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I got into veterinary university!

Piglet

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I've been away from the forums for what seems months. I applied to 3 universities in September (out of the 7 in the UK) where I had to write a personal statement, have my work experience done (9-ish weeks) and have sufficient grades. I then had a biomedical test last month and an interview at the Royal Vet College in London in late November. I got my offer yesterday :D :eek: So peeps, looks like I'm on my way on becoming a vet!

The other two universities havn't got back to me, but I wanted to go to RVC from the beginning. The course is 5 years and I'm not sure whether I want to specialise in small or large animals. I can't believe it!
 

smartorl

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OMG! How awesome for you. That is such a great honor, I am jealous. You will have to keep us posted of your progress and some of the strange cases.
 

Piglet

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Thanks! I need to complete Year 13 first and will be starting next September.
 

daftscotslass

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Wow Piglet huge, huge congratulations and well done. I know how difficult vet med is to get into over here in the UK having known several people work their butts off for it from the age of 14 because it's what they always wanted to do. It is sooo competitive and requires very high standards to get in academically - hats off to you for getting those results. It must be a dream come true for you -I'm so chuffed on your behalf!
 

Lyndsay

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What sort of requirements do you need in the UK?, I've been thinking for a few weeks that I may try to get into vet school, but it costs so much, and I need to do a lot of course upgrading, but I am determined to do it right the second time around.


sheesh manners... CONGRATS!
 

daftscotslass

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The requirements are 2 A's and 1 B minimum in English/Welsh A-Levels and they MUST be in Biology, Chemistry and either Physics or Maths for the courses in Scotland. The Scottish equivalent is 5 higher grades at AAABB including the above subjects - both of these are the exams you take at 16-18 years old. Most candidates have A grades for all of their exams hence the high level of competitiveness academically. It is also expected that you have work experience like Piglet did, done in your own free time, at a veterinary surgery and possibly also slaughter facilities. Oh, and an interview.
 

jabberwock

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Cambridge vet school expects 3 grade As at A2 level, one of which has to be chemistry and the other two would normally be drawn from physics, biology and maths. Many candidates will have 4 As at A2 level (these are English exams, different to those taken in Scotland). It's harder to get into vet school than it is to study human medicine, so WELL DONE piglet!

I think one difference in the UK is that medicine or vet medicine is a course you normally enter at 18 or 19 as a first university course. I believe that in some countries you have to study for a degree first and then do a second course in medicine - is that right?
 

BabyGrl

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Congrats Piglet!!!! How exciting for you.
 

Piglet

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Thank you *so* much.

It is a dream because my circumstances are so different to the candidates applying with me. They've been doing work experience for years, whereas I only started earlier this year in May. That was my first ever time stepping into a clinic. In August, I got a job at my local clinic assisting the vets in operations and being a receptionist. The universities like that, so Lyndsay I'd advise to get one if you havn't.

Also, I'm not studying the 'typical' subjects since I only study chemistry and biology. I also do ethics and philosophy (one subject, referred to as Religious Studies) and I did product Design, which I dropped last year. Thankfully, my predicted grades are AAA but after my interview they said I can come in with ABB. Woo! When I got my offer I was in tears and was shaking and I'm so happy. I'm going to be a vet!
 

JarBax

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Fantastic news Piglet! You're going to be a vet!!! Congratulations! :cheerful:
 

smoot

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Congrats! *happy dance*
 

HowietheGreat

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That is beyond fantastic! Congratulations!!!!!
 

citronsoul

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That's amazing!! Congratulations!
 

PiggieMom

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Awesome news! Huge congrats for Piglet!
 

amptondooz

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Hip, hip, HOORAY! *does even happier dance than smoot*
 

bunnyluv17

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Congratulations! I'm so jealous too! I am working towards becoming a vet also, but here in the U.S. there are so many prerequisites that most people have to have an undergraduate degree before applying to vet school. I am currently majoring in Biology at my college and will be able to apply in about a year and a half.


I think one difference in the UK is that medicine or vet medicine is a course you normally enter at 18 or 19 as a first university course. I believe that in some countries you have to study for a degree first and then do a second course in medicine - is that right?
 

fourbwabbys

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Congrats!!! That's fabulous! I'm probably going to go to school to be a vet, not completely sure exactly what I want to do yet. It's extremely competitive in the US, it's harder to get into than med school. I'm pretty sure over here you need 4 years of Pre-Vet, then an additional minimum of 4 years of Vet school.
 

Shaffy

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Congrats! i hope you go far. Maybe you could speacialize (sp?) in exotic animals and give a hand to everyone here when they have a problem. I would be neat if we had a vet here.But it would'nt replace a visit to your vet that you can see and give a better prognosis (sp?) to the pig.
 

Susan9608

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Congrats, Piglet! If you specialize in small animals, you can be our own guinea pig expert! :)

It's cool to hear about the differences between the UK and US academic circles. No matter what the differences are, though, you obviously have to be very smart in both countries to get into vet school.

Hooray for you! I hope you are celebrating - you've earned it.
 

clover-crystal

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Just wanted to say; HUGE CONGRATULATIONS are in order to you Piglet.
 
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