Jacob came to HelloCollege knowing he wanted to pursue a strong pre-veterinary program, but he was unsure how to build an application that would help him get there. With our guidance, he deepened his commitment to his most meaningful activities, demonstrated his passion through his essays, and ultimately earned admission to Cornell University.
Cornell University
College Counselor
Jacob was open to our advice and excited to put it to work. That willingness made all the difference in building his application. I now use his Common App activity list as an example for other students.
Location: Florida
GPA/Class Rank: Top 2%
Test Score:
Major: Pre-Veterinary
Vet Science Club
Veterinary Assistant
FFA Veterinary Science Career Development
President, Red Cross Club
Jacob came to HelloCollege knowing exactly what he wanted: a career in veterinary medicine. As an only child, he had little family guidance to draw from when it came to the college admissions process. He had done his research on colleges, but he needed a roadmap for turning that research into a strategy.
By junior year, Jacob had already identified 30 to 40 colleges with strong pre-vet programs. The challenge wasn’t finding options. It was figuring out which ones were the right fit.
Working with counselor Don Keller, he narrowed his list into a focused application strategy. Together, they evaluated programs, compared opportunities, and identified the schools that best aligned with his goals. Having an experienced guide helped Jacob move from endless research to a college list he felt confident about.
Jacob had an impressive record of veterinary experience, but like many ambitious students, he worried it wasn’t enough.
Instead of adding more activities, Don encouraged him to make a greater impact in the ones he already cared about, whether through leadership in FFA Veterinary Science competitions or taking on additional responsibility at his local veterinary clinic.
That approach not only strengthened his application but also gave him stronger stories to tell in his supplemental essays.
Jacob earned admission to an impressive list of veterinary-focused programs, including Cornell, Auburn, Purdue, NC State, Ohio State, Virginia Tech, and the University of Florida. He also received honors program invitations and scholarship offers from multiple universities.
Ultimately, he chose Cornell University, where he will begin his journey toward a career in veterinary medicine.
Looking back, Jacob says HelloCollege helped him see that success was about making the most of the opportunities already in front of him and learning how to tell that story with confidence.
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