Introduction

Hello, and welcome to another edition of How To Become A Veterinarian! We’ll cover the basics of the field below and get into more detail in future articles.

1. Complete a grade 12 or equivalent high school program

• Complete a grade 12 or equivalent high school program

To become a veterinarian, you must have completed high school with good marks and obtained your diploma. This means that you need to be at least 18 years of age before entering the program. You will also need to have a good understanding of science and math (both physics and biology), as these are the main subjects you’ll need when studying for your degree in veterinary medicine.

The high school courses that will help you succeed in becoming a veterinarian include:

• Biology
• Chemistry
• Physics
• Math (algebra)
• English

2. Get a bachelor’s degree

A bachelor’s degree is the minimum requirement for getting into veterinary school. To become a veterinarian, you need to have an undergraduate degree in biology or another science-related field such as chemistry or zoology. You can also get a bachelor’s degree in animal sciences and then choose to specialize in veterinary medicine after graduating.

A good school will have high standards of admission and require you to take a series of prerequisites before applying, so it’s important to do your research on the reputation of each institution when choosing which one(s) you want attend. Many schools offer online programs where students can earn their degrees from home via distance learning methods—and some even provide accelerated programs for those who want their credentials sooner rather than later!

3. Take the Graduate Record Exam (GRE)

If you’re interested in becoming a veterinarian, you’ll need to take the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) at some point in your academic career. The GRE is a standardized test that measures your verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, analytical writing and critical thinking skills. It’s not a test of knowledge—it’s designed to show what skills you have as an analyst and writer.

The GRE is required by most programs that offer veterinary degrees—and it’s also accepted by many other graduate programs besides those in veterinary medicine: law schools, medical schools (including osteopathic medicine), business schools and more! Students can take the GRE up to five times per application cycle; however if they choose to submit scores from multiple tests within one year then only their highest score will be counted toward their application process. We recommend taking it once as soon as possible after graduating from high school—which means now!

4. Research veterinarian schools and apply to get in

The next step is to start researching veterinary schools and find the ones that are right for you. You’re looking for a school that offers a program in veterinary medicine or veterinary science. It’s also important to make sure that the school has the right degree for you (e.g., DVM, Ph.D.) as well as any additional programs or courses that may interest you (e.g., pre-veterinary).

You may want to check out our [guide](https://www.veterinarian-schools.org/become-a-vet/) on applying to get into vet school, which includes links to some top colleges and universities offering programs in this field (like Cornell University), along with tips on what makes a good application letter/resume/recommendation letter!

5. Obtain work experience in an animal care facility

The next step in your journey towards becoming a veterinarian is to get some work experience in an animal care facility. Some possible places to get such experience include:

• A local animal shelter or humane society.
• A veterinary clinic. They often have summer jobs available for college students, but you’ll need to apply early! It’s also important that you learn how to give shots and administer other injections, as well as how to bandage wounds and take temperatures of animals before applying for vet school entry. Having this skill set will give you a competitive edge when applying for those coveted spots in vet school.
• A zoo or wildlife rescue center (if you love wild animals!). If zoos aren’t your thing but you still want hands on experience working with exotic animals, there are many wildlife rescue centers out there looking for volunteers who can help rehabilitate injured animals back into the wild–just make sure it’s not illegal where you live before signing up!

6. Complete the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) postgraduate program

The DVM program is four years in length. At many schools, you’ll be able to complete the program in three years. The curriculum is very rigorous and requires students to be on campus for most of the year, though some schools offer online courses that allow students from remote areas to earn their degree.

It is one of the most competitive programs in all of academia, with fewer than 5% of applicants being accepted each year. In addition to being an expensive investment (tuition ranges from $50k-$100k annually), earning a DVM degree is also physically and emotionally demanding due to its intensity.

However, once you complete your studies as a veterinarian, your efforts will be rewarded with great job security and high pay—the average annual salary for veterinarians currently stands at $80k per year or more!

If you have always loved animals and want to be able to help them then becoming a Veterinarian might be the right job for you.

If you have always loved animals and want to be able to help them then becoming a Veterinarian might be the right job for you. There are many different types of veterinarians that can specialize in different fields such as wildlife, domestic animals, horses or even exotic pets at the zoo. They each need to complete a lot of schooling and training before they can become licensed so it is important that you make sure this is something you will enjoy doing before starting out on your journey.

If you are ready to take this step towards being a veterinarian then here are some things that you must do:

• Complete your bachelor’s degree in biology or another related field from an accredited university
• Apply for admission into one of the many highly competitive Veterinary Schools in North America (or abroad)

Conclusion

If you have always loved animals and want to be able to help them then becoming a Veterinarian might be the right job for you.