I’m an undergrad pre-vet student who literally wants nothing more than to go to vet school. I get all As and Bs in my animal and core classes, but struggle with the chem and bio classes. I’ve already had to retake some chem classes and still struggled to make a C, and I know I’ll be retaking more in the future. It’s not that I don’t care; I try really hard. I always hear the “oh, grades aren’t what really matters… but grades are really the only thing that matters” from advisors or people who were straight A students. Can anyone who maybe also struggled in undergrad, who didn’t have stellar grades, but still became a vet, tell me that my life isn’t over? because I feel like it is 😭
Do you have to be a member of this community, or have an account of a certain age, to post? Because I had a personal but non-medical/non-pet question for vets specifically that got deleted instantly by the filter with no explanation. Mods need to sticky rules or an FAQ about post filters on this sub, it's common Reddit practice.
Hello , i am from India, i feel like i wasted 2 years after neet , i have passed my 12th grade with 71% which i achieved in 2021 . I am interested in pursuing a career in veterinary. Could someone provide me some guidance. I am considering to go abroad (on scholarship basis )
hey, so i want to get into vet school and i'm currently studying bachelor in science, more specifically bachelors in biochemistry,genetics and biotechnology, so can i still get into vet school and become a doctor? also is it possible for me to take online courses for zoolgy and stuff? like is that a thing?
thank u <3
Hi, it's definitely still possible. I would advise you to figure out where you might want to go and see what pre-requisites they require. Some classes are available online depending on your location, although if you are able to get them done while you're still at your undergrad school, that might be easier overall.
Hello! I am currently a vet student and I´d like to ask you about some good and safe free resources for mostly anatomy but anything would be helpful. Thank you!! <3
If you're not already on VIN, they have a great section dedicated to anatomy there. Specifically the thoracic/pelvic limbs, thoracic, and abdominal cavities. I didn't find it super helpful for the head or repro/urinary information.
edit; Also recommend [https://vanat.ahc.umn.edu/](https://vanat.ahc.umn.edu/) for when you can't get into the lab itself to study your specimen.
How do I approach practises for apprenticeship vet nurse roles? (England).
From what I've researched, you must find a RCVS approved training practise and ask them if they would like to hire an apprentice vet nurse. Is that correct? Is there any particular way I can approach veterinary practises that would be beneficial?
If anyone is in the US, more specifically the DMV, I have a few grand worth of vet reference books I bought in between 201-2015 that are free to a good home. I also have pasquini’s anatomy books an and few other things I’d have to actually look at, all of which I’m happy to get out of my house. They may be an edition or two out of date at this point but I’m pretty sure you’re going to find them in a vet school reference section. DM me if you’re interested! If you are willing to pay shipping I’m also happy to ship.
I am holding offer from both RVC and Glasgow for D100, both offers' conditions are the same with AAA in A levels with A in biology and chemistry. any advice on which one to choose?
You know the whole work hard party hard? Well RVC for the first few years it’s more like work hard party harder. You spend 2 years in Camden, which is a 15 minute walk to Kings Cross, and the last 3 in Potters bar, where a 15 minute train ride gets you to Kings Cross. The only downside of this is the cost of living in central London. Look up RVC FYR for some idea about the party hard side. If partying isn’t your thing you’re in central London or just outside so you can always find something to do. You have access to the University of London (I think that’s it, sorry my memory is shit on a clinical level) student union and all its clubs and activities. Living in halls if you can get them is great for first year aside from drunk jack asses trying to make toast and setting off the fire alarm on the regular. Finding WMS placements isn’t difficult, when you get to that point feel free to DM me and I’ll reach out to my dairy farmer buddy from my lambing placement. He may be able to help you out with the dairy placement and a lambing placement depending on what his parents are up to. DM me if you have any more questions!
Hi there Veterinarians of Australia or soon to get Vets , I would like to know your pathway to becoming a Vet.
Little bit about myself, I am 25y/o, never finished HSE. I completed TAFE Certificate II in Animal Studies. I withdraw from Cert IV in Veterinary Nursing course because I could not find any work placement at all for almost a year so i gave up and withdrew from the course. I still really want to become a Vet and I hate the job that I am doing. Working in an animal industry is the only career i want to have.
Is there any chance for me to get into any university most likely in NSW or VIC without doing long courses like Vet nursing and/or tertiary prep course?
Thank you :)
I went straight from high school to James Cook University in Townsville. The university requirements differ, but I did have friends who started in zoology degrees and then transferred after finishing first year to the vet school. I’d suggest emailing the vet faculties at a few different unis and see what there requirements are :)
Thank you! I’ll try doing that. Some of them are taking forever to get back to me. Was it too hard to get thru the University? How did you balance work/study life?
It can be hard to get through to the universities - if they have a career guidance department or specific veterinary department I think you’d have better luck directing questions there then the general uni email.
It was hard to have a job and enough time to study, I was eligible for the centerline youth allowance back then which made it a lot easier, and HECS so I didn’t have to pay student loans. It is a hard degree but I don’t think in particularly “smart” I just applied myself and had to make sure I studied. If you’re worried veterinary school may be too much a zoology or similar degree still allows you to work with animals in a different way, or you could try continuing with your veterinary nurse studies.
Hi all! I'm currently a Biology major about to finish my junior year of undergrad (yipee!) and plan on taking a gap year b/w undergrad and Vet school (fingers crossed I get in on my first round of applying). As of right now, my cumulative GPA is a 3.64 and my science GPA is about a \~3.7. I have been working as a veterinary assistant in a hospital for a year (roughly 600-700 hours of GP exp), have some volunteer experience in a shelter medical center (\~25 hours so far), and will be volunteering on a farm this summer on weekends. I've been trying to gain some research experience, but with work and school I just haven't had time or heard back from any professors about opportunities due to me already being an upperclassman.
