4 answers
Maddison
Student
Rock Hill, South Carolina
1
Question
Asked
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I want to pursue a career in veterinary medicine. What is the best route to go?
What sort of major should I go into? I'm thinking biology. What minor? What should I do when applying to vet schools and when would be the best point to?
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4 answers
Elizabeth F Schilling DVM
Veterinarian/Educator
37
Answers
Redlands, California
Updated
Elizabeth F’s Answer
Hello Maddison - great questions!
Veterinary medicine is a huge and varied field, with many possibilities other than the traditional neighborhood clinic. There are also small and large animal mobile practices, as well as field opportunities in zoo, wildlife, research, regulatory medicine and public health as mentioned in a previous answer and even opportunities working with movie or performance animals that might take you all over the world. It's actually pretty awesome!
Some of the most important things to think about in your preparation for your vet school application are knowledge of the field, completion of prerequisite courses, ability to carry a heavy work load (vet school is tough - there is a lot to learn in 4 years - people say it's like "drinking water from a fire hose") and some schools look at your extra-curricular activities and community involvements. It is important to show academic success, especially in math and science but also in writing/public speaking. Most of the accredited veterinary schools have similar requirements; they will have their specific prerequisites listed on their admissions websites.
as to your other questions...
Your choice of major/minor may depend to some degree on what is offered at your college/university. Animal science or biology are probably the most common majors we see on applications, but the most important thing is successful completion of the prerequisite courses, and experience in the field. If there is another subject of then science/pre-vet that interests you, undergrad is a great time to explore that! (I had a double major in French)
When you apply is up to you. Most people apply in the fall of their 4th year of college/university, but some get their BA/BS first and then spend time working in the field, working to save up, or may start a masters program. Other students get many of their required courses done at a community college/AA level, then apply when they have most/all of their upper division courses done or scheduled. Still other people come to vet med after trying a different career first.
When you get ready to apply, good things to consider are understanding the specifics of the various programs you apply to. Some veterinary programs only require the shared application, others may have additional specifics. before you get the the point of starting your application, they to have a broad understanding of the field - try to shadow/volunteer/work in different types of practices and different aspects of the field (you could even see about visiting public health offices or diagnostic labs), and make sure that the people who your ask for references know you well, and consider their role in the field.
The AAVMC website is a great place to start - they have a lot of information there.
Visit https://www.aavmc.org/becoming-a-veterinarian/what-to-know-before-you-apply/pre-vet-student-resources/ for good general information
Talk to/visit with veterinarians in your area - try to visit different types of practices.
Talk to your advisors and counselors about pre-vet course study
Think about whether you want to go to college and vet school in your home state or elsewhere, and visit their websites/visit the campuses. (you do not need to go to undergrad and vet school at the same campus, but in-state tuition is usually less expensive)
Veterinary medicine is a huge and varied field, with many possibilities other than the traditional neighborhood clinic. There are also small and large animal mobile practices, as well as field opportunities in zoo, wildlife, research, regulatory medicine and public health as mentioned in a previous answer and even opportunities working with movie or performance animals that might take you all over the world. It's actually pretty awesome!
Some of the most important things to think about in your preparation for your vet school application are knowledge of the field, completion of prerequisite courses, ability to carry a heavy work load (vet school is tough - there is a lot to learn in 4 years - people say it's like "drinking water from a fire hose") and some schools look at your extra-curricular activities and community involvements. It is important to show academic success, especially in math and science but also in writing/public speaking. Most of the accredited veterinary schools have similar requirements; they will have their specific prerequisites listed on their admissions websites.
as to your other questions...
