Successful Applicant Stats - Class of 2021

[finnickthedog]

Alright, I can’t wait anymore. This is one of my favorite threads to read. So although, I know many of you will probably wait to post here until you’ve heard back from more schools… I’m kicking this off now.

Please stick to the format from previous years: https://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/successful-applicant-stats-class-of-2020.1171065/

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Members don't see this ad.

 

[finnickthedog]

22 yr old female, Michigan Resident, 2nd time applicant

Applied: Michigan State
Interviewed/Accepted/Attending: Michigan State!

Overall GPA: 3.12
Science GPA: 3.02
Last 36 GPA: 3.43 (MSU uses 36 rather than 45)

Degree: BS General Biology – December 2015

GRE (Q/V/W): 158 (70%) / 167 (98%) / 3.5 (42%)

Veterinary Experience
Shadowing then Working at SA Clinic (500 hrs)
Vetward Bound ESP Level II (350 hrs)
Shadowing SA Surgery at 2 Clinics (9 hrs)

Animal Experience
Dog Breeding/Kennel Management (11,000 hrs)
Dog Showing (3,200 hrs)
Dog Training/Training Club Membership (280 hrs)
Petsitting SA/Exotic (100 hrs)
Horseback Riding (75 hrs)
Wild Bird Rehab Volunteer (54 hrs)
Care of a Sick Bird (40 hrs)
Sheep Herding Lessons (30 hrs)
Bully Breed Rescue Volunteer (24 hrs)

Non-Animal Volunteering
Tutoring HS Student (140 hrs)
GS Troop Assistant (100 hrs)

Extracurriculars/Awards
Writing
Pre-Vet Club Member
Alto Saxophonist (HS Marching/Concert Band & Private Lessons)
Dean's List (1 semester)
Best in Show
Best Junior Handler (Multiple)
Top Ten Junior Handler
Top Ten Dog (Multiple)

LORs
Small Animal Vet
Dog Breeder
Dog Trainer (VP/Building Manager of my Training Club)

Personal Statement
My interest in being a veterinarian was cemented by an experience I had with a pet so, although I knew it wasn’t the most original way to go, I started there and just tried to ensure it was written in a way that would still be interest. I did have a lot of people read my PS and none of them told me to scrap or change the intro so I figured I was okay to roll with that. Next, I talked about my experience breeding/showing dogs which, personally, I felt was the highlight of my statement. I tried to emphasize the personal skills that I acquired through that experience and how it shaped both me as a person and my interest in veterinary medicine. After that I talked briefly about my experience working in a clinic and my experience in ESP because I felt those were both significant. To wrap it up, I expressed an interest in small animals but indicated I was open and interested in other possibilities.

 

[lhmhtd]

I'm curious to see everyone's stats as time goes on considering how damn competitive it's been this year. Congrats finnick!

 

[cheathac]

Yes congrats!!!!! Even though I've been accepted, I'll probably wait to post until after I hear from my IS school

 

[vetmedhead]

I love this thread! Good job everyone, go team!

 

[ResoluteMike]

40 yr old male, Nebraska Resident, 1st time applicant

Applied: University of Nebraska – Lincoln/Iowa State PPVM
Interviewed/Accepted/Attending: UNL/Iowa State

Overall GPA: 3.66
Science GPA: 3.85
Last 45 GPA: 3.81

Degree: BA General Studies with a Concentration in Biology – Senior (2 non-pre-reqs left)

GRE (Q/V/W): 158 (70%) / 159 (82%) / 4.0 (59%)

Veterinary Experience
Small Animal Emergency (250 hrs)
Red Cross Volunteer (Vet Tech) (50 hrs)
Equine Shadowing (50 hrs)
Large Animal Shadowing (15 hrs)
Small Animal GP Shadowing (75 hrs)

Animal Experience
Pet Therapy Volunteer (30 hrs)
Bikejoring w Personal Dogs

Work experience
United States Air Force (20.5 years)
- Computer Programmer
- NC2 Emergency Actions Controller

Framing Carpenter (1 year)

Non-Animal Volunteering
Organic Chemistry TA (1 sem)
Honduran orphanage

Extracurriculars/Awards
Various military (Outstanding Volunteer etc.)
Dean's List (multiple)
Married 16 years (awarding individual organization was my wife.

LORs
Two Emergency Veterinarians
State Board Veterinarian
Construction Business Partner
Pet Therapy Coordinator

Personal Statement
I discussed my path to finding veterinary medicine. It started with how I initially became interested and a bit about my experiences with it shadowing. I assessed my feelings and motivations for wanted to be a veterinarian. Basically, I told my story.

 

[Trilt]

40 yr old male, Nebraska Resident, 1st time applicant

Applied: University of Nebraska – Lincoln/Iowa State PPVM
Interviewed/Accepted/Attending: UNL/Iowa State

Overall GPA: 3.66
Science GPA: 3.85
Last 45 GPA: 3.81

Degree: BA General Studies with a Concentration in Biology – Senior (2 non-pre-reqs left)

GRE (Q/V/W): 158 (70%) / 159 (82%) / 4.0 (59%)

Veterinary Experience
Small Animal Emergency (250 hrs)
Red Cross Volunteer (Vet Tech) (50 hrs)
Equine Shadowing (50 hrs)
Large Animal Shadowing (15 hrs)
Small Animal GP Shadowing (75 hrs)

Animal Experience
Pet Therapy Volunteer (30 hrs)
Bikejoring w Personal Dogs

Work experience
United States Air Force (20.5 years)
- Computer Programmer
- NC2 Emergency Actions Controller

Framing Carpenter (1 year)

Non-Animal Volunteering
Organic Chemistry TA (1 sem)
Honduran orphanage

Extracurriculars/Awards
Various military (Outstanding Volunteer etc.)
Dean's List (multiple)
Married 16 years (awarding individual organization was my wife.

LORs
Two Emergency Veterinarians
State Board Veterinarian
Construction Business Partner
Pet Therapy Coordinator

Personal Statement
I discussed my path to finding veterinary medicine. It started with how I initially became interested and a bit about my experiences with it shadowing. I assessed my feelings and motivations for wanted to be a veterinarian. Basically, I told my story.

Yay RM! You're going to be a vet!!

 

[battie]

@ResoluteMike did you do to undergrad in Nebraska?

 

[ResoluteMike]

@ResoluteMike did you do to undergrad in Nebraska?

I am currently a student at University of Nebraska Omaha.

 

[battie]

I am currently a student at University of Nebraska Omaha.

Cool! I was at Chadron State. I don't see many Nebraskans around; there's only one in my class who went to UNL.

 

[WildZoo]

40 yr old male, Nebraska Resident, 1st time applicant

Applied: University of Nebraska – Lincoln/Iowa State PPVM
Interviewed/Accepted/Attending: UNL/Iowa State

Overall GPA: 3.66
Science GPA: 3.85
Last 45 GPA: 3.81

Degree: BA General Studies with a Concentration in Biology – Senior (2 non-pre-reqs left)

GRE (Q/V/W): 158 (70%) / 159 (82%) / 4.0 (59%)

Veterinary Experience
Small Animal Emergency (250 hrs)
Red Cross Volunteer (Vet Tech) (50 hrs)
Equine Shadowing (50 hrs)
Large Animal Shadowing (15 hrs)
Small Animal GP Shadowing (75 hrs)

Animal Experience
Pet Therapy Volunteer (30 hrs)
Bikejoring w Personal Dogs

Work experience
United States Air Force (20.5 years)
- Computer Programmer
- NC2 Emergency Actions Controller

Framing Carpenter (1 year)

Non-Animal Volunteering
Organic Chemistry TA (1 sem)
Honduran orphanage

Extracurriculars/Awards
Various military (Outstanding Volunteer etc.)
Dean's List (multiple)
Married 16 years (awarding individual organization was my wife.

LORs
Two Emergency Veterinarians
State Board Veterinarian
Construction Business Partner
Pet Therapy Coordinator

Personal Statement
I discussed my path to finding veterinary medicine. It started with how I initially became interested and a bit about my experiences with it shadowing. I assessed my feelings and motivations for wanted to be a veterinarian. Basically, I told my story.

Yay RM! So happy for you!!!

