Malaysia Veterinary Forum (Archive)

riccaval · Joined: 18 Jan 2006 Posts: 22 Location: Selangor

Hi,

My daughter has always been interested in becoming a Vet. She applied for it at UPM but was not accepted as she did not take STPM or 'A'Levels.
She took SAM instead.

Instead she got into a Pharmacy programme and graduated last year. She is at present serving her time at a Govt hospital in Tawau Sabah :oops:

I gather she is not very happy with what she is doing and still talking of what if???

Now my question is .......is there a way she can get into Vet school now (eg UPM)? Will she get any credits from her Pharmacy degree or will she have to start from scratch?.
Is there anyway she can achieve her dream? She is still young as she did her Pharmacy degree in 3.5 yrs + 1 yr of SAM.

Any ideas Drs......Thanks

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

I think there was 1 or 2 students I met that took SAM and manage to get into vet school. Anyway, you should contact the vet school in UPM directly if you're really interested. They'll tell you the ways to get in. www.vet.upm.edu.my

Dr. TanDY · Posted: Thu Jan 19, 2006 5:13 pm Post subject:

She can try to apply for a vet degree but she has to understand that DVM is a 5 years course. The curriculum structure of DVM is also very different from a pharmacy degree. Therefore personally I do not think she can get a lot of credit transfer or exemption.

Otherwise I would suggest she continue her master in veterinary pharmacology, which probably takes 2-3 years. Although she still can't be a vet after her master degree, at least she will be dealing more with animals rather than human cases.

A pharmacist with a great understanding of the animal drug industry is also a very valuable asset for many veterinary pharmaceutical companies. Perhaps she can try to approach some pharmaceutical companies that deal with veterinary drugs?

riccaval · Joined: 18 Jan 2006 Posts: 22 Location: Selangor

Thanks Dr......appreciate your feedback

Dr. TanDY · Posted: Fri Jan 20, 2006 12:15 pm Post subject:

You are most welcome. You can also invite your daughter to join us here to chit-chat :-P

riccaval · Joined: 18 Jan 2006 Posts: 22 Location: Selangor

yes, I have informed her about this new forum. thks

Dr Kwok · Joined: 05 Jan 2006 Posts: 131 Location: Selangor

i think she will have to start from scratch.. pharmacy is really different
actually ppl who love to help animals can do volunteering work in SPCA, PAWs or in zoos or join animal welfare society... keeps dogs and cats, there are many ways to fulfill your dreams, if its not your career it can be your interest. UNless she is soooo unhappy being a pharmacist.. well even some ppl study vets become experts in human drugs . Just sharing some ideas here

wallabby · Joined: 26 Dec 2006 Posts: 33

Dear anyone,
I've just finished my SPM and I've worked nearly my entire life to become a vet. Although ive done alot of research, i doubt ive done enough coz im still blurry about things.
I know that the only place i can study Veterinary Medicine in Malaysia is in UPM. Is there a way that i can study it without going to form 6? Can i take A levels in a private college and still do the DVM course?
What are the steps that i have to take to get into the DVM course in UPM? Ive gone through their website but the information there is quite confusing.
Also, can anyone help me convince my parents who are dead against me doing veterinary medicine because they think that the job prospects for it are low? How do vets get hired? Do they go through the newspapers like most ppl do? I do hope someone can answer me. Thanks.

Dr Dunker · Joined: 02 Jun 2006 Posts: 466 Location: Puchong,Selangor

wallabby,

LIke u i too work all my life to b a vet and loved every moment of it (still do). I have known a few friend which enter vet school in UPM via A levels. perhaps thats what u should consider. I entered via matriculation.
I think only u can convince your parents that u want to be a vet no one else or have the right to do so. I was a head strong mavrick since i was a kid, so my parents sort of geuss it was useless preventing me form doing what i want. I turned down a full scholarship by shell to england and an offer to med school in unimas, sarawak BEFORE i even got a letter to enter vet school. (parents was not so happy that id rejected the offers unilateraly). That was how badly i wanted to b a vet. I went to having offers on the table to 'do or die mission'. (some say that i got the ofers coz of my race...could be true). SO the question is, are u willing to not just work hard but to giv up everything to do what u love? Talk to your local vet and find out if thats the life u want. U will never get rich being a vet.
I got my job (currently in my second job) based on word of mouth. Vet comunity is small so it is fairly easy to get news. The industry is growing. so long as ppl keep pets and eat animal products there will be vets. I have friends working as small animal vets (cats, dog etc), large animal vets (cows, pigs and horses) and also avian vets(chickens mostly). i got buddies working on feed formulations for these animals and friends working as medication/vacc suppliers for these animals....yep lots of jobs out there.
check out this segment if u havent:
http://vet.com.my/viewforum.php?f=10

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

I actually got into vet school in UPM through A Levels. My results, I'd say.. I got OK only. To get into vet school overseas with my results would be quite difficult, though not impossible (at least I'd like to think so). If you want to apply for the vet course in UPM, remember that people who did A Levels have to apply under the category of "Kes Khas". And the deadline for application is way way earlier than those who did STPM.

I believe it is actually easier to score good grades in A Levels compared to STPM. However, I also think that it is actually easier to get into a local uni with STPM. There are a few people who did A Levels, but did not get the vet course directly. They did a semester or 2 of other courses first, and then transferred into the vet course later on.

Whatever you decide, you may have to work harder than others to get into the vet course. You may even have to sacrifice a year or two to get in. So, decide properly on what you want and what you're willing to go through to get it. And I agree with Dr Dunker, there will always be vacancy for vets as long as people eat meat. Don't worry too much about job vacancies. But its a job that is difficult to get rich in. If you want to get filthy rich, then go for another job. If you're thinking of all the glamour, go for another job.

Dr csh · Joined: 21 Jan 2006 Posts: 427

Dear Wallabby,

Since you still have some time before you actually apply for University entrance, why not make a trip and visit the vet school in UPM perhaps even volunteer (if you have time). It will give you a much better idea of what the vet school is like and also show them you are serious about your ambitions. It would probably give you a good start when you are in vet school having some animal background.

Dr Chong · Joined: 12 Dec 2005 Posts: 666 Location: KL

Good idea.

wallabby · Joined: 26 Dec 2006 Posts: 33

Thanks Docs for the replies.
Sadly, visiting the UPM campus is a little tough for me as it is quite far. But I have been trying to contact the Deputy Dean to speak to him directly, (and his secretary..or whoever answers the phone, is so completely brainless, sorry to say, but its the truth, that i pull my hair out everytime i speak to her) but he's been quite busy, so i'm just going to keep trying.
I've been working at a vet clinic near my area for a week now. Its tiring, but I'm having quite a bit of fun. It definitely has opened my eyes a bit more. Its hard work, but i have so much fun so its okay.
Convincing my parents are the biggest hurdle right now. Anyone can write me a full written testimonial on being a vet so i can print it out for my dad in black and white? : P

andrea_mtmt · Joined: 30 Jan 2007 Posts: 1

Meredith · Joined: 19 May 2007 Posts: 5

hi everyone, currently i am a vet student, spm leaver might can apply 2 study vet diploma in upm, i have few course mates previously from diploma, diploma need to study for 3 years, then you can further your degree for 5 years, there is some exception, some students who studied in upm but other course, they studied after a year, with very gd result changed to vet course, so gd luck to you all =)