How to Become a Veterinarian: The Step-by-Step GuideHow Much Does It Cost to Become a Veterinarian?What Does a Veterinarian Do?Veterinarian Career PathHow Much Do Veterinarians Make?Other Considerations for Future VetsFAQs: How to Become a Veterinarian Show
 Reviewed by: Akhil Katakam Third-Year Medical Student, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University Reviewed: 6/3/22 Are you considering becoming a veterinarian but aren’t sure how to start? We’ll cover how to become a vet, your daily responsibilities, and more! Are you considering a career working with animals? You may be interested in becoming a veterinarian. Vets have the opportunity to work with and treat animals every day. If you’re passionate about animal wellness, you’ve come to the right place. Here’s everything you need to know about becoming a vet, from the veterinary school timeline to future considerations. Let’s get started! Get The Ultimate Guide on Writing an Unforgettable Personal StatementThank you! Look for the downloadable guide just sent to your inbox. Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form. How to Become a Veterinarian: The Step-by-Step GuideHere’s our simple guide on veterinary education requirements and more to get you started. Step 1: Decide If Vet School Is Right for YouBefore making any decisions, you should ensure becoming a veterinarian is the right path for you. Although a strong passion for animals is required, you must make difficult decisions in the animal’s best interest. For example, if euthanizing an animal would be too hard for you, becoming a vet may be mentally draining. Working in pet care is a great way to know if veterinary school is a good option for you. Anyone can apply to work at an animal shelter or a private pet care company. There, you can learn how to care for different types of animals and even administer medication. Step 2: Complete an Undergraduate Degree (With Prerequisite Courses)Most veterinary schools expect applicants to have completed a bachelor’s degree before applying. The prerequisites for vet school vary but generally are:
Some schools require additional courses, such as genetics, microbiology, and anatomy. The prerequisite courses for each school vary, so check the requirements for your target schools before applying. For example, these are the requirements to apply to UC Davis, the country’s #1 vet school: To ensure you’re taking the necessary courses, see if your school offers a pre-veterinary medicine educational track. This program includes prerequisites to ensure you’re prepared for vet school regardless of your major. Step 3: Gain ExperienceBefore applying for veterinary school, build your resume with relevant volunteering and job experience. There are many ways to gain experience, including:
This is an essential step in the vet school application process. According to the American Association of Veterinary Medicine Colleges (AAVMC) data report, most applicants logged hundreds of hours working with animals before applying to vet school. Step 4: Apply to Veterinary SchoolsEnsure you check each of your target school’s admission requirements. Most schools require:
To ensure you’ve ticked all the right boxes, consider seeking the guidance of a professional admissions consultant for veterinary school. Note: Each veterinary school has unique requirements, so ensure you check your target school’s admission requirements thoroughly before submitting your application. Step 5: Complete a DVM DegreeOnce you’ve been accepted into a veterinary school, it’s time to complete your four-year Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree. The first two years focus mainly on science courses with labs, while the third year typically focuses on clinical experience. Your final year often includes clinical rotations to give you hands-on experience. Step 6: Take the NAVLEThe North American Veterinary Licensing Exam (NAVLE) is a multiple-choice exam required for U.S. veterinary licensure. Once you’ve successfully passed the NAVLE, you can practice veterinary medicine. You should give yourself ample time to study for the exam: this is your last crucial step to becoming a vet! Step 7: Complete Any Additional StepsSome states have additional requirements to obtain veterinary licensure beyond taking the NAVLE. To ensure you’ve completed all the necessary steps, check your state requirements before applying for positions. Step 8: Complete a Residency Program (Optional)Although you’ve completed the necessary veterinary education requirements, you can attend a residency program after completing vet school if you want to specialize. Residency isn’t necessary to begin practicing as a vet, but it can help you obtain positions tailored to your interests with higher pay. The AVMA currently recognizes 22 veterinary specialty organizations. Between these organizations, there are 46 distinct AVMA-Recognized Veterinary Specialties. The veterinary specialty organizations recognized by the AVMA are he:
Each AVMA-recognized specialty organization contains a directory with excellent specialty programs. When applying for a specialty program, it’s critical to ensure you meet all of the eligibility requirements. For more information on veterinary specialties, take a look at the AVMA’s specialty information page. Step 9: Begin Your Veterinary Career!Once you’ve completed all these steps, you’re ready to begin applying for jobs. Ensure you consistently update your CV throughout your veterinary education path, so it’s ready when the time comes. Regularly updating your CV through these steps also ensures you don’t accidentally omit important experiences or information. Thank you! Your submission has been received! Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form. How Much Does It Cost to Become a Veterinarian?The cost of becoming a veterinarian varies greatly depending on several factors. For example, vet school tuition in the U.S. can cost anywhere from approximately $19,500 to $65,000 annually, depending on the school, your state of residence, and what year you’re in. Many schools cost less in the first year and gradually raise tuition throughout your degree. Aside from tuition, other costs to consider when creating your budget for vet school include:
Remember to consider these additional costs when determining the final cost of your vet school experience. In four years, most veterinary students spend over $200,000 for a DVM on average. However, most students don’t pay for their entire degree out of pocket. Financial aid is available through the government and schools. There are also plenty of scholarship opportunities for future vet students on the AAVMC website. What Does a Veterinarian Do?What is a veterinarian? In short, they’re the doctors of the animal world. They prevent, diagnose, and treat animals while advising their clients on proper care for their pets. With veterinary training, you can work in various settings such as:
