Vet School And Home Education?

Re: Vet School And Home Education?

Mark Hedberg — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 12:08:54 GMT

[quote user="Bob Russell"]

Good, balanced home schooling should be a good thing I would think!

[/quote]

Amen! :)

Re: Vet School And Home Education?

Bob Russell — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 11:47:13 GMT

We have wonderful infants and junior schools around here and I wouldn't be at all inclined to home school at this stage. Secondary school has been a shock to all of our systems and if we were able I would consider home schooling.

Our daughter has been caught up in all sorts of issues and has been very unhappy. A lot of very straight speaking has resulted in a distinct improvement but not a good start for what OFSTED consider an outstanding school!

Good, balanced home schooling should be a good thing I would think!

Re: Vet School And Home Education?

John Rimmer — Sun, 29 Apr 2012 16:40:56 GMT

[quote user="Mark Hedberg"]

skirts that follow the strictest letter of the law..;

[/quote]

Ah yes the law on miniskirts. I remember this as a question on Shooting Stars. The answer was "Two inches below minge baseline".

Re: Vet School And Home Education?

Mark Hedberg — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 20:18:28 GMT

[quote user="Evelyn Barbour-Hill"]

[quote user="Mark Hedberg"]That said, I still don't like school uniforms! :)[/quote]

Why not?

[/quote]

I know the idea is to make sure nobody's unduly disadvantaged, but it encourages sameness - even to the same, predictable rebellions - short ties, untucked shirts, skirts that follow the strictest letter of the law...obviously this is a ridiculous over-generalization but I always did like being different - just like everyone else!

(Note: if no sense is made of this post it's because there wasn't much sense to be made of it in the first place!)

Re: Vet School And Home Education?

Michael Woodhouse — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 20:09:07 GMT

With the A2/A level system we have now, (s)he will have the A2 grades already and assuming they have completed the work experience required by the Unis then they would be considered alongside everyone else.

[quote user="Evelyn Barbour-Hill"]I think it unlikely that a even a highly-trained interviewer[/quote]

In my experience the interviewers are reluctant members of the staff doing their stint. Not exactly highly trained and many of them are as far out of touch with general practice as you can get.

Re: Vet School And Home Education?

Evelyn Barbour-Hill — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 19:53:20 GMT

[quote user="Mark Hedberg"]That said, I still don't like school uniforms! :)[/quote]

Why not?

Re: Vet School And Home Education?

Evelyn Barbour-Hill — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 19:49:59 GMT

[quote user="Mark Hedberg"]

It does require common sense and a cooperative local school; socialization and home schooling are not mutually exclusive. Well, they don't have to be, anyway.

[/quote]

Well, of course not. Getting your schooling at home doesn't stop you joining clubs, having hobbies, socialising with the rest of the street, and so on and so on.

I think it unlikely that a even a highly-trained interviewer would be able to tell in the course of an ordinary university interview that the interviewee was a "mainly arrogant, precocious little so-and-so who had no idea that there was the rest of the world full of people of equal worth" or that they could not possibly "have the social experience to cope with university and the subsequent job". So any decision they made to reject the candidate because they suspected the parents of paranoia would be based purely on prejudice.

In any case, we've already advised that they get lots of work experience.......... which would deal with the socialisation, human relations, dress sense, ability to get to work on time in the morning doubts.

Re: Vet School And Home Education?

Mark Hedberg — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 17:21:28 GMT

[quote user="John Rimmer"]

Interesting. It certainly wasn't me who one-starred you. I get plenty too - don't worry - there are plenty of odd people about whose opinions I couldn't give a toss about. I got one too for honest advice - seems someone was offended by me pointing out that the interviewers would want to know why the candidate was home schooled. Someone didn't like me pointing out the truth. There are perfectly good reasons, like yours, and bad reasons - the interviewed would want to know which.

[/quote]

No, I knew it wasn't you - the star just bugged me in general principles. There are a lot of anti-homeschoolers out there who condemn it without understanding or trying to understand it, let alone trying it. I did stand up on the parapet and declare myself, so in a sense I was asking for it. :) Bit silly, I know, but this should put paid to any thoughts of me being well-adjusted or some such!

(ok, enough multiple posting from me now!)

Re: Vet School And Home Education?

Mark Hedberg — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 17:16:56 GMT

[quote user="Simon Neuhoff"]

You mean you're a FULLY QUALIFIED vet? ;-)

[/quote]

I admit to having my doubts occasionally - "there was this one case, one time..."

Re: Vet School And Home Education?

Mark Hedberg — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 17:13:19 GMT

[quote user="Evelyn Barbour-Hill"]

[quote user="John Rimmer"]There are perfectly good reasons, like yours, and bad reasons - the interviewed would want to know which. [/quote]

I honestly cannot think, at the moment, of what the bad reasons could be, or why the interviewer would want to know. Could you explain? I'm not attacking you, I would really like to know.

[/quote]

I can supply this - John R may be referring to homeschoolers who are convinced that schools are dens of vice and iniquity, with society out to corrupt their family. So they seek to educate their kids in isolation. This isn't healthy. (Although watching the news sometimes, I almost agree with the dens of vice bit! :) ) While a minority, they do exist and are frequently cited by homeschooling opponents as reasons homeschooling isn't a good idea.

Individual education can be and often is integrated successfully with the educational system. It does require common sense and a cooperative local school; socialization and home schooling are not mutually exclusive. Well, they don't have to be, anyway.

Cheers,

Mark

Re: Vet School And Home Education?

Mark Hedberg — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 17:08:50 GMT

[quote user="plantagenet"]

I have not been impressed by friends' children who are home schooled - academically advanced, but mainly arrogant, precocious little so-and-so's who had no idea that there was the rest of the world full of people of equal worth.

