Applying to Australian/New Zealand Vet Schools

[windmilling]

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Hello,

I am an international student from the US currently applying to Melbourne, Murdoch, Sydney, and Massey. I had some application process questions and I was wondering if someone could kindly answer them for me.

1. Applying as an international student from the US with a bachelors degree, I am applying to their undergraduate program for veterinary medicine? I always get confused with this. Apparently, some schools offer a 4 year DVM program, but from what I have read online, they haven't opened that program yet.

2. I would like to send my letters of recommendations to each school. I know Massey requires the VMCAS application, so I send my letters electronically, but I am not sure how to send my letters to the other schools. Do I mail them to the school or do they require electronic letters as well.

3. I would also like to send my GRE scores as well. Do they have codes as well? How should I go about sending those.

Thanks you for your responses. I have sent emails to the schools, but have yet to receive responses. Hopefully I will receive responses soon, but till then I would like some insight on how other applicants applied to these international schools.

Thanks 🙂

 

[OtakuVet]

I'm applying to Australian schools as well. But Im applying through a company called Australearn.They send all your application stuff electronically and it doesn't cost you any money at all. The only schools Im applying for is Murdoch and Melbourne so I can only really give you out my pointers on those.
Massey is the only school who looks at the GRE. All the rest do not. Ive had some students tell me it might have helped but Ive also had the student cordinator say that most of the time if they dont want it they dont look at it.
Melbourne doesnt require letters of reccomendation. ANd the newest batch for the 4 year program I believe is going to be starting sometime late this year or next year.
They are accepting applicants for the final class of the five year program which I have opted for in the first place. There DVM model is pretty similiar to that of the US model if that is what you are looking for.
And as weird as they sound even the schools that dont want the GRE have Institution codes.
Murdoch:3325
Massey: 3194
Melbourne:0974
Sydney:0867

And if you are fuzzy on the numbers here it the website for the pdf that I found it on. Of course its ETS.
Scroll to page 20
http://www.ets.org/Media/Tests/GRE/pdf/gre_0910_tclist.pdf

My suggestion since both Murdoch and Melbourne's applications are due near the end of this month I would use australearn. But if you want to send it via snail mail. >>; Well by all means.

 

[airrick16]

Ah thats too bad that Melbourne doesnt look at GREs, I was banking on that because my GPA is on the low side.

I was also wondering about LOR too, because I noticed the application doesnt say anything about them. You're obviously going to send some anyway...right?

 

[OtakuVet]

My gpa is also on the low side. Im applying to them because of my experience and things Ive contributed to the field. Also Im sending two LORs from vets Ive worked with for 2+ years. So I'd suggest vets. Also make sure you did well in those pre-reqs. Most of the schools dont require Orgo or really high level Biology courses. But mainly your core sciences should be on par is what I've heard.

 

[windmilling]

wow thanks otakuvet! I really appreciate your response.

I am actually applying for next year Feb because I want to hear back from the US schools before deciding anything.

And I will definitely look into australearn. I called them once to ask some questions, but I didn't know you could apply through them.

Thanks again 🙂

 

[TrillyTina]

Actually I'm not sure if it's a recent update, but the University of Sydney had required the GRE scores (they held my application till ETS delivered)! While there's no personal statement, there was a supplemental packet that they wanted applicants to fill out, the agents should've sent you a brochure and there should be a link in it. Anywho good luck! I found the website of the universities a little more tricky to navigate, but it could be just me. Also... the international office is a hit or miss with answering questions. Maybe it's just me again, but I've gotten quite a few irrelevant answers or redirections to quotes somewhere from the site!! 😡

For the Australian universities, I think it does state to provide at least 2 letters of recommendation! However only Murdoch University required an upload (if filling it out electronically) of your personal statement. I think it was like 500 words maximum, I forget.

Both University of Melbourne and Sydney require a $100 AUD application fee, but at the time an international representative at Murdoch University informed me they didn't have an application fee.

Good luck with applications!!!

Does anyone know anything about the maximum loan annual amount for the STAFFORDS? I know it's like $40,500 for medical degrees, but do international get jiped at $20,500? Thanks! 😉

 

[theunraveler]

No one applying for UQ?

 

[OtakuVet]

Can you still apply for UQ, Im deeply interested but the whole not accredited factor is really getting to me. Tell me more about this interesting school! And whether I can still apply or not.

 

[theunraveler]

Can you still apply for UQ, Im deeply interested but the whole not accredited factor is really getting to me. Tell me more about this interesting school! And whether I can still apply or not.

Just give it a shot...

UQ vet school receives about a thousand applications every year for its intake, only about 100 is chosen

It has produced a Nobel prize winner.

The vet school is moving to Gatton campus next year

AVMA officials are slated to come next year and begin the accreditation process.

You can still practice in America even though its not accredited with AVMA, just need to take more tests and exams or so I hear

Class size is small about 100 students and many will drop out.

Vet school is small so you know all your lecturers, and they will know you.

Close tight knit community

 

[flyhi]

Just give it a shot...

UQ vet school receives about a thousand applications every year for its intake, only about 100 is chosen

It has produced a Nobel prize winner.

The vet school is moving to Gatton campus next year

AVMA officials are slated to come next year and begin the accreditation process.

You can still practice in America even though its not accredited with AVMA, just need to take more tests and exams or so I hear

Class size is small about 100 students and many will drop out.

Vet school is small so you know all your lecturers, and they will know you.

Close tight knit community

why will many drop out? that can't be a good thing, can it?

