My application statistics

Hello there!

Here comes the most dreaded part–comparing numbers.

I decided to copy and paste my post from the “Successful Applicants c/o 2019 stats” thread on student doctor network and bold additional comments.

I would troll other people’s statistics like CRAZY when I was applying, and with my below-average GPA, I really convinced myself I had no chance. The take away here is: DON’T PANIC. Even compare my statistics with the rest of my class here: UF CVM c/o 2019 stats (spoiler alert, my stats are below the average!). It is not all about the GPA (although it is certainly important!!).

Well, here they are:

22 yr old female FL resident, 1st time applicant, BS in Biomedical Sciences (grad spring 2015) from the University of Central Florida. Received AA from Valencia College May of 2012 –>that’s right, I got my AA before going to a university, still got accepted (I once had a vet tell me that I would have to retake all of the pre-reqs to vet school that I took at the community college such as Bio1&2, Chem 1&2, etc. FALSE!)
Applied: Auburn, LSU, UF, Glasgow, Edinburgh, University College Dublin (never actually finished UCD’s application…)
Interviewed: Glasgow, Edinburgh, UF
Waitlisted: None
Accepted: UF, Glasgow, Edinburgh
Attending: UF!!!

Overall GPA: 3.46
Science GPA: 3.13
Last 45 credits: 3.12 (^proof you don’t need perfect grades to get in!)
(also, these were the GPA’s I applied with, this doesn’t include the year of classes I took after sending in my VMCAS that admissions committees never saw, just FYI)

GRE (Q/V/W): 157/152/4.5

Veterinary Experience:
Small Animal: 1810
Shelter Clinic (County Animal Services): 460

Research Experience:
Lab Animal Care Technician: 750

Animal Experience:
Sea Turtle Rehab Internship: 600
TNR Clinic @ UF: 50
Zoo Animal Internship: 200
Wildlife Rehab Internship: 100
Wildlife Educator @ Disney’s Animal Kingdom: 500
Dog Rescue Volunteer: 100
Agriculture class (LA): 81
Animal ownership: 100

Non-Animal Employment:
Waitress: 200
Laser tag facility: 1300

Extracurriculars / Etc:
Pre-Veterinary Society @ UCF’s President (1 year) and Event Coordinator (1 year)
Pre-Professional Medical Society Director (1 semester)
Teaching Assistant for UCF’s microbiology labs (1.5 years)
Dean’s list a few times
President’s list a couple of times
A few scholarships
Attended APVMA symposiums and NAVC conferences

LORs: 3- Vets I had worked for (that’s right, no academic LORs. Definitely not recommended. In my case, the professor I had planned to write me a letter tragically passed away a few months before applying. I didn’t feel as if any other professor would be able to write me as strong of a letter, so I decided to just go with vets)

Of course, if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask.

But most importantly…

Signed, Megan M

Writing your personal statement

I have had a lot of people ask to read my personal statement, and I have absolutely no hesitation sharing it. However, it is my personal recommendation that before you go around reading other peoples’ statements, you at least construct a rough draft of your own first. There is no “right” way to write your personal statement. There is no perfect formula, and everyone has a different story. It is kind of like reading someone else’s answer to a written question… it’s really hard to think of another way to answer it when you read their version.

Make sure to follow the prompt. Stay focused on the point you want to get across. Highlight your strengths and provide examples of situations that demonstrate your strengths (“I am driven”, “I take initiative”, these statements mean nothing without evidence). Think of your audience, they are reading a ton of these statements, make yourself stand out as much as you can while convincing them they need you at their school. You are essentially selling yourself as a veterinarian, make sure you make this essay have impact. Of course, this probably goes without saying, make sure to answer the question: “why do you want to be a veterinarian”.

If you wish to read my personal statement, follow this link >final draft of personal statement. However, I did exclude certain names/phrases for privacy but it doesn’t take away from the content.

Good luck and happy studying!

Signed, Megan M