[/quote]

Sounds like a few vets I know!

Regrettably, in the early days of vet school I had some of the same culture shock as people who entered from the regular school system - I used to think I was pretty unique and pretty good stuff. Then I was suddenly in a class with 48 other people who were similarly *very* sharp cookies. I'm not proud of how I handled things back then. I am proud of the fact that (eventually) I recognized that I was indeed quite the prime ass (and still am some days, unfortunately!) and I feel like I've made progress.

...well, sometimes I feel like I've made progress. :)

I'd like to think it was my personal character that was the problem, as opposed to home-schooling - because I prefer to face the music. If I've done something wrong, it's because I've done something wrong, not because environmental factors have somehow had their deviant way with me.

The main (anecdotal) reason for this is that I knew several other home-schoolers in Saudi who were frankly much nicer than I was. :)

Would I homeschool my kids? On a gut level, yes I would - it's the only way I ever knew. That said, I'm the main breadwinner, and my wife doesn't feel ready to homeschool. So we'll probably have a stab at this school thing, just to give the UK school system the benefit of the doubt. (Nothing personal against UK schools - it's schools in general. I went to school for a short time and wasn't a happy bunny.)

That said, I still don't like school uniforms! :)

...hm. That was a bit more than I meant to post. Oh well, no more man of mystery for me, I guess!

Cheers,

Mark

Re: Vet School And Home Education?

plantagenet — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 15:13:18 GMT

The experience of being at school - presenting yourself at the right time in suitable attire, mucking in with your fellows, learning your place in the scheme of things, comparing yourself with others, coping with bullying and the temptations to bully, difficult teachers etc etc etc These are not necessarily good or bad, but they are experiences you don't easily get if home schooled. I would imagine an interviewer would seek to ensure that a home schooled candidate would have the social experience to cope with university and the subsequent job.

I am sure it can work though and Mark, I'm sure you are the nicest, well adjusted person. Would you home school your own children?

Re: Vet School And Home Education?

Evelyn Barbour-Hill — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 14:45:33 GMT

[quote user="Tim Cheyne"]Even with home schooling, is it not possible to sit privately the various 'A' papers, grades in which are considered desirable for entry? [/quote]

She can sit all the exams anyone else can, as far as I know. There'd be a bit more hassle getting her entered and she'd have to go to a school for the actual exam I suppose. I'd guess also that the local authority would not pay the fees, but I don't know.

Re: Vet School And Home Education?

Evelyn Barbour-Hill — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 14:31:26 GMT

[quote user="John Rimmer"]There are perfectly good reasons, like yours, and bad reasons - the interviewed would want to know which. [/quote]

I honestly cannot think, at the moment, of what the bad reasons could be, or why the interviewer would want to know. Could you explain? I'm not attacking you, I would really like to know.

Re: Vet School And Home Education?

John Rimmer — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 11:03:11 GMT

[quote user="Mark Hedberg"][quote user="John Rimmer"]

Interesting Why were you home educated Mark?

[/quote]I grew up in the Middle East. Both my parents were teachers, so they taught me at home. I'd like to think i learned more than the 1 star my above post earned, but then that's why I sent it as a PM. There's no pleasing some people. :)

It was not possible to find a quality school in Saudi Arabia in the early 1980s, so they made their own. My home-schooled little sister is just finishing her Master's in psychology, so obviously she's a dead loss too :) (If I sound a little touchy, it's not because of your question - i should get used to the anonymous one stars by now but homeschooling's a part of my life that made me what I am.)

To set any fears at rest - I didn't study vet medicine at home, I promise. I've got a real diploma and everything! :)

[/quote]

Re: Vet School And Home Education?

Simon Neuhoff — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 09:49:13 GMT

[quote user="Mark Hedberg"][quote user="John Rimmer"]

Interesting Why were you home educated Mark?

To set any fears at rest - I didn't study vet medicine at home, I promise. I've got a real diploma and everything! :)

[/quote]

You mean you're a FULLY QUALIFIED vet? ;-)

Re: Vet School And Home Education?

Tim Cheyne — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 05:02:54 GMT

Even with home schooling, is it not possible to sit privately the various 'A' papers, grades in which are considered desirable for entry? Those plus the work experience mentioned by other posters should go a long way towards convincing a vet school of suitability.

Tim.

Re: Vet School And Home Education?

Mark Hedberg — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 21:55:36 GMT

[quote user="John Rimmer"]

Interesting Why were you home educated Mark?

To set any fears at rest - I didn't study vet medicine at home, I promise. I've got a real diploma and everything! :)

Re: Vet School And Home Education?

John Rimmer — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 20:39:27 GMT

Interesting Why were you home educated Mark?

Re: Vet School And Home Education?

Mark Hedberg — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 19:52:58 GMT

PM sent. (Home educated vet. Can be done!)

Re: Vet School And Home Education?

Evelyn Barbour-Hill — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 19:17:40 GMT

Work experience, work experience, so that she can accumulate people who will write letters of recommendation.

Re: Vet School And Home Education?

tess — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 17:32:12 GMT

Also try to do some work experience at local vets.

Re: Vet School And Home Education?

tess — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 17:31:13 GMT

She should think about getting some farm experience. I had the grades but was asked to find work on a farm over the summer before I started at vet school. I helped out with milking and feeding, unpaid. Lambing experience would be good too .

Re: Vet School And Home Education?

John Rimmer — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 17:01:27 GMT

I would advice her to call the vet schools admissions tutors and discuss. I would imagine it would depend on the interviewer. If I were interviewing, I would certainly be interested, and want to know why, and would be looking out for signs of her being socially awkward and therefore unlikely to survive at University and be a good communicator as a vet. If she is normal other than being home educated, and I was satisfied that there was a good reason, I can't see any reason why it would stand against her.