So you want to be a veterinarian?

Becoming a veterinarian seems to hit the top of the list for almost every kid at some point in their life. It is an amazing career that captivates a lot of young people with the possibility of being able to save animal lives. All this sounds great – but how do you get there? No matter if you’re in high school undergrad, or in the work force, here are a few tips that will help set you up on your journey to becoming a vet.

1.     Experience:

In COVID times it has been tricky and schools will be aware of this, but if things are open where you are, jump in! Try to gain experience in different aspect of veterinary medicine, small animal, large animal, equine, zoo/exotics, and wildlife! You will have to learn all of these in school, so the more you learn before school, the easier it will be in the long term. Also, get to know the veterinarians well – so you can ask for a positive letter of recommendation from them when you apply!  Be sure to ask if a veterinarian is comfortable writing you specifically a positive reference – so you know that when they send that letter to the VIRMP application, it’ll be a great one.

2.     Grades

Veterinary school is an intensive graduate level curriculum, so programs will look for people who have displayed that they can handle a rigorous course load and maintain a high GPA while doing so. If you apply and don’t get in right away you can always go back and get more experience working in the field and even completing a Master’s degree in a related science that will be able to boost your overall GPA with the higher level courses. Most veterinary students have a pre-veterinary science or biology-based major in undergrad, which I would recommend, as those majors give you the best exposure for the knowledge that veterinary school will build on.

3.     Prerequisites

All vet schools have different admission requirements! Some schools require courses such as genetics, or two semesters of biochemistry or two semesters of organic chemistry, so it is important to know the requirements of the programs you’d like to apply to BEFORE sophomore year of undergrad so you have time to make sure you check all the boxes they are looking for. I would recommend to try taking any “preferred but not required” courses if they are listed – it’ll make you a more desirable candidate!

4.     Finances

To be quite honest, veterinary school can be as much of a financial commitment as it is a time commitment. If your state has a public university with in-state tuition prices, I would suggest trying those avenues first in order to save money on not borrowing loans. That being said, don’t be afraid to apply to other places or programs that you are passionate about attending! Just know that you will be able to pay off a higher debt load of a private university, I just want you to be aware of what you are committing too before you accept that seat in the class.

5.     Find your why

Do you know why you want to be a vet? “ I don’t like people” isn’t an answer – because every pet comes with its own human! Think of an experience you had in your life that made you passionate about the field and use that as your personal essay in the application! Be honest and tell your story in the most professional, articulate way you can to make you shine!