What are my chances?

[cs5910]

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I'm not going to apply for 2 more cycles (c/o 2019 hopeful here), but I thought it would be a good idea to go ahead and start getting ideas of how to improve my app since I still have a year to implement the suggestions.

Academics:
Junior standing currently, with 72 credit hours.
GPA: 4.0
Science GPA: 4.0
GRE: Haven't taken it yet, will take it next summer most likely.
Recipient of various departmental scholarships and the university's highest merit scholarship.

Vet Experience
~800 hours SA private practice (I'm currently employed here, so the number should be higher by the time I actually apply).
~200 hours wildlife rehab working with licensed wildlife rehabilitators.
Will be getting ~250 hours of conservation medicine research under a zoo veterinarian this summer.
~5 hours LA (observing whenever the vet visited our family farm).

Animal Experience
~80 hours at an animal shelter (volunteered for 2 hours/week for about a year in high school).
~40 hours taking care of university research animals and resident reptiles.
Lived on a cattle farm for 4 years and was responsible for various aspects of their husbandry.

Extra-curricular/not vet related
Vice President of university's Biology Club
Competitive figure skating through high school



I'm planning to apply to Auburn (my IS), Ohio State (my first choice), NCSU, Missouri, and possibly UCDublin 🙂luck🙂.

What would you all suggest I focus on in the remaining year I have before applying? Right now I'm trying to think of a way to acquire some more LA experience. I'm also a little worried that my extra-curriculars don't make me look like I have a well-rounded life outside of animals/vet school prep (partially because I don't... 🙄).

Your stats are great, but try to look for some outside extracurriculars. Adcoms want to see well-rounded applicants with other interests outside of vet med. They are really looking at how they can make their classes diverse. (At least from the schools I applied to/was accepted to)

At my Ohio State and Auburn interviews, they asked a lot about my outside interests and hobbies that I included in my application and personal statement. Make sure to find that balance in your application and nail your GRE, but otherwise your stats are awesome!

 

[KitCat]

21 yrs.
2nd time applicant
Will receive BS in Biology this May
cum GPA: 3.1
last 45 GPA: 3.2
(both of the above GPA's will be what I expect to have by the time I submit my application this year and does NOT average 3 repeated courses)
small animal vet: almost 900 hrs.
large animal vet: 6 hrs.
animal: 47 hrs. small animal, 13 hrs. large animal, 26 hrs. zoo
non-vet med: 64 hrs.
GRE: 3rd time: 148V, 146Q, 3.5A 2nd time: 148V, 142Q, 3.0A 1st time: 147V 146Q, 4.0A (all 3 attempts were between Aug. 2011 and Aug. 2012)

I'm interested in applying to Cornell, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, Texas, Tufts, Tuskegee and Western.

For those of you familiar with MSU and there SIS, than you can probably guess that I'm below the 750 and won't be able to apply there 🙁

MAIN QUESTION: to GRE or not to GRE? Sorry to those who replied to this in a different thread that I'm STILL fretting over this, but I think deep down I've decided not to take it but then I almost feel guilty not retaking it. (I've been going to college every semester since I was 16 (other than 1 summer I took off) and I feel like a 8 week break would be good for me). I was also planning on gaining around 40 hours of large animal experience under a veterinarian in those 8 weeks.

 

[epivetlove]

21 yrs.
2nd time applicant
Will receive BS in Biology this May
cum GPA: 3.1
last 45 GPA: 3.2
(both of the above GPA's will be what I expect to have by the time I submit my application this year and does NOT average 3 repeated courses)
small animal vet: almost 900 hrs.
large animal vet: 6 hrs.
animal: 47 hrs. small animal, 13 hrs. large animal, 26 hrs. zoo
non-vet med: 64 hrs.
GRE: 3rd time: 148V, 146Q, 3.5A 2nd time: 148V, 142Q, 3.0A 1st time: 147V 146Q, 4.0A (all 3 attempts were between Aug. 2011 and Aug. 2012)

I'm interested in applying to Cornell, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, Texas, Tufts, Tuskegee and Western.

Are you OOS for Texas A&M? If so, it would probably not be prudent to apply there as they are very numbers based, especially so for OOS. 😳 Plus, it would save you from filling out two applications. Just something to consider.

Good luck!

 

[Rainheart]

Are you OOS for Texas A&M? If so, it would probably not be prudent to apply there as they are very numbers based, especially so for OOS. 😳 Plus, it would save you from filling out two applications. Just something to consider.

Good luck!

Same thing with Mizzou, they look upon your GPA a lot (though GRE not so much at all).
I had some horrendous GRE scores my first cycle, and then I was told that was the reason for not getting in. Consider taking a class by Kaplan or Princeton Review (I took Kaplan) and it got my scores decent enough (not great, still) but it got me in.
And apply smart, see what each school looks at and how much they consider the GRE and your GPA

 

[orca2011]

Just wanted to add that Tufts is very GPA/GRE based too...at least they were in my experience with applying with them. If you take the GRE again and are able to do really well on it, that could help but my GRE scores were decent and my GPA was avg and I was wait listed the first cycle and then rejected the 2nd cycle.

Not saying that you should rule them out entirely, but just something to consider.


And sorry I'm not very helpful with the GRE bit. I took the old test and still haven't quite figured out what is a good score on the new test.

 

[503372]

Just wanted to add that Tufts is very GPA/GRE based too...

I have to agree with this statement. I had around a 3.2 GPA at the time just before application. They told me the only way they would even consider me was if I did stellar on the GRE (160s-170s). Have you tried getting books like Kaplan to help you review? I don't blame you for not wanting to take it again! Being trapped in a hot room for hours with sticky computer keys and horrible odor it's my idea of fun.

 

[Museum Nerd]

21 yrs.
2nd time applicant
Will receive BS in Biology this May
cum GPA: 3.1
last 45 GPA: 3.2
(both of the above GPA's will be what I expect to have by the time I submit my application this year and does NOT average 3 repeated courses)
small animal vet: almost 900 hrs.
large animal vet: 6 hrs.
animal: 47 hrs. small animal, 13 hrs. large animal, 26 hrs. zoo
non-vet med: 64 hrs.
GRE: 3rd time: 148V, 146Q, 3.5A 2nd time: 148V, 142Q, 3.0A 1st time: 147V 146Q, 4.0A (all 3 attempts were between Aug. 2011 and Aug. 2012)

I'm interested in applying to Cornell, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, Texas, Tufts, Tuskegee and Western.

For those of you familiar with MSU and there SIS, than you can probably guess that I'm below the 750 and won't be able to apply there 🙁

MAIN QUESTION: to GRE or not to GRE? Sorry to those who replied to this in a different thread that I'm STILL fretting over this, but I think deep down I've decided not to take it but then I almost feel guilty not retaking it. (I've been going to college every semester since I was 16 (other than 1 summer I took off) and I feel like a 8 week break would be good for me). I was also planning on gaining around 40 hours of large animal experience under a veterinarian in those 8 weeks.

