| What should I major in to get into Veterinary school? | | | | better grades if you are involved with subjects you |
| Another common question that many pre-vet | | | | really enjoy and find interesting. Furthermore, |
| students have while in college. There are so many | | | | although you may not want to hear this, not |
| choices: biology, chemistry, animal science, zoology, | | | | everyone goes to vet school. I'm not saying that you |
| biochemistry, and so on. This is simple question with a | | | | won't get in due to academics, but I know many |
| fairly simple answer: whatever major you like the | | | | students that chose not to attend vet school after |
| most. I'm sure your screaming at you computer | | | | planning on it for years. You may decide you don't |
| screen now, but let me explain this answer further | | | | want to study for 4 more years and be hundreds of |
| before you decide that I am no help at all on this | | | | thousands of dollars in debt. So, just in case this |
| particular subject. | | | | happens you need to have a degree that you can |
| Should I major in biology? Zoology? Chemistry? | | | | use and like. |
| These are all perfectly good choices, but they are | | | | Can I earn my undergrad degree in vet school? What |
| also not the only ones. A key fact to remember | | | | are major with "pre-vet" options"? |
| about preparing to vet school, is that no undergrad | | | | I know that some schools offer a majors such as |
| degree is required in order to apply and be accepted | | | | animal science with a pre vet option, this could mean |
| to vet school. All that is required of you is that you | | | | different things depending on what school you attend |
| complete all the prerequisite classes in undergrad. | | | | so ask your advisor. That being said, its common that |
| Therefore, you could just remain an undecided major | | | | these majors with pre vet options are more geared |
| all though college and just take all the classes that | | | | to students interested in veterinary medicine and |
| your particular vet school requires. Of course, this is | | | | have you pre requisite classes built into the classes |
| not typical, or recommended. This is important for | | | | you need to earn that degree, and may offer special |
| students that want to major in something | | | | pre vet ordination classes to students with this major. |
| 'non-science" such as art, recreation, sociology, or | | | | Also, yes some students can earn their |
| anything else you can think of. You can do this, the | | | | undergraduate degree in vet school; this is typically |
| only catch is that many of your vet school | | | | easier when the student had a pre vet option in |
| prerequisites will not count toward those degrees. | | | | undergrad. Basically, let's say after 3 years of |
| Thus making it harder and taking longer to earn your | | | | undergrad you have taken all the classes necessary |
| degree. I know of music, photography, and | | | | to apply to vet school, but still need 20 hours of |
| psychology majors just to name a few that were | | | | upper division science classes to earn your |
| accepted to veterinary school. | | | | undergraduate degree in biology. Then, if you are |
| What major would look best on a veterinary school | | | | accepted to vet school the next year, your first 20 |
| application? | | | | hours of classes in the vet school curriculum will count |
| Honestly, I don't know for sure, but heres my | | | | towards your undergrad degree as well. Therefore |
| educated opinion. As I noted before, vet schools give | | | | you will earn your undergrad degree after you first |
| credit to students who take challenging classes and | | | | year of vet school. It can be a complicated process, |
| heavy work loads. Therefore, it makes sense that a | | | | so talk to your advisor at your school if you are |
| student majoring in "cell molecular biology" would be | | | | interested. |
| more attractive than a student majoring in | | | | What's the bottom line? |
| "underwater basket weaving". Again, I don't think | | | | Choose the major that you like. Now that's easier |
| they look to closely on the little degree or major line | | | | said than done, but don't pick it solely based on what |
| on the application, but will put far more weight in the | | | | one looks best on a vet school application. Personally, |
| classes you have taken and grades earned on your | | | | I can't stand chemistry, so I stayed clear of majors |
| transcript. Schools want students that proven they | | | | that focused on that subject. I eventually found a |
| can excel in a challenging academic schedule. | | | | major I really loved and it was great. At the end of |
| So, should I just pick the hardest science related | | | | the day there are far more important factors on |
| major? | | | | your application outside of what your major was, so |
| No, no, no. Pick a major that you like. I have several | | | | don't sweat it too much. |
| reasons for this. First, you will do better and get | | | | |