Will my GCSEs hold me back? Hi I would like to be a vet I am 16 and have just started my AS levels. I go to an academic selective girls school compared to my peers in my GCSES I did not do very well at all I got all As and Bs this was partly the result of not being that well organised, leaving everything till the last minute and also being fairly shy in class so being reluctant to ask for help if I was stuck. After we did our GCSEs we had a couple of weeks to do some work experience I went to 2 different vets, I thoroughly enjoyed my time at the vets from just being with animals throughout the day to TB testing on a huge dairy farm which was very interesting and enjoyable especially chatting to the farmers wife. Since then I have been to the donkey sanctuary for 2 weeks just to gain hands on work experience which was great fun and I now go to the RSPCA every Saturday to help clean cages walk dogs etc. I just generally enjoy being with the animals. Now at the beginning of this academic year I am have started off more organised and on top of my work, I am also far less shy and can now talk to the teachers without being scared I believe this is due to all my work experience having to chat to people I do not know which I really enjoyed finding out about the people and why they like the job they are doing etc I am no longer shy at all. All I want to do now is be a vet before my work exp I thought I did but I didn’t realise how desperately. I just was wondering do you think my GCSE grades will hold me back. In my A levels as I now have a grip I am aiming to get all A*s(A levels have changed) and am now so determined to work as I really want I and am going to do plenty more work experience and in my gap year am off to be voluntary zoo keeper for 3 months. I just am not sure if my GCSEs will hold me back even if I do excellently in my A levels I have thought of applying post A level I will do anything. I am just curious I appreciate if you don’t have time or want to answer back as this email is very petty compared to people asking you about their sick animals.
Rachael Kinsella
Your concerns are just as important to you as people’s concerns over their sick animals so I don’t mind at all. If you do really well in you’re A-levels your GCSE results shouldn’t be an issue as most institutions look at your most recent qualifications as most important. It could also work in your favour if you can get across that your determination made you work even harder to get the right grades after your GCSEs. I have to say that your grades at GCSE don’t actually sound that bad to me! Have a look at our page with all the advice for people who want to be vets and remember it is incredibly important to get as much experience as you can but also have outside interests too. The universities are keen to take well-rounded individuals for the course with more to offer than just academic brilliance. Good luck and let us know how you get on.
Emma
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