Veterinary Medicine Student Speaks to Year 9

Megan White left Charters in 2019 and is currently in her third year at the Royal Veterinary College in London studying a degree in Veterinary Medicine.  This morning she spoke to our Year 9 students during assembly describing her route into Veterinary Medicine, which was not the one she had planned.

On Results Day, her A Level grades were not what she wanted and she didn’t receive any of the offers to study Veterinary Medicine at university that she had hoped for.  That is when she was told about gateway courses, something she had not known about previously.   The Veterinary Gateway course at the Royal Veterinary College is aimed at students who want to study Veterinary Medicine but who might not otherwise meet the entry requirements. The programme integrates an additional preparatory year designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills needed.  This course is open to UK students only, who come from a 'widening participation' background so you have to fulfil certain requirements. 

Megan's typical day at the Royal Veterinary College, will consist of practical work with animals – there are two calves on site – up to three lectures, and a group directed learning task per day.  Megan also has to perform dissections, which is something you have to get used to.  There is also the misconception that you will have no time for anything else if you are a veterinary student but although you do have to work hard, there is still time for other things like sport or meeting friends.   Every Wednesday afternoon, students are encouraged to take part in sport or grab some downtime, and Megan enjoys playing hockey with her team.

Megan knew that she wanted to be a vet from an early age, and after looking into the requirements, she took Triple Science at GCSE but she explained to the students that Double Science also allows access to Veterinary courses.  Biology and Chemistry at A Level are a must, but your third subject can be a non-science based subject and  Megan chose to study Psychology.  You have to gain lots of work experience - it is a requirement on most courses to have completed 140 hours, 70 hours in a veterinary surgery and 70 hours in a different environment but one that compliments the subject.  Megan worked in the Sunninghill Vets when in Year 11 and then did her supplementary hours at a farm, animal rehabilitation sanctuary, hydro therapy centre and wildlife retreat.

For a long while, Megan doubted her ability to study Veterinary Medicine and was toying with the shorter Veterinary Nursing course instead.  When she finally took a leap of faith and began Veterinary Medicine, she was glad she had been brave and believed in herself as studying a subject you are passionate about is so rewarding.

Megan was asked about starting salary, something she declared she had never thought about as money certainly wasn't her motivation. She warned students not to do this degree if they were in it for the money, they would be very disappointed!  It is the passion for your subject which drives you on.

Asked what her favourite animal was, Megan had no hesitation when replying, “Cows.  I love cows, especially Highland Cow, they are so adorable, particularly when babies.  They do this running around thing when they are excited!”

We would like to thank Megan for sharing her experiences and if students would like to find out more about Veterinary Medicine then the Unifrog platform is a good place to start.