Do's and Don'ts of Applying to Vet School

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Hi Everyone! I have a question about the applying and interviewing. I've worked at a small animal practice for a year now and really love it, but do not think I want to do private practice as a career in the future...

I'm sure I will find a path in the vet field I love but am not sure what exact field--research, industry, public health, clinical. Really not sure. If I said that "I'm not sure" (in better words) during a vet school interview, would it look bad/be looked down upon by the admissions committee perspective? Or is this okay and understood because vets have told me that nearly everyone changes what they want to do during vet school. I know the interviewers ask things like what is your plan after vet school or where do you want to be in ten years. Any advice or insight?

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Hi Everyone! I have a question about the applying and interviewing. I have a few interviews coming up. I've worked at a small animal practice for a year now and really love it, but do not think I want to do private practice as a career in the future...

I'm sure I will find a path in the vet field I love but am not sure what exact field--research, industry, public health, clinical. Really not sure. If I said that "I'm not sure" (in better words) during a vet school interview, would it look bad/be looked down upon by the admissions committee perspective? Or is this okay and understood because vets have told me that nearly everyone changes what they want to do during vet school. I know the interviewers ask things like what is your plan after vet school or where do you want to be in ten years. Any advice or insight?
I think it's totally ok to say you aren't sure and that you plan on using your years at vet school to gain experience in different areas to help you determine what you ultimately want to do. Maybe pick 2-3 areas that you know interest you and explain why.
 
Okay, thanks Jilary. That makes sense and is definitely something I can do. Penn is my first choice btw! :)
 
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Hi Everyone! I have a question about the applying and interviewing. I have a few interviews coming up. I've worked at a small animal practice for a year now and really love it, but do not think I want to do private practice as a career in the future...

I'm sure I will find a path in the vet field I love but am not sure what exact field--research, industry, public health, clinical. Really not sure. If I said that "I'm not sure" (in better words) during a vet school interview, would it look bad/be looked down upon by the admissions committee perspective? Or is this okay and understood because vets have told me that nearly everyone changes what they want to do during vet school. I know the interviewers ask things like what is your plan after vet school or where do you want to be in ten years. Any advice or insight?
I wouldn't say that you're not interested in private practice without having experience elsewhere.

Just say that you have an open mind about other avenues in vet med, and would like to consider other fields before deciding. But don't say you don't want to do the only thing you have experience in. Otherwise it makes you sound very ignorant:

"Where do you see yourself in 10 years?"

"I dunno. I don't think I want to be a small animal private practitioner based on my experiences."

"Well what do you want to do?"

"I dunno. Maybe x, y, z?"

"Do you know what those people do?"

"Nope. But I'm sure I'll find something I love"
 
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That's definitely a better way of saying it and also looking at it. Thank you for pointing that out. I guess I really can't rule out private practice either..Who knows where I will be in 4 years. Have you found that it's common or pretty rare that someone goes into veterinary school and has several interests but really doesn't know which area they would like to pursue?
 
If you ask a classroom full of first years, a third of them will raise their hands and say they want to do exotics/zoo/wildlife. Maybe only 1 actually will. There are a ton of people who think they know what they want to do, and they decide on something totally different down the line. Some people just don't really know.

There's a fine line between having several interests and not having any particular interest at all. Or just not having enough experiences to have an idea. Tomaytoes tomahtoes.

Though having several interests I think would imply that you actually have some experiences in the things you're interested in. Otherwise how do you even know you're interested?
 
Hmmm thats good to know.

In college, I interned in a lab. I enjoyed parts of it (brainstorm about a topic, and applying classroom knowledge) but not other parts (slow-paced, repetitive pipetting, article reading).

I shadowed the vets who take care of the animals at a research center. I realize the importance of it but I wouldn't want to work caring for research animals for several reasons. My own personal goals. Also, I had to read research articles for a course and just felt like I wasn't following the material and like it was really dense. Maybe if I had a good foundation and hands on application, I could enjoy reading articles but I haven't actually confirmed that thought yet.

I always felt strongly for shelter animals. I thought that it would be a satisfying career to be a veterinarian working in a shelter. I know financially it may be hard. Then, I shadowed a vet in an animal shelter and it didn't feel all that satisfying-- it was spay day and I observed cats going in and out, back in the carriers, eventually to be put back outside. I totally logically understand that this is a good cause. Maybe I would like to do this in the future but, for now, as for a daily occupation, it emotionally didn't seem satisfying for a few reasons. I think if I learned more, I could help in some way and enjoy it.

One vet I did shadow whose life I thought was pretty exciting--a large animal vet who worked on a variety of animals. However, I didn't grow up around horses and farm animals so I'm not sure this is an option for me.

I do get to work with exotic animals at my vet. But...haven't ruled this out or in as a career.

I shadowed a veterinary specialist and really enjoyed what I learned. I thought it was really interesting. I was offered a job there but opted to work at my current place. I though, as a vet tech, it might be more interesting to see a variety of issues rather than all related to one specialty. So, specialty is an option but I know the path is extremely selective.

I also enjoy computer programming and statistics too. I realize it seems like I've ruled out a lot of things, but I like to think of it as I've figured out what I like and don't like, as well as different career options, and can piece together what I like and find a career there...hopefully. I'll focus on the positive of the experiences for interviews.

Anyway, that is basically my story as it pertains to the whole vet exploration. Many vets have always known they wanted to be vets. For me, it's hard to imagine if I'll like a job unless I'm in it day to day. If you, Minnerbelle, (or anyone else) have any other honest advice or insight or can relate or not, please share!!
 
I have to be blunt. It sounds like you are seeing things from the perspective of what is a fun experience for an undergraduate shadow/intern, NOT the actual veterinarian. From your description of your experiences and thought processes, it really makes me question whether or not you understand what a veterinarian actually does/thinks about.

For instance, you need to realize that all the things you describe about you liked/didn't like in a lab is like totally irrelevant to what a scientist actually does. Same thing with the lab animal and shelter medicine examples you gave.

What YOU experience day to day NOW is nothing like what you will experience day to day as a veterinarian. You really need to figure that out.
 
Thanks I appreciate your honesty. You're right, I was looking at it from my point of view in those settings. I can write down what the veterinarians do for the small animal vets, large animal vet, specialty, shelter animals, lesser so research vets. Is the below the sort of thing you meant? If so, I guess my challenge is being able to put myself in the vet's shoes, rather than just knowing what they do. I find it hard to imagine if I'm not actually doing the job. I didn't take anatomy/physiology in college, but I started an online course last month and it has made it easier to relate to the vet and understand his everyday thinking. Now, I have some insight into puzzles that he must be working with in his head.

For example, (one task day to day), the small animal vet sees a client with a dog and, upon seeing the dog, gains some initial insight. The vet speaks with the client and gains further evidence-- must pick apart and consider what is important/relevant, making sure to be sensitive to the client's concerns. Based on what the client says, the vet makes connections to what they know about how the body works to make a general list of possible diagnoses. The vet uses the physical to gain further evidence to fill in the puzzle. For example, a painful abdomen upon touch--how does this fit into what the client says and what the vet sees? Next, the vet needs to build a basic database of what's going on with the pet. What is a common diagnoses for this species, breed, age, signs? What can be ruled out with affordable tests? The vet works with the client, offering information for the client to make the best decision possible. Given these test results, the vet works with the numbers and signs to understand what is going on with the kidneys, liver, etc. If everything is done that he can do and no definitive diagnoses is reached, he can offer supportive care, leave alone for now, refer to a specialist, run further tests to let the client know options. Vet has to explain in a helpful, sensitive, clear, patient manner.

I can easily imagine speaking with a client about everything because...I have experience speaking with clients and talking to people in general. However, I haven't personally done the problem-solving of diagnoses in the veterinary field based on my in-depth knowledge of medicine. Because I'm not a vet, so I don't have the same responsibilities as a vet? I like other problem solving though and piecing evidence together to solve a puzzle.
 
Hi... I was kind of hesitant to post this but, from someone who went through the interview process before, how many interviews is a good number to go to? Is there such a thing as too many/excessive? For people who got several invitations, is your plan basically to go to all of them until you get into one of your top choices? I'm a bit stressed out/uncertain because financially its adding up to go to them all (even though I know vet school will cost a lot but that's later...). It's like $500 per visit since I have to fly. However, I feel like I should go to all of them until I get into one at least. But I won't find out from one basically until I have to go to all of the interviews. It's not that I think I have bad interview skills. Say hypothetically I turned one down then I didn't get into any of the remaining ones. I would feel like an idiot. I'm not sure there is any answer to this question but I was just wondering if anyone has any tips that maybe I didn't consider....
 
Hi... I was kind of hesitant to post this but, from someone who went through the interview process before, how many interviews is a good number to go to? Is there such a thing as too many/excessive? For people who got several invitations, is your plan basically to go to all of them until you get into one of your top choices? I'm a bit stressed out/uncertain because financially its adding up to go to them all (even though I know vet school will cost a lot but that's later...). It's like $500 per visit since I have to fly. However, I feel like I should go to all of them until I get into one at least. But I won't find out from one basically until I have to go to all of the interviews. It's not that I think I have bad interview skills. Say hypothetically I turned one down then I didn't get into any of the remaining ones. I would feel like an idiot. I'm not sure there is any answer to this question but I was just wondering if anyone has any tips that maybe I didn't consider....
My friend and I basically did exactly what you said which was to go on interviews until being accepted into a school we really liked and then cancelled any that we knew we wouldn't really prefer to go to. But it's hard when you won't know until afterwards in which case it seems like going on the interviews is the only option and just trying to minimize the cost as much as possible.
 
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Hi... I was kind of hesitant to post this but, from someone who went through the interview process before, how many interviews is a good number to go to? Is there such a thing as too many/excessive? For people who got several invitations, is your plan basically to go to all of them until you get into one of your top choices? I'm a bit stressed out/uncertain because financially its adding up to go to them all (even though I know vet school will cost a lot but that's later...). It's like $500 per visit since I have to fly. However, I feel like I should go to all of them until I get into one at least. But I won't find out from one basically until I have to go to all of the interviews. It's not that I think I have bad interview skills. Say hypothetically I turned one down then I didn't get into any of the remaining ones. I would feel like an idiot. I'm not sure there is any answer to this question but I was just wondering if anyone has any tips that maybe I didn't consider....