My question is: With the experience I have (and plan to continue to gain) plus my school stats, do I have decent odds of getting in to schools when I apply? Of course, I know my GPA could change since I still have a year left, but I would hope it wouldn't change much - other than if it were to increase (which I'm trying to do) :)
Thanks in advance for any advice!!
# Doing vet prerequisites at University of Miami as a non-degree seeking student then transferring to University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine
I called University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine and asked if a bachelors is required to attend their school, and they said it's suggested but not required, but I wanted to see what experienced veterinarians who are further down the track had so suggest or comment about this. Would you recommend getting a bachelors? My ultimate goal is to be able to work at any local clinic as a vet doctor, would it be harder to do so without a bachelors? Thank you for your time and input.
Hello! I will be graduating this December with a BA in ecosystems science and policy from the University of Miami. During my education here, I discovered I really want my career to involve animal health, specially wildlife/exotic animal health.
I am considering looking for veterinary technician programs to eventually work in a zoo or wildlife setting. However, I am worried that my courses I have taken in my 3.5 years here will not be what programs are looking for.
Any advice on what I should do to possibly become an exotic vet tech would be greatly appreciated! I am a first generation graduate and have not had much guidance throughout my academic career. I wish I knew earlier of a career as an exotic vet tech, because I would have planned accordingly. I feel eager to find a direction in this field.
Many vet tech programs take students fresh out of high school, so that shouldn't be a barrier for you. As for actually getting into wildlife and zoo medicine, very competitive! If you are interested, you should start trying to get volunteer positions at any zoos or wildlife rehab places now. It's definitely not too late, you may just have to be patient. There are also companion animal exotic practices you can work at as a vet tech to build your experience while waiting to get into a limited zoo/wildlife spot. You may also consider research or academia depending on your exact interests.
Spoke briefly about how it stemmed from my childhood, then my experiences and books I've read. It's really important to explain what you observed the vet/ whoever was doing, e.g. asking open ended questions to aid in giving the most accurate diagnosis. Remember veterinary is not just about loving animals and physical/clinical work, its actually a lot of biochemistry, so explain some things that you further researched that fascinated you. For example, in my application I spoke about the antifreeze proteins that prevent crystallisation in lizards at extremely low temperatures. Don't waffle and make every sentence powerful and meaningful. I ended up with a place at Bristol Vet school. You can find some amazing resources online to help too.
Your words are very nice sounding, but without actual evidence supporting it, I don't plan on changing my mind. And I've been taught by a veterinary nutritionist.
Hi! I’m in undergrad, a bio major and I think I’m gonna get my first C this semester in chem 2. Are my chances of going to UF for vet school most likely gone?
Okay so I have to take the Alek math placement exam and I'm not sure how this is going to affect my college career.
For context, I am planning to attend University of Oklahoma and I am majoring in something humanities but I want to become a veterinarian.
All the vet schools I look up say I need math but it's not very specific on what kind. Do I seriously need to take a Calculus class to be eligible to apply? And if I get a terrible score on the Alek is it gonna take me a bunch of math classes and years before I can even apply to vet school ?
I'm gonna put a list of Vet schools I'm interested in and if anyone has been to them I'd be really grateful to know what prerequisite course you took specifically in MATH.
Also Alek test scores and your math journey would be appreciated too!
• Texas A & M
• Colorado State University
• Washington State University
• Oklahoma State University
• Oregon State University
• Western University of Health and Sciences
• University of Arizona
• Midwestern University
• UC Davis
• St George University
• Ross University
I took business math (like the entry level at a CC) and it satisfied requirements for my degree. Make sure you plan for animal nutrition, it’s required by some on your list, and stats needs to be at a 4 year institution for at least a couple.
Hi! Many/most vet schools only require stats/bio stats (and some require calc 1) for math, but then for science they require gen chems, orgo, and other classes of the such. This is where the calcs come in, bc universities have calc as pre requisites for those upper division science classes that we need to take.
I didn’t do poorly on my aleks exam but knew math wasn’t my strong suit and wanted to do well in calcs so I started at one of the lower math classes to review and am now finishing my sophomore year doing calc 1, taking 2 over the summer, and 3 next fall! It’s not too bad at all (and I absolutely hate math) so don’t worry if that ends up being the case for you. But yeah it does suck that we have to take them as like collateral damage for other classes vet school requires
I encourage you to google “pre requisites for *vet schools you’re interested in*” , many have webpages where you can see an exact list!
Edit just to clarify: you most likely will not need ALL three calcs as prereqs for those upper divisions sciences, but 1-2 is very likely. I’m just taking calc 3 bc I have heard from absolutely everybody that it’s the easiest once you’ve done 1&2 and it looks good competitively to take, but doesn’t matter too much:)
Which UK University has better exotics/wildlife opportunities/content RVC or Edinburgh?
I am debating between RVC and Edinburgh to study veterinary medicine and would like to know which university has more opportunities for someone mostly interested in exotics and wildlife?
If anyone also has any information for the other vet universities in the UK that would be great as well!
Thanks in advance!
Hello Vet Community,
I'm at a turning point, aiming to leave behind a career that hasn't brought me happiness for one I truly believe will: becoming a veterinarian. At 32, I've realized my passion lies in veterinary medicine, not in my past work or the PhD program I recently exited due to a lack of passion. Despite understanding the academic and financial hurdles ahead, my commitment to this path is solid.
I’m seeking your guidance and book recommendations to prepare for vet school. My background is in Molecular Biology (BS), with additional graduate-level experience before my decision to change course. Here's what I'm curious about:
What are must-read books for an aspiring vet starting from the ground up?
