How to Become a Veterinarian

Most veterinarians take care of beloved family pets, but the responsibilities of other vets can range from researching animal and human diseases to treating farm and ranch livestock. Competition for veterinary jobs is tight, so training and grades are of utmost importance.

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• College Applications
• College Catalogs
• Veterinary School Requirements And Applications
• Postage Stamps
• Pens
• Stationery

1. Volunteer at a local veterinary office, SPCA, farm or animal hospital during high school to gain experience working with animals.
2. Attend college, perhaps in a preveterinary program if your school offers one; otherwise, consider biology, biochemistry or another science.
3. Find out which college courses are required by the American Veterinary Medical Association and by each veterinary school that interests you.
4. Maintain a very high grade point average in college. This is a must.
5. Find out which standardized tests are required by each veterinary school that interests you, since this varies from school to school.
6. Apply to any of the 27 accredited veterinary schools in the United States that offer the four-year Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (D.V.M.) degree.
7. Graduate from veterinary school and take the North American Veterinary Licensing Exam for your veterinary license.
8. Be prepared to take a state exam covering state laws and regulations.

Tips & Warnings

• Some veterinary schools don't require a bachelor's degree for admission, but they all require some college courses, and a bachelor's degree can be an advantage.
• A license in one state does not automatically permit the licensee to practice veterinary medicine in another state.
• Consider working with farm animals, since most veterinary students choose to work with pets. Some veterinarians have a practice that combines the two.
• Be prepared to deal with matters such as incurable illness and euthanasia on a regular basis.
• You will often be on call during nonworking hours, just like a medical doctor.

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