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What major is most helpful when going into the veterinary field?

Hello, I'm a rising senior and want to become a veterinary surgeon. My only issue is that I don't know for certain if Animal Science is the very best major to graduate with if I plan on going to veterinary school. I've eliminated so many college choices because they didn't offer Animal Science as a major, and I want to confirm that it's the most helpful. Thanks! #college-majors #major #college

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Ken’s Answer

The choice of a career and a major area of study depends upon your personality traits as compared with those who are successful in your area of interesting as a vet. Also, what is equally important, is getting to know successful vets to see how you relate to them on a personal level and how you relate to the inside view of being a vet.


Getting to know yourself and how your personality traits relate to people involved in various career opportunities is very important in your decision making process. During my many years in Human Resources and College Recruiting, I ran across too many students who had skipped this very important step and ended up in a job situation which for which they were not well suited. Selecting a career area is like buying a pair of shoes. First you have to be properly fitted for the correct size, and then you need to try on and walk in the various shoe options to determine which is fits the best and is most comfortable for you to wear. Following are some important steps which I developed during my career which have been helpful to many .

Ken recommends the following next steps:

The first step is to take an interest and aptitude test and have it interpreted by your school counselor to see if you share the personality traits necessary to enter the field. You might want to do this again upon entry into college, as the interpretation might differ slightly due to the course offering of the school. However, do not wait until entering college, as the information from the test will help to determine the courses that you take in high school. Too many students, due to poor planning, end up paying for courses in college which they could have taken for free in high school.
Next, when you have the results of the testing, talk to the person at your high school and college who tracks and works with graduates to arrange to talk to, visit, and possibly shadow people doing what you think that you might want to do, so that you can get know what they are doing and how they got there. Here are some tips: ## http://www.wikihow.com/Network ## ## https://www.themuse.com/advice/nonawkward-ways-to-start-and-end-networking-conversations ## ## https://www.themuse.com/advice/4-questions-to-ask-your-network-besides-can-you-get-me-a-job?ref=carousel-slide-1 ##
Locate and attend meetings of professional associations to which people who are doing what you think that you want to do belong, so that you can get their advice. These associations may offer or know of intern, coop, shadowing, and scholarship opportunities. These associations are the means whereby the professionals keep abreast of their career area following college and advance in their career. You can locate them by asking your school academic advisor, favorite teachers, and the reference librarian at your local library. Here are some tips: ## https://www.careeronestop.org/BusinessCenter/Toolkit/find-professional-associations.aspx?&frd=true ## ## https://www.themuse.com/advice/9-tips-for-navigating-your-first-networking-event ##
It is very important to express your appreciation to those who help you along the way to be able to continue to receive helpful information and to create important networking contacts along the way. Here are some good tips: ## https://www.themuse.com/advice/the-informational-interview-thank-you-note-smart-people-know-to-send?ref=recently-published-2 ## ## https://www.themuse.com/advice/3-tips-for-writing-a-thank-you-note-thatll-make-you-look-like-the-best-candidate-alive?bsft_eid=7e230cba-a92f-4ec7-8ca3-2f50c8fc9c3c&bsft_pid=d08b95c2-bc8f-4eae-8618-d0826841a284&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=daily_20171020&utm_source=blueshift&utm_content=daily_20171020&bsft_clkid=edfe52ae-9e40-4d90-8e6a-e0bb76116570&bsft_uid=54658fa1-0090-41fd-b88c-20a86c513a6c&bsft_mid=214115cb-cca2-4aec-aa86-92a31d371185&bsft_pp=2 ##
Here are some good tips on controlling and reducing costs of becoming a vet, as it really does not matter which college you attend to start your education/career journey: ## http://www.educationplanner.org/students/paying-for-school/ways-to-pay/reduce-college-costs.shtml ##
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Beth’s Answer

Hello Carolina,


You asked a great question. There may be more than one route into the program of your choice, so weighing options is a good idea.


