What are my chances?

[Rainheart]

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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

My first cycle, I also applied near me, but I widened my applications the next cycle and it paid off. Don't be afraid to go somewhere far away- I'm excited, but also still a bit scared, to be 14 hours away from home, but it will be an entire new experience for me!

 

[s3lf]

Hi everyone,

I've been reading the forums for a while and thought I'd post my progress and get some feedback here regarding my application stats. I'd appreciate any constructive feedback.

I'm a non-trad, Canadian applicant. Some of my info:

Education:
Cumulative GPA 3.82, 84.6% average
- some of my course pre-reqs were completed during part-time study, some during a 4-4 semester and others during full 5-5 semesters.

Completing degree: Behaviour, Genetics & Neurobiology specialist, health sciences major, chemistry minor.

Have a diploma in Digital Arts & Media / Communication Studies

Volunteer:

- President of board of directors for condo corporation
Came on initially as a director during a period where corporation was experiencing extreme financial hardship, poor management and was dealing with many builder defects. In 4 years, I have become president, turned financial situation around, legal issues which were rampant are now wrapped up, builder defects have been remedied and management has been replaced by a stronger company. Units were not selling for 8-12 months and when they did, they were selling with over 30k losses compared to purchase price. Now, units sell in 4-6 weeks at slightly above parity compared to original purchase price

- Research - neurogenetics lab
D. melanogaster behaviour genetics research. Honours thesis, fluorescence microscopy, multi-step genetic crosses with verification, experimental design, advanced statistical analyses, etc.

- Research - maternal behaviour lab
Worked with rats. Performed surgery - bilateral, dorsal approach ovariectomies, hormone capsule implantation, hormone injections, pap analyses, behavioural testing (bilevel chamber, mating, operant conditioning, etc.), advanced statistical analyses, paper currently being written for publication

- Art direction and design work for a variety of non-profits: full-house lottery, world wildlife fund, better the world, yard sale for the cure.

- 500+ hours of volunteer experience at small animal clinic. Assist during surgeries, dentals and examinations. Client liaising, pharmaceutical and dosing experience. Vaccination pulling, complex case analysis. Animal restraint techniques, monitoring of animals during surgery, interpreting radiographs and glucose curves.

- TNR in my neighbourhood. Care for feral cat colony. Have reduced feral cat numbers by over 70% in my neighbourhood in approximately 3 years.

- Rode horses and groomed them during high school (a long time ago). Very limited large animal experience.

Professional experience:

- Worked in advertising for 9+ years on the creative side. Worked from designer up to creative director on fortune 50, large clients. 20-30 high level awards. Oversaw creative work on accounts over 5 million dollars. Responsible for new business development, project management and similar.

- Freelance art director throughout school. Gained experience in managing a business, client relationship development, taxes, overseeing large teams on multiple projects. 20-30 awards here as well. Fortune 500 clientele.

- 50% owner in company with my brother. We purchase real estate in revitalizing areas, and rebuild new, upscale houses in their place. We have partnered with a real estate developer and our houses sell in the 700k-1.25 million dollar range.

Additional:

- Played baseball on a provincial and national level as a pitcher and first baseman. Avid squash player.

- Able to play 14 instruments. Classically trained. Have won multiple awards on the local and provincial levels. Played in professional orchestras. Have traveled, locally, provincially and internationally with wind ensembles and orchestras. Recorded for companies such as Campbell's Soup.

- Homeowner, married, gay. Took a year and a half off of school to move back home to be with my mom as she dealt with her final stages of breast cancer. Dramatically changed my perspectives and a large number of things. (don't know if any of these things are relevant)

- Have live in many places across the country (edmonton, calgary, toronto, montreal, vancouver). Have traveled extensively (sweden, UK, france, netherlands, italy, switzerland, austria, hungary, czech republic, germany, belgium, denmark, throughout US and canada, mexico, etc.).


-------------------------------------------

that's me in a nutshell. I'm currently scheduled to write the MCAT and GRE at the end of this summer.

My concerns are generally:
- large animal experience
- fulfilling some pre-requisites during 4-4 courseload years and via distance education (are these major drawbacks??? it's been very difficult maintaining the 5-5 courseload since I'm older and have had family and financial obligations).

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Thank you!

 

[kernel]

- Able to play 14 instruments

Holy COW. I just came to say how impressive this is. I admire people who are musically inclined. 👍 Keep being awesome!

Personally, I don't think you should worry about your course load, you have pretty solid stats all-around. Many people are non-trad and/or have financial obligations that prevent them from going to school full time. What counts is that you always do your best. I'd just keep working on those volunteer/shadow hours if I were you you (under a vet).

 

[s3lf]

Holy COW. I just came to say how impressive this is. I admire people who are musically inclined. 👍 Keep being awesome!

Personally, I don't think you should worry about your course load, you have pretty solid stats all-around. Many people are non-trad and/or have financial obligations that prevent them from going to school full time. What counts is that you always do your best. I'd just keep working on those volunteer/shadow hours if I were you you (under a vet).

Aww... thanks kernel. 🙂. I do realize that many institutions don't allow online courses as pre-reqs. My organic courses were done through online (but with an in-class lab component). I'm not sure if those classes will be valid. Does anyone have experience with this?

I also appreciate the feedback about volunteer hours with animals/vets. This is something I definitely need to work on. At this point it's a time-remaining-before-applications thing. I'm hoping I can round out the experience a bit more.

Thanks for the input 🙂.

 

[KCgophervet]

I do realize that many institutions don't allow online courses as pre-reqs. My organic courses were done through online (but with an in-class lab component). I'm not sure if those classes will be valid. Does anyone have experience with this?

I had Genetics, Biochemistry, Statistics, and Physics II all online and Microbiology was lecture online with an in-class lab, and I didn't have a problem where I applied (Oregon, Minnesota, and Wisconsin). Best bet is to just ask the admissions people at the schools you're looking to apply to and see if the courses count. Good luck!

 

[sorasea]

Oh gosh. Another longtime lurker here. I'm graduating this December and I wasn't going to apply until next cycle. Reading successful applicant stats has boosted my confidence a bit, though...maybe I can get in with my abysmal numbers this cycle. 🙄

Technically my term's not over yet, so all of the numbers are just projections. I'm shadowing an SA vet and trying to shadow an LA vet this summer as well...excited! 😀 I want to be a lab animal vet, maybe go into research, and I think my research-heavy app will reflect that.

I'm applying to NCSU (IS), Cornell, and UPenn. The latter two because they have great dual-degree programs, and that's kind of my dream. Although I hear that's even more competitive than regular vet school! Darn.

20yo first-time traditional applicant, female, going to graduate with a B.S. in Biology from a top ten university (#1, depending on whose rankings you believe...)
GPA
Cumulative: 3.48
Science: 3.43 (physics...😡)
Last 45: 3.89
Prereq: 3.45

GRE
Haven't taken it, but I do pretty well on standardized tests (2380 on the SAT?), and I plan on studying.

Vet Experience (all projected from shadowing this summer)
SA vet: 400
LA vet: 50

Research Experience (I hear the VMCAS is changing?!)
Drug company: 500 (worked with rats, performed injections/surgery/euthanasia)
Current project in sleep research lab: 1000+ (working with zebrafish, hoping this will turn into a publication)
Tons of research in high school, may or may not include.

