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What college or university is the BEST for veterinary.?

I want to become a vet dermatologist so I want to know what college or university is the BEST for veterinary, and what steps I need to take to accomplish my goal.

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Michael’s Answer

Hi Brianna:

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

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.

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.

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.

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 comment icon Thank you for the advice, Michael. Brianna
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Chinyere’s Answer

Hi Brianna,

Good question! Deciding on the best college or university for veterinary studies depends on what you're looking for—like affordability, location, specialization, or overall reputation. That said, here are some of the top veterinary schools in the U.S. that are highly regarded:

1. Cornell University (Ithaca, New York)
- Why it’s great: Cornell consistently ranks as the #1 vet school in the U.S. for its cutting-edge research, clinical facilities, and highly regarded faculty.
- Special perks: They offer great hands-on learning experiences at their teaching hospitals.
- Cost: It’s pricey, but financial aid is available for qualified students.

2. University of California, Davis (UC Davis)
- Why it’s great: UC Davis is world-renowned for its veterinary medicine program, with special strengths in large animal medicine and research.
- Special perks: They have state-of-the-art facilities and offer a lot of fieldwork opportunities.
- Cost: Competitive in-state tuition for California residents, though out-of-state is higher.

3. Colorado State University (Fort Collins, Colorado)
- Why it’s great: Known for its innovative approach to veterinary education and emphasis on animal cancer treatment and research.
- Special perks: Their Veterinary Teaching Hospital is one of the best in the country.
- Cost: Affordable for in-state students; scholarships are available.

4. Texas A&M University (College Station, Texas)
- Why it’s great: One of the best options if you’re in Texas! Texas A&M offers excellent facilities and a strong focus on both small and large animals.
- Special perks: Their program is highly respected, and staying in-state makes it more affordable for Texas residents.
- Cost: In-state tuition is a big plus, and they offer financial aid.

5. University of Florida (Gainesville, Florida)
- Why it’s great: UF’s veterinary program is highly ranked and offers a wide range of clinical specialties.
- Special perks: Great hands-on opportunities with their teaching hospital and wildlife programs.
- Cost: Affordable for Florida residents, and they’re generous with scholarships.

6. North Carolina State University (Raleigh, North Carolina)
- Why it’s great: Known for its research-driven approach and strong clinical training.
- Special perks: They have one of the best teaching hospitals in the country, and the program balances hands-on experience with coursework.
- Cost: Reasonable for in-state students; out-of-state is higher.

How to Choose the Right Vet School
1. In-State Options:
Check out schools in your state, as they often offer lower tuition for residents. Texas A&M is one of the best choices if you’re in Texas.

2. Specializations:
If you’re interested in a specific area (e.g., exotic animals, equine care, or research), find schools that focus on that.

3. Hands-On Opportunities:
Look for schools with teaching hospitals, internships, or animal shelters where you can gain real-world experience.

4. Affordability:
Veterinary school can be expensive, so check for scholarships, grants, or loan forgiveness programs (e.g., those for rural veterinarians).

What to Do Now
- Research these schools and their admission requirements.
- Gain experience working with animals (e.g., volunteering at shelters or shadowing a vet).
- Plan to excel in your undergraduate studies, especially in biology, chemistry, and animal science.

You’ve got this, Brianna! With determination and passion for animals, you’ll find the right school and thrive in your veterinary journey.

Best wishes!
Thank you comment icon Thank you, this is really helpful. Brianna
Thank you comment icon You're welcome! Chinyere Okafor
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Dr’s Answer

Oh, Brianna, if you're dreaming of becoming a veterinarian, you’re about to embark on an amazing journey! 🐾💉 So, let’s talk about which colleges or universities are paw-sitively the best for veterinary studies!

