Preparation for Veterinary School

A message from Elisabeth Giedt, D.V.M

As the dean of the equine studies program I have been involved with many students interested in veterinary medicine. I am fortunate to have been in private veterinary practice in the area for nearly 30 years. Dr. Pamela Hess, associate professor of equine studies, has been in practice for nearly 25 years. Together, we have many contacts with veterinarians in the local community, the state of Ohio and nationally. These contacts have provided students with many internship and job shadowing placements. We are privileged to invite students as our guests at local and regional veterinary meetings. Students that attend these meetings interact with veterinarians, veterinary technicians and pharmaceutical sales representatives. The students are introduced to professional continuing education and make contacts that can help them in their job searches. Two annual Pre-Veterinary conferences are held in our area. These conferences provide students with a vast amount of knowledge about how to prepare for veterinary school, and provide important information on the process of applying to veterinary schools.

Veterinary medicine is an immensely rewarding profession. The practice of veterinary medicine provides an endless array of employment opportunities, offering personal and professional growth and a flexibility of career choices seldom seen in any single profession. From equine or large animal medicine, to small animal practice, to shelter service, to pharmaceutical research, to research in allied health fields to teaching, veterinary medicine is a career path that offers tremendous choice and personal rewards.

As a veterinarian in private practice and a college professor I believe students should choose an undergraduate institution based on the college major that interests them the most. Students should consider how their undergraduate degree will enhance their career in veterinary medicine and what their undergraduate degree will provide if they do not enroll in veterinary school.

The preparatory path to veterinary school does not involve a specialized "Pre-Veterinary" major. Colleges of Veterinary Medicine require students to complete courses in biology, chemistry and math in preparation for veterinary school.The required courses for admission to veterinary school can be integrated into many majors. Students may choose a major in the sciences such as chemistry or biology. Students may choose to major in Equine Studies if they wish to expand their knowledge of the equine industry. Courses in equine health, lameness and anatomy and physiology can be beneficial to the pre-veterinary student interested in equine medicine. Each veterinary school has slightly different admission requirements. You must contact the veterinary school in the state in which you live (meet residency requirements) to determine which classes at LEC meet the admission requirements for that institution. Please go to this web site for additional information:http://www.aavmc.org/.

Lake Erie College has a Pre-Veterinary Club for students interested in pursuing a career in Veterinary Medicine. Students tour area veterinary hospitals, share advice on veterinary college admission processes and attend Pre-Veterinary Conferences. The club assists students in planning the proper courses throughout their undergraduate years and utilizes alumni and upperclassmen experiences to better prepare students for their applications to veterinary school and their future in Veterinary Medicine

Lake Erie College graduates have enrolled in veterinary schools across the globe, including The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Ross University College of Veterinary Medicine, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, the University of Edinburgh College of Veterinary Medicine and the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University. Lake Erie College alumni are practicing veterinarians in many states including Ohio, Pennsylvania and California.

There are two annual conferences in Ohio that offer information on preparation for veterinary school.

Midwest Veterinary Conference
FREE Veterinary Exploration Conference
February: requires registration
The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine:
http://www.vet.ohio-state.edu/
Pre Vet Conference in April/May