It's the Summer before I apply...
what do I need to be doing?!?!
Study? or Swim?
Many of you are in the “summer before application”… and the vibe is…
overwhelmed.
Too many options, too many people telling you what to do, and too many people sharing their fun vacations and cool vet experiences.
Here’s the trick:
PRINT out a calendar.
Highlight the Sat prior to the closing of VMCAS . (If you’re my student, my goal for you is even earlier!).
First two weeks Sept:
This year, VMCAS closes (last applications are due) Sept 16. So highlight Sat, Sept 14. That’s your due date.
Let’s work backwards! The two weeks prior, you want to be looking over your application with fresh eyes! So your goal is to have everything uploaded Sept 1!
Spend these two weeks checking and rereading everything!
Last 2 weeks of Aug:
If you have taken Summer courses, make sure these grades are in! Make sure they (and the earlier grades) are uploaded and are fulfilling your pre-reqs!
**BIG TIP: email the vet school admissions email to double check some of your requirements. This is the biggest crack applicants fall through! Not having the right prereqs!
***ANOTHER Big Tip: If you got a C- in a prerequisite, most mainland vet schools will make you retake that! Look back at your transcript and sign up to retake any C-!! NOW!! This summer!!
First three weeks of Aug:
Work on your supplemental essays. These are shorter and should not be stressful! But can add up if you apply to a ton of vet schools!
Some schools require video essays! Be sure to make a script and then practice! It doesn’t have to be perfect. Smile!!
Some supplemental essays will overlap- a common one is “Tell us something non-veterinary about yourself.” (Do not mention animals!!)
Last two weeks of July:
Input VMCAS details.
Experience hours, vet hours, odd jobs, awards, community service, volunteering, all of it. Hopefully you have a log to help you remember. Take your time and try not to leave anything out!
Tip: Keep the explanations of your duties on the job… short and sweet. We all know the main jobs of a vet tech or vet receptionist. It looks good to mention the big tasks and skills that you learned here, but you don’t have to list 100 tasks.
First two weeks of July:
Write your Personal Statement! I like the short ones! We have read TONS of these! Our eyes are bleeding!!!!
The Statements that I remember: had good stories in them. We love a story. Most that I read today are almost “too professional”. Don’t make it difficult to read with very long sentences and crazy adjectives.
Last two weeks of June:
Reach out to ask for your Letter’s of Recommendation!
If you have, reach out again to those who have not completed. To those that did write your letters, send a thank you email!
Early June:
Finalize the list of vet schools you are applying to!
Go through each vet school’s website. Make sure that you have each prerequisite that they require. One school per day, so as not to get confused… they are so similar, but each a little different!
If you find that you are missing something you need (most schools only let you have two “not finished/ pending” prereqs), now is the time to sign up for the class you might need! Take it anywhere! Better to have it from a community college than not at all! GET AN A!!! The classes you take this summer will count towards all three GPAs. GET AN A.
