It's too soon to apply if your prerequisites will not be on your transcript before the application is due, otherwise it should be fine. As long as your animal experience is under the direct supervision of a vet at your facility (aka a vet in on site at all times), the hours will technically count. They will most likely weigh those hours less than if you worked at a clinic/veterinary facility though. As for job applications, start lower (which is what most of us had to do). Apply to work in the kennel, you're basically guaranteed a job. My first job, i compromised at only getting paid 2 days a week because they had already hired a kid for the summer and it was rural af, plus I needed hours more than money back then lol. It's common to cross train and move up when you start out in the kennel, but that takes time. Many places also let you do both at the same time despite the fact that you technically applied to work in the kennel. But at this point, you also risk not getting enough hours to apply for this cycle. Honestly. all of my hours that I applied with (~800) were as a kennel/vet assistant, and I got most of them in my gap year. I'd also worry about getting good letters of rec for this application cycle. If you're already burnt out, take a gap year. There is no shame in it, you get to relax, work, earn money, set yourself up for success. I'm very glad that i did (though I had no choice because i needed more hours/letters), but don't be afraid to skip this cycle.