Have you been able to do a file review yet? If you havent i would highly suggest it. do you have an IS school or are you applying out of state for everywehre? I think you really need to do research on schools and figure out which place more emphasis on grades and gre. You have some very grade focused schools on your list. It may be worth it to go back through the successful application stats and look at students that have been accepted at schools with similar GPA and compare their % GRE with yours. I know you dont want to re take it since you have taken it 3 times but since your scores are only in the 30% range i really think you need to do it. Save money by being selective on schools you apply to and spend it on a course.

 

[KitCat]

Sent from my MB612 using SDN Mobile

 

[KitCat]

Are you OOS for Texas A&M? If so, it would probably not be prudent to apply there as they are very numbers based, especially so for OOS. 😳 Plus, it would save you from filling out two applications. Just something to consider.

Good luck!

Yes I am OOS. But I see where you're coming from and with my numbers, number based schools just aren't going to be a wise choice.

And sorry I'm not very helpful with the GRE bit. I took the old test and still haven't quite figured out what is a good score on the new test.

Nothing to be sorry about! Any advice is appreciated 🙂

I have to agree with this statement. I had around a 3.2 GPA at the time just before application. They told me the only way they would even consider me was if I did stellar on the GRE (160s-170s). Have you tried getting books like Kaplan to help you review? I don't blame you for not wanting to take it again! Being trapped in a hot room for hours with sticky computer keys and horrible odor it's my idea of fun.

I did use Kaplan. (All three times, as in I used the same study material all three times 😳, I honestly don't know what I was thinking!!!!).

Have you been able to do a file review yet? If you havent i would highly suggest it. do you have an IS school or are you applying out of state for everywehre? I think you really need to do research on schools and figure out which place more emphasis on grades and gre. You have some very grade focused schools on your list. It may be worth it to go back through the successful application stats and look at students that have been accepted at schools with similar GPA and compare their % GRE with yours. I know you dont want to re take it since you have taken it 3 times but since your scores are only in the 30% range i really think you need to do it. Save money by being selective on schools you apply to and spend it on a course.

I've only been able to do one with Cornell and she really didn't seem to concerned with my GPA as much as she did with my GRE (and adviced me to retake it). MSU is my instate and their not really an option 🙁. And that's just my "rough draft" list, I still need to go through and really look at where I have the best chance. And on the last part I bolded, I've been really considering Magoosh, and I can get the premium for $99 (vs. their regular $299) so thanks for that tip!

Thanks everyone else who gave their 2 cents.

Anyone else who wants to pipe in you're welcome to it! 👍

 

[Clockwork Rose]

Hello SDNers!

I've been lurking, lurking, lurking for months now, and I finally thought to myself: if I'm spending all of this time reading these conversations, why don't I just, y'know, actually join in? So, this is me, joining in. =) I have a feeling this post is going to be long... so apologies in advance. 😳

My story in as small of a nutshell as I can make it:

I guess I always kind of knew that I wanted to be a vet, but at first I tried to "be practical" about it and "keep my options open" for some ephemerous health-related career. By junior year of undergrad, I finally made the leap and said that vet med is what I want to do, and I'm going to go for it! So, there I was, all set to make it happen, but at the start of senior year I got involved with an animal behavior lab... and fell in LOVE with research. So THAT made me think: dang, if I enjoy this so much, does that mean there's another animal-related career out there that I might love even more than being a vet? Consequently, I decided to take a gap year (or two) after graduation to investigate my options-- husbandry, training, rehab, research, medicine, etc. Now, a full year has passed, and at the end of the day I've found that I am truly most happy and engaged when I am working in vet medicine. It just... feels right. So it's settled: this IS really what I want to do. I'm going after it.

ANYWHO, you'll see below what worries me most about my chances... my GPA is pretty womp-womp-ish. 🙁 I've been asking friends, family, and mentors for their advice, but I think having input from people who have been (or are currently) in my shoes would be super valuable. I won't be applying until the cycle after next (c/o 2019 hopeful!), so I have some time to implement suggestions.

23 years old. Female. PA Resident.
Will be a 1st time applicant.

Academics:
Graduated c/o 2012 (Tier 1 university = very academically rigorous)
Major: Human Biology (Pre-Med), Minor: Psychology
cGPA: 3.214
sGPA: Not sure... similar to above?
Last 45: Again, not sure... but definately higher than above.
GRE: Haven't taken it yet. Planning to start studying early and sit for it next summer.
Various honors/awards in both HS and undergrad.

Animal Experience:
* 200 hours... petsitting
* 200 hours... volunteering at the local ASPCA
* 400 hours... internship at a wildlife rehabilitation center
* 8 hours... shadowing marine mammal trainers during research internship

Research Experience:
* 430 hours... dolphin behavioral research internship
* 496 hours... research and veterinary services internship focused on marine mammal immunology and behavior (ongoing... should have over 1000 hours by the end of the summer)

Veterinary Experience:
* 25 hours... shadowing at a SA/exotics hospital
* 150 hours... interning at another SA/exotics hospital
* 15 hours... working in the hospital during my wildlife rehab internship (I wasn't sure how to divide the hours, to be honest. Even on the rehab side I interacted with the vets and administered meds on a daily basis, plus one of my supervisors was a DVM-turned-fulltime-rehabber. For now, I just included here those times that I was hospital-only.)
* 8 hours... shadowing aquatic veterinary staff during my marine mammal research internship (ongoing... hope to have >100 hours at summer's end)

Extra-Curriculars and Other Interests:
* very involved in student theater throughout HS and undergrad
* very involved in multiple choirs and other vocal performance groups/events throughout HS and undergrad
* WWII living history re-enactor
* Hawaii Club luau dancer for two years of undergrad 😎
* piano, guitar, drawing, writing, knitting, jewelry making, restoring antique cars, all that fun stuff!

The master plan thus far...
I'm hoping to start a one-year post-bacc program this fall to knock out three last pre-reqs I couldn't do during undergrad. (Plus a few classes I just want to take... I like learning, okay! 😛) I crunched the numbers once upon a time, and I think if I really rock the classes, I can pull my cGPA up to around a 3.4? Of course, I'm also planning to find some vet-related experiences to do concurrently. Right now I'm looking at shadowing at a veterinary oncology/specialty/emergency center, plus with another SA/exotics vet and an ambulatory equine/LA vet. Maybe a little animal rescue volunteering, too, if I can squeeze it in. 🙂

I'm still doing research on where I want to apply. However, UPenn is my IS and also happens to be my dream school. (Pipe dream? Penn's VMSTP program... I know, I know, dream on!) So I know I'll be applying there, but I'm also trying to apply smart to places that won't balk at the mere sight of my GPA.

So, what do you guys think? Hopeful or hopeless? Any advice moving forward? Things I didn't think of that I should incorporate into my "master plan". Bring on the feedback! 🙂

 

[epivetlove]

Academics:
Graduated c/o 2012 (Tier 1 university = very academically rigorous)
Major: Human Biology (Pre-Med), Minor: Psychology
cGPA: 3.214
sGPA: Not sure... similar to above?
Last 45: Again, not sure... but definately higher than above.
GRE: Haven't taken it yet. Planning to start studying early and sit for it next summer.
Various honors/awards in both HS and undergrad.

