Our students come from a wide range of backgrounds, and have some fascinating stories to tell. We hope the following will give you some insight and inspiration. Vedika Dass / Class of 2024 / from UK What made you decide to apply to Edinburgh’s Vet School?I was so sure that I wanted to apply to Edinburgh that I applied even though I couldn’t make an open day! As well as the city itself, the aspects which appealed to me most were the structure of the course and how well recognised the degree is.What stands out in your mind from your experience of studying Veterinary Medicine at Edinburgh?Definitely the practicals - we have practical animal handling sessions right from the beginning of first year which is fantastic for getting everyone comfortable with animals that they may not have worked with before. The staff are all very patient and you can also get in touch with them if you need further support with any species which is fantastic. We also started anatomy practicals almost immediately after joining which was a fantastic way to get stuck in and embrace our new lives as vet students.How has R(D)SVS contribute to your career choices?The teaching at R(D)SVS has definitely helped me discover new areas of veterinary medicine which I find interesting and that I want to get more experience in - who knows, maybe I’ll even end up pursuing one of these at a higher level! Did your EMS placements help you in determining the field of veterinary medicine you want to pursue professionally?Pre-clinical EMS helped me realise that I enjoy working with large animals a lot more than I had expected. In terms of clinical EMS, I’ve only done small animal work so far – I know I really enjoy this but don’t yet know if I will want to combine it with larger animals once I graduate. The great thing about EMS is that I can explore different types of practice and decide accordingly.Do you know what area of veterinary medicine you will go into after graduation?I’m not sure yet – I definitely want to work with small animals and I am quite keen on exotics. However, I could see myself in a mixed practice. I guess time will tell!Did Edinburgh become your home away from home?I love Edinburgh – it is such a fantastic city and so rich in culture. There is always something to keep you busy. It is definitely a place I can consider home.What activities did you get involved in outside of your studies?The main activities/societies I’m involved in are the RDVC Netball Club, the Edinburgh Veterinary Zoological Society, and All4Paws (a fantastic student-led charity).Can you tell us of any personal or professional achievements during your studies?As part of my role on the All4Paws committee, I organised a charity auction and ceilidh which helped us raise over £2,600! It was an incredible opportunity to raise money for such a great charity, and also an amazing learning experience.If you could offer some advice to prospective students thinking of studying vet med at Edinburgh in the future what would it be?Make the most of any reading and work experience you do – be curious and ask questions! Getting into vet school is no easy task but it is 100% worth it! This article was published on 2025-01-10
