I finished matric at Paarl Gymnasium in 2008. During my last two years I was uncertain of what to do after school. First I applied to study Medicine and went through all the trouble of applying (wrote the HSPCA test and handed in a form with cultural activities, sports, leadership etc. where I participated in or achieved which in the end counted 25% toward the final mark with which I would have been considered, along with my Grade 11 mark which would have counted 75%). Before the closing date for the applications I changed my first choice to Occupational therapy. I gained admission and then went to an open day and realised it was not for me...
During the December holidays after I have matriculated I contacted the head of the Engineering department at the University of Stellenbosch to ask if I could study Chemical engineering (All applications have already closed by now). Long story short, I went to stay in res and studied for 3 months after which I let my dad know that even though I am passing my subjects, I am not happy and want to stop. This was around the end of April 2009.
From August 2009 - August 2010 I went to the Netherlands to be an au pair to 4 wonderful girls! During my adventure there I came to realise that I just have to work with animals - I applied to study at the University of Pretoria in 2011. I moved there and studied BSc Biological Sciences with the aim of gaining admission to BVSc (veterinary science) with my marks. They could not tell us exactly how the selection process worked and when exactly we will be informed. It seemed to change regularly. During the second semester of the year I changed 2 of my subjects to be able to study Animal Sciences in Stellenbosch (which is much closer to home - 120km vs. 1400km), because I thought the chance of being selected was very slim.
While I was on holiday I got the message that I was accepted (on my first semester marks) to enter the second year of the BVSc programme and study at Onderstepoort. It was 19 December.
Because my subjects were changed I first have to finish two at Main campus before I can move to Onderstepoort. Studying an extra year was not an issue as only 5% of everyone who applied gained admission!
Now I am in the middle of this extra year and very much looking forward to the next 5 and a half years!! =D
*This photo was taken in Hersonissos, Crete (Greece). Three friends and I went on holiday there for a week while we were au pairs in the Netherlands. I know it is hard to believe, but this dog was a stray!
Dear Annemarie
ReplyDeleteI am so glad that I have stumbled upon this blog, although I wish you have updated more recently!
I am a UNISA student hoping to study at Onderstepoort. I have always wanted to become a vet, but the administrative part gets to me. What would you say played a role in you getting accepted? Did you have excellent marks and/or any experience in field work?
Do you still find your studies rewarding? How do you feel about the future now, seeing that you are almost done with your degree?