Do I need to take a gap year?

So I was in the same boat as you last year and it was around the same time I decided to do vet med. Now honestly, I didn't start my work experience until July, I got 2 weeks work experience over the summer and the vets put me in contact with an RDA group, and over the summer I volunteered twice a week with them for about 3 hours. I then got a placement on a milking farm in SEPTEMBER going out once a week for 3 hours. At the RDA I still volunteer once a week because its just good craic, and I stopped working at the farm back in January. I sent my application away on the 14th of October not expecting to get an interview because I was adamant I hadn't enough work experience, BUT now I'm sitting with all four interviews, 3 completed and one to do (Nottingham, Bristol, Glasgow and Edinburgh) and I have 2 offers and no rejections. I also worked in a pet shop for about a year and a half which helped and volunteered for years with a conservation charity which I put in my ps.

So I wouldn't say you would need a gap year and I definitely would send an application away this year - just make sure you can get AS MUCH WORK EXPERIENCE OVER SUMMER AS HUMANLY POSSIBLE because I didn't know any if this before July lol. Ask the vets for contacts for farmers that will be willing for milking/pig farm/sheep farm etc they will more than likely be willing to help you out. Look around your area for an RDA group, they always need volunteers and its great working with the horses because it really develops your handling skills and learn about their treatment. Get work experience in animal shelters/volunteer.

It is possible because I'm a walking example that it is.

Goodluck and let us know how you get on!!


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This is incredibly helpful! Thank you so much, and congratulations on getting 4 interviews! That's amazing. Best of luck for the future.