Your choice of major/minor may depend to some degree on what is offered at your college/university. Animal science or biology are probably the most common majors we see on applications, but the most important thing is successful completion of the prerequisite courses, and experience in the field. If there is another subject of then science/pre-vet that interests you, undergrad is a great time to explore that! (I had a double major in French)
When you apply is up to you. Most people apply in the fall of their 4th year of college/university, but some get their BA/BS first and then spend time working in the field, working to save up, or may start a masters program. Other students get many of their required courses done at a community college/AA level, then apply when they have most/all of their upper division courses done or scheduled. Still other people come to vet med after trying a different career first.
When you get ready to apply, good things to consider are understanding the specifics of the various programs you apply to. Some veterinary programs only require the shared application, others may have additional specifics. before you get the the point of starting your application, they to have a broad understanding of the field - try to shadow/volunteer/work in different types of practices and different aspects of the field (you could even see about visiting public health offices or diagnostic labs), and make sure that the people who your ask for references know you well, and consider their role in the field.
The AAVMC website is a great place to start - they have a lot of information there.
Elizabeth F recommends the following next steps:
Thank you! This is all super helpful!
Maddison
Michael Holzhauser-Alberti
Veterinarian
31
Answers
Urbana, Illinois
Updated
Michael’s Answer
Maddison, thanks for your question. If you allow me, I will answer the question in the title instead of going into the more detailed questions below. I think the best path in veterinary medicine, to go into and succeed in it once you are part of the profession, is to examine continually, not only your wants, but especially your needs. Take stock of your situation every 6-12 months or so, even if you are in a part of the profession that you really wanted to be in and are succeeding at. To do so is even more important when you are succeeding because as human beings, we tend to get complacent. So why do I suggest this approach? There is no better answer to your question than the one you will come up with over time. Actually, I don't think a profession exists where you do all of the time what you want. I believe veterinary medicine to be a very complex profession. Complex, in a good way. The many different paths that this profession offers probably come into existence because of the many different species of animals we encounter. Veterinary medicine, in our country like in many others, is one of the essential professions that participates in assuring high standards of public health. In other words, the veterinary profession has expectations placed upon it by society. For example, when you or I enjoy a sandwich at a restaurant, there are always risks that the food we eat are not as safe as it should be. Therefore, we, as veterinarians, participate in the oversight of the restaurant's operations so that high quality standards for food and its preparation are in place and we are active that if and when something goes wrong, everything is done to get back to assuring us, patrons of the restaurant and our families and friends, we can enjoy 100% safe and wholesome food again and again. Public health is maybe not what you are dreaming of when preparing to go into veterinary medicine, but it is part of the profession, and the profession here is in need for a greater percentage of public health veterinarians. I am not saying to you this is where your needs are or will be. That being said, once you navigate your career in the profession of your choice, you may have to or want to pivot from your original choices because the competition is too rough or you find out that the job is simply not a good match, in that case you will want to pay attention to new opportunities. By continually evaluating your progress as well as your goals, you will acquire skills early so that when opportunity knocks, you will be in the best position to get the job you want.
Your advice was so helpful!
Maddison
Jessica Ortiz, PHR, MBA, MPA
7
Answers
Updated
Jessica’s Answer
Have you considered volunteering at an animal shelter? This will help you gain experience working with animals and you will be able network with veterinarians.
Another option would be to reach out to a veterinarian school advisor and find ask questions about programs, etc.
Good luck⭐️
Another option would be to reach out to a veterinarian school advisor and find ask questions about programs, etc.
Good luck⭐️
Michael Torio
Consultant - Data Reporting & Analysis (HQ Finance)
362
Answers
Alpharetta, Georgia
Updated
Michael’s Answer
Hi Maddison:
While in college, here are some undergraduate degrees to major in order to become a Veterinarian:
- Organic Chemistry
- Biochemistry
- Biology
- Zoology
- Physics
- Animal or Wildlife Science
- Chemistry
It will be best to seek advice from your high school guidance counselor as well as teachers to help you focus your interests for a specific major in college. Another recommendation is to visit your local animal hospital and speak with the Veterinarian for additional advice. The Veterinarian can provide you with his or her educational background, experience, insights, etc. on how he or she became a Veterinarian.
