How To Become A Veterinarian

Step 1: Take Relevant Courses in High School

Students interested in becoming Veterinarians should excel at relevant topics needed for Veterinary Medicine, including Mathematics, Biology, and Chemistry. Complete the highest level of courses available at your High School for these subjects.

Advanced students may also gain access to college-level courses. Taking advanced Mathematics, Biology, or Chemistry may make it easier to gain acceptance to the University or College of your choice.

Tip: Volunteer at Local Organizations

While most high schools do not offer Veterinary classes, students can gain real-world experience by volunteering. Look for volunteer positions at local animal clinics, zoos, or animal shelters. Many future Veterinarians also join 4-H or related organizations for hands-on experience dealing with animals.

“I recommend diversifying with your experience before veterinary school. Even if you think you know the career path in veterinary medicine after graduation, you may discover a new area of passion. Also, diversity of experience with animals will help your application stand out amongst the board of admissions. Before veterinary school, I volunteered at our Raptor Center, in which I helped with the medical treatment of hawks, eagles, and owls.” – Dr. Michelle Burch, DVM from Safe Hounds Pet Insurance.

Dr. Michelle Burch also recommends students who want to become a veterinarian to work in a veterinary office as support staff before applying to become one. Working in a veterinary hospital as a kennel assistant or veterinary assistant will give students a look into the everyday life of a veterinarian, including all the highs and lows.

Step 2: Obtain a Bachelor’s Degree

A Bachelor’s Degree is not a requirement for every Veterinary Medical School in the United States. However, schools that do not require a Bachelor’s Degree still require a minimum number of credits and specific courses.

As entry to Veterinary Medical Schools is highly competitive, obtaining a Bachelor’s Degree can increase your options when applying for a veterinary program. Whether you choose to earn an undergraduate degree or not, your college education should include the following prerequisite courses:

• Biology
• Inorganic Chemistry
• Physics
• Mathematics
• English Composition
• Social Sciences

Genetics, Microbiology, Anatomy, and Animal Nutrition may also be required. To ensure that you complete the prerequisite courses, check the educational requirements of the Veterinary Medical Schools where you intend to apply.

“In undergraduate school, try to take introductory human psychology courses. Many students choose veterinary medicine because they will be providing treatment to the animals. Little do students realize the amount of emotional support and guidance needed for clients.” – Dr. Michelle Burch, DVM

Step 3: Earn a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine

To practice veterinary medicine, you need to earn a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree. A DVM is only available from 30 different institutions in the United States. Most schools will review your GPA, Graduate Record Examination (GRE) score, and letters of recommendation.

Most Doctor of Veterinary Medicine programs are designed to be completed in four years. The first two years typically include coursework in a classroom or laboratory setting. The initial curriculum revolves around Science and Biology.

During your third year, you will likely start gaining practical experience outside of the classroom. The third year often includes a combination of lab work and clinical work at local animal clinics or veterinary hospitals.

The final year of the program often focuses on clinical rotations. You spend most of your last year working full-time at clinics or hospitals to gain hands-on experience working with animals.

“To help with a unique veterinary school application, diversify your extracurricular activities. All of the pre-veterinary students will experience and volunteer hours with animals. In undergraduate school, join clubs that are outside of veterinary medicine. Admission boards want to make sure that you are a well-rounded candidate. Do not become discouraged if you are not accepted to veterinary school on your first try. It can take applicants two to three rounds before gaining acceptance to a veterinary program. I highly recommend going to the exit interview to learn what the board is looking for with your application. ” – Dr. Michelle Burch, DVM

Tip from Dr. Michelle Burch, DVM on the cost of becoming a veterinarian.

Start to budget and try to save for tuition, books, room and board, and recreation fund. Learn to live with a budget to try to decrease the number of necessary student loans.

Also, look into other options of financial assistance, including the US Army Corp of Veterinarians. Unfortunately, currently, there are minimal options for financial aid, and the veterinary student debt burden is an industry issue with the rising cost of tuition.

Step 4: Obtain a License to Practice in Your State

Before you can seek employment, you need to obtain a license by completing the North American Veterinary Licensing Exam (NAVLE). The NAVLE is an extensive test and a requirement for licensing in every state in the United States and Canada.

The test consists of 360 multiple-choice questions and takes the average student about seven hours to complete. The test is available for four weeks in November and December and two weeks in April.

You need to be within 10 months of graduating to take the NAVLE. However, some states may require you to wait until you are eight months or less away from graduation.

Many students choose to take the test during the fall, allowing them to retake the test in the spring if they are not happy with the results.

It takes about a month to receive the results of the NAVLE. The results are automatically submitted to the licensing board in your state. If you pass the test and meet all other applicable requirements in your state, you will receive a license to start practicing Veterinary Medicine.

Step 5: Accept an Internship to Gain Experience

After gaining a license to practice, many Veterinarians gain practical experience in the field through internships. The typical length of an internship is one year. You can find internships at a wide range of private animal clinics if you choose to pursue a career as a general Veterinarian.

For those seeking specialization, consider finding an internship that is more closely related to your career ambitions. For example, if you want to work with large animals or zoo animals, you may find a suitable internship at a zoo or animal sanctuary.

Step 6: Choose a Specialty in Veterinary Medicine

You can start applying for positions as a Veterinarian as soon as you receive your license. However, if you want to specialize in a specific area of Veterinary Medicine, you may need to accept a residency through a veterinary specialty organization.

There are 41 distinct specialties within the Veterinary field. These specializations require additional education and training through any of the 22 veterinary specialty organizations recognized by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Common specialties include:

• Anesthesia
• Animal Welfare
• Emergency and Critical Care
• Internal Medicine
• Laboratory Animal Medicine
• Nutrition
• Preventative Medicine
• Surgery
• Veterinary Practitioners
• Veterinary Practitioners are Veterinarians who specialize in treating certain animal species such as birds, horses, cats, cattle, or pigs.

Step 7: Start Applying for Veterinary Positions

After completing your education, internship, and licensing requirements, you can start seeking full-time Veterinarian positions. Along with educational and licensing requirements, employers tend to look at your work experience.

Volunteering during High School and completing internships during College can increase your employability. Employers also seek candidates with strong communication skills as Veterinarians work directly with the public.

Step 8: Join a Professional Organization

Whether you choose to become a Primary Care Veterinarian or a Board-Certified Veterinary Specialist, joining a professional organization can help advance your career.

Members receive access to newsletters, journals, and networking opportunities that can help keep you updated on the latest developments in the world of Veterinary Medicine. You also receive access to useful tools, resources, and information on continuing your education.

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) is one of the largest professional organizations dedicated to Veterinarians. However, each state also has its own organizations with localized resources and information.