How to become a vet.

[snakes123]

Well i have wanted to be a vet for a while now. But i was wondering what kind of marks i need to get in school.

Im not sure if there are types of vets but i would like to be one of the ones that take any animals, but i would like to specialise in reptiles (if that makes and sense?)

I have read this: How do I become a vet in Australia? - Yahoo!7 Answers

And that says you have to get 97-98% in the HSC which honestly i know will never get no matter how hard i try, which just reading that makes me pretty sad as I am not a straight A student.

So really i would like as much info as possible, and any vets out there would really appreciate it if you could PM me and let me know a bit more

Thanks
Ben

 

[eitak]

I have also looked into becoming a vet and depending what uni you are trying to get into depends on what you need. Charles Sturt for example doesn't have any pre requisits (chem is recommended but not compulsory) but you must get a top score.
But then I know people who have gotten into James Cook with an OP of 8 (1 is the highest and 24 is the lowest) but they had to have done chem n math b. If you are really keen just make sure you do the pre requsits in school apply anyway and if you don't get in start another degree get at least a credit average and apply to transfer over at the end of your first yr.

 

[snakes123]

Thanks eitak. Does anyone have anything else i need to know?

Ben

 

[Crystal..Discus]

You don't always have to be a vet, you can look into other things like being a Vet Nurse which can be done externally (and good if you don't know if you can get the marks or not.) My advice though... Don't let anyone tell you that you CAN'T do it. If your teachers say, "sorry, you'd be better off doing _____." Don't listen. Tell them to shove it where the sun don't shine and do the extra research. Universities look at prior learning as well, so contact a few that you're interested in and ask them about it. (Lecturers are happy to speak with you if you arrange an appointment with them to do so.)

Took me five years after finishing high school to realise that you don't have to make up your mind straight away.

 

[shellfisch]

Don't just accept that you are not good enough to get the required grades.
Approach your school and see what help there is.
Peer tutoring? Guidance Counsellor?
You are probably capable of much more than you realise.

 

[eitak]

Also another idea might be to volunteer at the RSPCA or a vet clinic, that way even if your grades aren't quit there (but are kinda close) it can give you some advantage as it shows your dedicated and serious about becoming a vet

But to put a damper on things, if you find it really hard in high school to get good grades you must keep in mind that vet is considered harder than med - you need to be an animal dr, surgeon and dentist . . It will be hard work and if you aren't doing well in school (and your trying the best you can) maybe you should consider zoology, vet nurse or animal lab tech

 

[snakes123]

Thanks everyone.

Its not that other people say i cant do it infact they say i can if i try, but I think even if i try as hard as i can i still wont get into UNI.

And i dont know what courses i have to do or what uni to go to.
Anyone else out there.
Has anyone out there that hasn't been the smartest person in the class got into being a vet?

Ben

 

[giglamesh]

isnt there a test you need to take during school? i know some students did it who wanted to become doctors.... depending on your grade on the test allowed you to get into different courses.

 

[Mickey_B]

Hey Ben,
if you're really keen to become a vet, but you dont think that you will get a high enough ATAR score, there is usually an option of an internal course transfer if you get into a different course at the same uni. From memory, to transfer into vet at Syd uni, you need a distinction average (im not 100% on that though). There is also a similar course which is offered at Syd which is B of Animal and Vet Bioscience, which has a much lower ATAR than vet.
Vet is highly competetive to get into, and you usually need to show that you're dedicated by filling in special applications detailing previous work and volunteering experience, as well as writing an application essay (again, this is from memory, so please check hehe).
I also think work experience at a vet clinic is invaluable (and also highly regarded in your application), as I had my heart set on being a vet also, until I did work experience, and nearly passed out in the operating room (needless to say, I decided vet wasnt for me hehe)
I think the most important thing to keep in mind is that if you dont get a high enough ATAR, it is not the end of the world, as there are a multitude of ways to get into the course that you want. If you're worried about your ATAR score, look into the requirements for internal course transfer (which you can usually do after completing one semester of uni). I'd also suggest googling the applications for vet courses as there are old applications available, just to have at look at the types of questions they ask, and the requirements they're looking for.
Hope that helps a bit
Michaela

 

[snakes123]

Thanks Michaela. I don't know all the courses are i need, i don't know anything about uni and the courses so your contribution didn't make sense but i will figure it out

What ATAR do i have to get to get what ever courses i need? And at what age do i have to be to go and try work experience or just go help out?

Thanks
Ben

 

[Kitah]

Your best bet is to study as hard as you can and do your best at school, and a major one is to start volunteering at places like the RSPCA, veterinary practices or even places like equine stables, boarding kennels etc. In QLD, the university of QLD you pretty much need an OP of 1. I'm currently in my fifth and final year at James Cook University in Townsville studying veterinary science, and I got in straight from school. I had volunteered at equine shows before and had various experience with animals which showed I was genuinely interested in doing veterinary science. They want to know that if they accept you, you'll stick the degree out and not waste their time. They don't really want people to start the degree and transfer to medicine for example after the first year (happens a lot)- because it just takes the spots that genuine people could have taken- and theres only a fairly limited number of available spots on each yearly intake.

