Malaysia Veterinary Forum (Archive)

Asterix · Joined: 16 Jun 2007 Posts: 36 Location: Kuala Lumpur

Asterix wrote: Yo everyone...finally through rayuan, I managed to dapat offer
Diploma Perhutanan kat UPM. But currently I'm doing my Alevels
in TAR college, Setapak. Vet is my dream job and I know if I do
very well in forestry, I can apply for internal transfer. Alevels pula
very challenging but if I pass with good grades, I can do the same
course in foreign countries. My parents said they're happy with whatever
decision I make. I wanna ask you guys whether its better to enter UPM
or continue with Alevels....if you guys dont mind..can you guys make a fair
comparison between the options? Thank you.

G'day everyone. Ok, above quote was my last post 4 months ago. Now I've finished my first sem in UPM, Bintulu(Diploma Perhutanan). I managed to get 3.781(I think its okok) and 3 days ago I went to have a talk with the Dean regarding internal course exchange. To my surprise, the fella(no more respect) said " Awak ni dahlah second batch, mana awak boleh pertimbangkan pertukaran course." He continued " Awak tahu tak budak DKHP semua pandai2, dan pertukaran course adalah based on SPM result bukan pointer awak kat university."

I was shocked because when I got the offer, I called them and they said I can change course if I do well in my examinations. The first day in uni also I went to meet Timbalan Dekan Hal Ehwal Pelajar and she confirmed with me if I do well, I can change course. Now, they're manipulating the whole story. So guys, I just wanna ask you all....is the Dean lying to prevent me to change to change course? I already hate this place so much and now if I cant change course, better I quit and do something else. Please guys, I need advice and confirmation. Thank you. :cry:

varanus · Joined: 12 Feb 2006 Posts: 469

Not to make you feel bad, doing well means 4.000. The Vet dean is right. There are many dkhp student that are shooting on the bulls eye and not all of them can enter. Why should they give it to other fac while they have so many top scorer in dkhp? That's why, we always insist to do STPM if you want to go through proper channel. It's true that there are people upgraded from DKHP, also from other courses, but normally they are the among the cream of their courses. We never advice people to try Alevel, diploma... Got to be realistic, choose the one most people used to enter DVM-->STPM. It is hard but the proper channel. Some might said STPM is wasting time but I'm chinese, I feel that's the only way I can enter DVM, so I took STPM.

Dr HanMRCVS · Joined: 07 Jun 2006 Posts: 557 Location: Johor Bahru

i think you have to be nice to your dean as you may need his help and maybe a recommendation from him to aid you.

actually, last time i wasnt offered vet science as well. they put me into biomedical science which i did not like. so what i did was i ask the dean of the biomedical science to let me go (which he gladly did) and then i asked the dean of vet faculty to let me in (which they gladly say yes). but naturally, i was in the deans' good books already. (i was curteous)

but that was a good 10 years ago, and i am not sure if they have changed policies in regards of student intake (the faculty may not have any influence to determine anymore).

varanus · Joined: 12 Feb 2006 Posts: 469

I think my year ot Dr Nat's year is the last year officially DKHP can officially be upgraded to DVM. Dr Han's year is probably the last year to do internal transfer. After that all not allowed. A lot of people in my year has ambition or forced by family to become medical doctor. So they enter vet first hoping to be transfered. Most not successful. Some choose to do medical oversea (Taiwan, India and Pakistan), some remain in the course and fell in love with DVM. It was a dumping ground back then. That's what made me pissed off. They can easily let those people who wants DVM so badly to enter but they grab the seat without wanting to be one. Those who are really love to be vet has no chance to be vet.

Same thing for other course as well. If you think it is fare for other candidate if you just dump forestry and enter DVM. No doubt it is your dream, how about other people's dream. How can you build your dream on top of other people's nightmare.

Sorry for my harsh word as I'm very emotional now.