Animal Experience
Zebrafish husbandry: 300

Extracurriculars
Oboe -- principal chair in school orchestra, chamber music, major dedicated player, oboe eats up all my free time
Biology Committee -- student/faculty committee that surveys Bio majors and revises curriculum
Clubs -- secretary for photography club, singlehandedly organized a school wide talent show (and it was torture)
Peer Counselor -- trained to counsel peers, esp. freshman, for mental health issues

Honors/Awards
A couple of scholarships, a couple of writing prizes, a travel prize, and I'm graduating with honors, in a nutshell. 😀

I guess I've got two main questions:

- Should I retake physics at a state school? My school's really weird. We're forced to take the first two quarter on pass-fail, similar to MIT's system. So my only year of physics on grades is the rest of our core curriculum: waves, quantum mechanics, and statistical physics. Yeah, quantum was not my friend (C-, baby!). I'm not as bad at mechanics/EM, and I'm positive I could get A's if I retook them at a local state college, but do you think the more advanced subject matter of my physics classes will make up for the poor grades?
- I'm almost certain I'm not getting into even my IS (NCSU) this cycle. Should I just wait till next cycle, get more diverse vet experience, and save my money? I'm concerned about asking my LORs twice for recs...that would be so embarrassing. 😳 I'm also concerned about what kind of vet experience to get. I know NCSU likes variety, but I'd ideally like to go to Penn for dual-degree, because they have research I want to do. I'd prefer doing more research. Not interested in SA, and it's hard to find LA/exotic/wildlife. But I have to be realistic and assume I'm only getting into NCSU, if I get into anything. Sigh.

Thanks in advance for any advice. You guys are seriously AWESOME. 😍

 

[kernel]

Oh gosh. Another longtime lurker here. I'm graduating this December and I wasn't going to apply until next cycle. Reading successful applicant stats has boosted my confidence a bit, though...maybe I can get in with my abysmal numbers this cycle. 🙄

Technically my term's not over yet, so all of the numbers are just projections. I'm shadowing an SA vet and trying to shadow an LA vet this summer as well...excited! 😀 I want to be a lab animal vet, maybe go into research, and I think my research-heavy app will reflect that.

I'm applying to NCSU (IS), Cornell, and UPenn. The latter two because they have great dual-degree programs, and that's kind of my dream. Although I hear that's even more competitive than regular vet school! Darn.

20yo first-time traditional applicant, female, going to graduate with a B.S. in Biology from a top ten university (#1, depending on whose rankings you believe...)
GPA
Cumulative: 3.48
Science: 3.43 (physics...😡)
Last 45: 3.89
Prereq: 3.45

GRE
Haven't taken it, but I do pretty well on standardized tests (2380 on the SAT?), and I plan on studying.

Vet Experience (all projected from shadowing this summer)
SA vet: 400
LA vet: 50

Research Experience (I hear the VMCAS is changing?!)
Drug company: 500 (worked with rats, performed injections/surgery/euthanasia)
Current project in sleep research lab: 1000+ (working with zebrafish, hoping this will turn into a publication)
Tons of research in high school, may or may not include.

Animal Experience
Zebrafish husbandry: 300

Extracurriculars
Oboe -- principal chair in school orchestra, chamber music, major dedicated player, oboe eats up all my free time
Biology Committee -- student/faculty committee that surveys Bio majors and revises curriculum
Clubs -- secretary for photography club, singlehandedly organized a school wide talent show (and it was torture)
Peer Counselor -- trained to counsel peers, esp. freshman, for mental health issues

Honors/Awards
A couple of scholarships, a couple of writing prizes, a travel prize, and I'm graduating with honors, in a nutshell. 😀

I guess I've got two main questions:

- Should I retake physics at a state school? My school's really weird. We're forced to take the first two quarter on pass-fail, similar to MIT's system. So my only year of physics on grades is the rest of our core curriculum: waves, quantum mechanics, and statistical physics. Yeah, quantum was not my friend (C-, baby!). I'm not as bad at mechanics/EM, and I'm positive I could get A's if I retook them at a local state college, but do you think the more advanced subject matter of my physics classes will make up for the poor grades?
- I'm almost certain I'm not getting into even my IS (NCSU) this cycle. Should I just wait till next cycle, get more diverse vet experience, and save my money? I'm concerned about asking my LORs twice for recs...that would be so embarrassing. 😳 I'm also concerned about what kind of vet experience to get. I know NCSU likes variety, but I'd ideally like to go to Penn for dual-degree, because they have research I want to do. I'd prefer doing more research. Not interested in SA, and it's hard to find LA/exotic/wildlife. But I have to be realistic and assume I'm only getting into NCSU, if I get into anything. Sigh.

Thanks in advance for any advice. You guys are seriously AWESOME. 😍

Hello and welcome! We love it when lurkers come out of the woodwork.

I think you have pretty solid stats. Don't fret too much about your science grades. I certainly do not recommend retaking physics, even just quantum. You'll find that many of us have a C or two (or three... ) here and there, and we got in anyway. If you finish strong, stack up your veterinary/animal hours, and do well on the GRE, you'll be sitting pretty. BTW, I found that I did comparatively wayyy better on my SAT that on the GRE, so yes, do study if you're allotting time for it--then again, everyone is different and I may just be one of the weirdos who are hit-or-miss with standardized tests.

Some people here may disagree, but I also think you should highlight your high school research. There are some great college prep programs out there, many of which participate in the Intel National Talent Search. If your experience was of a similar caliber, I wouldn't hesitate to discuss it.

Althugh I can't really speak to the admissions process at NCSU**, I don't think you need to sit this cycle out. Go for it. You'd be "safer" if you had higher veterinary hours (still, many people apply with around the same number as you, plus you've got plenty of research hours--that is uncommon). Pleaseee don't feel concerned about having to ask for LORs a second time around, plenty of highly qualified vet school applicants don't get in on their first try. If you think you're ready this cycle, put your all into it. If it doesn't work out, capitalize on the opportunity to learn from file reviews, accrue hours and dominate the next cycle.

**Idk if they put an emphasis on last 45, but if they do, you're in good shape. I'm a west-coaster who only applied to my IS, so I know next to nothing about most schools, but there is a good chunk of schools out there that put a heavy emphasis on last 45. So you've got that goin' for ya.

Good luck!!!!

 

[485501]

Technically my term's not over yet, so all of the numbers are just projections. I'm shadowing an SA vet and trying to shadow an LA vet this summer as well...excited! 😀 I want to be a lab animal vet, maybe go into research, and I think my research-heavy app will reflect that.

From what I understand, lab animal medicine does not involve research. Have you shadowed a lab animal vet? If research is what you want to do, and is where your passion lies, you might want to consider doing a PhD instead of going to vet school. I don't know how much you want to be a vet, obviously, and I don't know how much you've thought about this or who you've talked to.

I'm planning to do a DVM/PhD program, and every professor I asked for advice about it recommended that I make sure I really can't do what I want to do without the DVM. I want to do clinical stuff, not just research, otherwise I probably wouldn't go to vet school. If you can do what you want with a PhD, consider going to grad school. You won't accrue vet school debt, you might be happier during school (because you'll actually be doing research and such), and it will take less time than a dual-degree program.

I'm not trying to rain on your parade (I think that if you rock your GRE you've got a great shot at getting in this cycle), and this advice might not apply to your dreams/goals at all, but I figure that since every professor I talked to gave me this advice, it might be helpful.

 

[ladybear1991]

I've been creeping on the SDN for some time as well and finally took the GRE today! 😳

Feeling better now that it is done, but would really like to know what you guys think my chances are. I switched from pre-med to pre-vet around last September and have been doing everything in my power to play catch up for this admissions cycle. I don't know if it will be enough though.....

GPA
Florida State, Go 'Noles!
Cumulative: 3.9 (Summa Cum Laude & With honors after I finish my thesis)
Last 45: 3.85 (probably, i got a B+ in dinky physics 2 which was 4 hours 😡)
Science/Math: 3.85

GRE
Verbal: 158
Quant: 159
I'm still trying to determine what these scores mean relative to the old scores... I think they are good enough that I don't have to re-take, but not entirely sure whether I can do a little dance yet....

Experience

Veterinary:
Small Animal: 500 Hours (I currently work as a Vet tech at a local clinic.)
Emergency: 20 Hours shadowing
Large Animal: 20 Hours Shadowing

Animal Experience
Exotics: Wolf Preserve: 200 Hours
Wildlife: Rehab 200 Hours
Shelter: 100 Hours

I am really hoping my GPA will help me get through my experience inadequacies, and really wasn't even going to bother applying this cycle because I figured UF would just laugh at me, but now I have a little bit of hope. Am I ridiculous for thinking I might have a chance?

