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Hi Future Vets, it's Maegen! If you're pursuing veterinary medicine, chances are you've already experienced rejection, or you will at some point. Maybe you didn't get the volunteer position you were hoping for. Maybe you weren't accepted for a summer research job, a veterinary clinic placement, or even into your dream veterinary school. That definitely stings a little, each time you hear “no”, or something didn’t go as you might have planned. Veterinary medicine is one of the most competitive career paths out there (1). When you've spent years building your grades, volunteering, gaining animal experience, and dreaming about becoming a veterinarian, hearing "unfortunately..." can feel like someone is telling you that all of your hard work wasn't enough. But here's something that's important to remember rejection is not proof that you aren't capable. More often than not, it's simply part of the journey. Rejection Is Normal, Even for Successful Veterinarians
One of the biggest misconceptions about becoming a veterinarian is that successful people never faced setbacks. In reality, many veterinarians were rejected before eventually reaching their goals. Veterinary schools receive far more qualified applicants than they have seats available, with around four applicants for every one seat available (2). Every admissions cycle, thousands of strong students compete for a very limited number of positions. That means many applicants who would make excellent veterinarians simply aren't offered admission, not because they lack potential, but because of the numbers involved. This is why rejection should never be interpreted as a measure of your worth or future success. Why Rejection Hurts So Much If rejection feels deeply personal, there's actually a psychological reason for that. Researchers have found that social rejection activates many of the same brain regions involved in physical pain. In other words, your brain literally processes rejection as something painful. That's why receiving a rejection email can leave you feeling discouraged, embarrassed, or even questioning yourself. Psychologists also explain that we often tie our identity to goals we've spent years working toward. When those goals don't happen on our expected timeline, it can feel like we've failed, even though one outcome doesn't define who we are (3). Feeling disappointed doesn't make you weak, or less-than, it makes you human. Don't Let One Decision Define You One rejection can quickly snowball into thoughts like: "Maybe I'm not smart enough." "Everyone else is getting opportunities except me." "Maybe I should just give up." Those thoughts are understandable, but they're rarely accurate. Admissions committees, employers, and clinics make decisions based on dozens of factors that applicants never see. Sometimes there are hundreds of qualified candidates for only a handful of positions. Sometimes another applicant simply had more experience in one specific area. That doesn't erase everything you've accomplished. Instead of asking, "What's wrong with me?" try asking:
Seek Feedback and Keep Improving Although rejection can be disappointing, it can also provide an opportunity to learn and grow. Whenever possible, seek constructive feedback on your application, interview, or experience. While not every employer, organization, or admissions committee is able to provide individualized feedback, asking respectfully can sometimes provide valuable insight into areas for improvement. Here are a few ways to use feedback to your advantage:
Remember Why You Started When rejection happens, it's easy to become so focused on the outcome that you forget why you wanted this career in the first place. Think back to what inspired you: Maybe it was your childhood pet. Maybe it was volunteering at an animal shelter. Maybe it was seeing a veterinarian save an animal's life. Those reasons haven't disappeared just because one application didn't work out. Your passion for animals is still there, and that's worth holding onto. Every "No" Can Open Another Door Sometimes the opportunities we don't get end up leading us somewhere even better. Maybe you don't get accepted to your first-choice clinic, but another clinic ends up giving you more hands-on experience. Maybe you don't get into veterinary school on your first application, but you spend another year gaining research experience, improving your GPA, or developing stronger clinical skills. Or you get accepted internationally and have an amazing time in warmer weather! Many veterinarians have stories that didn't follow a perfect timeline. Some were accepted after multiple application cycles. Some changed universities. Some worked in animal care for years before being admitted. There isn't only one "correct" path into veterinary medicine (4). Be Kind to Yourself One of the hardest parts of rejection is the way we talk to ourselves afterward. I know I fall victim, just like many of us, of telling myself, “I am not good enough” or “I do not deserve this”. However, in those moments I sometimes think of my best friend. I think that if they got the same rejection, I wouldn’t tell them they weren’t good enough, instead I would remind them how hardworking they are. I would explain that this doesn’t define who they are as a person. Then I remember that I deserve that same kindness, and so do you. Practicing self-compassion and treating yourself with the same understanding you would offer a friend has been shown to help people recover from setbacks, stay motivated, and build resilience (5). Keep Moving Forward The next time you feel discouraged, or something didn’t go as planned remember this:
Final Thoughts If you're reading this after receiving a rejection, I want you to know something: One email cannot erase years of hard work, one application cannot determine whether you'll become an incredible veterinarian, one bad grade does not set back your entire life, one "no" does not mean your dream is over. The path to veterinary medicine often includes setbacks, detours, and moments of doubt. But those moments don't define your future, your persistence, drive and motivation do. So, to everyone reading this, keep believing that your story isn't finished yet. The veterinary profession needs compassionate, determined people who refuse to give up. Hopefully, one day, that'll be you! Warm regards, Maegen Eisler
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Welcome to the FVC's official blog, the Omnis Animalis! Tune in monthly for helpful and fun posts written by students and industry professionals alike. Our vision for this blog is to best serve future vets with inspiring feature pieces, helpful tips, and updates on exciting events throughout the year!
the authorsMeet the editors of the Omnis Animalis! 
Sophia Di Adamo, Senior Editor
2025-2026
Maegen Eisler, Junior Editor 2025-2026
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