How Can I Become a Veterinarian?
I’m 14 and I have always wanted to be a vet or a
vet assistant. Can you give me some advice on how
I can start preparing myself for when I become old
enough to actually do the whole job?
Jessie
Orange, CA
Study hard and get good grades.
University veterinary programs are very competitive. The most important admissions criterion is academic performance. To get into vet school, you need to get good grades at a good college. To get into a good college and to develop good habits you need to study hard and get good grades, starting now.
Also important, and generally more fun than studying, is to gain experience with animals. Vet school admissions committees prefer applicants who have worked with animals in a veterinary setting.
Working with a vet also will help you learn about the profession and help you decide with certainty that you want to enter it. Becoming a vet is a big commitment. It’s a good idea to know what you’re getting yourself into early on.
Some veterinary hospitals and animal shelters allow high school students to volunteer at their facilities. You can investigate whether there are any such premises in your neighborhood. When you are old enough to work legally, you can apply for a position as a kennel attendant or animal care assistant at a veterinary hospital. However, be sure that your work does not cause your grades to drop!
Working with a vet is not an absolute requirement for successful vet school applicants. I volunteered at a zoo and an aquarium instead. Other students work on farms. But admissions committees generally favor applicants who have experience in veterinary facilities.
Forgive me for harping on the matter, but always remember that doing well in school is the most important thing you can do. Even if you ultimately decide not to become a vet, good grades will open a world of opportunities in your future.
You have questions. 
This has Helped me alot! Thank you for showing this to me because I really want to become a vet and this has helped me see how things work now.
I’m getting great grades and I’m volunteering at a local animal shelter. I can’t wait to do more things to help and become a vet.
Thank you!
Thank you for this!
I am 15, and have huge dreams to become a vet. Currently a sophomore in an enviromental high school, I’m taking an animal science class, and soon a veterinarian class where we will have $75,000 in equipment, etc… provided to us. They have signed me up for Statistics my senior year, and are really helping me reach this goal. As of now, I am working with the ferrets at our schools Animal Science Lab. We are looking into getting dogs, which I would move onto caring for them, due to my dog training job experience.
This article has pushed my goals for my 5.0 G.P.A. to gain, and all in all… my dream of becoming a Vet.
I am 11 I want to be a Veterinarian when I grow up. I love my chihuahua mix dog, Bella. I had to give her away I know how people feel loosing there pets. Every day I think about her. It is very hard letting a pet you love the most go. If I become a veterinarian I would understand how they feel. But my goal now is foucus on school.
I am 14 years old and have always loved being around animals. Unfortunately since I am only a freshman I am not old enough to volunteer at animal shelters or hospitals. It drives me crazy because I want to spend my summers learning and exposing myself to animals but I can’t.
I’m 12 and have wanted to be a vet since i was 5. So this really helps.
is it easy to become a vet
I’m 16 and i’ve wanted to become a vet for as long as I can remember. Yesterday, my dream came true because I got an internship with our local vet. I will be able to shadow her and see the life of a vet on a day to day basis. Seeing that in order to get into veterinary school you need at least 180 hours of working with animals, I know that I am on the right track to becoming a vet. This article really helped. (: thanks.
thanks alot…im 15 yrs old and this helped alot…i always wanted to become a vet and recently my dog died and there was nothing i could do..soo this gave me inspiration