Masters experience for BIF

[mk22]

I am applying under the graduate cohort as I have completed my masters by thesis at the University of Guelph.
I only have had to take 3 courses, which i took in the first semester of my degree. 
I have obtained countless hours working with chickens over a period of two and a half years with my advisor whom is a vet.
Is it OK for me to use these hours for my background information form- the amount of hours i participated with animals and performing research? 
I understand you should not put hours obtained for a course, however this was not for a course, but rather research.
And I also see it as experience that I have obtained, experience that took up years, and not just one semester where I handled an animal twice.
However I do not want this to make me look bad with my application, as some may see this as a course still.
Any suggestions?

[Guest1620]

Hi mk22,

Personally, on my BIF I included my MSc in all of the various places where it fit. Any experience with animals was placed there, all other experiences (lab work, TAing, etc), was placed elsewhere (I forget all of the ins and outs of the form now). It's not an issue, and you should definitely use that experience to your advantage, as most ugrad applicants will not have that experience. Don't double dip any of your hours though - lying will hurt your chances. I actually rounded all of my hours down because they seemed so high, but after talking to classmates, most of them had a ridiculous number of hours, so in hindsight, that was not necessary.

Additionally, if you are interested in research or if your MSc helped guide your decision to apply, you should discuss that in your letter. Keep in mind that the faculty here participate in research (at various levels), and they would likely look favourably upon an applicant who might pursue a PhD or MSc/DVSc after their DVM. Be honest though.


Good luck.