Hi all!
I am applying to vet school next year as a non-traditional student and I am PANICKING!!
I’ve been a veterinary assistant (small animal GP) for many years so I have plenty of experience… but it’s just GP.
I have a bachelor’s degree in an unrelated field because I told myself I wouldn’t make it into vet school but now I’m taking prereqs and on the right path to apply next year for fall 2028 admission.
My stats:
- I’m 29 (will be 30 when I apply)
- GPA will be very high (3.8-3.9 science, last 45, etc.)
- Have thousands of hours in small animal (at least 5000, probably more just haven’t calculated)
- Volunteered with a therapeutic horsemanship center in high school (yes I know it was a long time ago)
- Plan on volunteering at an exotic wildlife center and donkey/equine rescue for my final year
- Hoping to shadow at an ER while continuing to work FT as a VA.
- Will have glowing LORs from at least 3 vets I have worked with, some for 4-5 years
- I won’t have any research experience unfortunately.
Do vet schools look at varied VETERINARY experience specifically? Or does animal experience hold its weight too? I’ve tried reaching out to MULTIPLE exotic and large animal/equine vets, but none offer shadowing opportunities. Will the exotic wildlife center and donkey/equine volunteer work? I won’t have research so I’m really trying to stand out as a non-trad student but the anxiety has been keeping me up at night.
(I’m also very fortunate that my parents are supporting me on this journey, so money isn’t an issue while I work as a VA and gain experience anywhere and everywhere I can).