SPVS Minutes – Week 3

10/10/06

 

 

Vet School Information Meeting

 

-Dues are $5 per quarter (this is to pay for our guests parking permits, to register in the national pre-veterinary chapter, etc.)

-Boo at the Zoo at Santa Ana Zoo is going to be either Saturday, 10/21/06 or Sunday, 10/22/06 – we’ll keep you updated about the final date!

-Poster Making Party: Wednesday, 10/11/06 from 3-5PM. This will be in the Humanities trailers (HICF) – next to the Dean of Students.

 

-Next week’s speaker: Kari the dog trainer from PetsMart. She will be talking about her career and alternative paths for veterinary students.

 

Vet School

*Most of requirements will be centered on UC Davis, but can be applied to most vet schools

 

-The most important thing is to maintain your GPA! Admitted students typically have GPAs between 3.5-4.0 (overall and science). Last year, UC Davis accepted 3.7-3.8 GPAs on average!

 

-The GRE is also a major component for acceptance (20-30% of your application)

            *Getting a high GRE score will make up for a below average GPA and vise versa!

            -The average scores for accepted students rank in the 70th percentile.

-Computer-based test, 1600 total, 3 sections: verbal, math, and analytical writing; test is approximately 4 hours

-Can take the test as many times as needed – admissions takes the best scores of each section!

-Take before Oct. 1st (vet school applications are due around this date)

-Can take a year before applying to vet school.

 

-no VCAT test anymore

 

-some schools require taking the MCAT instead of or with the GRE, make sure you check with the schools you are applying to. Some schools also require subject tests to be taken, check with the schools you are applying to also.

 

- www.vet.com and/or www.aavmc.com for all information about vet schools, jobs, statistics and more.

 

-Fill out one application online through VMCAS; some schools have different and separate applications, don’t forget about supplemental applications!

 

-Make sure you have a high GPA and/or high GRE to be considered for out of state vet schools.

 

-Western (in Pomona) gives no priority to California residents, everyone is equally considered.

 

-Letters of Recommendation – UC Davis requires 3, most others only require 2. Make sure you get them from at least one veterinarian, professors, research professors/supervisors, etc.

-When starting to work in an animal hospital, do research, etc. make sure you bring up your interest for a letter of recommendation from them. When asking, give them several months to write the letter (they can be turned in through the mail or online).

-It’s recommended to stay at a place long enough to gain a letter of recommendation and then leave and go to another place (don’t burn bridges!) to get diversity with animal hospitals. Staying one year will give a really good letter of recommendation.

 

-Personal Statement – Write about why you want to become a veterinarian and what your future plans are. Make sure you get as many people to read it as possible. Start as early as you can! Applications are available online in June or July, and you have until October 1st to finish!

 

-Animal Experience – 3 different areas:

-Vet Experience: any experience working or volunteering with a veterinarian. ULAR research counts!

-Animal Experience: Any experience with animals should be put here.

-Employment: Any previous employment (doesn’t have to be animal)

**Animal Experience listed in one area cannot be repeated in a different area!**

 

-UC Davis requires at least 180 hours of animal experience (total, from all 3 categories); the average for last year was 2,500 hours of experience.

**Some schools want a wide range of animal experience (ie. UC Davis) and some require experience in only the area you’re interested in (ie. Cornell).

 

-PhD/DVM Program – Obtaining your research degree as well as a degree for veterinary medicine. Check prerequisites and web sites for more information.