Showing posts with label application. Show all posts
Showing posts with label application. Show all posts

Sunday, 8 November 2015

At Edinburgh Now

Hey so it's been ages. I kind of pattered out updating this and only remembered today when I got an idea to blog about the food and baking I'm doing at university.

As you may have understood from the title, I AM NOW STUDYING VETERINARY MEDICINE AT EDINBURGH WOO. I studied pretty hard and I met and exceeded my conditions quite comfortably in the end. Edinburgh was the best choice for my career. So now I'm a broke international student in this tiny (compared to Delhi, come on!) city.

I'm going to start a blog with my cooking. It's mostly for myself so I know where I got that recipe from and so I can make it again. May I do better on that one than I did on this.

Sunday, 8 February 2015

Edinburgh Offer!

I got an Edinburgh offer on the 29th of Jan! I was over the moon!!! Soooo exited! Offer is 85% overall and 85% each in Bio, Chem and Phy.

I know this is very much possible for me if I work hard. Plus, the higher I score, the more chances I have of getting a scholarship. I should stop worrying about the funding part I cant control and concentrate on the part that I can control.

100% HERE I COME!

Saturday, 24 January 2015

Waiting for Edinburgh...

So something happened when me and mom went for the Edinburgh interview. Mom fell in love with the place and she said I can make it my first choice if I want to. I'm concerned about the money and how we'll manage but it's absolutely thrilling to imagine I can get this amazing education with so much exposure and opportunities which will definitely be a shortcut to where I really want to be. Travelling around the world, treating all kinds of animals and helping in conservation and preserving our beautiful fauna.

If I get in, I think I'll definitely go with Edinburgh as my first choice and somehow, i'll fund my studies and make sure it's not too much of a burden on my family. I really really want this. It's something I could only dream about before and now it seems closer than ever.

The Edinburgh interview went okay I think and while they told us, we'll hear back at the end of February, I'm hoping the offers might come through earlier! I really really hope I get one and then I will know what I need to do in my 12th boards. I doubt Edinburgh will give me less than 90% so I will have to gear up and do well. My chemistry especially needs to be pulled up and physics also needs a lot more refining.

Glasgow hasn't sent anything to me after but my representative (on my school's behalf) seems to have gotten some form I need to fill. I haven't managed to talk to her properly yet.

Oh, I also got my Nottingham rejection (without interview) yesterday morning. I must say, everybody seems to be frustrated with them as a lot of people have interviews from all three of the rest of their applications and just a rejection from Notts. I guess Notts place a lot of weightage on the questionnaires they give out. Anyway, I probably wouldn't have chosen Nottingham either and honestly I'm not that upset about them. I was kinda expecting it from both Notts and Glasgow but Glasgow seems to be giving me an interview now!

God forbid I don't get an Edinburgh offer, I'm not sure if I'll put Bristol (or would have put Notts) above somewhere in India because they aren't AVMA recognised and that is quite an important thing than Edi and Glasgow are. I'll think about it when the time comes I guess.

Just please please please let me get an Edinburgh (hopefully low!) offer and let me do well in my boards! Omg just one month left for those!!!!!

Bye, I NEED TO FREAK OUT!

Wednesday, 14 January 2015

Glasgow... Interview?

The title is that way because in not exactly sure if it's an official invite or not. I got an email recently from Glasgow asking if I've taken any English Language tests (which I included in my application by the way) and a question about how I intend to fund my studies.

I replied to that with my scores and assured them I knew the fee and how I would fund myself and got back a reply the next day! The email said I would tentatively get an interview at the end of February and furthur details would be provided near that time!!!

I was completely prepared for a rejection from Glasgow since I had heard zilch since the awknowledgement but seems I'm still in the running!

I'm not getting my hopes too high for this though and not counting it as an interview invite YET since it didn't seem very official.

Only Notts left now! I know a lot of people have had Notts invites but I haven't heard of a single non EU international student with an invite yet! Also, a lot of rejections have been coming out this week and I haven't got one yet.

The old mantra, no news is good news still applies! :)

In other news, my Edinburgh interview is in 5 days!!! Flying out to Singapore to take part in the interview. Seems it's all MMI with no 1 on 1 interview. Hopefully should do well in those! Shouldn't be too nerve racking!

