Senior in High School..Wanting to be a vet...

Question

Hello..Im about to go back in school as a senior in high school and i am worried as i am a little clueless when it come to everything having to do with colleg..I really want to become a vet when out of college..but have lots of trouble understanding the whole process of becoming one..What does undergrad mean.? I need someone to take time and explain to me what the whole process is. I mean, do you have to go through like 4 yrs of college then apply for vet school or what..Oh and i live in texas..*near amarillo*...I'd be greatly appreciated if you would answer the whole college thing in depth..Thank you in advance.

Answer 1

In order to become a veterinarian, you would first attend college for 3-4 years.  You should major in Zoology or take a pre-vet path.  After you complete your undergraduate (bachelor's) degree-or sometimes a year before-you can apply to vet/graduate school where you will spend another 3-5 years.  

Vet school is VERY competitive.  You need to do everything you can to make yourself stand out-outstanding grades, a lot of math and science courses, animal experience, etc.  In fact, start documenting your experience with animals now-with your pets, volunteering at your local SPCA, shadowing your veterinarian, etc.  Check out your local aquarium, zoo, etc. for programs that might be of interest to you, and ask your local Red Cross about their first aid for pets materials.

Google the vet schools now, and see what the requirements are.  There are relatively few of them, and most likely you will want to apply to all of them with the hopes of getting into one (it is that competitive).  Your chances are greatly increased if you transfer from a college with admitting priveleges at that vet school, so check into that as well.  You can start requesting materials now and ask for information regarding the pre-vet path.

I wish you the best in your endeavor!

Answer 2

Your "undergraduate" years are the 4 years spend in college to earn your Bachelor's Degree.  After ungrad is graduate school, which is where you earn your masters or go on to med school, dental school or veterinary school.  You apply for these programs near the end of your time in college, and they can have very strict requirements for academics (grades) and also what courses you need to have taken in undergrad to be prepared (example: it would be hard to get into med school with a major in literature because you won't have taken the pre-requisite courses).

Since you want to be a vet, you will want to go through 4 years of college and consider a major such as biology or physiology.  When you research colleges, ask the admissions people about their programs and what you would want to take to be able to go on to vet school.  

While you are still in high school, I would highly recommend you look into doing an internship or volunteering at an animal clinic or shelter.  Here in Boulder, teens can volunteer at the Humane Society in their veterinary clinic and get an idea, by observation, if it's something they are really interested in.  That kind of experience early on could be invaluable.