subjects. In addition though, I know there's like a biology subject GRE portion but I don't think many people take it and I also don't think any vet schools require it.

Yes, don't take a subject test unless you have to. I studied for months for the bio GRE. Did fantastically on it (98th percentile 😀) and it served as a wonderful review of biology right before the end of my senior year, and made me realize that I actually had learned things in college😱. But don't do it. Not unless you have to. Really. You have to study for it, and you'll be so stressed because you're not going to know the answers to like a third of the questions on the test (you're not expected to be remotely close to knowing them all, but still stressful). I took it because I really wanted to go to a foreign vet school that required a subject test. Found out a week before the test that they no longer required it 😡 Would have been nice if they'd warned on their website that they were planning on dropping the requirement for the following admissions cycle. Didn't even end up applying to the school anyway. But I still have that awesome score to be proud of, I suppose.

 

[mdpa01079]

Hey guys,
Could anyone give me some advice on what to do for the last few months before I apply to vet school? Im getting really nervous and could use some help =)

my state school is UPenn and I go to a state school now

Few Things about me:
-GPA: 3.6 (all As for the last two years except a C in Orgo 2), going to be a super senior doing a Degree in Animal Science and one in Environmental science
-currently studying for GRE
-grew up on family farm, want to be a large animal vet
-vet hours: 525 at a small animal clinic, 600+ this summer at an equine repro center, 120 with a large animal/research facility vet, will have ~80 spay/neuter hours, 15 shadowing a zoo vet, 15 hours with a holistic vet
-research: 500+ hours with a professor of mine helping with his ruminant nutrition research (plus got to scrub in with surgeries!)
-animal hours: over 10000, mostly from riding and living on a farm plus years of teaching riding, president of my schools equestrian club, interned at an aquarium, TA for several animal science classes, dairy judging, worked at a birthing center, etc....
-other jobs: RA, Peer Mentor for my college, camp counselor for 2 years, worked at an ice cream place and at a tree farm
-also was involved with my schools alternative break program (led a trip) and also used to do a lot of volunteer stuff (not so much any more)

Thank youuu!!!!

 

[prevetdreamer]

Hey guys,
Could anyone give me some advice on what to do for the last few months before I apply to vet school? Im getting really nervous and could use some help =)

my state school is UPenn and I go to a state school now

Few Things about me:
-GPA: 3.6 (all As for the last two years except a C in Orgo 2), going to be a super senior doing a Degree in Animal Science and one in Environmental science
-currently studying for GRE
-grew up on family farm, want to be a large animal vet
-vet hours: 525 at a small animal clinic, 600+ this summer at an equine repro center, 120 with a large animal/research facility vet, will have ~80 spay/neuter hours, 15 shadowing a zoo vet, 15 hours with a holistic vet
-research: 500+ hours with a professor of mine helping with his ruminant nutrition research (plus got to scrub in with surgeries!)
-animal hours: over 10000, mostly from riding and living on a farm plus years of teaching riding, president of my schools equestrian club, interned at an aquarium, TA for several animal science classes, dairy judging, worked at a birthing center, etc....
-other jobs: RA, Peer Mentor for my college, camp counselor for 2 years, worked at an ice cream place and at a tree farm
-also was involved with my schools alternative break program (led a trip) and also used to do a lot of volunteer stuff (not so much any more)

Thank youuu!!!!

Overall, I think it looks pretty good! Decent GPA backed up by a high last 45. Really do well on the GRE. It looks like you have a lot of vet and animal hours, which is good.

The only thing I can see is that you want to be a large animal vet, but most of your LA experience is from research. Unless that's what you're thinking about doing, I would say try to get some more clinical vet experience (or experience in whatever setting you think you'll want to end up in). I don't think it's a major flaw or anything, but if you had extra time and/or a good opportunity I think it would really benefit you.

Other than that, get a great personal statement, make sure your references are good, and take the time to make your application shine. Also, try to relax a bit 🙂 I know it can get pretty crazy and stressful, but try to take it easy every now and then. Make sure you still have time for yourself. As long as you present yourself well, I think you're in pretty good shape!

Good luck!!!

 

[adams30]

Hey guys,
Could anyone give me some advice on what to do for the last few months before I apply to vet school? Im getting really nervous and could use some help =)

my state school is UPenn and I go to a state school now

Few Things about me:
-GPA: 3.6 (all As for the last two years except a C in Orgo 2), going to be a super senior doing a Degree in Animal Science and one in Environmental science
-currently studying for GRE
-grew up on family farm, want to be a large animal vet
-vet hours: 525 at a small animal clinic, 600+ this summer at an equine repro center, 120 with a large animal/research facility vet, will have ~80 spay/neuter hours, 15 shadowing a zoo vet, 15 hours with a holistic vet
-research: 500+ hours with a professor of mine helping with his ruminant nutrition research (plus got to scrub in with surgeries!)
-animal hours: over 10000, mostly from riding and living on a farm plus years of teaching riding, president of my schools equestrian club, interned at an aquarium, TA for several animal science classes, dairy judging, worked at a birthing center, etc....
-other jobs: RA, Peer Mentor for my college, camp counselor for 2 years, worked at an ice cream place and at a tree farm
-also was involved with my schools alternative break program (led a trip) and also used to do a lot of volunteer stuff (not so much any more)

Thank youuu!!!!

It looks like you have great stats! I also worked in a residence hall as a peer mentor in college. I ended up using experiences from it to work into my personal statement and relate it to vet med.

Yes just do your best on the GRE! Good luck!

 

[Jess Monster]

... The whole no-kill vs open admissions shelters debate is so annoying. Do people not realize that shelters are all one big system, and that when animals get turned away from a no-kill shelter they end up at an open admissions one, and ultimately, likely get euthanized? Or that when you adopt from a shelter, you are opening up a space for another animal--it doesn't matter whether you adopt from a no-kill shelter or an open admissions shelter (my brother insisted on adopting from a "kill" shelter so it would open up a spot to save another animal).

