Becoming a veterinarian is no easy feat! It requires eight to 10 years of study after you graduate high school and all 30+ veterinary schools in the United States are highly competitive. You’ll need to be prepared if you dream of becoming a vet and applying to one of these best veterinary schools in the country.
What Does a Veterinarian Do?
Flickr user Army Medicine
A veterinarian, or vet, is a doctor who specializes in the care and treatment of animals. They’re trained to diagnose and treat illnesses, perform surgery, prescribe and administer medications, interpret test results, provide advice to pet owners and caregivers, develop specialized diets, and provide preventative care.
Steps to Becoming a Veterinarian
You need to dedicate years of education in order to become a veterinarian. Veterinary schools are extremely competitive and only select top students. As a result, the journey starts in high school for most, as a high GPA and SAT/ACT score are needed to get into high-ranking 4-year colleges.
The Veterinary Medical School Admission Requirements can help you determine what you need to do when, but here’s a quick glance at what you can expect to do over the next eight to 10 years.
1. Go to College
Students interested in becoming a veterinarian need to go to the right college and pursue a relevant physical or biological science major, such as zoology, biology, animal science, or organic chemistry. Veterinary schools also require specific prerequisite courses in order to be accepted, ranging from biology to math and English to business.
2. Gain Relevant Experience
Before you ever step foot in a veterinary school, you should have relevant experience in the field. You can opt for internships at your local veterinarian office, job shadowing, volunteer work at animal shelters, extracurriculars related to animals and their care, and similar opportunities.
3. Apply to Veterinary Programs
Veterinary programs are highly competitive, so you’ll need a strong application with high grades and a good Graduate Record Exam (GRE) score. Many schools also require letters of recommendation, volunteer work, and a personal statement.
4. Earn Your DVM Degree
If you’re accepted, you’ll spend the next four years earning your Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree. The first two to three years will be focused on coursework in the classroom and labs, depending on the program. Courses include radiology, animal behavior, pharmacology, veterinary practice, and more.
The final one to two years is dedicated to hands-on experience with clinical rotations.
5. Pass the NAVLE
In order to practice as a vet, you’ll need to pass the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE). Students can take it during the fall or spring semester. Those who take it in the fall can take it a second time in the spring.
6. Register With Your State
Once you have your DVM and passed the NAVLE, you’ll need to register with your state’s regulatory board and obtain your license. Requirements vary from state to state, and some additional experience may be required. You’ll also need to continue with training and education in order to renew your license.
More information about your state’s requirements can be seen on the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) website.
7. Choose a Specialization
Future veterinarians (and current ones) can also choose to specialize in a specific area of animal medicine. Some specializations require specific certifications and training. Some focuses include small animals, large animals, zoo, equine, and research.
Best Veterinary Schools
There are currently around 30 accredited veterinary colleges in the United States, including these 10:
- University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
- Location: Champaign, IL
- Total Enrollment: 56,916
- Students in Veterinary Medicine: 128
- Iowa State University
- Location: Ames, IA
- Total Enrollment: 29,969
- Students in Veterinary Medicine: 152
- University of Minnesota Twin Cities
- Location: Minneapolis, MN
- Total Enrollment: 54,955
- Students in Veterinary Medicine: 102
- University of Pennsylvania
- Location: Philadelphia, PA
- Total Enrollment: 28,201
- Students in Veterinary Medicine: 124
- Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
- Location: Blacksburg, VA
- Total Enrollment: 38,170
- Students in Veterinary Medicine: 119
- North Carolina State University at Raleigh
- Location: Raleigh, NC
- Total Enrollment: 36,700
- Students in Veterinary Medicine: 99
- University of California – Davis
- Location: Davis, CA
- Total Enrollment: 39,679
- Students in Veterinary Medicine: 154
- Colorado State University-Fort Collins
- Location: Fort Collins, CO
- Total Enrollment: 33,403
- Students in Veterinary Medicine: 147
- Cornell University
- Location: Ithaca, NY
- Total Enrollment: 25,898
- Students in Veterinary Medicine: 114
- Ohio State University
- Location: Columbus, OH
- Total Enrollment: 60,540
- Students in Veterinary Medicine: 158
Should You Become a Veterinarian?
If you think veterinary school is the right route for you, it’s important to start early! The sooner you know you want to become a vet, the easier it can be. However, it requires years of dedication, volunteer work, and hard studying just to be accepted into a top veterinary college.
Want to learn more about the colleges that offer related majors and can help increase your chances of getting accepted to veterinary school? Start with our College Match Tool today — it’s easy and FREE to use.
