Sometimes, you're tired. You don't want to study. You've got two long weeks of classes ahead of you, followed by two even longer weeks of exams. You're homesick. The cranial nerves terrify you. You have two projects and an assignment to do in the next two weeks. It's getting colder and darker each day.
And then in a lab animal wetlab, you get to hold the world's cuddliest python for 10 minutes. He nestles down in your arms and pokes his tongue out at you. And everything is better.
At least until you have to go study histology.
Oh my gosh. This blog is amazing... Please don't stop posting.
ReplyDeleteI'm not in the AVC yet... I'm applying this year. Unfortunately even though my application was strong last year (According to Jack MacDougall) I didn't apply in my third year.
It's been nerve-wracking. Especially since if I don't get in this year I'll be forced to start a Masters project. March cannot come soon enough.
Wow, my first ever comment!
ReplyDeleteGlad you like the blog! I applied twice - I got interviewed in 2010 and rejected post interview. Improved my application and reapplied last year. Interviewed again and... waitlisted. I had sort of resigned myself to applying a third time, and a week after the waitlist letter, I got a call saying they'd had a deferral and did I want the seat? Hell yes! So here I am!
Hang in there - it's a long road, but you CAN do it!
Wow :] that's awesome! Yep, I am definitely in for the long haul. I should have applied last year, before I started my honours... but I was too (unnecessarily) doubtful.
ReplyDeleteReading this is extremely encouraging to me, as I really haven't talked to anyone attending AVC right now. Plus your stories are great! They really cheer me up after a day of identifying tiny little insects under a microscope.
If I don't get in this year, I'm just going to keep up on trucking... I already have a master's supervisor in place at the AVC if it comes to that. (It's not really what I planned but I figure it's probably the next best step and I think I'll be able to come to terms with it).
What did you end up doing after you had graduated? Did you find a job in the biology field or have to upgrade courses? Did you always want to be a veterinarian?
I've pretty much always wanted to be a vet and I've planned on going to AVC since 11th grade. I think I needed to waver a bit last year to really decide its what I want to do. But it did slow me down a bit.
I'm 22 right now... so I might just be 24 by the time I actually get into the college.
(P.S. I am the person who commented above. I hadn't touched my profile in ages so I picked a name that better reflects me now... in case your wondering why it's different :3)
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ReplyDelete"What did you end up doing after you had graduated? Did you find a job in the biology field or have to upgrade courses? Did you always want to be a veterinarian?"
ReplyDeleteHeh. You're assuming I did the standard High School - Four Years path. I didn't. I really, really, didn't. So I didn't have any time off between my BSc and my DVM. The short version...
From about the 9th grade to high school graduation day, I was going into journalism. Science annoyed the hell out of me. I was a writer by nature with a keen interest in politics and world events. I did the bare minimum science and math my high school required. I graduated 2005 and went into the journalism program at the University of King's College.
After a year, I realized that yes, I loved writing, but no I was never going to get a job. So I left school for the 2006-2007 year to get my head straight. I'd been active in my riding club for several years and I realized I wanted to work with horses. Didn't want to teach lessons though. I saw an ad for a Vet Assistant program (1 year, 2007-2008) and did that. Found out I really loved the medicine, and really hated the assistant part. My vet was 100% confused as to why I wasn't just going to vet school. So after a lot of thought, I made the decision to do just that. I used Summer 2008 to upgrade my high school classes (needed Biology 12, Chemistry 12 and Physics 12) and enrolled at Dalhousie to do my BSc.
I first applied to AVC in September 2009 for 2010 entry. I got called for an interview, and rejected post-interview (weak point - extra curriculars and experience). I reapplied 2010 for 2011 entry. Got called for an interview again, and was waitlisted post-interview. A week later, someone deferred their seat, and I got a call asking me if I wanted the seat. I pulled out of all my Dal classes for 2011-2012 (I still needed an extra semester to officially finish up my 20 credit BSc). And here I am!
I actually don't have my BSc officially yet. I could have gotten my 15 credit in May 2011, or October 2011, but couldn't get my application to graduate in on time. So I'll officially graduate in May 2012. I'm using some vet school credits to upgrade my 15 credit to a 20 credit. So, my resume is going to look sort of wonky. BSc 2012, DVM 2015, LOL.
Cheers if you made it through all this! TLDR: No, I didn't always know. I fell into this by a series of lucky accidents and I couldn't be happier. I consider my road to vet school to be part working my ass off and part serendipity.
Hi!
ReplyDeleteI just wanted to say hello. I am also an AVC applicant. I have an honours degree and I am upgrading some of my lower marks on my application (chemistry kicked my butt!) I also follow this blog. It is always nice to meet another pre-vetter out there who is considering going to AVC.