 

[pulseczar]

well, UQ only looks at grades, and applicants are ranked based solely on high school or previous uni grades. I presume some of the eventual drop outs are students with excellent grades who didn't get into, say, med school, and vet school was an alternative, but they never really had the passion nor commitment to veterinary medicine.

i'm sure many out there feel that UQ needs to consider vet-related applicant experience like the other Aussie vet schools, but I'm not complaining because I've applied to UQ for 2010. I've worked my butt off to get the grades at uni, but that also meant I haven't clocked the usual thousands of hours of vet-related experience, so UQ, for me, is the quickest route into vet school.

 

[svendenhowser]

Everyone I know thats dropped out has gone for something different (a few went into Law) and/or couldn't handle the animal work (mostly dead animal work..). Theres also been a few that have deferred because they couldn't handle the workload so have dropped down to 1 or 2 subjects a semester (out of 4). You can't do the course part-time, but once your in they are fairly lenient. I don't know anyone who actually wanted to do human medicine but theres quite a few that have come from careers in human related health fields into vet because they hated working with people! Although in vet we sure get our fair share 😛

People that are entering UQ now should have AVMA accreditation before they graduate, but of course thats never guaranteed. The facilities at Gatton will be world class and it is pretty much the only reason holding it back at the moment (facilities at St Lucia are ****e). The only problem is that accreditation isn't an instant process and takes many years to complete.

 

[theunraveler]

well, UQ only looks at grades, and applicants are ranked based solely on high school or previous uni grades. I presume some of the eventual drop outs are students with excellent grades who didn't get into, say, med school, and vet school was an alternative, but they never really had the passion nor commitment to veterinary medicine.

i'm sure many out there feel that UQ needs to consider vet-related applicant experience like the other Aussie vet schools, but I'm not complaining because I've applied to UQ for 2010. I've worked my butt off to get the grades at uni, but that also meant I haven't clocked the usual thousands of hours of vet-related experience, so UQ, for me, is the quickest route into vet school.

AFAIK, the other vet schools in Australia are grade based except Murdoch which requires you to write a personal statement.

Many drop out for alot of different reasons, some find it too hard, some have no passion, others realise vet medicine is not all sunshine and roses, some find the course too long (5 years).......

 

[theunraveler]

Everyone I know thats dropped out has gone for something different (a few went into Law) and/or couldn't handle the animal work (mostly dead animal work..). Theres also been a few that have deferred because they couldn't handle the workload so have dropped down to 1 or 2 subjects a semester (out of 4). You can't do the course part-time, but once your in they are fairly lenient. I don't know anyone who actually wanted to do human medicine but theres quite a few that have come from careers in human related health fields into vet because they hated working with people! Although in vet we sure get our fair share 😛

People that are entering UQ now should have AVMA accreditation before they graduate, but of course thats never guaranteed. The facilities at Gatton will be world class and it is pretty much the only reason holding it back at the moment (facilities at St Lucia are ****e). The only problem is that accreditation isn't an instant process and takes many years to complete.

Even though St Lucia has pretty **** facilities, I'd take it any day over Gatton. Gatton is so far from civilization. I want my Indooroopilly shopping centre and Cold Rocks ice cream and convenience... 😛

I was told the accreditation will take about 4 years, if all goes well the first year batch next year will be amongst the first to get AVMA accreditation

 

[pulseczar]

Even though St Lucia has pretty **** facilities, I'd take it any day over Gatton. Gatton is so far from civilization. I want my Indooroopilly shopping centre and Cold Rocks ice cream and convenience... 😛

I was told the accreditation will take about 4 years, if all goes well the first year batch next year will be amongst the first to get AVMA accreditation

I wouldn't consider a 1hour+ drive 'far from civilisation'😉
I've visited Gatton once, and it's not a metropolis by any measure, but not quite as bad as I'd imagined! having said that, I don't think my weekends will be spent in Gatton if I get into UQ.

 

[svendenhowser]

I wouldn't consider a 1hour+ drive 'far from civilisation'😉
I've visited Gatton once, and it's not a metropolis by any measure, but not quite as bad as I'd imagined! having said that, I don't think my weekends will be spent in Gatton if I get into UQ.

No, I'm excited about the move! I even live on the northside of Brisbane so my commute is extra long and I'm not moving! Hopefully I can just pitch my tent somewhere for the weekdays...

 

[pulseczar]

No, I'm excited about the move! I even live on the northside of Brisbane so my commute is extra long and I'm not moving! Hopefully I can just pitch my tent somewhere for the weekdays...

I live in Logan, and I've thought about driving daily to/from Gatton, but one of my biggest fears is microsleeping at the wheel...that could happen driving home after a long, tiring day at uni...
so I'm leaning towards staying on campus, but then I'm 25, not sure if I'd want to live a crazy student dorm life again; probably get thought of as a boring old bloke by the other residents!

on a different note, are there many mature students in the program?

 

[theunraveler]

I live in Logan, and I've thought about driving daily to/from Gatton, but one of my biggest fears is microsleeping at the wheel...that could happen driving home after a long, tiring day at uni...
so I'm leaning towards staying on campus, but then I'm 25, not sure if I'd want to live a crazy student dorm life again; probably get thought of as a boring old bloke by the other residents!

on a different note, are there many mature students in the program?

Plenty of mature students. They usually have a family and kids.

 

[Rubia2029]

I'm interested in applying to vet schools abroad, but was worried about the costs. Is it more costly for US citizens to go abroad? Are there any scholarships or financial aid opportunities? Thanks for any advice!