4 answers
Ashley
Student
Camarillo, California
3
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What are the steps to applying to Veterinary School ?
I am a sophomore in college, a Biology major and prevet student.
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4 answers
Dr H
Dr. H's Research
1326
Answers
Australia
Updated
Dr’s Answer
Heyyy Ashley,
Amelia’s got it spot on! She’s basically giving you the ultimate vet school prep checklist, and honestly, starting early is a power move. That CV? Think of it like your highlight reel. Show off those academic wins, club leadership roles, volunteer work—basically anything that screams “I’m not just here to pet cute animals; I’m here to be a future vet rockstar.” And yeah, CVs can be long. It’s not like a one-page resume—this thing can stretch out as much as needed.
The GRE situation? Oof, yeah, some schools ditched it, but taking it anyway keeps more options open. It’s kinda like keeping an umbrella in your bag—you might not need it, but you’ll be glad you have it when a storm hits.
Now, letters of rec—these are crucial. Vet schools love a good reference, and getting them from DVMs is basically getting VIP approval from the people you wanna be like. Amelia’s right—aim for at least two from vets and another from a supervisor or professor. Having extra never hurts, because some schools get all fancy and want five. Better safe than scrambling last minute.
Hours, hours, hours. You need 300-500 hours of vet-related experience, but honestly? More is always better. It’s not just about checking a box; it’s about proving you actually like the field beyond the idea of playing with animals all day (spoiler: being a vet is a lot more than that). Shadowing, interning, working in a clinic—get as much hands-on experience as possible.
The interview prep—yeah, this part gets overlooked, but it’s a big deal. Networking on LinkedIn or Student Doctor Network? Genius. Talking to people who’ve been through it will give you insider info that no website can. Also, practice answering common vet school interview questions out loud. Trust me, sounding confident when you explain why you wanna be a vet makes a difference.
Now let’s talk about skills to build while you’re gearing up for vet school because I know you need to stay prepared Ashley.
Animal handling skills – Obviously. The more comfortable you are handling different species, the better.
Communication – You’ll be dealing with pet owners who are either anxious, clueless, or both. Being able to explain things clearly (without sounding like a robot) is a game-changer.
Critical thinking & problem-solving – Diagnosing an animal is like being a detective, but instead of getting clues from a witness, you’re getting blank stares and occasional tail wags.
Time management – Vet school (and the job itself) is brutal when it comes to workload. Juggling school, work, and life now will train you for the chaos ahead.
Resilience & stress management – Long hours, emotional cases, and tough decisions are part of the gig. Learning how to manage stress and not take everything home with you is key.
Before to end here is just a little summary break down for... to Applying to Vet School (Quick & a hopping Version of mine 🤪)
1️⃣ Nail Your Prereqs – Bio, Chem, Physics, Anatomy, Microbio, etc. Double-check each school’s requirements.
2️⃣ Keep Your GPA Strong – Aim for 3.5+ to stay competitive. Science GPA matters a lot.
3️⃣ Get Diverse Experience – Small animals, large animals, research, wildlife—show range!
4️⃣ Shadow Multiple Vets – Not just one! Different specialties = stronger application.
5️⃣ Join Pre-Vet Clubs – Network, find opportunities, and get insider advice.
6️⃣ Get Leadership Roles – Vet schools love future leaders, so take charge in clubs, research, or jobs.
7️⃣ Ace the CASPer Test (if required) – It’s a situational judgment test some schools ask for.
8️⃣ Apply Early Through VMCAS – Vet school apps open in May. Don’t procrastinate!
9️⃣ Perfect Your Personal Statement – Make it unique, no “I love animals” clichés.
🔟 Practice for Interviews – Know ethical dilemmas, your “why,” and real vet challenges.
⚡ Bonus advice to you: Some schools require animal nutrition, business, or communication courses so just check ahead!
Ashley, Amelia laid out a fantastic blueprint, and now it’s just about putting in the work, and keeping that passion alive. start early, get experience, and prep like your life depends on it. Because once you’re in? It’s a wild ride 😎
You got this Ashley, All the best!🤗
It’s Expensive – Vet school tuition is $$$$. Scholarships exist, but loan repayment is a reality. Think about financial planning early.
