Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Demigawd · 02-03-2003, 04:10 PM

My current education consists of completing a BA in English (Creative Writing) in '94, but I've worked in the computer industry as a hardware and server tech since then. What academic plan would I need if my goal was to become a veterinarian? Links to literature on the subject would be great.

Dr.GH · 02-03-2003, 04:47 PM

You will need a degree in biology or chemistry.

No offense, but why do you post this here?

Doubting Didymus · 02-03-2003, 05:14 PM

Nothing to do with evolution or creation. Enjoy your new home.

Demigawd · 02-03-2003, 05:47 PM

Sorry. When I think animals, I consider what I know of evolution, biology, and what-not. Seemed a logical forum that professionals might frequent.

Albion · 02-03-2003, 06:07 PM

Are you talking about education from scratch or just getting a licence?

Demigawd · 02-03-2003, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Albion
Are you talking about education from scratch or just getting a licence?

I'm talking about education from scratch. I want to be competent in the treatment of animals when they are sick. The reason I ask is that I've been contemplating plans for the future. Eventually, I will inherit a large amount of country farm-n-forest land. I was thinking about how to use it to advocate animal empathy and preservation of natural habitat. A portion of it dedicated to veterinary would go along way towards that goal.

doghouse · 02-04-2003, 08:08 AM

Hello Demigawd,

I�m a veterinarian and teach at a veterinary school. There are 31 veterinary schools in the US and Canada. The veterinary school in Virginia is at Virginia Tech, in Blacksburg. Veterinary school lasts 4 years, is academically rigorous and can be quite expensive. Acceptance to veterinary school is quite competitive as there are a limited number of slots (statistically, it is slightly harder to get into than medical school).

To get into veterinary school, you need 3-4 years of undergraduate education, including specific prerequisite courses. You do not need a certain degree, such as biology, as long as you complete the required courses. Other common requirements are a minimum GPA and either the VCAT (the veterinary version of the medical school entrance examination, the MCAT) or the GRE. Good grades are essential. For specific requirements, you should check with the veterinary school you are going to apply to.

I strongly recommend you work for a veterinarian first to make sure this is what you really want. It�s a great career but certainly not for everyone. Also, work experience is very important to the admission committee. They need to see that you can handle the academic and that you�ll work as a veterinarian when you graduate. The last thing they want is to select you over another qualified candidate only to have you drop out because you don�t really like it or you realize that you can make more money doing something else.

Finally, there are also several examinations to pass in order to obtain a license to practice.

Here is a good resource; it includes links to specific veterinary schools.

Good luck!

http://www.all-animals.net/be_a_vet.htm

Boro Nut · 02-04-2003, 10:15 AM

Don't listen to doghouse. You have no chance of getting a job afterwards, the market is saturated. Do you have any idea how may vets came back from Vietnam? Don't waste your time.

Boro Nut

Daggah · 02-04-2003, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Boro Nut
Don't listen to doghouse. You have no chance of getting a job afterwards, the market is saturated. Do you have any idea how may vets came back from Vietnam? Don't waste your time.

Boro Nut

LOL... :notworthy

Demigawd · 02-04-2003, 02:58 PM

Thanks for the info, Doghouse. I'll take your advice and consider this more.

Boro Nut, you are a one-trick pony, but a funny one nontheless.

02-03-2003, 04:10 PM	#1
Demigawd Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: On a sailing ship to nowhere, leaving any place Posts: 2,254	Becoming a licensed veterinarian My current education consists of completing a BA in English (Creative Writing) in '94, but I've worked in the computer industry as a hardware and server tech since then. What academic plan would I need if my goal was to become a veterinarian? Links to literature on the subject would be great.

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02-03-2003, 04:47 PM	#2
Dr.GH Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Dana Point, Ca, USA Posts: 2,115	You will need a degree in biology or chemistry. No offense, but why do you post this here?

02-03-2003, 05:14 PM	#3
Doubting Didymus Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: East Coast. Australia. Posts: 5,455	Nothing to do with evolution or creation. Enjoy your new home.

02-03-2003, 05:47 PM	#4
Demigawd Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: On a sailing ship to nowhere, leaving any place Posts: 2,254	Sorry. When I think animals, I consider what I know of evolution, biology, and what-not. Seemed a logical forum that professionals might frequent.

02-03-2003, 06:07 PM	#5
Albion Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: US east coast. And www.theroyalforums.com Posts: 2,829	Are you talking about education from scratch or just getting a licence?

02-04-2003, 08:08 AM	#7
doghouse Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Standin in the rain, talkin to myself Posts: 4,025	Hello Demigawd, I�m a veterinarian and teach at a veterinary school. There are 31 veterinary schools in the US and Canada. The veterinary school in Virginia is at Virginia Tech, in Blacksburg. Veterinary school lasts 4 years, is academically rigorous and can be quite expensive. Acceptance to veterinary school is quite competitive as there are a limited number of slots (statistically, it is slightly harder to get into than medical school). To get into veterinary school, you need 3-4 years of undergraduate education, including specific prerequisite courses. You do not need a certain degree, such as biology, as long as you complete the required courses. Other common requirements are a minimum GPA and either the VCAT (the veterinary version of the medical school entrance examination, the MCAT) or the GRE. Good grades are essential. For specific requirements, you should check with the veterinary school you are going to apply to. I strongly recommend you work for a veterinarian first to make sure this is what you really want. It�s a great career but certainly not for everyone. Also, work experience is very important to the admission committee. They need to see that you can handle the academic and that you�ll work as a veterinarian when you graduate. The last thing they want is to select you over another qualified candidate only to have you drop out because you don�t really like it or you realize that you can make more money doing something else. Finally, there are also several examinations to pass in order to obtain a license to practice. Here is a good resource; it includes links to specific veterinary schools. Good luck! http://www.all-animals.net/be_a_vet.htm

02-04-2003, 10:15 AM	#8
Boro Nut Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Middlesbrough, England Posts: 3,909	Don't listen to doghouse. You have no chance of getting a job afterwards, the market is saturated. Do you have any idea how may vets came back from Vietnam? Don't waste your time. Boro Nut

02-04-2003, 02:58 PM	#10
Demigawd Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: On a sailing ship to nowhere, leaving any place Posts: 2,254	Thanks for the info, Doghouse. I'll take your advice and consider this more. Boro Nut, you are a one-trick pony, but a funny one nontheless.

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