Here's to getting in with a low conditional offer everywhere!

Friday, 26 December 2014

Bristol Offer!

So I got a Bristol offer just three days after my interview!!!!! I was jumping and screaming!!! I couldn't post before this because preboards and then my birthday and Christmas. :P

Anyway, I'm sooo excited and so thankful for the Bristol offer. It's 85% in top four subjects and 85% in biology and chemistry!!!

I'm also going for an Edinburgh interview to Singapore on the 19th of January so wish me luck there! Eeeeehh, I really hope I get into Edinburgh too.

Thursday, 11 December 2014

Post Bristol Interview

So you want my advice do you?

I'd say these few things:
1) Be yourself.
2) Try to relax and not get nervous.
3) Be sure of everything you've written about in your personal statement.
4) Make sure you're able to speak for 1-2 minutes about each of your placements.

I think my interview didn't start as well as I hoped but ended on a much better note. Bristol have said I should hear back in about 2 weeks on UCAS one way or the other so I guess there isn't too much torture for that.

I've heard Nottingham has started sending out interviews now so fingers crossed I get one soon!

Short I know but just wanted to give an update. My pre-board practicals are going on in school so it's a busy time.

Oh, Indian people, there is this amazing site called mycbseguide.com. Amazing site and very helpful for previous year board papers.

Good luck to you and me!

Tuesday, 9 December 2014

Preparing for an Interview.

So I'm equally excited and nervous for my Bristol interview which is actually today! Since I did originally start this blog so that more people have an idea of what it's like to be a vet and go through the journey I think it's only fair for me to hi light some of the ways I'm preparing.

First of all and most important, I went through my personal statement so many times, I probably have it memorized. Any little thing mentioned there, I've done further research on and have at least a minute's worth to talk about.

I've searched veterinary interview questions and drafted some answers which I'm going to print and go over now. I have a basic list of answers for the tricky questions and I've thought about the ethical bits as well.

Bristol judges on the following (taken from their site):
  • Depth of knowledge gained from work experience: I've brushed up on common animal diseases, decided a few cases that I've observed which are interesting, read about the vaccination scedule for dogs and cats and generally thought about my placements and what I leant from them.
  • Informed about career / awareness of current topics: I've made sure I know all the careers one can get into after doing veterinary medicine, I've searched recent developments and have a few stories and articles that I've read, I've thought about the disadvantages of being a veterinarian and I've read up on things going on in science.
  • Enthusiasm, commitment and determination to study: I'm hoping this will shine through on its own but I have searched Bristol's site and jotted down some of their best facilities which I can talk.
  • Communication skills: I speak quite often in English at home so I'm not worried about that part, however I am a little concerned that I might not understand some terms in their accent and they could have a problem with mine but I'm sure I can work past that. 
  • Self-confidence / interpersonal skills: While I'm not the most self confident person, I've recently improved a lot and I'm doing some mock interviews with friends and fimily which I'll then record and listen to. My strategy is to sit straight, have my hands on my lap or on the table in from and look right into the screen all the time. 
Goodluck to everybody preparing and here's to hoping my interview goes well! 

Sunday, 2 November 2014

And nothing...

Posts almost everyday and then nothing. Ooh, kind of like my application to UK process. So much to do and now just waiting. It's crazy! I got all excited about the Bristol interview and submitting this and that and now this waiting is agony. More so because NOTHING happens over the weekend.



The Indian exam registrations are also opening up and I've already applied to Manipal for medical and I'm thinking of applying for biotechnology as well. Not that I'm thinking of doing human medicine at all but just as a practice for the aipvt. It'll be useful because I know I will study and revise 4-5 times this way before sitting for the pvt.

Honestly, I don't have much to say. I could just keep typing what I'm thinking like my best friend told me to I guess.



Parents don't really know how to help their children deal with the boards pressure in India do they? They say 'I know you can do it' or '96% se bhi kuch nahi hota' (you can't get anywhere even with a 96%) or even 'siraf X days bache hai beta' (only x days left) but what they don't seem to realize is rather than spurring us to study this just makes us feel the pressure even more. Personally, I've never had a day where my mother hasn't asked 'how much did you study today?'

