What to do during the waiting period???

Veterinary School Application Advising Ad
This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.
Savethewhales

Savethewhales

Western U c/o 2015
10+ Year Member
Joined
Sep 28, 2010
Messages
221
Reaction score
2
Members do not see this ad.
Still have supplementals to finish but can't help the obsessing over my PS and experiences and everything else about the application. :shrug:

Curious.....what is everyone else going to do during the waiting period???? Lol we should start a self help group for vet school applicant that are waiting to hear back.... Kidding.
 
Last edited:
I don't know about you, but I have tons of schoolwork, and I'm looking for a job. I'm thrilled to be done with apps just so I can concentrate on all the other crap I have to do! :scared:
 
ugh. I don't have enough to keep me busy. just the job, husband, dog, and horse...which normally would keep me busy- but it's not NEARLY enough to distract me from obsessing and obsessing and obsessing....

book club? learning to make something? exercising?
 
I'm applying as a junior who won't have a BS, so there's a decent chance I won't get in. I'm trying to keep the mindset that I will need to reapply, so I've been doing everything I was doing previously.

You know, getting 4.0s, saving orphaned baby animals, being a prodigy... kidding. But seriously. Focusing on school, shadowing, and my lab job. 🙂
 
Worry. Fret. Constantly be on the verge of tears.

Oh wait, that's just me? Huh.
 
Heylodeb...I am right there with you. Working 40 hours a week plus Biochem, micro, speech, 5 animals of my own,yet still I feel like it's not enough to stop my obsessing. Glad to know others feel the same. I hope everyone on this board gets in!!!!
 
Waiting anxiously while finishing up my double-major to get my BS in May.

Also working as a lab TA and a vet tech at an emergency clinic.
 
How am I keeping my mind off of waiting? Mostly zinfandels and pinots. Some shiraz.

Kidding. (Not really kidding.)
 
Well, for this fall and the upcoming spring semester, I've set at least one goal for myself: get on the Dean's List both semesters (3.5 GPA). With my 5 classes, that leaves me room for 2 Bs, which I'm planning on for gen chem II, IF I work hard and study. So now all of my energy goes back to getting the best grades I can manage to boost my GPA for if/when I apply next year. I'm also working a bit, riding, etc so while I know I'll have my moments of crazyness, I also know that fall is my favorite time of year for fun random activities like going to the orchard to get my pumpkin, helping with Thanksgiving, Christmas, etc. Hopefully it's all enough to distract me MOST of the time 😉
 
Sit back and relax, yeah right! Just basically doing school work (especially biochem🙁), working on research, knitting a beautiful cashmere scarf, starting back up my riding lessons as now I dont have a horse because he moved to my parents farm down south, and on top of all that I have no idea.... OH YEAH and stress out about this whole process!:laugh:
 
Just my opinion here....but, for anyone who is 'on the fence' as to whether or not they'll get in; decide what you'll do if you don't get in.

The acceptance stats for all the schools is out there, and it's pretty easy to figure out where you stand. If you know your GPA/GRE/Experience isn't top-notch for the schools you are applying for, figure out what you'll do if you get rejected.

Nobody likes to think of it; but, depending on which schools you've applied to, it could be months from now before you know for sure that you aren't in. And, if you wanted to improve your application, you might find yourself out of time. If you don't get your last rejection letter until July (thankfully most schools are before that, but still); that leaves you Aug, Sept and Oct before you are applying again!

So, if you think you might not get in this year, and if you think you'd apply again next year - improve your application *now* Study for the GRE, spend your Sundays getting a different type of animal experience, or pickup a class you know you can pull off an A in.

It's really easy to get busy with everything else and end up getting rejected and then applying again next year with an virtually identical application (and a very good chance of not getting in that year either)
 
Last edited:
hmm im pretty sure during the waiting period last yr i just checked SDN every 5 min lol nothing could stop me from checking!! especially once mid Nov. hit and once the first interview invites go out...its impossible to not keep checking!

some people say checking SDN is bad because it makes u worry....true, BUT i also learned sooooo much that benefited me (especially during interviews!!). The "hard" questions that people talk about from the penn interview are ALL listed on SDN already!! (dont worry, they arent actually hard 🙂 )
 
Ottergirl said:
How am I keeping my mind off of waiting? Mostly zinfandels and pinots. Some shiraz.

