Considering a career in veterinary medicine but coming from a pre-med background? You’re not alone! Many students explore both pathways before deciding. Here’s a guide to help you understand what it means to become a veterinarian and how your pre-med journey fits in.
What does a veterinarian do?
You likely already know that veterinarians diagnose, treat, and prevent illness in animals. They may work with pets, livestock, exotic animals, or wildlife. Less well-known career paths include research, public health, food safety, and medicine development.
How is veterinary medicine different from human medicine?
Both fields require strong medical knowledge, patient care, and ethical decision-making. The biggest difference is the species—veterinarians must understand multiple body systems across animals, whereas physicians focus on humans.
Veterinarians also need to understand surgical techniques and public health issues as well as general medical care.
How do I know if veterinary medicine is right for me?
Veterinary medicine could be right for you if you can answer “yes” to all of the following questions:
- Do I enjoy working with animals and their owners?
- Am I comfortable with medicine, science, and hands-on procedures?
- Am I resilient in emotionally difficult situations?
- Do I value a mix of problem-solving, patient care, and teamwork?
It’s essential to continue exploring, however. Shadowing veterinarians is the best way to gain firsthand insight into what the career could offer you.
Can pre-med students apply to vet school?
Yes! Many prerequisites overlap—biology, chemistry, organic chemistry, physics, and math. You may need additional courses like animal science, microbiology, or biochemistry depending on the school.
What degree do veterinarians earn?
Veterinarians earn a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM or VMD). This usually takes four years after undergraduate study.
What are the requirements for applying to veterinary school?
Most applicants need:
- Science coursework
- Veterinary shadowing and animal experience hours
- Letters of recommendation (often from a vet)
- A strong personal statement and interview
One thing you may have noticed is that there is no veterinary equivalent of the MCAT. Many veterinary schools do not require any standardized test scores as part of the application, though some ask for Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores. Check before you apply.
One very useful resource for aspiring veterinary students is the pre-vet students section of the American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC) website. Every year, the AAVMC publishes an applicant guide that includes the latest requirements by school as well as tips for completing your application.
What kinds of extracurricular experience do I need to apply to vet school?
Hands-on exposure is key. Schools look for:
- Shadowing or working with a veterinarian
- Animal care experience (farms, shelters, labs, clinics, zoos)
Research experience is a bonus, but not an imperative the way it can be for pre-med students.
Is veterinary school competitive?
Yes. Veterinary school is similar to medical school in terms of the science background and GPA required to apply. Also, there are far fewer veterinary schools in the U.S. – there are more than 300 medical schools, but only about 35 veterinary schools.
What specializations exist in veterinary medicine?
Veterinarians can specialize in areas like:
- Surgery
- Internal medicine
- Oncology
- Dentistry
- Emergency/critical care
- Pathology
- Wildlife medicine
- Equine or bovine practice
The American Board of Veterinary Specialties recognizes 48 different veterinary medicine specialties. Specialization may require additional internships, residencies, or board certification.
How long does it take to become a veterinarian?
Like MD or DO students, veterinarians spend four years earning their DVM. It can take another four years to complete internships and residencies—but these are only necessary if you want to pursue specialized board certification. So, it’s possible to begin working as a veterinarian right after you complete your DVM.
Do veterinarians have to do residencies?
As discussed above, it depends. If you want to specialize in ophthalmology, cardiology, exotic small animals, or another area, you will need to do an internship followed by a residency. This resource from the Tufts University Pre-Veterinary Society explains that students who want to specialize usually apply for a veterinary internship during their senior year. Internships typically last one year.
Residencies are advanced specialized experience and training. They’re only available in a few fields, but they are a must if you want to gain board certification from one of the veterinary medicine specialty boards.
You can apply for a residency after completing an internship or gaining a few years of private practice experience.
What should I major in if I’m pre-vet?
As with medical school, any major is fine as long as you complete prerequisites. Animal science, biology, neuroscience, and even psychology are common options.
Do veterinarians have to take licensing exams?
Yes. Veterinary students in the U.S. and Canada take the North American Veterinary Licensing Exam (NAVLE®). You can take the NAVLE up to 10 months before you’re expected to graduate from vet school, but many students take it right after graduation.
How much do veterinarians earn?
Salaries vary widely by specialty, experience, and work setting. Companion animal vets often have higher earnings than large animal or shelter vets, and specialists can earn significantly more.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports nationwide median salaries for thousands of occupations each year. You can see the most recent data for veterinary salaries here. You can also visit an online job board like Indeed or LinkedIn to see what veterinary salaries are like in your area.
Do veterinarians only work in clinics or private practice?
Not at all! Vets work in:
- Research labs
- Zoos and wildlife centers
- Government agencies (FDA, USDA)
- The military
- Biotechnology and pharmaceuticals
- Academia
What are some challenges veterinarians face?
All medical professions can be stressful as well as rewarding, regardless of what kind of patients you treat. Common issues for veterinarians include:
- Emotional distress (end-of-life care, animal welfare cases)
- Student debt
- Long hours
- Difficulty communicating with (human) clients
Are there pre-vet post-bacc programs?
Generally, any pre-medical post-bacc or special master’s program can help prepare you for veterinary school, too—the prerequisites for MD/DO programs and DVM programs overlap. This includes the Tiber Health Master of Science in Medical Sciences curriculum, which is available at colleges and universities nationwide. Find a program near you now.
Further Reading and Resources
- Veterinary School: How Our MSMS Helps – Tiber MSMS
- Explore the Veterinary Profession – American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges
- Occupational Outlook Handbook: Veterinarians – U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
