4 answers
Graci
Student
Langley City, BC
1
Question
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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
1418
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
James Constantine Frangos
Consultant Dietitian & Software Developer since 1972 => Nutrition Education => Health & Longevity => Self-Actualization.
5265
Answers
Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Updated
James Constantine’s Answer
Dear Graci,
The duration of veterinary school can differ based on the specific curriculum and the country. For instance, in the United States, the majority of veterinary degree programs are designed to be finished in eight years, provided you have a Bachelor’s degree to start with. This period comprises four years of undergraduate education followed by four years in a professional veterinary school.
There are students who opt to wrap up their undergraduate degree in three years, which gives them the advantage of starting veterinary school a year sooner. In Canada, the timeline for veterinary school is almost the same, with most curriculums requiring seven to eight years post high school to complete.
In contrast, Europe offers some veterinary programs that are relatively shorter, taking about five to six years post secondary education. However, it's crucial to remember that these are just general outlines and individual programs might have their own unique requirements or structures.
The information provided is backed by authoritative references such as:
American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)
Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA)
European Association of Established Universities (EUA)
May God Bless You,
JC.
The duration of veterinary school can differ based on the specific curriculum and the country. For instance, in the United States, the majority of veterinary degree programs are designed to be finished in eight years, provided you have a Bachelor’s degree to start with. This period comprises four years of undergraduate education followed by four years in a professional veterinary school.
There are students who opt to wrap up their undergraduate degree in three years, which gives them the advantage of starting veterinary school a year sooner. In Canada, the timeline for veterinary school is almost the same, with most curriculums requiring seven to eight years post high school to complete.
In contrast, Europe offers some veterinary programs that are relatively shorter, taking about five to six years post secondary education. However, it's crucial to remember that these are just general outlines and individual programs might have their own unique requirements or structures.
The information provided is backed by authoritative references such as:
American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)
Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA)
European Association of Established Universities (EUA)
May God Bless You,
JC.
Jennifer Scholz
Project Management
2
Answers
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!
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