Kidding. (Not really kidding.)
Click to expand...

Amen the this. Except I really like cab savs.

heylodeb said:
book club? learning to make something? exercising?
Click to expand...

Yes! We could keep the SDN book club going even though a lot of people won't be able to do it with school. I'm looking forward to starting to read again. I got a little bit into Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, but had to stop reading with applications, so I'm going to restart that after I take the bio GRE and finish Western's supplemental.

Also I'm going to look for a job, keep volunteering, pray for the winter to come quickly so I can snowboard, try to get back into agility with my dog, and teach myself to play guitar. Of course that list will have to be shortened if/when I find a job!
 
cowgirla said:
I actually spent most of my time with Captain Morgan, Jack, and Jose. I brought Jim into the mix after the first rejection letters came
Click to expand...

I remember Cpt Morgan and Jose keeping me company last year....wonder if they will show up again this year 😉

This year I don't have classes to preoccupy my self with...hopefully working will do the trick. I might pick up an extra part-time job as well. And take care of my fur kids, play with my horses. Plus I have a list of books I would like to tackle...and keeping up with all the fun topics on SDN 😛.
 
I agree with the Plan B, admission is such a crap shoot even amazing applicants may not get in for one reason or another the firs time around. So there is no reason for upcoming May grads not to polish up their resume and start job hunting or apply for a grad program if that is something you may be interested in.

I myself also applied to a Graduate program during the 'in between' time and tried to stay as busy as possible with 3 jobs and showing my horse.

Honestly despite all that I spent most of the time obsessing, its pretty hard not to.
 
goldielocks137 said:
Yes! We could keep the SDN book club going even though a lot of people won't be able to do it with school. I'm looking forward to starting to read again. I got a little bit into Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, but had to stop reading with applications, so I'm going to restart that after I take the bio GRE and finish Western's supplemental.
Click to expand...

SDN Book Club sounds fun! (okay, I guess that's pretty nerdy). But really, this whole last week I used reading as a way to keep me from obsessing during random free moments (like the bus, or waiting for class to start).
 
I haven't yet decided 100% what my ideal plan B would be. I'm not moving out of state if I don't get in since this is where my house and husband are. So I could do a graduate program here, but after getting two bachelor's here already, would that look weird? Parasitology would be fun, but maybe something like immunology would serve more of a purpose. Then I would take a year off in applying to finish the masters.

Or, I could just try and get a job in a lab or something, which would be fine with me and would leave me free to apply whenever. I'll have 32 brand new upper division science credit hours of stuff from the last two semesters, and I fully plan on pwning them, so that might help me out. The idea of doing all this again next year is painful though, so I'm not sure...

Really, I just want to work on my classes now. I missed three days this week because of illness (Mon, Tue) and being tired (today) so I feel behind.

Also, I'm vacillating about retaking the GRE again. It would only be for LSU, OKSU, Auburn, and maybe Western - when's the due date for GRE reports there? But it depends. Cwazy cat lady kinda inspired me to try again, but we'll see.

Too much thinking for this lovely, supplemental-free Friday night. I'm gong to go drink coffee and watch something on Netflix for the first time in three weeks. 🙂
 
I will personally be spending time with vodka and tequila (in the form of margaritas).

I will also be working, working, and working and spending time in DISNEYLAND (I leave in 7 days!!!!)😀

I will also probably pick up reading something fun especially since I never really got the opportunity to read for enjoyment while in school.

Oh I will also be doing a lot these.... :scared: :poke: :bang: :boom:
 
DVMDream said:
I will personally be spending time with vodka and tequila (in the form of margaritas).
Click to expand...

Man, I really wish I was of drinking age — I've never been so anxious in my life. :scared:
 
During the wait, I will probably be nervously twiddling my thumbs, checking my email obsessively, check SDN obsessively, etc. Oh yea, and study. But for real, I have 15 hours of classes this semester, in addition to working 25 hours a week, so that'll keep me pretty busy.

I haven't yet decided what my Plan B will be. I'm graduating this spring, and unless I do awful this semester or spring semester, my grades shouldn't be an issue. Most likely I will simply take a year to continue working in the path lab that I work in and gain some more veterinary experience, since I think that will probably be the weakest part of my application (since I only decided to purse vet med in January of this year). But who knows? It will also probably depend on what is said in my file reviews as well. Gah, hopefully I won't even have to think of those:xf:
 
I'm cutting back on my volunteer hours a little... and trying to regain a bit of my life back! And get to know my dogs again. I think they have missed me over the last year, and I only adopted them 2 years ago!

Next semester I may try to teach an extra section for the CC where I have started teaching part time... to optimistically save up as much as possible before starting VET SCHOOL!

Last year the waiting was sort of manageable with only 1 school (who notifies really early!) but this year with 9 schools will be a whole other beast! I suspect I will be stalking SDN during most of my free time...

As for a plan B, I honestly just can't even go there right now.
 
Plan B? Try Plan D... or E? I had given up my Plan A (vet school) years back and have tried other careers since then, none of which were truly satisfying. Perhaps this is why I'm not so anxious. I really want to get in, but I know I'd be okay if I have to wait another year, and I know I could make my application stronger.

For the kiddos just graduating this year, definitely consider your grad school/working situation. Even if it means working in something non-vet, it's amazing how those experiences shape who you are and can make you a better candidate. My background working in labs, retail management, and teaching (not to mention a master's degree) all added valuably to my application and personal statement. And I know they'll help me in those interviews, too 😉
 
I'm going to try to stay out of my wife's hair so she can study. Since work started back up, I have to wait for Mondays off to volunteer at the clinic - not a lot of those on the calendar right now. Decided that I need to get working on my "list" - clean the garage, figure out why the 38 y/o motorcycle doesn't want to stay on without the throttle cracked, fill in the holes the golden dug throughout the backyard, get back up to speed on the bagpipes, and do some scuba diving. This whole work thing is cramping my style though. After 30 days off, then 2 weeks of 3 days, we have to work for 4 days the next two weeks. I miss the fast pace of the clinic - 50 surgeries between 8 and 2.
 
My plan B is taking a year off... I don't want to do a masters. I'd love to take more undergraduate courses, but I can't afford to. I don't have a university in my area, so I can't crash with my parents and take a few courses. It really sucks... I really wish I could improve my app by taking more courses. I don't think the vet school would be all too pleased if I took community college courses in my spare time. I'm a 5 minute walk from the community college, but a one hour drive from the closest universities, which are located in a very expensive city (~$1 000/month for a one bedroom near campus or $10 000 for residence... yikes! Double what I'm paying now!). Damn you, student loans. You suck.

Hopefully I'll be able to find a job that pays me more than minimum wage... and I'll have plenty of time to think of back-up plans.

My application isn't due until November 1st, but my thesis is keeping me very busy. That's what I'll be doing.
 
I've already started on the path of my Plan B. I'm going to go for my LAT certification in January (soonest I can take it after receiving my ALAT). I'll be graduating in the spring and will hunt for a job, most likely in lab animal or equine medicine. Fortunately the area I'm in (near DC) has a lot of lab animal opportunities so I'm hoping my current experience and ALAT/LAT certifications will get me something I enjoy :xf:. I'll plan to apply again and again until I get in, darn it, but I'll need to be supporting myself in the meantime.
 
I know its only been like a week since the VMCAS deadline. But I read Modoc: The True Story of the Greatest Elephant by Ralph Helfer....and I strongly recommend it! as just a light read about an animal's story. I really like human-animal bonding stories. Any other suggestions????
 
turquoisewolves said:
I know its only been like a week since the VMCAS deadline. But I read Modoc: The True Story of the Greatest Elephant by Ralph Helfer....and I strongly recommend it! as just a light read about an animal's story. I really like human-animal bonding stories. Any other suggestions????
Click to expand...

Water for Elephants is a really great story and very well written.
 
I just spent some time looking through the interviews thread from last year, which might not have been the best decision, because now I'm even more nervous and the wait seems even longer!! Why can't these things just be instant!!
 
I've enacted my plan B. Starting applying for masters programs. I'm hoping it will be money/time wasted, but I don't want to be left with the "oh crap what do I do now????" feeling.
 
