Hi Sharon –
I just had a question about applications. As you know it is coming up super fast. I am super depressed because I don’t feel as though I can get in but I want to apply and at least try. My GPA is only a 3.19 just took the GRE so I do no know my score yet. I have done tons of community service and am vice president for habitat for humanity at my school. I work at the humane society as well but I just started 3 months ago. I don’t have a letter from a veterinarian. Do I even have a shot? Am I just wasting my time?
BB
Date: 9/29/11
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Hi BB —
Thanks for writing! I know the deadline for applications is approaching (quickly!) and it’s easy to second guess why you’ve spent all of this time and effort on your application, but if this is truly what you want to do with your life, then you must remain confident in your decision and yourself! Sure, you don’t have a 4.0 GPA and perhaps you could have done things differently if given the opportunity to start over, but that’s not possible and you need to remember that there is a huge variance in everything from GPA to hours of experience. No two candidates are alike (fortunately) and admissions committees tend to embrace that diversity.
Remember that not everyone gets in on the first try. Everyone told me it takes an average of 3 applications to be accepted to veterinary school — but I know someone who took 8 application cycles to get accepted…and she was accepted off the rejected list! Crazy things can happen, but you need to remain confident in yourself and never give up on your dreams.
If you don’t get in this year, try to get feedback from the school on what they think were your strengths and weaknesses so that you can work on those for the next application cycle. And while I would say it is usually beneficial to have a letter of recommendation from a veterinarian, it is often not “necessary” but check with the individual requirements for each school you are applying to just to be sure!
Good luck and keep me posted!
~Sharon
Life In Vet School & Tips On Getting In