What should we call vet school

No, it doesn't. Veterinary schools are looking for well-rounded students. They're looking for future leaders. You can make yourself a better candidate by getting good or great grades as well as experience and leadership skills. That said, check out your school's undergraduate catalog for courses that aren't on the vet school prerequisite list but might be good courses to give you a "leg up" and better prepare you for the coursework you'll have in vet school.

It's possible that taking these courses as an undergrad can make the comparable vet school classes much less stressful for you because you've already got a good foundation in that subject.

Volunteering or working for a veterinarian is very important. Not only does it expose you to your potential career so you know what you're getting into, so to speak , but it also might provide a good recommendation for you from the veterinarian. Varied experience is also helpful. If you have the opportunity to work in a research lab or for veterinarians who work with different species, that's a bonus that can make you more appealing to a veterinary school admissions committee.

Get as much experience as you can while you have the opportunity. Most of us dread public speaking, but that's all the more reason to take a class or two. Becoming more comfortable speaking to larger audiences will come in handy later in life.

You're not alone, and it doesn't mean you don't have what it takes. Contact the admissions staff and request feedback on your application, then address the deficiencies and reapply next year. New veterinarian Answers to the questions you're facing as you start out in your professional life. Rising professional Early-career resources to continue your professional and personal growth. Diversity, equity, and inclusion Creating socially conscious work environments. If you're willing to serve in the Army as a veterinarian , you'll receive full tuition while you are in school.

Both active duty and reserve options are available with the Army. For those with student debt looking for veterinary work outside the Army, the U. The Regional Contract Program allows students in states without a veterinary program to pursue a veterinary degree at designated out-of-state institutions while paying in-state tuition rates.

Spaces in these programs are limited, but veterinary schools do reserve a specific number of seats for vet students from the partner state in return for compensation. Many major vet schools post the age ranges of their students online. The class at UC Davis, for example, had students as old as So you're never too old to consider vet school.

A veterinary degree requires a broad course of study where you learn about all the species you will encounter as a practitioner. You will, however, have the chance to focus on your area of interest when choosing your internships and residencies. You can also go on to pursue board certification as a specialist in a particular field. Vet school enrollment statistics show considerably more female students than male.

This growing gender gap is also being reflected in the pool of practicing veterinarians. In , the AVMA found that, of the 90, practicing vets that provided data, 36, were male and 53, were female.

This list provides an overview of the major professional paths in this field. Familiarize yourself with each of these opportunities to start gaining a better understanding of which veterinary career could be right for you. This is not an exhaustive list of career options—there are specializations under each major category—but it should give you a better idea of some potential paths you could take as a veterinarian.

In fact, the American Veterinary Medical Association AVMA reports about 75 percent of all veterinarians in private practice work mostly or exclusively with companion animals. These practitioners, also called small animal veterinarians , are sort of like primary care physicians who work with humans. They also euthanize animals nearing the end of their lives. Small animal practitioners can even pursue shelter medicine, a relatively new field that entails caring for animals in need of homes.

Wystrach explains. What was the most surprising part of veterinary school for Dr. Aside from the shared goal of pursuing a veterinary career, students can be quite different. This means you have no reason to worry that your pre-vet path could hinder your performance. White initially intended to be a mixed-animal practitioner, then eventually switched his focus to smaller creatures.

She spent 15 years practicing equine and small-animal medicine in a combination hospital-mobile concept, transitioned to three years focusing solely on house calls, and then spent another three years in corporate practice before settling into her current role. Wystrach says. One thing to keep in mind is that business acumen is crucial for these types of roles. Given the chance to go back in time, Dr. Veterinary school is a costly but worthwhile expense for students committed to caring for animals.