Why Apply Out Of State?

[rosemma]

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I am planning on applying this fall to vet school but I had a few questions. Since I have heard how hard it is to get in out of state I really see no reason in applying out of state. I figured if I got in everywhere (including my home state school) then I would choose my home state school. So I figured the only reason I would want to apply out of state would be in case I didn't get in to my state school, I would have backups. But isn't this scenario pretty much slim to none since it is easiest to get into my in state school... so why apply out of state?

 

[mistifical]

It depends on what your state school is. Some people on here have said that they were flat out rejected from their state school (no interview or anything) but still got accepted elsewhere. I'd recommend applying to at least 2 other schools that do accept large numbers of out of staters.

 

[rosemma]

so what are some schools that accept a large number of out of staters?

 

[cyrille104]

A lot of people have to apply out-of-state because they don't have a state school. I am from NJ, so I had to apply out-of-state everywhere. Also, if your state school is particularly weak in what you want to do (Tufts and food animal, for example), then that's another case when you'd apply out-of-state.

I feel like the difficulty of vet school admissions is hyped up a bit. Getting into an out-of-state that accepts a lot of out-of-staters is definitely do-able.

Edit: Just saw your question above. Penn, Tufts, Illinois, Ohio, Western, and Kansas come to mind (I'm not 100% sure about Kansas).

 

[zygote]

There was a previous thread about getting into out of state schools but not
in-state schools:
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=369169

I think it really depends on the state you live in, especially population wise. Getting into UC Davis in-state is harder than say Kansas because there is a lot more in-state competition. Kansas does take a lot of out-of-state people though.

 

[deadvet]

so what are some schools that accept a large number of out of staters?

Iowa State University accepts 40 out-of-staters.

Total class size=120
Positions for Iowans=60
Positions for Contract States (N. Dakota, S. Dakota and New Jersey)=20
Positions for Non Resident/Non Contract (out-of-staters)=40

I believe that is more than any other veterinary school.

 

[Angelo84]

I think that you are better off applying to a range of schools. Yes it is supposed to be harder to get into out of state schools. I think however if you have a strong application you will end up getting into both out of state schools and in state schools. Also your instate school may not be any cheaper than out of state schools depending on where you go-- I am a mass resident so Tufts at 35K was actually more exprensive than Cornell at 33K (those are old numbers tuition has gone up at both). When choosing schools I would look at what prereq's you have, what you want to do ( if its small animal it really doesn't matter) and then look at geography (if you care). Good luck!

 

[rosemma]

If I get into both in state and out of state, I would accept in state. Thus.. I don't see a reason in applying out of state. My in state school tuition is about half of the tuition of any other out of state school, so I don't really see a point. However, I appreciate your point of view and it is good to keep in mind. I think I will try to apply to at least two out of state just for a range, like you said.

 

[dyachei]

If I get into both in state and out of state, I would accept in state. Thus.. I don't see a reason in applying out of state. My in state school tuition is about half of the tuition of any other out of state school, so I don't really see a point. However, I appreciate your point of view and it is good to keep in mind. I think I will try to apply to at least two out of state just for a range, like you said.

Keep in mind that some state schools may have more competition than some out of state schools. If you feel like you will not go to any school but your state school, you probably should only apply to that one. Otherwise, if your state school is very competitive, you could find yourself waiting to apply again the year after. Good luck with the applying!🙂

 

[ratbandit]

I would def. have to agree with those encouraging you to apply to other schools besides your in-state. My in state (Penn) is known for accepting a lot of out of state students which is not so great for me! I didn't consider myself to be an uber competitive applicant but I basically applied to as many schools as I could afford and schools I would genuinely GO to if I was accepted and also willing to travel to interview. So far I've been waitlisted at two US schools, accepted to two international schools, and am still waiting on Penn and LSU. Anyways, long story short, apply if you have the resources and don't sell yourself short by thinking there's no point b/c its just too competitive, I'm glad I didn't (sell myself short that is)!

 

[alonepear]

I'm going to agree with everyone else, if you really want to make sure you're attending vet school as soon as possible, apply to numerous schools. If you have your heart and wallet set on in-state only, then follow your instincts.