 

[mmmdreamerz]

This is such a happy/hopeful thread...I can't wait for more people to get in and post here (and hopefully post myself...). Congrats guys!

 

[Cephal0pod]

Extracurriculars/Awards
Married 16 years (awarding individual organization was my wife.

Love it! Congrats!!

 

[ResoluteMike]

Love it! Congrats!!

Applications are so serious. I had to have a little fun.

 

[lbecktell]

27 yr old female, NY Resident, 1st time applicant

Applied: Penn (VMD/PhD) , Cornell (DVM/PhD)
Interview: Penn (VMD)
Rejected: Penn (PhD portion)
Accepted: Cornell (DVM)
TBD: Cornell (PhD)
Attending: Most likely Cornell!

Overall GPA: 3.8
Science GPA: 4.0
Last 45 GPA: 4.0

Degree:
AAS Photographic Illustration -- December 2009
BS Advertising/Public Relations (minor in Writing Studies) – May 2012

GRE (Q/V/W): 164 (94%) / 157 (67%) / 4.5 (82%)

Veterinary Experience
Animal Care Assistant for Emergency hospital ( 3,000+ hours)
Animal Care Assistant for Internal Medicine specialty department ( 1,000+ hours)
Clinic Volunteer at Rochester Animal Services (city owned shelter) (40 hrs)
Mixed Practice Shadowing (12 hrs)

Animal Experience
Own my own pet photography business (1000+ hrs)
Zookeeping Intern (120 hrs)
Volunteer Dog Photographer for rescues (320 hrs)
Weekend Barn Manager for 30 stall horse show barn (600+)
Equine show groom (2000 hrs)


Non-Animal Volunteering
Tutoring in Organic Chemistry I & II, General Chemistry, and Immunology
TA for Cell and Molec
TA for Orgo I
Group Leader for local 4H group

Research Experience
Undergraduate research into the morphology of frizzled-6 in canine hemangiosarcoma (self-written and driven project)
Funded undergraduate research fellowship awarded for project above
Committee Chair and Event Organizer for RIT Research Spotlights event

Extracurriculars/Awards
Wrote a novel
Crossfit competitor
Chosen undergraduate delegate for the American Immunology Association Summit in Seattle (2016)
Pre vet club (secretary, then president)
Equestrian club (secretary/social chair)
David Baldwin Scholarship recipient
RIT Presidential Scholarship recipient
Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship Recipient

LORs
Cornell alum Emergency Vet
Immunology Professor
UPenn alum Internist 1
UPenn alum Internist 2
UPenn alum Radiologist
RIT Biology Department Head

Personal Statement
Spoke about the rigors of my early times as an emergency ACA, and how I worked the overnight shift while going to school full time in the day and juggling a marriage to boot. I admitted that it was difficult, but then addressed another time in my life that I'd been far less busy, far less tired, and was far more miserable (when I worked in advertising). I then took a paragraph to explain why i found vet med to be so appealing and how it made me personally feel to be a part of it, then ended with a statement on why I would make a well rounded clinician, emphasizing my interest in a dual-degree, pursuit of an internal medicine specialty, and ultimately an academic clinician/faculty position.

 

[BigRedEquine]

27 yr old female, NY Resident, 1st time applicant

Applied: Penn (VMD/PhD) , Cornell (DVM/PhD)
Interview: Penn (VMD)
Rejected: Penn (PhD portion)
Accepted: Cornell (DVM)
TBD: Cornell (PhD)
Attending: Most likely Cornell!

Overall GPA: 3.8
Science GPA: 4.0
Last 45 GPA: 4.0

Degree:
AAS Photographic Illustration -- December 2009
BS Advertising/Public Relations (minor in Writing Studies) – May 2012

GRE (Q/V/W): 164 (94%) / 157 (67%) / 4.5 (82%)

Veterinary Experience
Animal Care Assistant for Emergency hospital ( 3,000+ hours)
Animal Care Assistant for Internal Medicine specialty department ( 1,000+ hours)
Clinic Volunteer at Rochester Animal Services (city owned shelter) (40 hrs)
Mixed Practice Shadowing (12 hrs)

Animal Experience
Own my own pet photography business (1000+ hrs)
Zookeeping Intern (120 hrs)
Volunteer Dog Photographer for rescues (320 hrs)
Weekend Barn Manager for 30 stall horse show barn (600+)
Equine show groom (2000 hrs)


Non-Animal Volunteering
Tutoring in Organic Chemistry I & II, General Chemistry, and Immunology
TA for Cell and Molec
TA for Orgo I
Group Leader for local 4H group

Research Experience
Undergraduate research into the morphology of frizzled-6 in canine hemangiosarcoma (self-written and driven project)
Funded undergraduate research fellowship awarded for project above
Committee Chair and Event Organizer for RIT Research Spotlights event

Extracurriculars/Awards
Wrote a novel
Crossfit competitor
Chosen undergraduate delegate for the American Immunology Association Summit in Seattle (2016)
Pre vet club (secretary, then president)
Equestrian club (secretary/social chair)
David Baldwin Scholarship recipient
RIT Presidential Scholarship recipient
Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship Recipient

LORs
Cornell alum Emergency Vet
Immunology Professor
UPenn alum Internist 1
UPenn alum Internist 2
UPenn alum Radiologist
RIT Biology Department Head

Personal Statement
Spoke about the rigors of my early times as an emergency ACA, and how I worked the overnight shift while going to school full time in the day and juggling a marriage to boot. I admitted that it was difficult, but then addressed another time in my life that I'd been far less busy, far less tired, and was far more miserable (when I worked in advertising). I then took a paragraph to explain why i found vet med to be so appealing and how it made me personally feel to be a part of it, then ended with a statement on why I would make a well rounded clinician, emphasizing my interest in a dual-degree, pursuit of an internal medicine specialty, and ultimately an academic clinician/faculty position.

Congratulations, those are incredible stats!

 

[WildAnimal]

This thread is causing some nostalgia. Congrats, everyone! I love vet school so much

 

[psilovethomas]

I love vet school so much

said no one ever....
Who paid you to say that?

 

[WildAnimal]

said no one ever....
Who paid you to say that?

Okay more accurately - I hate studying, I hate lecture, but I love all the hands on labs. I love all the friends I've made. I love when I can tie together things I've learned and they become clinically relevant. I love neutering and everything on the mobile clinic. I love the club lectures (only lectures I love) and club events and activities. I love being around people that share the same passion as me.

So really, I love it more than I hate it. At least right now

 

[manxlovervet2021]

21 yr old female, MI Resident, 1st time applicant

Applied: MSU, OSU, Western, Purdue, Cornell, UC Davis, Florida, Georgia
Interview: Western, MSU
Rejected: OSU, Purdue, UC Davis, Florida
Waitlisted: Western
Accepted: Cornell
TBD: MSU, Georgia
Attending: Most likely Cornell, maybe MSU (if tuition costs at Cornell end up being out of reach)

Overall GPA: 3.57
Science GPA: 3.3ish (depends on the school)
Last 45 GPA: 3.75ish (depends on the school)

Degree:
BS Agriculture (major Animal Sciences) from Ohio State- graduating May 2017

GRE (Q/V/W): 162/158/4

Veterinary Experience
Cats Only Vet shadowing (20hrs)
Kennel assistant at small animal and exotic hospital (800 hrs)
Internship at wildlife clinic (320 hrs)
Internship at mixed animal practice with lots of surgeries (500 hrs)
Veterinary assistant at small animal clinic, lots of experience with AAHA accreditation (1800 hrs)
VIDA Volunteer (50 hrs)


Animal Experience
Basic care for my cat
Minor experience in my animal science classes
1 semester of English riding class
(my vet experience really speaks to my animal experience)


Non-Animal Volunteering
Tutoring high school student with Aspergers (40 hrs)
Teaching assistant for animal science class (150 hrs)
Red Cross blood drive coordinator (200 hrs)
Teaching an animal science class to middle school students after school (50 hrs)

Research Experience
Measuring cortisol levels of lambs post-tail docking (my own honors research project), only had like 40 hours of this at time of application

Extracurriculars/Awards
Hall Council VP
Pre-vet club (student council representative, then secretary, now VP)
Various semesters on Dean's List
Teaching assistant as stated above
Agricultural Honorary (community service chair, now President)
Resident Advisor for one year
Suicide Prevention training certificate
Study Abroad: Spain(1.5 weeks) in high school Spanish class, VIDA trip to Costa Rica (2 weeks), Spain (1.5 weeks)-studying equine industry with other ansci students at OSU

LORs
MSU Alumni Vet from mixed animal practice
Academic Advisor (who is also a veterinarian/prof/on admissions committee at Ohio State)--UC Davis Alumi Vet
OSU Alumni Vet from my current job as vet assistant
Woman from Red Cross who oversaw my successful blood drives

Personal Statement
Touched on all of my veterinary experiences, talked about how I had an impactful experience speaking Spanish (my minor) on my VIDA trip with locals bringing in their pets, said I want to be a bilingual mixed animal veterinarian.