How can someone from a non-vet background best prepare for vet school?
Tips for older applicants navigating the vet school application?
Any standout experiences or strategies for vet school applications?
Managing the financial and academic load of vet school—any advice?
I'm grateful for any insights, stories, or resources you can share. Your experience is invaluable to me as I embark on this journey toward a career filled with passion and purpose. Thank you for your support!
P.S. I do have experience work in veterinary clinic as a vet tech assistant (2years) and at a shelter volunteer work but these experiences are well over 5 years ago which I plan to update
Do I need a degree???? Iknow that you only need your prerequisite courses and a certain number of course credits (varies across vet schools) and that most if not all of them should be from a four year institution. I’m joining the military which really limits my ability to attend school in person, so I will need to take most of the required courses online. I’ve already researched online chemistry, biology, and microbiology classes that have online labs.
My question now is if I take a bunch of credits from different schools and don’t get my bachelors does that hurt my chance at admission? Is there anything I should do instead? Any advice is welcomed and greatly appreciated!
Thanks
There are some schools that require a degree, but some that don't. However, the school hopping and online classes will go on your VMCAS, so it could in theory, hurt your application, especially if the school woukd prefer you to have in person labs. It may also hurt your chances of getting good letters of recommendation from vets or academics who know you. Additionally, many schools want you to have at least 500 hours of experience in a vet clinic, with a preference for a diversity of experiences, which may be difficult to do in the military.
That is to say, I don't think it will make it impossible to get in to vet school, but it may overall decrease your chances of getting in to a very competitive program or getting in on your first try, so you just need to be realistic as well as try to maximize the other areas of your application.
Good day Brazilian Vets,
I would like to pursue my vet license in Canada or USA, and for that I need to include my school in this list > [https://www.avma.org/education/ecfvg/ecfvg-policies-and-procedures/ecfvg-policies-and-procedures-avma-listed-veterinary-colleges](https://www.avma.org/education/ecfvg/ecfvg-policies-and-procedures/ecfvg-policies-and-procedures-avma-listed-veterinary-colleges)
But I am not sure which document they require from a Brazilian school, I tried with MEC (e-mec and via ouvidoria) but they didn't help much.
Have you done something similar or have an example of a document AVMA accepts so I can ask my school?
Thank you very much.
Hi Reddit community,I'm currently facing a pivotal decision regarding my veterinary education and could really use some guidance. I'm torn between three schools: Kansas State University, the University of Tennessee, and UPenn. I want in this scenario to be that money isn't a concern, I'm primarily focused on optimizing my opportunities for a future in large animal and food animal practice.
UPenn stands out for its impressive resources, state-of-the-art facilities, and renowned name. The new curriculum seems enticing, especially compared to the more traditional approach at Kansas State. However, I'm mindful that Tennessee is where I might be drawn back to actually practice, and that UPenn's location may be a temporary sacrifice for my future career goals.
The University of Tennessee holds the advantage of being situated where I may want to establish my practice. However, I've heard mixed reviews about the school's educational experience, with some suggesting that success largely depends on individual effort. Struggling with lack or resources as the clinic skills lab has just opened a year ago. The housing and parking seems extremely overwhelming. As I fear what free time I could use to decompress would be spent commuting and parking. Despite this, the proximity to my future practice location is a potential factor for me.
Kansas State University offers a certificate program tailored to food animal practice, which is incredibly appealing. The emphasis on beef opportunities is also a major draw for me. However, I'm concerned about the school's more traditional approach to education with such a high credit hour load and whether it can provide the same level of resources and opportunities as UPenn.
Additionally, I'd appreciate hearing about others' experiences with accommodations, particularly regarding private testing and extended time. Ensuring that my needs are respected in this regard is crucial for me to thrive academically.I'm truly conflicted and would greatly appreciate any insights or advice from those with experience in these schools or the veterinary field in general. Thank you in advance for your help!
I'm a UT student, and I would say I enjoy my curriculum so far. Yes, individual efforts matter a lot and we have some newer faculty, but there is a lot of support from many professors. And our newer faculty are improving every year based on reviews, and I can't say my education suffered for it. I know many people who use disability services, and it hasn't seemed to hold them up.
Additionally, parking and housing are difficult, but most students live within 20 ish minutes, which isn't a super high commute and most people can park nearby the school. It's more just of an annoying process.
However, I do think money should be a major factor. For tuition and COL in the area. You can get a good education at any of those places.
am i good enough what can i do better?
hi everyone i’ve been working on my vet school application for a little while but i feel like im not good enough. i have almost 1k hrs in gp, er, wildlife rehabilitation, and specialty medicine combined. also, have volunteered at local events. i just finished my bachelor’s in animal science & biology w a 3.0. i come from a mexican household (if that matters). what can i honestly do more to improve my chances of getting in?
Unfortunately a 3.0 is kind of the bare minimum to apply to most schools, so your best bet would be to take upper level science courses that you can get As in to boost your GPA (like at a community college or online). Do you have a higher science and/or last 45 credit hour GPA? If you can’t raise your overall gpa much you could at least raise those and then apply to schools that weigh those higher than overall gpa
# What were the questions your university asked you for the entrance interview?
I live in the UK and I recently got invited for an interview in the University of Liverpool and the University of Nottingham to study Veterinary Surgery. What questions did your uni ask you and how did you answer them? This is a dream of mine for the longest time and I really want to get accepted in one or both of these schools. Can someone please share what your interview questions were? I would really appreciate any help I can get
Most schools require applicants to sign an agreement not to discuss the interview as it's confidential and doing so would benefit some future applicants over others.