Any advice or criticism you might have would be SO SOOO Appreciated! I'm only applying to UF because it is in state, and I have a fiance here. I will broaden my net if I don't get in this first try. 😍 Thanks guys!!

 

[Rainheart]

From what I've heard, Florida State weighs really heavy on the GRE. I think they would be fine scores for most schools, but maybe not so much for Florida.

I've been creeping on the SDN for some time as well and finally took the GRE today! 😳

Feeling better now that it is done, but would really like to know what you guys think my chances are. I switched from pre-med to pre-vet around last September and have been doing everything in my power to play catch up for this admissions cycle. I don't know if it will be enough though.....

GPA
Florida State, Go 'Noles!
Cumulative: 3.9 (Summa Cum Laude & With honors after I finish my thesis)
Last 45: 3.85 (probably, i got a B+ in dinky physics 2 which was 4 hours 😡)
Science/Math: 3.85

GRE
Verbal: 158
Quant: 159
I'm still trying to determine what these scores mean relative to the old scores... I think they are good enough that I don't have to re-take, but not entirely sure whether I can do a little dance yet....

Experience

Veterinary:
Small Animal: 500 Hours (I currently work as a Vet tech at a local clinic.)
Emergency: 20 Hours shadowing
Large Animal: 20 Hours Shadowing

Animal Experience
Exotics: Wolf Preserve: 200 Hours
Wildlife: Rehab 200 Hours
Shelter: 100 Hours

I am really hoping my GPA will help me get through my experience inadequacies, and really wasn't even going to bother applying this cycle because I figured UF would just laugh at me, but now I have a little bit of hope. Am I ridiculous for thinking I might have a chance?

Any advice or criticism you might have would be SO SOOO Appreciated! I'm only applying to UF because it is in state, and I have a fiance here. I will broaden my net if I don't get in this first try. 😍 Thanks guys!!

 

[jriddle7]

I've been creeping on the SDN for some time as well and finally took the GRE today! 😳

Feeling better now that it is done, but would really like to know what you guys think my chances are. I switched from pre-med to pre-vet around last September and have been doing everything in my power to play catch up for this admissions cycle. I don't know if it will be enough though.....

GPA
Florida State, Go 'Noles!
Cumulative: 3.9 (Summa Cum Laude & With honors after I finish my thesis)
Last 45: 3.85 (probably, i got a B+ in dinky physics 2 which was 4 hours 😡)
Science/Math: 3.85

GRE
Verbal: 158
Quant: 159
I'm still trying to determine what these scores mean relative to the old scores... I think they are good enough that I don't have to re-take, but not entirely sure whether I can do a little dance yet....

Experience

Veterinary:
Small Animal: 500 Hours (I currently work as a Vet tech at a local clinic.)
Emergency: 20 Hours shadowing
Large Animal: 20 Hours Shadowing

Animal Experience
Exotics: Wolf Preserve: 200 Hours
Wildlife: Rehab 200 Hours
Shelter: 100 Hours

I am really hoping my GPA will help me get through my experience inadequacies, and really wasn't even going to bother applying this cycle because I figured UF would just laugh at me, but now I have a little bit of hope. Am I ridiculous for thinking I might have a chance?

Any advice or criticism you might have would be SO SOOO Appreciated! I'm only applying to UF because it is in state, and I have a fiance here. I will broaden my net if I don't get in this first try. 😍 Thanks guys!!

You probably don't need to retake the GRE unless you feel that you can do significantly better on another try. My GRE scores were a bit lower than yours and I did just fine this application cycle. Your scores translate (very roughly) into ~600ish for verbal and ~720ish for quant. The percentiles for both would be in the high 70s - low 80s. UF weighs the GRE very heavily on the application (50%), but in general you're likely okay as far as your GRE scores go, they're good especially with your GPA to back them up. It's important to note that I can't speak from experience here since I didn't apply to UF, but your scores are definitely strong if you were to apply to other schools.

Your experience hours aren't terrible, I think the average # of experience hours for students that apply is ~500-600ish. More would certainly be better but I don't see UF "laughing at you" for applying with that many hours. You also still have the whole Summer ahead of you to get more hours before you apply this Fall.

I think with what you have + more experience hours this summer + a strong personal statement and eLORs, you have a decent chance of getting into UF this cycle.

 

[ladybear1991]

You probably don't need to retake the GRE unless you feel that you can do significantly better on another try. My GRE scores were a bit lower than yours and I did just fine this application cycle. Your scores translate (very roughly) into ~600ish for verbal and ~720ish for quant. The percentiles for both would be in the high 70s - low 80s. UF weighs the GRE very heavily on the application (50%), but in general you're likely okay as far as your GRE scores go, they're good especially with your GPA to back them up. It's important to note that I can't speak from experience here since I didn't apply to UF, but your scores are definitely strong if you were to apply to other schools.

Your experience hours aren't terrible, I think the average # of experience hours for students that apply is ~500-600ish. More would certainly be better but I don't see UF "laughing at you" for applying with that many hours. You also still have the whole Summer ahead of you to get more hours before you apply this Fall.

I think with what you have + more experience hours this summer + a strong personal statement and eLORs, you have a decent chance of getting into UF this cycle.

Thank you for the advice! I'm going to continue my job this summer and hopefully get more hours shadowing a LA Vet. The scores aren't what I had imagined in my wildest dreams, but they aren't dismal either. So thanks for the encouragement 🙂

I have a question: You say "all summer", but I thought the name of the game was also an early application turn-in. I was going to aim for beginning of July ish to turn in my app. Is that too early?

 

[jriddle7]

Thank you for the advice! I'm going to continue my job this summer and hopefully get more hours shadowing a LA Vet. The scores aren't what I had imagined in my wildest dreams, but they aren't dismal either. So thanks for the encouragement 🙂

I have a question: You say "all summer", but I thought the name of the game was also an early application turn-in. I was going to aim for beginning of July ish to turn in my app. Is that too early?

If your application is complete and you're confident in it, then submitting it that early is fine. I do recommend taking advantage of the time you have left by getting extra vet experience though; you have the time to spare and your application will definitely benefit from it. The deadline to submit your VMCAS is October 2nd, and the deadline for UF's supplemental documents is September 9th (http://education.vetmed.ufl.edu/admissions/application/). I don't think any decisions are based off of how early you submit your application, as long as all documents are submitted before the deadlines. I submitted my VMCAS / other supplemental applications at the last possible second (laziness - not recommended) and I got into four schools.

 

[orca2011]

Thank you for the advice! I'm going to continue my job this summer and hopefully get more hours shadowing a LA Vet. The scores aren't what I had imagined in my wildest dreams, but they aren't dismal either. So thanks for the encouragement 🙂

I have a question: You say "all summer", but I thought the name of the game was also an early application turn-in. I was going to aim for beginning of July ish to turn in my app. Is that too early?

I personally waited so that I could have the most hours possible listed on the application. My first cycle I submitted my applications like a day or two before the deadline (I'd recommend submitting earlier than that though) and I still received interviews and was wait listed at 4/5 schools I applied to that cycle. I applied earlier this past cycle (submitted at beginning of September). Vet school isn't based on a rolling process like med school applications are.

However, I know they've changed how they're doing transcripts this year and I think those have to be in a month in advance.

 

[ChittyBang]

Thank you for the advice! I'm going to continue my job this summer and hopefully get more hours shadowing a LA Vet. The scores aren't what I had imagined in my wildest dreams, but they aren't dismal either. So thanks for the encouragement 🙂

I have a question: You say "all summer", but I thought the name of the game was also an early application turn-in. I was going to aim for beginning of July ish to turn in my app. Is that too early?

Get your VMCAS in by September 1st for transcript verification (this is new this year), but I would think the beginning of July might be placing too much pressure on yourself unless, of course, you're confident that it's done. I have to be out of town starting September 1st so I plan to have mine in no later than the last few days of August.