Conclusion: Can't believe I got into Cornell on my first try after being denied at so many "easier" (as some say) schools; don't ask me how I did it because I have no idea. Looking to see if I get into MSU, then I will make my final decision. Sorry for typos/etc, just so excited!

 

[coffeelauren]

21 yr old female, MI Resident, 1st time applicant

Applied: MSU, OSU, Western, Purdue, Cornell, UC Davis, Florida, Georgia
Interview: Western, MSU
Rejected: OSU, Purdue, UC Davis, Florida
Waitlisted: Western
Accepted: Cornell
TBD: MSU, Georgia
Attending: Most likely Cornell, maybe MSU (if tuition costs at Cornell end up being out of reach)



Man I don't think there's a large chance I'll get into purdue or florida then, damn . But anyway, congrats!!!

 

[coffeelauren]

oops that post ended up being formatted super weird.. sorry...

 

[PippyPony]

32 yr old female, NH Resident (OOS everywhere ), 1st time non-traditional applicant

Applied: Tufts <-- cue the "eggs in one basket" comments
Interview: Tufts! (Dec round, for the n̶e̶r̶d̶s̶ people like me who research that stuff in old threads)
Rejected: --
Waitlisted: --
Accepted: Tufts!!
TBD: --
Attending: Tufts!!!

Overall GPA: 3.59
Post-Baccalaureate GPA: 3.97
Science/Math GPA: 3.98/4.00
Last 45 GPA: I dunno, probably ~3.75ish? I'll bet you dollars to donuts it won't look so pretty once physics and biochem are finished with me :-/

Degree: A.B., History, class of 2007

GRE (Q/V/W): 161 Q (79th %) / 166 V (97th %) / 6 W (99th %)

Veterinary Experience: ~725 hrs total - mostly small animal, some equine; no exotics/large animal/wildlife exp.
Technician at a small animal clinic, paid - 420 hrs @ time of app (now about 800 hrs since it's where I work)
Shelter Medicine program @ the SF SPCA, volunteer - 245 hrs
Tufts AVM program - 10 hrs (<-- I split the 40 hour program between vet & animal experience)
Shadowing various vets (small animal & equine) - ~30 hrs

Animal Experience: ~14,000 hrs total, the vast majority of it in equine
Lifelong horseback rider, horse owner, barn rat - 12,000+ hours
Volunteer cat socializer @ the SF SPCA, including in the "ringworm ward" (I <3 those itchy little kittens!) - 600 hrs
Wrangler on a dude ranch - 400 hrs
Summer camp riding program director - 1100 hrs
Tufts AVM program - 30 hrs

Other Work Experience: >17,ooo hrs total; I'm a career-changer
9+ years of working at a large, well-known search/technology company in the SF Bay Area

Non-Animal Volunteering
None, I guess there are nice people out there who do this sort of thing with their free time?

Research Experience
Zilch.

Extracurriculars/Awards
Undergrad:
Dean's List for 1 year
President of Chamber Choir
Music director of my a cappella group
Other:
Massachusetts licensed horseback riding instructor (licensed 2003, lapsed c. 2005)

LORs
Board-certified vet dermatologist (current boss)
Manager at my corporate job (previous boss)
Organic chem lab professor

Personal Statement
I think I broke some unofficial rules, because I wrote about my own pets (it's actually even worse...I wrote about my own pets who died). I kicked off my PS with a story about my cat who had just died from laryngeal carcinoma. We made a terrifying 3 hour drive with her to Tufts to try to find out what was wrong, and I tied that to a desire to help other families and animals in similar situations. I also wrote about a few other pets who I lost to cancer, and how those experiences have inspired my interest in oncology. I also wrote about my prior employment experience in the tech (-nology, not vet) industry, focusing on what it taught me about my work style and the overlaps between veterinary medicine, technology, and customer service. In retrospect, this summary sounds more coherent than the actual essay...character limits and I don't get along too well.

For the Tufts supplemental, I picked the "15 min of fame" question (and no, did not mention dying pets in that one per the essay prompt that said "please don't discuss animals").

Conclusion
I am so excited to finally be posting here and still I can't believe they let me in!! I found this thread to be really helpful when I was going through my pre-vet journey, so I hope it helps others. Along those lines, if anyone has questions about applying as a non-traditional applicant (e.g. getting pre-reqs, getting experience, breaking the news to your spouse about your/their future student debt load, etc), please feel free to PM me.

 

[Coopah]

32 yr old female, NH Resident (OOS everywhere ), 1st time non-traditional applicant

Applied: Tufts <-- cue the "eggs in one basket" comments
Interview: Tufts! (Dec round, for the n̶e̶r̶d̶s̶ people like me who resea.rch that stuff in old threads)
Rejected: --
Waitlisted: --
Accepted: Tufts!!
TBD: --
Attending: Tufts!!!

Overall GPA: 3.59
Post-Baccalaureate GPA: 3.97
Science/Math GPA: 3.98/4.00
Last 45 GPA: I dunno, probably ~3.75ish? I'll bet you dollars to donuts it won't look so pretty once physics and biochem are finished with me :-/

Degree: A.B., History, Bowdoin College, Class of 2007

GRE (Q/V/W): 161 Q (79th %) / 166 V (97th %) / 6 W (99th %)

Veterinary Experience: ~725 hrs total - mostly small animal, some equine; no exotics/large animal/wildlife exp.
Technician at a small animal clinic, paid - 420 hrs @ time of app (now about 800 hrs since it's where I work)
Shelter Medicine program @ the SF SPCA, volunteer - 245 hrs
Tufts AVM program - 10 hrs (<-- I split the 40 hour program between vet & animal experience)
Shadowing various vets (small animal & equine) - ~30 hrs

Animal Experience: ~14,000 hrs total, the vast majority of it in equine
Lifelong horseback rider, horse owner, barn rat - 12,000+ hours
Volunteer cat socializer @ the SF SPCA, including in the "ringworm ward" (I <3 those itchy little kittens!) - 600 hrs
Wrangler on a dude ranch - 400 hrs
Summer camp riding program director - 1100 hrs
Tufts AVM program - 30 hrs

Other Work Experience: >17,ooo hrs total; I'm a career-changer
9+ years of working at a large, well-known search/technology company in the SF Bay Area

Non-Animal Volunteering
None, I guess there are nice people out there who do this sort of thing with their free time?

Research Experience
Zilch.

Extracurriculars/Awards
Undergrad:
Dean's List for 1 year
President of Chamber Choir
Music director of my a cappella group
Other:
Massachusetts licensed horseback riding instructor (licensed 2003, lapsed c. 2005)

LORs
Board-certified vet dermatologist (current boss)
Manager at my corporate job (previous boss)
Organic chem lab professor

Personal Statement
I think I broke some unofficial rules, because I wrote about my own pets (it's actually even worse...I wrote about my own pets who died). I kicked off my PS with a story about my cat who had just died from laryngeal carcinoma. We made a terrifying 3 hour drive with her to Tufts to try to find out what was wrong, and I tied that to a desire to help other families and animals in similar situations. I also wrote about a few other pets who I lost to cancer, and how those experiences have inspired my interest in oncology. I also wrote about my prior employment experience in the tech (-nology, not vet) industry, focusing on what it taught me about my work style and the overlaps between veterinary medicine, technology, and customer service. In retrospect, this summary sounds more coherent than the actual essay...character limits and I don't get along too well.

