Veterinary medicine

[Anomatopa]

Dd (15) is considering this. If she applies herself she will probably get a couple of 7s mostly 8s and a couple of 9s in her GCSEs. She will have to work for this though. She is bright and academic but not among the high fliers at her local grammar school. She is obsessed with animal and has already volunteered in an animal sanctuary, done work experience at a vet's and has been helping at the yard since she was 12. I am aware how competitive the path is but she will get her volunteering done, she is very self organised and interested, very hands on. To those who are vets or have vet dc does she have what it takes? Especially academically, with her predicted grades? She is particularly interested in equine medicine she is doing well in sincere and maths but not one of the upper top tier students.

She is planning to take biology, chemistry and psychology A-levels.

Does she like science? Will she get at A level, 3As at least, 2 of which being biology and chemistry?

How resilient is she? The vet career is not a gentle one and you have to be resilient to survive it.

GCSEs less important, she just needs a good spread 7 and above

I reckon that she is more than capable to get a's in all three, yes, as she is genuinely interested in these subjects and works hard at them.

Editing to add, I'd say she is quite calm, resilient and tenacious but there are times when she is fed up and has had enough. I suppose teenage style. She isn't hard nosed.

Ah x post, you’ve answered about A levels.
if she wants to go for it that she should. There are lots more vet schools now so it’s not as competitive as it used to be. It’s a good career but you have to be tough and resilient to do well.

Well that’s great from the academic side.

All the schools have different work experience requirements, she should look up what is required and make a plan for that too

Tenacity will be useful!

Could be worth also considering veterinary nursing. By the way, it is an animal job certainly, but almost as much, a PEOPLE job. Large amounts of time are spent talking and explaining to people, who are in varying emotional states. Just make sure she's fully aware of this. It's not to be underestimated.

It is an option. The earning potential isn't as future proof though that's a concern.

my dd is in the same position, finishing GCSEs now and heading for college to do biology chemistry and psychology with her eye on vetmed. I have helped her do a lot of research as I knew nothing. GCSEs won’t matter as much as A levels - they generally need 3 A grades so I think they will know more this time next year whether that is likely. If not, there are foundation year courses where you do 6 years instead of 5 if A level grades aren’t quite up to it. The most important thing will be their performance at interview and that will depend on their work experience, understanding of the profession and ability to show their personal qualities and how they are suited to the career. So id focus more on that tbh. We have arranged 2 weeks in a vet this summer and she has already done lambing and a wildlife rescue centre, and she will need more next year. I’m hoping that will really give her a good understanding of the profession as clearly it’s about a lot more than grades- as others have said it’s a tough job with quite low earnings for your level of training, and many leave it due to the stress. In terms of gcse grades I’d be looking at the science grades as it really won’t matter what she gets in English etc!

Foundation courses usually only open if WP criteria, so not an option for lots of people.

@Anomatopa please do assure her that she won't be rich as a vet on the uk. And to be an equine vet involves years of internships with low pay and v v long hours. But if love it, and realise you'll be poorer than a lot of your friends for many many years, then go for it ! My DD mostly loves her job.

@mumsneedwine you don’t have to do an internship to be an equine vet, many go straight in as ambulatory, but my DD is doing an internship and the hours are absolutely brutal! The pay is actually good considering she gets her accommodation and all bills thrown in, and they work such long hours they don’t get a chance to spend any money 😂

To be anything other than an ambulatory equine get you need internships 😊. I don't think the pay is great as they work so many hours it's under minimum wage !! But as you say, they never gave time to spend it anyway 😂

Access to vet med is about more than grades. They need to see that you have interests and personality beyond academic. Interviews aren't just about knowledge, they are about the whole person. That person needs to be able to deal with explaining to the owners of a 14 year old dog that there is nothing more they can do other than ease their passing. They deal with bereft owners explaining the process. And then go straight to deal with a new excited puppy and family, or save a life. Or dealt with cruelty and neglect. Empathy, resilience and communion with people is something that can't be studied for, but can be learned.

MMIs are exactly for that purpose. Shows the many skills needed.

And why several Unis now count a customer facing part time job as work experience. Unfortunately even these are hard to get at the moment.