 

[Emiloo4]

I've been creeping on the SDN for some time as well and finally took the GRE today! 😳

Feeling better now that it is done, but would really like to know what you guys think my chances are. I switched from pre-med to pre-vet around last September and have been doing everything in my power to play catch up for this admissions cycle. I don't know if it will be enough though.....

GPA
Florida State, Go 'Noles!
Cumulative: 3.9 (Summa Cum Laude & With honors after I finish my thesis)
Last 45: 3.85 (probably, i got a B+ in dinky physics 2 which was 4 hours 😡)
Science/Math: 3.85

GRE
Verbal: 158
Quant: 159
I'm still trying to determine what these scores mean relative to the old scores... I think they are good enough that I don't have to re-take, but not entirely sure whether I can do a little dance yet....

Experience

Veterinary:
Small Animal: 500 Hours (I currently work as a Vet tech at a local clinic.)
Emergency: 20 Hours shadowing
Large Animal: 20 Hours Shadowing

Animal Experience
Exotics: Wolf Preserve: 200 Hours
Wildlife: Rehab 200 Hours
Shelter: 100 Hours

I am really hoping my GPA will help me get through my experience inadequacies, and really wasn't even going to bother applying this cycle because I figured UF would just laugh at me, but now I have a little bit of hope. Am I ridiculous for thinking I might have a chance?

Any advice or criticism you might have would be SO SOOO Appreciated! I'm only applying to UF because it is in state, and I have a fiance here. I will broaden my net if I don't get in this first try. 😍 Thanks guys!!

Ok... first of all GO NOLES!!!!!

Second, your GPA is great, your experience is varied, and your GRE is about a 1300 which is exactly what I had with a lower GPA when I got into UF. I don't think it would hurt to apply AT ALL! Many people get in with less veterinary hours than you, and you have a pretty good mix of experiences. A lot will come down to your eLORS and personal statement, and how you make yourself stand out. I say go for it, you have little to lose but a couple hundred bucks. UF does weigh the GRE as 50% of your academic application, but mixed with your GPA, I'd say you're probably safe to not retake it.

And GO NOLES.... again! 😀

 

[FrozenScot]

Hello! I'm yet another longtime lurker. I'll be graduating with a B.S. in Biology in December and applying this cycle. I'm hoping my huge lack of experience doesn't hurt me too much.

20 year old first time applicant from Alaska, although I go to school in Pennsylvania and usually spend my summers in Arkansas. I'm applying to RVC, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dublin, WSU (mostly because it's close to home and my parents want me to apply to at least one school in the country), Murdoch, Melbourne, and Massey (Do I want to get out of the country or do I want to get out of the country?)

GPA
Cumulative: 3.892
Science: 3.788
Last 45: 3.825

GRE
I'll be taking it the 22nd of June. I'm a fairly good test taker so fingers crossed it won't go horribly wrong.

Vet Experience
130 S.A.
8 L.A.

Animal Experience
about 650 Pet Sitting
100 Animal Shelter Volunteering (projected by end of summer)

Extracurriculars and Honors
Clarinet - middle school and high school marching and symphonic bands (no music program at my university)
Phi Eta Sigma - honors society
National Honors Society in high school
Dean's List - every semester of university
All Region Band - 9th grade
Cross Country Running - 11th and 12th grade (we made it as a team to state my senior year)
Awarded Most Entertaining for my Cross Country Team 😀
Salutatorian
A few scholarships (given by the university)
Will be graduating with honors
Honestly I haven't done much during undergrad

I know I'm severely lacking in vet experience hours, but I will be shadowing as much as I can this summer before turning in my application. The vet I shadowed last summer can't let me shadow anymore due to liability issues, and nobody is hiring right now. I have no clue how much more experience I'll be able to get this summer, but I'm hoping to get that number closer to 200. I do have legitimate reasons for not having much in the way of experience (no vets where I live, no time during school, etc.) that I figured I would put in my explanation statement. Any advice is welcome🙂

 

[485501]

Hello! I'm yet another longtime lurker. I'll be graduating with a B.S. in Biology in December and applying this cycle. I'm hoping my huge lack of experience doesn't hurt me too much.

Vet Experience
130 S.A.
8 L.A.

Animal Experience
about 650 Pet Sitting
100 Animal Shelter Volunteering (projected by end of summer)

I know I'm severely lacking in vet experience hours, but I will be shadowing as much as I can this summer before turning in my application. The vet I shadowed last summer can't let me shadow anymore due to liability issues, and nobody is hiring right now. I have no clue how much more experience I'll be able to get this summer, but I'm hoping to get that number closer to 200. I do have legitimate reasons for not having much in the way of experience (no vets where I live, no time during school, etc.) that I figured I would put in my explanation statement. Any advice is welcome🙂

Have you checked the schools you're applying to for experience requirements? I don't know about the schools you mention, but Davis requires 180 hours vet experience minimum, and I have heard that at least some other schools have minimum requirements as well.

 

[felinelvr44]

I know I'm severely lacking in vet experience hours, but I will be shadowing as much as I can this summer before turning in my application. The vet I shadowed last summer can't let me shadow anymore due to liability issues, and nobody is hiring right now. I have no clue how much more experience I'll be able to get this summer, but I'm hoping to get that number closer to 200. I do have legitimate reasons for not having much in the way of experience (no vets where I live, no time during school, etc.) that I figured I would put in my explanation statement. Any advice is welcome🙂

I'd be careful with that - make sure it doesn't sound like you are trying to make excuses for your lack of experience hours. The schools you are applying to might not agree that those are "legitimate" reasons not to have much experience. Where in Pennsylvania do you go to school? I find it hard to believe that you have ZERO hours available to get vet experience while you're in school. I worked a full time job, was in class 4 nights a week (some nights until 11pm), studied all day Saturday and got experience all day Sunday. Was it fun? Heck no. But it certainly wasn't impossible. I'm sure a lot of people on these boards have similar stories too - they fought to get hours while dealing with packed school/work/personal schedules. Just know that you will be competing against people like that. You have good grades which should help you but I would make getting more experience hours (and varied experience too) a HUGE priority this summer.

 

[Emiloo4]

I'd be careful with that - make sure it doesn't sound like you are trying to make excuses for your lack of experience hours. The schools you are applying to might not agree that those are "legitimate" reasons not to have much experience. Where in Pennsylvania do you go to school? I find it hard to believe that you have ZERO hours available to get vet experience while you're in school. I worked a full time job, was in class 4 nights a week (some nights until 11pm), studied all day Saturday and got experience all day Sunday. Was it fun? Heck no. But it certainly wasn't impossible. I'm sure a lot of people on these boards have similar stories too - they fought to get hours while dealing with packed school/work/personal schedules. Just know that you will be competing against people like that. You have good grades which should help you but I would make getting more experience hours (and varied experience too) a HUGE priority this summer.

This! 👍

 

[FrozenScot]

I'd be careful with that - make sure it doesn't sound like you are trying to make excuses for your lack of experience hours. The schools you are applying to might not agree that those are "legitimate" reasons not to have much experience. Where in Pennsylvania do you go to school? I find it hard to believe that you have ZERO hours available to get vet experience while you're in school. I worked a full time job, was in class 4 nights a week (some nights until 11pm), studied all day Saturday and got experience all day Sunday. Was it fun? Heck no. But it certainly wasn't impossible. I'm sure a lot of people on these boards have similar stories too - they fought to get hours while dealing with packed school/work/personal schedules. Just know that you will be competing against people like that. You have good grades which should help you but I would make getting more experience hours (and varied experience too) a HUGE priority this summer.

Thanks for the tips. I think if I don't feel like I can make it not sound like I'm making excuses I won't include it. I go to school in Erie. I had time to get experience, I just didn't have any means of transportation. As it is I have a hard enough time trying to find someone to give me a ride to get groceries, so experience during the school year is a no go for me, unfortunately. I'm having to rely completely on summer experiences. My biggest thing for this summer, aside from the GRE, was getting as much experience as possible.

