Grad Cohort 2020

[guest0797]

Hey,

I was just wondering if any applicants for the Grad Cohort class of 2020 (admitted and refused) could share their marks from their last 2 semesters/pre-reqs and interview scores. I'm considering applying as part of the Grad Cohort this upcoming cycle and would like to get an idea of where applicants stood this year in their scores.

Thanks!

[oncovet]

Don't waste your time. Apply as an undergrad, unless you have three or more publications. I say this because almost everyone I know that got in through the grad cohort had at least 3. The competition for the grad cohort is so unpredictable. Some years (i.e. fall 2015) were great! Only 8 people applied. This year, 17 applied for 5 spots or less in the grad cohort. My grades were terrible and I was not interviewed. You might as well compete with undergrads if you have the grades. Contrary to popular belief, the grad cohort isn't an easy way in. It's actually harder.

[cacao32]

I applied to the grad cohort this year. I got an interview but was refused admission. I had one accepted and one submitted manuscript and went to 8 conferences- which I thought was competitive for doing a Msc. They said my weakness was grad productivity. My marks are high 80's and have lots of vet and animal experience. So this basically validates what oncovet is saying- I'm going to apply as an undergrad for 2017 even though by this next cycle- I will have 2 publications and a few more conferences- I don't think it's enough to compete with PhD students (and maybe the odd MSc that was top of their class and had OGS/NSERC their whole Msc).

[cacao32]

I should have added, you don't get interview scores for the grad cohort. I think because there's more involved, they don't necessarily quantify everything.

[guest0797]

Wow... I'm glad I asked! Thanks so much oncovet and cacao32 for sharing your experiences, that's really helpful to know.

[oncovet]

Jul 21, 2016 7:42:46 GMT -5 cacao32 said:

I applied to the grad cohort this year. I got an interview but was refused admission. I had one accepted and one submitted manuscript and went to 8 conferences- which I thought was competitive for doing a Msc. They said my weakness was grad productivity. My marks are high 80's and have lots of vet and animal experience. So this basically validates what oncovet is saying- I'm going to apply as an undergrad for 2017 even though by this next cycle- I will have 2 publications and a few more conferences- I don't think it's enough to compete with PhD students (and maybe the odd MSc that was top of their class and had OGS/NSERC their whole Msc).

That's incredibly sad that they told you that 2 publications was weak grad productivity. I'm going back to undergrad to increase my grades then doing a PhD and reapplying. I had one submitted publication and went to 10 conferences.

[JustDoIt!]

I think you might be putting emphasis on the wrong area.

There were 17 applicants this year, and maybe 10-12 interviews? Those are EXCELLENT odds of getting an interview. This is also probably the stage where undergrad marks, research progress, and animal experience play the biggest part. The committee wants to see if you are competent, dedicated and skilled based on your resume.

The graduate website clearly states "Once the candidates for interview are chosen, the interview is the predominant deciding factor for the graduate cohort". But, 65% of applicants got a chance to interview! I honestly think the playing field becomes effectively even at this point. I don't think they care if you went to 10 conferences or 2, had 3 publications or 1 in progress. Those are the accomplishments that got you the interview. From then on, it's about *you*.

The interview is what seals the deal, I am as certain as an outsider can be. If you are able to draw on your experiences, then yeah, talking about your experiences publishing 3 times would probably be a really strong statement. Stronger than a person with 1 publication. But if Person X can make a more eloquent and thoughtful response about their skills when putting together 1 publication... It doesn't matter how many Person Y had if they can't interview well.

Similarly, on paper a PhD student has *way* better odds of having a better resume, but that doesn't guarantee that they interview better. It isn't guaranteed that all applying PhD students got in. But they are likely older, more mature, and have more experiences in life that make them better in the interview. They have confidence and poise. THAT is how they got in.

So if you're an MSc applying next year, I would tell you that if you think you can put together a great interview, go for it. Your odds of getting that interview are hugely in your favor (applicant numbers over the past 3 years have hovered around 16). Once you get that interview, you just need to prove that you are vet material. That you are mature, experienced, knowledgeable, articulate, and personable.

Being someone with average marks, a few conferences, and a publication can still give you the chance to interview. After that, it's just about you. Not your resume. Don't be afraid of the challenge! I know more than 1 MSc who has gotten in via the grad cohort and what they have in common is that they thought they had an excellent interview.

[cacao32]

I know what the website says- but that was not what I was lead to believe after talking to the admissions people directly. They said that I did well in the interview- but so did some other people- and they had a higher 'score' to begin with (i.e marks/publications/conferences/awards), and so the interview was not enough to catch up.

[lowenger]

I think what you are missing cacao32 is that you are compared to the other candidates in the pool - and this pool changes each year. So compared to others in the pool your level of competitiveness may change depending on said pool. Since the pool this year was excellent it was a more competitive competition.

[Imaberd]

Jul 25, 2016 8:06:53 GMT -5 lowenger said:

I think what you are missing cacao32 is that you are compared to the other candidates in the pool - and this pool changes each year. So compared to others in the pool your level of competitiveness may change depending on said pool. Since the pool this year was excellent it was a more competitive competition.

Thanks for the reply Elizabeth. Out of curiosity, would you be able to tell us how many from this year's accepted grad cohort had PhDs and how many were Master's?

[Crashof2020]

Hey Imaberd,

I believe our class has 3 MSc and 2 PhD students from the grad cohort. Although there are a handful of other students in my class who also have MSc degrees but didn't do grad cohort (either international students or otherwise)