Gap year or a different course?

5

I am in year 13 at college and I’m taking A levels in Biology, Chemistry and Maths.
I have always dreamed of becoming an equine vet. I applied to 4 vet schools and my 5th option is Equine Dental Science. I hadn’t looked into the course much but put it down away because it was a course involving horses.
So far, I have been rejected from 3/4 vet schools. I’m just waiting on Edinburgh. I’m hoping this will be an offer but I was rejected because of my interviews so think it will be another rejection.
I have been offered a place at Hartpury University for the equine dental course.
I know a lot of people take a gap year then reapply for veterinary but I’m not sure what to do. I thought about taking a gap year but know I could be in the same position next year with no other offer.
I have always wanted to work with horses so I have been thinking about accepting the offer for Dentistry. I have a lot of experience around horses as I have my own. However, I don’t have a lot of experience with a dentist because all my work experience has been around becoming a vet.
Any advice on deciding whether to take a gap year or accept the offer would be greatly appreciated
Thank you

Reply 1

Songbird19

13

Original post

by Horserider16

I am in year 13 at college and I’m taking A levels in Biology, Chemistry and Maths.
I have always dreamed of becoming an equine vet. I applied to 4 vet schools and my 5th option is Equine Dental Science. I hadn’t looked into the course much but put it down away because it was a course involving horses.
So far, I have been rejected from 3/4 vet schools. I’m just waiting on Edinburgh. I’m hoping this will be an offer but I was rejected because of my interviews so think it will be another rejection.
I have been offered a place at Hartpury University for the equine dental course.
I know a lot of people take a gap year then reapply for veterinary but I’m not sure what to do. I thought about taking a gap year but know I could be in the same position next year with no other offer.
I have always wanted to work with horses so I have been thinking about accepting the offer for Dentistry. I have a lot of experience around horses as I have my own. However, I don’t have a lot of experience with a dentist because all my work experience has been around becoming a vet.
Any advice on deciding whether to take a gap year or accept the offer would be greatly appreciated
Thank you

Could you get any work experience with a horse dentist?!! Could you even email or speak to one about it? Will hartpury do an offer holders day? Could you go to an open day for the horse dentist course and talk to the students and staff about what it’s like/what they hope to do or have done in their careers? Research is good. Don’t rush into a decision - you have time. Sit on your offer and find out more. You might still end up with a vet med offer but if you don’t then choose a gap year or the horse dentist course with knowledge and thought having gone into the decision. Empower yourself. My daughter has just applied for medicine and many people don’t get in first year of applying and it doesn’t have any reflection on whether they would be a good doctor not. It’s reasonably normal to apply more than once and I think the same could well be true of vet med. Not getting in this year doesn’t mean you wouldn’t make a great vet. But don’t turn down the offer you have been given without doing some research first. You might enjoy it. It might even have a better work/life balance and less stress etc. You still have options. Good luck :smile:

Reply 2

Peaches2796

5

I'm a 4th year veterinary student, I think if you're really set on being a vet, then maybe take a gap year and go to loads of job interviews for practice so you'll smash your interviews next time. However, I can see the course qualifies you to be an EDT which I think would be really rewarding, if you really want to work with horses I think it's a great option. I would just look into the pay differences and job demand. But it's better to miss a year and be sure then to change your mind and not get funding for a second degree.

Reply 3

sophieershaw

9

Also if you were invited to interview at all 4 schools but got rejected after, that means all you have to do is work on your interview skills/presentation skills for next year and you will be golden! You are clearly a very qualified applicant on paper to be invited to so many interviews. The fear of getting no offers after a gap year is so real and I definitely understand why you would want to take a different course, but like the others said: if you're really set on being a vet, it's better to work on the few skills you're missing now and get offers next year. I haven't found anyone who has said they regretted a gap year, but some have said that they regretted a first degree before vetmed/choosing a different degree.

But it's not over for this cycle yet! 🍀

Reply 4

Claire flossie

2

Original post

by Horserider16

I am in year 13 at college and I’m taking A levels in Biology, Chemistry and Maths.
I have always dreamed of becoming an equine vet. I applied to 4 vet schools and my 5th option is Equine Dental Science. I hadn’t looked into the course much but put it down away because it was a course involving horses.
So far, I have been rejected from 3/4 vet schools. I’m just waiting on Edinburgh. I’m hoping this will be an offer but I was rejected because of my interviews so think it will be another rejection.
I have been offered a place at Hartpury University for the equine dental course.
I know a lot of people take a gap year then reapply for veterinary but I’m not sure what to do. I thought about taking a gap year but know I could be in the same position next year with no other offer.
I have always wanted to work with horses so I have been thinking about accepting the offer for Dentistry. I have a lot of experience around horses as I have my own. However, I don’t have a lot of experience with a dentist because all my work experience has been around becoming a vet.
Any advice on deciding whether to take a gap year or accept the offer would be greatly appreciated
Thank you

