Overall, applicants ranked the school in the top 20% of interviews, indicating it is highly regarded. They found the interview very impressive with a moderate stress level and felt they did okay.
Most respondents rank the facilities as above average.
How do you rank this school among ALL other schools?
Most respondents rank this school above all other schools.
How do you rank this school among other schools to which you've applied?
Most respondents rank this school above other schools they applied to.
0 = Below, 10 = Above
What is your ranking of this school's location?
Most respondents rate the school location as good.
0 = Bad, 10 = Great
How is the friendliness of the admissions office?
Most respondents said the admissions office was friendly.
What is your ranking of this area's cultural life?
Most respondents rate the area’s cultural life as good.
0 = Bad, 10 = Great
How is the responsiveness of the admissions office?
Most respondents said the admissions office was responsive.
💬 Interview Questions ▼
What is one of the specific questions they asked you?
The most commonly asked interview questions at medical schools include inquiries about handling difficult client situations, delivering bad news to clients, ethical dilemmas in veterinary practice, stress management, financial planning for vet school, motivations for pursuing a veterinary career, opinions on controversial topics like horse slaughter and animal research, and scenarios testing ethical decision-making skills. Respondents also mentioned questions about group work, leadership abilities, personal attributes contributing to success in veterinary medicine, and future career plans, with some interviews structured in an MMI format possibly under a nondisclosure agreement.
As a veterinarian, if an owner brought a dog to you and asked you to euthanize it because it barked too much and chewed on things it should not, then what would you do?
Do you know what field of veterinary medicine you want to go into? (They told me it's ok if you haven't decided yet... apparently a lot of vet students change their mind several times while they're in school.)
You have a woman come into your clinic with a dog. She wants to have it euthanized because it has behavioral problems. You examine the dog and he is perfectly healthy. What do you do?
If a new client brought in their dog to you for annuals and said we just moved here from another state and there my dog was only having to get a rabies shot every 3 years so that's what I want to do here as well, what would you say?
What do you do if you have a client who brings in a new dog, you scan for microchip and discover the dog belongs to another owner, however, your client refuses to give the dog back to original owner?
What is the difference between Animal Welfare and Animal Rights? We explored the situation involving LSUSVM not performing terminal surgeries for teaching purposes and what my opinion was on this matter.
Students said the most interesting question asked at Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine discussed a wide range of topics, including qualities of a good vet, views on euthanasia, dream job aspirations, ethical dilemmas, and how various personal experiences relate to veterinary medicine. While specific questions varied, some respondents mentioned being asked about ethical scenarios, personal motivations, views on animal welfare and research, as well as handling stress and balancing personal life with academic demands.
They asked me how my research could apply in other countries, as in how could I apply the use of the alternative medication I research, especially cost-wise
What would you do if your boss said you needed to euthanize an animal because it wasn't getting along with the family, but there is nothing medically wrong with it?
Tell us about your hobbies. (I expected them to make sure I have interests outside of school and work, but did not expect them to take the time to ask about it in detail!)
Anti-parasiticals (Frontline, etc.) are now readily available at places like Walmart. Obviously, Walmart can sell it at a cheaper price than you can. How do you intend to handle this if a client asks you about Frontline, etc.?
The horse slaughter act allowed me draw parallels between the subject in the question, and my experience at Animal Control. It was relevant, and allowed me to show my strengths.
If you were a large animal veterinarian at a dinner party and someone began to disrespect the practices of large animal medicine, how would respond to them?
I think the last one is an interesting question, simply because of the need for large animal vets. I assume they asked in order to know if I would "stick with" large animals instead of changing to a small animal practice later because of the convenience and increased profit.
What is the difference between Animal Welfare and Animal Rights? We explored the situation involving LSUSVM not performing terminal surgeries for teaching purposes and what my opinion was on this matter.
What would you do if a client who had been involved in a custody battle over a dog and won later wanted to put it to sleep when it was completely healthy?
Students said most difficult question asked at Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine discussed a wide range of topics including handling difficult clients, ethical dilemmas, euthanasia scenarios, animal welfare versus rights, and personal motivations for pursuing veterinary medicine. Respondents also mentioned questions related to financial aspects of veterinary school, problematic client scenarios, and challenges in the veterinary field, with some responses indicating the interview may have followed an MMI format with nondisclosure agreements in place.
What needs to change about veterinary medicine in the future?
What would you tell a new owner who brings in their "Canadian Lab" they just adopted asking if it is a pitbull since their home owners association doesn't allow pitbulls?
What are some of the issues facing veterinary medicine today? (We discussed online pharmacies, vaccination clinics, and the bill introduced to require vets to give written prescriptions to every owner every time.)
Why should we pick you instead of everyone else? (I feel like the other questions they asked me in my interview along with my folder would provide them with the information needed to make a decision about my acceptance)
"What was the most difficult decision you have ever made?" I answered by talking about my lifelong feline companion that needed to be put down after a long, happy life.
