4 answers
Graci
Student
Langley City, BC
1
Question
Asked
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how long is veterinary school?
I've always wanted to be a vet and i love animals but i dont know if i should take years out of my life just towards university. how many years is vet school?
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4 answers
Doc Frick
Career Coach and Mentor
1349
Answers
California, CA
Updated
Doc’s Answer
Entrance into veterinary college is highly competitive Graci. It is necessary to begin preparing and building your resume during your undergraduate years, or even as early as high school. You should maintain a high GPA, particularly in your science courses. You should also seek out experience working with veterinarians or scientists in lab-related settings. Some vet schools require a certain number of hours volunteering or working under the supervision of a veterinarian before you can even apply.
HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION
Start preparing as early as you can
Take all the mathematics, chemistry, biology, and physics courses which are available to you in middle and high school; they will open up many career opportunities in college including veterinary medicine.
BACHELOR'S DEGREE (4-YEARS)
Choose a degree program which will provide you a strong grounding in the biological and physical sciences. Make a list of degree programs at various universities and colleges and visit them individually. Find a program that will suit your needs the best. There are various undergraduate pathways to study prior to be admitted to a vet schools.
VETERINARIAN DEGREE (4-YEARS)
Earning your Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree typically takes four years of study after undergraduate school. In the first years of vet school most of your coursework will be divided between classroom lectures and laboratory sessions. You can expect to take courses like infectious diseases, immunology, pharmacology, and parasitology. You'll learn about different animal species and body systems, and gain hands-on lab experience working with animals. In your final year, you'll spend most of your time completing clinical rotations in various specialties of veterinary medicine.
After earning a DVM degree Graci, you'll need to obtain a license by passing the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination. Other licensing requirements are determined by individual states.
Hope this will be helpful Graci
HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION
Start preparing as early as you can
Take all the mathematics, chemistry, biology, and physics courses which are available to you in middle and high school; they will open up many career opportunities in college including veterinary medicine.
BACHELOR'S DEGREE (4-YEARS)
Choose a degree program which will provide you a strong grounding in the biological and physical sciences. Make a list of degree programs at various universities and colleges and visit them individually. Find a program that will suit your needs the best. There are various undergraduate pathways to study prior to be admitted to a vet schools.
VETERINARIAN DEGREE (4-YEARS)
Earning your Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree typically takes four years of study after undergraduate school. In the first years of vet school most of your coursework will be divided between classroom lectures and laboratory sessions. You can expect to take courses like infectious diseases, immunology, pharmacology, and parasitology. You'll learn about different animal species and body systems, and gain hands-on lab experience working with animals. In your final year, you'll spend most of your time completing clinical rotations in various specialties of veterinary medicine.
After earning a DVM degree Graci, you'll need to obtain a license by passing the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination. Other licensing requirements are determined by individual states.
Hope this will be helpful Graci
Thank You Karin. The best way to find ourself is to lose ourself in the service of others.
Doc Frick
Karin P.
Lecturer
378
Answers
Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Updated
Karin’s Answer
Hi Graci,
There are many jobs where you can work with animals. Becoming a veterinarian is a long path, and if you feel that being in school for that long is taking away from your life instead of enhancing your life, maybe it's not for you. That's ok. Don't get stuck in something that is not a good fit.
There are other opportunities to work with animals. How about becoming a vet assistant? You would still be in the same environment and take care of animals but in less time with less debt and less overall responsibility.
Other options to work with animals would be e.g. dog trainer, service dog trainer, pet groomer, animal care technician, zoo keeper, falconer, or pet sitter.
You could also choose a different profession and satisfy your passion for animals by volunteering e.g. in pet rescue or wildlife rehabilitation.
Good luck!
KP
There are many jobs where you can work with animals. Becoming a veterinarian is a long path, and if you feel that being in school for that long is taking away from your life instead of enhancing your life, maybe it's not for you. That's ok. Don't get stuck in something that is not a good fit.
There are other opportunities to work with animals. How about becoming a vet assistant? You would still be in the same environment and take care of animals but in less time with less debt and less overall responsibility.
Other options to work with animals would be e.g. dog trainer, service dog trainer, pet groomer, animal care technician, zoo keeper, falconer, or pet sitter.
You could also choose a different profession and satisfy your passion for animals by volunteering e.g. in pet rescue or wildlife rehabilitation.
Good luck!
KP
Jennifer Scholz
Project Management
1
Answer
El Dorado Hills, California
Updated
Jennifer’s Answer
Start with you Undergraduate degree, most likely a Bachelor of Science. That will be a 4 year program. During that time, you'll be exposed to many avenues and directions and career opportunities. Vet school as mentioned above is highly competitive and a 4 year program. There are then specialty programs beyond.
