2 answers
Gabriella
Student
Summerville, South Carolina
2
Questions
Asked
984 views
What are the requirements for a veterinarian?
I have wanted to be a veterinarian for a while and was wondering the different requirements# #veterinarian #animals #veterinarian requirements
Login to comment
2 answers
Elizabeth F Schilling DVM
Veterinarian/Educator
37
Answers
Redlands, California
Updated
Elizabeth F’s Answer
Hello Gabriella!
In general, most veterinary colleges require a BA or BS. All of the veterinary colleges will expect you to have successfully completed a certain number of prerequisite courses. The specifics may vary from school to school, but will include some upper division biology (and you will be way ahead if that includes physiology, maybe cellular biology, nutrition, etc), math, and chemistry - the biggest stumbling block is often organic chemistry but it is doable! In addition, most schools now require some English/writing classes and/or public speaking, and some humanities.
Each college's admissions committee has different key things they are looking for but there are some generalities:
You will be expected to have succeeded at these prerequisites - your science GPA will be considered , as well as your overall GPA.
You will be expected to show that you can handle a heavy academic load. (if you got all As by taking 1 or 2 classes per semester, that might not be considered as highly as if you do well taking a full load)
You will be expected to have animal experience and specifically veterinary experience. If your experiences cover a wider variety of species and areas of practices, that may be favorable for you.
In general you will be expected to be well-rounded and to show some drive/ability in leadership (ie extra-curricular clubs/sports/community work/volunteer work/career-related jobs)
for information on different veterinary careers, you can visit https://www.aavmc.org/becoming-a-veterinarian/
for specific prerequisites, each veterinary college admissions website will have those specifics. you can find them here: https://applytovetschool.org/
talk to veterinarians in your area about opportunities to work/shadowing experience
attend preview days/open houses at vet schools if you can - UNC, UGa, UF are the closest to you
In general, most veterinary colleges require a BA or BS. All of the veterinary colleges will expect you to have successfully completed a certain number of prerequisite courses. The specifics may vary from school to school, but will include some upper division biology (and you will be way ahead if that includes physiology, maybe cellular biology, nutrition, etc), math, and chemistry - the biggest stumbling block is often organic chemistry but it is doable! In addition, most schools now require some English/writing classes and/or public speaking, and some humanities.
Each college's admissions committee has different key things they are looking for but there are some generalities:
You will be expected to have succeeded at these prerequisites - your science GPA will be considered , as well as your overall GPA.
You will be expected to show that you can handle a heavy academic load. (if you got all As by taking 1 or 2 classes per semester, that might not be considered as highly as if you do well taking a full load)
You will be expected to have animal experience and specifically veterinary experience. If your experiences cover a wider variety of species and areas of practices, that may be favorable for you.
In general you will be expected to be well-rounded and to show some drive/ability in leadership (ie extra-curricular clubs/sports/community work/volunteer work/career-related jobs)
Elizabeth F recommends the following next steps:
Betty Yip, PMP, CSM
Senior Director, Technical Program Manager
72
Answers
San Francisco, California
Updated
Betty’s Answer
Hi Gabriella,
According to the website Vet Tech Schools in South Carolina (SC) https://www.vettechcolleges.com/schools/south-carolina, these are the requirements.
Pass the South Carolina Examination (i.e., Veterinary Medical Practice Rules and Regulations test) with a score of at least 70 percent. Send official transcripts from a program accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association's (AVMA) Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities (CVTEA)
According to the website Vet Tech Schools in South Carolina (SC) https://www.vettechcolleges.com/schools/south-carolina, these are the requirements.
Pass the South Carolina Examination (i.e., Veterinary Medical Practice Rules and Regulations test) with a score of at least 70 percent. Send official transcripts from a program accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association's (AVMA) Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities (CVTEA)