Why do I want to be a vet? It seems like it would be the most simple and straight forward question but it is important to set yourself apart from others and help to explain your passion for the field. It is hard to sum it up in one answer!
What do you think the AVMA's stance should be on a bill that requires all vets to write a prescription for everything they give to a client so that the client has the option to get the medicine somewhere else?
You have a man who comes into your clinic that you have never seen before. He is belligerent and insisting that he needs medication for his dog because she is vomiting. The dog is not present. What do you do?
ETHICAL - They asked me if I would do a illegal procedure ("milkshake") on a horse. Why yes or no. Also, if I would do a procedure that is not completely accepted on vet med.
If a client of yours was moving and brought in his/her perfectly healthy 7 year old dog to be euthanized for this reason, what would you do? Do you think that this is a good solution?
When they asked me to tell them about myself, it was difficult to know where to start. I knew I should highlight on aspects of my life that demonstrate leadership and good qualities of a vet school student, but I found myself running out of time.
Questions regarding cheating. You know what you're supposed to say, yet you also want to be genuine. How do you put that together in a professional interview?
What is the difference between Animal Welfare and Animal Rights? We explored the situation involving LSUSVM not performing terminal surgeries for teaching purposes and what my opinion was on this matter.
Why did you apply to LSU when you have a vet school (UF) in your state? (Difficult b/c the tone it was asked in kind of threw me off, but I think I still answered well)
(something along these lines) How do you justify to a friend, the fact that veterinary medicine can cost thousands of dollars and there are still people in this country without healthcare.
It was all very general, being closed file, and I found it difficult how the questions or the interview could evaluate anything other than your communication skills. Your potential has already been evaluated in a closed file interview.
Definitely the water one, it was only to see how I would think. And the person was very unique who asked it. As the admissions director said, I have a very "unique" set of interviewers :D
If you were working on a study and realized that the study was a repeat and had already been published and was going to cost 12 dogs their lives, what would u do?
What do you think of the Navy's use of Sonar off the coast of California? (it interferes with whale navigation, thank god I read the news...)
And if someone came into your office and wanted you euthanize a young, healthy perfectly adoptable dog because they were moving and couldn't bear to think of the dog missing them, how would you handle it?
Most respondents had an interview of 20 - 30 minutes.
How did the interview impress you?
Most respondents felt positively about their interview.
How many people interviewed you?
Most respondents were interviewed by 3 people.
What was the stress level of the interview?
Most respondents rated their interview as average stress.
How you think you did?
Most respondents thought they performed well at the interview.
What was the style of the interview?
Most respondents had a one-on-one interview.
What type of interview was it?
Most respondents had a closed file interview.
Was this interview in-person or virtual?
Most respondents had a virtual interview.
Data includes both pre- and post-COVID interviews.
No responses
Where did the interview take place?
Most respondents were interviewed at the school.
How did you prepare for the interview?
Applicants commonly prepared for the interview by engaging in mock interviews, researching potential questions, practicing answers, reviewing their applications, seeking advice from mentors or current students, and familiarizing themselves with current veterinary issues and ethical considerations. Many also utilized online resources like SDN, career center services, and advice from family and friends to help them feel more confident and prepared for the interview process.
I talked with my counselor and my parents. I also just took time to reflect on my experiences to make sure I was able to convey the important information about myself.
I watched Dr. Taboada's presentation, attended mock interviews put on by the pre-vet club, read last year's interview survey, and planned my introduction.
I searched for common veterinary school interview questions, and I practiced my answers to those questions and thought about other questions that may be asked.
I searched online days before the interview at the types of questions they would ask. I took notes and researched further into types of careers available and earned income, etc.
I looked over some current events and ethical issues veterinarians face, but basically I used my current knowledge and experience from working in the vet field.
My preparation was misguided since I randomly selected three keywords and tried to work them into the interview, two went well, but the third I had to extended the interview and possibly ruined my chances of admission, however I did get all three words.
I researched the school by reading the website and talking to current students. I also watched the orientation that was done for the out-of-state students.
I researched the school and the profession, as well as, looked up questions that previous interviewees have been asked and answered them out loud several times.
I participated in mock interviews at the university I attend; I also researched example interview questions and discussed them with people working in the field.
Mock interview with current vet student, SDN, talked to veterinarians I work with and took their advice to heart. Also, brushed up on current veterinary issues, including those influencing vet students. (**money and debt**)
Louisiana Tech University holds mock interviews where the applicants are interviewed twice by local veterinarians. This was most helpful. I also reviewed statistics on the AVMA website and read journals and newspapers.
I spent three years gaining experience with research, clinic operations, and small animals. The time spent in each of these areas gave me specific examples to use in the interview, instead of answering hypothetical "what if..." sort of questions.