For the Tufts supplemental, I picked the "15 min of fame" question (and no, did not mention dying pets in that one per the essay prompt that said "please don't discuss animals").

Conclusion
I am so excited to finally be posting here and still I can't believe they let me in!! I found this thread to be really helpful when I was going through my pre-vet journey, so I hope it helps others. Along those lines, if anyone has questions about applying as a non-traditional applicant (e.g. getting pre-reqs, getting experience, breaking the news to your spouse about your/their future student debt load, etc), please feel free to PM me.

Cool someone else from NH! I have an interview with Tufts soon, maybe we'll be classmates!

 

[Lucy410]

28-year-old female, California resident, 1st time applicant

Applied: UC Davis
Interviewed/Accepted/Attending: UC Davis!

Overall GPA: 3.76
Science GPA: 3.65
Last 45 GPA: 4.00

Degree: BA in Psychology, 2010; MA in Education, 2013; Health Sciences Post-Bacc (non-degree) in progress (one class to go!). Obviously a career-changer.

GRE (Q/V/W): 156 (63%) / 170 (99%) / 5.5 (98%)

Veterinary Experience
- Veterinary Assistant (paid) at two small animal clinics (1,400+ hours)
- Volunteer at two high-volume shelter spay/neuter clinics (200+ hours)
- Shadowing/assisting (unpaid) large animal vets on farm calls (250+ hours)

Research Experience
- Master's thesis, which was unrelated to veterinary medicine

Animal Experience
- Volunteer work doing things like fostering, dog walking, and wildlife rehab (680+ hours)
- Animal caregiver/adoption counselor (paid) at an animal shelter during high school (4,000+ hours)

Non-Animal Employment
- In college: part-time in my university's admissions office
- Post-grad: full-time in higher education for several years before deciding to make a career change

Extracurriculars
- In college: sorority (exec board member), theater
- Post-grad: sorority alumnae association (exec board member), alumna admissions interviewer for my university

LORs
- The main vet and practice owner at the small animal clinic where I worked as a veterinary assistant most recently
- Another vet from the same small animal practice
- My organic chemistry professor from my post-bacc program
- A committee letter from my post-bacc program that includes feedback from multiple professors as well as my advisor

Personal Statement
I wrote about my path as a nontraditional career changer and how my experiences since college (both in vet med and outside the field) have made me a stronger applicant.

Anything Else
I was worried that my GRE Quant would rule me out since Davis is so GRE-heavy in their selection process, but fortunately I still made the cut. My science GPA is lower than I would prefer since some of my pre-reqs were done at my undergrad university which is notoriously competitive in the natural sciences (and, to be fair, I wasn't putting in my best effort). Fortunately I was able to bring it up by performing well in my post-bacc, in which I took the majority of the pre-reqs.


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile

 

[Coopah]

28-year-old female, California Resident, 1st time applicant

Applied: UC Davis
Interviewed/Accepted/Attending: UC Davis!

Overall GPA: 3.76
Science GPA: 3.65
Last 45 GPA: 4.00

Degree: BA in Psychology, 2010; MA in Education, 2013; Health Sciences Post-Bacc (non-degree) in progress (one class to go!). Obviously a career-changer.

GRE (Q/V/W): 156 (63%) / 170 (99%) / 5.5 (98%)

Veterinary Experience
- Veterinary Assistant (paid) at two small animal clinics (1,400+ hours)
- Volunteer at two high-volume shelter spay/neuter clinics (200+ hours)
- Shadowing/assisting (unpaid) large animal vets on farm calls (250+ hours)

Research Experience
- Master's thesis, which was unrelated to veterinary medicine

Animal Experience
- Volunteer work doing things like fostering, dog walking, and wildlife rehab (680+ hours)
- Paid experience working as an animal caregiver and adoption counselor at an animal shelter during high school (4,000+ hours)

Non-Animal Employment
- In college: part-time in my university's admissions office
- Post-grad: full-time in higher education for several years before deciding to make a career change

Extracurriculars
- In college: sorority (exec board member), theater
- Post-grad: sorority alumnae association (exec board member), alumna admissions interviewer for my university

LORs
- The main vet and practice owner at the small animal clinic where I worked as a veterinary assistant most recently.
- Another vet from the same small animal practice.
- My organic chemistry professor from my post-bacc program.
- A committee letter from my post-bacc program that includes feedback from multiple professors as well as my advisor.

Personal Statement
I wrote about my path as a nontraditional career changer and how my experiences since college (both in vet med and outside the field) have made me a stronger applicant.

Anything Else
I was worried that my subpar GRE Quant would rule me out since Davis is so GRE-heavy in their selection process, but fortunately I still made the cut. My science GPA is lower than I would prefer since some of my pre-reqs were done at my undergrad university which is notoriously competitive in the natural sciences (and, to be fair, I wasn't putting in my best effort). Fortunately I was able to bring it up by performing well in my post-bacc, in which I took the majority of the pre-reqs.


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Yeah! Good job! I might see you in the fall!

 

[sheltermed]

21 yr old female, MI Resident, 1st time applicant

Applied: MSU, OSU, Western, Purdue, Cornell, UC Davis, Florida, Georgia
Interview: Western, MSU
Rejected: OSU, Purdue, UC Davis, Florida
Waitlisted: Western
Accepted: Cornell
TBD: MSU, Georgia
Attending: Most likely Cornell, maybe MSU (if tuition costs at Cornell end up being out of reach)

Overall GPA: 3.57
Science GPA: 3.3ish (depends on the school)
Last 45 GPA: 3.75ish (depends on the school)

Degree:
BS Agriculture (major Animal Sciences) from Ohio State- graduating May 2017

GRE (Q/V/W): 162/158/4

Veterinary Experience
Cats Only Vet shadowing (20hrs)
Kennel assistant at small animal and exotic hospital (800 hrs)
Internship at wildlife clinic (320 hrs)
Internship at mixed animal practice with lots of surgeries (500 hrs)
Veterinary assistant at small animal clinic, lots of experience with AAHA accreditation (1800 hrs)
VIDA Volunteer (50 hrs)


Animal Experience
Basic care for my cat
Minor experience in my animal science classes
1 semester of English riding class
(my vet experience really speaks to my animal experience)


Non-Animal Volunteering
Tutoring high school student with Aspergers (40 hrs)
Teaching assistant for animal science class (150 hrs)
Red Cross blood drive coordinator (200 hrs)
Teaching an animal science class to middle school students after school (50 hrs)

Research Experience
Measuring cortisol levels of lambs post-tail docking (my own honors research project), only had like 40 hours of this at time of application

Extracurriculars/Awards
Hall Council VP
Pre-vet club (student council representative, then secretary, now VP)
Various semesters on Dean's List
Teaching assistant as stated above
Agricultural Honorary (community service chair, now President)
Resident Advisor for one year
Suicide Prevention training certificate
Study Abroad: Spain(1.5 weeks) in high school Spanish class, VIDA trip to Costa Rica (2 weeks), Spain (1.5 weeks)-studying equine industry with other ansci students at OSU

LORs
MSU Alumni Vet from mixed animal practice
Academic Advisor (who is also a veterinarian/prof/on admissions committee at Ohio State)--UC Davis Alumi Vet
OSU Alumni Vet from my current job as vet assistant
Woman from Red Cross who oversaw my successful blood drives

Personal Statement
Touched on all of my veterinary experiences, talked about how I had an impactful experience speaking Spanish (my minor) on my VIDA trip with locals bringing in their pets, said I want to be a bilingual mixed animal veterinarian.

Conclusion: Can't believe I got into Cornell on my first try after being denied at so many "easier" (as some say) schools; don't ask me how I did it because I have no idea. Looking to see if I get into MSU, then I will make my final decision. Sorry for typos/etc, just so excited!

Tuition at Cornell will likely be just fine - I've heard that they offer grant money (unsure of the source) that often bridges the gap between IS and OOS cost. Congrats and good luck!

 

[TrashPanda]

28-year-old female, California Resident, 1st time applicant

Applied: UC Davis
Interviewed/Accepted/Attending: UC Davis!

Overall GPA: 3.76
Science GPA: 3.65
Last 45 GPA: 4.00

Degree: BA in Psychology, 2010; MA in Education, 2013; Health Sciences Post-Bacc (non-degree) in progress (one class to go!). Obviously a career-changer.

