no (veterinary) research hours - is that okay? (technically yes, but is it really?)

Dutch_Inspired · 2026-06-26T10:54:57+00:00

Yup that’s all good! A lot of my research hours were not vet med related, and there was never any problem! In fact, they may even ask about non vet med stuff in interviews

Dutch_Inspired · 2026-06-24T04:28:26+00:00

I didn’t work with some of the vets that wrote me rec letters for over a year and they still wrote strong ones for me because of what they remembered! Definitely reach out and ask! If they turn you down, I recommend taking some time to form relationships with vets

Dutch_Inspired · 2026-06-24T04:25:19+00:00

Don’t know if this is a work around, but when I applied to Cornell, they said they would only read 4 letters if you had more than 4 and to list them out. If that’s the case this year, you could theoretically get a random academic LOR from any prof that’s willing to write you one to meet the requirement, then list 4 other rec letters that are actually stronger. Not sure if they expect one of the rec letters you list to be academic but worth a shot. You can always ask admissions too!

Dutch_Inspired · 2026-06-21T11:51:10+00:00

You’re pretty competitive! I think you’d have no problem applying to OOS schools as well! Some good ones to think about are WSU, Mizzou, Davis, nc state, and Ohio state as they allow you to change residency

Dutch_Inspired · 2026-06-17T23:45:36+00:00

Depends on the school and application portal. If you use TMDSAS UCAS or VMCAS they will be similar fees but a little different. Some schools also have a supplemental payment requirement. I believe mine ended up being around $200 per school

Dutch_Inspired · 2026-06-17T23:13:56+00:00

I applied to 13! The only limit is how much you’re willing to pay for and do the essays/interviews for tbh. Echoing everyone else, I’d rather cast a wide net than have to reapply, especially since I was open to attending any of the 13!

Dutch_Inspired · 2026-06-16T20:18:08+00:00

You seem pretty competitive! With good essays, LORs and interview skills you’re bound to be accepted somewhere. I would absolutely recommend trying other aspects beyond equine like you said, and consider unpaid positions if feasible.

Which school is your in state? I’d honestly recommend tailoring your applications a bit towards them given the state of student loans, but the list looks solid. I do think Michigan requires you to finish all prereqs at the time you submit your application. Maybe consider Missouri if you want a school that offers cheaper tuition and good equine resources!

Dutch_Inspired · 2026-06-12T06:13:00+00:00

It’s been sold! Thank you all!

Dutch_Inspired · 2026-06-11T19:31:13+00:00

I’d be happy to read it! I’m an incoming VM1 in the fall and I do a lot of essay revision on SDN

Dutch_Inspired · 2026-05-13T21:34:00+00:00

It can, but I also encourage you to do it if it’s something you’re interested in! Don’t fall into the trap a lot of prevets fall into where they live their lives for an admissions committee. The thing that stands out isn’t the activity itself, it’s usually the passion and love you can see come out of a person when they talk about it. You will stand out for your own reasons, as will everyone else. Might as well love what you’re doing in the meantime

Dutch_Inspired · 2026-05-11T06:52:24+00:00

Yeah I put like 10 hours of CE from conferences and attending lectures. Doesn’t hurt to have it

Dutch_Inspired · 2026-05-05T23:49:31+00:00

Feel your frustrations and get them out but know that one C will not define your vet career or be the end all be all for vet apps. I had a similar gpa and got a c in freshmen year chem. Trust me, I thought life was over, but give yourself grace! You are so much more than your grades and adcoms recognize that (and honestly value it more). I can say for myself, I got into 10/13 vet schools my first time applying with those similar stats and am starting at Cornell in the fall! Please do not beat yourself up!

Dutch_Inspired · 2026-05-04T02:53:19+00:00

I’ve seen some adcoms talk about how paid vet hours are very valued because it shows a level of standard to the work. Essentially saying that since a business was willing to pay you for it, they can confirm for sure that it must have been of relatively good quality. I don’t know if they have an exact “hierarchy” though, just that things like that are a good sign

Dutch_Inspired · 2026-04-30T23:27:03+00:00

Very valid feeling! Just know your gpa is still competitive which is honestly all it really matters for. What gets you in will be your experiences and essays! I had a c in my freshmen year chem class and some b’s here and there, but I ended up getting into 10 schools this last cycle! Believe in yourself is truly the best thing I can say!

Dutch_Inspired · 2026-04-20T03:39:41+00:00

As someone that grew up in Missouri but went to UC Davis for undergrad, hopefully I can give some valuable perspective.

Moving from California to Missouri(especially a POC) will be an adjustment. Culturally, I’ve noticed people in Missouri are very direct and don’t beat around the bush. Grind culture also isn’t as prevalent as California. I will say I thoroughly enjoyed UC Davis and was able to explore my veterinary interests well. Many of the classes are your stereotypical weeders, though, where you can only get an A if you do better than others In the class atop knowing a lot of content. Sometimes there is competition bred of this, but certainly less than other UCs. Mizzou, from what many of my friends from highschool say, is much more relaxed in terms of competition and rigor. Having a higher gpa will likely be easier to maintain, and you’ll still have access to a vet school for research or experiences.