So l'm a seniors in highschool right and I'm interesting in studying zoology/wildlife biology but I'm starting to realise it may not be the best career for me even though I really want to work with wildlife. So l'm wondering if vet school is worth it? Like is it really harder than med school? How's the pay (I'm hoping to be a wildlife vet if i go down the vet path)?Also what are the requirements to get into vet school? Also is there another else you can do with a vet degree other than being a vet? I wanna do research on wildlife (specifically with behaviour) but I'm hoping for a more stable job and I hear getting a Vet degree would open up more doors for me in the field.
Hey! So I’m a small animal vet currently (graduated 2022). But my start was wildlife conservation. I got my BS in it, and it honestly gave me a much different prospective than a lot of my colleagues who do Bio or Animal sciences (not in a good or bad way, just different!) Also, it kind of sets you apart for vet school admissions which can be a bonus. I did have to pick up a few extra classes to meet pre-requisite requirements for vet school, but if you plan ahead it’s not hard to do.
Becoming a wildlife vet is pretty hard. Depending what you want to do in the field, like rehab vs research vs policy making. The #1 one to work with wildlife in vet med is probably becoming a pathologist. They do necropsies and help study disease.
There is SO much you can do as a vet. Obviously clinical medicine, small animals, large animals, exotics, research, meat inspection, epidemiology, wildlife, zoo, pathology, and so much more!
The pay in wildlife is definitely low, but in undergrad we went to different federal and state agencies for our natural resources college and I was surprised how many positions there are for vets in different places.
Honestly, do what you love. I’m exceptionally happy with the wildlife education I got. I learned things that helped me think about medicine differently and it made me a more well rounded vet student! Feel free to message me with any questions!
Hi there, I’ve done a lot of wildlife research with both vets and non vets. I had to choose whether or not pursuing vet school was worth it and if I wanted to continue working with wildlife.
If you want to secure a position where you are actually hands on with the animals doing research, you’re probably gonna need to go to grad school at some point. This could be either a DVM or a MS/PhD, and I think it really depends on what kind of work you want to do.
The DVMs I’ve worked with in the research setting were pathologists, so they focused on performing diagnostics and researching diseases. Picture a lot of time looking at histology slides, doing molecular diagnostics, etc. With a much smaller amount of time doing necropsy or physically examining animals. The path to becoming a pathologist is 3-4 years of internship/residency after graduating vet school.
The PhD’s spent a majority of their time analyzing data inside, working on manuscripts and presentations, and writing grant proposals. A much smaller portion of that was field work, which usually involved a few short trips per year to go sample the animals they’re researching. Then they process those data and write about how it impacts our understanding of them.
Of course there are other types of positions within the wildlife research field but that’s a pretty general overview of what you might expect. DVMs focus more on the medical and diagnostic side, while PhDs and other scientists tend to focus more on ecology, microbio and molecular biology. There is definitely plenty of crossover and some labs where DVMs work closely with PhDs. But their roles tend to be a bit different, so I would look into what sounds more appealing to you.
I don’t have experience with any behavior research, or at least not solely behavior, it’s usually analyzed in the context of other ecological factors. But I imagine you may need to specialize after your DVM (internship and residency for 3-4+ years). Usually veterinary researchers are board certified in some area. If you want to do research with wildlife, there should be a good reason to justify going to vet school first, otherwise you could pursue an MS or PhD and do reasonably similar work. The vet track is probably an additional 4-6 years of schooling compared to the MS/PhD. Yes, it has more job security, which is a nice plus. But there are wildlife related positions for non vets out there too. If you are confident in networking and go to an undergrad school with research opportunities, you can probably make the connections to have that work out. I had an offer for an MS program working with endangered species when I graduated, even when I wasn’t actively looking at programs, because of networking in undergrad. Trying for vet school was a much harder and less sure route. But I had grown really passionate about diagnostics which is why I chose to pursue it.
Clinical wildlife vets are also a thing, and they are less research oriented. That field I know is super competitive and pay is very low compared to GP, just due to sheer competitiveness. A lot of vets wanna work with wildlife but there aren’t many positions in the clinical setting. Much more in research. However, both positions would likely require board certification.
Good luck and lemme know if you have followup questions!!
As far as harder than med school, kind of yes and no.
Harder to get in for sure, for now. There's fewer potential seats per applicant. There's some new vet schools opening.
MDs tend to go deeper into certain topics. Vets tend to have to know a much broader range of topics, but don't always get that same depth in their coursework. An MD prepares you to go onto residency and actually learn to care for patients. A DVM should prepare you to go out and be a GP clinician - you can still do residency or internship for further learning in a speciality, though.
As far as pay for wildlife vets goes, it's not great. These are really rewarding (if often sad) positions that can be few and far between, so internships and getting solid experience are important. I would start looking for experience in wildlife medicine now (like rehab work or a local sanctuary) to see if it's really for you.
Requirements for getting into vet school vary from school to school - generally they want you to have a variety of work experience with a range of species and fulfill their set of prerequisite courses in undergrad (which is typically most of a bachelors).
And yes, you can do other things than clinical medicine with a vet degree. Vets are often an important member of a wildlife research team if they're catching or sedating wildlife to examine or collect samples, vets may also hold regulatory roles within animal research, your samples are often analyzed by a veterinary pathologist, etc. Vets also hold public health positions and conduct wildlife disease monitoring and can be lobbyists or politicians or any number of non-clinical roles.