 

[sunshinevet]

Thanks for the tips. I think if I don't feel like I can make it not sound like I'm making excuses I won't include it. I go to school in Erie. I had time to get experience, I just didn't have any means of transportation. As it is I have a hard enough time trying to find someone to give me a ride to get groceries, so experience during the school year is a no go for me, unfortunately. I'm having to rely completely on summer experiences. My biggest thing for this summer, aside from the GRE, was getting as much experience as possible.

Look, I don't think they're going to go for that. A quick google search by me found 6 vet hospitals in the metro Erie area - straight away, I wasn't even trying. I find it hard to believe there was no vet within walking, bike riding, busing distance. They don't care if it took you an hour each way on the bus to get vet experience (and I certainly did do that in the middle of winter for vet experience!) - they expect you to have it no matter what it took to get it.

Maybe if you lived literally in the middle of nowhere on a ranch where the nearest vet is 500+ miles away they would be more flexible, but I really don't think they're gonna buy your excuse of not being able to get to a vet hospital.

 

[cs5910]

Look, I don't think they're going to go for that. A quick google search by me found 6 vet hospitals in the metro Erie area - straight away, I wasn't even trying. I find it hard to believe there was no vet within walking, bike riding, busing distance. They don't care if it took you an hour each way on the bus to get vet experience (and I certainly did do that in the middle of winter for vet experience!) - they expect you to have it no matter what it took to get it.

Maybe if you lived literally in the middle of nowhere on a ranch where the nearest vet is 500+ miles away they would be more flexible, but I really don't think they're gonna buy your excuse of not being able to get to a vet hospital.

I have to agree with sunshine here. I drove 68 miles away to gain wildlife vet experience every Saturday and Sunday during college. Four hours/136 miles round trip. You can make it work if its what you want.

 

[FrozenScot]

Look, I don't think they're going to go for that. A quick google search by me found 6 vet hospitals in the metro Erie area - straight away, I wasn't even trying. I find it hard to believe there was no vet within walking, bike riding, busing distance. They don't care if it took you an hour each way on the bus to get vet experience (and I certainly did do that in the middle of winter for vet experience!) - they expect you to have it no matter what it took to get it.

Maybe if you lived literally in the middle of nowhere on a ranch where the nearest vet is 500+ miles away they would be more flexible, but I really don't think they're gonna buy your excuse of not being able to get to a vet hospital.

I knew there were some vet hospitals in the area but I didn't have enough money to take the bus all the time and walking to even the closest one was dangerous (my school is in the not so good area of town) Since it will probably come off as just making excuses I won't put it in the explanation section. Thanks for the advice, I really don't want them to think I'm making excuses so you're helping me out a lot. Do you think I should tell them why I didn't get any experience during high school, or will they even care about those years? I literally lived, and still do, in the middle of nowhere. The village I live in is a one hour plane ride from the nearest vet, there are no roads going in or out of it. Should I tell them this or just forget about it?

 

[485501]

I have to agree with sunshine here. I drove 68 miles away to gain wildlife vet experience every Saturday and Sunday during college. Four hours/136 miles round trip. You can make it work if its what you want.

And even if you couldn't get vet experience, you could get something. I wasn't able to get vet experience during the semester at college, but I did do research and volunteered for a feral cat rescue organization. Even if it's just dogwalking for professors or helping at a shelter, they will expect you to have done SOMETHING animal related if you couldn't get vet experience.

 

[485501]

I knew there were some vet hospitals in the area but I didn't have enough money to take the bus all the time and walking to even the closest one was dangerous (my school is in the not so good area of town) Since it will probably come off as just making excuses I won't put it in the explanation section. Thanks for the advice, I really don't want them to think I'm making excuses so you're helping me out a lot. Do you think I should tell them why I didn't get any experience during high school, or will they even care about those years? I literally lived, and still do, in the middle of nowhere. The village I live in is a one hour plane ride from the nearest vet, there are no roads going in or out of it. Should I tell them this or just forget about it?

I would say don't mention it at all. Don't make any excuses, explanations, or anything like that. Just describe the experiences you had in the appropriate sections. Remember, they don't just care about how many hours you have, they care whether or not you sound like you have a good understanding of the veterinary field. If you want to talk in your PS about how growing up far away from vets has influenced your decision to follow this career path you could do that, perhaps?

 

[FrozenScot]

I would say don't mention it at all. Don't make any excuses, explanations, or anything like that. Just describe the experiences you had in the appropriate sections. Remember, they don't just care about how many hours you have, they care whether or not you sound like you have a good understanding of the veterinary field. If you want to talk in your PS about how growing up far away from vets has influenced your decision to follow this career path you could do that, perhaps?

Alright, thanks for the advice, I appreciate it.🙂

 

[WolvesDragon55]

Hello! I'm an occasional poster and just took the GRE. Thought I would give this thread a try!

21 year old female, graduating with a BS in Biology, minor in English.

GPA
Cum: 3.84
Last 45 Hrs: 3.77
Science GPA: 3.77

GRE
160 Verbal
157 Quantitative
Have to wait for the writing section still.

Vet Experience
450 Equine/mixed large
120 Small animal clinic
60 Emergency clinic
40 Dairy Cattle/Beef Cattle
15 Goat herd (health checks on a dairy goat farm)
3 Exotics (Ocelot, Binturong)

Animal Experience
3000+ working with horses
3000+ working with small animals
~200 working on a farm w/poultry, cows, sheep and swine
200 working with rabbits
100 working with exotic cats (Tigers, Lions, Ocelots, etc.)

Volunteering
SPCA (3 yrs)
Volunteer at a Horse Rescue (1 yr)

Extracurriculars
Marching Band since HS
Symphony Band
President of the pre-vet club (and have completely revamped it)

Research
NONE (except the extensive class/lab projects in all biology classes) 👎

Applying to VMRCVM, Missouri, Wisconsin and possibly Colorado.
VMRCVM is in-state.

And I have done this while living on my own since sophomore year, working multiple part-time jobs, caring for my own houseful of animals and commuting to a small liberal arts college. (Though the admissions staff probably won't know this).

So what are my chances?

 

[Brettz]

Hey guys, first time posting. I'm planning on applying this year but my original plan was to apply only to Cornell (my IS) and then if i don't get in, next year I'll apply again but also to some other schools. The point is, if I don't get into Cornell this year I'd rather reapply than go somewhere else.

But I'm having second thoughts about whether I should either follow through with the plan and apply to Cornell this year or just continue building my application and apply next year. I don't feel like I'm a competitive applicant because I have very little vet hours. If I decide to apply this year I will work my ass off shadowing for vets all summer so I have like 250-300 vet hours. Here are the rest of my stats:

Male, 21, NY resident
Graduating from Stony Brook with a bachelor's in biology (neurobiology specialization), minor in music

- Current cum GPA: 3.70
Last 3 semester GPAs: 3.96, 4.0, 4.0
- Haven't taken the GRE yet...taking it at the end of June. I'm sure I'll do above average but I'm not expecting anything outstanding
- 700 hours at a wildlife rehab. Interned (in charge of volunteers and pretty much the whole rehab) for 400 hours one summer. The rest are volunteer hours from me going in every week to feed/clean reptiles or raptors. I still feed the raptors. I will have a good letter of rec from here
- 135 hours of research analyzing sea turtle stomach contents under a PhD in collaboration with the Riverhead Foundation. My partner and I were the first ones on this project so we figured out all the procedures and I wrote the protocol for future students. I will have a good letter of rec from here too
- Spent 10 days in Costa Rica building enrichment for wildlife in rehab and doing various other work for other rehabs working alongside a vet for some time
- Got a letter from a professor in whose neurobiology class I was ranked #1 out of like 150 and I'm sure he wrote a good letter
- Got another letter from a biology professor. Got an A in her class, ranked #7 out of 210
- I work part time as a clerk in a library

I have a few vets lined up that have already said they'd welcome me volunteering there so I could get the hours this summer and then ask them for a letter. I'm just not sure if Cornell will be happy with a letter from a vet who's known me for like 2 months.