Animal Experience:
* 200 hours... petsitting
* 200 hours... volunteering at the local ASPCA
* 400 hours... internship at a wildlife rehabilitation center
* 8 hours... shadowing marine mammal trainers during research internship

Research Experience:
* 430 hours... dolphin behavioral research internship
* 496 hours... research and veterinary services internship focused on marine mammal immunology and behavior (ongoing... should have over 1000 hours by the end of the summer)

Veterinary Experience:
* 25 hours... shadowing at a SA/exotics hospital
* 150 hours... interning at another SA/exotics hospital
* 15 hours... working in the hospital during my wildlife rehab internship (I wasn't sure how to divide the hours, to be honest. Even on the rehab side I interacted with the vets and administered meds on a daily basis, plus one of my supervisors was a DVM-turned-fulltime-rehabber. For now, I just included here those times that I was hospital-only.)
* 8 hours... shadowing aquatic veterinary staff during my marine mammal research internship (ongoing... hope to have >100 hours at summer's end)

Extra-Curriculars and Other Interests:
* very involved in student theater throughout HS and undergrad
* very involved in multiple choirs and other vocal performance groups/events throughout HS and undergrad
* WWII living history re-enactor
* Hawaii Club luau dancer for two years of undergrad 😎
* piano, guitar, drawing, writing, knitting, jewelry making, restoring antique cars, all that fun stuff!

The master plan thus far...
I'm hoping to start a one-year post-bacc program this fall to knock out three last pre-reqs I couldn't do during undergrad. (Plus a few classes I just want to take... I like learning, okay! 😛) I crunched the numbers once upon a time, and I think if I really rock the classes, I can pull my cGPA up to around a 3.4? Of course, I'm also planning to find some vet-related experiences to do concurrently. Right now I'm looking at shadowing at a veterinary oncology/specialty/emergency center, plus with another SA/exotics vet and an ambulatory equine/LA vet. Maybe a little animal rescue volunteering, too, if I can squeeze it in. 🙂

Welcome to the forums! I was a long-time lurker myself and this will be my first application too, so take my advice with a grain of salt. 😳

I think you're definitely on the right track. You have unique research experience, which is a big plus and you can really make your Last 45 hour GPA stand out if do stellar in your post-bacc courses. Some schools look at Last 45, some look at pre-req GPA, some at science. I suggest researching each school you're interested in to determine what is weighed more. I have similar stats: low cGPA and sciGPA, but high Last 45 hours. My GRE is average, but I'll be retaking it in a month. Aim for 75+% in Q and V and that should help balance out the lower GPAs. At least, that's what I hear and what I'm hoping for!

Good luck! I'm sure you'll do just fine. 🙂

 

[allykd]

I figure that since I've been stalking these forums for months now, I might as well go ahead and post/take advantage of the infinite wisdom you all seem to possess 😛

I didn't 100% decide to go the vet-med route until fairly recently; I've been alternating between human and vet med since middle school and my university was very human medicine focused, so I tended to lean towards that during undergrad, but after weighing my options and doing some soul searching, I really can't see myself doing anything else.

My GPA is...sad. But my GRE is decent. I'm working on getting more actual vet hours now, but struggling due to the fact that I work full-time plus the occasional weekend, so I seem to be limited to emergency practices that seem to not want me. Anyone have any advice on gaining hours while working full-time?

Mostly interested in lab animal medicine, but also love behavior.
22yo, CA resident, 1st time applicant

Academics:
Graduated c/o 2012 UCLA
Major: Integrative Biology and Physiology; Minor: English
cGPA: 3.206 👎
sGPA: Depends on how I calculate it, but probably a bit lower than cGPA 🙁
Last 45: 3.45ish
GRE: 167V, 165Q, 4.5A

Animal Experience:
-2 months (and counting) fostering dogs deemed unadoptable due to failing their in-shelter behavioral evals. [I know there's a debate over whether to count this or not, but I will probably count this as one hour per day per dog because that is the very minimum I spend doing one-on-one training with them each day, and I am responsible for all aspects of the foster and adoption process rather than having a rescue oversee everything which makes it take a bit more work than just having an extra dog would]
-50hrs paid petsitting (highschool)
-100hrs shelter volunteer - dog walking and cat socialization (highschool)
-6years of 4H hours with rabbits both as a member and a leader; haven't figured out how to calculate hours from this yet....

Research Experience:
-500+hrs Undergraduate RA - animal cognition laboratory (worked directly with pigeons, rats and hermit crabs, unpaid)
-100hrs TA for animal cognition lab class (rats, unpaid)
-2000+hrs RT for the Behavioral Core of a UC-affiliated research institute (lots and lots of mice, paid) --> this is my current job, so the number of hours is ever-increasing
-50hrs MRI analysis for a neuro lab (MRIs were of monkeys, but there was no direct animal contact, unpaid)
-200hrs public health research about needle exchanges and HIV (unpaid except for a small stipend one quarter because I did tons of mindless data entry and my PI took pity)

Veterinary Experience:
-20hrs SA shadowing (highschool)
-20hrs SA vaccine clinics (once a month ongoing)
-20hrs volunteer at marine mammal center (just started, will be going weekly) --> I'm not sure where to count this. The work involves a lot of tube feeding seals and there are always vets present, but they aren't necessarily supervising me directly.

Human Medical Experience:
-100hrs clinic assistant
-50hrs volunteer for a outpatient pediatric psych program
-EMT certified (just for fun!)

Non-Research Job (paid) Experience:
-7.5 years as a lifeguard and WSI (2 of those years as a pool manager)
-7 years as a private tutor for various companies

Other:
-held multiple leadership positions in 4H (secretary, VP, President)
-recipient of multiple scholarships/awards in highschool/early college
-was in tutoring/community service related clubs in college, but wasn't super involved
-currently volunteer as a tidepool "docent" helping with research (counting algae/anenomes/whatnot) and showing people how to find cool things in the tidepools without destroying too much habitat or killing anything

I will probably be applying this cycle, even though I don't necessarily feel that my application is ready; I really just want the practice and the opportunity to maybe get some feedback from schools 🙂 I would definitely love to go to Davis, especially since it's my instate. I don't really have the prereqs or the money for Western, so I probably won't be applying there. Haven't decided where else to apply yet. Definitely interested in hearing your advice about what I should focus on improving the most (since I know it pretty much all needs improving), or what schools you might think I have a shot at.

 

[epivetlove]

My GPA is...sad. But my GRE is decent.

Mostly interested in lab animal medicine, but also love behavior.
22yo, CA resident, 1st time applicant

Academics:
Graduated c/o 2012 UCLA
Major: Integrative Biology and Physiology; Minor: English
cGPA: 3.206 👎
sGPA: Depends on how I calculate it, but probably a bit lower than cGPA 🙁
Last 45: 3.45ish
GRE: 167V, 165Q, 4.5A

"Decent?" Those scores are pretty darn phenomenal if you ask me! Your GRE will definitely help balance out your lower GPAs. 👍 As I mentioned in my earlier post, I'm applying for the first time myself, so I'm no expert. I don't have any research experience, so I haven't looked into it, but I think if under a PI that's a PhD, then you may be able to count it as vet experience...? VMCAS is changing this year apparently, so that may no longer be the case. Either way, I think research looks good on an application, especially if it's animal-related! 🙂 I work in the vet field, so that's how I get my experience. Prior to working as a veterinary assistant, I just called around to local clinics to ask if I could shadow during any free time I had (on the weekends, mainly). I would look into schools that put more of an emphasis on GRE and Last 45 hours. Honestly, I think you don't have much to worry about. You seem like a really qualified applicant to me!

