3 answers
Madeleine
Student
Cypress, Texas
1
Question
Asked
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What is the best way to prepare for pre-vet as a 16 year old sophomore in high school (How to get internships/scholarships/best ap classes to take/other extracurriculars that will get me into college) ?
I am a 16 year old in 10th grade and I'm not sure how to properly prepare if I want to go to college with the intention of eventually getting into veterinary.
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3 answers
Megan McCoy
Career Coach
162
Answers
Lakeland, Florida
Updated
Megan’s Answer
Hi Madeleine,
You will want to make sure you are getting as much experience as possible.
Volunteer, part-time job, job shadow- whatever you can get your hands on.
Become familiar with vet schools and their requirements and how competitive they are.
Check out resources like https://www.aavmc.org/ American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges
I hope this helps!
You will want to make sure you are getting as much experience as possible.
Volunteer, part-time job, job shadow- whatever you can get your hands on.
Become familiar with vet schools and their requirements and how competitive they are.
Check out resources like https://www.aavmc.org/ American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges
I hope this helps!
Serena Aumick
Veterinary Technician
1
Answer
Tunkhannock, Pennsylvania
Updated
Serena’s Answer
Hello Madeleine! I am currently a Pre-Veterinary Biology student in college.
To get ahead of the curve, if you have the opportunity to do so, it would be excellent for you to begin shadowing various veterinarians to gain veterinary experience- it is hard to come by clinical veterinary experience until you are 18 years old. To shadow veterinarians, I have found it to be effective to send emails to veterinarians that are local to you- most are very enthusiastic that you are looking to learn from them and enter the field!
Additionally, to get animal experience, if there are any kennels that are local to you, I would highly recommend applying for a position as a kennel technician or assistant. If not, acting as dog-walker or pet-sitter is an excellent alternative! If possible, it is very desirable to have a variety of animal experience. So, if there is a farm/ barn in your area, it would be a great idea to search for a farm-hand position, working with livestock and equine!
Another item to consider is acquiring community service hours. To gain experience working with people- which is also desirable working within veterinary medicine- I recommend that you seek to volunteer at a soup kitchen or a related organization. To get volunteer hours with animals- it would be helpful to seek out a local Humane Society or other animal shelter to volunteer at.
Having community service hours is highly desirable when applying to colleges.
Regardless of whether you are getting veterinary experience (under the supervision of a veterinarian), animal experience (with any animal that is not a household pet), or community service hours, be sure to track them! I would recommend starting an Excel or Google Document (a notebook is also a good option) that you are able to dedicate to all of your hours. Within this spreadsheet you should include where you worked, what you learned, the date, the number of hours and a contact that witnessed it (when you complete the VMCAS this is required).
While in high school, be sure to try your best to maintain a high GPA. Remember, it is okay to not have a perfect GPA, so do not stress over mistakes too much- if you are passionate about veterinary medicine, you will make it into the field. For extracurriculars, find something that you enjoy! Colleges like to hear about experiences that are unique to you, whether that be a club, sport, or musical talent! As for AP classes, much of veterinary medicine is revolved around the hard sciences- chemistry, physics, and biology. Taking upper-level courses in these subjects would give you an excellent head start in undergraduate.
Many people major in Biology in undergraduate school when they aspire to go to veterinary school, however, it is not necessary. People have gotten into veterinary school with degrees in Philosophy, English, Business, and more. You only need to have completed the pre-requisites of your desired schools. It just so happens that Biology degrees oftentimes have these classes built in- making them desirable to the student. So, if you are interested in another topic of study, pursue it!
I hope that this information was useful to you, Madeleine! Best of luck with your studies!
To get ahead of the curve, if you have the opportunity to do so, it would be excellent for you to begin shadowing various veterinarians to gain veterinary experience- it is hard to come by clinical veterinary experience until you are 18 years old. To shadow veterinarians, I have found it to be effective to send emails to veterinarians that are local to you- most are very enthusiastic that you are looking to learn from them and enter the field!
Additionally, to get animal experience, if there are any kennels that are local to you, I would highly recommend applying for a position as a kennel technician or assistant. If not, acting as dog-walker or pet-sitter is an excellent alternative! If possible, it is very desirable to have a variety of animal experience. So, if there is a farm/ barn in your area, it would be a great idea to search for a farm-hand position, working with livestock and equine!