If I decide not to apply this year I can focus more on studying for the GRE and next year I can potentially boost my GPA up to a 3.77. And I would get a bunch of experience, preferably with a small animal vet and another type (maybe equine).

Thank you so much for reading this! And I welcome any advice at all! Just give it to me straight

 

[felinelvr44]

Hey guys, first time posting. I'm planning on applying this year but my original plan was to apply only to Cornell (my IS) and then if i don't get in, next year I'll apply again but also to some other schools. The point is, if I don't get into Cornell this year I'd rather reapply than go somewhere else.

But I'm having second thoughts about whether I should either follow through with the plan and apply to Cornell this year or just continue building my application and apply next year. I don't feel like I'm a competitive applicant because I have very little vet hours. If I decide to apply this year I will work my ass off shadowing for vets all summer so I have like 250-300 vet hours. Here are the rest of my stats:

Male, 21, NY resident
Graduating from Stony Brook with a bachelor's in biology (neurobiology specialization), minor in music

- Current cum GPA: 3.70
Last 3 semester GPAs: 3.96, 4.0, 4.0
- Haven't taken the GRE yet...taking it at the end of June. I'm sure I'll do above average but I'm not expecting anything outstanding
- 700 hours at a wildlife rehab. Interned (in charge of volunteers and pretty much the whole rehab) for 400 hours one summer. The rest are volunteer hours from me going in every week to feed/clean reptiles or raptors. I still feed the raptors. I will have a good letter of rec from here
- 135 hours of research analyzing sea turtle stomach contents under a PhD in collaboration with the Riverhead Foundation. My partner and I were the first ones on this project so we figured out all the procedures and I wrote the protocol for future students. I will have a good letter of rec from here too
- Spent 10 days in Costa Rica building enrichment for wildlife in rehab and doing various other work for other rehabs working alongside a vet for some time
- Got a letter from a professor in whose neurobiology class I was ranked #1 out of like 150 and I'm sure he wrote a good letter
- Got another letter for a biology professor. Got an A in her class, ranked #7 out of 210
- I work part time as a clerk in a library

I have a few vets lined up that have already said they'd welcome me volunteering there so I could get the hours this summer and then ask them for a letter. I'm just not sure if Cornell will be happy with a letter from a vet who's known me for like 2 months.

If I decide not to apply this year I can focus more on studying for the GRE and next year I can potentially boost my GPA up to a 3.77. And I would get a bunch of experience, preferably with a small animal vet and another type (maybe equine).

Thank you so much for reading this! And I welcome any advice at all! Just give it to me straight

Aim high for the GRE. Study your butt off and try to get in the 75% range. Your GPA looks good. Your experience is lacking (as you mentioned), but I would see how you feel at the end of the summer after your time at a SA clinic. Your letter from the DVM might not be as strong if they don't know you super well but it sounds like your other letters are strong. If it were me, I'd apply to Cornell this year because why not? If you get in- awesome! If you don't, then you were already planning on making your application stronger. I don't know if Cornell does file reviews but if so, you can hear it straight from them on how to improve your app. I worked full time while doing my pre-req's and so my experience hours were on the low side. I had a similar GPA and decent GRE's and they let me in 🙂

 

[orca2011]

I have a few vets lined up that have already said they'd welcome me volunteering there so I could get the hours this summer and then ask them for a letter. I'm just not sure if Cornell will be happy with a letter from a vet who's known me for like 2 months.

I just focused on this bit because the rest of your stats look pretty good to me. I definitely think it's possible to get a fairly strong letter from someone you've known a short period of time.

I had a letter from a vet I worked with for about the same amount of time and during my file reviews, no one mentioned that her letter was weak (although I didn't apply to Cornell). I think if you make the right impression and talk with them frequently and ask questions about the profession, it can work out. Obviously knowing someone for longer can result in a really strong letter but I think it's doable...especially if you're putting in a good number of hours during those two months.

 

[Gr8fu11]

So I am not new to this website at all but I have been lurking on it. I would like an honest opinion of my chances.

Minority 1st generation college student.

C/O 2012 B.A. Sociolgy. Double Minor: Chemistry/Spanish

Last 45: 3.4ish
Cumulative: 3.17 (I am quite proud of this seeing as I managed to go from a 3.01 ~ stupid Chemistry~ to almost a 3.2 in one year)
Prereqs: 2.9 at the moment. 😱 I still have to take Animal Nutrition and Genetics and retake darn Orgo classes. I may take Cell Bio to make myself more competitive as well.

GRE: 158v 154q 4.5w

Vet Hours
- over 3000 with small animals, wildlife, and farm, 5 hours performing whale necropsy in Galapagos

Animal Experience
400 tending to Giant Tortoises in Galapagos, 2 hours doctoring hurt penguin.
LA: N/A at the moment but I expect to have ~100hrs after shadowing a farm/horse vet this summer

Honors:
-Travel Scholaship
-Deans list senior year
-Academic Award Each Year for maintaining above 3.0

Extra-Curricular
-Spent 5 months in Ecuador volunteering and traveling after graduation
-Worked 2 jobs last two years of college.
-Volunteered with Children for 3 years
-Leadership conference
-Hurricane Katrina Mission Trip
-Christian Refuge Volunteer
-Choir Member
-Vet Internships
-Extreme Sports (bridge jumping, mountain biking, kayaking, skydiving)
-HS: President National Technical Honor Society, Governor's School, UNC Project Uplift, QuizBowl

I want to go to NC State (IS) and I may apply under the alternative eligibility this coming round. Besides getting LA experience and getting my Pre-Req up what can I do to strengthen my application?

 

[Gr8fu11]

Oh. And I am in the National Society for Leadership and Success.

 

[kernel]

So I am not new to this website at all but I have been lurking on it. I would like an honest opinion of my chances.

Minority 1st generation college student.

C/O 2012 B.A. Sociolgy. Double Minor: Chemistry/Spanish

Last 45: 3.4ish
Cumulative: 3.17 (I am quite proud of this seeing as I managed to go from a 3.01 ~ stupid Chemistry~ to almost a 3.2 in one year)
Prereqs: 2.9 at the moment. 😱 I still have to take Animal Nutrition and Genetics and retake darn Orgo classes. I may take Cell Bio to make myself more competitive as well.

GRE: 158v 154q 4.5w

Vet Hours
- over 3000 with small animals, wildlife, and farm, 5 hours performing whale necropsy in Galapagos

Animal Experience
400 tending to Giant Tortoises in Galapagos, 2 hours doctoring hurt penguin.
LA: N/A at the moment but I expect to have ~100hrs after shadowing a farm/horse vet this summer

Honors:
-Travel Scholaship
-Deans list senior year
-Academic Award Each Year for maintaining above 3.0

Extra-Curricular
-Spent 5 months in Ecuador volunteering and traveling after graduation
-Worked 2 jobs last two years of college.
-Volunteered with Children for 3 years
-Leadership conference
-Hurricane Katrina Mission Trip
-Christian Refuge Volunteer
-Choir Member
-Vet Internships
-Extreme Sports (bridge jumping, mountain biking, kayaking, skydiving)
-HS: President National Technical Honor Society, Governor's School, UNC Project Uplift, QuizBowl

I want to go to NC State (IS) and I may apply under the alternative eligibility this coming round. Besides getting LA experience and getting my Pre-Req up what can I do to strengthen my application?

Hey Gr8fu11! I would definitely suggest bringing up your GRE score if you can. When did you take it the first time? It may be a little late to get enough studying in before the cycle's due-date, but if things don't pan out this year then DEFINITELY kick some butt on it for next time.

Also, you mentioned that you are going to retake orgo--what did you get in it, if you don't mind me asking? Unless you didn't pass, I wouldn't recommend retaking it. It's time consuming and expensive. Many of us here (including myself) received at least one C in orgo. If you can ace those remaining science classes, you'll be okay.

 

[cloverbug]

Hey guys, just looking for ways to improve my stats before the next cycle starts.