It's my job mom, I know what I have to do. You don't need to remind me EVERYDAY that I have to study. Yeah I know what I'm doing is hard. Yes, you need amazing marks in India. Yes, I know it's competivtive. No, you reminding me again and again does not help. Yes, I know there are lacks of people giving the same exams I am. Yes, I know there are people who study 14 hours a day. Yes, I've seen how much the topper in my class studies. No, I haven't studied as much as they did.



Don't get me wrong, I know they're doing this for my good and I rarely (okay quite a bit) snap at my mother for asking the same things over and over but there has to be a point where they understand that they're not helping.

I really hope someday when I have kids I'll figure out a way to do things in a much better way. I know I'll never make my parent's mistakes. I love my parents of course but sometimes they're a bit too much. In India especially, children are expected to turn into robots for at least 6 months during their boards and get good grades as their output in the end.

I'm sorry I can't do that. I'm sorry I have to read books to keep sane. I'm sorry I can't stop going on 9gag. I'm sorry for wanting to watch a movie sometimes. I'm sorry for wanting to follow ONE series on TV. Most of all, I'm sorry for not being sorry at all.

Friday, 31 October 2014

Edinburgh WES Submitted

So last night I finished and submitted my Edinburgh WES. I hope the stuff I wrote in the additional comments is not irrelevant. It was also my mother's birthday yesterday so yay!



I'm currently sitting in my biology class and typing this. I'm pretty comfortable with biology, english and biotechnology but my physics and chemistry is weak. I really hope I can step up my marks because I really really want to get into Hisar. It would be a dream come true.



How about a little personal background?

So, I go to school and then an institution in the evening thrice a week. The institute helps me train for the entrance exams as well as helps me for my boards. In India, all competitive exams are crazy so special prep is definitely needed.

My best friend in the world is in school and is prepping for engineering.



I have some more close friends both in school and my institute. I'm close with both my parents but I'm more like my father in the way I think and behave. I have a younger brother who is pretty cool as far as younger brothers go. My two dogs are also an integral part of my family and I adore them. They're approaching 12 now and still quite healthy so I'm pretty happy.



The worst thing about my life is the crazy pressure the boards and entrance exams put on me. My worst fear is that I will not get into veterinary medicine anywhere and will have to do something else. My mom will probably never agree to me taking a gap year. People keep saying that college is bad but for somebody who is already used to working hard I don't think it'll be too bad.

Above all, I'm really really impatient to get the next leg of my life started even though I will really miss my school.

Wednesday, 29 October 2014

Bristol Interview!

So amazing news!!! I just got invited for a Bristol interview! This is amazing news, especially after my disappointing day yesterday. I'm SO EXCITED!!! It's the best feeling EVER.



Okay I should calm down though...

In this post I was supposed to tell you about where all I applied and I'm sure you gathered from the first few lines, the University of Bristol is one of them.

Let's start from my own country though.

India has two main ways you can get into a government veterinary college. I'm not even considering any private colleges because their degree will probably not be recognized. Anyway, one is through the AIPVT or All India Pre-Veterinary Test and the other is through your state's veterinary exam which you are eligible for only if you have a domicile for the state.



Basically I'm going to be applying for both and my top choices based on a lot of research are-
1) Lala Lajpat Rai University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Hisar
2) Bombay Veterinary College
3) Madras Veterinary College
4) College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Pantnagar
5) Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University
6) Rajasthan University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Bikaner

Then, as a second option I've applied to the United Kingdom but I would prefer to remain in India since it's closer, better for UG and doesn't put as much of a strain on the pocket.

However I've applied to the following Universities in UK-
1) University of Nottingham
2) University of Edinburgh
3) University of Bristol
4) University of Glasgow
and as a 5th choice (UCAS only allows 4 veterinary medicine choices)
5) Imperial College, London (Biology) 

While I would absolutely love to go abroad for undergrad, one year's fee there is more than all the living expenses I'd have to pay for my five years in India.