Good luck!

 

[allykd]

"Decent?" Those scores are pretty darn phenomenal if you ask me! ... I would look into schools that put more of an emphasis on GRE and Last 45 hours. Honestly, I think you don't have much to worry about. You seem like a really qualified applicant to me!

Good luck!

Thanks for the enthusiasm! I'm definitely curious about the new research section on the VMCAS and how I'll end up counting my experience. All my research with animals has been under the direction of a PhD, MD or DVM so I had been thinking of it counting as veterinary work, but who knows.
Good luck on your application as well! 👍

 

[WulfpackChica]

I have always wanted to go to Vet School, but due to me not doing so great in Undergrad and having a not so great advisor I gave up. Went to work doing lab animal husbandry and then switched to working at a Vet's office as a Tech. Since I thought that I would have no hope, I decided to go back to school and get a second degree to make myself more marketable and ended up doing really well. Maybe a maturity thing?

I thought that I wanted to do research or graduate school, but I was still really lost. Worked doing animal studies and realized that I enjoyed the animal work and hated the research portion. Went to work for the Public Health Lab doing Rabies testing (animal samples) and Virology Test (human clinical samples). Though I enjoyed doing Rabies stuff, I HATED knowing that I would never be able to advance with the state and I was still not sure what I wanted to do...

I realized that Vet School was still in the back of my brain. So I applied figuring what could it hurt? My GPA was a little better and I had more diverse experience, plus I still has a full time job if it did not work out. I got wait listed at Purdue, but never got the magical call. Luckily I got into this Professional Science Master's program, which is what I am working on right now. I am hoping that my maturity and Grad School GPA will prove to some schools that I can handle it 🙂

Decided that I would see what everyone else has to say. I have been looking at the successful applicant boards and it has given me some hope 🙂

Academics
Degrees: Animal Science ('05), Micro ('08), Master's in Microbial Biotech ('14)
cGPA: 3.21
sGPA: 3.2-ish depending how you calculate it...
Last 45: 3.67
GRE: Have to retake this summer because my scores have timed out

Veterinary Experience
* SA: Around 4,000 - Worked as a Tech for about 3 years (Part and Full Time)
* Lab Animal/Research: Around 4,000 - was under supervision of a PhD at a Contract Research Organization (we did contract animal work for Pharma and Biotech companies)
* Public Health: ~2,000 hours doing Rabies testing for the State (Not quite sure where to put this, I guess I will have to call VMCAS. When I talked to NCSU admissions, they said it still qualified for Vet Experience).

Animal Experience
* 200 hours of Pet Sitting for friends of family and co-workers
* 600 hours of basic lab animal husbandry (did not directly report to a vet)

Other Stuff
*Going to be working in a Lab on campus part time this summer and fall
* Worked part-time at a Shoe Store during undergrad for about a year
* Volunteer for Light The Night Walk
* Camp counselor and planner for a camp for incoming Freshman at my Undergrad University for 2 years
* Was team leader for a Case Study Project for my Graduate Program


I know that I am going to have to do really well on my GRE, which is kind of stressing me out a little because I HATE standardize tests 🙁

I am hoping that some of the schools that I will be looking will look favorably on the fact that I am doing well in Grad School. The schools are limited due to a majority of my prereqs being more than 10 years old and I really don't have the time or money to retake everything.

I am still formulating a plan for my personal statement. Now that my classes are over with, I can concentrate on it and the GRE once again.

 

[Kpowell14]

I have always wanted to go to Vet School, but due to me not doing so great in Undergrad and having a not so great advisor I gave up. Went to work doing lab animal husbandry and then switched to working at a Vet's office as a Tech. Since I thought that I would have no hope, I decided to go back to school and get a second degree to make myself more marketable and ended up doing really well. Maybe a maturity thing?

I thought that I wanted to do research or graduate school, but I was still really lost. Worked doing animal studies and realized that I enjoyed the animal work and hated the research portion. Went to work for the Public Health Lab doing Rabies testing (animal samples) and Virology Test (human clinical samples). Though I enjoyed doing Rabies stuff, I HATED knowing that I would never be able to advance with the state and I was still not sure what I wanted to do...

I realized that Vet School was still in the back of my brain. So I applied figuring what could it hurt? My GPA was a little better and I had more diverse experience, plus I still has a full time job if it did not work out. I got wait listed at Purdue, but never got the magical call. Luckily I got into this Professional Science Master's program, which is what I am working on right now. I am hoping that my maturity and Grad School GPA will prove to some schools that I can handle it 🙂

Decided that I would see what everyone else has to say. I have been looking at the successful applicant boards and it has given me some hope 🙂

Academics
Degrees: Animal Science ('05), Micro ('08), Master's in Microbial Biotech ('14)
cGPA: 3.21
sGPA: 3.2-ish depending how you calculate it...
Last 45: 3.67
GRE: Have to retake this summer because my scores have timed out

Veterinary Experience
* SA: Around 4,000 - Worked as a Tech for about 3 years (Part and Full Time)
* Lab Animal/Research: Around 4,000 - was under supervision of a PhD at a Contract Research Organization (we did contract animal work for Pharma and Biotech companies)
* Public Health: ~2,000 hours doing Rabies testing for the State (Not quite sure where to put this, I guess I will have to call VMCAS. When I talked to NCSU admissions, they said it still qualified for Vet Experience).

Animal Experience
* 200 hours of Pet Sitting for friends of family and co-workers
* 600 hours of basic lab animal husbandry (did not directly report to a vet)

Other Stuff
*Going to be working in a Lab on campus part time this summer and fall
* Worked part-time at a Shoe Store during undergrad for about a year
* Volunteer for Light The Night Walk
* Camp counselor and planner for a camp for incoming Freshman at my Undergrad University for 2 years
* Was team leader for a Case Study Project for my Graduate Program


I know that I am going to have to do really well on my GRE, which is kind of stressing me out a little because I HATE standardize tests 🙁

I am hoping that some of the schools that I will be looking will look favorably on the fact that I am doing well in Grad School. The schools are limited due to a majority of my prereqs being more than 10 years old and I really don't have the time or money to retake everything.

I am still formulating a plan for my personal statement. Now that my classes are over with, I can concentrate on it and the GRE once again.

I think you have a pretty good shot. You definitely need to rock the GRE, and use your personal statement to market yourself the best way possible! What schools are you planning on applying to?

 

[WulfpackChica]

I think you have a pretty good shot. You definitely need to rock the GRE, and use your personal statement to market yourself the best way possible! What schools are you planning on applying to?

I am looking at NCSU (my IS), Michigan State, Purdue, and maybe Tenn (I am retaking Biochem in fall). Not sure of where else to look at. I have limited funds, so I am trying to keep it at 4 (maybe 5) schools.

 

[Kpowell14]

I am looking at NCSU (my IS), Michigan State, Purdue, and maybe Tenn (I am retaking Biochem in fall). Not sure of where else to look at. I have limited funds, so I am trying to keep it at 4 (maybe 5) schools.