I went over what I was going to say in my introduction, looked at information about the vet school, and looked at questions other people received but honestly, most of my interview was about my experiences and less about random ethical questions
I reread my personal statement and supplemental application to prepare for talking about myself. I thought of questions I wanted to ask ahead of time, and prepared myself to answer questions on my character and ethical standpoint.
Looked at feedback on SDN, googled possible interview questions and came up w/ general answers, looked over personal statement and supplemental application
My dog ate something outside the hotel the night before and I spent most of the night (4:30 am) cleaning up more vomit than should be able to fit in ten dogs.
Stressed a little about what to wear, read over my application and personal statements, thought about likely questions and answers (Why do you want to be a vet, Why not human medicine, etc....)
Applicants were overwhelmingly impressed by the friendliness, support, and positivity exhibited by the faculty, staff, current students, and interviewers at the veterinary school. They appreciated the welcoming and relaxed atmosphere of the interviews, as well as the efforts made to create a conversational and comfortable experience. Common feedback included the genuine interest shown by interviewers, the presence of current students for advice and relaxation, and the overall friendly and helpful demeanor of everyone involved in the process.
The interview was a lot more casual than I expected. I also enjoyed that there were vet students in the room where you waited before being interviewed. This really helped to create a more relaxed atmosphere.
How open the interviewers were and the diversity of questions. They created an environment that tried to reduce the stress of those of us going through the interview process.
Having other interviewees and current students to talk with before the interview helped ease my anxiety tremendously! Everyone I met the day of my interview, from the guard at the front desk to the interviewers themselves were so friendly and helpful.
The professionalism of the interviews and how comfortable they made you feel. Still gave me personal attention even though I know I was one of the last students to interview.
The interviewers and staff were extremely welcoming. Baton Rouge is a great city, and the school has a nice location on the edge of campus. No parking headaches!
The interviewers did their best to make me feel comfortable and relaxed. Also, I liked that there were first year students in the waiting room to help ease my anxiety.
All three of the people who interviewed me were friendly and polite. They did not make me feel like any of my answers were wrong or needed to be more thought out.
I was impressed by the judges interest in my business background. When I explained the business plan I had prepared in class, they were very interested in my research and results of the plan. I was very excited to be able to share my project with them.
The questions were surprisingly straight forward. I was expecting many more "trick" questions designed to trip me up. Instead, it was very open and more or less allowed me to control the interview.
How nice and welcoming the interviewers were. I did not feel uncomfortable at all which was nice since it was such a stressful situation for the applicant.
LSU as a whole is very inviting, warm, and compassionate about their students and their program. They want us to succeed, even if we were to choose another school over LSU.
The school staff's friendly outlook, refreshments, tried to make it very welcoming. I also like having current students in the room to talk to and help us to relax.
The welcoming reception the night before was very informational. The current first years let us ask them all kinds of questions and they were all very positive.
The interviews were well organized, friendly veterinary students were present to answer any questions, and everyone from the admissions office was very nice.
The overall vibe of the interview. It was not at all what I expected. The ones who did my interview didn't seem intimidated at all. The were really nice and seemed genuinely interested in what I had to say. I really appreciated the fact that they didn't interrupt me in the middle of my answers or anything.
Two of my 3 interviewers seemed to really want to get to know me and seemed like they were genuinely looking for reasons to let me in as opposed to looking for reasons not to
The interviewers were gracious, and forgiving of my nervousness. Once we got into the heart of the interview, I calmed down. The interviewers said they appreciated my level of preparedness, which allowed me to leave the interview feeling as if I had done everything in my power to make this a positive experience.
The interviewers were very laid back and not at all out to get you. I truly felt as though they wanted me to do well and really get to know me as a person.
The atmosphere was great. Everyone was friendly and I was able to really relax. It was more like just having a conversation and I feel like they really got to know me and I them.
The admissions office is amazing and so responsive! Also, the school was so lively because of the Open House, and it was great getting to meet so many current students and professors.
Excellent welcoming reception night before with an informative presentation and in-depth tour. Really helped me to find out more about school and actually used some of that info during my interview. Also had some first years come and talk one-on-one with us in the interview waiting room.
Everyone was so friendly! The interviewers were really nice and welcoming. We had our own room to sit and wait and chat with other interviewees with food and drink, which was nice because the open house was going on as well. Actually, having interviews the same day as open house made the environment a little more welcoming, and we were able to see a lot things that go at the school.
The very family nature of LSU and the fact that the inteviewers were very nice and welcoming. They truly wanted you to do well. They also had A LOT of first year students around to talk to and an open house on the day of the interview!
The interview panel was extremely nice and energetic. I was beyond nervous, and they had a way of calming me down tremendously. LSU SVM finally designated a room for applicants to wait and meet with other applicants and current, veterinary students before the interview. I found that this room definitely helped ease the stress!
