Are there any specific schools I should go to to become a veterinarian?

The first step to becoming a veterinarian in the U.S. is attending undergraduate school. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), some veterinary colleges require applicants to hold only 45-90 undergraduate hours; however, most students enter veterinary school with bachelor's degrees (www.bls.gov). Whichever undergraduate major students pursue, coursework should focus heavily on the biological and physical sciences, such as chemistry, genetics, microbiology and physiology. Studies in communication, social science, humanities and mathematics may also be beneficial for the transition into veterinary school.

Applying to Veterinary School
Gaining admittance into veterinary school can be difficult. In the U.S., there are only 28 veterinary schools accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association's (AVMA) Council on Education (www.amva.org). The BLS notes that only about one-third of applicants were granted admission in 2007.

While specific admissions requirements vary by school, all applicants must take a college admissions test, such as the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). Most schools require applicants to use the Veterinary Medical College Application Service (www.wvma.org) to apply to school.

Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Degree
After gaining admittance, students complete four years of veterinary school to earn a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (D.V.M.). The first two years of veterinary school typically focus on basic science education in the classroom and laboratory. The final two years consist of clinical instruction, allowing students to gain hands-on experience diagnosing and treating animal diseases under the supervision of licensed veterinarians. Fourth-year veterinary students generally focus solely on clinical rotations in animal hospitals and private practices.

State Licensure
All veterinarians in the U.S. - except for some state and federal government employees - are required to obtain licensure from their state licensing board. Licensing requirements vary by state, but all boards require applicants to hold D.V.M. degrees and pass the North American Veterinary Licensing Exam. The exam, which takes eight hours to complete, is comprised of 360 multiple-choice questions. Most states also require licensure applicants to pass an examination covering veterinary laws and regulations.

Veterinarians have to get a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (D.V.M. or V.M.D.) degree. Usually this takes 4 years, but most Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree programs require applicants to have a bachelor's degree (4-yr degree from a college). So, if you're asking about what colleges would give you a better chance of getting into veterinary school after college, it's actually less important where you go as what classes you take in college--as long as you go to a college that offers the pre-requisite classes that veterinary schools require, and you get good grades in those classes, you should be fine.

Take a look at this answer to a previous question:

http://careervillage.org/questions/863/what-colleges-are-the-best-to-attend-for-a-pre-vet-major