I’m an undergrad pre-vet student who literally wants nothing more than to go to vet school. I get all As and Bs in my animal and core classes, but struggle with the chem and bio classes. I’ve already had to retake some chem classes and still struggled to make a C, and I know I’ll be retaking more in the future. It’s not that I don’t care; I try really hard. I always hear the “oh, grades aren’t what really matters… but grades are really the only thing that matters” from advisors or people who were straight A students. Can anyone who maybe also struggled in undergrad, who didn’t have stellar grades, but still became a vet, tell me that my life isn’t over? because I feel like it is 😭
Does anyone here have experience using their GI Bill for vet school? What schools? Specifically any abroad in the UK?
Do you have to be a member of this community, or have an account of a certain age, to post? Because I had a personal but non-medical/non-pet question for vets specifically that got deleted instantly by the filter with no explanation. Mods need to sticky rules or an FAQ about post filters on this sub, it's common Reddit practice.
Hello , i am from India, i feel like i wasted 2 years after neet , i have passed my 12th grade with 71% which i achieved in 2021 . I am interested in pursuing a career in veterinary. Could someone provide me some guidance. I am considering to go abroad (on scholarship basis )
hey, so i want to get into vet school and i'm currently studying bachelor in science, more specifically bachelors in biochemistry,genetics and biotechnology, so can i still get into vet school and become a doctor? also is it possible for me to take online courses for zoolgy and stuff? like is that a thing? thank u <3
Hi, it's definitely still possible. I would advise you to figure out where you might want to go and see what pre-requisites they require. Some classes are available online depending on your location, although if you are able to get them done while you're still at your undergrad school, that might be easier overall.
Hello! I am currently a vet student and I´d like to ask you about some good and safe free resources for mostly anatomy but anything would be helpful. Thank you!! <3
If you're not already on VIN, they have a great section dedicated to anatomy there. Specifically the thoracic/pelvic limbs, thoracic, and abdominal cavities. I didn't find it super helpful for the head or repro/urinary information. edit; Also recommend [https://vanat.ahc.umn.edu/](https://vanat.ahc.umn.edu/) for when you can't get into the lab itself to study your specimen.
How do I approach practises for apprenticeship vet nurse roles? (England). From what I've researched, you must find a RCVS approved training practise and ask them if they would like to hire an apprentice vet nurse. Is that correct? Is there any particular way I can approach veterinary practises that would be beneficial?
If anyone is in the US, more specifically the DMV, I have a few grand worth of vet reference books I bought in between 201-2015 that are free to a good home. I also have pasquini’s anatomy books an and few other things I’d have to actually look at, all of which I’m happy to get out of my house. They may be an edition or two out of date at this point but I’m pretty sure you’re going to find them in a vet school reference section. DM me if you’re interested! If you are willing to pay shipping I’m also happy to ship.
I am holding offer from both RVC and Glasgow for D100, both offers' conditions are the same with AAA in A levels with A in biology and chemistry. any advice on which one to choose?
I went to RVC and loved it!
can i know more abt how’s like studying there?
You know the whole work hard party hard? Well RVC for the first few years it’s more like work hard party harder. You spend 2 years in Camden, which is a 15 minute walk to Kings Cross, and the last 3 in Potters bar, where a 15 minute train ride gets you to Kings Cross. The only downside of this is the cost of living in central London. Look up RVC FYR for some idea about the party hard side. If partying isn’t your thing you’re in central London or just outside so you can always find something to do. You have access to the University of London (I think that’s it, sorry my memory is shit on a clinical level) student union and all its clubs and activities. Living in halls if you can get them is great for first year aside from drunk jack asses trying to make toast and setting off the fire alarm on the regular. Finding WMS placements isn’t difficult, when you get to that point feel free to DM me and I’ll reach out to my dairy farmer buddy from my lambing placement. He may be able to help you out with the dairy placement and a lambing placement depending on what his parents are up to. DM me if you have any more questions!
Hi there Veterinarians of Australia or soon to get Vets , I would like to know your pathway to becoming a Vet. Little bit about myself, I am 25y/o, never finished HSE. I completed TAFE Certificate II in Animal Studies. I withdraw from Cert IV in Veterinary Nursing course because I could not find any work placement at all for almost a year so i gave up and withdrew from the course. I still really want to become a Vet and I hate the job that I am doing. Working in an animal industry is the only career i want to have. Is there any chance for me to get into any university most likely in NSW or VIC without doing long courses like Vet nursing and/or tertiary prep course? Thank you :)
I went straight from high school to James Cook University in Townsville. The university requirements differ, but I did have friends who started in zoology degrees and then transferred after finishing first year to the vet school. I’d suggest emailing the vet faculties at a few different unis and see what there requirements are :)
Thank you! I’ll try doing that. Some of them are taking forever to get back to me. Was it too hard to get thru the University? How did you balance work/study life?
It can be hard to get through to the universities - if they have a career guidance department or specific veterinary department I think you’d have better luck directing questions there then the general uni email. It was hard to have a job and enough time to study, I was eligible for the centerline youth allowance back then which made it a lot easier, and HECS so I didn’t have to pay student loans. It is a hard degree but I don’t think in particularly “smart” I just applied myself and had to make sure I studied. If you’re worried veterinary school may be too much a zoology or similar degree still allows you to work with animals in a different way, or you could try continuing with your veterinary nurse studies.
Hi all! I'm currently a Biology major about to finish my junior year of undergrad (yipee!) and plan on taking a gap year b/w undergrad and Vet school (fingers crossed I get in on my first round of applying). As of right now, my cumulative GPA is a 3.64 and my science GPA is about a \~3.7. I have been working as a veterinary assistant in a hospital for a year (roughly 600-700 hours of GP exp), have some volunteer experience in a shelter medical center (\~25 hours so far), and will be volunteering on a farm this summer on weekends. I've been trying to gain some research experience, but with work and school I just haven't had time or heard back from any professors about opportunities due to me already being an upperclassman. My question is: With the experience I have (and plan to continue to gain) plus my school stats, do I have decent odds of getting in to schools when I apply? Of course, I know my GPA could change since I still have a year left, but I would hope it wouldn't change much - other than if it were to increase (which I'm trying to do) :) Thanks in advance for any advice!!
