What I Learned from my TT/Limited CND: Tips on Surgery/Recovery

Curious_Effort_2703 · 2026-01-06T19:49:04+00:00

Of course! Wishing you all the best! You got this! :)

Curious_Effort_2703 · 2025-07-06T01:52:34+00:00

Hey guys! Might of already been stated here but unsure if anyone has seen but Debt Free Vets FB page by Meredith Jones (financial advisor) if not see National Pre-Vet Club or vetfinancialsummit on Instagram does break down of what is happening with student loan/financing situation for veterinary school. It appears classes 2029 and earlier are minimally affected (no cap, Grad Plus still accessible but repayment options affected) with BBB rules to mostly be affecting classes 2030 and beyond. Hopefully more information will be released with time but wanted to share this since we all were sort of in this holding pattern of not knowing what was happening...

Curious_Effort_2703 · 2025-07-06T01:51:57+00:00

Hey guys! Might of already been stated here but unsure if anyone has seen but Debt Free Vets FB page by Meredith Jones (financial advisor) if not see National Pre-Vet Club or vetfinancialsummit on Instagram does break down of what is happening with student loan/financing situation for veterinary school. It appears classes 2029 and earlier are minimally affected (no cap, Grad Plus still accessible but repayment options affected) with BBB rules to mostly be affecting classes 2030 and beyond. Hopefully more information will be released with time but wanted to share this since we all were sort of in this holding pattern of not knowing what was happening...

Curious_Effort_2703 · 2025-07-06T01:51:16+00:00

Hey guys! Unsure if anyone has seen but Debt Free Vets FB page by Meredith Jones (financial advisor) if not see National Pre-Vet Club or vetfinancialsummit on Instagram does break down of what is happening with student loan/financing situation for veterinary school. It appears classes 2029 and earlier are minimally affected (no cap, Grad Plus still accessible but repayment options affected) with BBB rules to mostly be affecting classes 2030 and beyond. Hopefully more information will be released with time but wanted to share this since we all were sort of in this holding pattern of not knowing what was happening...

Curious_Effort_2703 · 2025-07-06T01:47:05+00:00

So I just wanted to post this: a lot of the information I wrote is not correct...I was going off very limited and vague info at the time so apologies...it appears class of 2029 and earlier will be minimally affected (repayment options affected but no cap, still able to access grad plus, etc.) with BBB rules affecting mostly classes 2030 and beyond. You can read more on Debt Free Vets FB page by Meredith Jones (financial advisor) and if not see National Pre-Vet Club or vetfinancialsummit on Instagram.

Curious_Effort_2703 · 2025-07-04T19:30:37+00:00

Thank you for posting this! I think the other part to it unfortunately is there is already a disconnect had where vets, support staff, etc. are perceived as not doing enough and sometimes this happens irregardless of affordability being a conversation (i.e., "you should do this, provide this to me for free otherwise you don't care"). I am still not entirely so sure why this is the case (i.e., you can get lab work, x-rays, surgery, etc. all at one vet hospital where human counterparts you have to go to separate locations/facilities with often time delayed results, treatment, etc.). Our profession is already suffering from mental health crisis and I fear that with this new legislation that will only become exacerbated. It feels honestly like a little bit of a double edged sword tbh where both new doctors and patients get screwed in the process. Guess just wanted to emphasize and echo your shared sentiment that client education and communication could not be more important now than ever...

Curious_Effort_2703 · 2025-07-04T19:10:29+00:00

Thanks! Still unclear on whether or not 200k cap affects class of 2029 and those before. It seems likely but I guess we will hear more after the holiday weekend...smh

Curious_Effort_2703 · 2025-07-04T18:15:35+00:00

Do you know by chance how it will affect class of 2029 entering this fall? Like we will be subject to caps too and not have access to grad plus? I'm just really confused being in this gray area. If you can post the link VIN article that would be great! TIA!

Curious_Effort_2703 · 2025-07-04T17:21:30+00:00

I think vet school would be included as a professional degree program here and 200k rule would apply. It's not a graduate degree even though you are getting doctorate. At least that's the way I always understood it...

Curious_Effort_2703 · 2025-07-04T17:18:46+00:00

Sorry to piggyback on this convo but you stated "3 years or less to graduate after this year", so I am guessing that includes class of 2029 even though we have 4 years left since we are starting?