Agreed.

Last year I played advisor to a group of undergrads on an alternative spring break to a very popular no-kill cat shelter down south. While the staff at the shelter were all very pleasant and sunny in their dispositions, the idealist no-kill rhetoric was really annoying to me. Maybe I'm just a mean old cynic, but when I tried to ask what criteria was used to admit animals I was talked around and didn't get a single straight answer.

It was great when the group was reflecting afterwards and I asked critical questions about "No-Kill" philosophy. Everyone else was being incredibly positive and upbeat until I shared my doubts and criticisms. I got some weird looks like I just skinned a kitten in front of them or something. Totally worth it though. I would be a bad advisor if I let them leave believing that "No-Kills" are better and more worthy of their monetary donations and time.

 

[dovelover]

Hey guys,
Could anyone give me some advice on what to do for the last few months before I apply to vet school? Im getting really nervous and could use some help =)

my state school is UPenn and I go to a state school now

Few Things about me:
-GPA: 3.6 (all As for the last two years except a C in Orgo 2), going to be a super senior doing a Degree in Animal Science and one in Environmental science
-currently studying for GRE
-grew up on family farm, want to be a large animal vet
-vet hours: 525 at a small animal clinic, 600+ this summer at an equine repro center, 120 with a large animal/research facility vet, will have ~80 spay/neuter hours, 15 shadowing a zoo vet, 15 hours with a holistic vet
-research: 500+ hours with a professor of mine helping with his ruminant nutrition research (plus got to scrub in with surgeries!)
-animal hours: over 10000, mostly from riding and living on a farm plus years of teaching riding, president of my schools equestrian club, interned at an aquarium, TA for several animal science classes, dairy judging, worked at a birthing center, etc....
-other jobs: RA, Peer Mentor for my college, camp counselor for 2 years, worked at an ice cream place and at a tree farm
-also was involved with my schools alternative break program (led a trip) and also used to do a lot of volunteer stuff (not so much any more)

Thank youuu!!!!

If you want to go to UPenn, make sure you have a lot of vet hours in your specific area of interest. They ask you on the supplemental what your area of interest is (very specifically, might I add) and how many vet hours you have working in that area. It's good that you have research experience, Penn values that. The fact that your GPA is pretty average isn't going to hurt you there, they really don't seem to focus that much on GPA (their average GPA for admitted students is lower than most schools I looked at).

If you're like a lot of Pennsylvanians (including myself) and don't want to go to UPenn, your application is pretty good in the experience department. You have good variety and you seem to have good depth in a couple experiences. You also have some good leadership experiences. Your GPA is pretty average, but you can boost that by rocking the GREs. Take it early enough so that you can retake it if you have to. Since you have the time, a positive thing you can do in the experience department would be, as a previous poster said, to up your large animal clinical experience since that's your area of interest. And do note, be cautious about applying to penn as your in state back up school if that's your plan. That's what I did, and well, I got 3 acceptances and 1 waitlist at out of state schools, and was completely ignored by penn until 2 weeks before the end of their interviews, when I was able to withdraw my application and avoid getting another rejection on my record 😉. Pretty much every other PA resident I know personally has been in the same boat, if they even bothered applying in the first place. You might be better off since you have research experience, but well, just giving you that warning. Don't rely on Penn just because it's your in state school.

The other positive thing you could to is to look for something really unique. At least in list form, it looks like you have a lot of fairly average, common stuff on your application. That's not by any means going to hurt you, you have a lot of great hours. But if you really want to stick out try to highlight something unique, whether it be a unique vet/animal experience or a unique life experience. You may already have something you can use that's just not obvious from this list of your experience (I suspect leading a trip brought with it a lot of interesting challenges?). Or you may have seen some unique cases in your other experiences. Again, hard to tell when it just says SA, LA, etc. But if not, go find some really crazy area of vet medicine to get involved in or go on a road trip of self discovery or something. Have a little fun. This is by no means essential, your application is pretty good as it stands. But since you have the time this summer, why not?

Just be confident in your application and make sure your personal traits and non-cognitive skills shine through in your descriptions of your activities and your personal statement. People often forget about those things in their concern over GPA calculations and GREs and hour counts. But honestly, at most schools-especially those that interview-if you can get past an initial subjective review, as long as you have decent numbers (which you do), it's those personal traits and confidence that are going to get you in. Being mature, confident, responsible, etc. is far more indicative of your success as a vet student than having twice the number of experience hours as somebody else.

 

[mdpa01079]

Wow guys thank you so much for your feedback, its super helpful! I'm definitely going to try to do the things you mentioned. I am hoping to go to UPenn but I feel like I am more competitive to schools who are looking for well rounded applicants vs. Penn which seems to like unique, focused students (but I'll work on that!). I have an internship at an equine repro center for most of the summer but I'm going to study for the GREs that whole time and then hopefully shadow a large animal vet. Its really hard to find large animal vets in the DC area but Ill do by best. Thanks again, if anyone else has any advice its really appreciated 🙂. Hopefully I can pay back the favor!

 

[orca2011]

Wow guys thank you so much for your feedback, its super helpful! I'm definitely going to try to do the things you mentioned. I am hoping to go to UPenn but I feel like I am more competitive to schools who are looking for well rounded applicants vs. Penn which seems to like unique, focused students (but I'll work on that!). I have an internship at an equine repro center for most of the summer but I'm going to study for the GREs that whole time and then hopefully shadow a large animal vet. Its really hard to find large animal vets in the DC area but Ill do by best. Thanks again, if anyone else has any advice its really appreciated 🙂. Hopefully I can pay back the favor!

