<p>Hi everyone, i'm going to be a senior in high school this year and i want to become a veterinarian one day, but the process is getting there has become overwhelming to an extreme! I take AP and honors classes, have a 3.98 GPA, do volunteer work (most importantly at a veterinary clinic for all animals, which truly make my decision to become a vet so much easier with all of the hands-experience at the clinic this summer), and i have already begun my college search for the one that's right for me. I know that a lot of colleges have pre-vet and i've been looking at those that do, but is pre-vet the way to go? I know that's it's extremely competitive to get into a great college of veterinary medicine, so i want to make sure i take the right track now, but i'm at a loss as to how to do that. So my question is essentially this: what are the best undergraduate colleges that will help me eventually get into the colleges of veterinary medicine and what are the steps i should be taking to get there? Also, what should i major in as an undergrad in order to get into the vet schools? I know this a pretty broad question and i'm sorry, but i really need some help! Thank you so much! :)</p>
<p>It sounds like you are doing a lort of the right things already.</p>
<p>As for undergrad major, you can major in one of the bioscience fields, e.g., zoology, microbiology, biochemistry, ecology/evolution (which includes organismic biology) or in animal science (at an Ag school). If you major in a traditional bioscience field, a wide range of schools have strong programs. If you major in animal science, you would need to go to a landgrant public university that has an ag school. The least expensive is going to be the landgrant public university in your own state. An animal science major has some advantages since you could gain experience with large animals, which many vet schools value (though if you grew up on a farm or ranch, you might already have such experience). Also since most vet schools are located at landgrant public universities, the vet school in your state might give some edge to residents of your state. </p>
<p>Here a link with more info on preparation for vet school. (Though it’s from Cornell, it applies to most vet schools.)[Prospective</a> Students](<a href=“http://www.vet.cornell.edu/admissions/ProspectiveMain.cfm]Prospective”>http://www.vet.cornell.edu/admissions/ProspectiveMain.cfm)</p>
<p>For a liberal arts college worth looking at, check out the pre-vet program at Augustana College in Illinois. It offers a 3/4 program with guaranteed early acceptance agreement with the U of Illinois vet school. Augustana also claims an 80% vet school acceptance rate compared to 35% nationally.
[Augustana</a> College - Pre-Veterinary Medicine at Augustana](<a href=“http://www.augustana.edu/x2585.xml]Augustana”>http://www.augustana.edu/x2585.xml)</p>
<p>I recommend going to the highest ranked / best overall undergraduate school you can get accepted to, NOT the best school with a “pre-vet” specialized major. It’s good to look at pre-vet resources like a pre-vet society, advising center, volunteering places, but you can major in LITERALLY ANYTHING during undergrad. What matters more is the academic rigor of the school and the grades you get. So go somewhere that is known for academic rigor, and where you can get very, very high grades. Also, if finances are an issue, pick the cheaper school. Vet school costs a ton.</p>
<p>I would even advise NOT majoring in pre-vet. A biology or other hard science degree will be a good base and it can lead to other careers if your plans should change along the way or if you don’t get into a vet school right away. </p>
<p>I’m not trying to be discouraging, but I’ve heard this advise from current vet students and it makes sense.</p>