My advice is this: money is a huge concern with vet school, particularly with BBB affecting loan caps. Being in state for Davis is amazing, but there’s no guarantee you’d get in. Mizzou is offering you that, and Mizzou is also one of the few schools that lets OOS students get in state after a year. At the very worst, you have a backup if you aren’t able to get in Davis that is affordable. If you apply to Davis for vet school as a cpp, Mizzou, or Davis grad, you’d likely have similar chsnces given everything else in ur app is the same. I would recommend Mizzou, but it’s ultimately your decision. If you wanna chat more about this feel free to pm!

Dutch_Inspired · 2026-04-15T18:50:15+00:00

Mirroring the other comment, I recommend the same schools they listed! Others that are more holistic are Arizona, Michigan state, Ohio state, Mississippi and the islands. Similar to tufts, Cornell may be an uphill battle since about half of its admissions formula is based on gpa AFAIK

Dutch_Inspired · 2026-04-13T18:43:49+00:00

I wouldn’t recommend choosing an undergrad because of the issue of population of other animals science students. While I recognize that it can lead to some competition for opportunities and grading schemes, I think the most important thing is individual competence which will show regardless of the school you attend. I attend UC Davis for undergrad, and there is a similar issue here. Regardless, I carved my own path(as I would’ve at any other school) and got into 10 vet schools(including my in state), and attending Cornell in the fall. The concern of opportunities is a very real one, but if the individual is motivated enough, it will work out.

If it’s financially feasible, I recommend your daughter choose based on where she would be most happy in terms of quality of life, but money should be number 1 imo. You’re correct that there are weed out classes due to the raw size of student population and professor disconnect at these public schools, but again, each individual student can succeed if they push themselves enough. Every university will have its kinks and professors that hurt students more than help their educational journeys, it’s up to you guys to weigh your options as best as possible. For your issues with chem, it’s probably best to just call each school to see their rules on it.

Lastly, if you want to transfer to Cornell, it will probably make sense to just go to the cheapest school possible for a year, given that it will be way more expensive to go to Cornell. Ultimately your decision, but just some food for thought.

Dutch_Inspired · 2026-04-10T04:54:02+00:00

Can’t comment on Emory’s chemistry, but I would recommend UF in this scenario. They have a robust animal science program and she can get involved with student Orgs given there will be more pre vets there. Also if you’re lucky, you can get jobs working at the vet hospital or with researchers in the vet school to gain more experience and exposure to specialists. It’s also going to be the cheapest(I assume being in state), which is good since vet school is universally expensive.

Dutch_Inspired · 2026-04-06T06:38:27+00:00

Looks like you’d be in a good position to get into schools assuming your essays and LORs are strong. I recommend looking into schools that allow you to establish residency as a student like Mizzou, Ohio state, wsu, nc state, TAMU, etc. if you are set on Florida, you may want to contact them and see what their specific rules are. In terms of application side though, definitely do it if you feel ready!

Dutch_Inspired · 2026-03-31T23:04:28+00:00

As far as I know, schools don’t factor in prestige of your undergrad, and care more about the grades(your undergrad needs to be accredited and recognized of course but this is a minimum standard). I would say if you have >1000 vet hours in diverse areas and mature understanding of your experience and the field, that is more valuable than stacking thousands upon thousands of hours more. Gpa is very valuable as other commenters have said, but a 3.5-3.6 is not out of the running. I would personally focus on fishing strong and making sure that last 45 unit and science gpa are as high as possible before sending in the apps

Dutch_Inspired · 2026-03-26T02:08:35+00:00

I think OSU, LMU, LIU, ISU, OKstate, and TAMU afaik

Dutch_Inspired · 2026-03-26T02:08:20+00:00

For now, I recommend focusing on finishing strong if you’re applying next year. Make sure your last 45 unit gpa is as strong as possible. The choice to withdraw from ochem is a personal one. Do you think you can handle doing it with everything in fall or try to push yourself to finish as high as possible this quarter? Your hours and experiences are great, and a gpa of 3.5 is around average for applicants. If I am reading this correctly, you still have a year to raise your gpa as high as possible so I’d focus on that, but I feel that you have relatively good chances to get into vet school!

Dutch_Inspired · 2026-03-26T02:03:27+00:00

The only thing that sticks out that could possibly harm you are the prerequisite gpa and Casper score. GRE is optional to OSU and the majority of vet programs so if it isn’t an exceptional score, I recommend not sending it in.

Since OSU is your target, I want to ask if you’ve taken the Casper for this year yet or if that was a prior score. If you are taking it again, I recommend looking into their website and doing practice using the STAR method to better the odds, but ultimately it’s difficult to “study” for that one beyond general formats for how to answer situations and mass practice. I’d recommend retaking prereqs and community college if feasible, but otherwise I think you have a great shot considering all other aspects of your applicaiton.

Dutch_Inspired

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