Just seeing what's out there

[Schrutebeetfarm]

Hello, I have been dead set on pharmacy, but I love animals and I am wondering what the prereqs are for a DVM program. I think you take the GRE right? We take the PCAT, but it's not nearly as difficult as the MCAT. Is the GRE pretty challenging and what is a good score? Do you have to have a B.S. or can you just finish the prereqs? Do you have accelerated programs like pharmacy? Residencies? If you reply, thank you! Bye

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[pupsforseeing]

Yes, we take the GRE. It's hard to compare to the MCAT because it is pretty much just a hard version of the SAT (it's an aptitude test--it doesn't test what you've learned). The math and verbal sections are scored out of 800 and the writing section is out of 6.

You do not have to have a BS (as long as you've completed all of your prereqs), although most people who get accepted do. Internships and residencies are not required, but necessary if you want to specialize.

Good luck!

 

[Schrutebeetfarm]

I also see that you can study oversees in the UK and Ireland, I'm jealous!

 

[twelvetigers]

Also worth noting is the fact that you are expected to have both veterinary and animal experience at the time of application to a veterinary school. You'll also need three (or more) letters of recommendation, one of which must be from a veterinarian. You can specialize once you graduate and go into an internship or residency, but during vet school you mostly just have some options with your electives.

 

[Schrutebeetfarm]

This may sound stupid, but what is the difference between veterinary and animal experience?

 

[twelvetigers]

No stupidity there - we all ask that question as we start. Veterinary experience is directly under a veterinarian, such as working or volunteering at a local clinic. Animal experience would just be experience involving animals, such as volunteering at the humane society (cleaning kennels, walking dogs) or breeding, dressage, things like that.

 

[wildvet]

I know that there has been some confusion about this in the past, and even I had been confused about it, but veterinary experience can also be scientific research experience under a PhD, or a DVM with a graduate degree.