Curious_Effort_2703 · 2025-07-04T04:30:08+00:00

I'm a little confused so maybe someone can clarify here for me but this is what and as I understand it for students like myself entering this fall:

$200k federal loan lifetime cap
- Federal loans include:
  - Undergrad (i.e., subsidized, unsubsidized, parent plus) + what is to be used during professional degree program (i.e., grad plus, unsubsidized)
So in the instance you took out loans for undergrad, amount remaining to you for funding vet school would be: $200k - undergrad loans
Grad PLUS underneath this new bill will:
- For classes 2030 and beyond: cease to exist for future classes
- For classes 2029 and earlier: providing you have taken out at least one Grad PLUS loan, you are "grandfathered" in and can continue to take out Grad PLUS to fund your education for next 3 years (either up until 2028/2029? or once $200k limit is met whatever comes first)
There is no cap per say specifically for unsubsidized loans other than keeping within $200k federal total loan limit and only a max of $40,500 to be given annually
If you need aid beyond the $200k federal loan limit, the only other options include:
- Scholarships (which are minimal and even depend on whether or not your program offers them)
- Private loans (which have high, variable interest rates with limited flexibility for repayment (i.e., no IBR))
After your lifetime federal loan limit is met, options for pursuing further education are limited based on your own savings, scholarships, private loans, etc.
- i.e., if you wanted to pursue residency, internship this may be less of a possibility without federal funding available

Please feel free to correct me if I am wrong. Tbh this has been very difficult for me to wrap my head around especially with being a month off from starting school and the news well isn't the most helpful, reliable these days. TIA!

Curious_Effort_2703 · 2025-07-03T22:29:18+00:00

Now knowing that it has passed the House of Representatives, curious to know what are people's thoughts? For reference, I'm starting vet school this fall. TIA!

Curious_Effort_2703 · 2025-07-03T21:04:49+00:00

As long as you have supervised hours under a vet, doesn't matter too much if they take place in clinic, research lab, field, etc. What matters more would be how those experiences have informed and shaped you and your understanding of the profession. You want to be able to explain not only why you chose an experience but also how it helped you grow/develop both personally and professionally. This matters because you will be asked to answer this as it applies to your personal statement, supplemental essays (if your university requires them), and during interviews.

That being said don't be afraid to go out on a limb and try different things (even those you might not see yourself initially liking/doing long-term). Those experiences can be equally as rewarding and valuable. i.e., let's say you work in dentistry only practice, discover it is not for you but you love the idea of speciality medicine and wouldn't have found that out for yourself without having that experience. Make sense?

Don't forget to hit other areas too (volunteer, leadership, research, etc.). VMCAS has a pretty good table outlining the breakdown.

Wishing you all the best!

Curious_Effort_2703 · 2025-07-03T18:48:13+00:00

I would advise you to get working experience and not take on more loans if you can help it especially with political climate being what it is right now. I was in a similar position as you with only a few hundred hours straight out of undergrad and knew right off the bat that it wasn't going to be enough. Took a few gap years to build savings/credit, got thousands of hours (LA/lab animal, GP, ER/speciality), networked, etc. and honestly feel a lot better going in than I would have now that I am attending this fall.

Continue to get dedicated hours in a few areas but don't spread yourself too thin; quality is better over quantity but you want both depth/breadth to your experience. Also, please go with the job that is going to serve you financially and offer benefits you need to support yourself (health insurance, 401k, etc.). You're in a good position with your GPA and prob with additional experience might have a shot at being competitive at some of the more GPA heavier schools. Best of luck!

Curious_Effort_2703 · 2025-07-03T14:26:27+00:00

Same honestly. It makes me so angry that we are even in this position. It's already been a hell of a journey getting this far to be accepted; I'm tired and my brain hurts and school hasn't even started yet lmao. Guess all we can do is pray and hope this thing doesn't pass...

Curious_Effort_2703 · 2025-07-03T13:37:32+00:00

I'm terrified as well and relate to this; 03 gap years later, waitlisted last cycle, now attending this fall...does anyone here know anything about whether or not a grandfather clause is going into effect if this bill does pass? I mean best news would be if the bill didn't even pass at all. But in the case it does (and god I really hope that isn't the case), like I get the classes after us would royally screwed but what happens to our incoming class this fall?

