FAQ

Is the PVSA affiliated with UCVM?

We are not representatives of the veterinary medicine program at the University of Calgary. However, we do have many connections to the school as the majority of our members plan on applying there. We regularly host alumni, faculty, and current students from UVCM at various events. Many of our members and executives have been through the application cycle there, and can be an amazing resource to ask for advice. We always have an academic advisor on our team who is a current student in the program, and can be contacted on request to answer questions. We do support programs at other institutions as well.

What are my obligations as a member?

You are welcome to attend as many or as little events as you would like. We do not hold mandatory meetings for members or expect participation, but do encourage everyone to support one another. Competitiveness is not welcome here, and we exist to be a community of respectful and encouraging students.

Do I have to RSVP for events?

We strongly encourage all members to RSVP to all events via the link in our newsletter or on our social media posts. Some events have a maximum capacity, and it is first come first serve for spots based on RSVP. Events which have reached capacity will have waitlists, and we will contact you if a spot becomes available. Historically, the events that reach capacity the fastest are the Mock MMI and suture seminar. If you cannot make it and have RSVP'd, please reach out so we can give your spot to someone on the waitlist.

Do I need to be a member to attend events?

Yes, anyone who attends any events virtually or in person needs to be a current member. We do not do trial memberships, and try to keep our membership costs as low as possible while still being able to fund our club's activities. Only members are sent the location information for events. You also must be a member to access our discord server and be on the email list.

Do I need to be a member to contact the PVSA with questions?

We welcome all inquires about our club, and are always open to helping out students who are wondering about vet school. However, please keep in mind that we are not admissions advisors and our role is mainly directing students to the appropriate source of information for their questions. It is considered common courtesy to become a member if you want to inquire directly about applying for vet school, gaining experience, etc. as we do have limited resources and many of our events and newsletters address these common topics.

What is not allowed in the PVSA?

We do not tolerate bullying, exclusion, harassment, or any other disrespectful behaviour towards our team or members. This can be considered member misconduct under our bylaws, and can lead to removal from the club if it persists. Please keep in mind that we all have the common goal of pursuing our dream job- to be a vet! Don't lose sight of our need for a support system during this difficult and stressful process.

What does the PVSA look for in team members?

We often take on new Jr execs every year at the beginning of a semester. This involves submitting a cover letter and resume to us with relevant experience, and then if selected you will be interviewed. Many years we have too many applicants for the amount of roles we have, so please feel free apply again if you did not get a spot! We want someone who is involved in the club and will be able to be in a role for longer than 1 year. Preference is usually given to students in 1st-2nd year for this reason, but it is not the only factor. Animal experience is considered an asset, but is not required. Some of the useful skills we look for are in social media management, content creation, communication with professionals, networking, creativity, budgeting and recordkeeping, and much more. Our goal is to allow you to contribute to bettering our club with whatever skills, knowledge, and connections you have and be in a role you truly enjoy.

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