GRE (Q/V/W): 156 (63%) / 170 (99%) / 5.5 (98%)

Veterinary Experience
- Veterinary Assistant (paid) at two small animal clinics (1,400+ hours)
- Volunteer at two high-volume shelter spay/neuter clinics (200+ hours)
- Shadowing/assisting (unpaid) large animal vets on farm calls (250+ hours)

Research Experience
- Master's thesis, which was unrelated to veterinary medicine

Animal Experience
- Volunteer work doing things like fostering, dog walking, and wildlife rehab (680+ hours)
- Paid experience working as an animal caregiver and adoption counselor at an animal shelter during high school (4,000+ hours)

Non-Animal Employment
- In college: part-time in my university's admissions office
- Post-grad: full-time in higher education for several years before deciding to make a career change

Extracurriculars
- In college: sorority (exec board member), theater
- Post-grad: sorority alumnae association (exec board member), alumna admissions interviewer for my university

LORs
- The main vet and practice owner at the small animal clinic where I worked as a veterinary assistant most recently.
- Another vet from the same small animal practice.
- My organic chemistry professor from my post-bacc program.
- A committee letter from my post-bacc program that includes feedback from multiple professors as well as my advisor.

Personal Statement
I wrote about my path as a nontraditional career changer and how my experiences since college (both in vet med and outside the field) have made me a stronger applicant.

Anything Else
I was worried that my subpar GRE Quant would rule me out since Davis is so GRE-heavy in their selection process, but fortunately I still made the cut. My science GPA is lower than I would prefer since some of my pre-reqs were done at my undergrad university which is notoriously competitive in the natural sciences (and, to be fair, I wasn't putting in my best effort). Fortunately I was able to bring it up by performing well in my post-bacc, in which I took the majority of the pre-reqs.


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Congratulations! I'm also a non-trad, graduated in 2010, and have a background in education. Also got into Davis today and very strongly considering it!

 

[emacc]

25F dual Alabama/South Carolina resident (military spouse), 2nd time applicant

Applied: NC State, UC Davis, Cornell, Washington State, Wisconsin
Interviewed: UC Davis
Accepted: Cornell, UC Davis
Pending: Wisconsin
Attending: Unsure

BS Biology 2014
Overall GPA: 3.91
Science GPA: 3.95
Last 45 GPA: 3.91

GRE: 163V (92%)/161Q (79%)/5.0W (93%)

Veterinary Experience:
Kennel Attendant/Veterinary Assistant at a rural general practice - 1600hr
Veterinary Technician at an emergency and specialty surgery practice with exotics - 3000hr
Veterinary Assistant at an emergency and full service referral practice - 700hr
Veterinary Technician at a busy growing suburban general practice with emergency service - 2500hr (ongoing)

Animal Experience
Wildlife rehabilitation - Songbirds/Raptors, Rabbits - 1100hr

Research Experience
Glycobiology Intern, Emory University Dept of Biochemistry - 500hr

Extracurriculars
ASPIRE Tutor, college students with physical and/or learning disabilities
Orientation leader for college freshman
Student Justice Council
Student Government - Social services and volunteer events

LOR:
Organic Chem Professor (class I loved and did well in)
Physics Professor (class I loved but struggled in)
DVM from 2nd ER who I also work with in GP now (NC State Alum)
DVM practice owner of current clinic, majority of career spent in shelter med and emergency (Illinois Alum)
DVM who does relief work in current GP, holistic emphasis (UPenn Alum)

Personal Statement: I talked about my experiences moving to the US as a child and never staying in one place for long and how Vet Med has helped me develop who I am as a person an learn to make the kind of social connections I now enjoy with clients. Also how it wasn't on my radar until college and sort of my path from "safe" accounting to where I am now.

 

[TerraVet]

28-year-old female, California Resident, 1st time applicant

Applied: UC Davis
Interviewed/Accepted/Attending: UC Davis!

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Welcome!! I'm also an old(er) non-traditional student at Davis. Can't wait to meet everyone!

 

[Lucy410]

Yeah! Good job! I might see you in the fall!

Thank you! Same to you! I was so glad to see you got in too - hopefully I'll see you there in August.

Congratulations! I'm also a non-trad, graduated in 2010, and have a background in education. Also got into Davis today and very strongly considering it!

Thank you! I hope we'll get to be classmates!

Welcome!! I'm also an old(er) non-traditional student at Davis. Can't wait to meet everyone!

Thank you! Looking forward to meeting you in the fall!


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile

 

[deleted676737]

25F dual Alabama/South Carolina resident (military spouse), 2nd time applicant

Applied: NC State, UC Davis, Cornell, Washington State, Wisconsin
Interviewed: UC Davis
Accepted: Cornell, UC Davis
Pending: Wisconsin
Attending: Unsure

BS Biology 2014
Overall GPA: 3.91
Science GPA: 3.95
Last 45 GPA: 3.91

GRE: 163V (92%)/161Q (79%)/5.0W (93%)

Veterinary Experience:
Kennel Attendant/Veterinary Assistant at a rural general practice - 1600hr
Veterinary Technician at an emergency and specialty surgery practice with exotics - 3000hr
Veterinary Assistant at an emergency and full service referral practice - 700hr
Veterinary Technician at a busy growing suburban general practice with emergency service - 2500hr (ongoing)

Animal Experience
Wildlife rehabilitation - Songbirds/Raptors, Rabbits - 1100hr

Research Experience
Glycobiology Intern, Emory University Dept of Biochemistry - 500hr

Extracurriculars
ASPIRE Tutor, college students with physical and/or learning disabilities
Orientation leader for college freshman
Student Justice Council
Student Government - Social services and volunteer events

LOR:
Organic Chem Professor (class I loved and did well in)
Physics Professor (class I loved but struggled in)
DVM from 2nd ER who I also work with in GP now (NC State Alum)
DVM practice owner of current clinic, majority of career spent in shelter med and emergency (Illinois Alum)
DVM who does relief work in current GP, holistic emphasis (UPenn Alum)

Personal Statement: I talked about my experiences moving to the US as a child and never staying in one place for long and how Vet Med has helped me develop who I am as a person an learn to make the kind of social connections I now enjoy with clients. Also how it wasn't on my radar until college and sort of my path from "safe" accounting to where I am now.

Geez, those are some really impressive stats. Certainly puts what I applied with to shame. Congrats!

 

[emacc]

Geez, those are some really impressive stats. Certainly puts what I applied with to shame. Congrats!

Thank you! I first applied in 2013 and was rejected to all but Cornell (waitlisted), and I've been working in the field since 2011 this time around. It took some time to be sure it was what I wanted to do after that first cycle.

 

[Bleed Purple. Go Cats!]

20 year old male, Kansas resident, 1st time applicant

Applied: Kansas State (average accepted GPA somewhere around a 3.3-3.5 GPA)

Interviewed/Accepted/Attending: Kansas State!!


Overall GPA: 3.47
Science GPA: 3.33
Last 45: 3.47

Did not enter a GRE score because KSU doesn't require it if you take all pre-reqs at KSU. So all percentages that normally go to GRE went to GPA.

Veterinary Experience:
400 hours working for Embryo Transfer Cattle Vet
Approx. 750 hours working for my parents mixed animal vet clinic (I really have no idea how many hours)

Animal Experience:
1700 hours raising and showing livestock growing up

Research Experience:
400 hours helping with research projects on heifers

Non-Animal:
550 hours worked as a bank teller for 2 years in high school

Volunteer:
Was a 4-H camp counselor for 4 years
A few other things I can't think of

Extracurricular:
Block and Bridle Treasurer for a year
Pre-Vet Club Ag Council Rep for a year
AGR Fraternity Assistant Officer for a year
4-H, FFA, NHS, Tri-M, ASPs, Hi-Y, Select Ensemble, 3 sports in high school, Band for a year

LOR's:
First one is from a well-respected vet on the staff that I worked for and my dad knows
Second was my Physics 2 professor that I spent a very large amount of time with during the class
Third was my advisor
Fourth was the vet I worked all summer with ( ET Vet)

Awards, Honors, Scholarships:
Lots of scholarships
Won a show at KSU freshman year
High Honor Roll in high school
Multiple 4-H honors and awards
Competed in National FFA in Agronomy Freshman year
State Choir in high school

Personal Statement: I did my best to answer the prompt we were provided with. I talked about how my dad is a vet and how I finally realized I wanted to be a vet in high school after a knee injury. Then I talked about all the things I had done in high school that prepared me, and then all of the internships and things in college. Then I talked about what I think it takes to be a good vet and what my plans after school are. I really got harassed to make it more into a story which I found really tough to do. Just write a few of them. The very first one I wrote I got told that it sounded like a 6th grader wrote it and I still got in so keep trying and the writing will come.

