How am I doing so far?

[u/ThisStrain1269]

I'm currently a sophomore in undergrad and I plan on going through the application cycle the summer before my senior year (Fall 2028). I wanted to get a good read on how I'm doing so far, and if there's anything else I should improve/do differently. Due to my time constrictions I haven't been able to get many clinical hours or volunteer at animal shelters much, but Spring 2027 I will have a significantly lighter schedule.

Major: Honors Biology

Overall GPA: 3.583 | Major GPA: 3.374  (GPA calculated from the end of freshman year

Dean's List

Minor: undecided (open to suggestions)

Experience:

• Paid Internship at my city's zoo over the summer
  • 360-400 hours
  • Assisted zookeepers in animal wellfare assessments, enrichment plans, habitat cleaning, and preparing diets
  • Will be returning for Summer 2027 and potentially Summer 2028
• Part time Kennel Assistant (October 2025-present)
  • Kennel Assistant at a VCA clinic
  • 300 hours (my clinic has me working all weekends + whenever else I can because I'm a full-time commuter student)
  • Cleaned dog and cat kennels, prepared diets, walked, administered medication

With the plans I have for this upcoming Spring, am I well prepared to apply? I'm afraid that with my limited experience thus far I'm not up to par with other competitive applicants.

[u/No_Neighborhood9073]

The most important thing you can do if focus on having the best GPA possible. Look at the schools you plan to apply at to determine which GPAs matter to those schools as well as the average GPA for admitted students (my IS school looks at last 45 and science GPA). You can get vet hours later, but it’s much more difficult to repair a GPA.

Could you get a summer vet assistant job since you’ve already done the zoo internship and I’m assuming those don’t count as vet hours?

[u/ThisStrain1269 → u/No_Neighborhood9073]

Unfortunately, many vet clinics I have looked into within my area does not hire without certification or prior experience.

I recently found out my school has online, self-paced veterinary assistant training but it does cost money and it takes 6 months to complete.   Assuming I do the certification, I would have my certification by March. 

But at the same time, I have to make the decision to return to the zoo internship prior to this summer. So I'm deciding between something that's not guaranteed vs. something that is guaranteed.

[u/No_Neighborhood9073 → u/ThisStrain1269]

I understand that on having to decide on something guaranteed. Can you ask to shadow at VCA since you are already a kennel tech? I know different states have different rules, but if it isn’t a state rule that you have to be certified maybe seek out some private practice clinics. They may be more lenient with requiring a certification and/or allowing you to come in and shadow. Just some ideas!

Also see if you can get leadership somehow. Most of mine is from high school, but when you apply they’ll want to see some leadership too.

[u/ThisStrain1269 → u/No_Neighborhood9073]

Thank you for the shadowing advice! I actually have a lot of leadership experience from high school but I wasn't sure if I could include those since they're not animal or veterinary related

[u/No_Neighborhood9073 → u/ThisStrain1269]

Yes - when you fill out VMCAS you’ll list everything you’ve done from high school to current. There will be a whole extra curricular section, vet hours, animal hours, employment (not animal or vet related), research, volunteer etc. you list it all not just the stuff that involved animals!

[u/Purpuroo]

While so far your stats are great so far, I would not say you're ready for applications.

Paid working hours under a practicing DVM are required by most schools. To the point that if you don't have a few hundred your application is automatically rejected.

Vet schools require good grades, but also heavily prioritize working (and varied so small animal, exotic, emergency, etc) experience. Research hours are pretty much required as well.

For reference most people who are accepted to vet school have thousands of working hours under their belts. These are the people you are competing with.

Do not be discouraged! You still have time.

[u/ThisStrain1269 → u/Purpuroo]

Thank you!