My personal statement covered far more than academic merit, I included things I found interesting in the variety of placements, my involvement in extracurricular activities at college and school, hobbies, part time jobs and awards that I had gained.
I got an interview for both courses and found that the BTEC had set me up really well for the new style, multi mini interviews, with a variety of stations relating to topics we covered regularly at college, such as animal welfare.
I chose a pre-vet course instead of a graduate route, mainly because I didn’t want to pay the postgraduate tuition fees myself! I only applied to two courses as I had studied the application packs and they where the only ones I met the requirements for.
I applied to two pre-vet courses at two different universities and got an offer from both. (The different vet schools have different requirements for entry, you don't have to have done a BETC to get in this way, having done a BETC also doesn't limit you to this route of entry)
For the course that I chose most modules were taught with first year veterinary students or bioveterinary students, meaning we were well set up for first year. Coming from a BTEC, I did really struggle as I felt the pressure of having to prove myself throughout the year and I also hadn’t done exams in two years. Although I had a fun year, I put myself through a lot of unnecessary stress and stopped getting involved in university sports and socials due to the workload. I did pass the year and was then able to start my 5 year degree. However, I then said to myself if I couldn’t pass the course without getting so stressed, I would stop and change my career path.
In my first year I got stuck into sports teams and the social life and passed with higher grades. Now in third year, I am managing a veterinary degree, with presidency in a university sports club and a part time job and am very happy with the workload.
My biggest bit of advice about getting into vet school, is do your research and reading the admissions policies yourself. While at vet school, my advice would be to do a lot of the things you love outside of veterinary as well. Its so important to have time off and participate in other things.