In my case, I applied to my instate school two years in a row. They accept 62 instate, 18 out of state each year. Two years running, I've not been accepted.

On the other hand, this year I also applied to 2 out of state schools (Illinois and Mississippi, both accept a large proportion of out of staters), and was accepted to both.

Some schools weigh different parts of your application heavily. If you just happen to be deficient in what your in-state school is looking for, but on the whole are still a great candidate, it will really pay off to apply other places too!

 

[rosemma]

Well, my in state school would be Michigan State - any comments / suggestions based on that fact?

 

[Sassygirl]

If I get into both in state and out of state, I would accept in state. Thus.. I don't see a reason in applying out of state. My in state school tuition is about half of the tuition of any other out of state school, so I don't really see a point. However, I appreciate your point of view and it is good to keep in mind. I think I will try to apply to at least two out of state just for a range, like you said.

I agree with what everyone else has said but would like to add that you should check the programs at other schools. While MSU might be best for you financially, you have to make sure it will be a good fit for you personally. Plus, when you are at your interview and they ask you "Why MSU?" you want to have a better answer than "in state tuition is half the tuition of any out of state school"...

 

[JIKJen124]

My advice on MSU is to call them and pay them a visit. Despite what it may seem like with their "DO NOT CALL" re: admissions stuff once you apply, they are actually extremely nice and helpful. Now that they are done with the class of 2011, they will probably have time to sit down and chat about you, your application, and MSU. If you get a good vibe from this conversation, and you like to take chances then it might make sense to just apply there. If you don't get good vibes, you might want to apply broadly and see what happens.

I personally heard too many stories about people not getting into the school they were "supposed to", and instead getting in out of state. Because of that, even though my state school takes a large instate class, I didn't take a chance and applied broadly. It would have cost me a LOT more not to be a vet for another year than the money I spent on application fees.

 

[Max Power]

I understand where you're coming from. My state (WV) has a contract with Tuskegee, Ohio State, and Georgia. Ohio is the hardest to get into, but it was my last choice (cost, location, hated the campus, weather, plus they're just pretentious bastards IMO, sports and academics...I just don't like them). I only applied to UGA and Tuskegee, because if I got into Ohio I'd definately get into the other two. So there reallly wasn't a point.

 

[rosemma]

Yeah, I guess that's how I feel for the most part. It isn't that I don't respect a lot of the vet schools out there but I really feel like there are really only two schools I would even want to go to. I know there are many people out there that would go anywhere that accepted them and I fully understand this, but I personally feel that I have too strong of ties to be able to just get up and go to any school. So I don't think I would apply to a school when I'm sure I don't want to go. I think if I applied to the two schools I really love and would consider going and then a third that I didn't like very much and only got into the third one then I would rather try again the following year and reapply to the schools I loved. I know there would come a certain point where I would take any offer I could get but for now I think I will take my chances and see where it gets me.

 

[Sassygirl]

Yeah, I guess that's how I feel for the most part. It isn't that I don't respect a lot of the vet schools out there but I really feel like there are really only two schools I would even want to go to. I know there are many people out there that would go anywhere that accepted them and I fully understand this, but I personally feel that I have too strong of ties to be able to just get up and go to any school. So I don't think I would apply to a school when I'm sure I don't want to go. I think if I applied to the two schools I really love and would consider going and then a third that I didn't like very much and only got into the third one then I would rather try again the following year and reapply to the schools I loved. I know there would come a certain point where I would take any offer I could get but for now I think I will take my chances and see where it gets me.

Can I ask you how much effort you have put into researching other schools? I know that you probably don't mean to, but you sound a little pretentious as if you think only 2 schools are good enough for you. From my search I have discovered that there are a lot of excellent vet schools that will provide you with a great education. This is not to say that I disagree with having a strong affinity for a particular school. However, once you have done your homework on other schools, your opinon might change. When I began to research schools, I discovered that OSU (which I had not been considering that seriously) was the school for me. I just think that you should give the other schools a fair shake if you have not already. In addition, applying to vet school is not like applying to college; sometimes things don't work out the way that you planned and you have to take what you can get, especially if your grades, experience, or interview skills are shaky (not trying to imply that this applies to you btw)...

