Worried about transcripts

[combatbootsvet]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Hi there! I am currently serving in the Army and one of the few future vets that want to stay in the military. I am concerned about my college transcripts from when I was young and dumb before I joined the military. My first two schools I had terrible grades due to working 3 jobs to keep my mom and sister off the streets. I finally had to quit school and joined the Army. After deploying to Iraq and finally getting back on track, I am so close to full filling my Vet school dreams. Only thing is I’m worried these old bad transcripts from the past will ruin my chances at getting in. I have a great GPA and grades now in the bachelors I am receiving; I just don’t know what to think about those old grades. Any advice? Anyone had this same problem? Am I really doomed not to get accepted?

 

[dovelover]

Depending on how long ago those grades were, some schools have policies where they don't look at courses older than X number of years. You'd have to research each school individually though. You can also look for schools that put a heavier emphasis on science/last 45 GPAs than cumulative.

Also, depending on just how bad the grades are you can explain them in the explanation statement, as long as you are careful to make it seem like you've learned from the experience and are not just making excuses. You could even weave the story into your personal statement if it related at all to the development of your interest in vet med.

Good experiences can help to make up for bad GPAs. I don't know how your vet experience is, but having served in the military (and planning on continuing) is a definite plus to your application.

Try posting your stats in the "What are my chances" thread (it's a sticky up at the top of the forum). We can give you better advice if we know exactly what we're dealing with!

 

[that redhead]

Hi there! I am currently serving in the Army and one of the few future vets that want to stay in the military. I am concerned about my college transcripts from when I was young and dumb before I joined the military. My first two schools I had terrible grades due to working 3 jobs to keep my mom and sister off the streets. I finally had to quit school and joined the Army. After deploying to Iraq and finally getting back on track, I am so close to full filling my Vet school dreams. Only thing is I’m worried these old bad transcripts from the past will ruin my chances at getting in. I have a great GPA and grades now in the bachelors I am receiving; I just don’t know what to think about those old grades. Any advice? Anyone had this same problem? Am I really doomed not to get accepted?

Even if the school didn't have "expiration dates" for classes, if a decent amount of time has passed and your newer grades are much better, I think you can easily explain this in an explanation statement or even your PS (if it fits into the overall theme) and they wouldn't mind as much.

 

[LetItSnow]

Only thing is I'm worried these old bad transcripts from the past will ruin my chances at getting in. I have a great GPA and grades now in the bachelors I am receiving; I just don't know what to think about those old grades. Any advice? Anyone had this same problem? Am I really doomed not to get accepted?

If I can submit a transcript from UMN with a GPA of 0.0 to UMN CVM and get accepted ..... you can overcome whatever your transcripts say.

 

[primatevetjess]

Since you say that your current grades and GPA are great, I don't think you have too much to worry about. I started college young and immature, and subsequently had pretty poor grades. I dropped out after about a year and a half. After about six years of doing nothing, I went back and worked hard and got really great grades. My cumulative GPA was not spectacular because of the old grades, but my last 45 GPA was really good. Plus, I was told by admissions before I applied to UC Davis that they really like to see an upward trend and that you've improved. I didn't even include an explanation statement, and I got accepted to 3 veterinary schools 🙂

 

[combatbootsvet]

Thank you guys so much for your words! It helps me feel better that it wont be such an issue since the grades are almost 10 years old. Confidence restored somewhat lol 😀

 

[bcr0214]

Nothing to add to those above, but I wanted to extend a sincere thank you for your service to our country!

 

[Psorophoraferox]

If you haven't already, check the successful applicants thread from this year and previous years. Lots of us (myself included) have been accepted with low early GPAs. 🙂 I second researching schools & what they focus on for applicants.