7 Tips on How to Complete a DVM Program
Completing a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) program is a requirement for licensed veterinarians. You can’t practice as a licensed veterinarian in the United States until you complete this four-year program. DVM programs are offered by colleges, as well as other higher-education institutions, that are accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). There are dozens of DVM programs, all of which teach students the skills and concepts of veterinary medicine. For tips on how to complete a DVM program, keep reading.
#1) Score High on the SAT
You’ll have an easier time getting accepted into a DVM program if you score high on the SAT. The SAT, of course, is a standardized test used for college admissions. It’s been around since the 1920s. Colleges evaluate the SAT scores of applicants to determine whether or not to allow them into their educational programs. With a high SAT score, colleges are more likely to accept you into their DVM program. SAT scores can range from 400 to 1,600. Even if you initially scored low, though, you can retake the SAT to achieve a better score.
#2) Perform Volunteer Work
Along with earning a high score on the SAT, you can perform volunteer work to increase your chances of admission into a DVM program. Some colleges, in fact, require a minimum number of hours of volunteer work. The University of California, Davis, for instance, requires a minimum of 180 hours of either volunteer or work experience with animals. With that said, most aspiring veterinarians who apply to enroll in its DVM program have around 2,500 to 3,000 hours of volunteer or work experience.
Where can you perform volunteer work exactly? Most animal shelters accept volunteers. You can also ask to volunteer at private veterinary clinics. Many veterinary clinics accept volunteers. As a volunteer, you won’t be able to perform medical-related tasks. Nonetheless, you’ll still be able to work with animals while gaining real-world experience in the veterinary medicine industry.
#3) Be Punctual
Punctuality can make a world of difference in your DVM studies. If you are punctual, you’ll absorb and retain more knowledge from the DVM program. Punctuality, of course, is the personal trait of being on time. When enrolled in a DVM program, you’ll need to show up to class to participate in lectures, training and other veterinary medicine-related curricula. You may not get kicked out of the DVM program for being occasionally late or absent. Nonetheless, you won’t get the full learning experience. You may miss essential study sessions that lower your chances of passing the DVM program.
#4) Learn the Admission Requirements
You should learn the admission requirements of the college where you intend to enroll in a DVM program. All AVMA-accredited colleges have enrollment requirements for their respective DVM programs. As previously mentioned, many colleges require a minimum number of hours of either volunteer or work experience with animals. Colleges typically require a four-year bachelor’s degree as well. With that said, colleges usually have other requirements as well. You’ll need to satisfy the college’s requirements before enrolling in its DVM program.
#5) Get Ahead of Your Studies
Another tip for DVM success is to get ahead of your studies. Like with most college programs, you’ll probably receive several textbooks for the DVM program. These textbooks contain multiple chapters, each of which covers a specific curriculum. You don’t have to wait for the professor to begin reading some of the later chapters, though. Even if the professor is currently teaching an early chapter, you can begin reading some of the other chapters. By getting ahead of your studies, you’ll have a better chance of success.
#6) Plan Your Future
You can begin planning your future while completing a DVM program. Most students who enroll in a DVM program want to become a veterinarian. After all, that’s the focus of all DVM programs. DVM programs teach studies the skills and knowledge they need to work as veterinarians. There are different types of veterinary professions, however. There are over a dozen board-certified veterinary specialist professions, for example. Veterinary specialists are licensed veterinarians who undergo specialized education and training. If you want to become a veterinary specialist, you’ll still need to complete a DVM program, but you’ll also have to complete another education program. The bottom line is that you should think about your future and, specifically, the profession in which you want to work.
#7) Prioritize Your Health and Well-Being
Don’t underestimate the importance of taking care of your own health and well-being when completing a DVM program. Being that it’s a four-year program, which is preceded by a separate four-year bachelor’s degree program, a DVM program requires extensive work to complete. If you focus all of your time and attention on the DVM program, you may inadvertently neglect to take care of your personal health and well-being.