 

[agility_tyme21]

25 year old female, New Jersey resident, 1st time applicant

Applied: Colorado, North Carolina, Virginia-Maryland, Penn, Cornell, Tufts, Illinois
Interviewed/Accepted/Attending:
Rejected: Colorado, North Carolina
Interviews: Virginia- Maryland (declined), Penn, Tufts, Illinois (declined)
Accepted: Cornell, Penn, Tufts!
Attending: Cornell


Overall GPA: 3.74
Science GPA: 3.64
Last 45 GPA: 3.92

Degree: BA General Biology with Chem minor– December 2016

GRE (Q/V/W): 157 (67%) / 159 (82%) / 5.0(93%)

Veterinary Experience
Veterinary Assistant in specialty/ER hospital -(2000 hrs)
Hospice Care (10 hrs)
Shadowing at Rehab Facility ( 75)

Animal Experience
Dog Training/Competition in Rally, Agility (126)


Non-Animal Volunteering
None

Extracurriculars/Awards
TA for General Chemistry Labs I and II (4 semesters)
TA for General biology Lab II (1 semester)
TA for General Physics II (1 semester)
Phi Beta Kappa
Low Stress Handling Certification

LORs
Veterinary Surgeon
Veterinary Pain Specialist
Biology Professor
Physics Professor
Manager at animal hospital

Personal Statement
Spoke about how I had a different path from my experience being homeschooled and training as an athlete for many years and how it has influenced me in life. Talked about how dog training and behavior has impacted me and why I'm so passionate about the human-animal bond and how it has led to my interest in working dogs and a future specialty (hopefully) in behavior.

 

[KingstonPark12]

.

 

[mildredjrt]

I haven't seen numbers quite as low as mine before so I think it can be helpful to share, especially because it was an uphill battle. My strategy was to throw my application against the wall and see where it stuck. I actually went out of my way to visit half of the schools prior to submission in order to impart an impression, find out how to present myself, and practice my sale’s pitch. I also took every opportunity to chat with vet students and any researchers I came across. I applied to the schools whose requirements I met. My GPA numbers were my main impediment for consideration.

Applied: Auburn, AVC, Co State, Cornell, Kansas, LSU, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Oregon, Penn, Ross, RVC, SGU, Tufts, Washington, Wisconsin
Attending: Undecided, there are six schools in still in play

Overall GPA: 2.33
PreReq GPA: 2.72
Last 45 GPA: 3.16

Some schools had higher numbers but I’m not sure how they came up with those but suppose it’s possible because I have a lot of numbers to play with. The economist in me made some graphs so I could better verbalize my data and trends.

Degrees: BA Economics, MS Pathology

GRE: V 154 64%, Q 151 43%, A 4 59%

Animal Experience:
Horse Trainer/ Riding Instructor - Current
Assistant Horse Trainer – 10,720h
Riding Instructor – 156h

Non Animal Experience:
Lifeguard – 2,080h

Veterinary Experience:
Coordinator of Technical Services – Research Institute - Current
Veterinary Technician – Research Institute – 11,040h
Veterinary Technician – Cat Hospital – 2352h
Veterinary Technician – Small animal, exotics, wildlife – 840h
Veterinary Technician – Free Animal Clinic – 1,840h

Research Experience:
Look at the effect of the interactions between microbes and host response on health outcomes usually cancer. A dozen or so publications with several first authorships, a few Posters, and a biotech/ venture start up. However I don’t think this work was apparent on my application so I took full advantage in the interviews to tell them.

Extracurricular:
Trustees of the Reservations
SAR – National, State, and Local memberships
ICA
Local Irish American Association
Harbor Swim for Life

Personal Statement:
I talked about being a survivor of a veterinarian parent, my academic history, my work experience, research experience, and clinical experience. Also said what I would like do as a veterinary professional. I tried to emphasize my experiences because they are exceptional and beyond what pretty much any other candidate brings to the table.

Explanation Statement:
Addressed parts of my application like my academic history and then superimposed it over my work history to show context. Then I presented my academic numbers to show trends. I must be the only person to think that getting a B is good especially if I work full time, have a side job, and am attending school full time. Needless to say I learned how to recognize and manage the warning signs of when I’m getting close to the edge!!

References:
Senior Clinical Veterinarian and Researcher
Professor/ PI at the NIH NCI
Chief of Clinical Resources Veterinarian/ Assistant Director and PI

Bottom line:
Don’t do poorly in your classes. No one cares about the circumstances or will try to figure out the patterns it’s all one big red flag for someone who has thousands of applicants to chose from especially because they definitely performed better. That being said, someone somehow recognized that they should take a chance on me.
Definitely do several mock interviews with someone who knows you and the process. I worked with a friend who just went through medical residency match so it’s similar enough. I never would have been coherent or sold myself in the interviews if I didn’t.
I’m someone who prefers to let my actions speak for itself but this is not a situation we can sit back and let people infer about us. They don’t care or have the time to figure it out on their own so we need to tell them how awesome we are!!!

Were you accepted everywhere that you applied?

 

[KingstonPark12]

Were you accepted everywhere that you applied?

 

[Cer120]

No that would be crazy if I did!! haha ten outright rejections, one acceptance, and five I'm still waiting...

Whoops that should be 11 outright rejections

Which school did you receive an acceptance from?

 

[ureche2007]

32 year old male, North Carolina Resident, 1st time applying

Applied: Michigan State, North Carolina, Wisconsin, Ontario
Interviewed: Michigan State
Accepted: Michigan State
Wait listed: North Carolina
Still Waiting on Decision: Wisconsin, Ontario
Attending: Likely Michigan State

Overall GPA: 3.85
Science GPA: 3.6
Last 36 GPA: 3.7 (MSU uses 36 rather than 45)

Degree: BS Biology BA Chemistry – May 2017
BS Animal Science May 2006

GRE (Q/V/W): 156 / 159/ 5.0

Veterinary Experience
Working as a ICU Technician at an emergency and specialty referral hospital (~2000 hours)
Shadowing a small animal/exotic veterinarian (~250 hours)
Shadowing a large animal veterinarian (~300 hours)

Animal Experience
Horse Trainer and Barn Manager (12,000 hours)
Manager of Horse and Large Animal Rescue Facility (4500 hours)
Horse Showing as a Youth (7500 hours)
Working on my Grandfathers Dairy Farm (7500 hours)

Non-Animal Volunteering
Tutoring College Biology and Chemistry Courses (400 hours)
Supplemental Instruction Program Leader (200 hours)
Manager at Lowes Home Improvement (6500 hours)

Extracurriculars/Awards
Chancellor's and Dean's List every semester
FFA American Degree

LORs
Veterinary Internal Medicine Specialist
Emergency Veterinarian
Emergency Vet Tech Supervisor
A professor that I worked closely with

Personal Statement
I wrote extensively about overcoming obstacles on my road to veterinary medicine. I am transgender, and transitioned after my first bachelor's degree. I also recently lost my father to suicide. I talked about how being able to overcome these huge obstacles and still persevere will make me a better veterinarian. I also talked about the doctors I have worked with or shadowed, and how their take on the profession has shaped my views on veterinary medicine.

 

[floridajl]

22 yr old female, FL resident, 1st time applicant

Applied: Florida, NC State
Interview: Florida (early interview)
Rejected: NCSU
Accepted: UF
Attending: University of Texas*

Overall GPA: 3.81
Science GPA: 3.68
Last 45 GPA: 3.78

Degree:
BS Biology with honors
BS Psychology with honors
Both May 2016, but separate degrees, not just a double major. I had a ton of credit hours.

