Class of 2017.... how you doin?

[Abnerrs]

I applied for graduation yesterday. I'm terrified.

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[deleted498041]

I applied for graduation yesterday. I'm terrified.

Oh crap. Am I supposed to do that? I ordered my cap and gown...

 

[Abnerrs]

 

[Kpowell14]

Guys, today I finished my last rotation of vet school!!! I'm so excited to have a little bit of freedom! (Except I am going to be helping with a couple research projects and hopefully writing papers, but it beats the long days and nights of clinics!) 70 days until graduation!!

 

[genny]

I have five more weeks of rotations left, and I still don't have a job. I'm getting antsy. So many of my classmates have posted on FB about the fabulous places they're going to be working, and I've got nothing to share.

 

[deleted498041]

I have five more weeks of rotations left, and I still don't have a job. I'm getting antsy. So many of my classmates have posted on FB about the fabulous places they're going to be working, and I've got nothing to share.

Tons of my classmates still don't have jobs. You're going to be fine

 

[cowgirla]

I have five more weeks of rotations left, and I still don't have a job. I'm getting antsy. So many of my classmates have posted on FB about the fabulous places they're going to be working, and I've got nothing to share.

Wait for the right fit. Turn down crappy offers that you consider just for the sake of having something lined up. You'll thank yourself later.
I didn't even have a phone interview with my current clinic until after graduation. Interviewed in June, started working in July. Still there almost three years later, when many many classmates of mine are on their 3rd+ job.

The "break" between school and work was a bit stressful but also mostly amazing and relaxing and worth it.

 

[HorsesRLife]

Yep, definitely don't have a job yet. Hoping my next preceptor turns into something. Trying to not stress about it cause I know I'm not the only one.

 

[Abnerrs]

I have an offer but I don't love it. I'm countering and prepared to walk

 

[DVMDream]

I have five more weeks of rotations left, and I still don't have a job. I'm getting antsy. So many of my classmates have posted on FB about the fabulous places they're going to be working, and I've got nothing to share.

I didn't have a job finalized until end of March/beginning of April.

 

[Trilt]

I took the summer off and didn't start until July/August... it was fantastic and I like my job. Unlike several of my classmates.

 

[DVMDream]

I took the summer off and didn't start until July/August... it was fantastic and I like my job. Unlike several of my classmates.

I did similar but since I completed my rotations in March...I had March through June off...it was fantastic.

Had one classmate ridicule me for taking that time off.. "Why would you do that? You can't work yet? I'd be so bored."

I told her, "well, I'm not you and after 11 years in this field, I know what burn out is, taking time off is good for you and I'm looking forward to it."

 

[psilovethomas]

Don't worry about not having a job yet. I was that person last year- I wanted to have a job and contract signed before I graduated. And I had restricted myself to a very small town in the middle of nowhere. And it all worked out. (Kinda, I am leaving in a few months- for many reasons, including my fiance matching elsewhere). It will all works out and everything happens for a reason. Trust me.

 

[Trilt]

I did similar but since I completed my rotations in March...I had March through June off...it was fantastic.

Had one classmate ridicule me for taking that time off.. "Why would you do that? You can't work yet? I'd be so bored."

I told her, "well, I'm not you and after 11 years in this field, I know what burn out is, taking time off is good for you and I'm looking forward to it."

Some people don't know when to keep their mouths shut, ha. I visited family and went to universal studios and sometimes laid on the couch in undies all day and it was fantastic. Volunteered a little, poked around on vin for fun, drew for fun for the first time in ages. I have so many classmates who basically went straight to work and my way was much nicer on the soul.

 

[deleted498041]

Some people don't know when to keep their mouths shut, ha. I visited family and went to universal studios and sometimes laid on the couch in undies all day and it was fantastic. Volunteered a little, poked around on vin for fun, drew for fun for the first time in ages. I have so many classmates who basically went straight to work and my way was much nicer on the soul.

I finish rotations the first week of April and have off until I start my internship in June and classmates are giving me crap about that amount of time. What they don't know is that the time off is awarding me the opportunity to go home for the first time since my grandmother died and spend time with my family. Everyone ends up at their first job eventually, and for different reasons.

 

[JaynaAli]

I finish rotations the first week of April and have off until I start my internship in June and classmates are giving me crap about that amount of time. What they don't know is that the time off is awarding me the opportunity to go home for the first time since my grandmother died and spend time with my family. Everyone ends up at their first job eventually, and for different reasons.

I finished rotations at school in February and spent the final 3 rotations of vet school on preceptorships at clinics I worked for previously at home (so super relaxed) and the last month specifically on my vacation rotation. Then there was about a month between graduation and the start of my internship. I wouldn't have changed it for anything. It was so nice to have time for yourself and to see your family and friends before starting intern craziness. Cherish it and tell them to shut up.

 

[Filly Bay]

I'm really thankful for the 2 months I'll have off from the end of clinics to when I start my internship. Already have travels plans for a couple of the weeks and plans to sit on my butt and do nothing as well. Its going to be great.

 

[Abnerrs]

Is it... Is it time to make a whole new set of goals...?

 

[nyanko]

Just don't be like me. I played in an inline hockey ironwoman tournament the day after graduating from vet school and broke my ankle and had to move across the country and start my internship 10 days after having surgery to repair it.

 

[allieh8607]

Dealing with a nice hefty bout of imposter syndrome. Can't make myself apply for any jobs because I am just terrified that I'll get to interviews and these people will see right through me. I still feel so dumb...I'm not ready.

 

[Kpowell14]

Have those of you going into an internship decided what loan repayment option you are going to pick?

And does anyone know if you choose an income based plan if you can switch it to a standard plan after a year?

I'm not dead set on specializing so if I choose to go into the normal workforce after my internship I'd like to just change to a normal repayment plan but I haven't found anywhere that you can just switch it.

 

[KCgophervet]

Have those of you going into an internship decided what loan repayment option you are going to pick?

And does anyone know if you choose an income based plan if you can switch it to a standard plan after a year?

I'm not dead set on specializing so if I choose to go into the normal workforce after my internship I'd like to just change to a normal repayment plan but I haven't found anywhere that you can just switch it.

You have to apply every year for the income based (guessing to update your income), so I assume it'd be simple to switch back to standard.

 

[JaynaAli]

PAYE and REPAYE are usually the most beneficial for interns/residents because they're the lowest percentage of your income. REPAYE has an interest subsidy if your payments are less than the interest that accumulates each month but there also isn't a cap on payments in the future (it's always a set % of your income no matter how much you make)...with PAYE and IBR if your income is such that the % of your income you need to pay exceeds the standard 10 year amount, you just pay the 10 year amount. With REPAYE there is no such cap but in theory your income will be more anyway so you shouldn't have too hard of a time making that payment.

Yes, you can change plans at any time. The loan servicers seem to prefer you do it at your annual renewal time but you can change when you want if you are adamant with them. Even when you are on an income based plan you can make extra payments. My current plan after residency is to stay on an income driven plan to keep my payments lower, try to pay closer to the 10 year amount (or more) each month if possible, but that way if I have an emergency arise and need extra cash each month I can get by with paying less. It's a trade-off that I have to recertify the income driven plan each year but it really isn't that hard. For someone who has loan amounts high enough that they'll hit forgiveness it often doesn't make as much sense to pay extra though...better to just save that money for the tax on forgiveness at the end.

 

[deleted498041]

Have those of you going into an internship decided what loan repayment option you are going to pick?

And does anyone know if you choose an income based plan if you can switch it to a standard plan after a year?

I'm not dead set on specializing so if I choose to go into the normal workforce after my internship I'd like to just change to a normal repayment plan but I haven't found anywhere that you can just switch it.