In the article entitled " Veterinary School Admission 101," the American Veterinary Medical Association said the following:


You don't have to be a pre-vet major to get into vet school – you just need to get the prerequisite coursework completed and do well. We've seen vet students whose undergraduate majors were math, engineering, English, and many others. Once you're in vet school, the playing field is equal. It's important to enjoy your undergrad studies by picking a major that you are passionate about—not simply the "best one" for getting into vet school.



I suggest starting with the researching career pathways with the AVMA website at: https://www.avma.org/ProfessionalDevelopment/Education/Pages/default.aspx.Professional


Under "Veterinary Education", you will find more information about education requirements and schools offering programs.


A generally a degree in biology, biomedical, or biological sciences is usually does the trick to meet prerequisites to get into to vet school.


Take some time to investigate the schools offered by the AVMA to help you plan.


I hope this helps! Good Luck!

Beth recommends the following next steps:

Research veterinary schools using AVMA website.
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Gabi’s Answer

I go to the University of Missouri-Columbia and our Veterinary Program is a separate 4-year program after you complete your 4-year degree in Animal Science. This major is what they recommended to me when I wanted to be in the Veterinary field. Talk to advisors at all the schools you are looking at because some schools have different options.
Thank you comment icon I’m currently downloading the prerequisites for the vet school I want to go into. Thanks Gabi! Carolina
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James Constantine’s Answer

Hello Carolina,

In the field of veterinary medicine, there isn’t a single “best” major that guarantees acceptance into veterinary school or success as a veterinarian. While Animal Science is a common major chosen by many aspiring veterinarians due to its focus on animal biology and husbandry, it is not the only path to becoming a successful veterinary surgeon. Veterinary schools typically accept students from a variety of academic backgrounds as long as they fulfill the prerequisite coursework.

Pre-Veterinary Requirements: Most veterinary schools have specific prerequisite courses that applicants must complete before applying. These commonly include biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics. Therefore, regardless of your major, you will need to ensure you complete these prerequisite courses to be eligible for veterinary school.

Recommended Majors: While Animal Science can provide a strong foundation for a career in veterinary medicine, other majors can also be beneficial. Majors such as Biology, Biochemistry, Zoology, or even Pre-Veterinary Studies are all suitable choices for aspiring veterinarians. These majors cover the necessary scientific principles and coursework required for admission to veterinary school.

Consider Your Interests: When choosing a major, it’s essential to consider your interests and strengths. Pursuing a major that you are passionate about and excel in can lead to better academic performance and overall satisfaction during your undergraduate studies.

Extracurricular Activities: In addition to academic coursework, participating in extracurricular activities related to animal care or veterinary medicine can strengthen your application to veterinary school. Consider volunteering at animal shelters, working with veterinarians, or conducting research in animal science-related fields.

Admissions Criteria: Ultimately, admission to veterinary school is competitive and based on various factors including GPA, GRE scores (for some programs), letters of recommendation, personal statements, and relevant experience. While your choice of major is important, it is just one aspect of your overall application package.

In conclusion, while Animal Science is a popular major for aspiring veterinarians due to its relevance to the field, there are multiple majors that can prepare you for success in veterinary school. Choose a major that aligns with your interests and strengths while ensuring you complete the necessary prerequisite courses for admission.

Top 3 Authoritative Sources Used in Answering this Question:

American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) - The AVMA provides valuable information on the requirements for admission to accredited veterinary schools and offers guidance on preparing for a career in veterinary medicine.

Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC) - AAVMC sets standards for veterinary medical education and provides resources for prospective students interested in pursuing a career in veterinary medicine.

Veterinary Medical College Application Service (VMCAS) - VMCAS is the centralized application service used by most U.S. colleges of veterinary medicine. Their website offers detailed information on prerequisites and application procedures for aspiring veterinarians.

These sources were consulted to ensure accurate and up-to-date information regarding the educational pathways towards becoming a veterinarian.

God Bless You, Muchly, JC.
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