What is Pre-Veterinary?

Question

I've been researching different colleges, trying to make up my mind which one I'd like to attend. Or, more importantly, what I'd like to major in. I've found that several colleges in my area offer Pre-Veterinary. What is this? What type of education is required for a Vet?

Answer 1

It's a Prerequisite Set of Classes that you take in Order to fulfill the requirements of the education standards of being a Vet:

Here is the info I found:

At most schools you would not be able to Major in Pre-veterinary Studies, and You should choose something closer to Anything Such As Biology that require the same skills, or thought process that Vet work does.

Some Skills that you may require, or find useful:

1.You should be quite passionate about Animals and their welfare.

2. Have Experience working in a vet clinic or Laboratory!

3. Not be afraid of Blood (and thats my reccomendation)

I hope my information helps you :)

Answer 2

Pre-Veterinary is classes/courses you need to take before you can apply to a Veterinarian school. However, Veterinarian school requirements can be meet with other degrees, such as Zoology, it doesn't necessarily have to be met by a pre-vet program.

http://www.avma.org/careforanimals/anima...

Preparation Advice -

Students interested in a career in veterinary medicine should begin their preparation by doing well in general science and biology in junior high school. They need to take a strong science, math, and biology program in high school. To be considered for admission to a college of veterinary medicine, a student must first complete undergraduate preveterinary medical coursework, which usually includes three to four years of college study, with specific course requirements. Each college of veterinary medicine establishes its own preveterinary requirements. Typical requirements include basic language and communication skills, social sciences, humanities, mathematics, chemistry, and the biological and physical sciences.

Preveterinary Coursework -

Preveterinary coursework can be completed at many colleges and universities, including those at which the veterinary medical schools are located. Students should check with the veterinary college to which they plan to apply to be sure they take all required courses. They should also be certain that credits from the preveterinary courses they take at the school of their choice are acceptable to the veterinary colleges.

Completion of a preveterinary program does not guarantee admission to a college of veterinary medicine. Admission to veterinary school is highly competitive. Applicants usually have grades of "B" or better, especially in the sciences and may be required by the veterinary school admission policies to take appropriate examinations such as the Graduate Record Examination. Most colleges give preference to candidates with animal or veterinary related experience. The number of qualified applicants who are admitted to veterinary colleges nationwide varies from year to year, but the average acceptance rate is approximately 43%.

See the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges Web site for additional information.

The Phases of Professional Study -

In most colleges of veterinary medicine, the professional program comprises two phases. During the first phase, preclinical sciences, such as anatomy, physiology, pathology, pharmacology, and microbiology are emphasized. Most of the students' time is spent in classroom and laboratory study.

The second phase of professional study is principally clinical. Students learn the principles of medicine and surgery in the classroom and through hands-on clinical experience. Students learn to apply their knowledge in a clinical setting under the supervision of graduate veterinarians on the faculty. In the clinics, students treat animals, perform surgery, and deal with owners who use the school's clinical services.

The Clinical Curriculum -

The clinical curriculum includes study of infectious and noninfectious diseases, diagnostic and clinical pathology, obstetrics, radiology, clinical medicine, anesthesiology, and surgery. Students also study public health, preventive medicine, toxicology, clinical nutrition, professional ethics, and business practices.

The Academic Experience -

Veterinary medical study is difficult. Students learn about many different animals and diseases, and become skilled in surgical techniques and many laboratory and diagnostic procedures.

A typical veterinary medical student spends about 4,000 hours in classroom, laboratory, and clinical study. Because the time required for instruction absorbs most of a student's day, many evening and weekend hours are spent doing reading assignments, library research, and independent study.