So you want to be a Veterinarian?

By: Allyse S.

If you know that you want to be a Veterinarian, you should start preparing as soon as possible. As early as high school even. Getting accepted into a vet school is extremely challenging so you should pad your resume with as much stuff as you can to make yourself look more appealing to potential schools!

In the United States, there are 30 veterinary schools that are accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). In 2013, there were approximately 6,800 students fighting to be accepted into 2,700 available spots. If you get accepted, you are in the minority.

In highschool, classes like math and sciences like biology, chemistry, and physics are all important to try and take, even if they are not required for graduation! Taking some of the higher level or more advanced courses can make you look more appealing to undergraduate schools that you will be applying to in the near future.

After graduating high school, the next step is to attended a college or university that you can pursue an undergraduate degree at. If being a Veterinarian is what your end goal is, the most common undergraduate major is Animal Science. If this isn't the degree that you chose, it is important that you at least select one that will strongly focus in the biological and physical sciences. As you work your way through your undergraduate degree, there are a lot of things to keep in the back of your mind on almost a daily basis.
-GPA is one of the most important. Most veterinary schools prefer a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher while they pay the most attention to the last 3-4 semesters you have spent in school.
- Experience. Go out and volunteer or do an internship with a veterinarian in your area! Vet schools want to see that you have given this career pathway a thorough examination and are committed to it. They also want to see that you have clinical experience so go out and get a summer job in a vet clinic!
-Exams. After taking the SATs or the ACT in high school you might think that you have had your fair share of tests but if your applying to vet school, think again. The Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is widely accepted by most veterinary schools throughout the US. Each school has different requirements for this test.
-Letters of Recommendation are required for acceptance into veterinary school and the different requirements inside of this will vary from school to school.
-Leadership and Communication skills are key. Vet schools are not only looking for outstanding applicants, but tomorrows leaders. How can you make yourself stand out from everyone else on a piece of paper?

If you have met all of your Undergraduate course requirements, you can now apply to a veterinary school. Theres lots to choose from. Most students apply to the vet schools of their choice during the fall semester of their senior year because the deadline is October 1st. Typically, students apply to 5-7 different schools. April 15th is the general deadline to accept or decline offers for admission. Between these two dates, you will be receiving interview offers from different vet schools, this is your time to decide which school matches up best with your needs. Veterinary Medical Education is a 4+ year degree in the United States. After completing the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (D.V.M.) Degree, each student has to take the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE) in order to practice in the US.

"Veterinary Humor." Pinterest. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Mar. 2016.
"Steps to Becoming a Veterinarian (Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences Major)." Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences Major (Penn State University). N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Mar. 2016.