Do you all have "productive" plans for winter break? We get six full weeks and I'm a little torn between continuing to work my lab animal job, finding a class to cram in, finding a volunteer/shadowing experience I haven't had before and/or any combination of the above things. I don't think I'll go on vacation or anything (maybe, though, since my entire summer was spent in a classroom learning organic chemistry!) and want to do something both productive and fun. Thoughts/plans welcome 🙂
 
that redhead said:
Do you all have "productive" plans for winter break? We get six full weeks and I'm a little torn between continuing to work my lab animal job, finding a class to cram in, finding a volunteer/shadowing experience I haven't had before and/or any combination of the above things. I don't think I'll go on vacation or anything (maybe, though, since my entire summer was spent in a classroom learning organic chemistry!) and want to do something both productive and fun. Thoughts/plans welcome 🙂
Click to expand...

I'm going to go home and continue to volunteer at the vet clinic where I shadowed this summer =) Hopefully gain some more experiences to talk about during my interview if I get one...and if I haven't interviewed already by then, seeing as Ohio State interviews so early.
 
I don't plan to do too much fretting over the application, but here are some things I will do purposely:

1) Continue to study regularly for organic II and biochem
2) Continue to shadow/volunteer for vets ~15 hours/week through the end of the semester
3) Keep in contact with the vets I shadowed over the summer, so I can go back over winter/spring breaks and gain more experience with them
4) Eventually finish the book I started the first week of August...
5) Try to figure more of this wedding stuff out without letting my future mother-in-law make me cranky
6) Worry about which professor is teaching chemical process safety next semester (someone who actually teaches who is currently assigned to the class vs. someone who uses powerpoint ONLY who is usually assigned to the class)
7) Spend as much time as possible with my friends, because a year from now, we probably won't be seeing each other for a long long time, whether I get in or not
 
scb44f said:
I don't plan to do too much fretting over the application, but here are some things I will do purposely:

1) Continue to study regularly for organic II and biochem
2) Continue to shadow/volunteer for vets ~15 hours/week through the end of the semester
3) Keep in contact with the vets I shadowed over the summer, so I can go back over winter/spring breaks and gain more experience with them
4) Eventually finish the book I started the first week of August...
5) Try to figure more of this wedding stuff out without letting my future mother-in-law make me cranky
6) Worry about which professor is teaching chemical process safety next semester (someone who actually teaches who is currently assigned to the class vs. someone who uses powerpoint ONLY who is usually assigned to the class)
7) Spend as much time as possible with my friends, because a year from now, we probably won't be seeing each other for a long long time, whether I get in or not
Click to expand...

8) Get your stinking butt on a plane and visit heylodeb in Cali!
 
I honestly have plans for a summer trip that will include NorCal, Oregon, and Montana. I'll have to stop by Davis if I don't get an interview (*hack*hack*cough*) and uh... try and visit everyone there at once. 🙂
 
heylodeb said:
8) Get your stinking butt on a plane and visit heylodeb in Cali!
Click to expand...

Yep, that's on the list! I've never been to California, so it'd be a good experience for me, right? Ugh, I miss you guys/gals from the VIDA trip.

Can we have a reunion while we're waiting?
 
twelvetigers said:
i honestly have plans for a summer trip that will include norcal, oregon, and montana. I'll have to stop by davis if i don't get an interview (*hack*hack*cough*) and uh... Try and visit everyone there at once. 🙂
Click to expand...

do it do it!
 
turquoisewolves said:
I know its only been like a week since the VMCAS deadline. But I read Modoc: The True Story of the Greatest Elephant by Ralph Helfer....and I strongly recommend it! as just a light read about an animal's story. I really like human-animal bonding stories. Any other suggestions????
Click to expand...


Modoc!!! I've read this book 3+ times!! I have tried to do research several times to get more information about the story with no luck... but such a wonderful book...
 
I wake up and say my prayer every morning "Dear Lord, do with me what you will, just don't let me worry about my apps while I can't do anything about them." This works until I go to classes and start talking to my friends who have also applied and are waiting.

Other than that I am trying to not slack off and pull A's in my remaining undergrad classes. I am also adding some research to my resume besides the internships I have completed, and I still work at my vet assistant job.

At home I have my husband and son to care for, along with my dog and cat and a pair of peafowl, and I am learning to be a better rider for my horse.

You know, come to think of it, actually getting accepted to Vet school might finally give me somewhat of a break, lol!
 