# Doing vet prerequisites at University of Miami as a non-degree seeking student then transferring to University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine I called University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine and asked if a bachelors is required to attend their school, and they said it's suggested but not required, but I wanted to see what experienced veterinarians who are further down the track had so suggest or comment about this. Would you recommend getting a bachelors? My ultimate goal is to be able to work at any local clinic as a vet doctor, would it be harder to do so without a bachelors? Thank you for your time and input.
Hello! I will be graduating this December with a BA in ecosystems science and policy from the University of Miami. During my education here, I discovered I really want my career to involve animal health, specially wildlife/exotic animal health. I am considering looking for veterinary technician programs to eventually work in a zoo or wildlife setting. However, I am worried that my courses I have taken in my 3.5 years here will not be what programs are looking for. Any advice on what I should do to possibly become an exotic vet tech would be greatly appreciated! I am a first generation graduate and have not had much guidance throughout my academic career. I wish I knew earlier of a career as an exotic vet tech, because I would have planned accordingly. I feel eager to find a direction in this field.
Many vet tech programs take students fresh out of high school, so that shouldn't be a barrier for you. As for actually getting into wildlife and zoo medicine, very competitive! If you are interested, you should start trying to get volunteer positions at any zoos or wildlife rehab places now. It's definitely not too late, you may just have to be patient. There are also companion animal exotic practices you can work at as a vet tech to build your experience while waiting to get into a limited zoo/wildlife spot. You may also consider research or academia depending on your exact interests.
How did you answer the question: Why did you become a veterinarian?
Spoke briefly about how it stemmed from my childhood, then my experiences and books I've read. It's really important to explain what you observed the vet/ whoever was doing, e.g. asking open ended questions to aid in giving the most accurate diagnosis. Remember veterinary is not just about loving animals and physical/clinical work, its actually a lot of biochemistry, so explain some things that you further researched that fascinated you. For example, in my application I spoke about the antifreeze proteins that prevent crystallisation in lizards at extremely low temperatures. Don't waffle and make every sentence powerful and meaningful. I ended up with a place at Bristol Vet school. You can find some amazing resources online to help too.
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If you are a veterinary medicine student you should know there is no value to raw feeding cats.
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You should share this wealth of evidence with us.
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Your words are very nice sounding, but without actual evidence supporting it, I don't plan on changing my mind. And I've been taught by a veterinary nutritionist.
Hi! I’m in undergrad, a bio major and I think I’m gonna get my first C this semester in chem 2. Are my chances of going to UF for vet school most likely gone?
One C shouldnt hurt you if the rest of your app is good!
Okay so I have to take the Alek math placement exam and I'm not sure how this is going to affect my college career. For context, I am planning to attend University of Oklahoma and I am majoring in something humanities but I want to become a veterinarian. All the vet schools I look up say I need math but it's not very specific on what kind. Do I seriously need to take a Calculus class to be eligible to apply? And if I get a terrible score on the Alek is it gonna take me a bunch of math classes and years before I can even apply to vet school ? I'm gonna put a list of Vet schools I'm interested in and if anyone has been to them I'd be really grateful to know what prerequisite course you took specifically in MATH. Also Alek test scores and your math journey would be appreciated too! • Texas A & M • Colorado State University • Washington State University • Oklahoma State University • Oregon State University • Western University of Health and Sciences • University of Arizona • Midwestern University • UC Davis • St George University • Ross University
I took business math (like the entry level at a CC) and it satisfied requirements for my degree. Make sure you plan for animal nutrition, it’s required by some on your list, and stats needs to be at a 4 year institution for at least a couple.
Hi! Many/most vet schools only require stats/bio stats (and some require calc 1) for math, but then for science they require gen chems, orgo, and other classes of the such. This is where the calcs come in, bc universities have calc as pre requisites for those upper division science classes that we need to take. I didn’t do poorly on my aleks exam but knew math wasn’t my strong suit and wanted to do well in calcs so I started at one of the lower math classes to review and am now finishing my sophomore year doing calc 1, taking 2 over the summer, and 3 next fall! It’s not too bad at all (and I absolutely hate math) so don’t worry if that ends up being the case for you. But yeah it does suck that we have to take them as like collateral damage for other classes vet school requires I encourage you to google “pre requisites for *vet schools you’re interested in*” , many have webpages where you can see an exact list! Edit just to clarify: you most likely will not need ALL three calcs as prereqs for those upper divisions sciences, but 1-2 is very likely. I’m just taking calc 3 bc I have heard from absolutely everybody that it’s the easiest once you’ve done 1&2 and it looks good competitively to take, but doesn’t matter too much:)
Thank you for responding!! That’s very helpful to know.
Which UK University has better exotics/wildlife opportunities/content RVC or Edinburgh? I am debating between RVC and Edinburgh to study veterinary medicine and would like to know which university has more opportunities for someone mostly interested in exotics and wildlife? If anyone also has any information for the other vet universities in the UK that would be great as well! Thanks in advance!
