Pre-Veterinary

  • Profession Overview
  • Academic Preparation
  • Extracurricular Preparation
  • Application Process
  • Letters of Recommendation
  • Profession Overview:
    Veterinarians care for the health of animals and work to protect public health. They diagnose, treat, and research medical conditions and diseases of pets, livestock, and other animals.Duties Veterinarians typically do the following:
    Examine animals to assess their health and diagnose problems
    Treat and dress wounds
    Perform surgery on animals
    Test for and vaccinate against diseases
    Operate medical equipment, such as x-ray machines
    Advise animal owners about general care, medical conditions, and treatments
    Prescribe medication
    Euthanize animals
    Veterinarians treat the injuries and illnesses of pets and other animals with a variety of medical equipment, including surgical tools and x-ray and ultrasound machines. They provide treatment for animals that is similar to the services a physician provides to humans.The following are examples of types of veterinarians:
    Companion animal veterinarians treat pets and generally work in private clinics and hospitals. They most often care for cats and dogs, but they also treat other pets, such as birds, ferrets, and rabbits. These veterinarians diagnose and provide treatment for animal health problems; consult with animal owners about preventive healthcare; and carry out medical and surgical procedures, such as vaccinations, dental work, and setting fractures.
    Food animal veterinarians work with farm animals such as pigs, cattle, and sheep, which are raised to be food sources. They spend their time visiting farms and ranches to treat ill and injured animals and to test for and vaccinate against disease. They may advise farm owners or managers about feeding, housing, and general health practices.
    Food safety and inspection veterinarians inspect and test livestock and animal products for major animal diseases. They also provide vaccines to treat animals, enhance animal welfare, conduct research to improve animal health, and enforce government food safety regulations. They design and administer animal and public health programs to prevent and control diseases transmissible among animals and between animals and people.
    Salary
    Veterinarians made a median salary of $99,250 in 2020. The best-paid 25 percent made $126,260 that year, while the lowest-paid 25 percent made $79,430.
    Work Environment
    Most veterinarians work in private clinics and hospitals. Others travel to farms or work in settings such as laboratories, classrooms, or zoos.
    Veterinarians who treat horses or food animals travel between their offices and farms and ranches. They work outdoors in all kinds of weather and may have to perform surgery, often in remote locations.
    Veterinarians who work in food safety and inspection travel to farms, slaughterhouses, and food-processing plants to inspect the health of animals and to ensure that the facility follows safety protocols.
    The work can be emotionally stressful, as veterinarians care for abused animals, euthanize sick ones, and offer support to the animals’ anxious owners. Working on farms and ranches, in slaughterhouses, or with wildlife can also be physically demanding.

    Info on Careers/Specialties in Veterinary Medicine:
    https://explorehealthcareers.org/career/veterinary-medicine/veterinarian/

    Professional Associations:
    AVMA: American Veterinary Medical Association
    AAVMC: American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges
    NVA: https://nva.avature.net/jobs/SearchJobs

  • Academic Preparation:
    You can major in anything that you want, as long as you are on the Pre-Vet track to complete the required coursework.UCCS Advising Pre-Vet Coursework: UCCS Catalog- Pre-Veterinary Track

    Testing:
    The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is required by most veterinary schools, and some also require the Biology GRE. The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is also accepted by some schools in place of the GRE. Find out where you can take the exam and what preparation you need to succeed.
    For a listing of each accredited veterinary school’s requirements, go to the AAVMC site at www.aavmc.org. More information can be found at http://www.ets.org/gre/.
    Path:
    Prospective veterinarians must graduate from a four-year program at an accredited college of veterinary medicine with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (D.V.M. or V.M.D.) degree and obtain a license to practice. The prerequisites for admission vary by veterinary medical college. Many of these colleges do not require a bachelor’s degree for entrance, but all require a significant number of credit hours—ranging from 45 to 90 semester hours—at the undergraduate level. However, most of the students admitted have completed an undergraduate program.

  • Extracurricular Experience
    What is the preparation for becoming a competitive applicant to veterinary school? There are many ways that you can get involved! Be sure to keep track of your hours, locations, supervisors and other details of these experiences.

