4 answers
Wren
Student
Wellington, Colorado
1
Question
Asked
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When and what should I study if I want to become a veterinarian?
I'm interested in working with animals and I think it would be nice to do stuff to help them. I'm starting high school next year, and I'd like to know if there are certain classes that I should take.
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4 answers
Elizabeth F Schilling DVM
Veterinarian/Educator
37
Answers
Redlands, California
Updated
Elizabeth F’s Answer
Hi Wren -
As others have said, there are no high school requirements for veterinary school. Do your best in all of your classes, and depending on your high school, you may be able to get involved with 4H or FFA or other Ag programs, if you’re not already. Even if your ultimate interest is in small animal medicine, showing experience in a variety of species will be helpful when you do get to writing vet school applications. Besides, you never know what might pique your interest between now and then!
If you have the opportunity to take honors or AP classes, or to take some college classes while in high school, that might help you when you get to college in terms of placing out of some lower level/intro classes, and some people can even get enough credits to shorten their college time by a year. Talk to your college counselor about what they recommend as far as high school course load and college entrance strategies - this could include starting out at a community college rather than university to get the lower division/general ed requirements out of the way and save a little money.
Once you get to colloge, you really can study whatever you’d like, as long as you take (and do well in) certain prerequisite courses for veterinary school. Each of the veterinary schools/colleges will have a list of the courses they require - you should be able to find it on each school’s admissions website. In general, the list will include biology, chemistry (through organic chemistry), math and/or statistics, some upper division biology, as well as some writing and/or public speaking. There is usually not a required undergraduate major. Take time for some fun courses as well!
Many of the veterinary schools/colleges will look at your undergrad science GPA separately from your overall GPA so don’t put too much pressure on yourself, but be sure to do your best! They don’t look at high school grades, so for now the focus is on getting to the next step - college.
Be sure to take the opportunity to explore, and take some classes that help you learn about the world, or people, or literature or the arts! You never know if something might spark your interest and open up other career options. If there is an education abroad or exchange program, try it! It’s the only time in your life when you can find a supported opportunity to learn about the world!
Talk to your high school’s college counselors/advisors
Talk to veterinary professionals in your area - we all have different stories!
When you get ready for college, you can look at https://www.aavmc.org/becoming-a-veterinarian/what-to-know-before-you-apply/pre-vet-student-resources/ to get an idea of strategies in college to get ready to apply
You can also check the websites for vet schools in areas that interest you. Each school will have a list of prerequisites on their admissions pages. (Be aware that these can change from time to time)
As others have said, there are no high school requirements for veterinary school. Do your best in all of your classes, and depending on your high school, you may be able to get involved with 4H or FFA or other Ag programs, if you’re not already. Even if your ultimate interest is in small animal medicine, showing experience in a variety of species will be helpful when you do get to writing vet school applications. Besides, you never know what might pique your interest between now and then!
If you have the opportunity to take honors or AP classes, or to take some college classes while in high school, that might help you when you get to college in terms of placing out of some lower level/intro classes, and some people can even get enough credits to shorten their college time by a year. Talk to your college counselor about what they recommend as far as high school course load and college entrance strategies - this could include starting out at a community college rather than university to get the lower division/general ed requirements out of the way and save a little money.
Once you get to colloge, you really can study whatever you’d like, as long as you take (and do well in) certain prerequisite courses for veterinary school. Each of the veterinary schools/colleges will have a list of the courses they require - you should be able to find it on each school’s admissions website. In general, the list will include biology, chemistry (through organic chemistry), math and/or statistics, some upper division biology, as well as some writing and/or public speaking. There is usually not a required undergraduate major. Take time for some fun courses as well!
Many of the veterinary schools/colleges will look at your undergrad science GPA separately from your overall GPA so don’t put too much pressure on yourself, but be sure to do your best! They don’t look at high school grades, so for now the focus is on getting to the next step - college.
Be sure to take the opportunity to explore, and take some classes that help you learn about the world, or people, or literature or the arts! You never know if something might spark your interest and open up other career options. If there is an education abroad or exchange program, try it! It’s the only time in your life when you can find a supported opportunity to learn about the world!
Elizabeth F recommends the following next steps:
I will use this advice as I prepare for my career.
Wren
James Constantine Frangos
Consultant Dietitian & Software Developer since 1972 => Nutrition Education => Health & Longevity => Self-Actualization.
6193
Answers
Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Updated
James Constantine’s Answer
Hello Wren,
**Prerequisites for Becoming a Veterinarian**
### High School Coursework
If you're considering a career as a veterinarian, it's essential to start preparing during high school. While there are no specific courses required for admission to veterinary school, certain subjects can help you build a strong foundation for your undergraduate studies:
- **Biology**: Understanding living organisms and their processes is crucial for veterinary medicine. Taking advanced biology courses in high school can provide a solid background for college-level biology classes.
