Where to go from here?

[zoeagility15]

---

Members don't see this ad.

I am currently a freshman at the University of Kentucky, majoring in biology and minoring in neuroscience and animal science. Although I am technically a freshman, I have enough credits that I will be considered a junior in the fall. I am planning on applying to veterinary school and I am trying to figure out what I should go about doing next to bolster my application. I am currently maintaining a 3.6 GPA, and while I have not yet taken the GRE, I am currently in the process of studying for it and I think I will do fairly well. I am trying to take a very rigorous course load, particularly targeting courses pertaining to anatomy and physiology. As far as experience goes, I currently work 20-30 hours a week as a veterinary assistant at a Banfield clinic, and another 10-20 as a pet sitter and dog trainer. I am a member of pre-vet club and an equine research club, and in my spare time I train and compete with my dogs in agility, obedience, and mondioring. Over the summer, I will be working 40 hours a week at a wildlife rehab facility.

From here, where should I focus my attention to make myself a competitive applicant? I am at a large research university, so I am going to try and get some research experience in the next year or so. How attractive is research experience to veterinary schools? Also, should I be trying to get community service work in there, too?

 

[Caia]

There's a current thread discussing how vet schools feel about research experience.

It wouldn't hurt to have some experience in something that doesn't have anything to do with animals or vet med. It sounds like you're pretty busy though. Having outside interests besides animals, animals, animals gives you a more well-rounded application. But other than that, some LA clinical experience would be good too.

Sounds like you're doing fine.

 

[orca2011]

I think community service is a great idea, but I will say that you should only do it because you're actually interested in it. Don't do it just because you want to impress an adcom...they'll notice that. I got involved in various service projects and they are some of my favorite and most memorable experiences from undergrad.

Also, just do a few things for you. Life isn't about your vet school application 100% of the time. Join a club or IM sport. Take a random elective like Photography or something. As Caia, mentioned, it's not just animals and vet med. Heck, I was an applicant with lower hours than most but I think my well roundness and outside activities helped me in a lot of ways.

 

[IZZY222]

I am currently a freshman at the University of Kentucky, majoring in biology and minoring in neuroscience and animal science. Although I am technically a freshman, I have enough credits that I will be considered a junior in the fall. I am planning on applying to veterinary school and I am trying to figure out what I should go about doing next to bolster my application. I am currently maintaining a 3.6 GPA, and while I have not yet taken the GRE, I am currently in the process of studying for it and I think I will do fairly well. I am trying to take a very rigorous course load, particularly targeting courses pertaining to anatomy and physiology. As far as experience goes, I currently work 20-30 hours a week as a veterinary assistant at a Banfield clinic, and another 10-20 as a pet sitter and dog trainer. I am a member of pre-vet club and an equine research club, and in my spare time I train and compete with my dogs in agility, obedience, and mondioring. Over the summer, I will be working 40 hours a week at a wildlife rehab facility.

From here, where should I focus my attention to make myself a competitive applicant? I am at a large research university, so I am going to try and get some research experience in the next year or so. How attractive is research experience to veterinary schools? Also, should I be trying to get community service work in there, too?

Have you fulfilled the pre-reqs for the schools that you are considering? I came into college (also at UK) as a freshman with 72 credits but most of mine were in Arts and History.

 

[that redhead]

From here, where should I focus my attention to make myself a competitive applicant?

Make sure that you're gaining plenty of veterinary experience, not just animal experience. Most (if not all) schools want to see some hours with a large animal vet, even if it's just a week.

As for community service, it's definitely a good thing but not if it's forced. If you find something that really speaks to you and that you enjoy, go for it. If not, don't bother. I feel like having something not related to vet med (or even animals) would be good for balance but not at the sake of grades or vet experience hours.