It's a tough balance to have. When I chose where I applied, I kept in mind that I might have to go to upwards of six interviews and planned ahead for that. I planned on saving x amount of dollars per paycheck just in case. It really comes down to how many interviews you have and where you're located. Also, I'm willing to take the absolute cheapest hotel/flight/drive/whatever. If it's cheaper to drive 8 hours the day before over fly, I'm going to drive the 8 hours.
 
Hi Everyone! I have a question about the applying and interviewing. I've worked at a small animal practice for a year now and really love it, but do not think I want to do private practice as a career in the future...

I'm sure I will find a path in the vet field I love but am not sure what exact field--research, industry, public health, clinical. Really not sure. If I said that "I'm not sure" (in better words) during a vet school interview, would it look bad/be looked down upon by the admissions committee perspective? Or is this okay and understood because vets have told me that nearly everyone changes what they want to do during vet school. I know the interviewers ask things like what is your plan after vet school or where do you want to be in ten years. Any advice or insight?

I've applied this year to vet school as a second career. I found it nice to hear someone else isn't dead set on one thing. I'm also not exactly sure what I want to do and having picked something from the beginning and stuck with it (through a masters and 5-6 years of work experience) only to realize it wasn't for me, I refuse to pick one thing prior to attending. Do what you love and you'll find success in that. I have very little experience (the absolute minimum for application) due to my current career, so I know having an open mind and taking it all in will be my number one priority when I get there.

I spent a lot of my experience hours asking questions about the path the Vet chose, if the current path was the chosen one, likes and dislikes, how vet school changed what they wanted to be, and most importantly regrets. I encountered a number of vets who didn't have a positive answer to the question, "If you could do it all over today, would you?" Most of the negative answers seemed to center around the ever growing debt to income ratio for the field. Keep your future finances in mind when accepting an admission offer. The vets that had positive answers were the ones that had their finances figured out and who truly loved the profession. They weren't bitter and it showed in their work. So much so, that I was able to predict the answer to the question before I asked it. Anyway, just my limited 2-cents.
 
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These are just some general tips based on my experience/things I wish I'd done differently, since my post in the successful applicants thread was already really long, and I didn't want to get too preachy in that thread.

1. Start getting vet experience early, and get diverse experiences if at all possible. During undergrad I only shadowed/worked at a vet clinic during the summers before my junior and senior years, so I only had about ~250 vet hours and 32 animal hours at the time of my first application. Big mistake. I also only have SA experience and some exotics, which is my area of interest, but Mizzou (my IS) really values diversity of experiences, so that hurt me in applying there. You obviously can get accepted without LA experience, but it really helps to have it, and I honestly could have tried a lot harder to get it.
2. If you have to retake a class, especially a pre-req, make damn sure you do better the second time. I discussed the mess that was me and organic chemistry in the other thread, so I won't rehash it here, but yeah.
3. Ask your LOR writers for letters early, and stay on top of them to make sure they get it done. Asking people for recommendations gives me tons of anxiety, so I put it off as much as possible each time. But it's so not worth it to be panicking the night of the deadline because one of your evaluators still hasn't submitted. Yes, some people will still procrastinate no matter how much time you give them or how much you remind them, and you don't want to be TOO annoying, but if for some reason they don't get it done, it's worth it to know that you did everything you could. Also, ask more than three evaluators if at all possible so that if one doesn't get theirs done, you're not totally screwed.
4. Target your applications to schools that value your strengths. I know this has been addressed earlier in this thread, but it's worth stressing. I totally wrote off Kansas State as an option the first two years I applied, because I had it in my head that living in Kansas would be the absolute worst. However, being a third-time applicant and not wanting to apply again regardless, I had to broaden my horizons a little. K-State accepts lots of OOS applicants, they only include the most recent attempts at repeated courses in GPA calculations (other than last 45 if both are in there), and they seem to value GRE scores more than other schools, all things that work in my favor. And I ended up getting accepted, and I liked Manhattan a lot more than I expected when I visited! I also once said I would NEVER go to college in my undergrad city, but I ended up loving my school and the city in general. It's funny how life works out sometimes. :) Anyway, considering location is worthwhile, but for example it makes me cringe when I see people with low stats applying OOS to UGA or Texas A&M. Sometimes it's hard to know what schools are looking for, but don't waste your time/money on schools that are obvious long-shots.
5. If you have ANY doubts, check with schools before applying to make sure you meet the pre-req requirements. I applied to Oklahoma State my first two cycles, and got rejected both times. The first time was because they don't allow retakes of pre-req courses the semester before you matriculate, and I did overlook that on their website, so that was on me. The second time was because I didn't have organic II lab, but their website just says they require 8 hours of organic chemistry and lab (I did take organic I lab). I'm still a little bitter that they didn't mention this the first time I applied, but I wish I had gotten that clarified before applying at all. It's on you, the applicant, to make sure you meet all the school's requirements, and it's really embarrassing and discouraging to realize you wasted your time on a school that was just going to reject you outright.
 
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I did my best to read through as much of this as possible before writing anything!

Someone may have said this already, but:

When inquiring about LORs, make sure to ask the evaluator if they can write a POSITIVE letter about you. I've heard horror stories of people getting negative letters submitted :nailbiting:
 
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It's a tough balance to have. When I chose where I applied, I kept in mind that I might have to go to upwards of six interviews and planned ahead for that. I planned on saving x amount of dollars per paycheck just in case. It really comes down to how many interviews you have and where you're located. Also, I'm willing to take the absolute cheapest hotel/flight/drive/whatever. If it's cheaper to drive 8 hours the day before over fly, I'm going to drive the 8 hours.
Agreed. I drove 8 hours to one of my interviews over flying and it really cuts down on cost. What I did (previously stated by someone) was went to interviews until I heard I got into my IS school and then I called the remaining universities that had offered me interviews, thanked them for the opportunity, and requested to be taken off the list.
 
Hi... I was kind of hesitant to post this but, from someone who went through the interview process before, how many interviews is a good number to go to? Is there such a thing as too many/excessive? For people who got several invitations, is your plan basically to go to all of them until you get into one of your top choices? I'm a bit stressed out/uncertain because financially its adding up to go to them all (even though I know vet school will cost a lot but that's later...). It's like $500 per visit since I have to fly. However, I feel like I should go to all of them until I get into one at least. But I won't find out from one basically until I have to go to all of the interviews. It's not that I think I have bad interview skills. Say hypothetically I turned one down then I didn't get into any of the remaining ones. I would feel like an idiot. I'm not sure there is any answer to this question but I was just wondering if anyone has any tips that maybe I didn't consider....

Finances were a pain for me as well but if going to any vet school is your goal then attend every and all interviews until you get accepted to any school or accepted to your top choice.

In my own experience, I knew I was accepted to 2 schools before I interviewed at my top choice (UC Davis) and I eventually heard back from them before I went for my other 6 interviews. I was able to cancel all my flights and hotels in time and save a ton of money. However, had I not heard back, I would have still attended interviews until I got one I wanted. Schools will get back to you quickly because they don't want to miss out on good students.

Keep your fingers crossed and good luck!!!
 
Finances were a pain for me as well but if going to any vet school is your goal then attend every and all interviews until you get accepted to any school or accepted to your top choice.

In my own experience, I knew I was accepted to 2 schools before I interviewed at my top choice (UC Davis) and I eventually heard back from them before I went for my other 6 interviews. I was able to cancel all my flights and hotels in time and save a ton of money. However, had I not heard back, I would have still attended interviews until I got one I wanted. Schools will get back to you quickly because they don't want to miss out on good students.

Keep your fingers crossed and good luck!!!
Not necessarily true. Some schools stick to their historical timeline no matter how amazing you happen to be.
 
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Is it a good idea to mention any family who are in veterinary medicine in an application? For example, I'd be a third generation DVM and there are 8 veterinarians in my family who own multiple practices.

Edit: I realize that the other components of the application are going to weigh a heck of a lot more than this simple inclusion - just curious.
 
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Is it a good idea to mention any family who are in veterinary medicine in an application? For example, I'd be a third generation DVM and there are 8 veterinarians in my family who own multiple practices.

Edit: I realize that the other components of the application are going to weigh a heck of a lot more than this simple inclusion - just curious.
I think it would make sense to bring up in your personal statement, since that presumably played a role in your decision to go into vet med, but I wouldn't necessarily mention them or their clinics by name. If you've shadowed/worked with any of them, of course include that in the appropriate section. And definitely don't have any of them write LORs for you, I think most schools forbid or at least discourage letters from family members.
 
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Is it a good idea to mention any family who are in veterinary medicine in an application? For example, I'd be a third generation DVM and there are 8 veterinarians in my family who own multiple practices.

Edit: I realize that the other components of the application are going to weigh a heck of a lot more than this simple inclusion - just curious.
Agree with Lyra. Good experience, but the fact that you have vets in your family won't necessarily be of any extra benefit. It could make a cool PS addition though...perhaps describing how you've been able to watch veterinary medicine evolve over the years (if you feel that way, of course).
 
Is it a good idea to mention any family who are in veterinary medicine in an application? For example, I'd be a third generation DVM and there are 8 veterinarians in my family who own multiple practices.

Edit: I realize that the other components of the application are going to weigh a heck of a lot more than this simple inclusion - just curious.

Yes, if you were born into the profession by birth, you might as well use it to your advantage. Be tactful about how you do it, but compared to any random joe schmoe prevet, you likely have a better understanding of the profession due to the lifetime of experiences you've encountered. Don't make it about your family, make it about what you've gained from being surrounded by vet med throughout your life. Your PS should be about you first and foremost, and what motivates you to become a veterinarian, and what characteristics you bring to the table. But it doesn't make sense to purposefully omit that information in your application. I'm sure your family ties are an integral part of why you decided to want to become a veterinarian in the first place. And I think it's also good to have transparency - employed since age 12 at your uncle's clinic is a little different from being employed as a random kid since age 12 at a vet clinic.