I don't know much about Michigan State or Purdue.. I would just suggest looking at schools that look at last 45 credit hours in the evaluation process since your last 45 is higher than your cum gpa.

Good luck!

 

[bluesails]

Here goes. I've been lurking and occasionally posting on this forum for so long, and can't believe I'm finally applying!

21 years old, first time applicant for class of 2018
International student from the Philippines - not a US citizen, so OOS everywhere

Academics:
Graduating this June from an Ivy League school
Major: Biology (concentration in Ecology), Minor: English / Creative Writing
cGPA: around 3.7 as of now
sGPA: haven't calculated, but most likely around 3.5-3.6
Last 45: won't be remarkably higher or lower than what I have
GRE: 168V, 164Q, took it recently so writing scores are still coming out in a few days.
Honors/Awards: Second Honor List in freshman year (top 15%), IHSA All-Academic Award for 2 years

Animal Experience:
1500 hours training and competing in show jumping, riding horses for my trainer, etc. in my home country
450 hours training and competing for intercollegiate equestrian
200 hours at a wildlife rehabilitation center in my home country, primarily working on feeding and enrichment for macaques confiscated in the illegal pet trade
200 hours at a therapeutic riding center in high school, session instructor in senior year (should this go under other activities instead?)

Veterinary Experience:
240 hours as a tech at the humane society near school
360 hours externing for an equine referral hospital, living there full time and on call for emergencies, 4am shifts, etc.
200 hours shadowing and assisting an equine vet in my home country (all ambulatory), primarily racetrack and breeding farm cases
60 hours shadowing another equine vet in high school over spring break in my home country
30 hours shadowing a small animal private practice vet in China, where my parents live temporarily
24 hours shadowing a small animal private practice near school part-time
12 hours shadowing and helping on spay/neuter days at a different humane society one spring break
1 summer at the Cornell Introduction to Veterinary Medicine Summer Program - took a class in Reproductive Technologies for credit and got an A+ for it, got to go to workshops and demonstrations on their vet campus, etc. Don't really know where this goes.

Research Experience:
35 hours part-time lab assistant for an ecology and evolution professor, investigating the effects of climate change on Anolis lizard sprint speeds
9-week foreign study program ("Research in Tropical Ecology") to Costa Rica and the Cayman Islands where we worked on mini independent research projects every week, wrote papers, and had them edited and published by our professors (how should I highlight this?)

Extra-Curriculars and Other Interests:
Pre-Vet society co-chair and organizer
Coed a cappella group for 3 years - current President and former Musical Director and Tour Manager (this is really important to me)
Pit singer and various other background work for a couple of theater department productions, including their mainstage production last year (we did Hairspray! it was awesome!)
Published poetry in a mixed medium literary magazine on campus
Staff editor for a year on an international student publication

I need some help with how I'm going to present some parts of my application, such as the foreign study program I attended that was basically like a workshop for independent field research skills, and my therapeutic riding hours. I also don't know if the Cornell summer program deserves to be called veterinary experience, since it was vet-focused but not actually under a veterinarian.

This is basically what I have though. I'm OOS everywhere so it's expensive everywhere and I'm going to apply to a lot of different places, including Penn, CSU, Tufts, Davis (I know, I'm taking a long shot, but oh well), Ohio, WSU, VMRCVM, and the RVC. I'm about 60% sure I want to do equine practice but there are so many different parts of the profession that interest me and learning more about other opportunities is one of the things I'm really excited about for vet school. I think I like Penn, CSU, and Tufts the most so far, and I would apply to Cornell but I'm pretty sure I don't fit their Biochem requirement because they need slightly more credits.

I haven't thought about what I want to write for my personal statement, but I know that the international nature of some of my experience is a pretty unique thing and I was planning to play off that. I've learned a lot from looking at vet practice in a third world country and comparing it to the US, or even just riding horses in a third world country and thinking about them differently than the way people in the US would. And I would like to write about that but don't want to sound cliche or naive or just privileged. Anyway, that's just one idea I had.

Any tips and wisdom would be greatly appreciated. Can't believe this is my application cycle already.

 

[vhsu12]

Hey there, figured I'd join in!

cGPA:3.5
sGPA:3.3
GREs: Haven't taken yet, but I expect to do pretty well because I am decent at standardized tests

Animal Experience:
I have worked in an animal hospital for more than 3 years and have upwards of 3000 hours there.
Have also volunteered in many animal shelters

Research Experience:
3 years experience working in a genetics lab focusing on Yellowstone wolves, bobcats, mountain lions, coyotes. Primarily just a lab rat--no handling animals
Spent 3 weeks in Central America doing field work and doing my own research project on birds

Extracurriculars
Tutor for homeless youth trying to get their GEDs
Extensive research experience


I am a California resident, so I would like to apply to Davis. I do realize it's a stretch though, with my low GPA and not-diverse animal experience. Do you all suggest I take a year off to diversify my animal experience? And what other schools would you suggest that may look at the good parts of my application and not weigh as heavily on the weak parts?

Thank you so much for your honest input!

 

[jriddle7]

Here goes. I've been lurking and occasionally posting on this forum for so long, and can't believe I'm finally applying!

21 years old, first time applicant for class of 2018
International student from the Philippines - not a US citizen, so OOS everywhere

Academics:
Graduating this June from an Ivy League school
Major: Biology (concentration in Ecology), Minor: English / Creative Writing
cGPA: around 3.7 as of now
sGPA: haven't calculated, but most likely around 3.5-3.6
Last 45: won't be remarkably higher or lower than what I have
GRE: 168V, 164Q, took it recently so writing scores are still coming out in a few days.
Honors/Awards: Second Honor List in freshman year (top 15%), IHSA All-Academic Award for 2 years

Animal Experience:
1500 hours training and competing in show jumping, riding horses for my trainer, etc. in my home country
450 hours training and competing for intercollegiate equestrian
200 hours at a wildlife rehabilitation center in my home country, primarily working on feeding and enrichment for macaques confiscated in the illegal pet trade
200 hours at a therapeutic riding center in high school, session instructor in senior year (should this go under other activities instead?)

Veterinary Experience:
240 hours as a tech at the humane society near school
360 hours externing for an equine referral hospital, living there full time and on call for emergencies, 4am shifts, etc.
200 hours shadowing and assisting an equine vet in my home country (all ambulatory), primarily racetrack and breeding farm cases
60 hours shadowing another equine vet in high school over spring break in my home country
30 hours shadowing a small animal private practice vet in China, where my parents live temporarily
24 hours shadowing a small animal private practice near school part-time
12 hours shadowing and helping on spay/neuter days at a different humane society one spring break
1 summer at the Cornell Introduction to Veterinary Medicine Summer Program - took a class in Reproductive Technologies for credit and got an A+ for it, got to go to workshops and demonstrations on their vet campus, etc. Don't really know where this goes.

Research Experience:
35 hours part-time lab assistant for an ecology and evolution professor, investigating the effects of climate change on Anolis lizard sprint speeds
9-week foreign study program ("Research in Tropical Ecology") to Costa Rica and the Cayman Islands where we worked on mini independent research projects every week, wrote papers, and had them edited and published by our professors (how should I highlight this?)