1. Cornell University (Ithaca, NY) – 🏆 Cornell is often considered one of the best in the U.S. when it comes to vet schools. Their College of Veterinary Medicine has an incredible program that prepares students to be top-notch vets! The downside? It’s highly competitive, so you’ll need an impressive academic record, lots of hands-on experience, and maybe even a few magic spells (just kidding, but seriously, strong applications are a must). 🐱🩺


2. University of California, Davis (Davis, CA) – 🌟 UC Davis is one of the best-known vet schools in the world. It has an outstanding reputation, with a wide variety of opportunities for research, clinical training, and specialized veterinary programs. They also offer tons of student resources and support for your journey. The weather? Gorgeous. The competition? Tough. 😅🌞


3. Colorado State University (Fort Collins, CO) – 🏔️ Colorado State University is another amazing choice! Their vet program is among the best in the nation. What’s cool is that they have a focus on equine (horse) care, as well as small animal medicine and wildlife veterinary medicine. So if you love both dogs and wild animals, this place will let you thrive in both worlds. Plus, Fort Collins is a pretty chill place to study—mountains, biking, and good vibes! 🚴‍♀️🐾


4. Texas A&M University (College Station, TX) – 🤠 Texas A&M has one of the largest veterinary programs in the world and is known for its research and clinical care. It’s a perfect school if you’re into agriculture or large animals like cattle, pigs, and horses. But don’t worry, they also cover small animal medicine. Their vet school is intense, but rewarding. And with that Texas charm, you’ll have a blast living there too! 🐄🐖


5. University of Wisconsin-Madison (Madison, WI) – 🧑‍⚕️ If you love the idea of working with animals and people, UW-Madison could be your go-to choice. The University of Wisconsin-Madison’s vet school is known for producing top veterinarians, and the campus is beautiful! Plus, they have a leading veterinary program with research opportunities in public health, infectious diseases, and more. 🦠🐾



Tips for Success:

Volunteer/Intern: Vets love candidates with hands-on experience. Get involved at animal shelters, veterinary offices, farms, or wildlife rehabilitation centers to show that you're serious about your future career. 🐶🐱

Academic Excellence: Your grades, especially in biology, chemistry, and physics, will be crucial. Study hard, and keep your GPA in tip-top shape. 📚💯

Get to Know Your Future Vet Professors: Make connections with vets in your area. Attend conferences, seminars, or shadow professionals in the field. These relationships could help you land a top-tier recommendation letter. ✨

Stay Passionate: There’s nothing more impressive than a veterinary dreamer with a heart full of passion for animals. Keep the fire burning bright! 🔥🐾


Fun Dare:
As a fun dare, write a letter to your future vet self—what animal will you be saving, and what will your first veterinary breakthrough be? Keep it light-hearted and full of your passion! Maybe you’ll find a way to communicate with animals like Dr. Doolittle. 🦁📜

Hope that gives you a solid start! Vets are heroes, and you're on the right track to becoming one! 🐾🌟
Thank you comment icon I appreciate this, thank you for the advice. Brianna
Thank you comment icon You're so welcome, Brianna! Keep shining and doing your thing! You've got this—nothing can stop you! ✨🙌 Dr H
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Michelle’s Answer

Hello, Brianna !

The best college for Veterinary studies in the state of New York is Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. The best college for Veterinary in California is the University of California at Davis. I admit, I am just going by reputation, so if that's what you mean by the "best", I would say those two. Of course there are other Vet schools, but it's just a matter of reading the college websites to see which one is suitable for you and your circumstances.

Consider if you want to go to a college in state or out of state, how much you'll pay for tuition. Also remember that you can apply for scholarships and grants. While going for your Bachelors Degree before Veterinary School, you can also apply for Federal Student Financial Aid.

Definitely look into additional colleges also. They're all good, it's just that Cornell and UC Davis have well-known reputations and provide extraordinary opportunities.

I hope this helps and I wish you all the best !
Thank you comment icon Thank you for the advice. Brianna
Thank you comment icon You are very welcome ! Michelle M.
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