Think Beyond Small Animals – Dogs and cats are great, but large animal vets (horses, cows, exotics) are in high demand. Keeping your options open can help your career later.
Start a Pet Care Blog or Social Media Page – Share your experiences, vet school prep journey, and animal care tips. It builds communication skills (which vets need), looks great on applications, and could even connect you with professionals in the field!
Lastly, Shadow a Specialist Vet – Most applicants get experience with general vets, but shadowing a specialist (like an exotic animal vet, surgeon, or wildlife rehabilitator) makes you stand out. It shows curiosity, gives you unique stories for essays, and might even spark a niche interest!
Amelia’s got it spot on! She’s basically giving you the ultimate vet school prep checklist, and honestly, starting early is a power move. That CV? Think of it like your highlight reel. Show off those academic wins, club leadership roles, volunteer work—basically anything that screams “I’m not just here to pet cute animals; I’m here to be a future vet rockstar.” And yeah, CVs can be long. It’s not like a one-page resume—this thing can stretch out as much as needed.
The GRE situation? Oof, yeah, some schools ditched it, but taking it anyway keeps more options open. It’s kinda like keeping an umbrella in your bag—you might not need it, but you’ll be glad you have it when a storm hits.
Now, letters of rec—these are crucial. Vet schools love a good reference, and getting them from DVMs is basically getting VIP approval from the people you wanna be like. Amelia’s right—aim for at least two from vets and another from a supervisor or professor. Having extra never hurts, because some schools get all fancy and want five. Better safe than scrambling last minute.
Hours, hours, hours. You need 300-500 hours of vet-related experience, but honestly? More is always better. It’s not just about checking a box; it’s about proving you actually like the field beyond the idea of playing with animals all day (spoiler: being a vet is a lot more than that). Shadowing, interning, working in a clinic—get as much hands-on experience as possible.
The interview prep—yeah, this part gets overlooked, but it’s a big deal. Networking on LinkedIn or Student Doctor Network? Genius. Talking to people who’ve been through it will give you insider info that no website can. Also, practice answering common vet school interview questions out loud. Trust me, sounding confident when you explain why you wanna be a vet makes a difference.
Now let’s talk about skills to build while you’re gearing up for vet school because I know you need to stay prepared Ashley.
Animal handling skills – Obviously. The more comfortable you are handling different species, the better.
Communication – You’ll be dealing with pet owners who are either anxious, clueless, or both. Being able to explain things clearly (without sounding like a robot) is a game-changer.
Critical thinking & problem-solving – Diagnosing an animal is like being a detective, but instead of getting clues from a witness, you’re getting blank stares and occasional tail wags.
Time management – Vet school (and the job itself) is brutal when it comes to workload. Juggling school, work, and life now will train you for the chaos ahead.
Resilience & stress management – Long hours, emotional cases, and tough decisions are part of the gig. Learning how to manage stress and not take everything home with you is key.
Before to end here is just a little summary break down for... to Applying to Vet School (Quick & a hopping Version of mine 🤪)
1️⃣ Nail Your Prereqs – Bio, Chem, Physics, Anatomy, Microbio, etc. Double-check each school’s requirements.
2️⃣ Keep Your GPA Strong – Aim for 3.5+ to stay competitive. Science GPA matters a lot.
3️⃣ Get Diverse Experience – Small animals, large animals, research, wildlife—show range!
4️⃣ Shadow Multiple Vets – Not just one! Different specialties = stronger application.
5️⃣ Join Pre-Vet Clubs – Network, find opportunities, and get insider advice.
6️⃣ Get Leadership Roles – Vet schools love future leaders, so take charge in clubs, research, or jobs.
7️⃣ Ace the CASPer Test (if required) – It’s a situational judgment test some schools ask for.
8️⃣ Apply Early Through VMCAS – Vet school apps open in May. Don’t procrastinate!
9️⃣ Perfect Your Personal Statement – Make it unique, no “I love animals” clichés.
🔟 Practice for Interviews – Know ethical dilemmas, your “why,” and real vet challenges.
⚡ Bonus advice to you: Some schools require animal nutrition, business, or communication courses so just check ahead!
