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How can I better prepare for Veterinary School after graduation from undergrad?
My college does not offer a Pre-Vet program so I would like some help to keep myself on the right track.
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2 answers
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Jason’s Answer
Great question! Not having a pre-vet program is absolutely not something to worry about if you plan on attending Veterinary school. The veterinary schools that you plan on applying to should have a list of required undergraduate courses that they expect any applicants to have in order to be considered for acceptance. If you have some schools in mind already, then I suggest checking their program requirements against the undergraduate courses that you already have to see if there are any gaps that you may need to fill before you are ready to start applying for veterinary school.
Here is a link to the of the admission requirements from the University of Florida Veterinary school: https://education.vetmed.ufl.edu/admissions/course-requirements/
It may not be an exact match for what every school requires, but it should give you an idea of what these programs are looking for and what you should be aiming for to keep yourself on the right track. These schools will also identify what kind of standardized tests they expect prospective students to have as well. Sometimes, just having the right courses isn't enough. Hopefully that helps you a bit and good luck getting into veterinary school!
Here is a link to the of the admission requirements from the University of Florida Veterinary school: https://education.vetmed.ufl.edu/admissions/course-requirements/
It may not be an exact match for what every school requires, but it should give you an idea of what these programs are looking for and what you should be aiming for to keep yourself on the right track. These schools will also identify what kind of standardized tests they expect prospective students to have as well. Sometimes, just having the right courses isn't enough. Hopefully that helps you a bit and good luck getting into veterinary school!
Thank you for the advice!
Kamaria
Updated
John’s Answer
Hi Kamaria,
Here are a few thoughts:
1.) I think you know this but take every biology and chemistry class you can take during your undergrad. You might take a few psychology classes too.
2.) Volunteer at an animal shelter.
3.) After you've been volunteering for a bit at the shelter, try to get a job at a vet doing anything.
4.) Here's a crazy idea, but if you had to learn how to be a vet without a school how would you do it? You'd start reading textbooks, researching online, subscribing to veterinarian magazines, you'd talk to existing veterinarians, etc., right? I'm not suggesting you can become a vet on your own. BUT I do think most of the information is out there and available to you BEFORE you hit vet school. Dig in! by the time you reach vet school you'll have done much more pre-vet studying than probably most of your peers!
Work hard!
-John
Take all biology, chemistry and psychology courses you can fit into your study
Volunteer at an animal shelter
Work for a vet doing aaaaaannnnnyyyyything.
Self-teach until you get to vet school
Here are a few thoughts:
1.) I think you know this but take every biology and chemistry class you can take during your undergrad. You might take a few psychology classes too.
2.) Volunteer at an animal shelter.
3.) After you've been volunteering for a bit at the shelter, try to get a job at a vet doing anything.
4.) Here's a crazy idea, but if you had to learn how to be a vet without a school how would you do it? You'd start reading textbooks, researching online, subscribing to veterinarian magazines, you'd talk to existing veterinarians, etc., right? I'm not suggesting you can become a vet on your own. BUT I do think most of the information is out there and available to you BEFORE you hit vet school. Dig in! by the time you reach vet school you'll have done much more pre-vet studying than probably most of your peers!
Work hard!
-John
John recommends the following next steps: