Being a veterinarian has always been a popular career among people who love animals and want to take care of them. And while wanting to help another living being in need is wonderful, becoming a vet takes a lot of time and preparation.
In this article, we’ll be going over How to Become a Veterinarian and some of the various reasons for doing so.
How to Become a Veterinarian
You Need to Have the Proper Knowledge
You’re going to need to know what you’re doing before you can start taking care of animals. The veterinary field is one you shouldn’t take lightly as it’s one that mandates everyone who participates to have a doctorate’s degree.
To be more specific, you’ll need to obtain your Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM). This is about eight years’ worth of studying with four of them being spent obtaining your BA.
You don’t really need to stress too much about your college major during your undergraduate’s program.
You’ll need to show you’re proficient in courses such as biology, chemistry and calculus.
Once your bachelor’s is completed, your next step is to enroll in veterinary college, which is basically medical school except it’s geared more toward animals.
To maximize your chances of being accepted, you’re going to typically need the following:
- A high GPA, which should be at least 3.5 or higher in your science courses
- Proof of experience such as volunteering at vet clinics and animal shelters
- A passing score on the MCAT, VCAT or GRE
It’s important to mention that you should start building your resume as early as high school to get a better chance of being accepted. It shows you’re serious and passionate about the field and are willing to do anything for it.
Since this is such a high-level of education, you can expect to pay a hefty amount in tuition. The average cost for tuition is more than $200,000.
Struggling with student loan debt doesn’t seem ideal since your studies demand your constant attention.
The best way to pay for this education is to get a scholarship, which shouldn’t be too difficult to get if you manage to maintain a high GPA.
Alternatively, you can apply for one online through Going Merry scholarships and see if you match with funding options.
You Want to Take Care of Animals
Despite this being the most obvious reason to pursue this career, wanting to take care of and help animals is the most important.
Throughout this career, you’ll be helping more than just your average pet dog and cat. You’ll also be taking care of cows, horses, lambs, pigs and sheep as well.
Every animal is different, so it’s a prime opportunity for every animal lover to meet all sorts of different creatures.
Veterinarians Have One of the Highest Paying Salaries
As a vet, you can expect to make an average annual salary of $90,000 to as much as $126,000. This makes it one of the most financially rewarding careers you could ever have.
Although those figures can be exciting, if you want to fast track your career, you need to remember that in this specific profession there are steps you will need to take, and those take time.
Keep focusing on the end goal and stay diligent with your strides and the money will follow.
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