Ashley, Amelia laid out a fantastic blueprint, and now it’s just about putting in the work, and keeping that passion alive. start early, get experience, and prep like your life depends on it. Because once you’re in? It’s a wild ride 😎
You got this Ashley, All the best!🤗
Dr recommends the following next steps:
Loved reading this, thanks!
M.
I appreciate this, thank you for the advice.
Cheeky
Loved reading this too, glad you enjoyed it! Stay blessed✨🤗
Dr H
You are very welcome Cheeky stay awesome mate!
Dr H
Ohhh, you guys! This community is truly something special. Your encouragement keeps this little potato rolling and sharing whatever bits of wisdom I can. I'm so happy to be part of this space where we all lift each other up — one question, one answer, one random potato analogy at a time. Let's keep spreading love, knowledge, and maybe...potatoes? 🤔 Uhum, let's stick with the wisdom 😇🙌 thank you for your encouragements and support fello mentors!
Dr H
Doc Frick
Career Coach and Mentor
1767
Answers
California, CA
Updated
Doc’s Answer
Ashley since veterinarians typically take heavy course loads in physical and biological science, make sure you meet with your universities academic advisor to confirm your on the right track for veterinarian school. Biology, zoology, physiology, microbiology or anatomy are beneficial majors for anyone looking to become a veterinarian.
🐶 EARN YOUR BACHELOR'S DEGREE
Vets typically complete specific prerequisite courses before applying for veterinary school, so it's important to review the requirements when earning your undergraduate degree. Required courses may include biology, chemistry, physics, genetics, biochemistry, math, English, social sciences and humanities. Many veterinary schools recommend taking business and communications courses to help you build other valuable soft skills such as emotional intelligence, leadership and teamwork. It can also be helpful to complete internships and volunteer work while obtaining your bachelor's degree to be a more competitive veterinary school applicant. You can often intern or volunteer at a clinic, practice or shelter.
🐱 APPLY FOR VETERINARY SCHOOL
There are only 30 veterinary schools in the United States, so admission can be competitive. While a bachelor's degree may not be required, it can increase your chances of being accepted to veterinary school. Most schools request scores from a standardized test like the Graduate Record Exam (GRE). The higher your score, the better your chance of being accepted. Check with the schools where you want to apply to find out which test they require. The Association of American Veterinary Colleges provides admission requirements and other information for member schools in the United States. In addition to test scores, most schools require letters of recommendation, a personal statement and at least 100 hours of working or volunteering in a veterinary setting.
🐰VETERINARY SCHOOL
Once you get accepted to veterinary school, your program can last for around four years. Your goal is to earn a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree, abbreviated as DVM. The first three years of school mostly involve classroom instruction. In your final year, you can complete clinical rotations. These rotations offer hands-on experience working with animals and their human caregivers. Rotations may be in a variety of clinical areas, including surgery, community practice, equine medicine and oncology. Toward the end of your rotations, you can perform basic duties under the supervision of a licensed professional.
🐸 PREPARE FOR YOUR VET LICENSE
Before graduating with a DVM degree, candidates must first pass the North American Veterinary Licensing Exam (NAVLE). This computerized 360-question, multiple-choice exam is one of the last requirements to fulfill before practicing veterinary medicine.
Most states also ask candidates to pass a state licensing exam. Requirements vary by state, but some require at least a year of clinical training through an internship or similar experience. Continuing education is generally required for license renewal. You can find out more about state requirements through the American Association of Veterinary State Boards.
🐵 CONCLUSION
Consider joining one of the many national and state associations for veterinarians. This can help you meet other professionals in the field and learn about potential job opportunities. Other membership benefits may include news, professional connections, published literature on the latest veterinary topic and continuing education resources.
Hope this was helpful Ashley
🐶 EARN YOUR BACHELOR'S DEGREE
Vets typically complete specific prerequisite courses before applying for veterinary school, so it's important to review the requirements when earning your undergraduate degree. Required courses may include biology, chemistry, physics, genetics, biochemistry, math, English, social sciences and humanities. Many veterinary schools recommend taking business and communications courses to help you build other valuable soft skills such as emotional intelligence, leadership and teamwork. It can also be helpful to complete internships and volunteer work while obtaining your bachelor's degree to be a more competitive veterinary school applicant. You can often intern or volunteer at a clinic, practice or shelter.