I would highly recommend if this is the direction you are pursuing that you volunteer or find a position as a technician at a Veterinarian clinic / office. This will expose you daily life of a Vet and a practice. You can also pursue a Registered Veterinarian Technician license (RVT) which would be similar to a Registered Nurse (RN). Make sure you like - and ideally love the work. Be passionate about what you do. Try it out first, or at least head down the path in the direction and make a turn if needed. A degree is powerful. Speaking from experience, I have a Bachelor of Science in Zoology. I'm a project manager leading a large team of people in a telecommunications company!
I would highly recommend if this is the direction you are pursuing that you volunteer or find a position as a technician at a Veterinarian clinic / office. This will expose you daily life of a Vet and a practice. You can also pursue a Registered Veterinarian Technician license (RVT) which would be similar to a Registered Nurse (RN). Make sure you like - and ideally love the work. Be passionate about what you do. Try it out first, or at least head down the path in the direction and make a turn if needed. A degree is powerful. Speaking from experience, I have a Bachelor of Science in Zoology. I'm a project manager leading a large team of people in a telecommunications company!
James Constantine Frangos
Consultant Dietitian & Software Developer since 1972 => Nutrition Education => Health & Longevity.
3766
Answers
Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Updated
James Constantine’s Answer
Hello Graci!
Veterinary School Duration
Veterinary school typically takes 4 years to complete. This includes a combination of classroom instruction and clinical experience. After completing the 4-year Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) program, graduates may choose to pursue additional specialized training through internships or residencies, which can add another 2-4 years to their education.
During the first two years of veterinary school, students focus on foundational coursework in areas such as anatomy, physiology, pathology, pharmacology, and microbiology. The latter part of the program involves clinical rotations, where students gain hands-on experience working with animals under the supervision of experienced veterinarians.
Additional Training
After obtaining a DVM degree, some veterinarians opt for further specialization through internships and residencies. Internships typically last for one year and provide intensive training in a specific area of veterinary medicine. Residencies are more advanced and can take an additional 2-4 years to complete. These programs allow veterinarians to specialize in fields such as surgery, internal medicine, dermatology, oncology, and more.
Top 3 Authoritative Reference Publications or Domain Names Used in Answering this Question:
American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) - The AVMA is a widely recognized authority in veterinary medicine and education. It provides comprehensive information about veterinary education and accreditation standards.
Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC) - AAVMC is a leading organization that represents veterinary medical education in the United States. It offers valuable insights into the duration and structure of veterinary school programs.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) - The BLS provides reliable data on various occupations, including veterinarians. It offers insights into the educational requirements and career outlook for individuals pursuing a career in veterinary medicine.
These sources were consulted to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information provided regarding the duration of veterinary school.
Don't forget to read my autobiography, paying attention to the foods that provide all the essential nutrients for effective studying. You might discover that you can accomplish twice as much academic work in half the time. Your performance in exams and assignments could also improve, especially if your diet has significantly improved. Replenishing missing nutrients can do wonders.
GOD BLESS YOU,
James Constantine Frangos.
Veterinary School Duration
Veterinary school typically takes 4 years to complete. This includes a combination of classroom instruction and clinical experience. After completing the 4-year Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) program, graduates may choose to pursue additional specialized training through internships or residencies, which can add another 2-4 years to their education.
During the first two years of veterinary school, students focus on foundational coursework in areas such as anatomy, physiology, pathology, pharmacology, and microbiology. The latter part of the program involves clinical rotations, where students gain hands-on experience working with animals under the supervision of experienced veterinarians.
Additional Training
After obtaining a DVM degree, some veterinarians opt for further specialization through internships and residencies. Internships typically last for one year and provide intensive training in a specific area of veterinary medicine. Residencies are more advanced and can take an additional 2-4 years to complete. These programs allow veterinarians to specialize in fields such as surgery, internal medicine, dermatology, oncology, and more.
Top 3 Authoritative Reference Publications or Domain Names Used in Answering this Question:
American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) - The AVMA is a widely recognized authority in veterinary medicine and education. It provides comprehensive information about veterinary education and accreditation standards.
Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC) - AAVMC is a leading organization that represents veterinary medical education in the United States. It offers valuable insights into the duration and structure of veterinary school programs.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) - The BLS provides reliable data on various occupations, including veterinarians. It offers insights into the educational requirements and career outlook for individuals pursuing a career in veterinary medicine.
These sources were consulted to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information provided regarding the duration of veterinary school.
Don't forget to read my autobiography, paying attention to the foods that provide all the essential nutrients for effective studying. You might discover that you can accomplish twice as much academic work in half the time. Your performance in exams and assignments could also improve, especially if your diet has significantly improved. Replenishing missing nutrients can do wonders.
GOD BLESS YOU,
James Constantine Frangos.