Just wanted to say that I'm an average applicant (at least that's how I see myself compared to a lot of posts on the successful stats thread...which I'm in the 2016 one if you want to see mine)and don't think I have any particularly unique experiences and I got in, so you don't have to go out and save a species or anything like that. Obviously unique experiences help, but I wouldn't say lacking them is necessarily a deal breaker. I'd definitely try to get some LA vet experience though since that's your interest. The repro center is a good start, but that will probably be classified as equine instead of LA. I had trouble getting LA experience too because I went to school outside Baltimore and couldn't get anyone back home to allow me to shadow despite being fairly close to Lancaster. Just keep contacting people and hopefully someone will have room for you!

Feel free to PM if you have specific questions about Penn, but I honestly don't know much about the LA stuff, but I have some friends who are and can always find out from them for you.

 

[allIwant]

Wow! All you guys have amazing animal experience and volunteer work. You are making me feel like an underachiever.

What do you think of my achievements? Vet school worthy...or not?

GPA: 4.0 <--the only thing I am confident about
4th year, full time classes

animal experience
--neuroscience lab with limited interaction with rats (but lots of time slicing their brains up)

--living at a bat research station for 3 months (catching, handling, feeding bats)

--living on a dairy research farm (6 months and counting)
doing everything from helping milking to tube-feeding calves, blood sampling, fecal sampling, saliva sampling, heart rate monitoring to rectal palpation of cows in oestrus

volunteer (not a lot :S)
land conservancy--mostly mapping and tree planting with a little work with elementary kids

volunteering with a theraputic riding association (only three months because I moved away)


I know I don't have a lot of direct vet experience (I work with a lot of vet researchers, do you think that counts?) I am hoping to shadow the local large animal vet but no plans to shadow small animal (sorry it doesn't interest me near as much as large animal!)

what do you think?

 

[kakurubird]

--living at a bat research station for 3 months (catching, handling, feeding bats)

akldjgkldjg. where?!? jealous.



if by "vet researchers," you mean DVMs who do research rather than practice clinically, then, yes, definitely counts! research with animals, though, someone else will have to explain that about what counts better than I understand it.
I would say, though, get a bit of the clinical stuff (even just a bit of shadowing and even just large animal) because that's a big part of the profession.

 

[farmerk]

Hey everyone! I've definitely garnered a few things from reading the various posts, but I would like to have some outside, educated opinions on my application.
To start things off, this coming year will be my 2nd application. I applied in the 2013 cycle without much expectation of getting in and more so for the experience (applied IS to NC State, and didn't get in, and applied to RVC and got it, but turned the offer down due to costs). I hadn't really decided on Vet school until a bit over a year and a half ago, and that's when i really got the ball rolling on things.
sooo....
--GPA: 3.59 cumulative and my last 45 should be pretty much the same thing.

--GRE: Verbal 158 (77%), Quant 155 (64%) - this was a very last minute effort to take this, after i decided to apply, only had one test date that would give me enough time to process and send the scores, so i had a week to study and prep for it 🙁. planning on taking it again where it wont be so rushed and unprepared.

--Rescue/Rehab: Sea Turtle rescue and rehab center ~1.5 yrs and around 475/500hrs

--Veterinary Experience: I worked at a clinic that cared for both small animal and exotic animals for about a year. approx 750 hours there of combined small animal and exotic experience
I also worked with a mobile vet provider, who is a holistic vet, for a bit over 4 mo. now, and have accumulated approx 200 hours working with that practice.

--Research/Wildlife: I was, for two separate summers, an intern through my school that patrolled beaches for nesting sea turtles, assisted with nest relocation, analysis (pre and post hatching), and DNA sample collection to provide evidence for research on nesting site fidelity of sea turtles on the eastern coast of the US. Also aided in the hatching of many of these nests and education of the public of all things sea turtle 🙂 approx 150 hours with the first portion of this, not sure if I should add in the hatching/education =p

--less relevant, but still pertinent... employment (that doesn't fall into the aforementioned categories):
high school job: worked at a pizza shop in the mall for approx 2 years...
initial college job: School Library - approx 2 years..
now: Referee youth/MS/HS lacrosse currently 2nd year

--I believe my references were spot on. one was a former graduate (of NC State, where i was applying), and also exotic vet doctor, who i worked with, another Doc who i believed would give a better personal assessment of me as a person and worker, and finally, the founder of the sea turtle hosp, who hosts 4th yr NC State vet students for their exotic rotation at the facility, and sends turtles to the hospital on a consistent basis, and who is just an amazing person in general =)

--Personal statement: I believe this is where i really set myself apart. The PS is were I not only describe why I chose to do all of this, but also that I have had to do it all without any support from my family, since well... high school... I had a goal and a dream, it didn't really coincide with their plans, and so I went my separate way. (VERY short version 🙂)

-Also involved with many different music programs with the school, was involved with the schools lacrosse team, various other smaller community things, all of which are posted on the app, but not necessary here =p

-- I am currently finishing my last full semester in my undergrad program at UNCW, will be receiving my degree in Marine Biology after I finish one last class over the summer.

- I have plans to diversify my experience a bit and pursue volunteering/working at an equine clinic or with an equine vet. I also can probably start gaining some experience with a vet who deals with the mass produced livestock in the area - mainly pigs/chickens. and I was also debating working with a therapeutic riding center to gain even more large animal experience.


Any suggestions/criticisms would be greatly appreciated!
thanks🙂

 

[dovelover]

Wow! All you guys have amazing animal experience and volunteer work. You are making me feel like an underachiever.

What do you think of my achievements? Vet school worthy...or not?

GPA: 4.0 <--the only thing I am confident about
4th year, full time classes

animal experience
--neuroscience lab with limited interaction with rats (but lots of time slicing their brains up)

--living at a bat research station for 3 months (catching, handling, feeding bats)

--living on a dairy research farm (6 months and counting)
doing everything from helping milking to tube-feeding calves, blood sampling, fecal sampling, saliva sampling, heart rate monitoring to rectal palpation of cows in oestrus

volunteer (not a lot :S)
land conservancy--mostly mapping and tree planting with a little work with elementary kids

volunteering with a theraputic riding association (only three months because I moved away)


I know I don't have a lot of direct vet experience (I work with a lot of vet researchers, do you think that counts?) I am hoping to shadow the local large animal vet but no plans to shadow small animal (sorry it doesn't interest me near as much as large animal!)

what do you think?

Eeek I love bats! 😍 I often cleaned the bat cave at the zoo I interned at and it was always so cool to go in and have them all flying around me... especially when I brought the food in and they all went crazy!

To answer your question about research, anything supervised by a DVM or PhD should count as vet experience at most schools. I agree with kakuru, you definitely want to get a little bit of clinical experience. Otherwise they might wonder how you know you want to be a vet over just getting a phd to do research. Spending most of your time shadowing large animal is fine, but if you can try to get at least a day or two in of shadowing small animal or something else, it would improve your variety. While you have a fair amount of variety in your research experience, it's still all gonna look like you only have experience with research or large animal, or large animal and bats and a tiny bit of rats, however you slice it up. And you don't exactly have variety in your animal experience to make for lack of variety in vet experience. The fact that you have no experience whatsoever with small animals could count against you. At least a couple days of shadowing would prove you weren't interested in it. I'm not saying you absolutely can't get in if you don't get SA experience, but it would give you a leg up. I don't want to do SA general practice, but I suffered through a few days of shadowing so that I could say I'd proved that I knew that wasn't what I wanted.

I don't know how much weight schools really give to non animal volunteering/community activities/ extracurriculars, it probably depends on the school. But if you can find some sort of other non-animal activity to get involved in, it would show you're a well rounded person. But I wouldn't say it's essential. Honestly, with a 4.0 gpa and the experiences you already have your chances are pretty good regardless of what you do at this point. But don't let that make you too comfortable. Any additional experience you can get is only going to help you. And make sure you have at least 3 solid references and a lot of time working on the written portion of your application to make sure everything is well polished. Since you have a less well rounded application, make sure you spend a lot of time picking out which schools to apply to. There are some schools that really favor research, others that will put more weight to academics than experience as compared to other schools, and you may want to focus on those.

 

[dovelover]

Hey everyone! I've definitely garnered a few things from reading the various posts, but I would like to have some outside, educated opinions on my application.
To start things off, this coming year will be my 2nd application. I applied in the 2013 cycle without much expectation of getting in and more so for the experience (applied IS to NC State, and didn't get in, and applied to RVC and got it, but turned the offer down due to costs). I hadn't really decided on Vet school until a bit over a year and a half ago, and that's when i really got the ball rolling on things.
sooo....
--GPA: 3.59 cumulative and my last 45 should be pretty much the same thing.

--GRE: Verbal 158 (77%), Quant 155 (64%) - this was a very last minute effort to take this, after i decided to apply, only had one test date that would give me enough time to process and send the scores, so i had a week to study and prep for it 🙁. planning on taking it again where it wont be so rushed and unprepared.

--Rescue/Rehab: Sea Turtle rescue and rehab center ~1.5 yrs and around 475/500hrs

--Veterinary Experience: I worked at a clinic that cared for both small animal and exotic animals for about a year. approx 750 hours there of combined small animal and exotic experience
I also worked with a mobile vet provider, who is a holistic vet, for a bit over 4 mo. now, and have accumulated approx 200 hours working with that practice.

--Research/Wildlife: I was, for two separate summers, an intern through my school that patrolled beaches for nesting sea turtles, assisted with nest relocation, analysis (pre and post hatching), and DNA sample collection to provide evidence for research on nesting site fidelity of sea turtles on the eastern coast of the US. Also aided in the hatching of many of these nests and education of the public of all things sea turtle 🙂 approx 150 hours with the first portion of this, not sure if I should add in the hatching/education =p

--less relevant, but still pertinent... employment (that doesn't fall into the aforementioned categories):
high school job: worked at a pizza shop in the mall for approx 2 years...
initial college job: School Library - approx 2 years..
now: Referee youth/MS/HS lacrosse currently 2nd year

--I believe my references were spot on. one was a former graduate (of NC State, where i was applying), and also exotic vet doctor, who i worked with, another Doc who i believed would give a better personal assessment of me as a person and worker, and finally, the founder of the sea turtle hosp, who hosts 4th yr NC State vet students for their exotic rotation at the facility, and sends turtles to the hospital on a consistent basis, and who is just an amazing person in general =)

--Personal statement: I believe this is where i really set myself apart. The PS is were I not only describe why I chose to do all of this, but also that I have had to do it all without any support from my family, since well... high school... I had a goal and a dream, it didn't really coincide with their plans, and so I went my separate way. (VERY short version 🙂)

-Also involved with many different music programs with the school, was involved with the schools lacrosse team, various other smaller community things, all of which are posted on the app, but not necessary here =p

-- I am currently finishing my last full semester in my undergrad program at UNCW, will be receiving my degree in Marine Biology after I finish one last class over the summer.

- I have plans to diversify my experience a bit and pursue volunteering/working at an equine clinic or with an equine vet. I also can probably start gaining some experience with a vet who deals with the mass produced livestock in the area - mainly pigs/chickens. and I was also debating working with a therapeutic riding center to gain even more large animal experience.


Any suggestions/criticisms would be greatly appreciated!
thanks🙂

Definitely retake the GRE. Your scores aren't horrible as they stand, but they don't really stand out either. Rocking the GRE could up your academic section since you have a somewhat average/slightly below average gpa. Your GPA is definitely below average for NC State, even as a resident. Still doable, but you'll want to do anything you can to make up for that. The experiences you have/are planning are pretty good. You have the hours, you have variety, and you have some fairly unique things. You also sound like you have an interesting life background. I'd say do everything you can in terms of experience this summer though. Your gpa is your biggest battle for NC State, which unfortunately you can't change, but if you get as much experience as you can, you can really make up for that.

Also, are you planning on applying to schools other than NC State this year? There are other schools that have average GPAs much more in line with yours that you'd have a really good chance at with all your experience. It sounds like cost is a concern for you, and you really can't beat in state tuition, especially at NC State, but there are a few other schools that have reasonable tuition for out of state students (however they are usually more competitive). So shop around and consider whether it's more important that you get in this year or that you get into a cheap school.

 

[kakurubird]

Definitely retake the GRE. Your scores aren't horrible as they stand, but they don't really stand out either. Rocking the GRE could up your academic section since you have a somewhat average/slightly below average gpa. Your GPA is definitely below average for NC State, even as a resident. Still doable, but you'll want to do anything you can to make up for that. The experiences you have/are planning are pretty good. You have the hours, you have variety, and you have some fairly unique things. You also sound like you have an interesting life background. I'd say do everything you can in terms of experience this summer though. Your gpa is your biggest battle for NC State, which unfortunately you can't change, but if you get as much experience as you can, you can really make up for that.

plus, I think many/most schools are going to start requiring the new GRE now, so you may have to retake it anyway. I've heard a lot of people say the new format was better for them, so, could help you also. (plus, more prep time should be a good thing also!)

 

[Trilt]

Definitely retake the GRE. Your scores aren't horrible as they stand, but they don't really stand out either. Rocking the GRE could up your academic section since you have a somewhat average/slightly below average gpa. Your GPA is definitely below average for NC State, even as a resident. Still doable, but you'll want to do anything you can to make up for that. The experiences you have/are planning are pretty good. You have the hours, you have variety, and you have some fairly unique things. You also sound like you have an interesting life background. I'd say do everything you can in terms of experience this summer though. Your gpa is your biggest battle for NC State, which unfortunately you can't change, but if you get as much experience as you can, you can really make up for that.

Also, are you planning on applying to schools other than NC State this year? There are other schools that have average GPAs much more in line with yours that you'd have a really good chance at with all your experience. It sounds like cost is a concern for you, and you really can't beat in state tuition, especially at NC State, but there are a few other schools that have reasonable tuition for out of state students (however they are usually more competitive). So shop around and consider whether it's more important that you get in this year or that you get into a cheap school.

I'd actually disagree with most of this. The average cum GPA for IS applicants last year was a 3.68 - assuming you do well in your last semester, you should be able to pull your GPA into the mid/low 3.6s and seriously, that's fine - it's an average! I got in with a 3.65ish last year. If you were OOS it's a different story.

Also, I've really gotten the vibe from all the time I spent listening to admissions (I was an ncsu undergrad) that GRE is not really that important to them. I don't know the new GRE system so I don't know what the 2017 class is going to look like, but I'd keep an eye out for them to post their statistics (http://www.cvm.ncsu.edu/studentservices/admissions-faq.html) and see if you're about average or better. If you aren't, or plan to apply to other schools besides NCSU, retake it. Otherwise there's other things I would stress out/pay for first.

I'd definitely add in some LA/equine experience to your applications - NC State seems to really, really like it when people have at least tried out all different areas of veterinary medicine, and you're pretty exotics/wildlife heavy right now. Keep adding in some small animal and get a bit of LA/farm in, and I think you'd have a great shot.

All in all, though, you seem like a strong applicant. Did you have some people who were knowledgeable about admissions look over your whole VMCAS (+ supplementals) and give suggestions? I think a lot of times people don't sell themselves nearly as well as they could on the actual application, even though their statistics look good. If you have any specific questions about that or want some opinions on your stuff, feel free to PM me. 🙂

 

[farmerk]

Definitely retake the GRE. Your scores aren't horrible as they stand, but they don't really stand out either. Rocking the GRE could up your academic section since you have a somewhat average/slightly below average gpa. Your GPA is definitely below average for NC State, even as a resident. Still doable, but you'll want to do anything you can to make up for that. The experiences you have/are planning are pretty good. You have the hours, you have variety, and you have some fairly unique things. You also sound like you have an interesting life background. I'd say do everything you can in terms of experience this summer though. Your gpa is your biggest battle for NC State, which unfortunately you can't change, but if you get as much experience as you can, you can really make up for that.

Also, are you planning on applying to schools other than NC State this year? There are other schools that have average GPAs much more in line with yours that you'd have a really good chance at with all your experience. It sounds like cost is a concern for you, and you really can't beat in state tuition, especially at NC State, but there are a few other schools that have reasonable tuition for out of state students (however they are usually more competitive). So shop around and consider whether it's more important that you get in this year or that you get into a cheap school.

Thank you for all the feedback, and also this year I do plan on applying everywhere. last app cycle was more so to get a feel for it, i gave it a good effort for in state, but i didn't feel i had a competitive enough application for out of state (have been working to improve it since it was submitted last year, so the numbers above are cumulative, the application had less than above at the time of submission). I also wasn't too knowledgeable on the OOS schools so i felt like spending the extra $ on the app without having given them much consideration wasn't the smartest idea. I also recently heard about some schools giving IS rates after the first year... this common? and what would be my best route to pursue to find out what schools fit best for my application? I think that this year it is more important to me to get accepted, preferably IS, but i know that if i have to go OOS then i will eventually have the means to pay back the loans.

 

[krh696]

Right now I currently work as a kennel person/technician in training at a small animal hospital. All of my hours are at this one hospital, but I see many people who have hours at more than one hospital. one of my coworkers and good friend started working at another hospital a few months ago and i have visited so I am familiar with the people who work there, would it be better if I shadowed there a couple days too just to get hours at a different hospital as well and see how different hospitals run and how different doctors work?

 

[Rainheart]

Right now I currently work as a kennel person/technician in training at a small animal hospital. All of my hours are at this one hospital, but I see many people who have hours at more than one hospital. one of my coworkers and good friend started working at another hospital a few months ago and i have visited so I am familiar with the people who work there, would it be better if I shadowed there a couple days too just to get hours at a different hospital as well and see how different hospitals run and how different doctors work?

