Non-traditional applicant wondering if veterinary medicine is still realistic

Hi everyone, I’m looking for some honest advice from people who understand the admissions process for UCVM.

I’m a non-traditional applicant finishing an undergraduate degree and trying to figure out whether veterinary medicine is still a realistic path for me.

I still have around 50 credits remaining in my degree. My most recent term GPA was about 3.7, and my goal is to maintain a strong upward trend and finish the remainder of my degree as strongly as possible.

Outside of school, I run a small business in the dog industry, which has given me a lot of hands-on exposure working with dogs and their owners. The work is very client-focused and has helped me develop strong communication skills and a deep appreciation for the human-animal bond.

I currently don’t have veterinary shadowing experience, but I’m actively planning to pursue it so I can gain a better understanding of the clinical side of the profession.

I know UCVM is extremely competitive, so I’m trying to be realistic and would really appreciate honest feedback:

• If I finish my remaining credits very strongly, would that meaningfully improve my chances? • How important is recent academic performance vs cumulative GPA for UCVM admissions? • Would pursuing additional undergraduate coursework or a second degree be a common path for applicants trying to rebuild their GPA? • Are there particular experiences that tend to make a candidate stand out in UCVM applications?

I’m mainly looking for insight from people familiar with the process so I can better understand whether this goal is still attainable and what steps would make the most sense moving forward.

Thanks in advance for any advice.