Tuesday, February 24, 2015

How To Become One Of The Veterinarians In Portland

By Earlene McGee


Veterinarians are doctors that take care of the health needs of animals. There are thirty veterinary schools in the United States which are accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association. Every year, there are roughly seven thousand applicants competing for a place at these schools, however, there are less than three thousand openings available. There are many steps you will have to take if you want to become one of the veterinarians in portland.

You should also participate in any volunteer programs or internships that you can find in the field. Volunteering at a veterinary clinic or animal shelter can give you an idea of what the job of a vet really involves. Most veterinary programs require you to get some experience working with animals, so doing volunteer work can meet this requirement. It will also make you more competitive when you apply to vet schools.

There are many undergraduate routes that you can take to gain admission to a vet school. Most veterinary colleges require you to take courses in general chemistry, organic chemistry, biochemistry and molecular biology. Most of these courses will involve extensive lab work. You will also need to take mathematics courses. The exact number of credits that are required for each course may vary depending on the veterinary school. It is a good idea to check the admissions requirements for the vet schools you are interested in when planning your undergraduate curriculum.

The deadline for applying to vet school is October 1, so most college students will apply in the fall of their senior year. The junior year of college is normally spent preparing for the GRE exam, which you will need to score well on, as most vet schools are very competitive. There are many factors you should consider when choosing which vet schools you want to apply for. There are thirty good quality veterinary schools in the United States. You should choose one that matches your strengths and interests. It is normally a good idea to apply to five or six schools.

You also need to score well on the Graduate Record Examination, which is widely used by many veterinary colleges. The MCAT is another exam accepted by these schools. You should check with each school that you are interested in to find out which test scores they prefer.

Once you finish vet school you must become licensed. Graduates of veterinary medicine must be licensed to practice in the United States. Portland, OR requires graduates to successfully pass the North American Veterinary Licensing Exam. There may be additional exams required.

After your undergraduate degree, you will be completing your Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree. You must then take the North American Veterinary Licensing Exam before you can practice in the United States. Portland, OR has its own licensing requirements as well, so ensure that you research these if you intend to practice there.

You can also become certified in a specialty area. To be eligible for specialty certification in a field like surgery or internal medicine, you must complete a residency or additional vocational education. Residency programs often involve several years working in specified locations receiving supervised training in your specialty area. Many specialists often end up making more money because their skills and knowledge are in more demand. You should also consider joining a professional association. These often have many membership benefits such as access to newsletters and published literature on current veterinary topics. This also gives you the opportunity to make professional connections in your field and offers you many resources for continuing your education.




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