Extra-Curriculars and Other Interests:
Pre-Vet society co-chair and organizer
Coed a cappella group for 3 years - current President and former Musical Director and Tour Manager (this is really important to me)
Pit singer and various other background work for a couple of theater department productions, including their mainstage production last year (we did Hairspray! it was awesome!)
Published poetry in a mixed medium literary magazine on campus
Staff editor for a year on an international student publication

I need some help with how I'm going to present some parts of my application, such as the foreign study program I attended that was basically like a workshop for independent field research skills, and my therapeutic riding hours. I also don't know if the Cornell summer program deserves to be called veterinary experience, since it was vet-focused but not actually under a veterinarian.

This is basically what I have though. I'm OOS everywhere so it's expensive everywhere and I'm going to apply to a lot of different places, including Penn, CSU, Tufts, Davis (I know, I'm taking a long shot, but oh well), Ohio, WSU, VMRCVM, and the RVC. I'm about 60% sure I want to do equine practice but there are so many different parts of the profession that interest me and learning more about other opportunities is one of the things I'm really excited about for vet school. I think I like Penn, CSU, and Tufts the most so far, and I would apply to Cornell but I'm pretty sure I don't fit their Biochem requirement because they need slightly more credits.

I haven't thought about what I want to write for my personal statement, but I know that the international nature of some of my experience is a pretty unique thing and I was planning to play off that. I've learned a lot from looking at vet practice in a third world country and comparing it to the US, or even just riding horses in a third world country and thinking about them differently than the way people in the US would. And I would like to write about that but don't want to sound cliche or naive or just privileged. Anyway, that's just one idea I had.

Any tips and wisdom would be greatly appreciated. Can't believe this is my application cycle already.

I personally don't think you have anything to worry about. My grades / experience hours were about the same as yours and my GRE's were lower and I got accepted into 4 schools. I'd be surprised if you didn't get into at least that many.

If the Cornell summer program wasn't supervised by a health professional (a veterinarian), then you can't call it veterinary experience. PhD's don't count as health professionals. If this were my application, I would list it down as just animal experience if you actually interacted with animals, and as an extracurricular if you didn't. You have plenty of veterinary experience otherwise.

I would list the therapeutic riding as animal experience, and the foreign study workshop as research experience.

Since you're OOS everywhere, your cheapest options are Ohio (allows you to get IS tuition after a year) and UPenn (allows you to defer for a year, and get IS residency to Pennsylvania during that year, allowing you to get IS tuition, they encourage this to many OOS students). I can't remember whether CSU allows students to get IS tuition the same way Ohio does. If you're dead set on equine, I would recommend checking out Minnesota, since they put a LOT of money into their equine medicine and research, and they have a dedicated equine center on campus. Minnesota's OOS tuition is outrageously expensive though (~56,000 per year).

Focusing your personal statement on your international experiences is a very good idea. The point of the personal statement is to show vet schools what sets you apart from other candidates in your own words, and your international experiences do that. It's hard to sound cliche when talking about experiences almost nobody else has. The strongest experiences to include in a personal statement generally are ones that help develop professional and leadership skills, or anything that makes a strong positive impression on you that can contribute to a career in veterinary medicine. You know a personal statement is strong when no one else but you could have written it.

Sorry for the long-windedness. Hope that helps.

 

[felinelvr44]

Since you're OOS everywhere, your cheapest options are Ohio (allows you to get IS tuition after a year) and UPenn (allows you to defer for a year, and get IS residency to Pennsylvania during that year, allowing you to get IS tuition, they encourage this to many OOS students). I can't remember whether CSU allows students to get IS tuition the same way Ohio does. If you're dead set on equine, I would recommend checking out Minnesota, since they put a LOT of money into their equine medicine and research, and they have a dedicated equine center on campus. Minnesota's OOS tuition is outrageously expensive though (~56,000 per year).

I think your numbers are a bit off with the "least expensive OOS" part. If you check out the spreadsheet posted in the "Estimated Cost" thread, Penn and Ohio are definitely not the best options. North Carolina, Wisconsin, and Missouri are all much cheaper than Ohio OOS/IS and Penn IS.

 

[jriddle7]

I think your numbers are a bit off with the "least expensive OOS" part. If you check out the spreadsheet posted in the "Estimated Cost" thread, Penn and Ohio are definitely not the best options. North Carolina, Wisconsin, and Missouri are all much cheaper than Ohio OOS/IS and Penn IS.

You're absolutely correct, but I was only basing my suggestion off of the list of schools bluesails mentioned she would likely apply to, which didn't include NC State, Wisconsin, or Missouri.

 

[felinelvr44]

You're absolutely correct, but I was only basing my suggestion off of the list of schools bluesails mentioned she would likely apply to, which didn't include NC State, Wisconsin, or Missouri.

Gotcha! Missed that part, sorry. Personally, if I were OOS everywhere I would be applying to the three I mentioned just for cost alone... so that's where my mindset was 😛

 

[Kpowell14]

I personally don't think you have anything to worry about. My grades / experience hours were about the same as yours and my GRE's were lower and I got accepted into 4 schools. I'd be surprised if you didn't get into at least that many.

If the Cornell summer program wasn't supervised by a health professional (a veterinarian), then you can't call it veterinary experience. PhD's don't count as health professionals.

This isn't true. VMCAS states on the application to list PhD experience as Vet experience

 

[epivetlove]

Evening! I wanted to post an updated set of statistics to see if any other advice could be offered (especially on schools to apply to). I know my sci and cGPA are my weak spots and there won't be a lot of changing them now with 2 degrees and multiple miscellaneous classes under my belt. Since some schools will accept retakes, I have placed that GPA in parentheses. The sciGPA is based on Texas A&M's accepted courses, so this will probably vary (higher and lower) depending on the school.

First time applicant, female, 25 years old, Texas Resident.

cGPA: 3.33 (3.47)
sciGPA: 3.18 (3.25)
Last 45 hours: 3.91
GRE: 163V (91%), 154Q (60%), 3.5 (30%) 😱
(Retaking the GRE in 2 weeks and I think I can really bump up my Q score as I actually studied this time around and my A score 'cause blegh.)

Vet experience:
4,800 hrs. in small animal medicine (dogs/cats)
570 hrs. in wildlife (white-tailed and axis deer)
330 hrs. in equine
117 hrs. in food animal/large animal
120 hrs. exotic (mainly pet birds)

Animal experience:
~7,000 cattle (worked summers/winters at my grandfather's beef ranch)
~2,500 equine (father breed/trained cutting horses/stable attendant)
~2,200 paid pet-sitting (cats/dogs)
~800 reptile (volunteered at a reptile sanctuary)
250 avian (volunteering at a bird rehab clinic on Sundays)
25 wildlife (collected brain stem samples from white-tailed deer)
I know there are rules on quantifying pet ownership, so I haven't included any of that. I have owned (or currently own) dogs, cats, ferrets, birds, reptiles, fish, horses, and rabbits.

