Category: Vet School Applicant

Writing a Cover Letter for a Letter of Recommendation

Once you’ve identified mentors to write you a letter of recommendation (LOR), the next step is to reach out to them to ask that they write said letter.  In that process, you might want to write a cover letter which provides them with some information to help them write the LOR. Why write a cover

Continue Reading…

Examples of Good Letters of Intent

I’ve spent a lot of time writing about personal statements.  There are general rules, which I’ve written about here and here.  Also, there are important and simple grammar rules to pay attention to, like these and these.  I’ve provided some examples of poor letters of intent, so now it’s time to look at some good

Continue Reading…

Grade Inflation Is Bad

I believe that grade inflation hurts everyone- admissions committees, faculty, and parents.  But, most importantly, it hurts students.  To understand why, we have to examine the purpose of grades and what grade inflation is. Why Grades? There are two types of assessments.  Formative assessments are designed to provide feedback to the student so they know

Continue Reading…

Why We Declined Vet School Applicants Last Year

I participated in the interview and selection process for a vet school this year, and we had another amazing pool of applicants.  Nonetheless, the three faculty conducting the interviews generally agreed to place some applicants on the “do not offer” list.  This is not out of any malice- we just needed a way to reduce

Continue Reading…

On Writing

I turned out to be a huge Stephen King fan as an adult.  Growing up, my sister loved his horror stories, but I don’t really like horror, so I never read any King. Until, that is, I read The Dark Tower.  That sold me.  Now Stephen King is a go-to for me, particularly when I’m

Continue Reading…

You Can Do Anything You Want

…But you can’t do EVERYTHING you want.  I first heard this principle applied to high-income professionals with respect to their personal finances and I love it.  I use it when I teach the senior vet students about personal finances.  If you want, you can: 1) Live in LA, 2) Buy a new BMW, 3) Send

Continue Reading…

What I Learned Interviewing Vet Student Applicants This Year

Every year when I conduct interviews and evaluate applicants, I try to reflect on what I have learned and find tidbits to share with you all to improve your applications and interviews.  Here are some thoughts from reading dozens of VMCAS applications and then conducting interviews for vet school.  I have made these anonymous when

Continue Reading…

M&M Rounds: Expensive School

During M&M rounds, we will examine some fictitious cases and evaluate the facts and consider some solutions to these problems. Jasper is a 26-year-old Caucasian female presenting for just getting accepted into an expensive veterinary school.  She has been struggling to get into vet school since she graduated from undergrad, and so finally decided to

Continue Reading…

M&M Rounds: Multiple Withdrawals

During M&M rounds, we will examine some fictitious cases and evaluate the facts and consider some solutions to these problems. Grace is a 23-year-old Caucasian female who presented for having three “Withdrawal” grades throughout her undergraduate career.  She applied to vet school last year and did not get in, and is concerned that these grades

Continue Reading…