Can we have a reunion after I become a vet? I think that's the only time I can afford to travel again... unless I win that 44 million in Friday's draw 😛
 
I applied to UF (my in-state) Tufts, Cornell, and St. Kitts.

My plan is to disappear in SE Asia until next year. I leave on thursday for singapore.
 
laitmanvet said:
Water for Elephants is a really great story and very well written.
Click to expand...

I seriously just finished that book 2 days ago, and imagine my surprise when I caught up on this thread! Awesome book!!!!

I also recently read (and loved) Scent of the Missing by Susannah Charleson. It's a non-fiction about search and rescue dog teams. Ms. Charleson's descriptions of the dogs' facial expressions and body language are great, and I found it interesting to read about dogs used in these cases.

Finally, I'd like to recommend my vacation reading book from this summer: The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wrobelwski. I have to admit that I hated the last 10-15 pages, but I was totally hooked the entire rest of the book. Again, the descriptions of the dogs (some of the chapters are even from a dog's POV) are so poignant and believeable.

Free reading... one wonderful part of being employed and not in school!
 
turquoisewolves said:
I know its only been like a week since the VMCAS deadline. But I read Modoc: The True Story of the Greatest Elephant by Ralph Helfer....and I strongly recommend it! as just a light read about an animal's story. I really like human-animal bonding stories. Any other suggestions????
Click to expand...

A MUST READ FOR ALL = "Tell Me Where It Hurts" By Dr. Trout

he also has a new book out called "Love is the Best Medicine"

He is our modern day James Herriot. Oh and if you have not read Dr. Herriots work... that is a MUST as well.

That is everyone's homework assignment. When I was working at a wildlife rehab center last summer, I read Dr. Trout's book and it really changed my mindset on my career. I was unsure if I had the time, and money, to go back to school to become a vet and thought maybe I could work with animals some other way... but then I read that book and I thought, nope, no other options... this is happening. Similar effect when I read some of James Herriot's stuff. So go pick up a copy now!

Then I read "The Road" by Cormac McCarthy (not a light read... its a post apocalyptic novel).

Taking the bus to class MWF leaves me a lot of time for reading and I love it 😀
 
Seansie-

Any reason in particular you picked singapore? Is your trip for fun or school/work? Have a great time!
 
futurevet3000 said:
A MUST READ FOR ALL = "Tell Me Where It Hurts" By Dr. Trout

he also has a new book out called "Love is the Best Medicine"
Click to expand...

👍👍

Agree 100%!

I didn't know he had a new book... soon as I get paid I'm heading to Barnes & Noble! 🙄
 
I LOVE Tell Me Where It Hurts, and a modern-day James Herriot is exactly what he is. That book is what got me interested in working in a large hospital setting. I also did not know he has a new book out; as soon as I'm finished with the one I'm currently reading I'll have to go get it.

Speaking of the book I'm currently reading, it's another one you guys might be interested in. It's called "Some We Love, Some We Hate, Some We Eat: Why it's so hard to think straight about animals." It's by Hal Herzog and it's...well it's really hard to describe. It's about the human/animal relationship and it's basically about our interactions with animals and why we feel the way we do about certain species. It's got some very interesting, sometimes very surprising facts, and it is truly thought provoking. It also manages to be funny at the same time. I'm really enjoying it.
 
OneDay81 said:
Seansie-

Any reason in particular you picked singapore? Is your trip for fun or school/work? Have a great time!
Click to expand...

Main reason: SE Asia is very cheap. I work on a contract basis, so it's important to save money in that time.
Singapore was cheaper than bangkok to fly in and out of. I'm in Detroit right now waiting on a layover to Tokyo.

Mostly fun, maybe get some cool animal experience while I'm there. I'm always looking for some adventure.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

W
Advice on what to do during the summer before vet school
Replies
6
Views
2K
VeggieTrex
VeggieTrex
H
Please help! Conflicted on what to do.
Replies
2
Views
780
havingfun1
H
R
  • Question Question
Moving during the application cycle
Replies
4
Views
783
deleted1180661
D
M
  • Locked
Why do you want to pursue a career in veterinary medicine?
Replies
3
Views
711
ThunderMuffin
T
T
What if?
Replies
12
Views
1K
supershorty
supershorty
Top