Note: This interview Q&A is based on pre-Covid in-person interviews (from 2019 and before). All university interviews changed in 2020-2021 to an online format due to the Covid-19 pandemic. This article has been updated in November 2021 with further updated information, and we will regularly update it!
For 2021/2022 entry the University of Edinburgh Veterinary Interviews will continue to be held online via Zoom and take the form of MMI stations. The aim of veterinary school selection is to select candidates with the best combination of aptitude for veterinary medicinal training and academic ability.
In this guide we provide an expert insight into past Edinburgh veterinary interview stations, the Edinburgh veterinary interview day and tips for converting your Edinburgh veterinary interview into an offer!
5 Veterinarian School Interview Questions with Answer Examples
Why do you want to work as a veterinarian?
You should not say only that you love animals. That goes without saying. But you can become a vegan if you really love animals, and all kids also love animals, so it doesn’t make for a strong enough reason to apply for a difficult four year study program, one which will have an impact on your entire professional career and life.
Try to come up with something more specific. Perhaps a specialty field of veterinary medicine that caught your eye, and you’d love to practice it one day. Or your parents happen to run a small farm, and your goal is to become the lead veterinarian there. Or you have your own business plan, a certain clinic or practice you’d like to start in the future, in the location of your choice.
Or, perhaps, you understand that we are what we eat, and you’d love to dive into veterinarian research, perhaps trying to find out the real impact meat consumption has on our well-being, or you even want to lead some clinical trials on animals, while trying to find the cure to some disease that bothers humanity.
Remember, the more specific you are in your answer, the better for the interviewers. Because vet school is not easy, and your motivation can quickly fade away if you apply just because you “love animals”, without any future goal on your mind.
Do you have any experience with practicing veterinary medicine?
It is a huge plus if you have any experience working with veterinarians or veterinary researches, especially if you have any hands-on experience with animals.
Now, if you do have experience, you should narrate in detail what exactly you did, at which place, who was your lead veterinarian, and also how this experience impacted your decision to pursue a career in veterinary medicine–in an ideal case, it should enforce your desire to study at vet school, but also help you understand some tough aspects of the job (such as treating aggressive animals, being called to work at night, facing ethical dilemmas, etc).
If you have no experience, you should be able to explain why. Maybe it was a last minute decision for you to apply at a vet school, after some event that changed your point of view, or some documentaries you have seen. And since you decided just recently, you had other jobs before. But you definitely plan to gain some experience during your studies, because you know it is important.
Try to talk with enthusiasm while describing your experience in the interview. They should get an impression that you enjoy the work, that you see a meaningful purpose in it.
2021/2022 Edinburgh Veterinary MMI in a Nutshell
For 2021/22 entry these interviews will be conducted online via Zoom. The University of Edinburgh Vet Interview Day begins with a welcome talk and Q&A session followed by 3 MMI stations, each 10 minutes long with one 10 minute rest station. There will also be an Additional Skills Task (AST) that may happen before you do your MMI. This will be a series of questions to work through independently in a set amount of time.
Do you have a plan B? What will you do if you do not get into vet school this year?
The key is to convince them that you are serious about your application and career plans. That means, if you do not get in this year, you will try your luck during the next application cycle. But you won’t spend the year doing nothing, just hanging around, drinking, ans wiping the screen of your smart phone. You will try to get as much hands-on practice with animals as possible, and also prepare better for the next application cycle.
You can suggest also different plans, as long as they make sense. For example you may go and volunteer on an ecological farm abroad, learning a new language and experiencing first hand how things work in veterinary medicine in a different country and culture.
Another alternative is saying that you believe you’ve done the most to succeed, and will succeed. You do not consider failure an option, and will think about your next steps once the application cycle is over. Now, at this moment, you focus all your energy and thoughts on the interviews only. Why think about possible negative outcome anyway? You believe you’ll get to vet school, and if you don’t, you’ll cross the bridge when you come to it.
FAQ
What questions are asked in a vet school interview?
- Why do you want to be a veterinarian? …
- Why do you think you would be a good veterinarian? …
- Why are you interested in our program? …
- How do you plan to overcome challenges you’ll face in this field? …
- Do you recognize ethical issues you might face going forward?
How do you pass a vet school interview?
- Carefully read any information given to you about the interview. …
- Do not over prepare! …
- Focus your extra reading on topics that interest you. …
- Don’t panic over maths questions. …
- Arrive early and remember the whole day is the interview. …
- Push the conversation in the direction that you want it to go.
What makes someone a good candidate for vet school?