🐱 APPLY FOR VETERINARY SCHOOL
There are only 30 veterinary schools in the United States, so admission can be competitive. While a bachelor's degree may not be required, it can increase your chances of being accepted to veterinary school. Most schools request scores from a standardized test like the Graduate Record Exam (GRE). The higher your score, the better your chance of being accepted. Check with the schools where you want to apply to find out which test they require. The Association of American Veterinary Colleges provides admission requirements and other information for member schools in the United States. In addition to test scores, most schools require letters of recommendation, a personal statement and at least 100 hours of working or volunteering in a veterinary setting.
🐰VETERINARY SCHOOL
Once you get accepted to veterinary school, your program can last for around four years. Your goal is to earn a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree, abbreviated as DVM. The first three years of school mostly involve classroom instruction. In your final year, you can complete clinical rotations. These rotations offer hands-on experience working with animals and their human caregivers. Rotations may be in a variety of clinical areas, including surgery, community practice, equine medicine and oncology. Toward the end of your rotations, you can perform basic duties under the supervision of a licensed professional.
🐸 PREPARE FOR YOUR VET LICENSE
Before graduating with a DVM degree, candidates must first pass the North American Veterinary Licensing Exam (NAVLE). This computerized 360-question, multiple-choice exam is one of the last requirements to fulfill before practicing veterinary medicine.
Most states also ask candidates to pass a state licensing exam. Requirements vary by state, but some require at least a year of clinical training through an internship or similar experience. Continuing education is generally required for license renewal. You can find out more about state requirements through the American Association of Veterinary State Boards.
🐵 CONCLUSION
Consider joining one of the many national and state associations for veterinarians. This can help you meet other professionals in the field and learn about potential job opportunities. Other membership benefits may include news, professional connections, published literature on the latest veterinary topic and continuing education resources.
Hope this was helpful Ashley
I appreciate you taking the time to answer this.
Cheeky
Thank You Sir. Teamwork makes the dream work, It's great to work with people who challenge me and inspire me to be my best.
Doc Frick
Than You Amelia. CareerVillage is at the very core of being part of a community. No one has made it through life without someone else’s help.
Doc Frick
Thank You Dr. H. Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do.
Doc Frick
If crazy ones change the world... then I should say the ones who don't even know what world they're living in
They create whole new ones without even trying.
Honestly, Doc, your wisdom could power a whole galaxy. Really amazing to have your support and insights always.
Dr H
Amelia Reed
Licensed Veterinary Technicans
8
Answers
Kellogg, Idaho
Updated
Amelia’s Answer
I'm in the same situation as you, but starting now is a great idea! There are lots of different things to focus on. A good first step is to begin writing your Curriculum Vitae. This is like an academic and professional resume. Unlike a regular resume, your CV can be more than 2 pages. Make sure to highlight your academic achievements, like making the Dean's or President's list. Also, include your involvement in school clubs, any volunteer work, and job experience. You're on the right track!
The next step that I recommend is to start studying for the GRE (Graduate Record Examinations). Many schools do not require it any more, but to have the most options available, I would recommend completeing it anyway.
Another thing to start, is gathering letters of recommendation, according to most institutions they want at least 2 from DVM's (Doctor of Veterinary Medicine), and one other from a supervisor or someone that you work directly with. I would compile at least 6, because a few required 5 letters.
The next step, is accruing 300-500 veterinary industry working hours.
The final step, is making sure that your undergrad fits all of the prerquistes of the institue you are applying for, and if your GPA is within the acceptance standard.
I actually forgot one more step, the majority of veterinary medical institutes also do a pre-enterance interview, I would nextwork on places like linkedin, or student doctor nextwork and ask their opinion about their experiences, both places are free of charge, if access to these programs are not easy to come by. You might try finding a local veterinarian and asking them about their journey through the application process.
Amelia recommends the following next steps:
Thanks for the help.
M.
Sir Flyer
Design, Entertainment and sport coaching
18
Answers
Zürich, Switzerland
Updated
Sir’s Answer
Dr. Frick, and Dr. H have covered everything brilliantly! Nothing to add—just keep pushing forward, stay dedicated, and trust the process. You got this!