- **Chemistry**: Chemistry is another essential subject for aspiring veterinarians. Familiarize yourself with chemical reactions, equations, and principles to prepare for college-level chemistry courses.
- **Physics**: Physics deals with the fundamental laws of matter and energy, which are vital concepts in veterinary medicine. Gaining a solid understanding of physics can help you in your future studies.
- **Mathematics**: Math is essential for understanding scientific concepts and problem-solving in veterinary medicine. Take advanced math courses such as calculus, statistics, and algebra to prepare for college-level coursework.
### Undergraduate Education
To apply to veterinary school, you'll need to complete a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree or its equivalent. While there is no specific major required, most applicants choose majors related to biology or animal sciences. Here are some recommended courses to take during your undergraduate studies:
- **Biology**: General biology, cellular biology, molecular biology, genetics, and microbiology are essential areas of study for veterinary school applicants.
- **Chemistry**: Organic chemistry, biochemistry, and physiological chemistry are crucial courses for aspiring veterinarians. Familiarize yourself with laboratory techniques and equipment used in these disciplines.
- **Physics**: Take physics courses that cover mechanics, electricity, magnetism, and light to understand the principles governing the behavior of matter and energy.
- **Mathematics**: Mathematics is essential for understanding scientific concepts and problem-solving in veterinary medicine. Take advanced math courses such as calculus, statistics, and algebra to prepare for college-level coursework.
### Veterinary School Prerequisites
Veterinary schools typically require applicants to take specific prerequisite courses before applying:
- **Anatomy**: Study the structure of animals and their organ systems to understand how they function and interact with each other. This includes gross anatomy (study of large structures) and histology (study of microscopic structures).
- **Physiology**: Learn about the functions of animal organ systems and how they work together to maintain life. This includes general physiology, cardiovascular physiology, respiratory physiology, renal physiology, and neurology.
- **Pharmacology**: Study the properties and effects of drugs on animals to understand their therapeutic uses and potential side effects. This includes general pharmacology and specific courses on anesthesia, analgesia, and antibiotics.
- **Microbiology**: Learn about viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites that affect animals' health and how they can be treated or prevented. This includes general microbiology, virology, mycology (study of fungi), bacteriology (study of bacteria), and parasitology (study of parasites).
- **Pathology**: Study the causes of diseases in animals and how they can be diagnosed and treated. This includes general pathology, pathophysiology (study of disease processes), diagnostic pathology (study of laboratory tests), surgical pathology (study of surgical specimens), forensic pathology (study of legal aspects), and clinical pathology (study of diseases affecting blood cells).
In addition to these prerequisites, most veterinary schools require applicants to have experience working with animals in a clinical setting before applying to the program. This can include volunteering or working at an animal shelter, veterinary clinic or hospital, or research laboratory. The experience will help you develop your skills in handling animals and assisting with their medical care while also demonstrating your commitment to the field.
**Authoritative Reference Titles:**
1. **Veterinary Medical School Admission Requirements** - Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC)
2. **Preparing for a Career as a Veterinarian** - American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)
3. **Veterinary Medical College Application Service** - Veterinary Medical College Application Service (VMCAS)
GOD BLESS!
James Constantine.
**Prerequisites for Becoming a Veterinarian**
### High School Coursework
If you're considering a career as a veterinarian, it's essential to start preparing during high school. While there are no specific courses required for admission to veterinary school, certain subjects can help you build a strong foundation for your undergraduate studies:
- **Biology**: Understanding living organisms and their processes is crucial for veterinary medicine. Taking advanced biology courses in high school can provide a solid background for college-level biology classes.
- **Chemistry**: Chemistry is another essential subject for aspiring veterinarians. Familiarize yourself with chemical reactions, equations, and principles to prepare for college-level chemistry courses.
- **Physics**: Physics deals with the fundamental laws of matter and energy, which are vital concepts in veterinary medicine. Gaining a solid understanding of physics can help you in your future studies.
- **Mathematics**: Math is essential for understanding scientific concepts and problem-solving in veterinary medicine. Take advanced math courses such as calculus, statistics, and algebra to prepare for college-level coursework.
### Undergraduate Education
To apply to veterinary school, you'll need to complete a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree or its equivalent. While there is no specific major required, most applicants choose majors related to biology or animal sciences. Here are some recommended courses to take during your undergraduate studies:
- **Biology**: General biology, cellular biology, molecular biology, genetics, and microbiology are essential areas of study for veterinary school applicants.
