Vet school application - and stalking/shooting (advisability to mention?!)

[Bavarianbrit]

Budapest has a vet school that is done in english where my pal did some of his studies, perhaps there is less of a waiting list BS there.

 

[Poola]

Thanks again. To answer the question about preferred course, it is Nottingham’s - although he is also applying for Edinburgh, Harper-Keele and Surrey. Ironically the first choice is the only one amongst the 6 of original interest which hasn’t had a physical open day since Covid, so he hasn’t had the detailed “in-person” tour for it - although we have visited the campus ourselves (its rural setting is a major plus for him - including halls there in the first year) - and things may change after he does the Sept open day (which is not very helpfully only a couple of weeks before UCAS submissions are due!), but I doubt it. He has chatted to a couple of Notts students when lambing, read lots online, and it seems to have a reputation of being the most practically-focussed from day 1, which appeals hugely to him. Of the others, Surrey’s open day was by far and away the best - it was superbly organised, with a lot of practical opportunities to “have a go” suturing, examining an eye, doing an ultrasound for pregnancy… (all obviously on models!) with lots of staff around to advise. That contributed to that course moving up in the personal preference rankings to no.2. He’s not keen at all on large cities (even if in later years you move out of them), and this ruled out around half the courses… And he’s not really keen on studying in a different country. He is fully aware of the stresses of a vet’s life (including comparatively poor pay vs human medicine) - this is something which we’ve really stressed and talked about. He is adamant that this is the only thing he wants to do. If he doesn’t get through selection / interview the first time, he wants to get his grades under his belt, then take a year out gaining further supporting experience for another application. He’s quite determined!
He’s predicted 3 x As for A-level, has all A* (other than 1 x A) at GCSE - so academically he will hopefully be fine to at least be considered. He’s obtained work experience at vets (only small animal was possible) for 2 weeks across 2 different practices - with a further week to come later this month; has done a week’s lambing; another week‘s additional sheep work; and a week at a hedgehog rescue charity. Only a tiny bit of cattle involvement though when they were in an adjacent shed when lambing… And of course the involvement with working dogs on shoots, to bring things back to the original post!

 

[Ade8mm]

Thanks again. To answer the question about preferred course, it is Nottingham’s - although he is also applying for Edinburgh, Harper-Keele and Surrey. Ironically the first choice is the only one amongst the 6 of original interest which hasn’t had a physical open day since Covid, so he hasn’t had the detailed “in-person” tour for it - although we have visited the campus ourselves (its rural setting is a major plus for him - including halls there in the first year) - and things may change after he does the Sept open day (which is not very helpfully only a couple of weeks before UCAS submissions are due!), but I doubt it. He has chatted to a couple of Notts students when lambing, read lots online, and it seems to have a reputation of being the most practically-focussed from day 1, which appeals hugely to him. Of the others, Surrey’s open day was by far and away the best - it was superbly organised, with a lot of practical opportunities to “have a go” suturing, examining an eye, doing an ultrasound for pregnancy… (all obviously on models!) with lots of staff around to advise. That contributed to that course moving up in the personal preference rankings to no.2. He’s not keen at all on large cities (even if in later years you move out of them), and this ruled out around half the courses… And he’s not really keen on studying in a different country. He is fully aware of the stresses of a vet’s life (including comparatively poor pay vs human medicine) - this is something which we’ve really stressed and talked about. He is adamant that this is the only thing he wants to do. If he doesn’t get through selection / interview the first time, he wants to get his grades under his belt, then take a year out gaining further supporting experience for another application. He’s quite determined!
He’s predicted 3 x As for A-level, has all A* (other than 1 x A) at GCSE - so academically he will hopefully be fine to at least be considered. He’s obtained work experience at vets (only small animal was possible) for 2 weeks across 2 different practices - with a further week to come later this month; has done a week’s lambing; another week‘s additional sheep work; and a week at a hedgehog rescue charity. Only a tiny bit of cattle involvement though when they were in an adjacent shed when lambing… And of course the involvement with working dogs on shoots, to bring things back to the original post!

My Lad is due to start year three at Nottingham this September.

I have just asked him if he mentioned his shooting activities on his application/statement. He said he didn't simply because he didn't see the relevance - not because he was concerned about what they may or may not think.
One observation I have is there are a lot of areas vets have to get involved with that are often forgotten, HAD/euthanasia for example .
There are hundreds of Vets that work in abattoirs doing carcass inspection etc.
FWIW I believe the staff at veterinary schools are a lot more open-minded/worldly wise than one might think with a cursory glance.

I wish you lad every success

 

[Mungo]

Thanks again. To answer the question about preferred course, it is Nottingham’s - although he is also applying for Edinburgh, Harper-Keele and Surrey. Ironically the first choice is the only one amongst the 6 of original interest which hasn’t had a physical open day since Covid, so he hasn’t had the detailed “in-person” tour for it - although we have visited the campus ourselves (its rural setting is a major plus for him - including halls there in the first year) - and things may change after he does the Sept open day (which is not very helpfully only a couple of weeks before UCAS submissions are due!), but I doubt it. He has chatted to a couple of Notts students when lambing, read lots online, and it seems to have a reputation of being the most practically-focussed from day 1, which appeals hugely to him. Of the others, Surrey’s open day was by far and away the best - it was superbly organised, with a lot of practical opportunities to “have a go” suturing, examining an eye, doing an ultrasound for pregnancy… (all obviously on models!) with lots of staff around to advise. That contributed to that course moving up in the personal preference rankings to no.2. He’s not keen at all on large cities (even if in later years you move out of them), and this ruled out around half the courses… And he’s not really keen on studying in a different country. He is fully aware of the stresses of a vet’s life (including comparatively poor pay vs human medicine) - this is something which we’ve really stressed and talked about. He is adamant that this is the only thing he wants to do. If he doesn’t get through selection / interview the first time, he wants to get his grades under his belt, then take a year out gaining further supporting experience for another application. He’s quite determined!
He’s predicted 3 x As for A-level, has all A* (other than 1 x A) at GCSE - so academically he will hopefully be fine to at least be considered. He’s obtained work experience at vets (only small animal was possible) for 2 weeks across 2 different practices - with a further week to come later this month; has done a week’s lambing; another week‘s additional sheep work; and a week at a hedgehog rescue charity. Only a tiny bit of cattle involvement though when they were in an adjacent shed when lambing… And of course the involvement with working dogs on shoots, to bring things back to the original post!