Other experience:
100 hours as a collegiate tutor
150 hours as an advocate for people with disabilities
300 hours as an after-school mentor (K-3rd grade)
35 hours as a wildlife hotline operator (just started 😍)

I just graduated with my Master's in Epidemiology. I'm very interested in disease outbreak investigation. I hope to get accepted into the CDC's EIS program post-DVM, but I would be happy to work in private practice as an associate that saw exotics in addition to the usual kitties and doggies. I truly love this profession and even knowing about the strains of vet school and the impending debt, I absolutely cannot imagine doing anything else. I plan on applying to Texas A&M, Ohio State, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Glasgow or Edinburgh (living abroad sounds divine). I've been considering LSU, Illinois, and Auburn. Any school on my list that I should avoid? Too much of a long shot? Any schools I should consider that I haven't already?

Thanks for any and all input! I really appreciate it. 🙂

 

[jriddle7]

This isn't true. VMCAS states on the application to list PhD experience as Vet experience

Unless you're talking about a DVM/PhD, I don't recall the application saying anything like that. Would that mean that animal research under a non-veterinarian PhD counts as "veterinary experience"?

If person A had 1500 hours animal research experience working under non veterinarian PhD, and person B had 1000 hours experience working in a veterinary clinic under a DVM, would that mean that person A has more experience in veterinary medicine?

I'm not trying to argue, but it just doesn't sound right to me, and I can't find anything written that says what you claim. On my application I had research experience under a PhD and listed it as "animal experience", because the PhD was not a veterinarian, couldn't prescribe medication, and couldn't treat patients. If something is out there that proves me wrong, please show me. I've been wrong before.

 

[Kpowell14]

Unless you're talking about a DVM/PhD, I don't recall the application saying anything like that. Would that mean that animal research under a non-veterinarian PhD counts as "veterinary experience"?

If person A had 1500 hours animal research experience working under non veterinarian PhD, and person B had 1000 hours experience working in a veterinary clinic under a DVM, would that mean that person A has more experience in veterinary medicine?

I'm not trying to argue, but it just doesn't sound right to me, and I can't find anything written that says what you claim. On my application I had research experience under a PhD and listed it as "animal experience", because the PhD was not a veterinarian, couldn't prescribe medication, and couldn't treat patients. If something is out there that proves me wrong, please show me. I've been wrong before.

Yes, that is what it means, at least for this last app cycle. Any health related scientist doing research should be put under veterinary experience.. Now I believe this cycle is changing some, but last cycle that was how it was.

https://portal.vmcas.org/applicants2013/instructions/ins_veterinary.pdf

 

[KCgophervet]

Unless you're talking about a DVM/PhD, I don't recall the application saying anything like that. Would that mean that animal research under a non-veterinarian PhD counts as "veterinary experience"?

If person A had 1500 hours animal research experience working under non veterinarian PhD, and person B had 1000 hours experience working in a veterinary clinic under a DVM, would that mean that person A has more experience in veterinary medicine?

I'm not trying to argue, but it just doesn't sound right to me, and I can't find anything written that says what you claim. On my application I had research experience under a PhD and listed it as "animal experience", because the PhD was not a veterinarian, couldn't prescribe medication, and couldn't treat patients. If something is out there that proves me wrong, please show me. I've been wrong before.

Yep, last year it specifically stated that any experience under a health professional (which included principal investigators) should be listed as veterinary experience. So my working in an animal behavior research lab for 2+ years counted as a butt-ton of veterinary experience. Granted, we also worked fairly closely with the vet on staff, but yes, it did say to put it under vet. Honestly I think it is both a good and bad thing. It gave me a lot more vet hours than I would have had otherwise, but if I was looking at being a SA or LA vet it isn't really getting me experience into the actual career itself. However, I want to go into lab animal medicine, so for me it makes sense that my "vet experience" is in the field I want to pursue.

I have heard through the grapevine (the VMCAS 2014 thread) that next year they are going to have a separate "research experience" field, so it may no longer be this way, but for the previous cycle that was definitely the case.

 

[jriddle7]

Yes, that is what it means, at least for this last app cycle. Any health related scientist doing research should be put under veterinary experience.. Now I believe this cycle is changing some, but last cycle that was how it was.

https://portal.vmcas.org/applicants2013/instructions/ins_veterinary.pdf

Yep, last year it specifically stated that any experience under a health professional (which included principal investigators) should be listed as veterinary experience. So my working in an animal behavior research lab for 2+ years counted as a butt-ton of veterinary experience. Granted, we also worked fairly closely with the vet on staff, but yes, it did say to put it under vet. Honestly I think it is both a good and bad thing. It gave me a lot more vet hours than I would have had otherwise, but if I was looking at being a SA or LA vet it isn't really getting me experience into the actual career itself. However, I want to go into lab animal medicine, so for me it makes sense that my "vet experience" is in the field I want to pursue.

I have heard through the grapevine (the VMCAS 2014 thread) that next year they are going to have a separate "research experience" field, so it may no longer be this way, but for the previous cycle that was definitely the case.

I was wrong then. All right. I noticed some threads from previous years that were struggling with the animal / vet experience distinction also, as well as where research should go. It has always been a bit vague. I hope whatever changes VMCAS decides to make this year clears that up some.

 

[willagirl]

Ok, I have been waiting to post this, so here goes.

First Time Applicant, Non-Traditional
Received a Bachelors in Sociology/Minor in Community Health in 1999
Received a Master's in Public Administration in 2002

Applying to:
University of Florida (IS)
Auburn
NC State
Mississippi

Academics:
I have my last 2 pre-reqs this Summer (Calculus and Biochem)
Overall GPA: Depending on school (Auburn doesn't take pluses and minuses) 3.09 to 3.13

Science GPA: Depends on school-if you count ALL sciences (from undergrad days plus the recent required pre-req sciences) 3.22 to 3.27 (all depends on Biochem)
If you count only the pre-req science classes it is a 3.85

Last 45: 3.8

GRE: Will be taking it in August

Vet Experience:
~523 in a small animal practice (we also see birds, lizards and have seen a goat and pigs) I get about 40 hours a month at this clinic so the # will only go up

~31 hours large animal, including a zoo
I will be doing a week long internship with a large animal vet on a cattle ranch in July
(It is very difficult to get large animal experience where I am)

Animal Experience:
Should I put approx hours with my own pets? I have a medical special needs dog, do I quantify those hours?


Other Stuff:
388 Hours as a member of the Board of Directors for a 501c3, formed to support our local animal shelters; adoption events, spay/neuter programs, grant writing, fund raising

Member of the State Animal Response Team and trained in Small Animal Emergency Sheltering and Foreign Animal Disease Response

I currently work in Emergency Management. As part of my job, I am the liaison with Animal Services and the Agricultural Extension in relation to emergency response (hurricane, tornadoes, etc) I am currently working on developing a response plan for a livestock trailer accident on our interstates.

I know my overall GPA is low, and it was years ago, and it is now haunting me. I just didn't know then what I know now, and when you look at my Science GPA and the last 45, it is obvious I am dedicated and have managed to do very well in my pre-req classes, all while working 40+ hours a week. I am 36 years old, and have had many life experiences, all leading me to what I know in my heart of hearts what I was meant to do. I just hope my overall GPA doesn't keep me from it.

I look forward to your thoughts and suggestions.

 

[willagirl]

Hi all. I know there is a what are my chances thread, but wanted to put this out there separately so it wouldn't get overlooked, because I am really looking for some input, since VMCAS opens in a few weeks.

