A question for all the veterinarians out there!

[SammyL]

I am a senior in high school and got accepted into the University of Wisconsin-River Falls Animal Science/Pre-Vet program.

When I first took my ACT, I scored a 24, I got into college with that score. My mother wanted me to take it again, so I retook it early in Feb. I just recieved the scores online and I got a 23 this time. Not fun for me. Either way, my mother wanted me to retake the test in the first place because she thought I would not get into graduate school to become a vet with a 24. Is that true?

I realize that this is a very competative field, and I plan to work my behind off. I have wanted to be a vet since I was in 2nd grade. I get A's and B's in all courses that I have taken in high school, even the college courses I have taken.

So to recap...Does graduate school look at your high school ACT score?

Thanks for all the help.

 

[MiniHGal]

Hi Sammy,

I'm a first year vet student...so this topic is near and dear to me!

I actually took the SATs not the ACT, but in any case, I don't believe it makes a darn bit of difference to your application for vet school. They don't (well, as far as I know) ask for your SAT/ACT scores.

In general, high school stuff--ie: work, grades--don't make it onto your application. However, leadership and community skills can be put on there from high school. Just FYI.

The test for vet school is the GRE (there are some variants, and some schools will take the MCAT scores), which is a graduate school test. Its very similar to the SAT (and likely the ACT), just longer (and harder). It has three sections, verbal, math, and writing.

I would suggest keeping your grades as high as possible, doing really well on the GRE (studying is good!), and working/volunteering for at least a couple of vets for a LOT of quality time during summers and other times--as often as possible. It helps if you have experience in several different areas to show that you really know what the profession is and what the life/work is like.

Good luck! And congrats on your acceptance to University of Wisconsin!

Breanna

 

[txminipinto]

As a RVT employed with Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine, I'll second what Breanna said. The most important thing you can do is to gain experience through employement with a veterinary clinic. Many vet students come in thinking they know what type of medicine they want to practice, and change their minds (no matter, you have to learn it all any way!). Vet students with clinical experience and a skill set have a much easier time understanding, learning, and progressing than those who've walked into school with no experience. Plus, working at a clinic will open your eyes to the life of a veterinarian. It's not a 9-5 job with a lunch break and holidays.