When is it too early to ask?

[MrCow]

I recently got a job in a vet hospital. I am very excited and one day hope to become a veterinarian, but right now I just wanna test the waters. Anyways, as I am positive this is what I want to do, I was concerned about letters of recommendation. I am not even in school, yet. Just a high school grad. But, if I get accepted into school (which would be in another state), do I ask for it before I start school or should I call up in a couple years (is that okay to do?) and ask the vet for a letter of recommendation?

Thank you!

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[Felixor90]

There's no point in asking now because the vet has to submit the letter into VMCAS whenever you apply. Sure they can type it up now and save it for later, but if they're like most evaluators, they'll wait and write/submit it at the last second. You still have plenty of time, so I wouldn't start worrying about it now. It's perfectly acceptable to call in a few years, but I would try to keep in touch with them so they don't completely forget about you. You can also shadow whenever you go home to visit.

 

[LetItSnow]

I wouldn't hesitate to talk to them about the idea, however. Just phrase it as "I'm hoping to go to vet school in a few years .... when I get to the application period, would you be willing to blah blah blah."

Might as well plant the seed now.

 

[pinkpuppy9]

If you just started, I personally would give yourself some time in the clinic before asking for a letter. I would ask before leaving to go to school, though. Calling up a doctor you may have not kept in touch with is awkward/difficult. Getting a good idea of the fact that the doctor is willing to do it now will save you some anxiety later.

With that being said, it isn't 'wrong' to ask in a few years, either. It also depends on how you feel about the veterinarian, how 'on the ball' they seem to be about things, etc. Good luck!

 

[MrCow]

And I was just curious about Colorado State University... How does the ETS PPI Report work? They want three evaluations... would I do that and the rec letter in the VCMAS? Little confused.. sorry! Thanks for all replies and future replies, though.

(If what I just wrote doesn't make sense, I will fix it later. Just got out of work and now in a hurry to go somewhere.)

 

[Kpowell14]

And I was just curious about Colorado State University... How does the ETS PPI Report work? They want three evaluations... would I do that and the rec letter in the VCMAS? Little confused.. sorry! Thanks for all replies and future replies, though.

(If what I just wrote doesn't make sense, I will fix it later. Just got out of work and now in a hurry to go somewhere.)

I would go to the CSU specific thread and ask this there. You will get a lot more info there from the people who applied to CSU.

 

[Jess Monster]

Slow down. Honestly, I would caution against you asking someone now for a reference that won't be needed for many years (it really doesn't matter what that person says now if he/she says "No" when you actually need it). Work for this clinic now. Learn what you can about vet med. Try to maintain a relationship with this clinic throughout your undergrad, if possible, then ask for the recommendation when you're ready. Hopefully by that time, you'll have a list of people who can provide a recommendation so if this one vet from years ago isn't comfortable helping you, it won't confound your plans.

Also, don't worry too much right now about highly school specific application things. The ETS-PPI is being discontinued in 2016 so, unless reinstated by ETS in the future, it's not going to apply to you. As you go through undergrad, stay informed on what the admission criteria is for each school you're interested in, those criteria do change over time.

 

[Minnerbelle]

Just let the vets know now that you're interested in going to vet school one day. That way it'll plant a seed now. They'll be more likely to teach you things, and if you're not a dud and they're not douchy, they'll likely say something along the lines of, "lemme know if you ever need anything. I'll be happy to write you a reference for another job or internship or whatever" when you leave. Then maintain that relationship while you're in school. Go visit or shadow or take some shifts during breaks. The only veterinarian references I had applying to vet school were from vets I worked with during high school. I relief tech'd for them during the first couple years of college, but that was it. And I didn't apply until I was 25. But they saw me grow over the years and wrote me amazing letters. I didn't ask in advance, but they both knew I would ask them at some point.