Kelli got into Lincoln Memorial Vet School after applying 6 Cycles

Lincoln Memorial University College of Veterinary Medicine is in Harrogate, TN. It is one of the accredited US Veterinary Colleges.

Kelli had to apply to vet school 6 application cycles before getting into Lincoln Memorial University College of Veterinary Medicine. She is proof that if this is something that you really want then you must keep trying. She strengthened her application by going to grad school just like a few of the other people interviewed did. If you have any questions on the Lincoln vet school admissions criteria you can follow this link.

Getting into Lincoln Memorial Veterinary School

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Name, Veterinary School attended, and year that you started Lincoln Memorial Veterinary School

Kelli Luttman, Lincoln Memorial University CVM, 2016

Who are the animals that you currently share your life with at Lincoln vet school?

3 dogs (Copper, Bernie, & MJ) and 3 cats (MB, Cowboy, & Torti)

Where did you attend undergrad and what was your major?

Purdue University; Animal Science

At what age did you first apply to vet school?

Answering the question “how many schools should I apply to?” is tricky. It varies for everyone. How many schools/application cycles did you apply to before being accepted to Lincoln vet school?

6 application cycles, applied to 2-3 schools each time.

During those years when you submitted so many applications, did you have a backup plan?

No, for a while I continued working full time at a vet clinic as an assistant. Note from editor: check out the best shoes for vet nurses.

After a while I realized I had multiple degrees and was still working my high school job. So I went on to work at an engineering firm for 2 years which was a great paying job but I had no passion for it. I still worked at the vet clinic part-time because I loved it so much.

How Long Does It Take To Become A Vet Tech? Learn More

Working elsewhere just gave me more drive to keep pursuing my dream job as a veterinarian.

To be honest I have no clue what I would be doing right now if I hadn’t gotten accepted to LMU veterinary school.

Your 6th application got you Accepted to Lincoln Memorial Veterinary School, What Made the Difference?

LMU reviews its applicants with a holistic approach instead of who has the highest GPA and GRE scores. I had worked in a vet clinic for several years, went on to get my master’s, and was still applying after being rejected so many times. LMU veterinary school looked at the whole picture and not at just one test score. I will be forever grateful to LMU veterinary school for giving me the opportunity.

Were you waitlisted at any schools?

Nope

How many schools invited you for an interview?

1- Lincoln Memorial University College of Veterinary Medicine

How many of those gave you an acceptance letter?

1- Lincoln Memorial University

Can You Recall any Challenging Interview Questions at Lincoln Memorial Veterinary School Interview?

“Tell me about yourself” I remember thinking where do I even begin……..

What was your GPA (in undergraduate)?

3.3

What was your GRE score?

I don’t remember the exact scores but I was average in all departments

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Did you attend grad school?

Purdue University; Masters in Biology

Did you go to grad school in order to strengthen your application for vet school?

Yes, I went on to get my Master in Biology from Purdue University.

How many extracurricular activities did you list on your application?

1; that I was a TA in undergrad

Animal Experiece is a Must Before Getting into Lincoln Memorial Veterinary School

Did you have exotic, large, and small animal experience prior to applying to veterinary school?

Tons of small animal and some large

What types of paying jobs did you have before going to LMU veterinary school?

Veterinary Assistant (vs a vet tech) for 15 years at small animal clinic

Sales & Marketing Coordinator for 2 years at an engineering firm

Since volunteering can be a way to get some animal experience hours in, did you participate

Yes; I was a volunteer at the Steuben County Humane Shelter.

How many people read your personal statement before submitting it?

The benefits of being a veterinarian vary, depending on your goals when did you decide to become a vet?

As far back as I can remember, I never wanted to be anything else.

Did you interview any vets before starting the application process? If so how did you approach them?

I did ask my boss about her interview process but it was very casual and not too detailed of a conversion.

Were you a member of any clubs at your undergraduate school? If so, which ones?

Pre-Vet Club

Lincoln Vet School Student Clubs

Did you join student clubs in your DVM program at Lincoln Memorial? If so, which ones? Are they helpful?

AAEP

AABP

Behavior Club

Companion Animal

Guest speakers and wet labs make the clubs so worth it.

Who gave you your letters of recommendation? Did you know them well?

2 vets at the vet clinic I had worked at for years and 1 college professor that I did my thesis with. I knew all of them very well. Working at a clinic can help with the process of going from vet tech to veterinarian.

Did you find the application process stressful? Why or why not?

Just when the decline letters came in, haha.

How did you stay motivated to keep applying after so many rejection letters?

It is hard to look good on paper especially when you’re up against the best of the best. Instead of feeling rejected, I focused on what I could do to be better for the next application process. This was my passion, it was confirmed every time I went to work at the vet clinic and confirmed when I tried working elsewhere. Thank goodness I didn’t give up because look where I am today!

Did you apply to or think about any of the Caribbean schools? Why or why not?

It crossed my mind and if I wouldn’t have gotten into LMU I’m sure I would have tried the Caribbean veterinary schools the following application cycle.

Are you happy that you chose this career? What makes you most happy about this career choice?

Absolutely. This career has so many different options whether it’s private practice, research, or teaching. The opportunities are endless.

Do you have any advice for students, once accepted?

Remember there are people out there that would love to be in your shoes, so don’t take the opportunity for granted.

Any study tips for Lincoln Memorial to help those navigate the question of how hard is vet school?

Don’t get stressed if you feel as if you are behind with your studies, just keep chugging along.

What have been some of your favorite classes, within your DVM program at Lincon Memorial?

Immunology and Infectious Diseases

What has been the most challenging class, in your DVM program so far?

Anatomy along with its lab.

As a student, did you have to take out loans for your education? If so, are you concerned about the amount of debt you will have after graduation?

Yes but I am not concerned. It will all work out in the end.

Is there anything in particular about your DVM program or the school itself that you like?

I love everything about LMU. Our clinical/professional skills course is so helpful. The facilities are excellent with amazing scenery around. The staff and other students are so supportive.

Do you have any advice for students thinking about attending your Lincoln veterinary school?

You will get more hands-on experience here, which is priceless.

At this point do you think you will have a specialty?

No, only because I am older (33 yrs old), if I was younger I would probably have taken that route.

As a student have you had any challenging cases yet?

Went on a trip to Thailand through Loop Aboard in a vet program. Loop abroad also provides pre-veterinary internship opportunities. A goat had been attacked by dogs and was in bad shape. We needed to amputate her mammary glands because they were mangled but we did not have the proper equipment to do so. We ended up treating with fluids and antibiotics. We knew what needed to be done but just didn’t have the proper equipment which made the case very challenging.

Aside from books on how to become a veterinarian, have you read or listened to anything worth sharing?

Oogy the dog only a family could love by Larry Levin.

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