Advice for re-applying

[vet7777]

I applied with a 91 cumulative average this year, 3 years of small animal experience, wildlife volunteering, and lots of social clubs memberships. I thought my interview went very well, but I was surprised (and frankly heartbroken) to be refused this year. I am not sure of my next steps: should I study another term in hopes of raising my average 1-2%? However I would prefer to spend this time doing an abroad veterinary internship and diversifying my experience. How do extra-curricular programs weigh in on our final score if grades are worth 65% and interview is 35%?

Sorry for the long post... I want this so bad but I don't know what else to do to get accepted.

[hopefulovc]

Jun 2, 2018 9:05:49 GMT -5 vet7777 said:

I applied with a 91 cumulative average this year, 3 years of small animal experience, wildlife volunteering, and lots of social clubs memberships. I thought my interview went very well, but I was surprised (and frankly heartbroken) to be refused this year. I am not sure of my next steps: should I study another term in hopes of raising my average 1-2%? However I would prefer to spend this time doing an abroad veterinary internship and diversifying my experience. How do extra-curricular programs weigh in on our final score if grades are worth 65% and interview is 35%?

Sorry for the long post... I want this so bad but I don't know what else to do to get accepted.

Hi vet7777,

Your 91 average is competitive and I believe if you nail your interview, you will have a higher chance of getting in next year! It's very hard to decipher how the interviews went especially when the interviewers are acting neutral. I've had friends who felt like they did horrible and ended up getting a high interview mark!
Overall, I think your average is really great! I applied with a mark lower than last year's admitted average and was able to get in by practising really hard for my interview.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think the extracurriculars are looked at during the selection of interviewees. After the interviews, all the applicants are ranked by their grades and interview score. So since you made it to the interview process, I don't think there is anything wrong with your extracurriculars! 

Feel free to PM me if you have any questions  

[jackalth]

I'd wait and see what your interview score was because it sounds like that was the issue. Another year to bring up your grades honestly doesn't sound like the most proactive step, especially because a 91 is a competitive average and you run the risk of actually lowering your marks.

I'd say focus on getting more experience and this will hopefully allow you to gain more confidence and be in a veterinary mindset for interview next time.

This is just my opinion of course! I had about the same average and my backup plan was to just gain more experience and better prepare for the interviews next time, I didn't want to risk bringing my marks down or spend more money on a 5th year of undergrad.

[Guest1234]

Hi vet7777,

I had the same dilemma last year, with the exactly same marks and almost similar experience. I would recommend waiting for your interview score to have a more complete look at your application.

A 91 is definitely competitive, and often a below average interview score is what determines your admission status. After my rejection and getting my interview score (it was a 71), I focussed on getting more experience in clinics and in research. By just exposing myself to more situations where communication played a key role (ex. helping with animal trials, working with kids...), I was able to work on my interview skills throughout the year. It helps to expose yourself to as many interviews as you can so you are calm and familiar with the pressure during the MMIs (at least, it did for me!).

Please give yourself time to process and de-stress after this application cycle; it can take a lot out of you! Use this time waiting for your interview score to wind down, and you can analyze your approach for next year once you find out! Please let me know if you have any questions!

[Guest1234]

When do we get the interview scores? And are they emailed/mailed to us? Thanks!

[Guest12345]

Guest 1234, the interview scores are usually emailed to your Gryphmail! Last year they came out May 31st, so I guess there must be some kind of issue this time around.

[Same]

I feel like 91 is the cursed average haha, I also didn't do well on the interview. I agree with everyone else, a better interview will definitely outdo a 1% increase in your already competitive average.

[vet7777]

Thanks for all of the feedback. I guess what I'm having trouble with is the fact that I thought I nailed the interview. I looked at all sides, was empathetic, explained my reasoning for my decision,etc. I don't know what I could of done differently

[xenaxavier]

I have the same issue. I had 89 last year and only 72 on the interview and I thought I did well. This year I had 90 and also didn't get in despite many hours and $$ towards interview tutors. Next year I will have 90.75 and so I've decided to work a year and gain more experience (and money) rather than worry about my average. That's why I worked so hard to get a high average, because now I can take a year to make money rather than spend it on a 5th year of undergrad.

[xenaxavier]

I have the same issue. I had 89 last year and only 72 on the interview and I thought I did well. This year I had 90 and also didn't get in despite many hours and $$ towards interview tutors. Next year I will have 90.75 and so I've decided to work a year and gain more experience (and money) rather than worry about my average. That's why I worked so hard to get a high average, because now I can take a year to make money rather than spend it on a 5th year of undergrad.

[bockbock]

There still seems to be confusion here about the "weighting" of things.
The only two things that carry weight are 1) grades and 2) interview score. These two numerical values make up your final score, which is then placed in ranking relative to the other 200+- interviewed applicants, and the top 100 are selected.

EXTRACURRICULARS CARRY NO WEIGHT! ESSAYS CARRY NO WEIGHT!
They are necessary to show that you have done some work to explore the profession, but more importantly, to show that your vet references have worked with you long enough to give a professional reference accurately! They are also used to "flag" applicants, (as is the interview), where failure to write essays, writing poor essays, saying questionable/conflicting things or receiving a bad (or poorly founded) references can get you removed from the applicant pool.

If you have a 91, great. I wouldn't risk losing that. Get together with a group (vet students, fellow undergrads) and practice MMIs like crazy. Do panel interviews and LISTEN to all the great points your friends bring up that you might not have thought of. Broaden your thought process. Work on communication and CONTENT - why do certain issues and laws exist anyway? What are the reasons for doing certain things? What qualities does OVC value in a DVM student? What about the CVO or OVMA? All things that go into succeeding in the interview.

Have you said questionable things in your interviews? Could one of your DVMs have given you a less than stellar reference? Eliminate the "flag" possibilities and work on your interview score.

You can do this.