3 answers
Grace
Student
Jericho, New York
1
Question
Asked
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How can I become a veterinarian?
I am a 9th grader. I want to become a veterinarian. Is it hard to become one and how can I become one? What electives would be helpful, and what college should I go to?
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3 answers
Celia Figueroa, DDS
DENTIST
1
Answer
Hialeah, Florida
Updated
Celia’s Answer
Grace,
Anything you put your heart mind and soul into, you can become. Start by loving animals, and caring for one yourself.
At school all the science projects and any classes involving biology, will help.
The most import thing is to love what you do, then its never a job.
Colleges come much later, do not worry about that now, stay focused in school and get good grades, do all your
homework, and never get behind on any school work.
All the best
Dr C Figueroa
Anything you put your heart mind and soul into, you can become. Start by loving animals, and caring for one yourself.
At school all the science projects and any classes involving biology, will help.
The most import thing is to love what you do, then its never a job.
Colleges come much later, do not worry about that now, stay focused in school and get good grades, do all your
homework, and never get behind on any school work.
All the best
Dr C Figueroa
Jacob Taylor
Production Manager
523
Answers
Stafford, Virginia
Updated
Jacob’s Answer
Becoming a veterinarian is a noble and rewarding career choice. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you on your journey, considering you're currently in 9th grade:
1. **Focus on Academics**: First and foremost, maintain a strong academic record. High school grades are essential for college admissions. Pay particular attention to science and math courses, as they are relevant to veterinary studies.
2. **Gain Experience**: Start early by gaining hands-on experience with animals. Volunteer at local animal shelters, pet clinics, or even on a farm if possible. This will give you a taste of the day-to-day responsibilities of a veterinarian.
3. **Extracurricular Activities**: Join clubs or organizations related to animals, such as a Future Farmers of America (FFA) club or a 4-H club. These can provide valuable experiences and connections.
4. **Shadow a Veterinarian**: Reach out to local veterinarians and ask if you can shadow them for a day or more. Shadowing experiences can provide insights into the profession.
5. **Select Relevant Electives**: In high school, choose elective courses that align with your career goals. Biology, chemistry, and anatomy are particularly useful. Additionally, consider taking advanced placement (AP) or honors courses to challenge yourself academically.
6. **Undergraduate Education**: After high school, you'll need to earn a bachelor's degree. A major in biology, animal science, or a related field is common, but you can choose any major as long as you complete prerequisite courses required by veterinary schools.
7. **Gain Veterinary Experience**: During your undergraduate years, continue gaining experience by working or volunteering at animal clinics, shelters, or research labs. Aim for a well-rounded exposure to different aspects of veterinary medicine.
8. **Prepare for the GRE**: Most veterinary schools require the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) for admission. Start preparing for this standardized test during your undergraduate years.
9. **Apply to Veterinary School**: Research and apply to accredited veterinary schools. There are only a limited number of them, so competition is high. Make sure your application stands out with a strong academic record, relevant experience, and a well-written personal statement.
10. **Graduate as a Veterinarian**: Upon acceptance, complete the rigorous veterinary program, which typically takes four years. You'll earn a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree.
11. **Consider Specialization**: After graduating, you can pursue specialized areas of veterinary medicine through internships or residencies if you wish to focus on a specific type of animal or medical field.
12. **Licensing**: To practice as a veterinarian, you'll need to pass the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE) and obtain a state license.
13. **Continued Learning**: The field of veterinary medicine is continually evolving. Stay updated with the latest advancements by attending conferences and participating in continuing education courses.
As for which college to attend, research veterinary schools and their admission requirements. Look for schools that align with your goals and are accessible to you.
Remember, becoming a veterinarian can be challenging, but with dedication, passion, and the right preparation, you can achieve your dream. Keep working hard, gaining experience, and seeking guidance from mentors in the field. Your journey has just begun, and your love for animals can be a powerful motivator throughout this rewarding career path.
1. **Focus on Academics**: First and foremost, maintain a strong academic record. High school grades are essential for college admissions. Pay particular attention to science and math courses, as they are relevant to veterinary studies.
2. **Gain Experience**: Start early by gaining hands-on experience with animals. Volunteer at local animal shelters, pet clinics, or even on a farm if possible. This will give you a taste of the day-to-day responsibilities of a veterinarian.
3. **Extracurricular Activities**: Join clubs or organizations related to animals, such as a Future Farmers of America (FFA) club or a 4-H club. These can provide valuable experiences and connections.
4. **Shadow a Veterinarian**: Reach out to local veterinarians and ask if you can shadow them for a day or more. Shadowing experiences can provide insights into the profession.
5. **Select Relevant Electives**: In high school, choose elective courses that align with your career goals. Biology, chemistry, and anatomy are particularly useful. Additionally, consider taking advanced placement (AP) or honors courses to challenge yourself academically.
6. **Undergraduate Education**: After high school, you'll need to earn a bachelor's degree. A major in biology, animal science, or a related field is common, but you can choose any major as long as you complete prerequisite courses required by veterinary schools.
7. **Gain Veterinary Experience**: During your undergraduate years, continue gaining experience by working or volunteering at animal clinics, shelters, or research labs. Aim for a well-rounded exposure to different aspects of veterinary medicine.
8. **Prepare for the GRE**: Most veterinary schools require the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) for admission. Start preparing for this standardized test during your undergraduate years.
9. **Apply to Veterinary School**: Research and apply to accredited veterinary schools. There are only a limited number of them, so competition is high. Make sure your application stands out with a strong academic record, relevant experience, and a well-written personal statement.
10. **Graduate as a Veterinarian**: Upon acceptance, complete the rigorous veterinary program, which typically takes four years. You'll earn a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree.
11. **Consider Specialization**: After graduating, you can pursue specialized areas of veterinary medicine through internships or residencies if you wish to focus on a specific type of animal or medical field.
12. **Licensing**: To practice as a veterinarian, you'll need to pass the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE) and obtain a state license.
13. **Continued Learning**: The field of veterinary medicine is continually evolving. Stay updated with the latest advancements by attending conferences and participating in continuing education courses.
As for which college to attend, research veterinary schools and their admission requirements. Look for schools that align with your goals and are accessible to you.
Remember, becoming a veterinarian can be challenging, but with dedication, passion, and the right preparation, you can achieve your dream. Keep working hard, gaining experience, and seeking guidance from mentors in the field. Your journey has just begun, and your love for animals can be a powerful motivator throughout this rewarding career path.
Michael Torio
Consultant - Data Reporting & Analysis (HQ Finance)
240
Answers
Alpharetta, Georgia
Updated
Michael’s Answer
Hi Grace:
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. If your high school offers an Animal or Wildlife course, it will be in your best interest to take this class. For math, algebra, calculus and statistics will be needed. Both 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.
According to U.S. News & World Report, here is a link to the Best Veterinary Colleges and Universities in the United States:
https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-health-schools/veterinarian-rankings?_sort=rank-asc
- 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
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 Veterinarian will need to complete a Bachelor of Science degree (four year undergraduate course work). 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.
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. 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 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, 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.
Best wishes for your education and career path as a Veterinarian!
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. If your high school offers an Animal or Wildlife course, it will be in your best interest to take this class. For math, algebra, calculus and statistics will be needed. Both 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.
According to U.S. News & World Report, here is a link to the Best Veterinary Colleges and Universities in the United States:
https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-health-schools/veterinarian-rankings?_sort=rank-asc
- 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
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 Veterinarian will need to complete a Bachelor of Science degree (four year undergraduate course work). 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.
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. 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 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, 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.
Best wishes for your education and career path as a Veterinarian!