If I could get a full scholarship to UK I would go in a heartbeat but I'm not disappointed with being in India either.


It's pretty much a win-win situation if I get into any of these colleges by this time next year. I'll be on my way to my dream!


Hopefully more good news to come,
JoAT 

Tuesday, 28 October 2014

Why today?

Honestly, I had been delaying this first post simply because I couldn't think of any good way to start. Introductions and back stories sound so weird when I doubt anybody will be reading this anyway (except maybe the select few close friends I've told about this blog *waves at friends*). Anyway, for some strange reason I had a gut feeling to start today.



Maybe it's because my day's been pretty disappointing and I want to start something positive to keep my morale up. To tell you about my bad day though, I will have to go into some back story.

So, once upon a time there was a little girl. She loved animals as much as all little girls do, laughing and jumping with the doggies. Both her parents believed in being well rounded. She was signed up for swimming, skating , tennis, dance, instruments and all kinds of activities. Above all though, this little girl loved to read and she loved fantasy, fairytale and fiction. Her mother had started reading alphabet books to her even before she could speak. She begged for pets when she was six and her parents relented, getting two little dalmation puppies. She loved them with all her heart, played with them, walked them, taught them little tricks.



Yet, that was not when being a veterinarian clicked.

As she grew up more, so did her book choices. She went through the usual customary Enid Blyton phase but strangely, got stuck there. She was set in her schedule. She'd tried out practically all the sports and her favorites were swimming and tennis. She swam in the morning, played tennis thrice a week, went for dance class the other two days, played with her dogs in the grass, and read the same Enid Blyton books again and again.



She studied hard and was at the top of her class. She absolutely adored maths. She had been ranked second in her entire school in the subject. She had been made sports captain in fifth grade. She dreamed of being an architect. She would design homes and make beautiful structures and arches and measure it all with her amazing math skills.

Then senior school happened. It wasn't so bad, just a dip in her marks but it did bring about a huge change. She started disliking math. Drawing wasn't intersting, designing wasn't fun. She did finally moved past her Enid Blyton stage and took up other books. She started swimming competitively and her water polo improved.



It was also around this time that she discovered Animal Ark. Sure, it was quite late and she was a bit old for them but they were cute and she had missed the phase because of her obcession.  The moment she picked up the first book, there was no turning back. Mandy reached out, grabbed her hand and dragged her into the world of animals. Animals jumped, they pranced, they slithered, they glided, they were everywhere! Oh but they weren't always safe. James and Mandy helped the animals, they kept them safe. She wanted to do it too. Mandy wanted to be a vet and so did she. She wanted to help animals and she wowed she would never watch an animal suffer and not do something about it.



It was after this that she started noticing the strays around her. So many animals but she was still so young. She made do with sneaking out bits of roti, bread and milk. She started noting her own dogs more, she studied their behavior. If you tried turning off the television in the middle of Meercat Manor or any big cats show, she would turn into a big cat herself snd yowl your head off. This ambition gave her determination. She knew it was a hard career and she knew from all her research on the net that she would have to pick up her marks.



She did manage to get them up and got a perfect score in science in 10th grade. 11th came around and she struggled but preserved. 12th grade came and so did the pressure.

And here the girl is now, not so young any more, volunteering at an animal shelter and interning at a veterinary clinic. She feels the pressure, she knows what she has to do. She knows how hard she has to work. She just needs to keep her motivation.



My bad day? Oh yeah.

So I mentioned I swam and played water polo competitively right? In 12th grade we have captains and vice captians of our team and I found out today that I'm being made vice captian of Waterpolo even though I play better than the girl who's going to be made captian. It's not completely unfair though, she has been to more nationals than me but that's the work of circumstance rather than skill.



Then, right after that, I found out we (my friends and I) lost this research project award we had taken part in. Two months of hard work went into that project and yet we lost. It was quite disappointing.

I suppose there are better notes to start a blog on but I like to be well balanced in my day's emotions and this does help me accept my disappointments quite a bit.

My next post will have details about all the places I've applied to/ will apply to and my order of choices and why.



Hopefully, I'll start typing the next post in a better mood than I started this one on.

Later,
JoAT