Preparing for Vet School
Preparing for vet school is an long, intensive process. Preparing in advance will give you more time to build a strong application and can reduce the stress of the application process. Students should try to gain as much relevant experience as possible as it is crucial to a competitive application. Students should aim to work in a variety of settings and with both large and small animals. Veterinary colleges require students to obtain a minimum number of hours working alongside a veterinarian, and it is best if students start acquiring this experience their freshman year so that they are not rushing to accumulate the necessary hours. Please check the requirements of the schools you are interested in - Auburn requires a minimum of 500 hours working alongside a veterinarian, but many admitted students have 1,000 hours. Veterinary schools will also pay attention to extracurricular activities, community service/volunteer involvement, and leadership experiences.
High School:
- Build a strong foundation in Science
- Get good grades
- Gain relevant experience working/volunteering with animals
- Research Pre-Vet programs at colleges you wish to apply
- Shadow or work with a veterinarian
Freshman Year at College:
- Meet with advisor
- Join the Pre-Vet Club
- Participate in extracurricular activities
- Learn Pre-Vet requirements
- Plan a tentative 3-4 year class schedule
- Gain more relevant work/volunteer experience working alongside a veterinarian
- Keep track of your extracurricular activities and work/volunteer experience by making a list that includes a description of your activities, the hours spent each week, and other pertinent information. You should update this list regularly during school.
- Maintain a strong GPA
- Think about how you will spend your summer and how you can further increase your relevant knowledge/experience
Sophomore Year at College:
- Continue gaining work/volunteer experience (try to gain a broad range of experience in various areas - large animal, small animal, research)
- Study for the GRE**
- Meet with your professors and at least one veterinarian - get to know them, they will write your letter of recommendations
- Meet with your Pre-Vet advisor and decide on a major
- Continue participating in clubs and extracurricular activities
- Maintain a strong GPA
- Continue tracking your extracurricular activities and work/volunteer experience
- Think about how you will spend your summer and how you can further increase your relevant knowledge/experience
- Apply for the GRE** (if you plan to apply to vet school after three years)
Junior Year at College:
- Study/apply for/take the GRE**
- Check deadlines
- Research veterinary schools and check course requirements
- Complete VCMAS application by September 15 (if applying after 3 years)
- Request Letters of Recommendation (write thank you letters to references)
- Complete supplemental applications
- Prepare VCMAS personal statement
- Prepare for interview
- Meet with your Pre-Vet advisor
- Maintain a strong GPA
- Continue gaining more experiences working with animals and alongside veterinarians (and keep track of them!)
- Try to gain leadership skills and experiences through clubs and extracurricular activities
- Try to visit schools you are interested in
- Think about how you will spend your summer and how you can further increase your relevant knowledge/experience
Senior Year at College:
- Check deadlines
- Research veterinary schools and check course requirements
- Complete VCMAS application by September 15
- Request Letters of Recommendation (write thank you letters to references)
- Complete supplemental applications
- Prepare VCMAS personal statement
- Prepare for interview
- Continue gaining relevant work/volunteer experiences (and keep track of them!)
- Check email frequently in case you receive information regarding your applications
- Interview in the Spring
**You should have a rough timeline of when you will apply to vet school so that you can plan to take the GRE multiple times, if necessary.