Basically all my small animal vet experience is from one hospital, too, since I worked there. But, you do need to get a variety of experiences like LA or exotics.

 

[toratora]

"Personal Statement (MANDATORY)
Your personal statement should be written clearly and succinctly &#65533; 5000 characters (including spaces) have been allotted for your statement.

Discuss briefly the development of your interest in veterinary medicine. Discuss those activities and unique experiences that have contributed to your preparation for a professional program. Discuss your understanding of the veterinary medical profession, and discuss your career goals and objectives. "

I'm currently working on my personal statement and I was wondering...Do we have to address every single point in the prompt...?

 

[ThePiedPiper]

"Personal Statement (MANDATORY)
Your personal statement should be written clearly and succinctly &#65533; 5000 characters (including spaces) have been allotted for your statement.

Discuss briefly the development of your interest in veterinary medicine. Discuss those activities and unique experiences that have contributed to your preparation for a professional program. Discuss your understanding of the veterinary medical profession, and discuss your career goals and objectives. "

I'm currently working on my personal statement and I was wondering...Do we have to address every single point in the prompt...?

I have not applied, but when I did have to write my personal statement for UG, I was told that it was best to respond to the prompt as it was given. One point might have a highlight but I was told I should still try and address everything they wanted to know. I would guess with this, it's going to be the same. They not only want to know why you're interested and what contributed to that interest, but that you understand what the profession involves, both the good and the bad, and what you plan to do with your DVM once you get it. They want to know you're not just someone who loves animals and has wanted to save them since your dog died. 🙂

 

[cs5910]

"Personal Statement (MANDATORY)
Your personal statement should be written clearly and succinctly &#65533; 5000 characters (including spaces) have been allotted for your statement.

Discuss briefly the development of your interest in veterinary medicine. Discuss those activities and unique experiences that have contributed to your preparation for a professional program. Discuss your understanding of the veterinary medical profession, and discuss your career goals and objectives. "

I'm currently working on my personal statement and I was wondering...Do we have to address every single point in the prompt...?

Yep, its part of following the directions of the prompt. Obviously be creative, dont just plug each question as a bullet simply to answer it.

 

[kernel]

"Personal Statement (MANDATORY)
Your personal statement should be written clearly and succinctly &#65533; 5000 characters (including spaces) have been allotted for your statement.

Discuss briefly the development of your interest in veterinary medicine. Discuss those activities and unique experiences that have contributed to your preparation for a professional program. Discuss your understanding of the veterinary medical profession, and discuss your career goals and objectives. "

I'm currently working on my personal statement and I was wondering...Do we have to address every single point in the prompt...?

I wouldn't say that I explicitly answered each prompt in my personal statement. I focused on a central theme, which I sometimes moulded and redirected so that I could address some of the other prompts. The key is to be creative and to not force anything.

One thing I did a couple of times that could work well under the unique experiences category is to say, "while working/traveling/interacting with X, I learned Y, which affected Z situation: here's how." I know that sounds formulaic, but if you really make it personal and meaningful (and relevant), I think it works in helping to answer most of the prompts, all while enabling you to show who you are/what defines you.

 

[iatrest]

Basically all my small animal vet experience is from one hospital, too, since I worked there. But, you do need to get a variety of experiences like LA or exotics.

I wouldn't say it is absolutely necessary to have varied experience. It is obviously better for many reasons, but in some cases it just isn't practical. I was just accepted to UGA with my only veterinary experience being SA (2500 hrs), and I did not have a stellar application otherwise (3.4 overall GPA being the other area of concern at time of application).

Get as much experience as you can, and obviously diverse experience is great--it's just not as ESSENTIAL as people make it out to be.

 

[Trilt]

I wouldn't say it is absolutely necessary to have varied experience. It is obviously better for many reasons, but in some cases it just isn't practical. I was just accepted to UGA with my only veterinary experience being SA (2500 hrs), and I did not have a stellar application otherwise (3.4 overall GPA being the other area of concern at time of application).

Get as much experience as you can, and obviously diverse experience is great--it's just not as ESSENTIAL as people make it out to be.

It really, really depends on the school, though. I don't know a single of my classmates who doesn't have experience in more than one field of vet medicine... and I know people who applied with 4.0s and great letters, but only one large source of vet experience who were rejected. Some schools really like diversity, while others really like people to have in-depth knowledge of the field they want to enter.

 

[MysteryCat]

Alright, I can't resist any longer. I have a couple years before hopeful matriculation, so these are just "so far" stats, and I'm looking to make sure I'm on the right track to acceptance.

20 years (23 at start of vet school, hopefully!) Wa resident

3.3 cumulative GPA (improving)
3.2 science GPA (also improving!)
No GRE yet

Animal experience:
~700 hours working at a horse training (dressage) barn
~1000 hours riding lessons/shows/riding in clinics
~80 hours volunteering at a horse rescue (will be doing more of this)
~100 hours training other people's horses
100 hours pet sitting for dogs, cats, birds, horses, rodents etc.
1,500+ hours pet ownership (dog, cats, lizard, snake, horses)
~500 hours 4H secretary in HS

Vet Experience:
~900 hours as a kennel manager/assistant at an SA practice (current employment)
~100 hours volunteering at a SA emergency practice
~10-15 hours at a LA practice shadowing
I have a few more varied shadowing gigs planned for the next year too! (Pathology, Equine etc)

Honors/Awards:
A bit light on these, but working on it! 😉

-Grand Championship dressage at county fair in 2009
-Reserve for State fair in horse judging 2008
Running start in my senior year of HS.

I have two years before my first and hopefully only ap cycle, so help! What can I do to improve? Higher GPA assumed, what are my chances? Thanks so much!

