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How to Choose the Right Veterinary College for YouTo become a Veterinarian or Veterinary Technician, use our Veterinary College selector tools. Research veterinarian careers, salary expectations, employment possibilities, and other career planning information.
The student usually enters veterinary school after four undergraduate years, although some are ready in three years. A good, general Bachelor of Science, Pre-Med or Pre-Vet curriculum is necessary. Applicants to veterinary college must take the Veterinary Aptitude Test (VAT), Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), or the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). Microsoft® Encarta® Online Encyclopedia 2005http://encarta.msn.com © 1997-2005 Microsoft Corporation. All Rights Reserved. By contrast, the curriculum for a Veterinarian Technician might be a two-year course in a local technical college.
Twenty-eight colleges and schools of veterinary medicine are accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) in the United States. There are around 40 students accepted to these colleges each year. The four-year curriculum is usually divided into two phases. The emphasis of the first phase is on preclinical sciences such as anatomy, physiology, pathology, pharmacology, and microbiology. Students spend the majority of their time in classrooms and laboratories.
Students in veterinary college also study infectious and noninfectious diseases, diagnostic and clinical pathology, obstetrics, radiology, clinical medicine, anesthesiology, and surgery. They take courses in public health, preventative medicine, toxicology, clinical nutrition. Professional ethics and business are also offered.
By graduation, students have spent an estimated 4,000 hours in the classroom, laboratory, and clinic. Each year approximately 2,100 people receive their Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree in the United States. Traditionally a male profession, veterinarian medicine has seen an increase of female practitioners in recent years. From 1980 to 2002 the number of female veterinarians in the United States rose from about 3,000 to 19,000. Currently 35 percent of veterinarians in the United States are women and nearly 70 percent of all students enrolled in veterinary schools are women. Contributed By: Elizabeth M. Bodner, B.A., Ph.D., D.V.M. Editor, American Kennel Club Complete Dog Book. Author of American Kennel Club Care in Training. Most Veterinary Technicians are women.
New veterinarians can go right to work once they have received a license in the state in which they plan to practice. They do not have to complete an internship. Although internships and residencies are available, these positions are usually filled by people who want to sharpen their skills or intend to achieve advanced qualification or board certification in one of 20 specialty fields, such as ophthalmology, radiology, or laboratory animal medicine. These individuals complete a two- to five-year residency program and must pass an examination that demonstrates proficiency in their area of specialization.
To better prepare to be accepted in Veterinary College, a child might want to tinker with a Chemistry Experiment Kit and get a complete introduction to the most important topics in chemistry.
NetVet is a great site for exploring the world of veterinary medicine from the inside. Career planning including preparatory classes, outlook for the future and salary expectations. If you are looking for a veterinary college or admissions policies, go here first.
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