While in high school, one will need to focus on science and math classes to prepare for a Veterinary career. Physics, chemistry and biology will be the core science courses. Also, if an Animal or Wildlife course is offered, it will be in your best interest to take this class. For math, algebra, calculus and statistics will be needed. The combination of these concentrations will enable you to focus and refine your analytical skills for research; complex problem solving; investigative and innovative critical thinking; attention to detail; etc.
Other skills that will need to be built upon center around team building, team work and communication. In any work culture, collaboration among team members, staff and partner departments occur on a daily basis. As a Veterinarian, communication is essential and critical when dealing with clients and patients. A college course in Public Speaking, Communication and English will help with one's communication and writing skills. Another recommendation is to seek the advice from your high school guidance counselor and teachers. They can help guide your educational pathway to become a Veterinarian.
A Bachelor of Science degree (four year undergraduate course work) will be required at the college level. Afterwards, one's education is continued until a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree (D.V.M. or V.M.D) is earned which will be another four years of study. Then, both the national and state exams are required for one to earn the licenses to practice Veterinary medicine.
According to U.S. News & World Report, here is a link to the Best Veterinary Colleges and Universities in the United States:
- University of California - Davis
- Cornell University
- Colorado State University
- North Carolina State University
- Ohio State University
- Texas A&M University - College Station
- University of Pennsylvania
- University of Wisconsin - Madison
- University of Florida
- University of Georgia
- University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-health-schools/veterinarian-rankings?_sort=rank-asc
When reviewing colleges and universities, it is best to check the following:
- In-State vs Out of State Tuition
- Internships
- Scholarships
- Career Placement upon graduation
- Course work and offered classes
- Post-Graduate Degrees - Master and Doctoral
There are scholarships based on need, academic performance, school activities, sports involvement and community service. So, it will be to your advantage to seek out these types of scholarships. All of the academic staff at your high school that you interact with can write letters of recommendations for you based on what was just stated above. These recommendations can greatly help when filling out college and scholarship applications.
There will be a application fee to pay for when submitting college applications. The amount of application fee will depend on the college that you are applying to. If there are questions about the college application process, please reach out to the college's Registrar Office.
College and scholarship applications can start to be submitted during your Junior year and will continue throughout your Senior year in high school. It is best to ask your Academic Advisor/School Counselor on the timeline process as well. College and scholarship applications will have specific deadlines and requirements to meet in order to be submitted for review and consideration.
You may want to start to compile your resume/portfolio since a majority of college and scholarship applications will require academic grade point average (GPA), academic accomplishments, school activities (clubs, sports, etc.), community involvement (volunteer, church, etc.), academic and personal recommendations, etc. There may be essay requirements on why you are a qualified candidate to receive the scholarship and acceptance to the applied college of choice, what your future goals are academically and professionally and other questions centering around who you are, your beliefs, etc.
Here are a couple of links for College Scholarships:
https://www.mometrix.com/blog/scholarships-for-college/
https://www.nchchonors.org/students/awards-scholarships/national-scholarships
Also, it will be best to check with the colleges and universities that you will be applying to. You can check with the School/Department of your desired major, the Campus Career Center and the Register's Office for additional information for college scholarships and grants and specific requirements for qualifications.
There should be no limit on the amount of scholarships that one can apply to. It will take time to fill out the scholarship applications and provide all of the necessary required information. Also, there should no fee and no cost to fill out and submit scholarship applications. If there is a fee or cost that is associated with a scholarship application, then please do not send this particular scholarship application in. It will be a scam and money will be lost.
Best wishes for your education and career path as a Veterinarian!
