Veterinary Medicine 2015 hopefuls!

Is anyone considering doing a extended project or critical thinking. My school told us when we return we would have the opportunity, would it be much benefit to a uni application? Anybody else going to do either?

Do you think it would be best to write or phone for work experience at a dairy farm?

I don't think either actually benefit an application (they don't even count critical thinking as an A-Level if I remember correctly), but I might do an EPQ just for fun


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Thats what i was thinking that you might be able to do a project which is relevant to veterinary

Good to hear! I can't wait until I start biology again. Going back to school, getting up early etc not so much, but I'm really excited for A-Level bio!

If it's any consolation my holiday next year is five weeks long . I feel like I've been so unproductive this summer to be honest .

Awesome! Congratulations for being in all the top classes as well!

Oooh yes. I can see it now. We could do WeightWatchers ones that squeal "No, eat some celery instead!", the possibilities are endless!

No regrets

Nope, not quite yet, I still have tomorrow to go

Here are some overall notes/ramblings for the benefit of anyone considering working at a parlour

I enjoyed my time at a grooming salon, but I don't think that it was necessary to do a full week there, and nor do I think it was terribly beneficial to me. As you can imagine, work experience students aren't really qualified to do much to do with actually grooming the animals. 95% of my time was spent sweeping the floors, tidying tables and fetching collars and leads. While I was perfectly happy to do this, there is obviously a limit to how much one will actually gather from this experience. Clearly it's possible to learn about the different stages involved in grooming pets, but this was just a little bit too far away from the vetty side of things in my opinion. Obviously this was to be expected, but after having been there, I'd honestly say that going to a groming parlour is better for wannabe hairdressers than for wannabe vets. Other jobs I did included hoovering, putting price tags on items and straightening up in the shop area, tidying shelves, placing stock orders, doing laundry, occasionally playing with/socialising the daycare dogs, and... making tea . I got to assist with the washing and drying of one particularly large dog as well, but I wouldn't say I learned too much, it's pretty much what it says on the tin; wet dog, lather shampoo, rinse. Guys, be warned, it is an industry heavily dominated by women . That's probably obvious and I gather that this is the case for VetMed in general (I'm a future JAFFVS myself ), although not to this extreme. All of the staff at the place where I worked were female, which might have been a bit awkward had I not have been one myself .

Overall, am I glad that I went here? Yes. Did I have fun and did I enjoy playing with puppies? Yes. Am I grateful that I was allowed to work here? Of course . However, would I recommend it, or would I like to come back? Not really, no. From a vetty point of view, while this could be seen as one of the 'extra' placements (i.e. something other than the core vet surgeries, dairy farms, stables etc), I don't think that this was really worth my while, and I'd suggest trying different places where you're more likely to learn a bit more . If anyone is considering working at a salon, then I'd suggest doing a bit of research into hairdressing before you go (i.e. the different types of scissors used), as I think I would have been better off had I have known a tiny bit to start off with.

Just my two cents, take it or leave it.

EDIT: Reading that back, it sounds horribly negative and unencouraging . Please, anyone who thinks that going to a parlour would benefit them; go for it! You never know, your experiences may be totally different to mine .

Is anyone considering doing a extended project or critical thinking. My school told us when we return we would have the opportunity, would it be much benefit to a uni application? Anybody else going to do either?

Do you think it would be best to write or phone for work experience at a dairy farm?


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I feel like biology is my favourite so far, I enjoy chemistry but I can see it getting quite complicated .

How come? Ours will be the same again but I think study leave is shorter since you only take five subjects in 5th year instead of eight.

Thank you! I was so worried about getting moved down in English because I got a 2 but I thankfully didn't! I asked me English teacher if I could appeal and she said she would ask fro she is so nice! I've always like my english teachers - I have only had 3 different ones over 5 years. I had the one I have now in 1st year and she still remembers me! I still say "hi" to her in the corridor.

Omg! That would be a best seller for sure . We could make ones with life tips and fortunes, "Today you will feel heavy, sickening sensation within you" .

Good tips . I was considering doing it for a couple of days during the September Mid-term weekend but I am not sure if it would be worth the time. Plus my mum has so kindly offered (I didn't even ask!) to take me down to the borders to go to an abattoir for a day and stay in a B&B during that holiday. I may see and try for a few days next year if I have a gap in my holidays. Thank you for that Tails!

Hello everyone. Finished placement for a while so will be hanging around if anyone has any questions. Good luck for results you GCSE lot btw

is it ok to just phone up an abattoir and ask if they can take me on for a day or two? that is, if they offer work experience placements

I would strongly recommend getting some dairying experience alongside your lambing placement. I'd say that both are pretty much essential for a successful application (there will have been exceptions though I imagine ).

Sorry LTC it looks like I'm picking on you tonight - I'm not.. honest!

Is anyone considering doing a extended project or critical thinking. My school told us when we return we would have the opportunity, would it be much benefit to a uni application? Anybody else going to do either?

Sorry LTC it looks like I'm picking on you tonight - I'm not.. honest!

I don't agree with LTC on this, dairy farming I'd say is very important for most people's applications as is lambing. However lambing isn't a definite must have for most of the uni's in my experience. For one lambing usually collides with when people are revising for exams, and also finding a lambing placement for those of people who live in urban environments or aren't in the know with farmers, is a real struggle. Lots of places won't take non-vet students due to age and lack of vetting of people who haven't entered vet school (when you apply you'll have to fill out a CRB form as standard tbh) so a lot of farmers won't take the risk without knowing you personally.

If you can't get lambing, then it's not a be all and end all, it helps but isn't essential. I for one had never done any lambing when I applied.

Dairying is a differernt kettle of fish, a lot of applicants do dairy experience - it takes up the vast majority of LA vets time in practice, I'd focus on this more than lambing.

Hi!
I'm off to Bristol next month (ahhhhh) and did an EP (and general studies and critical thinking, but they were pointless).
I spoke about it at my bristol interview, which seemed to impress them as it shows you have developed a specific interest, and I was also able to flatter them about some treatment facilities they have there! It's also interesting for the interviewer to find out more about what you have been researching etc. And why you chose to research that topic also provides a talking point, the best thing in an interview is getting onto a topic you are comfortable with and know a lot about and doing an EP is an ideal opportunity!
It does take up time, but I think its worth it, you can mention it in your personal statement and at interview. The two interviews I spoke about it happened to be the two that offered ne places and if you end up reapplying or whatever an extra A* or whatever wouldn't go amiss on your UCAS I guess!

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Congratulations, i live on outskirts of Bristol so would loved to get in there. What did you do your project on?

Hmm, for an abattoir I'd write in, personally. Phone is still worth a try, though .