GRE (Q/V/W): 163/161/5.0

Veterinary Experience
General practice shadowing (400)
Wildlife rehab vet assistant (100)
UC Davis Summer Enrichment Program, kind of mini-vet school for a month (225)
Another wildlife vet assistant (15)
Wildlife ophthalmologist vet assistant (35)
Emergency vet assistant (25)
Emergency vet tech (200 at application, but promoted to Lead tech with over 1000 hours by the time I had my interview)

Animal Experience
Zoo education volunteer (100)
Animal shelter dog walker/photographer (100)
Another zoo education volunteer (100)
Backstage class at Disney's Animal Kingdom (80)
Raptor-specific wildlife rehab intern at an Audubon facility (500)
Wildlife rehab intern and team leader (1200)

Non-Animal Volunteering
About 500 hours of various kinds, including feeding the homeless, working at a donation center, teaching elementary school kids, etc

Research Experience
Measuring cultural influences on levels of sexism (100)
Identifying and eradicating bacteria strains still present after distillation of ale (100)
Measuring the frequency of pet-directed speech in situations involving animals (50)

Non-Animal Employment
CRLA Certified math and chemistry tutor (400)

Extracurriculars/Awards
Extracurriculars involving several honor or activity-specific (chemistry, theater, etc) societies, intramural sports, my theater troupe
Honors including Dean's list, President's honor roll, various one-time awards, and all my scholarships

LORs
Wildlife vet I worked with the most
General practice vet I shadowed
Vet tech at the raptor-specific rehab center

Personal Statement
Mostly discussed how my mom's been very sick for most of my life and I spend a majority of my time taking care of her, how that gave me a unique skill set and perspective and led me into vet medicine. Integrated anecdotes from my vet or animal experiences to back up my skills or perspectives. This was definitely a topic in my interview because it's not something a lot of 22-year-olds have dealt with.

*Disclaimer: I've actually decided on a complete career change and will not be attending vet school this fall. I've posted a separate thread about this if you want the full details. Congratulations to everyone else who did or will post here!!

 

[Great Butts]

I haven't heard back from all schools yet, but just got my first acceptance letter from the school I probably will be attending (I'll update this post as time goes on). I just wanted to thank this forum and all the SDNers, you guys are seriously the best and I could not have gotten through this cycle without you guys. I've never met such a large group of supportive and passionate hopeful veterinarians to-be, and I know that all of you waiting for an acceptance will eventually receive the letter you've always wanted.

21 yr old female, Texas resident, 1st time applicant

Applied: Georgia, Tufts, Kansas State, Texas A&M, and Colorado State
Interview: Tufts, Kansas State, Texas A&M
Rejected: Colorado State
Waitlisted: Georgia, Tufts
Accepted: Kansas State, Texas A&M
Eventually Accepted: Georgia, as of 4/28/17!
Attending: UGA

Overall GPA: 3.56
Science GPA: 3.36
Last 45 GPA: 3.68

Degree:
B.S. Biology, minor in Biochemistry, honours

GRE (Q/V/W): 154/159/5.5

Veterinary Experience
Small animal practice veterinary assistant (500)
Helped public health veterinarian clean harbour porpoise carcass for scientific display (12)
Small animal and exotics practice kennel technician and veterinary assistant (800)
Hong Kong Jockey Club head veterinarian shadowing (8)
High school clinical rotations class shadowing (70)

Animal Experience
Humane Society volunteer (30)
Pet sitter (100)

Non-Animal Volunteering
Various volunteering experiences with my student organizations and university (100+)

Research Experience
Behaviourial aggression in African cichlids in Lake Malawi (400 + 2 week research trip in Malwai)
Antibiotic resistance in urban freshwater ecosystems (400)
Various dialects of the Chinese language (20)

Non-Animal Employment
Library student assistant (240)
Laboratory assistant (100)

Extracurriculars/Awards
National Biological Honor Society chapter secretary, regional secretary, and chapter president
Pre-Veterinary Medical Association public relations chair and president
Pre-health office student mentor
Dean's List the past two semesters
Undergraduate Research Award
Couple of high school FFA 3rd to 6th place CDE individual awards in veterinary technology

LORs
Veterinarian I've worked with since high school
My lab research P.I.
Immunology professor

Personal Statement
I began with the fact that I've never actually owned any animals in my life and that spawned my curiosity about animals in general, then lead into my first shadowing experiences and my fascination with clinical cases. Then talked about how my interest is now in public health and research due to my pursuit of the unknown.

 

[JRod94]

I am so excited that I get to post on here! I religiously scrolled through last year’s class thread of successful applicants and never dreamed I’d be able to post on here!

22 yr old female, Florida resident, 1st time applicant

Applied: UC Davis, Cornell, UPenn, Georgia, Florida, UTK, Mississippi State, Auburn, LSU
Interview: Florida, Auburn, Mississippi State (Declined), UPenn (Declined), UTK (Declined)
Rejected: UC Davis
Waitlisted: Georgia
Accepted: Cornell, LSU, Auburn, UF
Attending: Cornell!!

Overall GPA: 3.68
Science GPA: 3.72
Last 45 GPA: 3.95

Degree:
B.S. Biology, minor in Chemistry

GRE (Q/V/W): 155/161/5.5

Veterinary Experience (At Time of Application)
Mixed Animal Vet Tech- 350
Shelter Vet Assistant- 150
Equine Hospital Volunteer- 42
Exotic Animal Hospital shadowing- 8

Animal Experience
Animal Husbandry Assistant at College of Medicine @ Undergrad University – 175
Shark Tagger for University – 16
Wolf Preserve Volunteer- 10

Non-Animal Volunteering
Emergency Medical Technician working for my university - 600

Research Experience
Studying Dopamine Receptors in mice and how that affects neuropsychiatric disorders in human beings as well as a personal project dealing with the song memory portion of the brain in songbirds- 250


Non-Animal Employment
Lifeguard- 600
Teaching Assistant- 600
Biology Department Lab. Manager- 400

Extracurriculars/Awards
Water Polo player for the university – 4 years
Member of the Hispanic Honor Society
Member of the Tri-Beta Honor Society
Dean’s List for 4 semesters; President’s List for one semester
Graduated Cum Laude

LORs
Mixed Animal Veterinarian I currently work for
Shelter Veterinarian
Biology Department Head
Comparative Vert Anatomy Professor
Primary Investigator of Research Lab

Personal Statement
I made sure that mine had a funny and sort of light hearted because the start of this track has been sort of weird. I talked about the little mice that I took care of for my lab and that’s really where the passion started. I also talked about how I would like to teach in the Vet Med field because I loved teaching in Undergrad and I shared funny and sort of embarrassing teaching moments.

 

[Florida_Future_DVM]

I'm not sure if I'm more jealous that you guys have acceptances or that you have decisions this early The wait is killing me! But congrats to everyone, all your stats look great

 

[supraargo]

32 yr old female, NH Resident (OOS everywhere ), 1st time non-traditional applicant

Applied: Tufts <-- cue the "eggs in one basket" comments
Interview: Tufts! (Dec round, for the n̶e̶r̶d̶s̶ people like me who resea.rch that stuff in old threads)
Rejected: --
Waitlisted: --
Accepted: Tufts!!
TBD: --
Attending: Tufts!!!

Overall GPA: 3.59
Post-Baccalaureate GPA: 3.97
Science/Math GPA: 3.98/4.00
Last 45 GPA: I dunno, probably ~3.75ish? I'll bet you dollars to donuts it won't look so pretty once physics and biochem are finished with me :-/

Degree: A.B., History, Bowdoin College, Class of 2007

GRE (Q/V/W): 161 Q (79th %) / 166 V (97th %) / 6 W (99th %)

Veterinary Experience: ~725 hrs total - mostly small animal, some equine; no exotics/large animal/wildlife exp.
Technician at a small animal clinic, paid - 420 hrs @ time of app (now about 800 hrs since it's where I work)
Shelter Medicine program @ the SF SPCA, volunteer - 245 hrs
Tufts AVM program - 10 hrs (<-- I split the 40 hour program between vet & animal experience)
Shadowing various vets (small animal & equine) - ~30 hrs

Animal Experience: ~14,000 hrs total, the vast majority of it in equine
Lifelong horseback rider, horse owner, barn rat - 12,000+ hours
Volunteer cat socializer @ the SF SPCA, including in the "ringworm ward" (I <3 those itchy little kittens!) - 600 hrs
Wrangler on a dude ranch - 400 hrs
Summer camp riding program director - 1100 hrs
Tufts AVM program - 30 hrs

Other Work Experience: >17,ooo hrs total; I'm a career-changer
9+ years of working at a large, well-known search/technology company in the SF Bay Area

Non-Animal Volunteering
None, I guess there are nice people out there who do this sort of thing with their free time?

