Admission to vet school can be very competitive, with about 50% of applicants accepted each year. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site. Not necessarily, although it depends on the program. Learn about animal hospitals, government regulations, and associations offering advice on building your business: Made up of public health veterinarians, NAFV serves Veterinary Medical Officers with leadership roles in national animal health programs. Not to mention the very important requirement. A person can try to do it in 3 years and 4 months too, but that is next to impossible. Becoming a veterinarian takes some time. Is there a student counseling or job placement service? The International Council for Veterinary Assessment, The Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC), American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP), The American Society of Animal Science (ASAS), International Veterinary Students' Association (IVSA), The Veterinary Business Management Association (VBMA), The National Association of Federal Veterinarians (NAFV), The United States Animal Health Association (USAHA), The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA), Student Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society (SVECCS). We’ll also walk you through the process of becoming a vet step by step to help you prepare for your dream career. Administered by the International Council for Veterinary Assessment (ICVA) since 2000, NAVLE s a requirement for licensure to practice veterinary medicine in all licensing jurisdictions in the US and Canada. Here are some tips worth considering: Immediately. Once you’ve chosen the perfect college, it’s time to saddle up and get down to business. You can begin taking steps down this career path while you’re still in high school by planning your schedule around your goals, applying to the right colleges, and seeking hands-on volunteer opportunities. Its resources are helpful for those who plan to work in the livestock field as a federal employee. Some non-traditional students have a Bachelor’s degree in an unrelated discipline, for example, art history. This will take 3-4 more years. The American Board of Veterinary Specialties recognizes 41 veterinary specialties and 22 veterinary specialty organizations. Through high school, college, and vet school, remember to utilize the resources and mentors around you for support and guidance at every step. Some state boards will license graduates of unaccredited programs with additional testing. You may also be working in small groups, so labs can be a good time to get to know your classmates, form outside study groups, and discover how you best collaborate and learn with potential colleagues. Depending on the school, you’ll need to maintain a certain minimum GPA, so make sure you are living a balanced lifestyle to help you stay on top of your coursework. You may also have to pass a state exam. If you want to become a vet but struggle with biological science, it’s important that you start getting extra help now. 1 year. Another part of choosing the right college is looking for a degree program that will provide you with a strong education in physical and biological science—an important part of being prepared for vet school. Students in Cornell’s program can also take “Distribution Courses” that represent opportunities for students to pursue areas of interest in great depth or explore other professionalization aspects such as research and off campus clinical experience. Meet Dr. Shearer. Investigate income-based repayment loans. Depending on the term, you’ll either go directly to class for morning lectures or to one of your labs. Aside from the obvious—compassion, sensitivity to others' feelings, and a love of animals—you must have very good listening, speaking, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. This indicates that a school has an annual tuition of $15,000 or less as reported to the National Center for Education Statistics or based on the school's website. Some colleges may also ask you to explain why you’re a good fit for your college or program. You’ll need to pass the licensure exam (NAVLE) in order to practice veterinary medicine, and you’ll also need licensure in your state. It may take additional time for veterinarians to begin working if they take additional time to earn their state license or complete a residency or internship after graduation. That will give you a little more of an edge when you submit your vet school applications later. You're about to search for degree programs related to a career that you are researching. Having a good GPA and excellent ACT or SAT scores are important for getting accepted into most universities, but standards will vary between institutions. This can usually take up to 4 years, where 3 of the years are spent in learning the theoretical parts of veterinary medicine while the last year is spent in learning about the practical side of it. They will then have to go back to an undergrad program to gain the necessary pre-requisite classes to become a veterinarian. These are usually called clinical rotations and give students hands-on experience working with patients and clients. Veterinary Pathologist: One to three-year residency. Get involved with something outside of school that helps you decompress. On the other hand, if you want to specialize then it will take another one to four years on top of the eight years of college that you already put in. Many vet students apply to vet school between two and six application cycles before getting accepted to one school. According to the BLS, the 69,400 veterinarians in the country earn a mean annual wage of $101,530. Most work in private practices, typically caring for small animals such as dogs, cats, and birds. If you think the career is right for you, the path starts in high school. You may not be treating humans, but you will be talking with them about their beloved pets, guiding them to become better owners, and teaching them how to enhance the quality of animals’ lives. Dr. Nina Griffin gives an adorable dog an exam, which is a normal part of a veterinarian's day! For example, at Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine program, students are required to take “Foundation” courses. It requires a two-year associates degree from an accredited program in veterinary technology and practical experience in a vet hospital. What are the long term career prospects for veterinarians? This is all while trying to remain a well-rounded candidate with diverse interests. There are only 30 accredited schools of veterinary medicine in the United States and admission to these schools is very competitive. A common exam is prepared by the National Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners. This will require more than the typical 4 years of veterinary college. Licensure Get involved with high school organizations like the 4-H or FFA to give you hands-on experience, or seek out volunteer opportunities at the humane society, zoo, or even a livestock farm. Students are also expected to complete elective rotations and may choose a path like small animal, equine, exotic, or zoo and wildlife care. In vet school your coursework probably will include the following: All DVM and VMD students also receive clinical training as part of their education. Potential sites include animal farms, veterinary clinics, hospitals, and zoos. You’ll need to write essays for both your college and vet school applications. Getting Admitted to a Professional DVM or VMD Program, Veterinary Surgeon Job Description: Salary, Skills, & More, Internal Medicine Veterinarian Job Description: Salary, Skills, & More, A List of Things to Know About Veterinary School, Veterinary Technician Job Description: Salary, Skills, & More, Job Outlook and Requirements of Degrees for High-Paying Careers, Mixed Practice Veterinarian Career Profile, Beyond Private Practice: Careers for Vets, Becoming a Large Animal Veterinarian for Horses, Cows, and Pigs.