This is my 3rd time applying. 23 female with a B.S. in Vet Science

Cumulative GPA: 3.62
Science GPA: 3.54
Last 45: 3.84

GRE: 153V 155Q 4.5W and this is my second time taking it

All hours here are to the September deadline
Vet experience:
~100 hours volunteering in high school
~48 hours with VIDA performing surgeries
~3800 hours at a small/exotic clinic that I work as a vet tech at

Animal Experience:
~40 hours at a horse rescue
~80 hours at a wildlife rehab center
~ 680 hours at my grandma's small farm when I was in high school (chickens, goats, ducks, geese, turkeys)
~760 hours handfeeding baby birds over a 10 year span. We helped a family friend with her babies because she sometimes had more than she could handle at a time. We took care of everything from cockatiels (which is what we have) to macaws.

Employment:
~4100 hours during college at Domino's and Silvermine Subs

Honors and Awards:
I was on the Dean's List for 3 semesters and one Honorable Mention for not having enough credits to make it on the Dean's List.
I also completed NaNoWriMo in high school and plan on adding that. (completing a 50,000 word story in 30 days isn't easy)

Community Activities:
I was in orchestra and dance in high school. I was also part of a writing group for 2 years.

I got frustrated trying to find a LA vet in my area so I went for the horse rescue, but now I'm feeling like I need to try again. I can't afford not to work so trying to find someone who will let me shadow during the weekends. I also got a scholarship for my undergrad but I don't know if I should include that (only reason I could afford college). Is there anything else I should try to do or change into different categories, etc? I want to make this as accurate and interesting as possible so I won't get stuck on so many waitlists.

 

[felinelvr44]

I got frustrated trying to find a LA vet in my area so I went for the horse rescue, but now I'm feeling like I need to try again. I can't afford not to work so trying to find someone who will let me shadow during the weekends. I also got a scholarship for my undergrad but I don't know if I should include that (only reason I could afford college). Is there anything else I should try to do or change into different categories, etc? I want to make this as accurate and interesting as possible so I won't get stuck on so many waitlists.

I think finding some LA vet experience would be a great addition. I included scholarships on my VMCAS app under the "honors" section if I remember correctly. You should definitely include it!

 

[cloverbug]

I think finding some LA vet experience would be a great addition. I included scholarships on my VMCAS app under the "honors" section if I remember correctly. You should definitely include it!

Every time I would look for one I'd get every clinic in the town or they wouldn't be open during the weekend, so yea frustrating lol. I've emailed one about doing some shadowing on Saturdays so hopefully they get back to me. Is there anything else you can think of that I should work on? I appreciate the advice!

 

[485501]

Honors and Awards:
I was on the Dean's List for 3 semesters and one Honorable Mention for not having enough credits to make it on the Dean's List.
I also completed NaNoWriMo in high school and plan on adding that. (completing a 50,000 word story in 30 days isn't easy)

Community Activities:
I was in orchestra and dance in high school. I was also part of a writing group for 2 years.

Is there any way you can get back into writing or another non-vet related activity? I have been told many times that adcoms like to see ongoing participation in something outside of vet med, to show that you have something to take your mind off it and that it's less likely you'll burn out and such. I'm mentioning it mostly because there is still time this cycle to get back into something, even if it's just an online writing group or going to monthly swing dances or something. Definitely include NaNoWriMo!

 

[cloverbug]

Is there any way you can get back into writing or another non-vet related activity? I have been told many times that adcoms like to see ongoing participation in something outside of vet med, to show that you have something to take your mind off it and that it's less likely you'll burn out and such. I'm mentioning it mostly because there is still time this cycle to get back into something, even if it's just an online writing group or going to monthly swing dances or something. Definitely include NaNoWriMo!

I can see if I can find anything online for writing groups because I'm no longer in school and I doubt they'll just let me hang around a club at the university lol. I was trying to get into yoga to help with my knee issues but I don't think I can afford it as I'm paying for a wedding. Does doing a bunch of crochet projects count? In a 6 month span, I've made a teddy bear, 3 dinosaurs, 1 and a half hats (ran out of yarn and just haven't gotten more), a scarf, and am working on a slenderman plushie right now. Thanks for your advice though!

 

[NStarz]

Cloverbug, how have you not gotten in anywhere? Lol. Have you done file reviews?

 

[cloverbug]

Cloverbug, how have you not gotten in anywhere? Lol. Have you done file reviews?

I'll take that as a compliment haha. I forgot I could add my grandma's farm last year because it never once crossed my mind and I didn't know I could add my fine arts classes from high school. I have absolutely no idea how to phrase what I did in them either so I just mentioned how many concerts I've done to the public and the smaller performances to the class. I also under houred myself with the birds because I really had no idea the amount of time I took to care for them, so I sat down with my mom and worked it out since she remembers it better. I've done a file review with U of I, which is where I found out about the fine arts classes and that I needed LA vet experience (which there's 3 in town total so here's hoping someone let's me shadow them). I just started my current volunteer stuff like a month-ish ago and all hours are to the September deadline for the application because I'm counting as much as I can. If I don't get in somewhere this year I might be a little upset lol

 

[NStarz]

I'll take that as a compliment haha. I forgot I could add my grandma's farm last year because it never once crossed my mind and I didn't know I could add my fine arts classes from high school. I have absolutely no idea how to phrase what I did in them either so I just mentioned how many concerts I've done to the public and the smaller performances to the class. I also under houred myself with the birds because I really had no idea the amount of time I took to care for them, so I sat down with my mom and worked it out since she remembers it better. I've done a file review with U of I, which is where I found out about the fine arts classes and that I needed LA vet experience (which there's 3 in town total so here's hoping someone let's me shadow them). I just started my current volunteer stuff like a month-ish ago and all hours are to the September deadline for the application because I'm counting as much as I can. If I don't get in somewhere this year I might be a little upset lol

Definitely a compliment 👍

 

[Gr8fu11]

Hey Gr8fu11! I would definitely suggest bringing up your GRE score if you can. When did you take it the first time? It may be a little late to get enough studying in before the cycle's due-date, but if things don't pan out this year then DEFINITELY kick some butt on it for next time.

Also, you mentioned that you are going to retake orgo--what did you get in it, if you don't mind me asking? Unless you didn't pass, I wouldn't recommend retaking it. It's time consuming and expensive. Many of us here (including myself) received at least one C in orgo. If you can ace those remaining science classes, you'll be okay.

Yea...those were definitely a C- and a C. My science grades throughout my 4 years went from Good-WhyAreYouTrying-Great. I had a rough patch in the middle, but pulled through in the end.

 

[Museum Nerd]

Hey guys, just looking for ways to improve my stats before the next cycle starts.

This is my 3rd time applying. 23 female with a B.S. in Vet Science

Cumulative GPA: 3.62
Science GPA: 3.54
Last 45: 3.84

GRE: 153V 155Q 4.5W and this is my second time taking it

All hours here are to the September deadline
Vet experience:
~100 hours volunteering in high school
~48 hours with VIDA performing surgeries
~3800 hours at a small/exotic clinic that I work as a vet tech at

Animal Experience:
~40 hours at a horse rescue
~80 hours at a wildlife rehab center
~ 680 hours at my grandma's small farm when I was in high school (chickens, goats, ducks, geese, turkeys)
~760 hours handfeeding baby birds over a 10 year span. We helped a family friend with her babies because she sometimes had more than she could handle at a time. We took care of everything from cockatiels (which is what we have) to macaws.

Employment:
~4100 hours during college at Domino's and Silvermine Subs

Honors and Awards:
I was on the Dean's List for 3 semesters and one Honorable Mention for not having enough credits to make it on the Dean's List.
I also completed NaNoWriMo in high school and plan on adding that. (completing a 50,000 word story in 30 days isn't easy)

Community Activities:
I was in orchestra and dance in high school. I was also part of a writing group for 2 years.