The daily duties of a veterinarian generally consist of:
As a future veterinarian, you should know there are many exciting yet disheartening aspects of your future career. While veterinarians experience the positives of animal care, plenty of challenges are involved in dealing with animals in stressful situations. Veterinarian Career PathThere are many possible career paths for vets, from private practice to food supply medicine and everything in between. Here’s an overview of some career paths where you can apply your DVM. You’re not limited to working only for a private practice. Explore your options and evaluate your interests before choosing your desired career path! How Much Do Veterinarians Make?According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for veterinarians is $100,370. How much you earn annually as a veterinarian can vary based on numerous factors. Location, job setting, and specialty can impact your annual salary. The best-paid states for veterinarians are New Jersey, Maryland, the District of Columbia, Rhode Island, and Oregon - all of which pay a mean annual salary of over $122,000. The highest-paid veterinary positions often require special training of three years after vet school. Other Considerations for Future VetsLet’s go over some further aspects of life as a veterinarian to consider before making your final decision. Becoming a Vet Takes TimeWithout specializing, it typically takes eight years of post-secondary education to become a veterinarian in the U.S. The first four years are spent earning a bachelor’s degree, while the other four are spent completing vet school and obtaining your license. If you choose to specialize, you may add up to three more years of education to your training time. For example, becoming a specialist in veterinary surgery may take up to eleven years of education. Passion and Commitment Are KeyVeterinary school is competitive, and the jobs are challenging. If you want to become a veterinarian, you’ll be up against applicants that are extremely committed to animal healthcare. To show your passion and to ensure that a veterinary career is right for you, you should log plenty of volunteer hours. Shelters and foster programs are always looking for volunteer workers. If you can log over a hundred hours of animal-related volunteerism, it gives your application a competitive edge. Vet Life is Not Always GlamorousAs you may know, working with animals is not always petting kittens and puppies. Vets must remain professional, get their hands dirty, and deal with potentially temperamental animals. Your passion for animal care should extend far beyond the ones that are easy to handle. Veterinary life is challenging yet rewarding and can be emotionally draining. Volunteering and owning your own animals can give you a good idea of the good and not-so-glamorous aspects of animal care. FAQs: How to Become a VeterinarianHere are our answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about becoming a veterinarian in the U.S. 1. What Is a Veterinarian?A veterinarian is a doctor of animal medicine. Veterinarians diagnose, treat, and care for different types of animals. 2. What Is The Best Vet School In The U.S.?According to U.S. News, the University of California Davis is the country’s best school for veterinary medicine. 3. How Long Does It Take To Become A Veterinarian?It takes eight years to become a vet: four years to finish college and four years to complete veterinary school. 4. Are Veterinarians Doctors?Veterinarians practice medicine on animals. To do so, they spend many years studying veterinary medicine. Although veterinarians are doctors of veterinary medicine, they don’t attend medical school and aren’t qualified to treat humans. 5. Does Veterinary School Have Prerequisite Courses?Yes, most veterinary schools require prerequisite courses or comprehension in certain subjects. Typical prerequisite courses for vet school are Biology/Zoology, Organic Chemistry, Biochemistry, Inorganic Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics/Statistics, and others. 6. When Should I Start Preparing for Veterinary School?Assuming you have completed a bachelor’s degree or are on track to do so, you should begin preparing for vet school at least two years before you intend to apply. This will give you time to prepare your CV, take prerequisite courses, acquire letters of recommendation, and complete all application components. 7. What Education Is Required to Become a Veterinarian?Veterinary education requirements include graduating from college and completing vet school to earn your DVM. While not required, you can also pursue a residency to learn more about a particular specialty. 8. Is Becoming a Vet Worth It?Becoming a vet is worth it if you’re passionate about working with animals and love science. However, you’re the only person who can decide if becoming a vet would be worth it: you must also consider the time commitment, how much school becoming a vet requires, and other factors. Final ThoughtsWorking as a veterinarian isn’t easy, but it can be gratifying. Your passion for animal care should be a driving force, and you should be able to handle pressure and emotional situations. Keep in mind the cost and time it takes to become a vet. Ensure you budget and plan so you can enjoy your time learning in school without added pressures. If you’re having trouble with the application process, consider seeking assistance from a professional admissions consultant. Now that you know how to become a veterinarian, we wish you luck on your journey! How many years should I study to become a vet?To become a Veterinary Doctor in India, you will first have to pursue a 4-year bachelor's degree and then another 4 years studying a DM in Veterinary Medicine, thus you will be spending 8 years to become a Veterinarian.
Is it hard to become a veterinarian?Pursuing a veterinarian career and earning a Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) degree can both be challenging. The courses to become either a veterinarian or a doctor for humans teach candidates about complex medical subjects, such as anatomy and pharmacology.
How long is veterinary school in USA?Most veterinary schools take four years to complete the coursework and clinical training required to earn a DVM, though students who enroll in Ross Vet's DVM degree program can complete their degree in 3.25 years.
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How much schooling do you need to become a veterinarian
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