 

[Max Power]

I guess I'm different...I want as far away as possible so I can break all ties

 

[kate_g]

I think if I applied to the two schools I really love and would consider going and then a third that I didn't like very much and only got into the third one then I would rather try again the following year and reapply to the schools I loved.

If this is really true - see below - then you're better off just taking a shot and applying to the ones you really love, at least the first time. Getting in to that third school and turning it down could actually ruin your chances of getting in to your preferred schools the next year (according to some views of adcom psychology anyway, because you'll be seen as disdainful or too picky or something). So you shouldn't apply to any school you definitely would not attend.

Your chances of getting in out of state are not slim to none. Look at the acceptances thread, and see how many people are listed at multiple schools. All but one (at most) of those acceptances are out of state. The chances, just straight numbers-wise, of getting in in-state for most schools are ~10% (~100 seats, ~1000 applicants). Your chances of getting in out of state are maybe 5% depending on the school. You have at most one state school and at least 27 out-of-state schools, so you can figure out the cumulative probabilities from there.

Nobody but you can decide how strong your ties are to your current area or how much of a burden it would be to go elsewhere. It seems you're blessed with an in-state school that has tuition low enough that any out-of-state school would be more expensive. It's also a good school, one that many people choose to come to from out-of-state. Those are both really good reasons to prefer your state school. Understand that this is really not the average applicant's situation, which is why the "why bother applying out-of-state" attitude has ruffled some feathers. However, I still agree with others that you should look around a bit. Different schools have very different vibes, and you might find one that just feels right. And especially if your interests lie outside the standard small animal private practice, schools can vary a lot in terms of what kind of exposure and training they offer. Breaking (or just stretching) your ties by moving to a new area can also be exciting and empowering, though if a significant other is part of the equation then obviously you'd concentrate on areas that they'd be excited to move to as well.

 

[spikey]

my advice is to apply only to those schools that you would entertain going to. its a lot of work (not to mention money and stress) to apply and wait on schools. personally, i knew that Penn was the only place that i would go, so i only applied there. some would think it risky, but since i was out of state everywhere, it would have been just as difficult (if not more) for me to get into any other school. it paid off for me.

follow your heart, its gotten you this far. 😀

 

[mtrl1]

I have to echo some of the comments about out-of-state schools.

Unless you visit, you have NO WAY of knowing if you'd like it. One school I thought I'd really like, I didn't, and vice versa for another.

Visiting/interviewing at other schools gives you insight onto different programs/emphases/opportunities that you're not going to get otherwise.

I'm an undergrad at my in-state (Davis), and seeing other schools opened my eyes to some of the strengths and weaknesses/differences that Davis has.

Besides, the schools do take out-of-staters and SOMEBODY has to get that slot...why not you or me???

 

[rosemma]

I am REALLY sorry if I sound pretentious by saying that. I didn't mean that others weren't good for me but more the fact I just can't be that far away from home. I almost put a precautionary statement before that post because I was afraid people would take it the wrong way. Again, I am really sorry for that, I did not mean it to sound that way at all. I didn't mean that I think I am so great that I only need to apply to two places or that those two schools are the only two that are good enough for me. I doubt I will get in anywhere out of state, actually. I just meant that location is high on my list of preference because I need to be near some close family members that are going through a difficult time. Again, sorry for sounding rude or coming off as "too good" for anything. I definitely have respect for every vet school and if the situation allowed, I would be more than happy to go ANYWHERE and feel more than honored.

 

[AuburnPreVet]

OP - I see exactly where you are coming from. In fact, I'm in your same situation. I've applied this year, ONLY to my in-state school. I did so for a number of reasons (I own a home directly across the street from my in-state school - walking distance, I know many of the students/staff and feel I'd be a fit for the school, in-state tuition, etc etc).

To me I made the decision knowing that I may not get into my in-state school, which would leave me without any other options, since I didn't apply anywhere else... but for me that risk was worth it. (I'll find out next week if I've gotten into my in-state school, or if I'll have to re-apply)... If there becomes a 2nd admissions cycle for me, I will (of course) re-apply to my state school, but also plan to apply broadly to schools accepting a large number of out-of-staters.