Who Wants To Be A Vet?!?! Need Help With Qualifications

[connorsbala]

So,i really want to be a vet. I hear you need a good grade in A-levels in biology,chemistry and physics or maths. What else?And work experience,you need to handle animals at like stables,farms or kennels etc. Im planning on getting a saturday job at my LFS (although this wont help,i need money! ) and at the dogs for the blind thing near where i live. I have a stables down my road but dont get on too well with the owners lol

 

[jenny6165]

vet or vet nurse?

if its vet, u can ring up your local vet and ask them what they did.

when i wanted to be a vet nurse, this is what i did and found out several different ways to get into the profession

 

[oddball_lover]

Apparently you need experience with large livestock (sheep, cattle, pigs, horses) because that is where a lot of vet work is based around. Not all vets set up dog/cat/small animal practices.
You will likely need all A's at A-level and you need LOTS of voluntary work under your belt (working at a farm helping out with birthing etc. to show you aren't squeamish, voluntary work at a veterinary surgery).

The competition is intense...there are only 6 institutions in the country which do Veterinary medicine. It's easier to get onto human medicine than vet med

So be aware that you need to be able to stand out from the crowd. Voluntary work, extra-curricular activities such as D of E, proof of good communication and willingness to learn, and consistent top end grades.

Bascially, be prepared to work your backside off

 

[Bloo]

Ironically many vets (that I've worked with) had extremely little/limited animal experience prior to studies - and only gained some in their final years of study.

A good starting point for understanding what you want to let yourself in for, is research. And see if you can organise yourself some work experience at a local vet practice to get an idea for what it's really like

 

[Betta5]

I was going to be a vet nurse and i have no idea what you need for that a A level.

 

[connorsbala]

Im planning on being a vet "doctor",or a marine biologist. I wanna look into doing some voluntary work at the dogs for the blind thing,stables and kennels. Would they put this stuff down on my CV? It will be..interesting shiving my fist up a horses backside...

Do you know the average salary?

 

[jenny6165]

I was going to be a vet nurse and i have no idea what you need for that a A level.

i used to want to be a vet nurse. there are a few routes.

the main one i rememeber, cos this is the route i went, was alot of vets advertise for trainee vet nurses, you work there and get your experience that way and i think they put you on courses etc. this seems to be the easiest way.

any work experience you can gain will be worth its weight in gold,
work experience at vets, at farms, stables, zoo's, kennels

 

[smurfyy_2k3]

when i was 14 i went and got loads of information on vets ill see if i can dig it out for you, (i changed my mind from vet to marine biologist and im busy studying for it now

 

[connorsbala]

Oh cool thanks MArine biologist would be real cool,i wouldnt mind being either a vet or marine biologist;how old are you?

 

[smurfyy_2k3]

17

 

[Mr Miagi]

The school system is a little different from here to where you are, but ill attempt to give you my best advice for Marine Biology.

Your right, background in Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Maths would be very beneficial. Before I attempted University studies I met with a "course counselor" from my High School and he told me basic Biology would be all I would need. It turned out he was right, but I was way behind in my Chemistry and Physics, and whilst it isnt a prerequisite for my course, it would have helped me TREMENDOUSLY to have done Chemistry and Physics BEFORE university. University runs fast, there isnt time to get behind, if you do fall behind, chances are you wont catch up. Do as much of the basics mentioned before you go, you will thank all in this thread who bought it up!

Another thing I should stress upon you, go and see MORE than one person, and if you can, organize a meeting with the course co-coordinator. I only did this once I finished school ( , What was I thinking....), and he basically told me what I should have done two years before hand.

You've got the Volunteer thing right, as much as you can do. You want to know if you'll like the hard work before you hit the books. You will also get to know many people from volunteering that should remember your face later on, and hopefully employ you! (If you didn't leave a bad impression! )

HTH, Ben

 

[smurfyy_2k3]

oh yeah universities over here require at least 1 alevel in biology, chemistry helps as well as any other subjects, it also helps if you show some intrest in the subject such as going helping at the local aquarium lfs help local marine life charity's ect ect,

 

[hensonc4098]

I live in Scotland and I want to be a vet too. I'm taking 5 highers which I think is the equivalent to A-levels: English, Maths, French, Chemistry & Physics and then in 6th year I will take advanced higher (dunno the equivalent ) chemistry and physics and crash course higher biology. To get into veterinary colleges, they look for AT LEAST AAABB at first sitting but 5 A's will be better. They do also look for experience - I currently volunteer at my local vet practise on a friday night, I ride racehorses and I help on a dairy farm at weekends.

Hope this helps and good luck!
Now get studying!

 

[Truck]

I live in Scotland and I want to be a vet too. I'm taking 5 highers which I think is the equivalent to A-levels: English, Maths, French, Chemistry & Physics and then in 6th year I will take advanced higher (dunno the equivalent ) chemistry and physics and crash course higher biology. To get into veterinary colleges, they look for AT LEAST AAABB at first sitting but 5 A's will be better. They do also look for experience - I currently volunteer at my local vet practise on a friday night, I ride racehorses and I help on a dairy farm at weekends.

Hope this helps and good luck!
Now get studying!

old topic

 

[Ludwig Venter]

My daughter is a vet, & I can vouch for it that it is blood sweat & tears!!!.... I think systems vary considerably in all countries, but over here in SA,.... They choose 100 every year to get accepted to Veterinary University, based on different criteria, which of course your grades are extremely important.....

She finished High school as a straight A (8 subjects), and was only accepted in her 3rd year doing BSC Agricultural..... Then it took another 7 years of study before she qualified..... (total of ten years for the reward)

She's been practicing now for almost six years,... and is currently (buying) taking over the practice where she started at, at monthly installments, which is half of my annual earnings.... Hard work,... Lots of after Hours,..... no social life.... It's your choice!!