Everyone knows that it takes more than a love for animals to be a veterinarian – but what, exactly, do you need to do to get started and ensure you have a strong academic foundation before starting your degree?
What Classes are Required to be a Veterinarian?
According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), undergraduate classes typically required to become a veterinarian include a full science curriculum, including (but not limited to) biology, chemistry, physics, biochemistry, anatomy, physiology, microbiology, animal nutrition, genetics, and animal science.
These classes are essential for future veterinarians to begin to thoroughly understand the biology and health of animals. As veterinary students progress through their education, they will begin to take more specialized classes relating to animal health, medicine, and surgery including topics such as oncology, surgery, dentistry, ophthalmology, and animal behavior.
What is the Degree Required to be a Veterinarian?
To become a veterinarian in the United States, students need to earn a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) or a Veterinary Medical Doctor (VMD) degree from an accredited veterinary school after completing a bachelor’s degree. After completing the DVM or VMD program, veterinarians also need to pass the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE) to become licensed to practice veterinary medicine.
What GPA do you need to get into Veterinary School?
As in other college and post-graduate programs, the required GPA (grade point average) for veterinary school can vary depending on admission requirements and the competitiveness of the program. However, as a general guideline, most veterinary schools in the United States typically look for applicants with a GPA of 3.0 or higher (on a 4.0 scale).
Admission to veterinary school is competitive, and many successful applicants have GPAs significantly higher than the minimum requirement. It’s common for competitive applicants to have GPAs of 3.5 or higher. But grades aren’t the only thing that’s important: veterinary schools also consider other factors such as letters of recommendation, extracurricular activities, and animal experience.
What Undergraduate Subjects are Good for Veterinarians?
A strong foundation in science is extremely beneficial for future veterinary students. These science courses provide a solid foundation and help prepare students for the rigorous curriculum of veterinary school. Here are some recommended undergraduate subjects:
- Biology: Provides fundamental knowledge of living organisms, cell biology, genetics, and ecology, which are essential for understanding animal biology and physiology.
- Chemistry: Includes courses in general chemistry, organic chemistry, and biochemistry, which are crucial for understanding chemical processes in living organisms and pharmaceuticals used in veterinary medicine.
- Physics: Helps develop problem-solving skills and an understanding of physical principles relevant to veterinary diagnostics and medical equipment.
- Mathematics: Courses in mathematics, including calculus and statistics, can help develop quantitative reasoning skills necessary for analyzing data and conducting research in veterinary medicine.
- Anatomy and Physiology: These courses provide a detailed understanding of the structure and function of animal bodies, which is essential for diagnosing and treating diseases and injuries.
- Microbiology: Covers the study of microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi, which play a significant role in animal health and disease.
- Animal Science: Provides knowledge of animal nutrition, behavior, and welfare, which are important for understanding animal management and production systems.
- Genetics: Helps students understand the principles of inheritance and genetic variation, which are relevant to breeding practices, disease susceptibility, and genetic disorders in animals.
- Nutrition: Covers the principles of animal nutrition and dietary requirements, which are essential for promoting optimal health and preventing nutritional disorders in animals.
- Communication and Social Sciences: Courses in communication, psychology, and sociology can help develop interpersonal skills and an understanding of human-animal interactions, which are important for effective communication with clients and colleagues in veterinary practice.
Be sure to check the specific prerequisites of veterinary schools, as requirements vary. Admissions experts also recommend gaining hands-on experience through volunteer work, internships, or employment in animal-related settings to enhance competitiveness for veterinary school admission.
What High School Subjects are Good for Veterinarians?
In high school, students can start laying the groundwork for a future career in veterinary medicine by taking certain courses that provide a strong foundation in science and math. Similar to the list of recommended undergraduate courses, recommended high school subjects include biology, chemistry, physics, math, anatomy and physiology, environmental science, animal science, health and nutrition, and communication.
Even though academic success and a rigorous course load help prepare a student for a future veterinary career, aspiring veterinarians should also seek out extracurricular opportunities such as volunteer work, internships, or shadowing experiences in veterinary clinics or animal-related organizations to gain hands-on experience and demonstrate their commitment to the field.
Learn more about how Suveto is helping future vets, and why we believe that inspired students make inspirational veterinarians.
