Major: Preveterinary Studies
USDA/Bill Tarpenning
Dr. Dolittle may be able to talk to the animals, but that's not enough to get him into vet school these days. Your love for animals isn't either. There are only twenty-eight veterinary schools in the United States. That makes for fierce competition. So get ready for lots of hard work to stay ahead of the pack.
At most schools, you can't major in preveterinary studies. You'll need to choose another major, such as biology, that requires many of the same courses vet schools look for. But completing one of these programs will show vet schools that you're serious about becoming a veterinarian.
Programs in preveterinary studies help you prepare for admission to vet schools by providing a strong base in science and other courses.
“I decided to become a preveterinary sciences/animal sciences major because I felt that with this degree, I could learn the science to support my care and concern for animals.”
Kristen, senior, prevet/animal sciences, University of Maryland, College Park
Are You Ready To...?
- Join a preveterinary club
- Get hands-on experience in an internship at a vet clinic or lab
- Talk to veterinarians about their experiences
It Helps to Be...
Committed to your career and passionate about animal health and welfare. It also helps to be organized and able to communicate with a wide range of people.
College Checklist
- Does the school offer a doctor of veterinary medicine (D.V.M.) program in which you can continue your studies?
- Does the program offer courses in your area of interest, such as biology, biotechnology, or wildlife management?
- Is there an internship program in place with a wide variety of opportunities?
- Is the college strong in the sciences?
Did You Know?
- Preveterinary students often decide whether they want to work with pets or farm animals while they’re still undergrads.
Course Spotlight
Biology, with lab, is usually a required course for preveterinary students. That makes sense since biology is at the heart, so to speak, of learning how the animal body works.
Studying biology as an undergrad will help you understand the scientific concepts you learn later in vet school. You'll reinforce what you learn in lecture with hands-on lab activities, such as using a microscope to watch cells reproduce and dissecting a fetal pig.