Research Experience
Zilch.

Extracurriculars/Awards
Undergrad:
Dean's List for 1 year
President of Chamber Choir
Music director of my a cappella group
Other:
Massachusetts licensed horseback riding instructor (licensed 2003, lapsed c. 2005)

LORs
Board-certified vet dermatologist (current boss)
Manager at my corporate job (previous boss)
Organic chem lab professor

Personal Statement
I think I broke some unofficial rules, because I wrote about my own pets (it's actually even worse...I wrote about my own pets who died). I kicked off my PS with a story about my cat who had just died from laryngeal carcinoma. We made a terrifying 3 hour drive with her to Tufts to try to find out what was wrong, and I tied that to a desire to help other families and animals in similar situations. I also wrote about a few other pets who I lost to cancer, and how those experiences have inspired my interest in oncology. I also wrote about my prior employment experience in the tech (-nology, not vet) industry, focusing on what it taught me about my work style and the overlaps between veterinary medicine, technology, and customer service. In retrospect, this summary sounds more coherent than the actual essay...character limits and I don't get along too well.

For the Tufts supplemental, I picked the "15 min of fame" question (and no, did not mention dying pets in that one per the essay prompt that said "please don't discuss animals").

Conclusion
I am so excited to finally be posting here and still I can't believe they let me in!! I found this thread to be really helpful when I was going through my pre-vet journey, so I hope it helps others. Along those lines, if anyone has questions about applying as a non-traditional applicant (e.g. getting pre-reqs, getting experience, breaking the news to your spouse about your/their future student debt load, etc), please feel free to PM me.

Congrats to you!! Did you take your prereqs one class at a time (since you were working) or did you take time off from your job to do that? I am a possible non-traditional applicant who is having a tough time finding courses that fit in my work schedule

 

[PippyPony]

Congrats to you!! Did you take your prereqs one class at a time (since you were working) or did you take time off from your job to do that? I am a possible non-traditional applicant who is having a tough time finding courses that fit in my work schedule .

Thank you! Sorry it's been tricky for you to find classes - it can definitely be challenging.

I took a varied number of classes at a time. I started with one to see how it would go with working. The most I took simultaneously was three classes, and during that period, I was still working full-time, and was also volunteering both weekend days to get experience hours. Would NOT recommend doing that much - it got a little crazy. (I'm counting labs as separate classes here, since honestly some of my labs were more work than the lectures). Admittedly, I had a job that was pretty cushy - I could go somewhere quiet for a few hours a couple times a week and do some schoolwork.

For most of the pre-reqs, I took in-person night classes through UC Berkeley Extension, which I would highly recommend if you're in the Bay area. I moved, so now I'm now taking them through Harvard Extension online, which I would also recommend. Maybe check out their offerings? The online experience @ Harvard Ext. has been better than I anticipated.



Sent from my Nexus 5X using SDN mobile

 

[wildlifer]

Congrats to you!! Did you take your prereqs one class at a time (since you were working) or did you take time off from your job to do that? I am a possible non-traditional applicant who is having a tough time finding courses that fit in my work schedule .

UNE offers online pre req classes that are self paced. I myself haven't taken them, but I've heard they're pretty decent. Only downside is the cost. http://online.une.edu/science-prerequisites/

 

[cherubi]

Seeing all the stats from previous years, I was a bit self-conscious since my application is pretty average/below average (aside from my GRE)... but I got accepted into my top choice, so I guess the moral of the story is to never count yourself out!

22-year-old female, Ontario resident, first time applicant

Applied: OVC, RVC, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dublin, Western, Washington, Ross
Rejected: Washington
Interviewed: RVC, Western, Edinburgh (withdrew), Glasgow (withdrew)
Waitlisted: Western
Accepted: RVC, Dublin
Attending: RVC!

Overall GPA: 3.5
Science GPA: 3.3
Last 45 GPA: 3.3-ish

Degree: BS Biomedical Sciences

GRE (Q/V/W): 161 / 167 / 4.0

Veterinary Experience
Two different small animal clinics (730 hours total)
Wildlife rehabilitation centre (210 hours)

Animal Experience
Cat rescue and adoption (16 hours)
Intensive care for neonatal foals (4 hours)
Reptile zoo (168 hours)

Extracurriculars/Awards
Board of Directors of an intersectional feminist organisation
Marketing crew of a theatre group
Leader/choreographer of high school show choir
Dean's Honour List for all four years of undergrad

LORs
Small animal vet whom I've worked with and known for a few years
Vet who trained me at the wildlife centre
Epidemiology professor

Personal Statement
Started with how I didn't decide to be a vet until first year of university, and intially had a rose-coloured view of the profession until I started getting practical experience with it. I emphasised how I learned firsthand about the hardships of being a vet, but ultimately being able to do good for the animals and the people who care about them is more than worth it. Also talked about my interest in vet epi and how I'd like to be able to impact both animal and human public health in my career.

 

[MuffinStuffin]

23-year-old female, New York resident, first time applicant

Applied: Tufts, Cornell, Penn, UC Davis, Colorado, Virginia-Maryland, NC State, Wisconsin
Rejected: Virginia Maryland
Interviewed: UC Davis, Penn, Tufts, Colorado(declined)
Waitlisted: NC State
Accepted: Tufts, Cornell, Penn, UC Davis, Wisconsin
Attending: UC Davis

Overall GPA: 4.02
Science GPA: 3.91
Last 45 GPA: 4.0

Degree: BA with Honors, Biology

GRE (Q/V/W): 163 / 162 / 5.5

Veterinary Experience
Three small animal clinics (a little under 1000 hours)
Lab animal medicine (60 hours or so)
Big companion animal hospital in NYC

Animal Experience
Horse riding and husbandry >12000 hours

Extracurricular/Awards
Research all 4 years undergrad with a first author published senior thesis in a peer-reviewed journal
Summa cum laude
Phi beta kappa
Best senior thesis award
2REUs

LORs
Small animal vet who I worked with and adored
Lab animal vet
2 researchers
1 science professor

 

[LabLuv004]

25 yr old female, Connecticut resident, 1st time applicant

Applied: Tufts, Ohio State, Purdue, UPenn, Virginia Maryland, Lincoln Memorial, Midwestern, Ross, RVC, Iowa State, Colorado
Rejected: Virginia Maryland, Tufts, Purdue, Ohio, Colorado, UPenn
Interviewed: RVC, Iowa State, Lincoln Memorial, Midwestern
Pending: Lincoln Memorial, Midwestern
Waitlisted: Iowa State
Accepted: RVC
Attending: ???

Overall GPA: 3.56
Science GPA: 3.08
Last 45 GPA: 3.41

Degree: BS Animal Science

GRE (Q/V/W): 157/154/5

Veterinary Experience:
Vet tech at small animal clinic full time for 2 years
Shadowed mixed animal vet (~8hrs)

Animal Experience:
Equine breeding/training/riding (~700hrs)
Breeding dogs (~400hrs)
Little I Livestock show training (~70hrs)
Summer Kennel Assistant (~60hrs)

Extracurricular/Awards:
Western Riding Team Treasurer
Bus Driver Safety Award

LORs
Small animal vet that I've worked for for 2 years
Nutrition professor
On-campus work supervisor/non-science professor
Physiology professor

Personal Statement
I talked about how I never planned on veterinary medicine and I was determined to be a teacher until I spent time in a classroom. I went on to talk about finding my way through undergrad without the support of my family, and how I fell in love with animal nutrition when I adopted a dog with CKD and had to home-cook when she wouldn't eat. I ended with how my goal is to become a board-certified nutritionist and work in clinical nutrition.