 

[485501]

Alright, I can't resist any longer. I have a couple years before hopeful matriculation, so these are just "so far" stats, and I'm looking to make sure I'm on the right track to acceptance.

20 years (23 at start of vet school, hopefully!) Wa resident

3.3 cumulative GPA (improving)
3.2 science GPA (also improving!)
No GRE yet

Animal experience:
~700 hours working at a horse training (dressage) barn
~1000 hours riding lessons/shows/riding in clinics
~80 hours volunteering at a horse rescue (will be doing more of this)
~100 hours training other people's horses
100 hours pet sitting for dogs, cats, birds, horses, rodents etc.
1,500+ hours pet ownership (dog, cats, lizard, snake, horses)
~500 hours 4H secretary in HS

Vet Experience:
~900 hours as a kennel manager/assistant at an SA practice (current employment)
~100 hours volunteering at a SA emergency practice
~10-15 hours at a LA practice shadowing
I have a few more varied shadowing gigs planned for the next year too! (Pathology, Equine etc)

Honors/Awards:
A bit light on these, but working on it! 😉

-Grand Championship dressage at county fair in 2009
-Reserve for State fair in horse judging 2008
Running start in my senior year of HS.

I have two years before my first and hopefully only ap cycle, so help! What can I do to improve? Higher GPA assumed, what are my chances? Thanks so much!

My advice is to find an extracurricular or hobby that is completely unrelated to medicine, animals, or science and spend some time doing that, even if it's just something you do unofficially on your own, or occasionally drop in on an open meeting of a club for. Many schools recommend having something you can use to de-stress, and at least one adcom I talked to said they don't like applicants who look single-minded.

If you already have one of these, keep doing it!

 

[MysteryCat]

My advice is to find an extracurricular or hobby that is completely unrelated to medicine, animals, or science and spend some time doing that, even if it's just something you do unofficially on your own, or occasionally drop in on an open meeting of a club for. Many schools recommend having something you can use to de-stress, and at least one adcom I talked to said they don't like applicants who look single-minded.

If you already have one of these, keep doing it!

Oh yeah! I hike, and run. I'm also l

 

[MysteryCat]

My advice is to find an extracurricular or hobby that is completely unrelated to medicine, animals, or science and spend some time doing that, even if it's just something you do unofficially on your own, or occasionally drop in on an open meeting of a club for. Many schools recommend having something you can use to de-stress, and at least one adcom I talked to said they don't like applicants who look single-minded.

If you already have one of these, keep doing it!

Oh yeah! I hike, and run. I'm also l am thinking about a public speaking club.

 

[iheartdogs]

had my file review at UF today...my GRE scores were 53% verbal and 43% math and he said get them at least at 60% both and 75% would be even better does anybody have any methods or tips that are not too expensive that helped them boost scores a lot? and also since I have about 5000 hours small animal and about 11 hours large animal I need to diversify my experience he suggested a large animal, aquatic, wildlife, zoo practice etc. the two horse clinics I know in south florida specifically the broward and west palm beach area won't allow me to shadow because I don't have horse experience anybody know of another one in those area? I have found an avian and exotic vet that is not too far from my house and asked if I can shadow them

 

[kernel]

had my file review at UF today...my GRE scores were 53% verbal and 43% math and he said get them at least at 60% both and 75% would be even better does anybody have any methods or tips that are not too expensive that helped them boost scores a lot? and also since I have about 5000 hours small animal and about 11 hours large animal I need to diversify my experience he suggested a large animal, aquatic, wildlife, zoo practice etc. the two horse clinics I know in south florida specifically the broward and west palm beach area won't allow me to shadow because I don't have horse experience anybody know of another one in those area? I have found an avian and exotic vet that is not too far from my house and asked if I can shadow them

Have you tried any of the books? I thumbed through the Princeton Review study guide and I liked it a lot; I also have friends who've said good things about it. Study guides usually run somewhere in the neighborhood of 15-25 bucks.

I also seem to remember something about the GRE website having some resources/study tips. Particularly for math, you'll want to brush up on basic statistical and algebraic concepts. Do lots of practice problems!

Good luck!

 

[kakurubird]

had my file review at UF today...my GRE scores were 53% verbal and 43% math and he said get them at least at 60% both and 75% would be even better does anybody have any methods or tips that are not too expensive that helped them boost scores a lot? and also since I have about 5000 hours small animal and about 11 hours large animal I need to diversify my experience he suggested a large animal, aquatic, wildlife, zoo practice etc. the two horse clinics I know in south florida specifically the broward and west palm beach area won't allow me to shadow because I don't have horse experience anybody know of another one in those area? I have found an avian and exotic vet that is not too far from my house and asked if I can shadow them

look for even non-veterinary equine experience. find a therapeutic riding facility or equine rescue in your area, volunteer with them for a while, get to know horses, ask who they use for their vet.
I can understand why an equine vet would be very hesitant to allow someone who has no equine experience to shadow with them.

 

[Rainheart]

had my file review at UF today...my GRE scores were 53% verbal and 43% math and he said get them at least at 60% both and 75% would be even better does anybody have any methods or tips that are not too expensive that helped them boost scores a lot? and also since I have about 5000 hours small animal and about 11 hours large animal I need to diversify my experience he suggested a large animal, aquatic, wildlife, zoo practice etc. the two horse clinics I know in south florida specifically the broward and west palm beach area won't allow me to shadow because I don't have horse experience anybody know of another one in those area? I have found an avian and exotic vet that is not too far from my house and asked if I can shadow them

I got in my second cycle and the reason I did not get in for my first cycle was also due to my GRE scores. I did the Princeton Review book, I liked that one. I also signed up for one of those Kaplan courses (I did an actual class I went to since I knew I would have a hard time convincing myself to do it). It did help a lot and taught me a lot of things I didn't know. So, maybe consider one of those. It is very pricey, though, and for the price, I don't think it was worth it, but hey, it got me into vet school even though I am out $1000 (and that is AFTER a discount!!) But they also offer online classes. I also got another book (Barrons, I think, and some flash cards for the vocab words). Good luck!

