Decide what kind of veterinarian you want to be. There are many specialties to choose from. Do you want to specialize in a field like orthopedics, internal medicine, surgery or geriatrics? Do you want to work with specific types of animals, such as exotics, wildlife, small domesticated pets or livestock? Do you want to have a small practice or work for a corporation? Do you want to work in animal shelters and rescues, at research facilities, in veterinary clinics or hospitals, or have a mobile veterinary practice? Do you want to teach others to be veterinarians? You can also choose to combine these options, such as by becoming a veterinarian who works with livestock from a mobile clinic, or who works with exotic animals and specializes in surgery.
Research schools of veterinary medicine to find ones that offer the specialties you are most interested in. (See links under Resources.) For example, you can consider Oklahoma State University Center for Veterinary Health Sciences, located in Stillwater, Okla. It is said to house one of the best research centers in the world and offer internships at local veterinary practices.
Also look into Cornell University's College of Veterinary Medicine in Ithaca, N.Y. Its four-year program promises laboratory instruction and clinical experience at the teaching hospital. Highlights include the James A. Baker Institute for Animal Health and Feline Health Center.
A third and final example is the University of California at Davis, about 15 miles from Sacramento. It is the largest school of veterinary medicine in the United States, and offers a four-year program that stresses research, service and teaching, as well as an additional Master of Preventative Veterinary Medicine program.
Call, write or email the schools you are interested in to request additional information. Be sure to ask about financial aid, out-of-state tuition charges, and employment opportunities and housing in the area.
Visit the schools that will offer you what you want. Ask for a guided tour of the facilities. Take a list of questions you want to ask. Don’t forget to look at the area around the school as well. If this is the school you pick, you will be living in the area for quite a while.
Apply to the schools you think would be best for you. Wait at least three weeks and then apply to the “next best“ schools on your list. Continue to do this until you have applied to all the schools of veterinary medicine that you would even consider attending.
Use multiple acceptance offers as leverage to get into the school that is best for you. Universities will often offer “sweeter deals” to highly sought-after applicants.
Study hard in veterinary school and become the best veterinarian you can be.