Another item to consider is acquiring community service hours. To gain experience working with people- which is also desirable working within veterinary medicine- I recommend that you seek to volunteer at a soup kitchen or a related organization. To get volunteer hours with animals- it would be helpful to seek out a local Humane Society or other animal shelter to volunteer at.
Having community service hours is highly desirable when applying to colleges.
Regardless of whether you are getting veterinary experience (under the supervision of a veterinarian), animal experience (with any animal that is not a household pet), or community service hours, be sure to track them! I would recommend starting an Excel or Google Document (a notebook is also a good option) that you are able to dedicate to all of your hours. Within this spreadsheet you should include where you worked, what you learned, the date, the number of hours and a contact that witnessed it (when you complete the VMCAS this is required).
While in high school, be sure to try your best to maintain a high GPA. Remember, it is okay to not have a perfect GPA, so do not stress over mistakes too much- if you are passionate about veterinary medicine, you will make it into the field. For extracurriculars, find something that you enjoy! Colleges like to hear about experiences that are unique to you, whether that be a club, sport, or musical talent! As for AP classes, much of veterinary medicine is revolved around the hard sciences- chemistry, physics, and biology. Taking upper-level courses in these subjects would give you an excellent head start in undergraduate.
Many people major in Biology in undergraduate school when they aspire to go to veterinary school, however, it is not necessary. People have gotten into veterinary school with degrees in Philosophy, English, Business, and more. You only need to have completed the pre-requisites of your desired schools. It just so happens that Biology degrees oftentimes have these classes built in- making them desirable to the student. So, if you are interested in another topic of study, pursue it!
I hope that this information was useful to you, Madeleine! Best of luck with your studies!
Thank you for the advice! It's very useful information and I will definitely use it!
Madeleine
Aseleni Wodo
Unemployed
11
Answers
Port Harcourt, Rivers, Nigeria
Updated
Aseleni’s Answer
I am a graduate of Geography and Environmental Study from the Prestigious University of Port-Harcourt Choba, and I am currently seeking to further my studies in same field.
As a 16-year-old sophomore, preparing for pre-vet programs requires a head start! Here's a plan to help you get ready:
1. Maintain a strong academic record:
- Focus on sciences (biology, chemistry, physics) and math (algebra, geometry).
- Aim for excellent grades, especially in these subjects.
2. Gain animal experience:
- Volunteer at local animal shelters, pet stores, or veterinary clinics.
- Participate in 4-H clubs, FFA, or animal-related extracurricular activities.
3. Build a strong foundation in biology and chemistry:
- Take advanced courses (AP or honors) if available.
- Study and review regularly to develop a deep understanding.
4. Develop essential skills:
- Improve communication and public speaking skills.
- Learn time management, organization, and study techniques.
5. Research and explore:
- Learn about different veterinary fields (companion animals, wildlife, research).
- Investigate pre-vet programs and their requirements.
6. Seek guidance:
- Consult with your school counselor, science teachers, or mentors.
- Reach out to veterinarians or pre-vet students for advice.
7. Stay organized and focused:
- Set goals and create a study plan.
- Balance academics with extracurricular activities and personal time.
By following this plan, you'll be well-prepared for pre-vet programs and set yourself up for success in the veterinary field! Keep up the great work.
As a 16-year-old sophomore, preparing for pre-vet programs requires a head start! Here's a plan to help you get ready:
1. Maintain a strong academic record:
- Focus on sciences (biology, chemistry, physics) and math (algebra, geometry).
- Aim for excellent grades, especially in these subjects.
2. Gain animal experience:
- Volunteer at local animal shelters, pet stores, or veterinary clinics.
- Participate in 4-H clubs, FFA, or animal-related extracurricular activities.
3. Build a strong foundation in biology and chemistry:
- Take advanced courses (AP or honors) if available.
- Study and review regularly to develop a deep understanding.
4. Develop essential skills:
- Improve communication and public speaking skills.
- Learn time management, organization, and study techniques.
5. Research and explore:
- Learn about different veterinary fields (companion animals, wildlife, research).
- Investigate pre-vet programs and their requirements.
6. Seek guidance:
- Consult with your school counselor, science teachers, or mentors.
- Reach out to veterinarians or pre-vet students for advice.
7. Stay organized and focused:
- Set goals and create a study plan.
- Balance academics with extracurricular activities and personal time.
By following this plan, you'll be well-prepared for pre-vet programs and set yourself up for success in the veterinary field! Keep up the great work.