Grad Cohort References

[equivix]

Hi there,

To any of those familiar with the grad cohort application process, you'll know 4 references are required: 2 from accredited vets and 2 who can speak to your graduate work.

My question is as follows: I completed my graduate program under the supervision of faculty who are also DVMs. My question is if one or two of my references are both DVMs and my grad supervisors, can I get my other reference(s) from someone who can comment on my animal or extracurricular experience instead?

Thank you!

[QA]

You should email admissions with these questions. Someone might be able to answer your questions here but admissions definitely can.

[equivix]

Thanks, I do after a few days but I know the admissions folks check here so I try here first so that:

- I don't have to flood their inboxes during what I am sure is a stressful time (even without the COVID changes)

- Others could benefit from the answers and not themselves flood the admissions inboxes with the same questions. 

[GuestFV]

That's a great question/interesting situation to be in. Normally the 2 vet references are for DVMs that you worked with to get animal experience (through research animals/clinical work/etc) that can speak to how you are "hands on" or "how well you interact with animals/clients". They would have an insight to how seriously you have considered the profession. The other 2 references should be from your supervisor and other committee members or faculty that can speak to your academic abilities, graduate work, productivity.

While I can't tell you what the correct answer is here, I would say you need to use your supervisors (who are DVMs) as your 2 academic references because they would have been the ones overseeing your thesis work, and then have 2 other DVMs that you've worked with give you the vet references. Alternatively you could try using 1 supervisor for the academic and 1 for the vet reference. Hope that helps!

[lowenger]

"you need to use your supervisors (who are DVMs) as your 2 academic references because they would have been the ones overseeing your thesis work, and then have 2 other DVMs that you've worked with give you the vet references. "

This is correct.

[Grad hopeful]

Do we have to use someone from our committee? I have been done my graduate work for a few years now and still work with my advisor, but I never speak to any of my committee members. Could I not use someone that knows me from working with them?