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Ilyanna
Student
Yuma, Arizona
1
Question
Asked
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What are some steps to become a veterinarian ?
I am 13 go to crane middle and always wanted to be a veterinarian but never new the the right steps school advice or were to start.
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1 answer
Todd Phillips
Retired veterinarian
42
Answers
San Antonio, Texas
Updated
Todd’s Answer
Hi Ilyanna,
You will want to find a way to get some experience with veterinary medicine so that you can see if this is the profession you want to pursue. Various ways to do this could be finding a local veterinarian to visit or observe for a day or more, volunteering at a local shelter for animals (dogs & cats, large animals, wildlife), or perhaps visiting a local university or research facility. A quick google search reveals that Arizona has a Vet Med program (https://vetmed.arizona.edu/) so that would be a good place to start, although you may end up going to school somewhere else. You can call the school and ask for the admissions office. They should have someone who can give you specific advice how to prepare, and many times there are "open house days" at the school where you can visit and find out much more.
Right now, in school, you will want to study as hard as you can, take as much math and science as you can, and make the best grades you can. Don't do this to the exclusion of having a balance to your life, but grades are important to be admitted a good undergraduate college and to Vet School. When I went to Vet School there was a requirement of various undergraduate courses completed BEFORE you could apply to Vet School.
There are other requirements as well, that is why I would recommend contacting the Arizona Vet School (or another school if you think you might go there instead) to find out the exact requirements to apply to Vet School. That way you can make a plan to start your journey to becoming a veterinarian. Good luck.
You will want to find a way to get some experience with veterinary medicine so that you can see if this is the profession you want to pursue. Various ways to do this could be finding a local veterinarian to visit or observe for a day or more, volunteering at a local shelter for animals (dogs & cats, large animals, wildlife), or perhaps visiting a local university or research facility. A quick google search reveals that Arizona has a Vet Med program (https://vetmed.arizona.edu/) so that would be a good place to start, although you may end up going to school somewhere else. You can call the school and ask for the admissions office. They should have someone who can give you specific advice how to prepare, and many times there are "open house days" at the school where you can visit and find out much more.
Right now, in school, you will want to study as hard as you can, take as much math and science as you can, and make the best grades you can. Don't do this to the exclusion of having a balance to your life, but grades are important to be admitted a good undergraduate college and to Vet School. When I went to Vet School there was a requirement of various undergraduate courses completed BEFORE you could apply to Vet School.
There are other requirements as well, that is why I would recommend contacting the Arizona Vet School (or another school if you think you might go there instead) to find out the exact requirements to apply to Vet School. That way you can make a plan to start your journey to becoming a veterinarian. Good luck.