Applicants commonly expressed concerns about interviewers lacking interest, professionalism, and engagement during the interview process. Suggestions were made to ensure all interviewers are attentive, ask questions, and maintain a welcoming atmosphere to help alleviate applicant nerves and create a positive experience.
One of the interviewers did not use as much eye contact as the other two, which made me feel as though they weren't as interested
The only faculty interviewer in the room pulled out his phone and began checking it as I was answering a question. This seemed very unprofessional and spoke poorly for both the school and that faculty member. Also, this same faculty member was very insensitive to the fact that my prior withdrawal to veterinary school was not by choice and was forced due to necessary surgery and seemed to think that this was an unfair use of a seat in the class because it might happen again even though I had previously stated I have been cleared by my doctor to proceed with veterinary school.
The only thing that impacted me negatively was that my interview was 25 minutes later than scheduled. I had managed to keep myself calm until then but felt myself getting more nervous the longer i waited,
Guests were not allowed in interview "holding room" which was fine for me, but I could tell some interviewees Were nervous having no one to wait with them. There were some current vet students in the room, but not enough to ensure no one was waiting alone.
The orientation was at night, so it was hard to find the veterinary building. The directions I printed were coming from a different direction, so they weren't that helpful.
Perhaps it would help for the interviewers to have name tags. When I was escorted into the interview room, I was so nervous that I could hardly retain each of their names.
Nothing about the interview. At the welcome reception we received a presentation about how all LSU graduates get jobs and they make more than the average new graduate. Don't know how much of that to buy.
Drilled me a lot about how I was going to finance vet school. I felt like more questions should have been focused on animal or academic related questions.
I felt a little rushed and it made me pretty nervous. I did not think the interview had to be longer than 20 minutes but I had the distinct feeling that they were running behind.
They did such a great job, that now if I were lucky enough to get multiple offers, I would have a very tough time deciding on the best school. (Joke.)
I was blown away by the quality of this school.
My interview group was running early, some were on time and some were behind. My group only really asked me 3 questions before moving on to the next person. i would have thought that would have asked more since they were running early.
Their smuggness when I answered one of the questions. It was only once and only one of the interviewers in the whole interview but it still left an impression on me.
I did not like that LSU's annual Open House was held on the same day as my interview. I feel like I did not learn as much about the veterinary program as I could have without that chaos. Because I spent a lot of time and money applying to LSU and traveling to my interview, I would have liked the day to be more focused on the potential veterinary students.
During the majority of the interview, one of the interviewers payed little to no attention to me as I was responding to questions. He/she was literally looking around the room as if very bored from my responses. I felt that this was rude and distracting, and this made me feel as though this person was not there in the interview for me. I was trying to keep eye contact with all interviewers during the interview, but I was unable to keep eye contact with the person looking all around the room while I was speaking.
My interview committee was very quiet and almost dull, not giving me much to work with or asking questions about my experiences even though I felt like I gave them enough bait.
It was a little difficult to get a true feeling of the campus during open house. I didn't feel like I was able to get a real sense of the facilities on the tour.
My interview was about 35 minutes late and the tour given by two third year students was awful. They had no idea where anything was and they were starting in their clinicals in two weeks!
The interview committee I had really had their poker faces on... I guess it is supposed to be stressful, but some head nods and smiles would have made me feel more at ease.
Not too much negativity. I would have liked a little more time to talk, I suppose. We ran out of time before they really could ask that many questions.
When mentioning a time when I had to overcome an obstacle- the effects of being in a car accident- the team questioned my capabilities to work with large animals due to injuries suffered 10 years ago. I felt like they questioned my ability to perform as a potential large animal vet, although I have clearly overcome those obstacles in the 10 years between the car accident and the interview.
The interview was scheduled on the same day as the veterinary program's open house. There were thousands of people at the open house, making it a little nerve racking for arriving interviewees.
The interviewers were kind of spaced out and not sitting very close together so it made it a little difficult to make eye contact with all of them while answering their questions. At times, it felt like I was looking around the room.
Multiple questions regarding cheating. If I were going to cheat, would I honestly tell you? Any person with a brain in their head is going to tell you exactly what you want to hear.
The questions were kinda tough and if you haven't been reading veterinary journals and magazines then you probably wouldn't know a lot about the topics and you won't have a set opinion yet because you aren't involved in it.
though the interview being on the same day as the open house was somewhat helpful, having little chlidren running circles around me did not exactly calm me down any. They did have a room (the holding pen) set aside to relax a bit, which was nice.
Can't think of anything, I suppose the interviews were running late, but for me I was too so it worked out just fine :D Besides it showed that the interviewers were more about learning who you were and not keeping schedules :D
My panel seemed a bit rushed. They kept looking at the clock in between questions. I found this a little irritating since my interview began ten minutes late; I wanted to get my image across as fully as possible.
Some of the other interviewees seemed surprisingly young and naive. Most looked very uncomfortable in suits...Having been there, I'd recommend just going business casual and working on self confidence...
Applicants commonly wished they had known ahead of time that the interview process would be more relaxed and conversational than they anticipated. Many recommended preparing to talk about themselves and their experiences, staying calm, and not stressing too much.
That there were a lot of people that are being interviewed. I was surprised at the number of people I met in the waiting room and to think that there were 3 people almost every twenty minutes was overwhelming.
The information provided by the admissions office was helpful in knowing what to expect. I don't feel there were any big "unknowns" before going into the interview.
I already know this, but I think it is really important for people to go prepared to talk about themselves and what makes them different and interesting.
That the interviewers would be so friendly and there would be some questions that would make me feel more at ease, such as, "What do you like to do in your spare time?"
I wish I would've known they were going to be more interested in talking about the experiences I did have rather than asking me the questions I had researched.
That I should probably memorize the names and position of each of my interviewers and ask each of them individual questions at the end. Also wish I would've known that it wouldn't have been so scary!
The only thing that I did not know ahead of time that would have been nice to know was how exactly we were to be informed if we received an offer or not. I figured out that it was through the online status check system, but it would have been nice to hear that from someone at the Welcome Reception.
I wish I would have realized that the interview was going to be less stressful than I thought. I went in to the interview nervous, expecting to be drilled with questions, but the interviewers were very friendly and interested in my answers to their questions.
That the other women would be wearing very stylish pants suits and I didn't. Other than that, the information given on LSU's website did a wonderful job of preparing me.
I would have liked to have known the interviewer's names. I want to be a large animal vet and it would have helped me connect and discuss more heavily in my interests versus just the vet profession in general terms.
I wish I would have known the nature of the interview. I expected a more stressful, pressured interview. I think a lot of that was simply nerves, something that no one really influence or prevent!
I wish I had realized how hectic the day was going to be and how hard it was going to get a good tour of the facilities. I also wish I had known that the Army Veterinary Corps recruiter was only going to be available for a few hours.
RELAX!!! Everyone tells you it's not a big deal and there is nothing to worry about. I didn't listen, and worried myself sick. I got absolutely no sleep the night before because I was so nervous. Turns out, just like everyone said, it's really nothing to worry about. The interviewers are very happy to be there and to meet you. They acknowledge what a huge deal it is for you, and do everything they can to make you feel comfortable. They know what it feels like to be in your position, and they aren't there to terrorize you. They just want to get to know you as best they can in the 20 minutes they have with you.
I did an extensive amount of research on LSU SVM, including seeking guidance from SVM staff prior to the interview process. I was able to discuss specific summer research opportunities, and felt supported in the decision to apply for the programs after they acknowledged that my prior experience would help.
Knowing the questions or the topics covered would have been helpful. I understand that being prepared to answer the questions takes away from the interview aspect, but without the interview team being able to look at your application you don't want to forget to mention a very important point that the interview team should know.
Just to RELAX and not freak out as much as I did. The interviewers are very nice and understand how nervous and stressed out you are during the interview process. It really was not as bad as I thought it would be. They weren't drilling me with questions, it was more of a conversation kind of thing.
Because of the questions that were asked, I wish I had read some articles about these topics before my interview so I would have a more calculated answer.
Don't stress so much about the suit! There was a variety of outfits:skirts with sweaters or blouses, pants with sweaters/blouses, and suits too! You don't have to spend a ton of money to buy a suit, just look clean, professional, and put-together!
The interview was really structured so that you were in control. The majority of questions were formed from things you mentioned early on in the interview after you answered the traditional, "Tell me about yourself" question.
Applicants generally found the LSU SVM interview process to be positive, well-organized, and welcoming. Some highlighted the conversational and relaxed nature of the interviews, while a few mentioned specific suggestions for improvement, such as providing guided tours and more relevant questions during the interview.
Compared to what other students getting interviewed said, my interviewers seemed less inviting, and less interested to be there. Did not talk about themselves at all besides their names. Be aware of what is going on in the news and if they ask you if you keep up with the news and know of anything going on right now, ask if they have something specific in mind they wanted you to talk about instead of just saying "I don't know."
The closed folder interview system is an inefficient way of getting to know applicants. In another veterinary school interview, interviewers had a copy of each students VMCAS in front of them for reference; this allowed them to ask targeted questions and not waste time trying to understand things that were thoroughly documented in the VMCAS. I was extremely dissatisfied with the professionalism of the faculty member and felt attacked simply because he could not seem to understand my circumstances.
I found the interview process to be great. Everyone I encountered there was friendly and genuine. The interview was conversational and enjoyable rather than scary as I expected.
This is the best of my interview experiences thus far. They were all very welcoming and accommodating if we had any questions. The open house on the day of the interviews was a great way to learn more about the school.