Ok, I have been waiting to post this, so here goes.

First Time Applicant, Non-Traditional
Received a Bachelors in Sociology/Minor in Community Health in 1999
Received a Master's in Public Administration in 2002

Applying to:
University of Florida (IS)
Auburn
NC State
Mississippi

Academics:
I have my last 2 pre-reqs this Summer (Calculus and Biochem)
Overall GPA: Depending on school (Auburn doesn't take pluses and minuses) 3.09 to 3.13

Science GPA: Depends on school-if you count ALL sciences (from undergrad days plus the recent required pre-req sciences) 3.22 to 3.27 (all depends on Biochem)
If you count only the pre-req science classes it is a 3.85

Last 45: 3.8

GRE: Will be taking it in August

Vet Experience:
~523 in a small animal practice (we also see birds, lizards and have seen a goat and pigs) I get about 40 hours a month at this clinic so the # will only go up

~31 hours large animal, including a zoo
I will be doing a week long internship with a large animal vet on a cattle ranch in July
(It is very difficult to get large animal experience where I am)

Animal Experience:
Should I put approx hours with my own pets? I have a medical special needs dog, do I quantify those hours?


Other Stuff:
388 Hours as a member of the Board of Directors for a 501c3, formed to support our local animal shelters; adoption events, spay/neuter programs, grant writing, fund raising

Member of the State Animal Response Team and trained in Small Animal Emergency Sheltering and Foreign Animal Disease Response

I currently work in Emergency Management (6 years). As part of my job, I am the liaison with Animal Services and the Agricultural Extension in relation to emergency response (hurricane, tornadoes, etc) I am currently working on developing a response plan for a livestock trailer accident on our interstates.

I do my best in getting hours, it is hard with a full time job.

I know my overall GPA is low, and it was years ago, and it is now haunting me. I just didn't know then what I know now, and when you look at my Science GPA and the last 45, it is obvious I am dedicated and have managed to do very well in my pre-req classes, all while working 40+ hours a week. I am 36 years old, and have had many life experiences, all leading me to what I know in my heart of hearts what I was meant to do. I just hope my overall GPA doesn't keep me from it.

I look forward to your thoughts and suggestions. 🙂🙂🙂🙂

 

[Foxhunter]

I think your overall GPA is below the required minimum for OOS at NCSU (3.3 I think). So you'd most likely get a rejection letter soon after submitting your application there (trust me it happened to a friend- 1 of her 3 was below the 3.3 mark by like 0.08 and she was rejected early November). Just wanted to warn you before you waste money on an application that will be thrown away.

Edit- just checked their website- you need a 3.4 in 3 categories- Cumulative, Last 45, and Required. Not trying to be rude or burst your bubble, just don't want you wasting time and money.

 

[gfa240]

Your science GPA is 3.8, right? I don't think that's bad at all. You have a good number of hours. I am not sure what state you are in, but your chances are highest if you apply IS. Take a look at each school you are applying to and compare yourself to the recently admitted student. Keep in mind, that they look at your application as a whole. One category doesn't make or break it if it falls in the average.

 

[willagirl]

Thanks. I am in Florida, so UF is on the top of my list! 🙂

 

[EngrSC]

Thanks. I am in Florida, so UF is on the top of my list! 🙂

Study study study for the GRE! From what I recall UF weights the GRE pretty heavily

Sending lots of luck and good thoughts your way!

 

[LetItSnow]

Hi all. I know there is a what are my chances thread, but [....]

Sigh. So put it in that thread. 🙂

 

[willagirl]

I did put it in that thread at 9:05 last night and no responses 🙁 I know it is a pretty large thread.

 

[Foxhunter]

I did put it in that thread at 9:05 last night and no responses 🙁 I know it is a pretty large thread.

Sometimes it takes more than 12 hours to get responses.

 

[thedrjojo]

Sometimes it takes more than 12 hours to get responses.

you guys did respond almost instantly to it being its own thread...

just saying

 

[BlackDog17]

you guys did respond almost instantly to it being its own thread...

just saying

Keep in mind the timing though. Things tend to quiet down here after around 9 or 10pm, then pick back up again in mid-morning.

OP, your last 45 GPA is good, but your cumulative GPA is going to get you knocked out very quickly at a lot of schools. You can often times make up for a low GPA with a lot of diverse experience. You don't have that many experience hours, so I'd recommend beefing up that part of your application as much as you can.

I'm not 100% sure, but I don't think you can count caring for your own pet as experience, even if it is a special needs situation. You could mention it in your PS though.

 

[Foxhunter]

you guys did respond almost instantly to it being its own thread...

just saying

i find that in these cases response time and level of animosity can be inversely related

 

[KCgophervet]

I'm not 100% sure, but I don't think you can count caring for your own pet as experience, even if it is a special needs situation. You could mention it in your PS though.

I think this really depends on which schools you are applying to. I had no intention of including pet ownership experience BUT when I went to an application seminar at UMN they suggested including it under animal experience. Basically they said taking care of animals at home gives you experience with animals, which makes sense.

Plus, you can include it and if schools don't think it counts they don't have to include it into their own calculations. So if some schools want it and some don't, well it's better to put in too much than not enough.

As far as calculating the hours involved, that was much more difficult. I basically just thought about how much time I actually spent doing care-related things: feeding, exercising, grooming, etc. every day/week and counted up from there. I then rounded down to a more even-looking number and figured it was good.

 

[psilovethomas]

Check out Michigan State. They don't look at your cumulative GPA, and they only consider your prerequisite GPA and last 45 GPA.

 

[T_Rose]

Check out Michigan State. They don't look at your cumulative GPA, and they only consider your prerequisite GPA and last 45 GPA.

👍 That's one of the reasons I applied, and I was accepted there.

 

[Emiloo4]

Study study study for the GRE! From what I recall UF weights the GRE pretty heavily

Sending lots of luck and good thoughts your way!

GRE is 50% of your app here. Pretty high so do well!

 

[Emiloo4]

Sigh. So put it in that thread. 🙂

FFS yes

 

[Rainheart]

Some people have been saying that when they applied to Auburn, they were rejected because they did not have a GPA of 3.5 or higher.

I think you need to look at all the vet schools and not just the ones close to you- look at the requirements and see where you have the best chance (those who look heavily at last 45, or science, whatever)

 

[dyachei]

merging this with the What Are my Chances Thread. It's there for a reason.🙂

 

[iheartdogs]

Some people have been saying that when they applied to Auburn, they were rejected because they did not have a GPA of 3.5 or higher.

I think you need to look at all the vet schools and not just the ones close to you- look at the requirements and see where you have the best chance (those who look heavily at last 45, or science, whatever)

when I asked for a file review at Auburn they told me right away in an email that my GPA was below a 3.5 and therefore cut, my GPA is a 3.47 if u average my 2 repeated courses, if you take the latter grades of A's it a 3.53

also with applying to ones just close to you that is exactly what I did this year, applied to Florida, Mississippi, Auburn and North Carolina and instate at Florida...got rejected everywhere this cycle looking at washington, virginia, ohio, kansas, illinois, western etc. because i realize I just want to get in I don't care where I go I will end up having a four year degree from somewhere