JANuary 24, 2006
The Hard Road to Becoming a Vet
Will Cooper News Editor
The Atlantic Veterinary College is one of only three English language veterinary schools in all of Canada. Each year, there are 60 places open to new students at the AVC. According to Timothy H. Ogilvie, Dean of Veterinary Medicine, 3-4 times as many qualified students typically apply.
By “qualified students”, explains Ogilvie, he means students who have received exceptionally high marks in the required Science, Math, and English courses (generally in the high 80s), as well as exhibit strong people skills.
One student, Jennifer Lussing, with a degree in Biology, feels the requirements ate too much. “I got good marks in most of the required coutses,” says Lussing, “but the AVC requires that all your courses be taken in a full five-out-of-five course load. So if I want to have a chance of getting in, I have to go back and do another two years of school.”
Yet, even with the entry requirements being as demanding as they are, it is likely that every year mote than 200 qualified students will compete for the mere 60 prized places. Despite this, Ogilvie does not foresee the College expanding to meet the demands of students any time soon. Why not?
The problem is not that we can’t use more veterinarians in Atlantic
Canada. It’s that the governments of Atlantic Provinces are unwilling or unable to pay for them. The AVC, you see, like most vet schools, is a not- for-profit institution. Students are charged only a fraction of what it actually costs to educate them. The governments of this region are expected to foot the rest of the bill. In return for their contributions, the provinces receive a number of places for their students at the AVC proportional to the amount of money they contribute. Nova Scotia pays for 16 places for students from its region. New Brunswick pays for 13, Prince Edward Island 10, and Newfoundland and Labrador 2. In addition, 19 seats are marketed annually to international students.
However, there is a light at the end of the tunnel for all of the vet school hopefuls out there. Ogilvie predicts that, if the current trend of supply versus demand for veterinarians continues, by the year 2015 there will be a significant enough shortage of vets in Atlantic Canada that the provinces will likely have to do something about it. Like build a bigger AVC. Meanwhile, the 75% of students who devote countless years, tears, and dollars into preparing for vet school only to be denied entrance will just have to keep waiting, working, and hoping...
Blood. It’s in you to give!
Dr. Joe Velaidum donating blood as part of the UPEI - CBS Blood and Plasma Donor Challenge
THE CADRE ¢ 12
DOMINO’S PIZZA NOW OFFERS GREAT STUDENT DISCOUNTS!
Get great prices on pizza when you present your UPEI student ID
BBB-Q000
large pepperoni - $8.99 large 3 toppings - $9.99] large 5 toppings - $10.99
Delivery to UPEl campus, Browns Court and surrounding areas only. Must present student ID.
‘a one-
Take your career to the next le Tr stitute.
Advanced Diploma from the Mari Specialize in one of these areas:
ne In
Sustainable Aquaculture
Join the field of aquaculture environmental managers, technicians and researchers in the fastest growing food production sector in the world. Learn about aquaculture operations and undertake applied research and on-site work placements.
Integrated Coastal and Ocean Management
Learn how to manage our aquatic resources and gain an international perspective of the issues affecting coastal environments.
Water Quality
Become a water quality specialist with the only post-graduate program of its kind in Atlantic Canada. Learn about the ecological issues impacting our water supplies and gain the knowledge to treat, maintain and use our aquatic resources safely and efficiently.
Food Safety
Learn how to inspect, analyze and monitor the quality and safety of food products to start a career as a food inspector or quality assurance manager.
Applications are now being accepted for programs starting September 2006.
www.mi.mun.ca/programs