While in college, here are some undergraduate degrees to major in order to become a Veterinarian:
- Organic Chemistry
- Biochemistry
- Biology
- Zoology
- Physics
- Animal or Wildlife Science
- Chemistry
It will be best to seek advice from your high school guidance counselor as well as teachers to help you focus your interests for a specific major in college. Another recommendation is to visit your local animal hospital and speak with the Veterinarian for additional advice. The Veterinarian can provide you with his or her educational background, experience, insights, etc. on how he or she became a Veterinarian.
While in high school, one will need to focus on science and math classes to prepare for a Veterinary career. Physics, chemistry and biology will be the core science courses. Also, if an Animal or Wildlife course is offered, it will be in your best interest to take this class. For math, algebra, calculus and statistics will be needed. The combination of these concentrations will enable you to focus and refine your analytical skills for research; complex problem solving; investigative and innovative critical thinking; attention to detail; etc.
Other skills that will need to be built upon center around team building, team work and communication. In any work culture, collaboration among team members, staff and partner departments occur on a daily basis. As a Veterinarian, communication is essential and critical when dealing with clients and patients. A college course in Public Speaking, Communication and English will help with one's communication and writing skills. Another recommendation is to seek the advice from your high school guidance counselor and teachers. They can help guide your educational pathway to become a Veterinarian.
A Bachelor of Science degree (four year undergraduate course work) will be required at the college level. Afterwards, one's education is continued until a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree (D.V.M. or V.M.D) is earned which will be another four years of study. Then, both the national and state exams are required for one to earn the licenses to practice Veterinary medicine.
According to U.S. News & World Report, here is a link to the Best Veterinary Colleges and Universities in the United States:
- University of California - Davis
- Cornell University
- Colorado State University
- North Carolina State University
- Ohio State University
- Texas A&M University - College Station
- University of Pennsylvania
- University of Wisconsin - Madison
- University of Florida
- University of Georgia
- University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-health-schools/veterinarian-rankings?_sort=rank-asc
When reviewing colleges and universities, it is best to check the following:
- In-State vs Out of State Tuition
- Internships
- Scholarships
- Career Placement upon graduation
- Course work and offered classes
- Post-Graduate Degrees - Master and Doctoral
There are scholarships based on need, academic performance, school activities, sports involvement and community service. So, it will be to your advantage to seek out these types of scholarships. All of the academic staff at your high school that you interact with can write letters of recommendations for you based on what was just stated above. These recommendations can greatly help when filling out college and scholarship applications.
There will be a application fee to pay for when submitting college applications. The amount of application fee will depend on the college that you are applying to. If there are questions about the college application process, please reach out to the college's Registrar Office.
College and scholarship applications can start to be submitted during your Junior year and will continue throughout your Senior year in high school. It is best to ask your Academic Advisor/School Counselor on the timeline process as well. College and scholarship applications will have specific deadlines and requirements to meet in order to be submitted for review and consideration.
You may want to start to compile your resume/portfolio since a majority of college and scholarship applications will require academic grade point average (GPA), academic accomplishments, school activities (clubs, sports, etc.), community involvement (volunteer, church, etc.), academic and personal recommendations, etc. There may be essay requirements on why you are a qualified candidate to receive the scholarship and acceptance to the applied college of choice, what your future goals are academically and professionally and other questions centering around who you are, your beliefs, etc.
Here are a couple of links for College Scholarships:
https://www.mometrix.com/blog/scholarships-for-college/
https://www.nchchonors.org/students/awards-scholarships/national-scholarships
Also, it will be best to check with the colleges and universities that you will be applying to. You can check with the School/Department of your desired major, the Campus Career Center and the Register's Office for additional information for college scholarships and grants and specific requirements for qualifications.
There should be no limit on the amount of scholarships that one can apply to. It will take time to fill out the scholarship applications and provide all of the necessary required information. Also, there should no fee and no cost to fill out and submit scholarship applications. If there is a fee or cost that is associated with a scholarship application, then please do not send this particular scholarship application in. It will be a scam and money will be lost.
Best wishes for your education and career path as a Veterinarian!
Thank you!
Maddison