Vet Medicine 2021

[doistayordoigo]

Hi, wondering whether there any other parents or students on here applying for Vet Med this year to start in 2021? I was following last year's thread which was very useful and informative, and was hoping for a similar thread this year for the rollercoaster ahead, especially now that things might be very different to previous years.

My DS is probably going to be applying to Liverpool, Bristol, Surrey and Nottingham.

Hi
New to this thread,but a kindly sole gave the link on TSL.
My N°3 has just finished the application/interview process and firmed her unconditional from Bristol. She's withdrawn all other applications, so hopefully another deserving applicant will benefit. We're British Nationals living in Europe, so between exam chaos, COVID and Brexit, this year has been a nightmare, and I'm glad to have some of the pressure taken off. The next stress will be to find out if we qualify for home fees and financing. Anyone else in this situation?

@Colliemayhem I have a 3rd medic DD at Notts and a 1st year vet met one at Bristol. I am v v v v glad to not have to through it all again !!

Both were stressful experiences. We are just a normal family (I'm a teacher and DH is in IT) so been steep learning curves finding out how to apply.

@Nobody2u can't help with the fees but hopefully Uni will let you know asap. DD is v pleased she chose Bristol, both for the course so far and the city. This week she is sheep wrangling and learning how to milk. They have helped loads with EMS placements (DD has lambing, dairy, poultry and equine sorted for this year) and doing some group work so they get to chat with other students. And they've had anatomy in person every week too. Not been as expected but she's v glad she's in such a lovely city.

Welcome @Nobody2u, it was me. Well done to your DD & you!

@mumsneedwine Thanks for the positive endorsement of Bristol as our choice. I'm beginning to realise that for the next 5/6 years I'll be lucky to see her for more than a few days a year, so I'm glad she'll be in a great environment. I imagine EMS has to be in the U.K. so I'll be a frequent flyer if ever the quarantine restrictions are lifted!🤦🏻‍♀️

[quote mumsneedwine]@Colliemayhem I have a 3rd medic DD at Notts and a 1st year vet met one at Bristol. I am v v v v glad to not have to through it all again !!

Both were stressful experiences. We are just a normal family (I'm a teacher and DH is in IT) so been steep learning curves finding out how to apply.
[/quote]
You deserve a medal going through both medical and veterinary applications. We are the same, DH & I are accountants so no experience at all of vet med applications. Thankfully DS2 is looking at engineering type courses so we won’t be going through it again!

@Colliemayhem we are also v broke. Sort of planned for them to both be at Uni for 3 years, and managed to save one year's accommodation before DD1 started. But over lapping for 3 is going to be tough - who needs food 😂.

Having been through the processes as a mum I do like to help others, knowing how stressful it is watching your kids wait.
Glad your DS is looking at a slightly less horrible application process. Plumbing always looked like a good career to me !!

Thankyou all for your kind words, it helps to get things off my chest to others who understand. I will stay positive if it kills me!! It’s the age old issue of wanting to make everything ok for them but this being beyond our control. There are 3 potential offers yet and she only needs one as you say. I just wish that one would hurry up and drop in her inbox. The waiting part is just agonising.

Mumneedswine, where did your DD get accomodation. Everybody has been saying it's the North village or die of boredom, but some of the East and West villages look excellent, and maybe a bit easier to stay a minimum concentrated on work, whilst not missing out on a social life completely.

Hi to the newbies. I think all the mums (and dads) are great at supporting their kids applications and this whole process. I'm a watcher on the TSL thread, and have been amazed at how many people over there don't seem to know the basics about the courses they're applying to. For example, several applicants who didn't realise Bristol don't interview for the 5 year course, etc. Did they do no research at all?! I think that's where parental support is invaluable.

@Nobody2u mine is at Orchard Heights and loves it. Has a good social life (they have bubbled up with another flat for now) and before lockdown there were get togethers in the massive outside courtyard. It's in town so easy for pubs and food - when they were open they were first in line for Spoons. Her friend is at Courtrooms & very happy. Had a friend at Riverside who loved it. It's a load of old rubbish that you can only have fun at Stoke Bishop. The city halls seem to be just as social. Mine wanted self catered and en suite. It's a fantastic flat and walking distance to everything. Lots of vets there too so even though it's strange times she's met some ! Living with one next year. Ask away if I can help (can always ask DD).

@mumsneedwine, Those were the halls we were looking at,with Colston Street as well. Hopefully we'll end up with something reasonable, although I've heard it's a bit of a lottery!🤞🍀

@Nobody2u you get to put 9 choices down. Can be in same hall as different types of rooms. Most people this year seemed to get first choice - there are so many new halls being built ! Fab new one going up right opposite the hospital. Being right in the city has been fantastic during lockdown as still life going on and easy access to shops. Walking to Aldi over the canal by the SS Gt Britain seems to have become a social experience.

@mumsneedwine, the moment that it's clean and safe, I'm sure everything will be fine. It all seems so much more luxurious than when I was a student!

@doistayordoigo

Hi to the newbies. I think all the mums (and dads) are great at supporting their kids applications and this whole process. I'm a watcher on the TSL thread, and have been amazed at how many people over there don't seem to know the basics about the courses they're applying to. For example, several applicants who didn't realise Bristol don't interview for the 5 year course, etc. Did they do no research at all?! I think that's where parental support is invaluable.

@doistayordoigo I’m glad you said that, I had been thinking the same!

Unfortunately, if you read the latest posts on TSL, there seem to be an awful lot of parents who know even less than their offspring.Hence their panicked messages atm.

My DD is a 4th year vet student in Edinburgh.
DD2 second year in Bristol ( non medic ) and goddaughter is 1st year medic in Bristol.
We have had good experiences with Clifton Hill House, Manor Hall and Goldney.

Thanks Olliepolly! We've made our spreadsheet with the halls and rooms that interest us noting price per week, length of contract etc. Lucky we did because the few weeks more or less on the contracts makes quite a big difference financially. Just got to wait to be able to apply now, but we're in the starting blocks!

Quick question for M&F's of Bristol students: My DD will hopefully be in self catered halls next year. Are the kitchens fully equipped with pans, toasters etc. As we'll be arriving from France, bringing that kind of thing is just about impossible, so just wondering if I should be planning an extra shopping spree and budget for when we get there??

You get toaster and kettle but pots, pans, baking stuff, cutlery and plates need to be bought. IKEA is your friend 😊. There is a massive Tesco between M4 and Uni which has a large home section too.
Need bedding but wait until know bed size - mine ended up with a double. Printer v useful too.

Question for HK parents. Any idea of which campus your DCs will pick? DD unsure but am I right in thinking access from H to an airport is tricky? She might want to fly home occasionally! K seems more accessible. All this said with fingers crossed for the grades! Any other input re advantages/disadvantages of one over the other would also be welcome.

@Nobody2u good thing about Bristol is they get their kit for free. Overalls, waterproof tops and trousers and wellies. Can buy EMS kit, which is v smart.

Guessed as much. I imagine the flat will end up with multiples of everything, but useful when moving out, and you can never get enough mugs!!

@Nobody2u your DC should join the group chat when it starts (think via Facebook) as last year the kids made a spreadsheet for each hall and they could then message their new flatmates before joining. Although it's nice to have your own stuff they seem to share a lot now. My DD is living with her flat plus 2 others next year so going to have a lot of pans.

She probably will, but at the moment is trying to make the most of the time she's got left here. She was 100% invested in applying, over the moon when she got her place, but the reality of leaving friends and home for minimum 5 years is sinking in, and she's decided to ignore it for the moment. She's outgoing and independent, so will be fine, but I'm not pushing the group chats yet.