Yes. I actually posted on VIN about it and got some great advice from Tony. I'm going to be doing REPAYE and applying for PSLF (which may never come to fruition, but might as well give it a shot!). I'm also going to forgo the six month grace period and request to begin payments immediately after graduation in order to avoid another couple thousand in interest since my payments for the first year, and likely the second will be 0. At the 20 year mark, I'll likely switch to PAYE, at which point it'll capitalize, I'll be at the end of my repayment, and pay my "tax bomb."

The question that I haven't figured out yet was the possibility of getting kicked off a plan for making too much. Where I'm at now, one of the clinicians is being kicked off of her plan because she finished her residency and is now a specialist and making too much. I don't know what plan she's on, and haven't asked. I was under the impression that you were on REPAYE and PAYE essentially until the payment period concluded and couldn't be kicked off for making too much money. I thought that was one of the downfalls: if you made too much money, your payment had the potential to exceed your 10 year standard repayment on REPAYE. Does anyone have any knowledge of this situation?

 

[JaynaAli]

My understanding is that with PAYE, as long as you had a 'financial hardship' when you first applied, as long as you keep recertifying you aren't technically 'kicked off' but your payments will rise to the point where they are at your 10-year amount. At that point why keep going through the hassle of recertifying and sending them your tax info if your payments are the same as standard and you're not going to hit forgiveness anyway. Now, I believe if you fail to recertify on time each year or are trying to change to a different income-driven plan, you must still have the financial hardship...and a specialist may no longer have that. But like you, I thought once you were on it as long as you keep jumping through their hoops you could stay. For REPAYE, you aren't ever kicked off that I know of...it's just always 10% of your disposable income. So if your income is 50,000 a month you're going to have to pay 5,000 on REPAYE even if your ten-year plan amount is closer to 2-3k. I believe REPAYE also takes your spouse's income into account even if you file separately, which is a benefit for some and a downfall for others. I haven't read a lot about that aspect because it doesn't matter to me.

Also there is a 0.25% interest deduction if you sign up for auto-pay. You can even sign up for it and get it if your payment is zero. I didn't know about that until almost a year out.

 

[that redhead]

Just don't be like me. I played in an inline hockey ironwoman tournament the day after graduating from vet school and broke my ankle and had to move across the country and start my internship 10 days after having surgery to repair it.

Ha! I tripped over my parents' dog one night in the kitchen and thought I broke my arm like 2 weeks before starting Thank goodness it was not in fact broken, but I was definitely waiting for my rads like oh jeez they're going to fire me because I won't be able to do jack...

 

[Kpowell14]

I'm also going to forgo the six month grace period and request to begin payments immediately after graduation in order to avoid another couple thousand in interest since my payments for the first year, and likely the second will be 0.

Don't our loans gain interest even during repayment? I guess I'm confused on how this will help you.. but interested to know more!

 

[cowgirla]

Don't our loans gain interest even during repayment? I guess I'm confused on how this will help you.. but interested to know more!

It sets the clock on loan forgiveness - 20 years comes "faster" when you start paying in May vs December. If your loan payment is low or 0 may be worth going ahead and getting things started so the countdown starts.

 

[JaynaAli]

Don't our loans gain interest even during repayment? I guess I'm confused on how this will help you.. but interested to know more!

Yes your loans gain interest during repayment, but interest you accumulate during your 6 month grace period capitalizes when you come out of grace and actually enter repayment. So by consolidating her loans a few days to a couple weeks after graduation, she can waive her grace period, enter repayment (at a '0' payment), and it prevents adding several thousand to her principal (and thus earning as much interest on interest). For someone who has lots of loans that could be a decent savings over the life of an income-driven repayment plan. Plus what cowgirla said, definitely.

 

[deleted498041]

My understanding is that with PAYE, as long as you had a 'financial hardship' when you first applied, as long as you keep recertifying you aren't technically 'kicked off' but your payments will rise to the point where they are at your 10-year amount. At that point why keep going through the hassle of recertifying and sending them your tax info if your payments are the same as standard and you're not going to hit forgiveness anyway. Now, I believe if you fail to recertify on time each year or are trying to change to a different income-driven plan, you must still have the financial hardship...and a specialist may no longer have that. But like you, I thought once you were on it as long as you keep jumping through their hoops you could stay. For REPAYE, you aren't ever kicked off that I know of...it's just always 10% of your disposable income. So if your income is 50,000 a month you're going to have to pay 5,000 on REPAYE even if your ten-year plan amount is closer to 2-3k. I believe REPAYE also takes your spouse's income into account even if you file separately, which is a benefit for some and a downfall for others. I haven't read a lot about that aspect because it doesn't matter to me.

Also there is a 0.25% interest deduction if you sign up for auto-pay. You can even sign up for it and get it if your payment is zero. I didn't know about that until almost a year out.

Okay cool, that sounds like basically what my perceptions where. You're right about how REPAYE requires you to take your spouse's income into consideration but that isn't a consideration for me so it doesn't really matter.

Tony told me you can do the auto-pay even if your payment is zero! So I'm signing up for that as well, as soon as I can. I finish rotations in a week and a half but don't graduate until May and I wish I could just file to start payments now

Don't our loans gain interest even during repayment? I guess I'm confused on how this will help you.. but interested to know more!

What everyone else said is right I go to an expensive school (look at tuition as your deciding factor, any pre-vet kids reading this! I could have gone to a way cheaper school...) and so entering repayment early will really help me over the entire repayment period.

 

[DVMDream]

It sets the clock on loan forgiveness - 20 years comes "faster" when you start paying in May vs December. If your loan payment is low or 0 may be worth going ahead and getting things started so the countdown starts.

Damn it, I should have thought of this.

 

[Filly Bay]

I am so lost in this loan repayment business We have someone coming to talk to us April 3rd but I'm not sure if I can make it with clinics (its at 5:30 pm) and I have a hold on my account until I choose which plan I want.

 

[allygator13]

Do any of you guys know of a vet school that offers an Advanced Diagnostic Imaging rotation elective? Tennessee had one that focused on MRI and CT, but I just learned today that they aren't offering it starting this coming clinical year That was one of the main reasons I chose that school for fourth year so I'm pretty disappointed they aren't offering it for us. I'm trying to find something similar at another school that I could potentially use as an externship if it exists somewhere. Thanks!

 

[deleted498041]

Do any of you guys know of a vet school that offers an Advanced Diagnostic Imaging rotation elective? Tennessee had one that focused on MRI and CT, but I just learned today that they aren't offering it starting this coming clinical year That was one of the main reasons I chose that school for fourth year so I'm pretty disappointed they aren't offering it for us. I'm trying to find something similar at another school that I could potentially use as an externship if it exists somewhere. Thanks!

Probably not what you're looking for, but I was told to pursue a neuro rotation for the advanced imaging component. That being said, where I'm doing my radiology rotation at has had insane amounts of MRI/CT/fluoro/etc. I knew they'd have some, but man have I lucked out!

 

[allygator13]

Probably not what you're looking for, but I was told to pursue a neuro rotation for the advanced imaging component. That being said, where I'm doing my radiology rotation at has had insane amounts of MRI/CT/fluoro/etc. I knew they'd have some, but man have I lucked out!

Thanks! I definitely have neuro on my list of selectives pretty high up! Not only for the imaging but also just because I think it's cool Can I ask where you're doing your radiology rotation?

 

[deleted498041]

Thanks! I definitely have neuro on my list of selectives pretty high up! Not only for the imaging but also just because I think it's cool Can I ask where you're doing your radiology rotation?

I'll PM you.

 

[hedgiehog]

I just have three days of anesthesia to make up next week then I'm finished with my required rotations! I still have Humane Alliance but that's just for fun

 

[Trilt]

I just have three days of anesthesia to make up next week then I'm finished with my required rotations! I still have Humane Alliance but that's just for fun

you're going to have suuuccchhh a great time. I loved Humane Alliance. Get the lunches.