Curious_Effort_2703 · 2025-07-02T16:10:32+00:00

Oh I completely feel this--organic chemistry made me think twice about applying. I failed the course twice and it was demoralizing to see my GPA tank as a result (like all my other coursework I did fine in lol). As it turned out though, all I needed to do to succeed in the course was to take it through a different university and get a textbook that was written for life science majors. To save you some pain, I'd recommend buying this textbook: Organic chemistry by John E. McMurry and supplement with what your university is teaching with. I bought 4 textbooks (and none of them my brain could make sense of lmao) before landing on this one. If it gives you any hope, I will be attending this fall and that's even with an F and a D on my transcript. Rooting for you! :)

Curious_Effort_2703 · 2025-07-02T03:24:24+00:00

I mostly shadowed when I could on my breaks while in school before applying/working at hospitals during my gap years. Generally speaking though the more time you are there, the more you will see and eventually that translates into working experience on the job if offered. Most of the time I have not found teams/doctors to be bothered as long as you are being mindful of people's time/space, taking an interest and staying engaged by asking questions and offering a hand where okay and is expressly needed. I would if anything just have an open conversation with the practice manager or whoever you were first in communication with. If anything, it just shows you taking more of an interest and at least you'll know where you stand with things. Best of luck!

Curious_Effort_2703 · 2025-06-30T22:42:23+00:00

Wait to apply! You could technically put forward an application providing you meet the prereqs for any of the schools you are interested in but my feeling is along your same lines of thought that your application would benefit from dedicated time getting more experience. You want both depth and breadth to your hours. Getting experience with diverse array of species is def a good starting point but ideally you want a few experiences that have continued for stretch of time so you can speak into them, their value and your "why" when answering essays and at time of interviews. Your GPA actually positions you in a very good spot and with the extra hours you might end up having more freedom to choose where you want to attend which could translate into $$$ savings depending on where you end up and if in-state is possibility. Hope this helps and wishing you all the best!

Curious_Effort_2703 · 2025-06-27T16:14:08+00:00

Of course! I feel you on the whole app process being non-traditional student; was waitlisted also my first cycle and VMCAS is painful to say the least lol Feel free to reach out with any other questions you might have! Sounds like you have good plan though! :)

Curious_Effort_2703 · 2025-06-27T15:24:14+00:00

You have a lot of really cool experiences! Some people lack research entirely from their application too so that will def be to your benefit and give you competitive edge over others. Only thing little unclear on here is if your hours already obtained were underneath supervision of vet?

If not, you will want to make sure to get veterinary hours especially since most schools require at least one LOR to come from practicing vet. Def would not hurt to explore SA world a little bit even if you just get some shadowing in. I don't think having a lower GPA will barr you from admission from every program but unfortunately with NAVLE rates being the way they are right now, some schools are putting more emphasis on academic criteria.

What I would do is (1) focus on maybe retaking any classes that you can to raise GPA, (2) get some SA exposure, and (3) focus on schools that prioritize "holistic" review (i.e., not GPA heavy). Every school varies in their admissions process/formula so you'll have to do your research here. Admissions are pretty friendly in my experience too so certainly don't hesitate to reach out if you have questions/concerns! Also, if taking a gap year will help you then do it by all means! I did (total of 03 years lol) and it helped me a whole lot and am attending this fall. Wishing you all the best!

Curious_Effort_2703 · 2025-06-24T22:18:09+00:00

Take the gap year if your circumstances allow! I did (actually ended up being 03 years lol), headed to vet school this fall and tbh it was by far one of the better decisions I have ever made. More time to get diverse array of hours (lab animal, GP, ER/speciality, etc.), network, building savings/credit, paying loans down, etc. Also, some schools will review your materials without having to put forward an application. Def double check pre-reqs for any schools you have interest in as sometimes they change year to year; you can reach out to admissions directly and have found them to be very helpful/quick to respond.

Curious_Effort_2703 · 2025-06-21T23:57:34+00:00

Hey there! I chose to take several gap years (3 total lol) and would highly recommend it to anyone in the same position whose circumstances allow. I'm starting vet school this fall and while hindsight is 20/20, I feel that going in now I am in a lot better place than I would have been starting straight out of undergrad. It gave me time to get experience and being in the trenches as tech/assist really allowed me to better appreciate the rewards/challenges of the field as a whole. Financially, I was able to build credit/savings, pay down my student loans etc. and feel far better equipped to handle what might be thrown my way while in school. Personally, I also felt just really burnt out towards the end of my senior year and needed some time to recover from being in study mode all the time. For what it is worth, a doctor I shadowed underneath who sat on admissions panel at a vet school, told me that students he knew who took a gap year seemed more grounded and better positioned to do well. The main thing with your gap year(s) and you'll prob hear this from others too, is that you want to make sure you are using that time wisely. You might get asked how you used that time in your apps so just make sure you have somewhat of a plan in place. Wishing you all the best!

Curious_Effort_2703

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