If its any help- I was aiming to go to UQ originally but didn't get the marks- I had filled out the questionaire and applied for JCU- I then got a phone call offering me a position here and I accepted!

Even if you don't get in first go- if you really want to do vet science- start another degree, e.g. a bachelor of applied science/animal science, study as hard as you can to get your grade point average (GPA-you basically add up the value of your years marks) up, and then transfer in when you can.

Look up the different unis, and their conditions for the degree. some require chemistry, physics or biology, english and maths B. For example when I came to JCU I needed Chemistry, Maths B and english- biology was a recommended/suggested highschool subject (but it still helped for the first year of study!)

If you have any specific questions let me know and I'll see if I can help a bit

 

[Nathan_T]

For Sydney Uni doing a B Veterinary Bio-Science you'd be looking at an 85ish for your ATAR. While I agree with those telling you don't let anything get in the way of your dreams, you do need to look at things realistically. Becoming a vet is hard. The ATAR is high because the course is one of the most academically demanding in existence. If you are prepared to put in the work you'll make it, but don't underestimate what you're required to do. As was said, the vet degree is harder than a med degree. I know med students, they're fiercely intelligent, and they were still hitting the books to do external study every single night of the week just to reach an acceptable level.

 

[snakes123]

Alright, im 14 and in year 9 now. Do you think i should start studying anything now to get sort of ahead? If so what should i study?


Thanks
Ben

 

[Mickey_B]

Oops, sorry, I'll try and be a bit more clear.

1. Do a lot of research. You'll most likely have to do nearly all science subjects in year 12, 2 unit maths (at the least), physics, chem and bio, but check this by going to university web sites that offer bachelor of vet sci and looking at what subjects are recommended for you to do in yr12.
2. An ATAR provides a ranking for you, the ATAR for vet courses at different uni's will be different, as ATAR is more a measure of course popularity than it is of how smart you must be to do a course (although the higher your ATAR the more likely you are to get the course you want). You can check this by looking up the course cut off's from previous years.
3. The best bet for work experience would be to ring or visit individuals clinics, as I'd say age requirements probably vary and has to do with their insurance (im guessing on that one though). Just ring them and explain the situation that you would like to study vet sci, and were hoping to get some work experience.
Hopefully that one makes sense! hehe

 

[snakes123]

Yes that made a lot more sense. Thanks everyone, id still like to hear from everyone

Ben

 

[Kitah]

Stick to science and maths based subjects and you're on your way. For year 11 and 12 you usually need to do at least chemistry, english and maths B to get into most uni's, but some have additional requirements. Whether biologiy is a pre-requisite or not, I would recommend you study it at school as it'll make the first year of veterinary science make more sense.

Contact your local kennels, veterinary practices or anywhere that handles/works with animals and ask if you are able to do some work experience for them, as Mickey_B said above.

 

[Nathan_T]

It's been a while since I was in high school, so the courses would be different names I assume, but you should be looking at anything that will boost your ATAR. Maths is a big one, and since you're going to need to do english I assume, you'll need to ensure you're in the advanced level classes. Aside from that, biology and chemistry would be a help. Physics also scales well. For best results, you'll want to do extension levels in either maths or english if not both.

Currently, you should be focusing on English and Maths to ensure you can enter the higher level courses come Year 11 and 12. HSC courses don't matter a huge amount per se, as universities will pretty much cover year 11 and 12 bio/chem in their first month. However, it will make first year easier if you know a bit going in. I'd talk to your school to find out which courses are being adjusted highest recently and aim for them in Year 12

 

[snakes123]

Ok, ill go to my careers CO to morrow and see what she says.

Thanks everyone. Id also like people to post how it was like to get into being a vet.

Thanks

 

[ezekiel86]

It changes every year ...depending how many people are trying to get in or not showin interest..
most makes this yeah where lower then last year..lots of ppl i know only just missed out on things..and now this year would of got in but have already started doing other things and paid :O
A vet is near the top of list...been higher then a standed GP Dr coz they have so many diff body and things to learn,..eg..dogd cats birds and the list goes on ..not just the human body..

 

[MChaz]

Do work experience when the opportunity arises... I seriously regret being lazy for my work experience and picking the easiest place I could get into which I really did not want a career in. Which was at a doctor surgery. Snore.

I always wanted to be a vet, but I'm allergic to cats

Look up tafe courses, some go for as little as 6 weeks to as long as 4 years, so even if you want to do a short course part time through school (you're school should provide info on that if you do it through V.E.T - vocational education... training? I think haha) that will give you a head start. It could be one to two days a week for a couple of months. I'm not sure what courses are provided, cos I know they changed SACE/SATAC againthis year...

Volunteer at wildlife parks or RSPCA or AWL (I'm not sure wherebouts you are so these places depend on that) and really do your research. Next time there is a Uni or TAFE Open day at a uni or tafe that provides these courses your interested in, go and suss it out.

Hopefully some of this helps...
Mel