- **Chemistry**: Organic chemistry, biochemistry, and physiological chemistry are crucial courses for aspiring veterinarians. Familiarize yourself with laboratory techniques and equipment used in these disciplines.
- **Physics**: Take physics courses that cover mechanics, electricity, magnetism, and light to understand the principles governing the behavior of matter and energy.
- **Mathematics**: Mathematics is essential for understanding scientific concepts and problem-solving in veterinary medicine. Take advanced math courses such as calculus, statistics, and algebra to prepare for college-level coursework.
### Veterinary School Prerequisites
Veterinary schools typically require applicants to take specific prerequisite courses before applying:
- **Anatomy**: Study the structure of animals and their organ systems to understand how they function and interact with each other. This includes gross anatomy (study of large structures) and histology (study of microscopic structures).
- **Physiology**: Learn about the functions of animal organ systems and how they work together to maintain life. This includes general physiology, cardiovascular physiology, respiratory physiology, renal physiology, and neurology.
- **Pharmacology**: Study the properties and effects of drugs on animals to understand their therapeutic uses and potential side effects. This includes general pharmacology and specific courses on anesthesia, analgesia, and antibiotics.
- **Microbiology**: Learn about viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites that affect animals' health and how they can be treated or prevented. This includes general microbiology, virology, mycology (study of fungi), bacteriology (study of bacteria), and parasitology (study of parasites).
- **Pathology**: Study the causes of diseases in animals and how they can be diagnosed and treated. This includes general pathology, pathophysiology (study of disease processes), diagnostic pathology (study of laboratory tests), surgical pathology (study of surgical specimens), forensic pathology (study of legal aspects), and clinical pathology (study of diseases affecting blood cells).
In addition to these prerequisites, most veterinary schools require applicants to have experience working with animals in a clinical setting before applying to the program. This can include volunteering or working at an animal shelter, veterinary clinic or hospital, or research laboratory. The experience will help you develop your skills in handling animals and assisting with their medical care while also demonstrating your commitment to the field.
**Authoritative Reference Titles:**
1. **Veterinary Medical School Admission Requirements** - Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC)
2. **Preparing for a Career as a Veterinarian** - American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)
3. **Veterinary Medical College Application Service** - Veterinary Medical College Application Service (VMCAS)
GOD BLESS!
James Constantine.
Thank you, this is amazing! I really needed it.
Wren
Xiaojie Johan Liu
Consultant
91
Answers
Boston, Massachusetts
Updated
Xiaojie Johan’s Answer
Hello Wren,
Thanks for asking! You are just starting high school, so it is best to focus on getting the best grades possible, the best test scores possible, volunteering, outside of school activities and leadership positions. This way, you can get into the best university possible so that getting into vet school won't be as difficult as coming from a lower ranked university/college. I'd focus on doing well in high school first and then worry about vet school when you enter university/college.
Hopefully this helps!
Good luck!
Regards,
Johan
Thanks for asking! You are just starting high school, so it is best to focus on getting the best grades possible, the best test scores possible, volunteering, outside of school activities and leadership positions. This way, you can get into the best university possible so that getting into vet school won't be as difficult as coming from a lower ranked university/college. I'd focus on doing well in high school first and then worry about vet school when you enter university/college.
Hopefully this helps!
Good luck!
Regards,
Johan
Thank you so much, Xiaojie Johan!
Wren
Cassandra Carpenter
Veterinary assistant
19
Answers
Morton, Washington
Updated
Cassandra’s Answer
Hello Wren,
Absolutely, it's important to pay attention to all your classes. However, during high school, try to take as many biology, chemistry, and math-related courses as possible. These subjects will be prerequisites for veterinary school, so it's beneficial to familiarize yourself with them early. I must highlight that gaining admission into veterinary college can be quite challenging due to its competitive nature. There's a chance you may not get accepted on your first attempt, but don't let that discourage you. Strive to enhance your grades and seek any opportunity to gain hands-on experience with animals. These efforts will significantly increase your chances and make you a strong candidate in the future. Keep pushing forward and best of luck on your exciting journey!
Absolutely, it's important to pay attention to all your classes. However, during high school, try to take as many biology, chemistry, and math-related courses as possible. These subjects will be prerequisites for veterinary school, so it's beneficial to familiarize yourself with them early. I must highlight that gaining admission into veterinary college can be quite challenging due to its competitive nature. There's a chance you may not get accepted on your first attempt, but don't let that discourage you. Strive to enhance your grades and seek any opportunity to gain hands-on experience with animals. These efforts will significantly increase your chances and make you a strong candidate in the future. Keep pushing forward and best of luck on your exciting journey!
Thank you, Cassandra!
Wren