What to do to become a licensed Veterinarian?

[busterduck]

I have been toying with the idea of going to college for veterinary medicine. If there are any vets here, I know you need 4 years for a bachelors degree in this but to get a license to practice on animals do you need another 4 years and take a test? I enjoy working with animals but some things can sick me out, is this normal for a non- vet or should I bag the whole idea? Do all veterinarians start out w/strong stomaches? This is the only thing keeping me from following up with this career. Befora any school accepts you, they probably want to find out how serious you are, what you know,etc.? How do I know if I am following the wrong bandwagon?

Or is this something I have to decide for myself?

Vet college is the hardest college to get into (especially nowadays). It is more difficult than medical college. The reason this is true is that there are very few of them, 28 total in the Unitied States. Most States will only accept in-state students and the vast majority of students who are accepted are straight A honors students (4.0 average) with at least 400 hours of internship at a Vets office. Community activities and involvement help with your application as well. I hope this helps.

 

[kapfarm]

LOL. It helps me to dump all thoughts of vet school! straight A's?

 

[busterduck]

LOL. It helps me to dump all thoughts of vet school! straight A's?

I am sure you could do it if you put your mind to it.

 

[freemotion]

Sometimes people who didn't get straight A's in HS can do it later, when they are more mature and motivated! You are still young enough. But....seven kids??? Work to support them AND go to school full-time? Yikes. I get exhausted just thinking about that one!

I teach adults at massage school and I have seen many people who, with a confidence boost, start getting straight A's when they were a C or D student in HS. The dynamics of HS are gone and sometimes the stresses and dynamics of a tough home life are gone, too. I come across many people who are obviously intelligent and don't believe it....if I can get them to realize the truth, they zoom to the top of the class.

We need a good goat vet!!! Anywhere!

 

[kapfarm]

I definently agree with grades being different from hs to college. You are actually working toward an important goal, I think having a family would greatly motivate a person.

 

[kimmyh]

If you are heading to community college, you can establish your 4.0 there. At that point, your high school grades have little meaning. The challenge as I see it is you have to be independently wealthy to support 7 children AND pay for vet school. Yes there are loans, and grants, but those only cover part of your expenses. I'm not trying to discourage you, I always wanted to be a vet too, but by the time I had the money, I was too old to find it a good financial investment.

 

[kapfarm]

Kimmy, This is what I want to hear. If I only heard good stuff I would be in a world of hurt in a short while. Would you go to college if you weren't 100% sure the career wasn't for you? I would be nervous of finishing 4 years and not going further.

thanks

 

[busterduck]

Kimmy, This is what I want to hear. If I only heard good stuff I would be in a world of hurt in a short while. Would you go to college if you weren't 100% sure the career wasn't for you? I would be nervous of finishing 4 years and not going further.

thanks

You can start your 4 year degree and see what happens. You can always change majors. You absolutely would not be wasting your time starting this track even if you do not make it all the way through because you change your mind. I changed my mind three times in college before I graduated. I graduated on time too. You don't have to think too hard right now about vet school. Just take the first step and get your 4 year and keep your grades up. That way, if you decide later that vet school is for you, you will be able to compete for a position.

Good luck.

 

[lupinfarm]

Students who don't automatically qualify for the vet programs here in Ontario (at Guelph U) often start at the vet tech program first and work their way up, my brothers friends mum is doing just that. Shes in her 30s and has just finished the vet assistant program and is starting vet tech.

 

[BDial]

I would recomend going to your community college for all your basic classes like math, english, chemistry, bio ext... Then transfer your credits to your college of choice.
Vet tech school is a 2 year program. When that is done and you have finished your internship you will sit for your VTNE. If you don't pass on your first time you will get 2 more shots. After that you will be required to go through CE and renew biannually.
If you start out going for Vet Tech most of your credits will be transferable to the vet program. My friend is doing this right now. She decided she didn't want to stop where I did. I told here when she gets done she better hire me!! lol
If you decide to go on there is a MAJOR need for large animal vets!!!!!

I am also gonna second what the other person said about grades. In highschool I barely graduated. I had a C/D average with F's thrown in. In college I had a 3.8 out of a 4.0. I had a couple of B's and 1 C. Everything else was A's. It makes a difference between having to go to school and wanting/paying for it.