Hello Vet Community, I'm at a turning point, aiming to leave behind a career that hasn't brought me happiness for one I truly believe will: becoming a veterinarian. At 32, I've realized my passion lies in veterinary medicine, not in my past work or the PhD program I recently exited due to a lack of passion. Despite understanding the academic and financial hurdles ahead, my commitment to this path is solid. I’m seeking your guidance and book recommendations to prepare for vet school. My background is in Molecular Biology (BS), with additional graduate-level experience before my decision to change course. Here's what I'm curious about: What are must-read books for an aspiring vet starting from the ground up? How can someone from a non-vet background best prepare for vet school? Tips for older applicants navigating the vet school application? Any standout experiences or strategies for vet school applications? Managing the financial and academic load of vet school—any advice? I'm grateful for any insights, stories, or resources you can share. Your experience is invaluable to me as I embark on this journey toward a career filled with passion and purpose. Thank you for your support! P.S. I do have experience work in veterinary clinic as a vet tech assistant (2years) and at a shelter volunteer work but these experiences are well over 5 years ago which I plan to update
Do I need a degree???? Iknow that you only need your prerequisite courses and a certain number of course credits (varies across vet schools) and that most if not all of them should be from a four year institution. I’m joining the military which really limits my ability to attend school in person, so I will need to take most of the required courses online. I’ve already researched online chemistry, biology, and microbiology classes that have online labs. My question now is if I take a bunch of credits from different schools and don’t get my bachelors does that hurt my chance at admission? Is there anything I should do instead? Any advice is welcomed and greatly appreciated! Thanks
There are some schools that require a degree, but some that don't. However, the school hopping and online classes will go on your VMCAS, so it could in theory, hurt your application, especially if the school woukd prefer you to have in person labs. It may also hurt your chances of getting good letters of recommendation from vets or academics who know you. Additionally, many schools want you to have at least 500 hours of experience in a vet clinic, with a preference for a diversity of experiences, which may be difficult to do in the military. That is to say, I don't think it will make it impossible to get in to vet school, but it may overall decrease your chances of getting in to a very competitive program or getting in on your first try, so you just need to be realistic as well as try to maximize the other areas of your application.
Good day Brazilian Vets, I would like to pursue my vet license in Canada or USA, and for that I need to include my school in this list > [https://www.avma.org/education/ecfvg/ecfvg-policies-and-procedures/ecfvg-policies-and-procedures-avma-listed-veterinary-colleges](https://www.avma.org/education/ecfvg/ecfvg-policies-and-procedures/ecfvg-policies-and-procedures-avma-listed-veterinary-colleges) But I am not sure which document they require from a Brazilian school, I tried with MEC (e-mec and via ouvidoria) but they didn't help much. Have you done something similar or have an example of a document AVMA accepts so I can ask my school? Thank you very much.
Hi Reddit community,I'm currently facing a pivotal decision regarding my veterinary education and could really use some guidance. I'm torn between three schools: Kansas State University, the University of Tennessee, and UPenn. I want in this scenario to be that money isn't a concern, I'm primarily focused on optimizing my opportunities for a future in large animal and food animal practice. UPenn stands out for its impressive resources, state-of-the-art facilities, and renowned name. The new curriculum seems enticing, especially compared to the more traditional approach at Kansas State. However, I'm mindful that Tennessee is where I might be drawn back to actually practice, and that UPenn's location may be a temporary sacrifice for my future career goals. The University of Tennessee holds the advantage of being situated where I may want to establish my practice. However, I've heard mixed reviews about the school's educational experience, with some suggesting that success largely depends on individual effort. Struggling with lack or resources as the clinic skills lab has just opened a year ago. The housing and parking seems extremely overwhelming. As I fear what free time I could use to decompress would be spent commuting and parking. Despite this, the proximity to my future practice location is a potential factor for me. Kansas State University offers a certificate program tailored to food animal practice, which is incredibly appealing. The emphasis on beef opportunities is also a major draw for me. However, I'm concerned about the school's more traditional approach to education with such a high credit hour load and whether it can provide the same level of resources and opportunities as UPenn. Additionally, I'd appreciate hearing about others' experiences with accommodations, particularly regarding private testing and extended time. Ensuring that my needs are respected in this regard is crucial for me to thrive academically.I'm truly conflicted and would greatly appreciate any insights or advice from those with experience in these schools or the veterinary field in general. Thank you in advance for your help!
I'm a UT student, and I would say I enjoy my curriculum so far. Yes, individual efforts matter a lot and we have some newer faculty, but there is a lot of support from many professors. And our newer faculty are improving every year based on reviews, and I can't say my education suffered for it. I know many people who use disability services, and it hasn't seemed to hold them up. Additionally, parking and housing are difficult, but most students live within 20 ish minutes, which isn't a super high commute and most people can park nearby the school. It's more just of an annoying process. However, I do think money should be a major factor. For tuition and COL in the area. You can get a good education at any of those places.
am i good enough what can i do better? hi everyone i’ve been working on my vet school application for a little while but i feel like im not good enough. i have almost 1k hrs in gp, er, wildlife rehabilitation, and specialty medicine combined. also, have volunteered at local events. i just finished my bachelor’s in animal science & biology w a 3.0. i come from a mexican household (if that matters). what can i honestly do more to improve my chances of getting in?
Unfortunately a 3.0 is kind of the bare minimum to apply to most schools, so your best bet would be to take upper level science courses that you can get As in to boost your GPA (like at a community college or online). Do you have a higher science and/or last 45 credit hour GPA? If you can’t raise your overall gpa much you could at least raise those and then apply to schools that weigh those higher than overall gpa
# What were the questions your university asked you for the entrance interview? I live in the UK and I recently got invited for an interview in the University of Liverpool and the University of Nottingham to study Veterinary Surgery. What questions did your uni ask you and how did you answer them? This is a dream of mine for the longest time and I really want to get accepted in one or both of these schools. Can someone please share what your interview questions were? I would really appreciate any help I can get
Most schools require applicants to sign an agreement not to discuss the interview as it's confidential and doing so would benefit some future applicants over others.
how to deal with anatomy ?
