Veterinary studies in Murdoch University - Be a Creator, not a Consumer

"If your son does not have 3 "As", he will not be accepted by Murdoch University's undergraduate veterinary course," the Singapore agent 1 said. "The demand from foreign students is much higher than the 32 vacancies alloted to them. Just too bad for your son."

"I didn't know that," my son said.

"You ought to have studied harder," I recalled the minimal amount of time this young man with the ear stud studied. He was more interested in looking cool and fashionable, like his cohort. Last-minute mugging in the 2 months before the final examinations. "Top grades open the doors of any University in the world to you. Now, you have to settle for a second best choice!"

Should we give up? He had been accepted by the Singapore Management University for a business course 2 years after his full-time National Service. His one "A" and 3 "B" grades at A levels qualified him. To me, these were above-average grades. To the recruitment agents, he was an academic loser if he wanted to be a vet.

I asked Singapore agent 2 for a second opinion. He said, "3 'As' or a above 90% for the Foundation studies at Murdoch College." Some Singapore students study at the College after "O" levels instead of spending 2 years at "A levels" in Singapore, thereby saving 1 year to qualify for veterinary undergraduate studies in Australia.

So, there is no hope. Just go for second choice. He was resigned to his fate. His buddy had 4 "As" but failed his General Paper Examination. This young man was rejected by Singapore University's Dentistry Course but Murdoch University accepted him to be a vet within 1 week of his application. As an Australian Permanent Resident, his fees were 25% of a foreign student's A$33,000 a year.

Should my son give up applying? I would say that the Singapore education system at "A" levels do not prepare young people like him to be pro-active. Or how to be positive despite setbacks.

Digressing, I had a girl had 87% in the Murdoch College foundation studies and was rejected by the Murdoch University while another classmate with a 84% had been accepted. She wanted to know why? She e-mailed for reasons. She engaged Singapore recruitment agent 3 who advised that she applied to "pre-vet" course at Melbourne. After the first year, she would have a 90% chance of getting into Melbourne Veterinary Course.

Her father made an appointment to see me, together with his daughter, for advice. "I was confident she could qualify," he said. "So, I did not advise her to seek veterinary experience."

I asked the daughter, "Why did the agent not advise you to study the Biomedical course at Murdoch University for the first year. If your grades are good, you go straight to the 2nd year of the veterinary course."

She said, "The agent advised that I have 90% chances of getting into the 2nd year at Melbourne University but only 70% in getting to Murdoch University."

"How do you substantiate this 90%?" I asked her. "Did you ask the agent?" No doubt, Murdoch University may be in greater demand, but how did the agent get this 90% probability.

"Nobody can predict the future and the competition for places during the 2nd year at Melbourne or Murdoch University."

She did not know how the agent derived the 90%. Many young Singaporeans do not now how to ask relevant questions, accepting statements as if they were facts.

"Why do you want to be a vet?" I asked the daughter. "Interest and passion," she said succinctly.

"So would every prospective veterinary applicant say the same thing," I replied. "Did you write a report about your animal handling or veterinary experience, as required by Murdoch University?" I asked.

"No," she said. "The Murdoch College submitted my grades and applied for me directly."

Yet the girl with the 84% did submit a report of her veterinary experience at a Singapore veterinary practice.

Would that be the reason the 84% classmate was accepted over the 87%? Higher grades, unless they are above 90% were not strong reasons. Another girl with 92% was accepted like a cool summer breeze but Singaporeans would equate more with a cool sea breeze as we don't have 4 seasons here.

Again, top grades open doors. But should this girl give up? The father made an effort to see me. How could I help?

"Definitely, I am not writing a reference to say that she had seen practice with me as this was not true," the agent who might handle her case presumed that I was doing that and had been chasing me for that reference.

How to help this girl with the 87%?

"I think there is no hope," the father said. "Let her study the pre-vet course at Melbourne University for the first year as advised by the agent." He was an extremely busy man.

Was the lack of animal experience the deciding factor for this girl? It sounded like it. The course would start on February 19 and it was 10 days to go.

"There must be a really good recruitment agent who is keen to help to appeal for her, rather than advising the pre-vet course," I phoned the father who had more or less accept the reality of the situation.

I continued, "Your daughter was born into a world of animals --- the grandparents were farmers and the family is still in the pet industry. She has the necessary animal husbandry and management experience rarely found in Singaporeans since she was able to talk. Singapore is urbanised. So, there are very few farmers and opportunities for would-be vets to gain animal experience.

The only problem may be that the appeal for a review based on animal experience is too late. All places have had been filled. The demand exceeded supply.

What to do? Accept reality. Do not appeal? How to write the appeal? The content and the way it is written is very important. The messenger is the recruitment agent. But the messenger can't do much if the story of the appeal is not worth reading.

The girl with the 87% should write the appeal. It was difficult. The Singapore education system does not seem to produce good writers at "A" or "O" levels. The father should write, but it was easier said than done.

"Give me the facts," I said. "I would write for you. You must not give up hope so easily."

The appeal was submitted. It may be too late as time was of the essence and the quota was filled. I keep my fingers crossed for the 87% girl.



As for the boy who was given a place at Murdoch University despite not getting straight "As", I ask him to be humble. Perth may be a boring place initially but there are many new things to explore.

To spend time gaining knowledge and creating things. To read widely various magazines and newspapers. To create things like writing a game. Do not be a consumer by being an addicted online gamer. Be a creator, not a consumer.