How to become a Vet.?

Question

I've loved animals every since i was little & my life goal is to become a Veterinarian.
As of right now, I attend High School in Illinois.

Does anyone know how many years of College &/or Veterinary school i will need after High school?
Also, what are the best Colleges & Veterinary schools in or around Illinois?


Or to put it simply, what are the steps I will need to take in order to become a veterinian, after completing High School?

Thanks in advance. =]

Answer 1

I am a second year vet student at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland. I am from California but decided to study overseas.

As a high schooler, make sure you are getting good grades, especially in the sciences. Also, spend some time volunteering at a vet clinic so you know what goes on "behind the scenes". It is a lot of fun, but you also need to be comfortable with some gross stuff- poop, vomit, blood, etc.

Choose a school with a strong biology program, especially one with an Animal Science degree. Work hard to get excellent grades, keep volunteering with a clinic, and try to do some research, too.

When applying for vet schools, they will look for grades, vet experience, general animal handing experience (i.e., working at a barn or 4-h club), and strong references.

Undergraduate will take 4 years, and vet school will take another four. If you choose to specialize and become "board-certified", it will take another 2-6 years.

As a person who is 2.5 years away from achieving her life goal of becoming a vet, I encourage you to work hard. Vet work is exciting and rewarding, but it takes a lot of hard work and stubborness to get here. Also, most students graduate vet school with about 100 grand in debt. That is something to cosider, too.

There are many other jobs that allow you to work with animals, too, which may be something to consider. Grooming, training, pet nutrition, research, etc.

Good luck!

Answer 2

I personally recommend www.vet.utk.edu

There are only a few veterinary colleges across the country, so it won't take long to research each of them. Find them on the web, do a little internet searching, and make a phonecall to each college. They will be happy to talk with you.

Make a chart of each college, their recommended programs of study, tuition, etc. Then decide where you want to go, and focus on *their* requirements. Each veterinary college is different. It is much easier to get into vet school in the state you reside, or from an undergraduate college that is closely affiliated with that vet school.

If you ask your undergraduate college what you need to do, they'll keep you in undergraduate studies as long as they can -- they're making money while you attend.

Also, get actively involved in a volunteer organization that is animal-related, like a humane society, and volunteer or work part-time for a local vet as much as possible.

I'm happy to answer more questions if you'd like to e-mail.

Answer 3

Excellent answers above, but I just had to chime in: in case you decide you don't want to go through that much schooling, or if you can't (that happened to me) you can also keep in mind becoming a Veterinary Technician. It requires an Associate's Degree (2 years of college) at an accredited school (check out http://www.avma.org/education/cvea/vettech_programs/vettech_programs.asp
to look for nearby programs) and is just like being a nurse. You get to do everything from drawing blood, giving injections, performing anesthesia, working in the lab, educating clients, assisting in surgery, the list goes on and on--and there are also specialties. In some ways it is more rewarding than being a doctor because there is more hands on work with the patients--although of course we don't make as much money!
Just something to keep in mind!
But good luck and I hope you make it all the way to your DVM!

Answer 4

Yes! It will take about six years AFTER high school.

Two years in a university, for pre-veterinary study, then four years at Vet Collage. Currently in Canada there are 7500 veterinarians. The average new vet makes $45,000 - $55,000 at a private practise per year. You should selet courses in science, like biology, chemistry and physics to make a good base.

There are four vet collages in Canada, and twenty eight in the US. The number of students that are accepted in vet schools each year is very limuted. Try getting things you can put on your record... volunteer at a vet clinc for one.

I may only be thriteen, but I plan for the future to become a vet.

Answer 5

University of Illinois at Champaign. Good Luck. I am doing the same thing, but I go to Missouri State University. I am from IL though. It is hard to get into vet school though, so you need AAAAAAA's. It will take 4 years for undergrad, then 4 more for vet school. Make sure you join the vet club too. Remeber you should have good grades in undergrad, a few extra activities, maybe get with your advisor and talk about a vet clinic you could work at part-time, and have fun.

Answer 6

Western College of Veterinary Medicine
In Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada.
They have some of the top-notch vets in North America and a nice campus.
See their website, learn more.
You need to be 90% or over in all subjects, mostly Math and Science.

Answer 7

Dido on the above. I was pre-vet then decided to go a different direction because I hated Chemistry! Better love it if you want to go pre-vet. I worked for a veterinarian while I was in college and it was the best experience of my life! I learned so much about each vaccine, surgery, everything! I worked with large and small animals. I think there is a HUGE demand for small animal vets now. Our area has a lot of cattle, so I enjoyed vaccinating the calves and going on sick calls with the vet. I worked in the office too and had to know every vaccine for every animal to send with people that came in.

Answer 8

Just go on the internet and type in"Veterinary Colleges in Illinois", tons of answers will come up.

Answer 9

Do well in high school, especially math, science and English. Go to college and study biology, marine biology, chemistry, biochemistry or pre-med. Then plan on 4 more years at a veterinary medicine school, like UC Davis in California.

http://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/StudentPrograms/StudentGuide_Post.cfm

Answer 10

I know it about 11 or so years of schooling after high school. Go to your councellors at your school and they might be able to point you in the right direction. Look up animal sciences in your area, that should help as well. Good luck!!