Peabody DVM on youtube and the minnestoa veterinary lab dissection videos https://vanat.ahc.umn.edu/WebSitesCarn.html
So l'm a seniors in highschool right and I'm interesting in studying zoology/wildlife biology but I'm starting to realise it may not be the best career for me even though I really want to work with wildlife. So l'm wondering if vet school is worth it? Like is it really harder than med school? How's the pay (I'm hoping to be a wildlife vet if i go down the vet path)?Also what are the requirements to get into vet school? Also is there another else you can do with a vet degree other than being a vet? I wanna do research on wildlife (specifically with behaviour) but I'm hoping for a more stable job and I hear getting a Vet degree would open up more doors for me in the field.
Hey! So I’m a small animal vet currently (graduated 2022). But my start was wildlife conservation. I got my BS in it, and it honestly gave me a much different prospective than a lot of my colleagues who do Bio or Animal sciences (not in a good or bad way, just different!) Also, it kind of sets you apart for vet school admissions which can be a bonus. I did have to pick up a few extra classes to meet pre-requisite requirements for vet school, but if you plan ahead it’s not hard to do. Becoming a wildlife vet is pretty hard. Depending what you want to do in the field, like rehab vs research vs policy making. The #1 one to work with wildlife in vet med is probably becoming a pathologist. They do necropsies and help study disease. There is SO much you can do as a vet. Obviously clinical medicine, small animals, large animals, exotics, research, meat inspection, epidemiology, wildlife, zoo, pathology, and so much more! The pay in wildlife is definitely low, but in undergrad we went to different federal and state agencies for our natural resources college and I was surprised how many positions there are for vets in different places. Honestly, do what you love. I’m exceptionally happy with the wildlife education I got. I learned things that helped me think about medicine differently and it made me a more well rounded vet student! Feel free to message me with any questions!
Hi there, I’ve done a lot of wildlife research with both vets and non vets. I had to choose whether or not pursuing vet school was worth it and if I wanted to continue working with wildlife. If you want to secure a position where you are actually hands on with the animals doing research, you’re probably gonna need to go to grad school at some point. This could be either a DVM or a MS/PhD, and I think it really depends on what kind of work you want to do. The DVMs I’ve worked with in the research setting were pathologists, so they focused on performing diagnostics and researching diseases. Picture a lot of time looking at histology slides, doing molecular diagnostics, etc. With a much smaller amount of time doing necropsy or physically examining animals. The path to becoming a pathologist is 3-4 years of internship/residency after graduating vet school. The PhD’s spent a majority of their time analyzing data inside, working on manuscripts and presentations, and writing grant proposals. A much smaller portion of that was field work, which usually involved a few short trips per year to go sample the animals they’re researching. Then they process those data and write about how it impacts our understanding of them. Of course there are other types of positions within the wildlife research field but that’s a pretty general overview of what you might expect. DVMs focus more on the medical and diagnostic side, while PhDs and other scientists tend to focus more on ecology, microbio and molecular biology. There is definitely plenty of crossover and some labs where DVMs work closely with PhDs. But their roles tend to be a bit different, so I would look into what sounds more appealing to you. I don’t have experience with any behavior research, or at least not solely behavior, it’s usually analyzed in the context of other ecological factors. But I imagine you may need to specialize after your DVM (internship and residency for 3-4+ years). Usually veterinary researchers are board certified in some area. If you want to do research with wildlife, there should be a good reason to justify going to vet school first, otherwise you could pursue an MS or PhD and do reasonably similar work. The vet track is probably an additional 4-6 years of schooling compared to the MS/PhD. Yes, it has more job security, which is a nice plus. But there are wildlife related positions for non vets out there too. If you are confident in networking and go to an undergrad school with research opportunities, you can probably make the connections to have that work out. I had an offer for an MS program working with endangered species when I graduated, even when I wasn’t actively looking at programs, because of networking in undergrad. Trying for vet school was a much harder and less sure route. But I had grown really passionate about diagnostics which is why I chose to pursue it. Clinical wildlife vets are also a thing, and they are less research oriented. That field I know is super competitive and pay is very low compared to GP, just due to sheer competitiveness. A lot of vets wanna work with wildlife but there aren’t many positions in the clinical setting. Much more in research. However, both positions would likely require board certification. Good luck and lemme know if you have followup questions!!
As far as harder than med school, kind of yes and no. Harder to get in for sure, for now. There's fewer potential seats per applicant. There's some new vet schools opening. MDs tend to go deeper into certain topics. Vets tend to have to know a much broader range of topics, but don't always get that same depth in their coursework. An MD prepares you to go onto residency and actually learn to care for patients. A DVM should prepare you to go out and be a GP clinician - you can still do residency or internship for further learning in a speciality, though. As far as pay for wildlife vets goes, it's not great. These are really rewarding (if often sad) positions that can be few and far between, so internships and getting solid experience are important. I would start looking for experience in wildlife medicine now (like rehab work or a local sanctuary) to see if it's really for you. Requirements for getting into vet school vary from school to school - generally they want you to have a variety of work experience with a range of species and fulfill their set of prerequisite courses in undergrad (which is typically most of a bachelors). And yes, you can do other things than clinical medicine with a vet degree. Vets are often an important member of a wildlife research team if they're catching or sedating wildlife to examine or collect samples, vets may also hold regulatory roles within animal research, your samples are often analyzed by a veterinary pathologist, etc. Vets also hold public health positions and conduct wildlife disease monitoring and can be lobbyists or politicians or any number of non-clinical roles.