 

[thelemonzest]

had my file review at UF today...my GRE scores were 53% verbal and 43% math and he said get them at least at 60% both and 75% would be even better does anybody have any methods or tips that are not too expensive that helped them boost scores a lot? and also since I have about 5000 hours small animal and about 11 hours large animal I need to diversify my experience he suggested a large animal, aquatic, wildlife, zoo practice etc. the two horse clinics I know in south florida specifically the broward and west palm beach area won't allow me to shadow because I don't have horse experience anybody know of another one in those area? I have found an avian and exotic vet that is not too far from my house and asked if I can shadow them

Magoosh GRE prep. Affordable and way more effective than books.

https://gre.magoosh.com/?referrer_code=f5333256k1p1800

 

[MillersGirl60]

I copied this from one of the people who had posted before, just curious what kind of feedback I might get.

21 years old, married
California resident
Community college student, transferring to UC Davis fall 2013

3.729 cumulative GPA
3.333 science GPA
No GRE, yet

Animal experience:
~2000+ hours working at a horse breeding farm
~1000+ hours riding/showing/training my own horses
~500 hours volunteering with small animal rescue groups
~500 hours training others' horses
~1000 hours pet- and ranch-sitting
~Countless hours of pet ownership (starting from when I was ten and began paying for the animal care myself): horses, dogs, cats, chickens, goats, pigs, rats, turtles, rabbits, lizards, fish, etc.

Vet Experience:
~600 hours as a kennel assistant in a small animal clinic
~80 hours volunteering at a center where they train guide dogs (have vets come in)
~30 hours volunteering at mobile spay/neuter clinic

Honors/Awards: (all done at my current jc)
~Dean's list 2012, 2013
~Founding president of biology club
~Captain of the volleyball team last season (fall 2012)

Do they look at anything else?


Any input would be appreciated. I can take criticism. Thanks in advance.


(Question: I've heard it called the math and science GPA and then just the science GPA. Will vet schools look at both math and science, or just science when they split them up like that? I hope they accept math, too, for some reason I get better grades there.)





.

 

[twelvetigers]

(Question: I’ve heard it called the math and science GPA and then just the science GPA. Will vet schools look at both math and science, or just science when they split them up like that? I hope they accept math, too, for some reason I get better grades there.)

.

That depends 100% on the school. Every school is a bit different in how they calculate this - for some, it's required courses, and for some, it's ANY math or science... and others fall somewhere in the middle.

Sorry there isn't a simple answer!

 

[485501]

had my file review at UF today...my GRE scores were 53% verbal and 43% math and he said get them at least at 60% both and 75% would be even better does anybody have any methods or tips that are not too expensive that helped them boost scores a lot? and also since I have about 5000 hours small animal and about 11 hours large animal I need to diversify my experience he suggested a large animal, aquatic, wildlife, zoo practice etc. the two horse clinics I know in south florida specifically the broward and west palm beach area won't allow me to shadow because I don't have horse experience anybody know of another one in those area? I have found an avian and exotic vet that is not too far from my house and asked if I can shadow them

Try freerice.com for vocabulary prep. It's free, it's good prep, and you're helping feed people!

 

[ViaBea]

(Question: I’ve heard it called the math and science GPA and then just the science GPA. Will vet schools look at both math and science, or just science when they split them up like that? I hope they accept math, too, for some reason I get better grades there.)

They all seem to split it up differently. I know that Tennessee calculates a math, physics, and chemistry GPA as well as a biology GPA, but they weight the math and physical sciences GPA more highly into their academic scores.

 

[Reatha Shontae]

Hi Everyone,

I am currently in Undergraduate School for Pre-Vet. I was wondering was any tips on what good grad school to apply for when it is my time to continue to the next level of my education?

 

[MysteryCat]

Hi Everyone,

I am currently in Undergraduate School for Pre-Vet. I was wondering was any tips on what good grad school to apply for when it is my time to continue to the next level of my education?

Are you looking to get a masters before attending vet school?

ETA: just clearing up what you're asking, so that I can better give an answer! 🙂

 

[ThePiedPiper]

The VMCAS has a place for phone numbers for each place you've worked at. Do you have to provide these? The only reason I ask is because I'm worried about mixing up some of the dates on places I worked at and gained valuable animal experiences through before we moved to the bay area, and if they call and verify, I don't want anyone to think that they were duped. However, these experiences really were beneficial to my growth and interest in vet med and so I would like to include them, because a lot of my equine experience was gained before we moved (I should be getting more this summer). I'm grossly underestimating my hours so that that doesn't become an issue, but I'm most worried if I'm off a year on the dates in either direction. 😕

 

[MysteryCat]

The VMCAS has a place for phone numbers for each place you've worked at. Do you have to provide these? The only reason I ask is because I'm worried about mixing up some of the dates on places I worked at and gained valuable animal experiences through before we moved to the bay area, and if they call and verify, I don't want anyone to think that they were duped. However, these experiences really were beneficial to my growth and interest in vet med and so I would like to include them, because a lot of my equine experience was gained before we moved (I should be getting more this summer). I'm grossly underestimating my hours so that that doesn't become an issue, but I'm most worried if I'm off a year on the dates in either direction. 😕

I could be wildly mistaken, but I doubt that they take the time to call EVERYBODY and confirm dates. I don't really think that at any point specific hours are truly confirmed.

 

[ThePiedPiper]

I could be wildly mistaken, but I doubt that they take the time to call EVERYBODY and confirm dates. I don't really think that at any point specific hours are truly confirmed.

That makes sense. It's just since it was ~7 years ago, they might not even still have my record on file. 😳

 

[Easnadh]

I only put the phone numbers for places where I was working at the time, or had been involved in during the previous year, or where I had gotten a LOR