Like all medical students, aspiring veterinarians attend a four-year college or university prior to applying to veterinary school. As an undergraduate student, you will be able to declare a major of your choosing, and you'll want to select a major that will prepare you for the rigorous study that awaits you at veterinary school. Popular major choices for future veterinarians include biology, biochemistry, microbiology, animal science and zoology. Good grades are crucial because admission to veterinary school is highly competitive.
Admission into veterinary school is even more competitive than admission into medical school. Fewer than 35 veterinary schools exist in the United States and each has a limited number of openings for new students. Once you are admitted, you can expect your next four years of study to be divided into two phases. The first is academic and centers on science classes, such as laboratories. The second half is the clinical phase, during which you get hands-on experience working in an animal hospital or clinic under the supervision of experienced veterinarians.
In your final year of study, you will perform clinical rotations, observing and assisting different types of veterinarians in different settings. After graduating, you will need to apply for a license in the state in which you plan to work and become certified as a DVM, doctor of veterinary medicine. Many states will require that you take continuing education courses throughout your career to keep your license current.