(For some vet schools like *cough cough ahem Penn cough cough,* having legacy at the vet school does actually give you a boost up, whether we like it or not)
 
So I logged on to see where all of you ended up being accepted - congratulations to you all. To those of you that are planning on applying in the future I thought I would give you the perspective of someone that sat on a medical school admissions committee for over a decade.

I actually started looking at this website in the fall, as my daughter was applying to vet school and we were looking for information. I got a little hooked hearing some of your stories, so wanted to check to see how everything turned out! After reading some of the posts though, I thought I would give you the perspective of someone who actually reviewed medical student applications for many years (I doubt the vet school admission process is that much different, but if anyone has additional information on the vet school process please feel free to comment). Also this is just my experience at one school, it is possible other schools have different perspectives.

Medical school admission committees are looking for people who are going to be great physicians. They want people who are empathetic, smart, ethical, and have the ability to think critically and make appropriate diagnoses. Surgical and technical skills generally can be taught (though some individuals clearly have the "hands" the rest of us can only admire from afar:)lol). There is a great deal of material to learn in medical school, and it is very expensive to train students (the cost is not only yours, though tuition is high the cost to train a student is in excess of that and is born by school/government). Therefore they want to choose people who are going to be successful. Schools do have individual focuses and goals, I know when my daughter talked to UPenn they seemed most interested in her research/academics. So it is important to know the individual schools you are applying to to know what they are looking for. You should of course always apply to your IS school (if you are lucky enough to have one) and when you are applying OOS you need to look at the acceptance rates and be realistic (average GPA, GRE, acceptance rates for OOS) - UC Davis is rated one of the top vet schools in the nation (and I understand the controversy about vet school rankings, however..), and only takes a handful of OOS applicants. So I wouldn't recommend applying there as an OOS candidate there unless everything in your application is perfect). But I think there are some basic tenets that apply to all.

First, grades are generally the first cut, or will weigh the highest in the admissions algorithm. Yes some people are accepted with a lower than average GPA, but you don't want to be in that position if you can help it. The reason behind this is that there is a lot of material to learn in professional schools. It is well known that incoming students with higher GPAs are less likely to have difficulty with course work (it doesn't say anything about what kind of vet you are going to be - it just predicts academic success). The school does not want you to fail out, it wants you to be successful. If you are doing well with your course load you will have more time and opportunity to expand in other areas (research, joining vet specialty groups). The school will not care if you withdrew from one course in college (so long as your GPA is otherwise good), grades are important to show you can complete the professional curriculum. If you had a bad semester then you need to explain it briefly, without blaming anyone. The requirements for applying to vet school are rigorous, therefore you don't need to really worry about the difficulty of the coursework you sign up for, regardless of your major. You are better off taking a minimal course load each semester and getting all A's than taking 18 units and getting Bs. You might get a little consideration coming from a highly ranked college, but again not enough to overcome a low GPA. Finally major does not matter (though given the number of prerequisites it is hard to take a major other than some form of biology) Still if you are an English major and have all the appropriate course work completed with a good GPA your major is likely going to be at least neutral, and will likely seen as a plus (uniqueness, diversity, makes you stand out from the crowd).

GREs help, but do not make up for the GPA. GREs at best show potential. GPA is a measure of both ability and performance (good study skills, ability to do well under pressure at the end of the semester, time management - all of these are critical for success in professional school). Still you want the best GRE score you can get, and your GRE score will improve with a review course and if necessary taking it multiple times (performance anxiety is real for a lot of people). Don't take the GRE cold, the quantitative portion is basically high school math (proportions, algebra, trig) and quite frankly you won't remember a lot of it by the time you graduate from college (well unless you are a math guru or a math major). The cost of the course is worth it (think of how much applications, traveling to interviews and vet school is going to cost). Start early in case you do need to take the test multiple times. Plus remember whatever can go wrong, will go wrong. My niece took the exam and unfortunately the testing center had a power outage after she finished the essays, and her test was lost. They rescheduled her for 3 weeks later, but she was pretty traumatized and ended up having to take it a third time to get good scores.

I have read with interest the number of people on this website retaking classes to improve their GPA. This is something you will have to weigh for yourself, and likely depends on what the schools you are applying to do with this information. If they completely replace the grade this will likely be helpful. Clearly if you have a course you failed or got a D in it, you are going to have to retake it (but please don't fail - this is a major red flag, withdrawing is better). In general for the classic applicant with the C in chemistry or physics and otherwise good grades elsewhere - I always preferred the candidate taking upper division, challenging courses in an area of their interest and killing them. It made them more interesting applicants (and one of the biggest problems with the "average" candidate is standing out from the crowd, there are just so many applicants) and being able to be successful in an upper division course is telling. These courses also often have fewer students in them, and give you a good opportunity to get to know a professor well, so you can get an outstanding letter of recommendation. If you have really blown your GPA but feel being a vet is your true calling - consider a masters program in something you are interested in (Plan B). And get A's!! This shows you can be successful academically at a graduate level, and if you still don't get into vet school you have a masters to fall back on. I do understand there are financial concerns with this option.

Letters of recommendation are generally all positive, but many are very generic and don't really say anything about the candidate. Ive written hundreds, and if I feel I can't write a good letter when someone asks me I suggest they seek an alternative person (but most people do not do this, they just write a basic letter - cut and paste). You do not want this type of letter, so you need to be sure you have developed relationships with individuals that know you well, and care for you enough to take the time to write you a great letter with examples of why you are great and why you will be the best veterinarian ever. Most schools are looking for one academic letter and two letters from vets, so plan for that. If you have a thesis or an undergraduate research project, your mentor for this body of work is an excellent choice for your academic letter. Research is not required for acceptance, but is a big plus (and some vet schools will be looking for this, so if you don't have it and have no interest in research, then don't apply to those schools). And if you have worked on a research project with a professor they will know you well. If research isn't your thing, then you need to make the effort to get to know at least one of your academic professors as well, preferably try to spend some time with a professor in a field you genuinely have an interest (we can smell it when people suck up to us just for a letter - so don't do it). You can give the individual additional information (a copy of your CV and/or application) if you think it will help you.

Veterinary schools seem to require more experience than medical schools, and I think this reflects the diversity of the field (large animal, small animal, exotics). Experience is important, because it tells the committee you know what you are getting yourself into. When you are being interviewed and you are asked why you want to be a vet do not say "because I love animals". Everyone loves animals, and everyone applying to vet school really loves animals. You don't need to know everything about veterinary medicine, but you need an answer to that question that is well considered. They want to see you have done things that have allowed you to see the depth and breadth of veterinary medicine. Schools differ on the exact hours, and the amount of experience required. My daughter said at her Tufts interview she was one of the only candidates with large animal experience, but they had a lot of candidates with experience with exotics (that appeared to be a focus for them). However at UF when she met with admissions prior to applying they told her flat out she would have difficulty being considered without experience in both small and large animal. The bottom line here for all schools is you do need a certain amount of experience, and it should be quality experience. Cleaning glassware in a lab, caring for your horse, etc - these do not count. The exact number of hours does not count as long as you have "enough"(and don't say you have 4000 hours if you are 21 at the time of your application, you will come across as dishonest). Quality is definitely better than quantity. Having experience is really important for you as well - you do need to really decide if this is what you want to do. Being a vet isn't easy, as many of the current vets posting on this website will attest, and you need to be really sure this is what you want to do before you take on 4 years of additional school and all the debt that this entails.

You need to stand out on your application. If you are a perfect candidate (GPA > 3.8, good GRE scores, an appropriate amount of quality experience and good letters) you are going to be accepted somewhere. However for the average candidate you need to try to stand out from the crowd. The essay is one place for this. Whatever you do don't leave the essay to the last minute. (Remember many schools also have secondary applications with additional essays or short answer questions, so try to get your application in early so you have time to spend on the secondary essays/questions as well). My daughter actually thinks her essay for Tufts got her the interview there - they spent the first 20 mins asking her about the essay as they were very interested in what she wrote. Make sure someone reads your essay and edits it (typos are terrible - even if it is the best essay ever bad grammar and misspelled words are a big turnoff). Make sure the essay reflects you as a person, the committee does want to know who you are. Hobbies, other activities, sports, these also help you stand out, one of my friends is sure she got into med school due to her participation on the college tennis team. Anything that makes you a well rounded individual, different from everyone else applying, or that reflects that you will be the best veterinarian ever. Take your time as you fill out the application. Decide what you want to emphasize about yourself and make sure that stands out. For UF my daughter had to write an essay on diversity, and she came laughing to me with her first line "I am a middle class white girl who has had a fortunate life thus far……" She had to really think about how she is in fact different and diverse (I think it took her about a month for that essay - but each and everyone of you is unique in your own way and has something outstanding to contribute - and that is what you want to show in your application so you stand out).

Of course what the admissions committee wants is to produce smart, technically competent, caring veterinarians with excellent diagnostic acumen, and none of the above can identify individuals that will guarantee that. In fact as far as I know nothing can predict what will make a good physician, so I doubt there is anything that will predict a good veterinarian (it definitely isn't good grades). And that is where there is some leeway, and why you can get in with a lower GPA, particularly when you are applying later in life or with special circumstances. Schools also want to see commitment (they really don't want people who are going to drop out when the going gets tough - remember the cost of training), which is why people who are "average candidates" are more likely to be accepted with a second application, particularly if they have worked to improve their application in the intervening year. We once accepted a medical student who had a 3.0 GPA whose primary degree was in a foreign language (I can't remember exactly which one, but it was one of the African nations). She then spent about 4 years in that country teaching and working with young girls in health and education. She came back to the US and completed her prerequisites (still not a great GPA, but met the minimum cutoff to get her file reviewed) and applied. She was accepted because of the commitment and empathy she had demonstrated. She successfully navigated medical school and residency and is a very good physician actively practicing.

Finally I would suggest you identify the one or two schools you are concentrating on (your IS and perhaps one other you think you have a good chance at) and see if you can talk with one of the admissions counselors early in the process. Visit the school if you can (and I know there is a cost here). Particularly if there is anything of concern on your application. They are really helpful, and can help you focus your application and fix any shortcomings before you apply and get rejected (remember how many applicants there are, and they are all good - so you want to avoid anything on your application that raises a flag). Do your research (school webpages, etc) and really know the school before you approach them. Summer would likely be a good time, once they start receiving applications they will be too busy.

If you did not get in this year and are reapplying a file review is absolutely necessary, and you should do it for each school you applied to that will grant you one, as some counselors will be more helpful than others. And some schools are looking for different things, and that can help you tailor you application for next year. You should do that now.

I am very happy for all of you who were accepted and it has been a pleasure watching this application process unfold this year and seeing all this enthusiasm for your field. Im still keeping my eye on the wait list…… hoping for some more good news for those of you still hoping (Im keeping positive thoughts). My daughter did get helpful information from SDN as she was applying (and waiting to hear) and we would like to thank you for that. I hope this posting is helpful - but remember it is the consensus of one medical school admissions committee and vet schools may differ, so do your own research.

For all of you out there planning applications in the future - good luck and best wishes!
 
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So I logged on to see where all of you ended up being accepted - congratulations to you all. To those of you that are planning on applying in the future I thought I would give you the perspective of someone that sat on a medical school admissions committee for over a decade.

I actually started looking at this website in the fall, as my daughter was applying to vet school and we were looking for information. I got a little hooked hearing some of your stories, so wanted to check to see how everything turned out! After reading some of the posts though, I thought I would give you the perspective of someone who actually reviewed medical student applications for many years (I doubt the vet school admission process is that much different, but if anyone has additional information on the vet school process please feel free to comment). Also this is just my experience at one school, it is possible other schools have different perspectives.

Medical school admission committees are looking for people who are going to be great physicians. They want people who are empathetic, smart, ethical, and have the ability to think critically and make appropriate diagnoses. Surgical and technical skills generally can be taught (though some individuals clearly have the "hands" the rest of us can only admire from afar:)lol). There is a great deal of material to learn in medical school, and it is very expensive to train students (the cost is not only yours, though tuition is high the cost to train a student is in excess of that and is born by school/government). Therefore they want to choose people who are going to be successful. Schools do have individual focuses and goals, I know when my daughter talked to UPenn they seemed most interested in her research/academics. So it is important to know the individual schools you are applying to to know what they are looking for. You should of course always apply to your IS school (if you are lucky enough to have one) and when you are applying OOS you need to look at the acceptance rates and be realistic (average GPA, GRE, acceptance rates for OOS) - UC Davis is rated one of the top vet schools in the nation (and I understand the controversy about vet school rankings, however..), and only takes a handful of OOS applicants. So I wouldn't recommend applying there as an OOS candidate there unless everything in your application is perfect). But I think there are some basic tenets that apply to all.

First, grades are generally the first cut, or will weigh the highest in the admissions algorithm. Yes some people are accepted with a lower than average GPA, but you don't want to be in that position if you can help it. The reason behind this is that there is a lot of material to learn in professional schools. It is well known that incoming students with higher GPAs are less likely to have difficulty with course work (it doesn't say anything about what kind of vet you are going to be - it just predicts academic success). The school does not want you to fail out, it wants you to be successful. If you are doing well with your course load you will have more time and opportunity to expand in other areas (research, joining vet specialty groups). The school will not care if you withdrew from one course in college (so long as your GPA is otherwise good), grades are important to show you can complete the professional curriculum. If you had a bad semester then you need to explain it briefly, without blaming anyone. The requirements for applying to vet school are rigorous, therefore you don't need to really worry about the difficulty of the coursework you sign up for, regardless of your major. You are better off taking a minimal course load each semester and getting all A's than taking 18 units and getting Bs. You might get a little consideration coming from a highly ranked college, but again not enough to overcome a low GPA. Finally major does not matter (though given the number of prerequisites it is hard to take a major other than some form of biology) Still if you are an English major and have all the appropriate course work completed with a good GPA your major is likely going to be at least neutral, and will likely seen as a plus (uniqueness, diversity, makes you stand out from the crowd).

GREs help, but do not make up for the GPA. GREs at best show potential. GPA is a measure of both ability and performance (good study skills, ability to do well under pressure at the end of the semester, time management - all of these are critical for success in professional school). Still you want the best GRE score you can get, and your GRE score will improve with a review course and if necessary taking it multiple times (performance anxiety is real for a lot of people). Don't take the GRE cold, the quantitative portion is basically high school math (proportions, algebra, trig) and quite frankly you won't remember a lot of it by the time you graduate from college (well unless you are a math guru or a math major). The cost of the course is worth it (think of how much applications, traveling to interviews and vet school is going to cost). Start early in case you do need to take the test multiple times. Plus remember whatever can go wrong, will go wrong. My niece took the exam and unfortunately the testing center had a power outage after she finished the essays, and her test was lost. They rescheduled her for 3 weeks later, but she was pretty traumatized and ended up having to take it a third time to get good scores.

I have read with interest the number of people on this website retaking classes to improve their GPA. This is something you will have to weigh for yourself, and likely depends on what the schools you are applying to do with this information. If they completely replace the grade this will likely be helpful. Clearly if you have a course you failed or got a D in it, you are going to have to retake it (but please don't fail - this is a major red flag, withdrawing is better). In general for the classic applicant with the C in chemistry or physics and otherwise good grades elsewhere - I always preferred the candidate taking upper division, challenging courses in an area of their interest and killing them. It made them more interesting applicants (and one of the biggest problems with the "average" candidate is standing out from the crowd, there are just so many applicants) and being able to be successful in an upper division course is telling. These courses also often have fewer students in them, and give you a good opportunity to get to know a professor well, so you can get an outstanding letter of recommendation. If you have really blown your GPA but feel being a vet is your true calling - consider a masters program in something you are interested in (Plan B). And get A's!! This shows you can be successful academically at a graduate level, and if you still don't get into vet school you have a masters to fall back on. I do understand there are financial concerns with this option.

Letters of recommendation are generally all positive, but many are very generic and don't really say anything about the candidate. Ive written hundreds, and if I feel I can't write a good letter when someone asks me I suggest they seek an alternative person (but most people do not do this, they just write a basic letter - cut and paste). You do not want this type of letter, so you need to be sure you have developed relationships with individuals that know you well, and care for you enough to take the time to write you a great letter with examples of why you are great and why you will be the best veterinarian ever. Most schools are looking for one academic letter and two letters from vets, so plan for that. If you have a thesis or an undergraduate research project, your mentor for this body of work is an excellent choice for your academic letter. Research is not required for acceptance, but is a big plus (and some vet schools will be looking for this, so if you don't have it and have no interest in research, then don't apply to those schools). And if you have worked on a research project with a professor they will know you well. If research isn't your thing, then you need to make the effort to get to know at least one of your academic professors as well, preferably try to spend some time with a professor in a field you genuinely have an interest (we can smell it when people suck up to us just for a letter - so don't do it). You can give the individual additional information (a copy of your CV and/or application) if you think it will help you.

Veterinary schools seem to require more experience than medical schools, and I think this reflects the diversity of the field (large animal, small animal, exotics). Experience is important, because it tells the committee you know what you are getting yourself into. When you are being interviewed and you are asked why you want to be a vet do not say "because I love animals". Everyone loves animals, and everyone applying to vet school really loves animals. You don't need to know everything about veterinary medicine, but you need an answer to that question that is well considered. They want to see you have done things that have allowed you to see the depth and breadth of veterinary medicine. Schools differ on the exact hours, and the amount of experience required. My daughter said at her Tufts interview she was one of the only candidates with large animal experience, but they had a lot of candidates with experience with exotics (that appeared to be a focus for them). However at UF when she met with admissions prior to applying they told her flat out she would have difficulty being considered without experience in both small and large animal. The bottom line here for all schools is you do need a certain amount of experience, and it should be quality experience. Cleaning glassware in a lab, caring for your horse, etc - these do not count. The exact number of hours does not count as long as you have "enough"(and don't say you have 4000 hours if you are 21 at the time of your application, you will come across as dishonest). Quality is definitely better than quantity. Having experience is really important for you as well - you do need to really decide if this is what you want to do. Being a vet isn't easy, as many of the current vets posting on this website will attest, and you need to be really sure this is what you want to do before you take on 4 years of additional school and all the debt that this entails.

You need to stand out on your application. If you are a perfect candidate (GPA > 3.8, good GRE scores, an appropriate amount of quality experience and good letters) you are going to be accepted somewhere. However for the average candidate you need to try to stand out from the crowd. The essay is one place for this. Whatever you do don't leave the essay to the last minute. (Remember many schools also have secondary applications with additional essays or short answer questions, so try to get your application in early so you have time to spend on the secondary essays/questions as well). My daughter actually thinks her essay for Tufts got her the interview there - they spent the first 20 mins asking her about the essay as they were very interested in what she wrote. Make sure someone reads your essay and edits it (typos are terrible - even if it is the best essay ever bad grammar and misspelled words are a big turnoff). Make sure the essay reflects you as a person, the committee does want to know who you are. Hobbies, other activities, sports, these also help you stand out, one of my friends is sure she got into med school due to her participation on the college tennis team. Anything that makes you a well rounded individual, different from everyone else applying, or that reflects that you will be the best veterinarian ever. Take your time as you fill out the application. Decide what you want to emphasize about yourself and make sure that stands out. For UF my daughter had to write an essay on diversity, and she came laughing to me with her first line "I am a middle class white girl who has had a fortunate life thus far……" She had to really think about how she is in fact different and diverse (I think it took her about a month for that essay - but each and everyone of you is unique in your own way and has something outstanding to contribute - and that is what you want to show in your application so you stand out).