They are looking for good communication skills so prepare a simple introduction of yourself and what you've done so you can have a nice conversation or else they will ask you random questions. Just relax and think that you just need to demonstrate how passionate you are about LSU and the profession.
This School is a great choice for students to complete their degree as Doctors in Veterinary Medicine. It posses all the resources to train excellent future veterinarians.
Good interview. Didn't appear to be an agenda to the questions. Like most group settings, you might find 1-2 interviewers who want to know your strengths while the other 1-2 try to tease out weaknesses.
It was a great experience and more relaxing than I thought. I wish I didn't talk so fast because I was worried I would run out of time, but I think they do give you the time to express yourself, so don't worry!
Very relaxed interview. One of the people interviewing comes to get you out of the holding room, which is nice. Just like last year there was at least one interviewer that is always smiling and encouraging. We were sitting at a folding table and the close proximity made me a little uneasy at times. They do a great job of making the whole process as painless as it can be. They aren't trying to break the weak, but are just trying to get to know you and hear your story in person.
It was a nice process and I felt very comfortable while talking to my interviewers. Having a current veterinary student available to talk to beforehand was very nice.
The overall experience in the interview process at this school affected me positively. Admissions was very good about keeping us up-to-date and informed. I found the interviewers to be kind and left me with a good impression of my future at the school and in the field.
The interviewers are great! They really just want to get to know you as an individual. Have a few important traits you'd like them to know about you and go from there.
I wish there had been guided tours. I feel like I missed out on seeing much of the campus and facilities while going on a self-guided tour, not to mention that it was difficult to get a real feel for the place during the chaos of Open House. On another note, I very much enjoyed the opportunity to speak with current SVM students. They provided a lot of useful insight and helped me to relax prior to my interview, which by the way, went supremely well.
I really enjoyed the entire interview process at LSU. The entire process impressed me and has made me consider LSU even more strongly than I was before the interview.
During the Q&A session and the tour with the first year students, they talked way too much about non-pertinent information. During the Q&A session, there was were way too many "inside jokes" and stories that I didn't care about hearing. During the tour, I felt like I was being taken on an orientation. I wasn't there for an orientation. I was there for a tour. The tour should've ended about 30 minutes earlier than it did.
Very positive impression of the school. Glad interviews were at the same time as the Open House. Also, the main campus gate lady wouldn't let me come 'through campus.' That was the only way I knew how to get there!
This experience will lay the foundation for any professional endeavors I will have for the rest of my life. In other areas of life, in the hands of less qualified professionals, stressful situations like this tend to be exacerbated by the administrators apparent lack of motivation and attention to detail, for this process, at Louisiana State University, every person that is involved in the admissions process operated in such a way that I am never anxious and never mistrusting that they have my best intentions in mind and are extraordinarily capable of delivering this process to me in a neutral, subtly tailored way, specifically designed for my personality, and not intruding into my personal life, thereby creating a delightful experience that highlight both good and bad elements of my personality, without a hint of judgement or patronage. I have also learned from this process that I am capable of great humility combined with the intelligence to move forward since I have failed twice and intend on a third application.
Overall, it was a good experience. I did not like that it was a blind interview however. It is harder to sell yourself when they know nothing about you.
I think the school needs some updates. I have used LSU in the past for my horses and it looked very much the same. I noticed an incredible amount of improvements on campus and the vet school needs them!
I had a great interview experience and really appreciated the friendly atmosphere. I was also glad that current students at the school and the director of admissions were in the waiting room with us to answer any questions that we had.
I really enjoyed how LSU process had the least amount of stress compared to the other schools which I applied. This means a lot when you are already at a stressful point in your life.
Great experience overall. Everyone participating in the interviewing process - students, faculty, staff, interviewers - went above and beyond to make it a comfortable and positive experience.
LSU vet school was very impressive and the team oriented atmosphere was super friendly. I loved visiting and think the school would be a good fit for most people. The open house on the same day was nice because you get to see a lot of things, but it definitely made the place a little hectic.
Overall it was a nice experience. The interviewers were a bit intimidating and some of the questions caught me off guard, but they finished on time and did not keep me waiting very long. The students were helpful in answering any questions we had. I love the facilities and the location of the school.
I feel as though the interview went well. It was not as stressful as I thought it would be. The only problem I had was with the one individual that made me feel unwelcome and very unimportant at many times during the interview. The other interviewers made me feel very comfortable during the entire interview.
I was not impressed that the SCAVMA president talked so much about drinking at the welcoming reception. I understand that is Cajun culture but not a way to attract serious professional students.
If the ease of the application process and the incredible admissions staff are at all indicative of the type of experience I would have as a student at this school....then I can't wait to be accepted.
My experience was great. I can't complain about anything. I liked the fact that it was the same day as Open House, it somehow made it feel not so businesslike and it also allowed me to feel more relaxed somehow. Also I liked the fact that it was on Open House because I believe it was a way to test your ability to channel your stress by being in a sort of busy or chaotic environment before, during and after the interview.
I thought the overall interview went well and I enjoyed learning about the school during the reception on the night before interviews, but I feel like the interview should be able to look at applications for them to get a complete picture of the applicant's potential.
LSU SVM is a great school and the admissions office is a god send for applicants! They really did their best to calm us down, and the current students being in the waiting room to answer questions was also very helpful. They went through the interview process so they truly know how you feel and they also did their best to help you out.
I loved that I was given the option to have a webcam interview. Made my life much easier, since traveling half-way across the country in the middle of my semester was going to be difficult. It did pose some technical difficulties, but everything worked perfectly. The admissions office was great getting everything set up, and ensuring that it was going to work.
The in-state interviews were a few days after the open-house, but I came to the open house anyway. I recommend going to the open house if possible in order to become familiar with the setting of the school. I was more relaxed because I had been at LSU SVM only a few days earlier. It also would have been nice if all of the applicant had received e-mails advertising the open house.
LSU was very welcoming and really makes it seem like they want you there and want to accept you. Also, if they have the interviews on the same day as Open House again, it gets VERY crowded, so make sure you allot extra time to deal with traffic and crowds.
Students were extremely friendly! Wonderful school!
The welcome session the night before was also great. It calmed my nerves and I met a lot of people.
Everyone was really friendly and the interviewers acted more like they wanted to get to know you rather than to interrogate you, which definitely helped with the nerves. Food always makes me happy, so the fact that there were bagels, food bars, fruit, etc. offered was a huge plus.
Overall it was not an intimidating interview. They know that you've come a long way to get to that point and that you're qualified. So, they are really just trying to get a feel for your ethics and character.
They didn't throw out any 'science IQ' questions. Like 'What does a transistor do' or 'Explain shotgun sequencing' or 'what does PCR stand for and why is it important' or 'what's a satellite cell and where do you find them' or 'tell us what's special about cardiac muscle' or 'why do ligaments heal so slowly' or that kind of thing. If I was an interviewer I'd probably have been a little more merciless....
I was surprised to see some of the other interviewees were not very professionally dressed (I was in a suit), so that made me feel a bit more confident. Although one girl left the interview room crying...
It really wasn't nearly as horrible as I was expecting. I had trouble relaxing, but the interviewers did their best to put me at ease. I was worried they would ask me difficult questions about my application, but it was close-file and the questions were mostly pretty general. A lot of ethics-related questions, questions about my personality. I mostly resisted the temptation to just start spouting off at the mouth right away and gave myself a second to think before answering--this helped a lot. I also came prepared with some questions to ask of my own--I think this also helped make a favorable impression.
I lost a lot of sleep over it, but it really wasn't nearly as bad as I had been expecting.
It wasn't a hard interview, but I don't feel like I communicated myself well at all for some reason. I mis-spoke at one point and from there on, I just kept saying things that probably made no sense whatsoever.
What are your suggestions for the admissions office?
Applicants commonly suggested quicker response times for acceptance letters, updates via email, improvements in the supplemental application setup for saving progress, conducting interviews on separate days from open house events, and providing more information about the interview process to reduce stress. Many praised the admissions office for being helpful, friendly, and communicative throughout the process.
I was happy to know about my interview status in December before the holidays but there is a lot of wait time in between, especially after the interview where I am waiting to know my results. I know there was the unfortunate situation of the weather but it is not fun having to wait so long to hear back.
The supplemental application setup is primitive and should really be updated so that progress can be saved under an applicant's name and accessed later. The fact that it has to all be done in a word processor is extremely inconvenient. At interview day there were no opportunities for tours of the facilities and so I still do not know what the conditions of the facilities are. I feel that this is something that is vital to the interview day experience and to making a decision on attendance to a school. I have not been to a single interview day that did not have tours except for LSU.
Let students know that they will not be able to check on receipt of transcripts until the VET school receives their VMCAS application, not when the student submits their application.
I do not really have any suggestions. Applicants that receive interviews are going to be nervous no matter what, and that was the hardest part for me. I feel that the interviewers did well, and I felt relaxed once the interview was started.
Sending out some type of letter explaining that the interviewers understand that we are nervous and are not there to set us up with trick questions would be helpful! A veterinary student told me "They know you're nervous but they make you feel comfortable and the interview is more laid back than you would think." I immediately felt better afterwards and thought "Why can't LSU tell us that?!"
One of the interviewers was on her phone (texting) on and off during the interview -- this was a little distracting for me. Otherwise I had a great experience.
Nothing! The admissions staff has been wonderful, especially Jared Granier. They go above and beyond to make you feel comfortable and keep you updated every step of the way.
None. The admissions office was extremely helpful and responsive during the entire process. The interview process seems too quick: 25' for 4 years. That being said, I understand the resource constraints and volume of applications it must cover.
