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What do i need to do in university to become a vet?
I'm homeschooling, so i'll be done with school a lot earlier than the rest of my age group. I want to become a vet, but i have no clue how to become one. I know i need a bachelor's, but i don't know how to get it or how long it will take and i'm looking for a few loopholes, so that i don't need to study and do vet school for 7 years... I have no idea how this works and could really use someone with expierence to explain it to me... #veterinarian #college #degree #veterinary-medicine #veterinary
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Jeremy’s Answer
Hi!
Often looking up requirements and admission statistics to get into a program you aspire to attend is a good way to understand what you will need to do. In this case UC Davis, ranked #1 for Veterinary Schools by US News, may be a good place to start:
- https://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/admissions/application-statistics
- https://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/admissions/criteria-admission
- https://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/admissions/academic-preparation-preveterinary-required-courses
Listed here there are a number of college classes you would need to take including biology, chemistry, and physics classes. These classes will best overlap with most college's biology major classes.
In addition to classes, there may be requirements such as veterinary experience hours. Check with grad student programs' requirement list before applying for colleges.
It is similar to med school where vet school has specific requirements, takes about four years, and requires passing a board exam.
There are other roles in a vet's office, such as a vet tech. Gaining experience with animals by volunteering is a great way to get started, see what other roles are out there, and see if being a vet would be a good fit for you.
1. Earn a bachelor's degree and finish required classes (~4 years)
2. Complete veterinary requirements (which for UC Davis currently includes 1) 2.5 GPA or higher 2) 180 veterinary experience hours 3) Three professional recommendations with at least one from a veterinarian 4) Successful completion of the required prerequisites (courses must have a grade of C and higher; a C- will not be accepted) 5) A bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited university).
3. Earn a Veterinary Medicine program (~4 years)
4. Gain experience & pass board exam
5. Be a vet!
Often looking up requirements and admission statistics to get into a program you aspire to attend is a good way to understand what you will need to do. In this case UC Davis, ranked #1 for Veterinary Schools by US News, may be a good place to start:
- https://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/admissions/application-statistics
- https://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/admissions/criteria-admission
- https://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/admissions/academic-preparation-preveterinary-required-courses
Listed here there are a number of college classes you would need to take including biology, chemistry, and physics classes. These classes will best overlap with most college's biology major classes.
In addition to classes, there may be requirements such as veterinary experience hours. Check with grad student programs' requirement list before applying for colleges.
It is similar to med school where vet school has specific requirements, takes about four years, and requires passing a board exam.
There are other roles in a vet's office, such as a vet tech. Gaining experience with animals by volunteering is a great way to get started, see what other roles are out there, and see if being a vet would be a good fit for you.
Jeremy recommends the following next steps:
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Aidan’s Answer
In the US, you can get any undergraduate degree and apply to any vet school so long as you meet the minimum requirements, whatever they may be (veterinary hours, course prereqs, letters of recommendation, etc.). I know it sounds stupid to read but the best advice for this question that I have ever heard is go look it up on a prospective vet school's website. Every school is different and requirements and duration of education range dramatically pending the school and ESPECIALLY the region (I notice it says you are in South Africa so take advice from people in the US with a grain of salt).
Summary: In the US, undergraduate degree, typically in any field and no requirement for how long it takes. Extra requirements typically include letters of req, veterinary experience, and related coursework which will be thoroughly detailed through your institution's website. Finally, make sure you do what's required where YOU are going to attend. People in Australia can start vet school out of high school but the US has us do it after undergrad.
Summary: In the US, undergraduate degree, typically in any field and no requirement for how long it takes. Extra requirements typically include letters of req, veterinary experience, and related coursework which will be thoroughly detailed through your institution's website. Finally, make sure you do what's required where YOU are going to attend. People in Australia can start vet school out of high school but the US has us do it after undergrad.
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