How Long is Vet School?
Getting into vet school is no easy feat. It requires a lot of time and effort studying, filling out applications, and taking exams. It’s also one of the most expensive degrees you can pursue.
The cost of tuition alone for vet school is around $60,000. Add housing, books, fees, and other expenses and you’ll end up spending over $100,000 on your education.
While it may seem like a daunting prospect to start a career in veterinary medicine – let alone spend that much money on school – there are plenty of pros about vet school to help you see the light at the end of that tunnel.
Fortunately, there are many ways to make the process easier and more affordable if you’re interested in pursuing vet school as a career option. Here are some tips to get started:
Choose the Right Vet School
This may sound obvious, but it’s important to choose a vet school that fits your needs. There are a few things to keep in mind when choosing a vet school:
- – Is it accredited? Does it have a high rate of student completion?
- – What is the average debt of graduates?
- – How does the school rank in terms of value and prestige?
- – What kind of support services does the school have?
- – What are the cost breakdowns?
Many of these factors are important not just for getting into vet school, but also for succeeding once you start. For example, you want to make sure the school you’re applying to has a good track record with students receiving financial aid. The same goes for support services like tutoring and career counseling.
Research Universities and Careers
Before you dive into the application process, you should research the universities that offer vet programs. Not all vet schools are created equal.
Some programs are more rigorous and selective than others. Some have a higher rate of completion than others. It’s important to choose a vet school that fits your needs, strengths, and personality.
It may also be helpful to research the career paths of veterinarians. Some veterinarians work at large commercial practices, while others work at animal shelters or in academia. Knowing which career paths might be right for you can help guide your application process.
Take Advantage of Scholarships
Most vet schools offer their own merit-based scholarships and financial aid. You can find a list of available scholarships on each vet school’s website.
You can also access an online database of scholarships geared towards veterinary students and professionals. Some scholarships are general and don’t require a specific skill or affiliation.
Other scholarships are more specific and require a special skill or affiliation, like being a minority student or pursuing a specific career path. If you’re willing to put in the time and effort, you can find a wide variety of scholarships aimed towards prospective veterinary students.
Apply for Scholarships
Make sure you apply for all the scholarships you qualify for. There’s no sense in leaving free money on the table! The same goes for grants and financial aid in general.
You can get more information about grants and financial aid on each university’s website. If you don’t see a particular scholarship you think you qualify for, you can create a new scholarship.
There are a few websites, like Scholarology, that allow users to create their own scholarship. You can enter your own requirements and add a summary, timeline, and application page to help attract applicants. Note: many scholarship websites allow you to create your own scholarship.
Use a Vocational Loan
Veterinary school is one of the few fields where you can qualify for a vocational loan. These are special low-interest loans that are designed to help low-income students pay for their education. You can check to see if you qualify for a veterinary school loan by inputting your income and location into the USDA loan calculator.
It’s important to note that these loans are different from federal loans and grants. They don’t have the same eligibility requirements and have a low-interest rate. If you qualify for a veterinary school loan, you should definitely take advantage of the lower interest rate and longer repayment timeline!
Bottom Line
Veterinary school is one of the most lucrative fields of work. A vet has the potential to make a lot of money in a very short amount of time.
On the flip side, vet school is one of the most expensive degrees you can pursue. It’s important to note that the amount of time you spend in school is relatively short. You can expect to spend four years in vet school.
However, you will spend the two years before that studying and gaining the experience needed to get accepted into a program. A degree in veterinary medicine is a long-term investment. It takes a lot of time and effort, but if you succeed, the payoff is worth it.
Do your research, choose the right school, and take advantage of financial aid. It’s a lot easier to get into vet school with these tips!