 

[allygator13]

Hey soon-to-be doctors! I have another question Trying to decide on vacation time... I'll definitely be applying for internships but not sure where yet. Is there a timeframe in winter that I should consider requesting off for potential interviews?

 

[Kpowell14]

Hey soon-to-be doctors! I have another question Trying to decide on vacation time... I'll definitely be applying for internships but not sure where yet. Is there a timeframe in winter that I should consider requesting off for potential interviews?

Rank order lists are due in late January (this past cycle the 20th for applicants and 27th for programs). I'd say anytime after news years until mid-January would be ideal. Also, keep in mind that most academic institutions don't interview so if you are wanting to do an academic internship it won't matter as much. Ohio and Tennessee hosted days where applicants could visit Ohio (dec. 15th) UTK (Nov 18th) but it wasn't required for people who applied.

 

[deleted498041]

Hey soon-to-be doctors! I have another question Trying to decide on vacation time... I'll definitely be applying for internships but not sure where yet. Is there a timeframe in winter that I should consider requesting off for potential interviews?

When do you have to decide on your vacation time? I planned on doing all of my interviews in November and planned my vacation time around that and NAVLE and a bunch of places actually shifted their interview dates from what was on VIRMP from the previous year so I ended up doing all of them in December. A lot of places will allow you the opportunity to do Skype/phone interviews. I think I did 50/50 as far as in person and Skype/phone, excluding the universities I applied to.

 

[allygator13]

When do you have to decide on your vacation time? I planned on doing all of my interviews in November and planned my vacation time around that and NAVLE and a bunch of places actually shifted their interview dates from what was on VIRMP from the previous year so I ended up doing all of them in December. A lot of places will allow you the opportunity to do Skype/phone interviews. I think I did 50/50 as far as in person and Skype/phone, excluding the universities I applied to.

All my preferences for 4th year scheduling are due April 3rd. That's great to hear that a lot of places give the option of doing interviews over Skype or phone! I'll keep thinking about it. Thanks for the response! And @Kpowell14 thank you too!

 

[KCgophervet]

Hey soon-to-be doctors! I have another question Trying to decide on vacation time... I'll definitely be applying for internships but not sure where yet. Is there a timeframe in winter that I should consider requesting off for potential interviews?

Just in addition, as many internships don't interview it's not a terrible idea to schedule externships at places you're interested in before match results so you can check out the place and they can check you out as well.

Sent from my Nexus 5X using SDN mobile

 

[allygator13]

Just in addition, as many internships don't interview it's not a terrible idea to schedule externships at places you're interested in before match results so you can check out the place and they can check you out as well.

Sent from my Nexus 5X using SDN mobile

Unfortunately I only get 6-7 weeks of externship at UTK, and I plan on using them to do radiology-related things so I don't think I'll really be able to visit potential internship sites

 

[deleted498041]

I just got my benefits package and I don't understand any of it. Adulting is hard.

 

[Coopah]

I just got my benefits package and I don't understand any of it. Adulting is hard.

Benefits are the one thing I like to think I know well. PM me and I can help answer any questions you might have. Especially things like high deductible medical insurance vs ppo and similar. Also 401k is my shiz.

 

[deleted498041]

Last day of vet school was today. I'm actually done. Now I just have to actually graduate. Holy moly.

 

[Filly Bay]

2 more 2 week rotations to go....one I'm super excited for and one I'm dreading (I'll let you guys assume which is which )

 

[WeimMama]

If anyone in here either is in clinics or recently has gone through clinics at any of these schools, and is willing to answer some questions, holla at me:

Auburn, Iowa, Mizzou, Kansas, Texas A&M

 

[epivetlove]

I could maybe answer some questions about A&M. I've been through a few services as third year, but I've gathered up a lot of information about clinics in the past two weeks...granted, I'm tracking alternative, but I could give you info on all the core rotations.