GET ON THE VET TRACK

Aspiring equine vets can take steps in middle or high school that will contribute to a blue- ribbon vet school application.

- BY JESSICA O'CONNOR

Do you dream of a future career as an equine veterinarian? If so, you've probably heard people say that getting into vet school is hard—and they’re right, it’s no piece of cake.

Many hopeful undergraduate students compete for a limited number of openings at veterinary colleges each year, so having a well-rounded, polished application is crucial when it comes to catching the eye of the admissions committee.

Read on for steps you can begin taking immediately that will help you craft a stellar vet school application when the time arrives!

ACADEMICS

“There is still a lot of emphasis on grades, GPA [grade point average], and test scores,” says Robin E. Smith, DVM, who has been in practice as an equine veterinarian for 30 years. “In middle and high school, it’s important to be a good student.”

Keeping your GPA up is a must for making sure you get into the undergraduate program of your choice, during which you will complete the coursework required for admission into vet school. Doing well in your math and science courses is important, but remember that written and spoken communication, as well as business skills, are also critical for a future veterinarian.

Developing good study habits starts now. While you may be able to skate through some of your current classes, vet school courses are demanding, and many require work outside of the classroom to fully process and understand the topics covered.

“I think learning how to be organized and create an effective study schedule early on is crucial,” says Sydney Grace, a first-year student at the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine. “Finding out what kind of learner you are is helpful. You can start making use of things like flash cards, online tools such as Quizlet, AI study games, and other study methods.”

HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE