After working with pre-vet students for years, I’ve noticed something interesting:
The students who get rejected aren’t always the least qualified.
In fact, many are incredibly hardworking, compassionate, and capable future veterinarians.
More often, I see students make avoidable mistakes that weaken their applications without them even realizing it.
The good news?
Most of these mistakes can be fixed.
Here are the biggest mistakes I see vet school applicants make, and what to do instead.
Many students spend years gaining experience, taking classes, and preparing for vet school.
Then when application season arrives, they choose schools based on reputation, location, or where their friends are applying.
That’s a mistake.
Every veterinary school evaluates applicants differently. Some place more emphasis on GPA. Others value experience, prerequisites, or specific aspects of your background.
The strongest application strategy isn’t about applying everywhere.
It’s about applying wisely.
My tip:
Find your strength. One of your GPAs is better than the rest. Some of you are fantastic interviewers. Some of you have rural backgrounds.
Apply to the schools that LOVE your strength.
One of the first questions I ask students is:
“What’s the biggest thing holding you back?”
Almost everyone immediately says GPA.
Sometimes they’re right.
But often, GPA isn’t the biggest issue at all.
I’ve worked with students who spent months worrying about a 3.6 GPA when their real weakness was a lack of veterinary experience, poor school selection, or weak essays.
Before trying to fix everything, identify the areas that will actually improve your chances.
Social media has made this problem worse.
Students constantly see posts from applicants with perfect GPAs, thousands of hours of experience, and impressive accomplishments.
What they don’t see are the students getting accepted with less-than-perfect statistics.
None of my students are perfect. NONE!
Do I see them get accepted? All of the time.
80% of the time, actually.
Every applicant has strengths and weaknesses.
Comparing yourself to someone else’s highlight reel rarely helps you make better decisions.
Focus on building the strongest version of your own application.
This happens every year.
A student contacts me a few weeks before deadlines and wants to completely transform their application.
While some things can improve quickly, many of the strongest improvements require time.
The earlier you start planning, the more options you have.
Strong applications are rarely built in a few weeks.
They’re built through intentional decisions made months, and sometimes years, before submission.
This one surprises people.
Many students are uncomfortable talking about their accomplishments.
They worry about sounding arrogant.
As a result, they write essays that fail to showcase their growth, leadership, resilience, and unique experiences.
Remember: admissions committees can’t evaluate strengths you never communicate.
You aren’t bragging.
You’re helping them understand who you are and why you’ll be a great veterinarian.
This is the #1 thing I hear from Admission’s Offices:
You don’t sell yourself enough.
Not all advice is created equal.
I’ve seen students make major decisions based on anonymous online forums, outdated information, or guidance from people who applied to veterinary school many years ago.
The admissions process changes.
Requirements change.
Schools change.
Make sure you’re getting advice from sources who understand today’s admissions landscape.
College advisors are doing their best. They are often helping all pre-health students- pre-dental, pre-med, nursing, etc.
If they are well-versed in vet school, its usually only the one in their state.
Most vet school applicants are working hard.
The challenge isn’t usually effort.
The challenge is knowing where to direct that effort.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, unsure where you stand, or wondering what improvements would make the biggest difference in your application, you’re not alone.
Sometimes the most valuable thing you can have is a clear plan.
And that’s exactly what I help students build every day.
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