Of course what the admissions committee wants is to produce smart, technically competent, caring veterinarians with excellent diagnostic acumen, and none of the above can identify individuals that will guarantee that. In fact as far as I know nothing can predict what will make a good physician, so I doubt there is anything that will predict a good veterinarian (it definitely isn't good grades). And that is where there is some leeway, and why you can get in with a lower GPA, particularly when you are applying later in life or with special circumstances. Schools also want to see commitment (they really don't want people who are going to drop out when the going gets tough - remember the cost of training), which is why people who are "average candidates" are more likely to be accepted with a second application, particularly if they have worked to improve their application in the intervening year. We once accepted a medical student who had a 3.0 GPA whose primary degree was in a foreign language (I can't remember exactly which one, but it was one of the African nations). She then spent about 4 years in that country teaching and working with young girls in health and education. She came back to the US and completed her prerequisites (still not a great GPA, but met the minimum cutoff to get her file reviewed) and applied. She was accepted because of the commitment and empathy she had demonstrated. She successfully navigated medical school and residency and is a very good physician actively practicing.

Finally I would suggest you identify the one or two schools you are concentrating on (your IS and perhaps one other you think you have a good chance at) and see if you can talk with one of the admissions counselors early in the process. Visit the school if you can (and I know there is a cost here). Particularly if there is anything of concern on your application. They are really helpful, and can help you focus your application and fix any shortcomings before you apply and get rejected (remember how many applicants there are, and they are all good - so you want to avoid anything on your application that raises a flag). Do your research (school webpages, etc) and really know the school before you approach them. Summer would likely be a good time, once they start receiving applications they will be too busy.

If you did not get in this year and are reapplying a file review is absolutely necessary, and you should do it for each school you applied to that will grant you one, as some counselors will be more helpful than others. And some schools are looking for different things, and that can help you tailor you application for next year. You should do that now.

I am very happy for all of you who were accepted and it has been a pleasure watching this application process unfold this year and seeing all this enthusiasm for your field. Im still keeping my eye on the wait list…… hoping for some more good news for those of you still hoping (Im keeping positive thoughts). My daughter did get helpful information from SDN as she was applying (and waiting to hear) and we would like to thank you for that. I hope this posting is helpful - but remember it is the consensus of one medical school admissions committee and vet schools may differ, so do your own research.

For all of you out there planning applications in the future - good luck and best wishes!

Going to be honest, didn't get through all of this as of yet, on a plane right now about to leave. I agree with everything so far, except the "don't say you have 4,000 hours if you are 21". At 21, I had already worked 4 or 5 years as a vet tech, I had that many hours. It would be more odd to put in 4-5 years of experience and then throw in a low ball number of hours just because. The take away is to just be honest. If you have thousands of hours, say so, if you have a few hundred, say so. But explain how that experience has impacted your decision to become a vet and what that experience has taught you. I agree that quality trumps quantity but no need to lie or avoid putting in a number of hours, as long as it is honest. And there is definitely a critical mass, someone with 5000 hours won't have a "better" grasp of vet med than someone with 1000 hours, but still no need to cap or low ball hours if you actually worked those hours.
 
I also disagree that caring for a horse doesn't at least count as animal experience. Plenty of people include let ownership and I think some schools even recommend it.
 
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Rockatiel and DVMdream are both correct.

Im sorry I think I gave the wrong impression here when I wrote about experience. You should absolutely include all your animal, laboratory, research, and veterinary experiences on you VMCAS. Caring for your horse is an animal experience that shows you are dedicated to and comfortable being around large animals. Training service dogs shows empathy and dedication. And you should always be honest, if you have 4000 hours report it - though make sure it is clear on your application how you managed to attain those hours (if you are an older applicant who has worked in the veterinary field for some time it is clear, younger applicant applying straight out of school they are going to wonder how you managed to complete college and work that many hours). More experience is obviously better, and present clearly what exposure you had at the position. You do want to think here how you want to present yourself to the committee - how you write the application is important.

My point was meant to be (though it did not come through clearly in the post), in addition to whatever other animal, research or laboratory experiences you have, if possible make sure you have an adequate number of quality hours that are diverse, which I would define as experiences that allow you to evaluate the veterinary field and what a veterinarian actually does (working as a vet tech, shadowing a veterinarian - generally the experiences you can report as veterinary).
 
So I logged on to see where all of you ended up being accepted - congratulations to you all. To those of you that are planning on applying in the future I thought I would give you the perspective of someone that sat on a medical school admissions committee for over a decade.

I actually started looking at this website in the fall, as my daughter was applying to vet school and we were looking for information. I got a little hooked hearing some of your stories, so wanted to check to see how everything turned out! After reading some of the posts though, I thought I would give you the perspective of someone who actually reviewed medical student applications for many years (I doubt the vet school admission process is that much different, but if anyone has additional information on the vet school process please feel free to comment). Also this is just my experience at one school, it is possible other schools have different perspectives.

Medical school admission committees are looking for people who are going to be great physicians. They want people who are empathetic, smart, ethical, and have the ability to think critically and make appropriate diagnoses. Surgical and technical skills generally can be taught (though some individuals clearly have the "hands" the rest of us can only admire from afar:)lol). There is a great deal of material to learn in medical school, and it is very expensive to train students (the cost is not only yours, though tuition is high the cost to train a student is in excess of that and is born by school/government). Therefore they want to choose people who are going to be successful. Schools do have individual focuses and goals, I know when my daughter talked to UPenn they seemed most interested in her research/academics. So it is important to know the individual schools you are applying to to know what they are looking for. You should of course always apply to your IS school (if you are lucky enough to have one) and when you are applying OOS you need to look at the acceptance rates and be realistic (average GPA, GRE, acceptance rates for OOS) - UC Davis is rated one of the top vet schools in the nation (and I understand the controversy about vet school rankings, however..), and only takes a handful of OOS applicants. So I wouldn't recommend applying there as an OOS candidate there unless everything in your application is perfect). But I think there are some basic tenets that apply to all.

First, grades are generally the first cut, or will weigh the highest in the admissions algorithm. Yes some people are accepted with a lower than average GPA, but you don't want to be in that position if you can help it. The reason behind this is that there is a lot of material to learn in professional schools. It is well known that incoming students with higher GPAs are less likely to have difficulty with course work (it doesn't say anything about what kind of vet you are going to be - it just predicts academic success). The school does not want you to fail out, it wants you to be successful. If you are doing well with your course load you will have more time and opportunity to expand in other areas (research, joining vet specialty groups). The school will not care if you withdrew from one course in college (so long as your GPA is otherwise good), grades are important to show you can complete the professional curriculum. If you had a bad semester then you need to explain it briefly, without blaming anyone. The requirements for applying to vet school are rigorous, therefore you don't need to really worry about the difficulty of the coursework you sign up for, regardless of your major. You are better off taking a minimal course load each semester and getting all A's than taking 18 units and getting Bs. You might get a little consideration coming from a highly ranked college, but again not enough to overcome a low GPA. Finally major does not matter (though given the number of prerequisites it is hard to take a major other than some form of biology) Still if you are an English major and have all the appropriate course work completed with a good GPA your major is likely going to be at least neutral, and will likely seen as a plus (uniqueness, diversity, makes you stand out from the crowd).

GREs help, but do not make up for the GPA. GREs at best show potential. GPA is a measure of both ability and performance (good study skills, ability to do well under pressure at the end of the semester, time management - all of these are critical for success in professional school). Still you want the best GRE score you can get, and your GRE score will improve with a review course and if necessary taking it multiple times (performance anxiety is real for a lot of people). Don't take the GRE cold, the quantitative portion is basically high school math (proportions, algebra, trig) and quite frankly you won't remember a lot of it by the time you graduate from college (well unless you are a math guru or a math major). The cost of the course is worth it (think of how much applications, traveling to interviews and vet school is going to cost). Start early in case you do need to take the test multiple times. Plus remember whatever can go wrong, will go wrong. My niece took the exam and unfortunately the testing center had a power outage after she finished the essays, and her test was lost. They rescheduled her for 3 weeks later, but she was pretty traumatized and ended up having to take it a third time to get good scores.

I have read with interest the number of people on this website retaking classes to improve their GPA. This is something you will have to weigh for yourself, and likely depends on what the schools you are applying to do with this information. If they completely replace the grade this will likely be helpful. Clearly if you have a course you failed or got a D in it, you are going to have to retake it (but please don't fail - this is a major red flag, withdrawing is better). In general for the classic applicant with the C in chemistry or physics and otherwise good grades elsewhere - I always preferred the candidate taking upper division, challenging courses in an area of their interest and killing them. It made them more interesting applicants (and one of the biggest problems with the "average" candidate is standing out from the crowd, there are just so many applicants) and being able to be successful in an upper division course is telling. These courses also often have fewer students in them, and give you a good opportunity to get to know a professor well, so you can get an outstanding letter of recommendation. If you have really blown your GPA but feel being a vet is your true calling - consider a masters program in something you are interested in (Plan B). And get A's!! This shows you can be successful academically at a graduate level, and if you still don't get into vet school you have a masters to fall back on. I do understand there are financial concerns with this option.

Letters of recommendation are generally all positive, but many are very generic and don't really say anything about the candidate. Ive written hundreds, and if I feel I can't write a good letter when someone asks me I suggest they seek an alternative person (but most people do not do this, they just write a basic letter - cut and paste). You do not want this type of letter, so you need to be sure you have developed relationships with individuals that know you well, and care for you enough to take the time to write you a great letter with examples of why you are great and why you will be the best veterinarian ever. Most schools are looking for one academic letter and two letters from vets, so plan for that. If you have a thesis or an undergraduate research project, your mentor for this body of work is an excellent choice for your academic letter. Research is not required for acceptance, but is a big plus (and some vet schools will be looking for this, so if you don't have it and have no interest in research, then don't apply to those schools). And if you have worked on a research project with a professor they will know you well. If research isn't your thing, then you need to make the effort to get to know at least one of your academic professors as well, preferably try to spend some time with a professor in a field you genuinely have an interest (we can smell it when people suck up to us just for a letter - so don't do it). You can give the individual additional information (a copy of your CV and/or application) if you think it will help you.

