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Morgan
Student
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Question
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What can I do as a college student to increase my chances of getting into veterinary school?
I will be attending West Virginia University in the fall and I want to know what type of classes to take or activities to participate in to make myself the best candidate for vet school as well as how to get internships.
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Skip Jack
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Starkville, Mississippi
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Skip’s Answer
Morgan,
What a fantastic question!
First, reach out to the pre-veterinary advisor at WVU. They can guide you on the courses you'll need for most veterinary schools. Don't worry; it takes a few years to complete them. Aim for high grades, mostly A's, with a few B's. Try to avoid C's. Pick a major that excites you. Many students choose animal or dairy science, but fields like wildlife, bio-engineering, poultry science, or biology can also meet the requirements for most veterinary schools.
Join the pre-vet club. They hold meetings with guest speakers and offer training for veterinary school. You can learn a lot from classmates about gaining experience, which is crucial before applying, and find out about good classes and instructors. Check websites like AVMA and AAVMC for information on accredited vet schools. Visit their websites to learn more about each school.
Gain as much animal and veterinary experience as you can. Many schools require a certain number of hours with a veterinarian or in animal-related roles, whether paid or unpaid. This experience will help you get the recommendation letters needed for your application. Not all experiences have to be with a vet; consider working at farms, stables, zoos, or animal research facilities. Having some research experience can also make your application stand out.
These steps are a solid foundation. Remember, you'll have several years of undergraduate studies before applying to veterinary school.
Veterinary medicine is a rewarding career with many paths, like working with small or large animals, exotics, or in public sectors like government and pharmaceutical research, etc. It's a long journey, but earning your DVM degree is incredibly rewarding.
Best wishes,
S. W. Jack, DVM, MS, PhD
Professor Emeritus
Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine
What a fantastic question!
First, reach out to the pre-veterinary advisor at WVU. They can guide you on the courses you'll need for most veterinary schools. Don't worry; it takes a few years to complete them. Aim for high grades, mostly A's, with a few B's. Try to avoid C's. Pick a major that excites you. Many students choose animal or dairy science, but fields like wildlife, bio-engineering, poultry science, or biology can also meet the requirements for most veterinary schools.
Join the pre-vet club. They hold meetings with guest speakers and offer training for veterinary school. You can learn a lot from classmates about gaining experience, which is crucial before applying, and find out about good classes and instructors. Check websites like AVMA and AAVMC for information on accredited vet schools. Visit their websites to learn more about each school.
Gain as much animal and veterinary experience as you can. Many schools require a certain number of hours with a veterinarian or in animal-related roles, whether paid or unpaid. This experience will help you get the recommendation letters needed for your application. Not all experiences have to be with a vet; consider working at farms, stables, zoos, or animal research facilities. Having some research experience can also make your application stand out.
These steps are a solid foundation. Remember, you'll have several years of undergraduate studies before applying to veterinary school.
Veterinary medicine is a rewarding career with many paths, like working with small or large animals, exotics, or in public sectors like government and pharmaceutical research, etc. It's a long journey, but earning your DVM degree is incredibly rewarding.
Best wishes,
S. W. Jack, DVM, MS, PhD
Professor Emeritus
Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine