Let's talk about... SUMMER?!
Daydreaming of warm weather and cool adventures? Read up...
Summer? Seriously? YES!
Sounds crazy, but if you are wondering how to get rid of that looming anxiety that sounds like this , “Do I have enough Vet Experience? Is my experience DIVERSE? Should I work or take classes?”… this article is for you.
Now is the time to evaluate your resume and GPAs, figure out what your weak point is, and then plan to attack it this summer. Once you send out a few emails and follow up, your summer plans are made and you can focus solely on your classes!
Here is an easy step-by-step guide.
Find your total GPA. Extra credit for finding your Last 45 Hour GPA and Prerequisite GPA. Use a GPA Calculator. Start from most recent classes (maybe predict best-case-scenario grade for classes you are currently in, count backwards entering each class and the grade you got, til you hit 45 hours. That’s your Last 45 GPA. Then, keep adding classes until you have included EVERY SINGLE class you’ve ever taking in college and post-grad. It’s important to know where you stand. Here’s an article on minimum GPAs and more.
Update your resume. Do you only have one type of experience? Do you have the minimum amount of Vet Hours (a vet was present!) that your number 1 Vet School requires? (most require 500 hours by the point of submitting your application in Sept.)
Try to objectively evaluate your GPAs and experience. If you need to increase your total GPA by 0.1 to hit the Vet School’s minimum required GPA, then you should be taking classes this summer. Boom.
If you have a fantastic GPA but only 250 Vet Hours, your priority for the summer should be finding Vet Experience!If you need classes, try to find summer courses that are possibly Sciences! A Prerequisite is great! Or an upper level Science that may count as “Upper Level Science Elective”… this can be Statistics, Cell Bio, Genetics. If that is impossible (or hard to get an A in,), take something you can ACE.
Get. An. A.If you need a job, volunteer position or similar, start figuring out where you are going to live. What days/ hours do you have available? What experience do you have on your resume and what experience could make your resume more diverse?
Here are some options:Mobile Equine Vets! They always need an extra hand!
Any Vet School near you! Even a job as kennel tech COUNTS! And gets your foot in the door!
Mobile vet- euthanasias at home, multi-cat households, etc. These vets usually work solo and could use a hand! Google!
Having trouble finding willing vet hospitals? Check Vetsetgo!!! This free app is designed specifically for this!! More info here!
Vetcamps are becoming popular at Vet Schools and Humane Societies nation wide. Google “vet camp summer 2025” and your summer location and see what pops up!
Looking to go somewhere exotic and amazing this summer? Next week’s article will touch on some ideas and programs that I’ve partnered with! Think: Africa, Wyoming, and more!!!
Your next patient! If you want one-on-one help with evaluating your resume and grades, designing your summer, and crafting the perfect Personal Statement and more,