Veterinary schools seem to require more experience than medical schools, and I think this reflects the diversity of the field (large animal, small animal, exotics). Experience is important, because it tells the committee you know what you are getting yourself into. When you are being interviewed and you are asked why you want to be a vet do not say "because I love animals". Everyone loves animals, and everyone applying to vet school really loves animals. You don't need to know everything about veterinary medicine, but you need an answer to that question that is well considered. They want to see you have done things that have allowed you to see the depth and breadth of veterinary medicine. Schools differ on the exact hours, and the amount of experience required. My daughter said at her Tufts interview she was one of the only candidates with large animal experience, but they had a lot of candidates with experience with exotics (that appeared to be a focus for them). However at UF when she met with admissions prior to applying they told her flat out she would have difficulty being considered without experience in both small and large animal. The bottom line here for all schools is you do need a certain amount of experience, and it should be quality experience. Cleaning glassware in a lab, caring for your horse, etc - these do not count. The exact number of hours does not count as long as you have "enough"(and don't say you have 4000 hours if you are 21 at the time of your application, you will come across as dishonest). Quality is definitely better than quantity. Having experience is really important for you as well - you do need to really decide if this is what you want to do. Being a vet isn't easy, as many of the current vets posting on this website will attest, and you need to be really sure this is what you want to do before you take on 4 years of additional school and all the debt that this entails.

You need to stand out on your application. If you are a perfect candidate (GPA > 3.8, good GRE scores, an appropriate amount of quality experience and good letters) you are going to be accepted somewhere. However for the average candidate you need to try to stand out from the crowd. The essay is one place for this. Whatever you do don't leave the essay to the last minute. (Remember many schools also have secondary applications with additional essays or short answer questions, so try to get your application in early so you have time to spend on the secondary essays/questions as well). My daughter actually thinks her essay for Tufts got her the interview there - they spent the first 20 mins asking her about the essay as they were very interested in what she wrote. Make sure someone reads your essay and edits it (typos are terrible - even if it is the best essay ever bad grammar and misspelled words are a big turnoff). Make sure the essay reflects you as a person, the committee does want to know who you are. Hobbies, other activities, sports, these also help you stand out, one of my friends is sure she got into med school due to her participation on the college tennis team. Anything that makes you a well rounded individual, different from everyone else applying, or that reflects that you will be the best veterinarian ever. Take your time as you fill out the application. Decide what you want to emphasize about yourself and make sure that stands out. For UF my daughter had to write an essay on diversity, and she came laughing to me with her first line "I am a middle class white girl who has had a fortunate life thus far……" She had to really think about how she is in fact different and diverse (I think it took her about a month for that essay - but each and everyone of you is unique in your own way and has something outstanding to contribute - and that is what you want to show in your application so you stand out).

Of course what the admissions committee wants is to produce smart, technically competent, caring veterinarians with excellent diagnostic acumen, and none of the above can identify individuals that will guarantee that. In fact as far as I know nothing can predict what will make a good physician, so I doubt there is anything that will predict a good veterinarian (it definitely isn't good grades). And that is where there is some leeway, and why you can get in with a lower GPA, particularly when you are applying later in life or with special circumstances. Schools also want to see commitment (they really don't want people who are going to drop out when the going gets tough - remember the cost of training), which is why people who are "average candidates" are more likely to be accepted with a second application, particularly if they have worked to improve their application in the intervening year. We once accepted a medical student who had a 3.0 GPA whose primary degree was in a foreign language (I can't remember exactly which one, but it was one of the African nations). She then spent about 4 years in that country teaching and working with young girls in health and education. She came back to the US and completed her prerequisites (still not a great GPA, but met the minimum cutoff to get her file reviewed) and applied. She was accepted because of the commitment and empathy she had demonstrated. She successfully navigated medical school and residency and is a very good physician actively practicing.

Finally I would suggest you identify the one or two schools you are concentrating on (your IS and perhaps one other you think you have a good chance at) and see if you can talk with one of the admissions counselors early in the process. Visit the school if you can (and I know there is a cost here). Particularly if there is anything of concern on your application. They are really helpful, and can help you focus your application and fix any shortcomings before you apply and get rejected (remember how many applicants there are, and they are all good - so you want to avoid anything on your application that raises a flag). Do your research (school webpages, etc) and really know the school before you approach them. Summer would likely be a good time, once they start receiving applications they will be too busy.

If you did not get in this year and are reapplying a file review is absolutely necessary, and you should do it for each school you applied to that will grant you one, as some counselors will be more helpful than others. And some schools are looking for different things, and that can help you tailor you application for next year. You should do that now.

I am very happy for all of you who were accepted and it has been a pleasure watching this application process unfold this year and seeing all this enthusiasm for your field. Im still keeping my eye on the wait list…… hoping for some more good news for those of you still hoping (Im keeping positive thoughts). My daughter did get helpful information from SDN as she was applying (and waiting to hear) and we would like to thank you for that. I hope this posting is helpful - but remember it is the consensus of one medical school admissions committee and vet schools may differ, so do your own research.

For all of you out there planning applications in the future - good luck and best wishes!

This is awesome advice. Bumping this post.
 
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So I logged on to see where all of you ended up being accepted - congratulations to you all. To those of you that are planning on applying in the future I thought I would give you the perspective of someone that sat on a medical school admissions committee for over a decade.

I actually started looking at this website in the fall, as my daughter was applying to vet school and we were looking for information. I got a little hooked hearing some of your stories, so wanted to check to see how everything turned out! After reading some of the posts though, I thought I would give you the perspective of someone who actually reviewed medical student applications for many years (I doubt the vet school admission process is that much different, but if anyone has additional information on the vet school process please feel free to comment). Also this is just my experience at one school, it is possible other schools have different perspectives.

Medical school admission committees are looking for people who are going to be great physicians. They want people who are empathetic, smart, ethical, and have the ability to think critically and make appropriate diagnoses. Surgical and technical skills generally can be taught (though some individuals clearly have the "hands" the rest of us can only admire from afar:)lol). There is a great deal of material to learn in medical school, and it is very expensive to train students (the cost is not only yours, though tuition is high the cost to train a student is in excess of that and is born by school/government). Therefore they want to choose people who are going to be successful. Schools do have individual focuses and goals, I know when my daughter talked to UPenn they seemed most interested in her research/academics. So it is important to know the individual schools you are applying to to know what they are looking for. You should of course always apply to your IS school (if you are lucky enough to have one) and when you are applying OOS you need to look at the acceptance rates and be realistic (average GPA, GRE, acceptance rates for OOS) - UC Davis is rated one of the top vet schools in the nation (and I understand the controversy about vet school rankings, however..), and only takes a handful of OOS applicants. So I wouldn't recommend applying there as an OOS candidate there unless everything in your application is perfect). But I think there are some basic tenets that apply to all.

First, grades are generally the first cut, or will weigh the highest in the admissions algorithm. Yes some people are accepted with a lower than average GPA, but you don't want to be in that position if you can help it. The reason behind this is that there is a lot of material to learn in professional schools. It is well known that incoming students with higher GPAs are less likely to have difficulty with course work (it doesn't say anything about what kind of vet you are going to be - it just predicts academic success). The school does not want you to fail out, it wants you to be successful. If you are doing well with your course load you will have more time and opportunity to expand in other areas (research, joining vet specialty groups). The school will not care if you withdrew from one course in college (so long as your GPA is otherwise good), grades are important to show you can complete the professional curriculum. If you had a bad semester then you need to explain it briefly, without blaming anyone. The requirements for applying to vet school are rigorous, therefore you don't need to really worry about the difficulty of the coursework you sign up for, regardless of your major. You are better off taking a minimal course load each semester and getting all A's than taking 18 units and getting Bs. You might get a little consideration coming from a highly ranked college, but again not enough to overcome a low GPA. Finally major does not matter (though given the number of prerequisites it is hard to take a major other than some form of biology) Still if you are an English major and have all the appropriate course work completed with a good GPA your major is likely going to be at least neutral, and will likely seen as a plus (uniqueness, diversity, makes you stand out from the crowd).

GREs help, but do not make up for the GPA. GREs at best show potential. GPA is a measure of both ability and performance (good study skills, ability to do well under pressure at the end of the semester, time management - all of these are critical for success in professional school). Still you want the best GRE score you can get, and your GRE score will improve with a review course and if necessary taking it multiple times (performance anxiety is real for a lot of people). Don't take the GRE cold, the quantitative portion is basically high school math (proportions, algebra, trig) and quite frankly you won't remember a lot of it by the time you graduate from college (well unless you are a math guru or a math major). The cost of the course is worth it (think of how much applications, traveling to interviews and vet school is going to cost). Start early in case you do need to take the test multiple times. Plus remember whatever can go wrong, will go wrong. My niece took the exam and unfortunately the testing center had a power outage after she finished the essays, and her test was lost. They rescheduled her for 3 weeks later, but she was pretty traumatized and ended up having to take it a third time to get good scores.

I have read with interest the number of people on this website retaking classes to improve their GPA. This is something you will have to weigh for yourself, and likely depends on what the schools you are applying to do with this information. If they completely replace the grade this will likely be helpful. Clearly if you have a course you failed or got a D in it, you are going to have to retake it (but please don't fail - this is a major red flag, withdrawing is better). In general for the classic applicant with the C in chemistry or physics and otherwise good grades elsewhere - I always preferred the candidate taking upper division, challenging courses in an area of their interest and killing them. It made them more interesting applicants (and one of the biggest problems with the "average" candidate is standing out from the crowd, there are just so many applicants) and being able to be successful in an upper division course is telling. These courses also often have fewer students in them, and give you a good opportunity to get to know a professor well, so you can get an outstanding letter of recommendation. If you have really blown your GPA but feel being a vet is your true calling - consider a masters program in something you are interested in (Plan B). And get A's!! This shows you can be successful academically at a graduate level, and if you still don't get into vet school you have a masters to fall back on. I do understand there are financial concerns with this option.

Letters of recommendation are generally all positive, but many are very generic and don't really say anything about the candidate. Ive written hundreds, and if I feel I can't write a good letter when someone asks me I suggest they seek an alternative person (but most people do not do this, they just write a basic letter - cut and paste). You do not want this type of letter, so you need to be sure you have developed relationships with individuals that know you well, and care for you enough to take the time to write you a great letter with examples of why you are great and why you will be the best veterinarian ever. Most schools are looking for one academic letter and two letters from vets, so plan for that. If you have a thesis or an undergraduate research project, your mentor for this body of work is an excellent choice for your academic letter. Research is not required for acceptance, but is a big plus (and some vet schools will be looking for this, so if you don't have it and have no interest in research, then don't apply to those schools). And if you have worked on a research project with a professor they will know you well. If research isn't your thing, then you need to make the effort to get to know at least one of your academic professors as well, preferably try to spend some time with a professor in a field you genuinely have an interest (we can smell it when people suck up to us just for a letter - so don't do it). You can give the individual additional information (a copy of your CV and/or application) if you think it will help you.

Veterinary schools seem to require more experience than medical schools, and I think this reflects the diversity of the field (large animal, small animal, exotics). Experience is important, because it tells the committee you know what you are getting yourself into. When you are being interviewed and you are asked why you want to be a vet do not say "because I love animals". Everyone loves animals, and everyone applying to vet school really loves animals. You don't need to know everything about veterinary medicine, but you need an answer to that question that is well considered. They want to see you have done things that have allowed you to see the depth and breadth of veterinary medicine. Schools differ on the exact hours, and the amount of experience required. My daughter said at her Tufts interview she was one of the only candidates with large animal experience, but they had a lot of candidates with experience with exotics (that appeared to be a focus for them). However at UF when she met with admissions prior to applying they told her flat out she would have difficulty being considered without experience in both small and large animal. The bottom line here for all schools is you do need a certain amount of experience, and it should be quality experience. Cleaning glassware in a lab, caring for your horse, etc - these do not count. The exact number of hours does not count as long as you have "enough"(and don't say you have 4000 hours if you are 21 at the time of your application, you will come across as dishonest). Quality is definitely better than quantity. Having experience is really important for you as well - you do need to really decide if this is what you want to do. Being a vet isn't easy, as many of the current vets posting on this website will attest, and you need to be really sure this is what you want to do before you take on 4 years of additional school and all the debt that this entails.

You need to stand out on your application. If you are a perfect candidate (GPA > 3.8, good GRE scores, an appropriate amount of quality experience and good letters) you are going to be accepted somewhere. However for the average candidate you need to try to stand out from the crowd. The essay is one place for this. Whatever you do don't leave the essay to the last minute. (Remember many schools also have secondary applications with additional essays or short answer questions, so try to get your application in early so you have time to spend on the secondary essays/questions as well). My daughter actually thinks her essay for Tufts got her the interview there - they spent the first 20 mins asking her about the essay as they were very interested in what she wrote. Make sure someone reads your essay and edits it (typos are terrible - even if it is the best essay ever bad grammar and misspelled words are a big turnoff). Make sure the essay reflects you as a person, the committee does want to know who you are. Hobbies, other activities, sports, these also help you stand out, one of my friends is sure she got into med school due to her participation on the college tennis team. Anything that makes you a well rounded individual, different from everyone else applying, or that reflects that you will be the best veterinarian ever. Take your time as you fill out the application. Decide what you want to emphasize about yourself and make sure that stands out. For UF my daughter had to write an essay on diversity, and she came laughing to me with her first line "I am a middle class white girl who has had a fortunate life thus far……" She had to really think about how she is in fact different and diverse (I think it took her about a month for that essay - but each and everyone of you is unique in your own way and has something outstanding to contribute - and that is what you want to show in your application so you stand out).

Of course what the admissions committee wants is to produce smart, technically competent, caring veterinarians with excellent diagnostic acumen, and none of the above can identify individuals that will guarantee that. In fact as far as I know nothing can predict what will make a good physician, so I doubt there is anything that will predict a good veterinarian (it definitely isn't good grades). And that is where there is some leeway, and why you can get in with a lower GPA, particularly when you are applying later in life or with special circumstances. Schools also want to see commitment (they really don't want people who are going to drop out when the going gets tough - remember the cost of training), which is why people who are "average candidates" are more likely to be accepted with a second application, particularly if they have worked to improve their application in the intervening year. We once accepted a medical student who had a 3.0 GPA whose primary degree was in a foreign language (I can't remember exactly which one, but it was one of the African nations). She then spent about 4 years in that country teaching and working with young girls in health and education. She came back to the US and completed her prerequisites (still not a great GPA, but met the minimum cutoff to get her file reviewed) and applied. She was accepted because of the commitment and empathy she had demonstrated. She successfully navigated medical school and residency and is a very good physician actively practicing.

Finally I would suggest you identify the one or two schools you are concentrating on (your IS and perhaps one other you think you have a good chance at) and see if you can talk with one of the admissions counselors early in the process. Visit the school if you can (and I know there is a cost here). Particularly if there is anything of concern on your application. They are really helpful, and can help you focus your application and fix any shortcomings before you apply and get rejected (remember how many applicants there are, and they are all good - so you want to avoid anything on your application that raises a flag). Do your research (school webpages, etc) and really know the school before you approach them. Summer would likely be a good time, once they start receiving applications they will be too busy.

If you did not get in this year and are reapplying a file review is absolutely necessary, and you should do it for each school you applied to that will grant you one, as some counselors will be more helpful than others. And some schools are looking for different things, and that can help you tailor you application for next year. You should do that now.

I am very happy for all of you who were accepted and it has been a pleasure watching this application process unfold this year and seeing all this enthusiasm for your field. Im still keeping my eye on the wait list…… hoping for some more good news for those of you still hoping (Im keeping positive thoughts). My daughter did get helpful information from SDN as she was applying (and waiting to hear) and we would like to thank you for that. I hope this posting is helpful - but remember it is the consensus of one medical school admissions committee and vet schools may differ, so do your own research.

For all of you out there planning applications in the future - good luck and best wishes!

For the most part, I think this is great advice to take on board. My only qualm is the unreserved endorsement of GRE prep courses. There is no need for everyone to take a GRE prep course. It may be helpful for some people, especially if they have trouble making time to study for it. However, it is definitely possible to do well with only self-directed studying. I studied by buying 2 -3 GRE prep books, each from a different company and so a different approach. I made myself sit down and do at least 1 hour of studying 5 or 6 days/week for about 2 months. I first went through the study sections that reviewed all of the math concepts. Then I did as many of the math problems as I could and if I didn't get the answer right, I made sure I worked through the solution the book provided until I could solve similar problems on my own. I also paid close attention to the sections of the books that explained little tricks to help you solve the problem. I also bought a set of the GRE flashcards and worked through stacks regularly. It was a least a few hundred dollars cheaper than taking a course and I could do it in my own time. Do what works for you, whether it's a course or not. Just make sure you study, take it seriously, and only take it if you're ready.
 
For the most part, I think this is great advice to take on board. My only qualm is the unreserved endorsement of GRE prep courses. There is no need for everyone to take a GRE prep course. It may be helpful for some people, especially if they have trouble making time to study for it. However, it is definitely possible to do well with only self-directed studying. I studied by buying 2 -3 GRE prep books, each from a different company and so a different approach. I made myself sit down and do at least 1 hour of studying 5 or 6 days/week for about 2 months. I first went through the study sections that reviewed all of the math concepts. Then I did as many of the math problems as I could and if I didn't get the answer right, I made sure I worked through the solution the book provided until I could solve similar problems on my own. I also paid close attention to the sections of the books that explained little tricks to help you solve the problem. I also bought a set of the GRE flashcards and worked through stacks regularly. It was a least a few hundred dollars cheaper than taking a course and I could do it in my own time. Do what works for you, whether it's a course or not. Just make sure you study, take it seriously, and only take it if you're ready.
I'll second and third this. I literally went to a used book store and bought one GRE prep book (that included online access to practice tests) for like $20 and that was all the GRE prep I did. I ended up with very good scores, but part of that is also just in general being good at standardized testing. If you already know that standardized tests are your thing then go the cheaper route. If you know you have problems with them then yes, maybe a class would be more helpful.
 
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Similarly, I never paid anything for any of my GRE prep, and did well. Just so happens I'm good at standardized tests. So definitely know yourself and what you need before you spend a bunch of money!
 
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Since we're gradually approaching the close of the cycle:

Don't complain about how long it takes the schools to make decisions, send invites, etc.
Don't complain about a school in general, you didn't have to apply to it.
Don't go on epic rants about how you suspect foul play/unfairness.
Be cordial to those who may have gotten good news when you didn't.
Remember that schools do read these threads, and you're never as anonymous as you think you are.
 
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Schools and VMCAS/AAVMC.

I have talked to more than 1 person involved in admissions that is aware of students here. You aren't as anonymous as you think.
 
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Schools and VMCAS/AAVMC.

I have talked to more than 1 person involved in admissions that is aware of students here. You aren't as anonymous as you think.
I am likely known as the one obsessed with LORs and being a cool person that is much more than stats. lol
 
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The #1 thing I've learned while applying for the first time this year is to remember what Abraham Lincoln once said: "Don't believe everything you read on the internet!"

Seriously though, I have found advice on forums and blogs that I took as gospel truth. After sitting through an admissions webinar last week (for VMCVM), I heard direct contradictions to the advice I had received. For example, I've been told that a variety of experience was important to my application. VMCVM basically said, "if all your experience is with one area or hospital, we don't care, especially if that's the area you want to pursue in school."

I would encourage anyone who is applying to ask their schools directly about any questions they may have. VMCVM has been very forthcoming with what they are looking for in applications and encourage applicants to contact them if they ever have more questions. I can only assume other schools are the same way.
 
I'm hoping someone can give me some advice on how to go about writing my personal statement:

I did very poorly in first year due to severe anxiety, depression and an eating disorder which ultimately forced me to drop out. 6 years later, I'm getting all 80s and 90s in my courses, and completely happy and recovered. Do I mention my battle with mental illness in my statement?
 
I'm hoping someone can give me some advice on how to go about writing my personal statement:

I did very poorly in first year due to severe anxiety, depression and an eating disorder which ultimately forced me to drop out. 6 years later, I'm getting all 80s and 90s in my courses, and completely happy and recovered. Do I mention my battle with mental illness in my statement?
I would search for threads around here about explanation statements for some ideas. Something like that seems like it would fit better there, rather than your personal statement, which has a more specific prompt. Whether or not you discuss your mental illness is up to you - I know some people will go into detail in their explanation statement, other will just say something along the lines of "Personal issues led to x, y, and z. These have now been resolved and my more recent coursework better reflects my capabilities." Whatever you say, make sure you end on a positive note. Still others will choose not to use an explanation statement at all, letting the application speak for itself.
 
The #1 thing I've learned while applying for the first time this year is to remember what Abraham Lincoln once said: "Don't believe everything you read on the internet!"

Seriously though, I have found advice on forums and blogs that I took as gospel truth. After sitting through an admissions webinar last week (for VMCVM), I heard direct contradictions to the advice I had received. For example, I've been told that a variety of experience was important to my application. VMCVM basically said, "if all your experience is with one area or hospital, we don't care, especially if that's the area you want to pursue in school."

I would encourage anyone who is applying to ask their schools directly about any questions they may have. VMCVM has been very forthcoming with what they are looking for in applications and encourage applicants to contact them if they ever have more questions. I can only assume other schools are the same way.

Asking schools is always best as we state on this thread frequently. And I'm glad VMRCVM doesn't care about diversity but I can bet that if you had that diversity you're application would look much better than a similar applicant with only one area of vet med experience, all other things being similar.

You also have to keep in mind that when advice is given, especially on internet forums, it is broad, general advice and, overall, having diverse experience is going to be of benefit to you if you can manage it. That is why you will hear that advice commonly, not because it will be true across the board, but because, in general, it is good advice.

But, as you stated, the best recommendation is to ask the school or schools you are applying to.
 
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Asking schools is always best as we state on this thread frequently. And I'm glad VMRCVM doesn't care about diversity but I can bet that if you had that diversity you're application would look much better than a similar applicant with only one area of vet med experience, all other things being similar.

You also have to keep in mind that when advice is given, especially on internet forums, it is broad, general advice and, overall, having diverse experience is going to be of benefit to you if you can manage it. That is why you will hear that advice commonly, not because it will be true across the board, but because, in general, it is good advice.

But, as you stated, the best recommendation is to ask the school or schools you are applying to.

Not saying diversity never matters. That was just an illustration of a misconception I had. The point was that the school is the best source of information.
 
My formula was where is the cheapest school for me to attend? How easy is it for me to get my residency? Perfect, school put in sights, research done for prereqs and what they like in a candidate. Goals set and luckily a couple others schools are also a good match. Pull trigger and go.
 
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I'm hoping someone can give me some advice on how to go about writing my personal statement:

I did very poorly in first year due to severe anxiety, depression and an eating disorder which ultimately forced me to drop out. 6 years later, I'm getting all 80s and 90s in my courses, and completely happy and recovered. Do I mention my battle with mental illness in my statement?

There is another recent thread on help with personal statement that deals with a similar issue. I would read that and then see if you have additional questions.
 
Hey, everyone. I am new to this forum and was really hoping someone could help me answer this question. I am currently very interested in getting accepted to Atlantic veterinary college on Prince Edward island. I applied and have had a few emails back and forth with a woman from the school, and recently she sent me an email saying that I have met the requirements, but I must wait until my transcript is ranked. If ranked highly, I will be notified about an interview at the school.

I am an international student, so the interviews for AVC are November 19, 2016. Can anyone tell me when I should be hearing back about an interview if I was to get one?

Thank you! Any little bit of information helps :)
 
Hey, everyone. I am new to this forum and was really hoping someone could help me answer this question. I am currently very interested in getting accepted to Atlantic veterinary college on Prince Edward island. I applied and have had a few emails back and forth with a woman from the school, and recently she sent me an email saying that I have met the requirements, but I must wait until my transcript is ranked. If ranked highly, I will be notified about an interview at the school.

I am an international student, so the interviews for AVC are November 19, 2016. Can anyone tell me when I should be hearing back about an interview if I was to get one?

Thank you! Any little bit of information helps :)

I'm new to this forum as well, but anyway, back to what you were talking about. I applied to AVC as well and I received an e-mail this morning letting me know that I was invited to Interview Day, and that I have until the 25th to accept my invitation. So my guess is that you should be hearing from the school soon!
 
I'm new to this forum as well, but anyway, back to what you were talking about. I applied to AVC as well and I received an e-mail this morning letting me know that I was invited to Interview Day, and that I have until the 25th to accept my invitation. So my guess is that you should be hearing from the school soon!
Okay, Great! Thanks! Also, forgot to ask. This might be a stupid question, but do they send out interview emails for everyone who gets one on the same day?

I haven't received any email like that, so I'm not sure if that means its a definite no, or what?

Thanks again :)
 
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Okay, Great! Thanks! Also, forgot to ask. This might be a stupid question, but do they send out interview emails for everyone who gets one on the same day?

I haven't received any email like that, so I'm not sure if that means its a definite no, or what?

Thanks again :)

Unfortunately I do not know the answer to your question; however, I'm sure if you asked Sharon Gotell she would let you know! She's been very helpful and patient with answering all of my questions.

I hope you hear from them soon!
 
Hey, everyone. I am new to this forum and was really hoping someone could help me answer this question. I am currently very interested in getting accepted to Atlantic veterinary college on Prince Edward island. I applied and have had a few emails back and forth with a woman from the school, and recently she sent me an email saying that I have met the requirements, but I must wait until my transcript is ranked. If ranked highly, I will be notified about an interview at the school.

I am an international student, so the interviews for AVC are November 19, 2016. Can anyone tell me when I should be hearing back about an interview if I was to get one?

Thank you! Any little bit of information helps :)

I'm new to this forum as well, but anyway, back to what you were talking about. I applied to AVC as well and I received an e-mail this morning letting me know that I was invited to Interview Day, and that I have until the 25th to accept my invitation. So my guess is that you should be hearing from the school soon!
Just so you both know, there's an AVC class of 2021 applicants thread here: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/avc-class-of-2021.1224303/
It's not active right now, but any other questions you have might get more attention there!
 
I've been told that a variety of experience was important to my application. VMCVM basically said, "if all your experience is with one area or hospital, we don't care, especially if that's the area you want to pursue in school."

Yep. Every school has a different admissions formula. Diversity of experience may not be a part of it. HOWEVER, diversity of experience can be valuable even if it is not a part of the admissions requirements. Many types of experience can help you clarify your interests, and unusual experiences may help you stand out as an individual. However, flitting from one thing to another would make me worry about your ability to dedicate to something. I did a few things with a variety of species, but at least one of them over a year or two. I was also surprised to hear from members of the admissions committee that diversity of experience was not an official part of the process. Nevertheless, faculty review these personally and they are human. It may be subjectively important to one, and not to another.

I would stick to what you enjoy, but branch out to try interesting things if you're able. More than anything, don't let experience hours harm your grades. Hours are easy to get, grades are hard to fix.
 
I'm a bit stressed out/uncertain because financially its adding up to go to them all (even though I know vet school will cost a lot but that's later...). It's like $500 per visit since I have to fly.

First, it's worth visiting if you have not before because it can give you a good feel for what the school is like. They are also trying to make a good impression on you. BUT, as you say, it is not cheap.

EVEN IF the school does not provide you with a list of students offering to house interviewees for free, contact the admissions office and ask about it. Chances are, someone can house you for free (write them a NICE thank-you note when you get home!). That should decrease the cost significantly per visit. Additionally, if you truly can't afford to visit somewhere you love, tell them straight up you don't have the finances but would love to participate in a Skype or phone interview if at all possible. They may say no, but you don't know until you ask.

Lastly, if it at all works time-wise, think about alternate transport. Within reason, driving/ridesharing or busing can be a cheaper option, but it's certainly not as convenient.
 
Can someone give me some advice on updating schools regarding my application?

For example, I have started a couple new jobs and I'm attending a research conference (as well as hopefully getting the research published). Also, because of these jobs, I had to stop other activities earlier than I planned to (I put on the app that the end date was sometime in May). I know it's too late to update on VMCAS so should I updated the schools individually and if so, how should I go about that?
 
Can someone give me some advice on updating schools regarding my application?

For example, I have started a couple new jobs and I'm attending a research conference (as well as hopefully getting the research published). Also, because of these jobs, I had to stop other activities earlier than I planned to (I put on the app that the end date was sometime in May). I know it's too late to update on VMCAS so should I updated the schools individually and if so, how should I go about that?

I think it depends on the school. I had to update my app last week. I sent them an email politely saying that if it's possible, I would like to add some information to my application. Then I included the info I wanted added so we wouldn't have to go back and forth additional times, making more work for them. At the end I made sure to say that I understood it may be too late to update the application, but I would really appreciate it if it ended up being possible. I sent this email to 4 schools--one emailed me back the next morning, and the rest I hadn't heard back from (it'll be a week on Wednesday or Thursday). The one that responded said they'd attach the new info to my app, which was great. Not sure what will happen with the others, but I suppose it's out of my hands now! On the bright side, I did mention the information I wanted added in both my explanation statement and my personal statement, so they do know it's a thing that exists (it was an experience).

Here's a template of my email, if it helps (I know your situation is a little different so you can obviously alter it for your needs):

Hello,

In reviewing a PDF copy of my VMCAS application, I have realized that an important entry was omitted from my experience section. I am unsure of how this occurred, but because the VMCAS application cycle is closed, I can no longer try to remedy this through their website nor customer service. Instead, if it is not too late, I am hoping that the information intended for my application can be added onto my file for review. The entry should read:

[Insert experience info in VMCAS format]

I appreciate your attention to this matter. I understand that it may be too late to add this information to my application. However, if it is possible to add it, I feel that it is an important aspect of my application as a whole.

Thank you,
[Name]
 
Hey guys,
Potential applicant with a quick question:
Do admissions committee members actually call your references and verify that you've done X amount of hours at a center or ask what your roles and responsibilities were as a volunteer at ________?
Thanks!
 
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