What are your grades likely to be? I read only 19% of vet students get in at their first attempt. If you are really keen on vet med, you could spend a year out gaining experience and with grades in the bag, it might be easier to get accepted somewhere. Equine dentistry is a good career, but perhaps more limited for other options than medicine? Good luck x

Reply 5

Horserider16

OP

5

Original post

by Claire flossie

What are your grades likely to be? I read only 19% of vet students get in at their first attempt. If you are really keen on vet med, you could spend a year out gaining experience and with grades in the bag, it might be easier to get accepted somewhere. Equine dentistry is a good career, but perhaps more limited for other options than medicine? Good luck x

I’m predicted 3 As

Reply 6

Andrea_18

11

Original post

by Horserider16

I am in year 13 at college and I’m taking A levels in Biology, Chemistry and Maths.
I have always dreamed of becoming an equine vet. I applied to 4 vet schools and my 5th option is Equine Dental Science. I hadn’t looked into the course much but put it down away because it was a course involving horses.
So far, I have been rejected from 3/4 vet schools. I’m just waiting on Edinburgh. I’m hoping this will be an offer but I was rejected because of my interviews so think it will be another rejection.
I have been offered a place at Hartpury University for the equine dental course.
I know a lot of people take a gap year then reapply for veterinary but I’m not sure what to do. I thought about taking a gap year but know I could be in the same position next year with no other offer.
I have always wanted to work with horses so I have been thinking about accepting the offer for Dentistry. I have a lot of experience around horses as I have my own. However, I don’t have a lot of experience with a dentist because all my work experience has been around becoming a vet.
Any advice on deciding whether to take a gap year or accept the offer would be greatly appreciated
Thank you

How did you find Biology and Chemistry? If there's a lot of efficient study, it would go good?

Reply 7

Horserider16

OP

5

Original post

by Andrea_18

How did you find Biology and Chemistry? If there's a lot of efficient study, it would go good?

I love Chemistry, it’s definitely my favourite subject. I’m getting As and A*s in the tests.
I struggle with Biology a bit but I’m getting there. The lowest grade I have got is a B.

The final vet school rejected me yesterday and after having a better look I do like the equine dental course so thinking of taking that

Reply 8

Morg9362551

4

Original post

by Horserider16

I am in year 13 at college and I’m taking A levels in Biology, Chemistry and Maths.
I have always dreamed of becoming an equine vet. I applied to 4 vet schools and my 5th option is Equine Dental Science. I hadn’t looked into the course much but put it down away because it was a course involving horses.
So far, I have been rejected from 3/4 vet schools. I’m just waiting on Edinburgh. I’m hoping this will be an offer but I was rejected because of my interviews so think it will be another rejection.
I have been offered a place at Hartpury University for the equine dental course.
I know a lot of people take a gap year then reapply for veterinary but I’m not sure what to do. I thought about taking a gap year but know I could be in the same position next year with no other offer.
I have always wanted to work with horses so I have been thinking about accepting the offer for Dentistry. I have a lot of experience around horses as I have my own. However, I don’t have a lot of experience with a dentist because all my work experience has been around becoming a vet.
Any advice on deciding whether to take a gap year or accept the offer would be greatly appreciated
Thank you

I deferred my 2024 offer to 2025 and I would definitely recommend gap years, they are great for having a break before doing 5 years on an intense course, plus you can get a job and save money so you’re in a better place for uni. I know it’s different for someone having s gap year and not having a confirmed place yet, but I’d say if you’re set on vet medicine then take the year off , there’s only positives about it and I’m really enjoying having time to do my own hobbies before not having much time for half a decade- I’ve managed to get better at cooking, do lots of painting and learn guitar

That’s my advice 😊

Reply 9

sophieershaw

9

Original post

by Horserider16

I love Chemistry, it’s definitely my favourite subject. I’m getting As and A*s in the tests.
I struggle with Biology a bit but I’m getting there. The lowest grade I have got is a B.
The final vet school rejected me yesterday and after having a better look I do like the equine dental course so thinking of taking that

aw I'm sorry about the rejection ☹️ I'm glad you seem to have a positive outlook on where you can go from here, though! I bet you will make a great equine dental specialist, or a vet if you decide to take that route after all! ❤️

Gap year or a different course?

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