Nottingham would be my choice now too.

My wife (who is a vet, though qualified in Belgium) says the newly qualifieds coming in from there are markedly better from day 1 and need much less babysitting.

Beware basing decisions on open days. There is quite a strong inverse correlation between how good the open day is and how good the course is. Which, when you think about it, makes sense: think about who needs to invest the most in marketing!

 

[VSS]

My daughter is at Nottingham. She was also offered a place at Harper-Keele, but Nottingham had always been her first choice.
If I remember correctly, there was a strict word limit for the personal statement, so he may not be able to include everything anyway. Just have to prioritise. And write well and concisely. But I wouldn't be inclined to leave out anything that shows that he's done stuff that's a little bit different from what most applicants will have done.

 

[Buchan]

Thanks again. To answer the question about preferred course, it is Nottingham’s - although he is also applying for Edinburgh, Harper-Keele and Surrey. Ironically the first choice is the only one amongst the 6 of original interest which hasn’t had a physical open day since Covid, so he hasn’t had the detailed “in-person” tour for it - although we have visited the campus ourselves (its rural setting is a major plus for him - including halls there in the first year) - and things may change after he does the Sept open day (which is not very helpfully only a couple of weeks before UCAS submissions are due!), but I doubt it. He has chatted to a couple of Notts students when lambing, read lots online, and it seems to have a reputation of being the most practically-focussed from day 1, which appeals hugely to him. Of the others, Surrey’s open day was by far and away the best - it was superbly organised, with a lot of practical opportunities to “have a go” suturing, examining an eye, doing an ultrasound for pregnancy… (all obviously on models!) with lots of staff around to advise. That contributed to that course moving up in the personal preference rankings to no.2. He’s not keen at all on large cities (even if in later years you move out of them), and this ruled out around half the courses… And he’s not really keen on studying in a different country. He is fully aware of the stresses of a vet’s life (including comparatively poor pay vs human medicine) - this is something which we’ve really stressed and talked about. He is adamant that this is the only thing he wants to do. If he doesn’t get through selection / interview the first time, he wants to get his grades under his belt, then take a year out gaining further supporting experience for another application. He’s quite determined!
He’s predicted 3 x As for A-level, has all A* (other than 1 x A) at GCSE - so academically he will hopefully be fine to at least be considered. He’s obtained work experience at vets (only small animal was possible) for 2 weeks across 2 different practices - with a further week to come later this month; has done a week’s lambing; another week‘s additional sheep work; and a week at a hedgehog rescue charity. Only a tiny bit of cattle involvement though when they were in an adjacent shed when lambing… And of course the involvement with working dogs on shoots, to bring things back to the original post!

Ensure he has some barwork/tables experience. THere is nothing better to prepare students for what is a service industry thatn this. OUr job is mostly about people, so you need to know how shitty the b=public can be at times. I'd rather see this than 3A*!

The otherthing to add to this. What the contingency plan? Stuff can happen, eg breaking a leg mid way through the exams. There is a temptation to go for another degree with lower grades and then go for graduate entry. But you won't get a student loan for vet as a second degree, so one is better re-taking A levels. (I'll let you decide if you tell him this, I don't wanat to dent enthusiasm!)

 

[Mungo]

Ensure he has some barwork/tables experience. THere is nothing better to prepare students for what is a service industry thatn this. OUr job is mostly about people, so you need to know how shitty the b=public can be at times. I'd rather see this than 3A*!

The otherthing to add to this. What the contingency plan? Stuff can happen, eg breaking a leg mid way through the exams. There is a temptation to go for another degree with lower grades and then go for graduate entry. But you won't get a student loan for vet as a second degree, so one is better re-taking A levels. (I'll let you decide if you tell him this, I don't wanat to dent enthusiasm!)

I’ve often thought part of the selection/admissions process for vets should be watching them do a Friday night shift behind the bar in a city centre Wetherspoons!

 

[Poola]

Unfortunately with other work experience of specific animal relevance (and due to the lack of “normal” work opportunities over the last couple of years) “wider” work of this nature hasn’t happened… and he is still a bit young for bar work! It is what it is, and hopefully he’ll sell his experience - and himself - sufficiently. Thanks for mentioning contingency planning. We have talked about this already, and have considered the elements mentioned about fees. As you say, it’s expensive enough anyway as a first degree with a student loan and standard fees, never mind a second degree with no loan and full fees - especially when bearing in mind likely earnings in the short-medium (or even long) term! Plans are that if required, he would take a year out, retake if needed (and if universities would accept it - some don’t, such as Edinburgh among his choices - which may mean some reassessment) - and then try again. He would try to bolster work experience in this period too - including with some service industry work, the importance of (and value attached to) which I more fully appreciate after the last couple of posts! There would come a time after this if unsuccessful when the inevitable would need to be recognised, but that’s a way off and doesn’t need to be considered in any detail just yet: the whole process is stressful enough as it is!