So, how did I make a decision of being a vet?
One main thing is that I love surgery and I love animal.
This gives you an equation of Animal + Surgery = Vet, this may looks like an easy equation but the story behind is pretty complicated.
Getting into vet is never easy. Lots of determination, motivation and hard work is needed just for the application process. As for University of Adelaide, we are required to list down all our working experience that we had with animals with evidence provided. Besides that, we also need to prepare a 400 words personal statement regarding the reason behind why do we choose to pursue a carrier in veterinary science. I will post a copy of my essay later in this post to give everyone an idea of how I made it through the application process.
Other than preparing all the paperwork, we also need to attend an interview session after they selected the applicant. I am lucky enough to be selected as one of the few international student which applied for vet. The interview can be carried out either using Skype or FaceTime, which is pretty new and cool! The interview is nerve-wrecking but I made it through by talking to the interviewer in a very polite and knowledgeable attitude. For me, the most important thing for the interview is that you need to make sure that you understand the course and be very honest about what you want. We need to show them how much we want vet as our first choice.
The question that you can expect from the interviewer are listed as below:
Q: Why do you want to be a vet?
A: I want to be a vet simply because I love animal and I want to try my best to integrate better health condition for the animals. When I become a vet, I will able to help all the animals. Animals are living being which are unable to express their thought, fear and expression like human. Therefore, it is very important that vets are able to understand different animals in order to help them in different ways. I also hope that by being a vet, I could at least educate and inform the public that owning a pet is a lifetime commitment. They shall always be responsible for their pet even if their financial status is poor.'
Q: There are so many universities in Australia, why do you choose Adelaide Uni vet?
A: I choose Adelaide Uni vet is because that I love Adelaide! Adelaide is a really great place to study. I have been to many states in Australia and I think Adelaide is one of my favourite place. There are things to do in the city but there are less distraction compared to like in Melbourne or Sydney. Adelaide Uni is also one of the most prestigious university in Australia that offers Vet Science as an undergraduate course. I will consider myself as a lucky boy if I successfully obtain a place in Adelaide Uni. Another reason for me to consider Adelaide Uni is because that I had been studying in the city for a year. So, I'm pretty familiar with everything around Adelaide City.
Q: In your personal statement, you mentioned that you have a special interest in snakes. Can you tell me more about why do you like snakes and what different snakes that you like.
A: Yes, I love snakes. They are very interesting animal. Many people will think that snakes are scary animals but for me, I think that they are just beautiful creature. Since young, I love watching Steve Irwin on The Crocodile Hunter. It's a bit weird saying this but as a young boy, the only show that I enjoyed watching is The Crocodile Hunter, especially when Steve Irwin is handling snakes. It always amazes me on how he could handle the snakes so easily without them biting him. I know quite a few snakes species like the Black Mamba, Anaconda, different types of python, Cobra and King Cobra and so on. The list goes on and on. But anatomically wise, my knowledge about them are pretty limited.
Q: When you are working as a team and you have a irresponsible supervisor which asked you to do something using the inappropriate way. How will you approach the problem?
A: Working as a team, the most important thing is to be able to listen to others and cooperate with them. Different people have different attitude and viewpoints. We should always try to understand and communicate with them when we are unsure. If I am working as a team and I encounter an annoying supervisor, I will first make sure that I will communicate with my colleague before I ask the supervisor. For example, we might be preparing for a project and the supervisor wants the team to do thing in the inappropriate way. I will consult somebody else from the team to ask for their opinion and if the majority of the team thing that there is a better way to do the project, we will tell the supervisor our opinion and idea. But since that person is the supervisor, the person is still the boss. We need to follow the orders given. If anything goes wrong, the supervisor need to explain and take the responsibility.
My interview ran for approximately 30 minutes.
After all these complicated and nerve-wrecking application process comes the most torturing time - the waiting period. If I'm not wrong, the interview session is carried out during mid November and the offer letter will only be released by the University in mid/end of January. This waiting period is the most annoying part of the application process but you will definitely be over the moon if you found out that you got into Vet after the long wait.
Here is a copy of my first page of offer letter:
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| University of Adelaide - Offer Letter |
I think that's all I can share for my application process. Hope you guys enjoy the read and let me know if anyone has any recommendation for my blog. Feel free to ask me questions!
*Here is a copy of my 400 words essay mentioned above.
Animals have
always been a part of my life. As a young boy, I would cuddle on the couch with
my beloved grandfather and together, happily watch Animal Planet. It took a
very long time for me to settle upon the decision that I really wanted to do Veterinary
Science; to follow my passion in life instead of being dissatisfied, stuck in a
profession that my parents would rather me do.
Personally, I have
not been involved in any professional career related to veterinary science as
the study load in Malaysia was reasonably heavy. We did not have many
opportunities as our school did not have work experience in our curriculum.
Nevertheless, my passion towards animals never faded – I joined the Science
Society when I was in Year 7 (2009) and got the chance to dissect small animals
such as frogs, chickens and rabbits. It was an unforgettable experience. My
enthusiasm towards it helped me to become the Secretary of the Science Society
for the year. In Year 10, I decided to pursue my studies in the science field,
as it not only opens up my career pathway but it also allows me to learn the
in-depth features of animals and other living organisms, especially in Biology.
When I arrived in
Adelaide to further my studies in 2014, I was introduced to the Adelaide Zoo. I
fell in love with it, and excitedly used the Zoo’s membership which I had
bought in Melbourne while on holiday. This enables me to visit anytime I want
to. Whenever I have time on weekends, I take pleasure in visiting the zoo with
its diversity of animals. Going to zoo simply brings me joy. I like all kinds
of animals, but reptile seem to interest me the most.
Besides indulging
myself in the world of Science, I joined the Guitar Club in 2010, Arts Club in
2011 and 2012 and Cookery Club in 2013. I was the Vice Chairman for the Arts
Club in the year 2012 and the Chairman for Cookery Club in 2013. Cooking has
always been a hobby of mine. I am also active in taekwondo, and am currently a
black belt 2nd Dan. I learned taekwondo for more than 8 years, representing
my team in various state taekwondo competitions. Another hobby is photography;
I love taking scenic photos and animal photos.
Thank you for
considering my application.