    If you’ve been in 4-H, FFA or a similar group, that’s great experience that should go on your veterinary school admission form. Similarly, working with animals in any way can be of value. Examples:
    -Volunteering at shelters or rescues can provide animal handling experience that will help make you a better candidate.
    -Volunteering or working for a veterinarian is very important. Not only does it expose you to your potential career, but it also might provide a good recommendation for you from the veterinarian.
    -Shadowing professional veterinarians in a variety of environments is also great to have on an application. Varied experience is also helpful.
    -If you have the opportunity to work in a research lab or for veterinarians who work with different species, that’s a bonus that can make you more appealing to a veterinary school admissions committee. Get as much experience as you can while you have the opportunity.
    -Entry Level employment: Veterinary Tech, Vet Client Specialists, Administrative roles in Veterinary Office, Animal Groomers, Animal Rescue Orgs, Pet care- animal walker, pet sitter, other support services for animal care.
    -Farm animal or equine care volunteer

    Locations
    Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
    Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region
    Elite Equine Rescue
    Colorado Springs Therapeutic Riding Center
    All Breed Rescue and Training

    Google Veterinary Clinic/Hospitals in Colorado Springs for a comprehensive list and reach out to them!
    Pikes Peak Veterinary Clinic
    Timberview Animal Hospital
    Ridgewood Animal Hospital
    Brown Veterinary Hospital

    Leadership
    Leadership experience, such as holding an office in student government or other groups, is a big plus. Get involved in the UCCS Pre-Health Society, student government, fraternity/sorority, or other organization. Lean into other interests and get involved in something that you love.

    Communication
    Because veterinarians’ patients can’t really talk and tell them what’s wrong, people tend to think that communication skills are less important. That couldn’t be more untrue. It’s essential for veterinarians to have good communications skills so their clients can understand what’s going on with their animals and do their parts to help resolve the problem. Coursework or extracurricular activities that improve your communication skills are definitely helpful…not to mention it can help you when it comes to the interview.

  • Choosing the DVM Programs to apply to:
    http://www.aavmc.org/about-aavmc/our-members/
    Be sure to check with each program’s website and requirements to make sure you are on the right track.

    VMCAS:
    Veterinary Medical College Application Service: https://help.liaisonedu.com/VMCAS_Applicant_Help_Center
    VMCAS is the centralized application service for Colleges of Veterinary Medicine. Through VMCAS you can complete one application and send all your required materials through this service. Your application is then processed, verified for accuracy, and sent to the veterinary medical schools you designate.
    • You can submit your application as soon as all of your information is accurate and complete. You don’t have to wait for your transcripts to arrive at VMCAS to submit your application.
    • Application Guide: https://www.aavmc.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/AAVMC-Applicant-Guide-05-April2021-1.pdf

    Transcripts are sent directly to VMCAS and they distribute to schools. For each college or university entered you must request a transcript. The ability to request a transcript is included in the application, just click Order under each school listed and select if you are ordering electronic transcripts (recommended) or submitting a transcript via mail Note that if you attended a foreign college or university – and depending on your program’s requirements – you may be required to send a foreign evaluation See Foreign Transcripts – World Education Service for more information.
    • Emails are sent out regarding status, interview invitations etc.

    Application Information for the CSU School of Veterinary Medicine, including contact information, application materials, deadlines, and testing, can be found at:https://vetmedbiosci.colostate.edu/dvm/

  • Letters of Recommendation
    The VMCAS application requires to request at least 3 and may request a maximum of 6 recommendations. Recommenders must meet the application deadline of September 15. UCCS does not offer committee letters and you will need to ask for individual letters of recommendation.It is suggested to get recommendations from science professors whose class you took for a grade, veterinarians who you have worked, volunteered with or shadowed, and a fourth from an employer or another (non-science or science) professor.When you request recommendations, your recommender receives an email request with a link to Letters by Liaison. Recommenders review your requests, and then accept, complete, or deny them. Recommenders may complete assessments such as writing essays, completing Likert scales, and/or uploading letters.
    Once your recommender completes your recommendation, you’ll be notified via email. You can check the status of your recommendation requests in the Check Status tab of your application at any time. Check the policy for every school to which you’re applying.

    Establish Relationships
    Get to know your Professors early! Tell professors at the beginning of the semester that you would like them to keep an eye on your performance in class. It will give them a longer observational window.
    Visit their offices regularly.
    At the end of the semester, if you do well, ask them if they would be willing to write you an excellent letter of recommendation when you are ready to apply.A key to a good letter is the establishment of a relationship between student and professor based on shared academic interests.
    1. Ask thoughtful questions
    2. Delve deeper into concepts presented in lectures
    3. Share your academic and career goals
    4. Ask for recommendations for additional reading
    5. Inquire about their areas of interest and research

    Requesting Letters of Recommendation
    1. Ask if potential writers if they feel capable of writing a supportive letter. If anyone is hesitant, you should probably try someone else.
    2. Get business cards with your recommenders’ contact information.
    3. Ask if recommenders would welcome any written background material. You could include a brief biographical sketch or resume, your interests and activities, career goals, and motivation toward your intended profession. You could also include a snapshot, a copy of a paper or assignment from their class, or transcript.
    4. Always give recommenders ample time. One month at a minimum. Follow up to make sure that your letters have been sent.
    5. Send thank you notes.