Dr Nat · Joined: 07 Dec 2005 Posts: 1834 Location: Klang Valley

Somehow I dont think the policies have changed much. Although they keep on saying that they dont upgrade DKHP to degree anymore, but I still see dip students in vet courses. They've only just made it very very difficult to do so.

You'd think that Dr Han's year is the last year for internal transfer, but if I'm not mistaken, there's still a couple of students who manage to transfer after that year. Like I said, they've just made it tougher.

DVM is a course that is getting more popular. That is why they are getting more choosy and fussy about who can enter the course. I'm not sure if the faculty has any influence in determining the intake, but it helps a lot to get into their good book (as Dr Han said). Be very curteous, be very determined, be very persistant. Otherwise, I wouldn't say that you've tried your best.

Asterix · Joined: 16 Jun 2007 Posts: 36 Location: Kuala Lumpur

Holla guys. I met my Forest Botany lecturer yesterday to have a talk about my problem since I'm quite close with her. After a long conversation, I decided to stick with Forestry til I finish my dip. When I'm gonna continue my degree, I think I'll take up Wildlife Management. Just realized there's alot of ways to help animals beside being a vet. According to my Timbalan Dekan(I met her too), I can get into zoo, PERHILITAN or WWF. As long I can work with animals, I'm super duper happy.

Maybe I was abit inconsiderate in my previous post and I'm very sorry about it. I just arrived in my campus last week and I'm feelin abit homesick and frustrated. Should have continued my A-Levels. Hmmm guys...any thoughts what Wildlife Management about? Thank you.

Asterix · Joined: 16 Jun 2007 Posts: 36 Location: Kuala Lumpur

Guess I didn't know much about Wildlife Management...they dont offer bachelor in WM in Malaysia. Anyway thanks for all the advises people.

Choy · Joined: 10 Sep 2006 Posts: 27 Location: Athens, Georgia

There are still internal transfer in UPM. I don't believe it's impossible but it can be difficult. A living example is the current DVM 1, one of the student was transferred from the Environmental Science Faculty (although he did really well and scored 4.0 for both semesters), but i don't see a reason for you not to try. But just get ready for the disappointment if it doesn't work well. If you don't get it this year, how about the next year. If time is not a factor for you and the passion for being a vet is still with you, why not? I've a coursemate who tried 3 times before getting in the program (but that does made him the oldest in the class).

Asterix · Joined: 16 Jun 2007 Posts: 36 Location: Kuala Lumpur

Hmmm, seriously I have no idea dude. Cant demand much since my SPM result also okok only. Just gonna do my best in Forestry then mayb I'll apply vet I think since my head of department told me there's chance if I manage to get 4.0 til my last sem. I think my main choices will be Biology Conservation, Vet, Forestry Science, Enviromental Management or Biology. Time is the killin factor in my case.....I'm the eldest in my family and by the time I finish DVM(if I manage to get in), my father will be 63. So wasting another 1 to 2 years to get into DVM is not a wise move for me. But I'll still try my luck in vet after my dip(who knows what gonna happen). Anywayz dude. thanks for the hope-givin advice. Anyone have any infos@comments on the courses above? Thanks and have a great day.

* sorry for the late reply dude..exam week+assignments combo

Dr Nat · Joined: 07 Dec 2005 Posts: 1834 Location: Klang Valley

Just one advice. Think carefully about the course that you choose. Although it may sound nice now, or sounds interesting, but there may be very limited career choice once you've graduated. If you pick a course that is only 3 years, but in the end cannot get a related job, then its no better than "wasting" another 1-2 yrs for DVM course.

Asterix · Joined: 16 Jun 2007 Posts: 36 Location: Kuala Lumpur

True. Haiz..super duper blur. I think I'll just do my best for now and see how things goes later on. Kinda attracted to all the courses with glamor names...dont know why. Spendin another 1-2 years in Bintulu gonna be hell. Anywayz thanks for the advice, Dr Nat. Really appreciate it. Have a nice day.