I got frustrated trying to find a LA vet in my area so I went for the horse rescue, but now I'm feeling like I need to try again. I can't afford not to work so trying to find someone who will let me shadow during the weekends. I also got a scholarship for my undergrad but I don't know if I should include that (only reason I could afford college). Is there anything else I should try to do or change into different categories, etc? I want to make this as accurate and interesting as possible so I won't get stuck on so many waitlists.

i am kinda like NSTAR how have you not gotten in. two things come to mind is your personal statement is somehow "lacking" and you dont have any community service/activiites for undergrad and beyond. Are you doing anything that you can list for that time frame, and it doesnt have to be animal related for community service. My undergrad advisor said they like to see you are involved in activites that help to relieve stress... any club sports or dance groups or photography club or the such.

 

[Museum Nerd]

So I am not new to this website at all but I have been lurking on it. I would like an honest opinion of my chances.

Minority 1st generation college student.

C/O 2012 B.A. Sociolgy. Double Minor: Chemistry/Spanish

Last 45: 3.4ish
Cumulative: 3.17 (I am quite proud of this seeing as I managed to go from a 3.01 ~ stupid Chemistry~ to almost a 3.2 in one year)
Prereqs: 2.9 at the moment. 😱 I still have to take Animal Nutrition and Genetics and retake darn Orgo classes. I may take Cell Bio to make myself more competitive as well.

GRE: 158v 154q 4.5w

Vet Hours
- over 3000 with small animals, wildlife, and farm, 5 hours performing whale necropsy in Galapagos

Animal Experience
400 tending to Giant Tortoises in Galapagos, 2 hours doctoring hurt penguin.
LA: N/A at the moment but I expect to have ~100hrs after shadowing a farm/horse vet this summer

Honors:
-Travel Scholaship
-Deans list senior year
-Academic Award Each Year for maintaining above 3.0

Extra-Curricular
-Spent 5 months in Ecuador volunteering and traveling after graduation
-Worked 2 jobs last two years of college.
-Volunteered with Children for 3 years
-Leadership conference
-Hurricane Katrina Mission Trip
-Christian Refuge Volunteer
-Choir Member
-Vet Internships
-Extreme Sports (bridge jumping, mountain biking, kayaking, skydiving)
-HS: President National Technical Honor Society, Governor's School, UNC Project Uplift, QuizBowl

I want to go to NC State (IS) and I may apply under the alternative eligibility this coming round. Besides getting LA experience and getting my Pre-Req up what can I do to strengthen my application?

Gr8full, you will have to apply alternative eligibility this cycle unless you think you can pull up the last of your pre req to a 3.3 prior to your application. Also if i remember correctly if you repeat a class the gpa is averaged for NC not replaced. I think you hours look good, make sure you break it out by small animal, wildlife, large animal and equine if you have experience on your application. NC State "likes" to see 3 or more categories on applications. Also if you can take genetics lab even though it is not required for NC take it....if you take it it counts towards your pre reqs. Labs are usually much easier to get A's in. Make sure you add the lab on your list of required course on the supplimental application (i think that is how i did it).

 

[cloverbug]

i am kinda like NSTAR how have you not gotten in. two things come to mind is your personal statement is somehow "lacking" and you dont have any community service/activiites for undergrad and beyond. Are you doing anything that you can list for that time frame, and it doesnt have to be animal related for community service. My undergrad advisor said they like to see you are involved in activites that help to relieve stress... any club sports or dance groups or photography club or the such.

He actually said my personal statement was good but yea the community activities were lacking. I do crochet projects a lot but haven't really done anything with clubs. I was working or going to school all the time so I lacked free time (graduated in 3 years and worked at least 30 hours a week) so I didn't do anything then. I tried getting into yoga afterwards but I didn't have a license until a year ago and just haven't thrown myself back into it. I sometimes do it at home (ish kinda).

 

[Gr8fu11]

Gr8full, you will have to apply alternative eligibility this cycle unless you think you can pull up the last of your pre req to a 3.3 prior to your application. Also if i remember correctly if you repeat a class the gpa is averaged for NC not replaced. I think you hours look good, make sure you break it out by small animal, wildlife, large animal and equine if you have experience on your application. NC State "likes" to see 3 or more categories on applications. Also if you can take genetics lab even though it is not required for NC take it....if you take it it counts towards your pre reqs. Labs are usually much easier to get A's in. Make sure you add the lab on your list of required course on the supplimental application (i think that is how i did it).

Thanks for the advice. And yes..the grades are averaged together meaning I have to make nothing less than an A to pull up those C's. I don't think I will apply this cycle...I will just focus on school and diversifying my animal hours a bit more this year. I have only been out of undergrad for a year, what is one more year right?

 

[485501]

I can see if I can find anything online for writing groups because I'm no longer in school and I doubt they'll just let me hang around a club at the university lol. I was trying to get into yoga to help with my knee issues but I don't think I can afford it as I'm paying for a wedding. Does doing a bunch of crochet projects count? In a 6 month span, I've made a teddy bear, 3 dinosaurs, 1 and a half hats (ran out of yarn and just haven't gotten more), a scarf, and am working on a slenderman plushie right now. Thanks for your advice though!

He actually said my personal statement was good but yea the community activities were lacking. I do crochet projects a lot but haven't really done anything with clubs. I was working or going to school all the time so I lacked free time (graduated in 3 years and worked at least 30 hours a week) so I didn't do anything then. I tried getting into yoga afterwards but I didn't have a license until a year ago and just haven't thrown myself back into it. I sometimes do it at home (ish kinda).

You don't need to be part of a club or taking classes to count a thing - it says right on the VMCAS to include hobbies. I included cooking and I've never been part of a cooking club or taken formal classes in my life. I just cook all the time and watch cooking shows and read food books and stuff. I included anything I have done a lot over a significant amount of time, regardless of how official or formal any of it was.
Crocheting certainly counts. Writing counts, particularly if you have been writing (even just on your own). Yoga might count? It depends on how dedicated you've been, in my opinion. If it's just an occasional thing, I wouldn't put it on. Just be honest about it all, and be ready to talk about anything you put on the app.

 

[cloverbug]

You don't need to be part of a club or taking classes to count a thing - it says right on the VMCAS to include hobbies. I included cooking and I've never been part of a cooking club or taken formal classes in my life. I just cook all the time and watch cooking shows and read food books and stuff. I included anything I have done a lot over a significant amount of time, regardless of how official or formal any of it was.
Crocheting certainly counts. Writing counts, particularly if you have been writing (even just on your own). Yoga might count? It depends on how dedicated you've been, in my opinion. If it's just an occasional thing, I wouldn't put it on. Just be honest about it all, and be ready to talk about anything you put on the app.

I haven't done a lot of writing since high school, small pieces here and there really. I don't think I should really add that for the fact that I've finished maybe 3 poems/short stories in 4 years. Thank you though and I'm sure to add my crocheting.

 

[Nurd]

25, female, SC res
Applying to: UGA (SC contract), UC Davis, OSU
BA from a small liberal arts school
GPA: 3.7
last 45: 3.9
science GPA: 4.0

GRE: 153 Verbal, 154 Quant (this was my first time, taking again in August)

Vet Experience
450 hrs private zoo intern
350 hrs SA vet tech
50 hrs with SA vet on UGA board
520 hrs volunteer at SA Hospital
400 hrs AZA zoo intern

Animal Experience
30 hrs teaching group classes for dog training
100 hrs private dog/cat training
4,650 hrs dog walker/sitter/trainer for a company
45 hrs volunteer training at shelter
500 hrs park employee at private zoo in HS

Other
25 hrs Botany research
Graduated with Honors from Animal Behavior College
Also have 6+ experiences working in the art field (employment and internships)
HS: Varsity Cheerleading 4 years (Captain 1 year)
HS: Varsity Swimming 2 years
HS: Varsity Soccer 1 year
HS: Band
Chemistry Club 1 year
Poetry Club 3 years
blah, blah, blah.....more stuff mostly art

eLORs
2 SA vets one from each hospital
UGA board vet (who has known me for 15 years)
Head of Animal medical care at private zoo
professor who I did research with and will include me in the paper we are publishing in the fall (but after application period) 🙁

should i expect to apply twice??