The interview itself took place in quite a friendly atmosphere. The only thing that was uncomfortable was waiting for my interview, but that is no fault of the admissions office. A positive experience
None- the everyone in the admissions office really do their best to get the information to you as soon as possible and try help you relax prior to the interview. Overall I've had a positive experience.
I think acceptances and denials should be mailed out in the form of a letter. All other communication can be done via the internet. However, a physical letter is more personal.
I would have liked a little more time during the interview. It felt like I was only back there for 5 minutes but it went really well and my interviewers were very nice.
Perhaps conduct the interviews on a day other than the open house day. There were so many people there that it was difficult to see the school and the facilities, much less get a real feel of the school.
Have a map of how to get to campus from the interstates/the main drags for those of us who were from out of town. The gate lady threw me off being there Monday (interview) but not Saturday (open house), and it took me another 15 minutes to find another route that did not go through campus!
A first or second year student mentor program for the incoming interviewers would be an awesome idea. Someone they can talk to and get to know instead of the general meet a great.
None; the admissions office does an excellent job of communicating with the applicants and keeping them updated in an efficient and organized manner. Great job :)
Sending actual e-mails with application status updates would have seemed more personable to me than having to constantly check the online status check system. At least having an e-mail for my interview invitation and offer of admission would have been nice.
None, truthfully. Jared and the admissions committee does a wonderful job of contacting applicants and interviewees. They do their job well and care about EVERY part of their program, and each student who is or wants to become a part of it.
The interview preparation packet I received did not adequately prepare me for the questions I received in my interview. According to the packet, I was to be prepared for ethical questions and questions related to current veterinary trends. I studied up on both of those topics very thoroughly, but was asked nothing along those lines. Instead, I was asked to make a personal statement to open the interview (I was unaware of this), and the questions were to come from my statement. I was completely prepared for an interview I never received. I did well during the interview, I just wanted to comment that the preparation guide misled me in terms of what to expect. I don't know if my experience was unusal or the norm, but it definitely added to my stress level during that time.
I felt that the waiting room was chaotic and that made it more difficult for me to relax. Unfortunately, I don't have a better method to suggest. It seems necessary.
Holding interviews on the same day as the annual Open House created unnecessary stress and chaos. I would have preferred for the interviews to be held on a separate day that was more focused on potential veterinary students.
spread interview out over 4 days so no one has to interview after lunch. I feel when you interview late the interviewers are tired and paying less attention.
There was not much I would change about the process. I loved coming to visit and the fact that the interview was on Open House Day just allowed me to see more of the school and reinforce my decision.
Mr. Granier is the best! He was so good at keeping us up-to-date on what was happening in the admissions process, the weather (bad weather) in the days leading up to the interview. Terrific guy and makes the whole process much less stressful!
I really have no suggestions. The Admissions committee and the way they work out everything is great. They are super attentive with the students regarding any questions they have, everything is aswered as soon as they can do it and they do it the nicest way. I love the fact that your account status online is pretty much updated every few days so you know if your checklist is complete or not (as opposed to some other universities, where nothing is updated and you have to call). I personally think that both the Welcoming Reception and the Interviews were carried in a very organized manner, the fact that some interviews got pushed a little later was not the admissions fault, the weather complicated things and there is no way admissions could help that. Overall, I would say that the admissions process for LSU has been the easiest one to work with, at least from the universities I applied to.
I really don't have any complaints everything went smoothly and in a timely manner, i had a great experience and everyone was very nice and comforting!
The reception held the night before was great and made me feel a lot more comfortable for interviews the next day.
Encourage students to take a tour after the reception so that they have a chance to see the hospital without the craziness of the open house.
The interview process was organized, and as efficient as it could have been. In the future, I'd suggest some basic courtesies to keep in mind while students are waiting for their interviews in the designated waiting room.
Friends that come to offer support are wonderful for those applicants that have them. Conversations between friends and family, especially those that offer unsolicited advice, can be a source of stress and distract the other candidates from being able to focus.
I really appreciated the students giving us a tour of the veterinary school and facilities. I learned a lot more than I think I would have on the self guided tour and it helped me get a better feel for your students. However, because the tour was during the open house it was sometimes impossible to hear what they were saying and I feel I missed out on some useful information. I think running the tours a little earlier in the day on Friday would have been great because I felt much too tired to stay up for the tour after the orientation lectures.
I had a great time,I enjoyed the campus and all of the faculty and staff were friendly and helpful.
I felt the interview was somewhat unorganized. I would have liked for the interviewers to know more about me than just my name. Some of the questions they asked were directly found in the application, so having that to look at before or during the interview would have been more efficient.
I was very impressed with the LSU admissions process. We were kept well-informed and all of my questions were answered promptly and directly. I really appreciated being able to check my status online at any time, and I was very pleased with the level of communication from the admissions folks. The LSU admissions office has done an incredible job - far better than any of the other schools I applied to.
