I'm currently a sophomore in high school and I'm looking for some veterinary experience to put on a college application. For those wondering, I'm hoping to apply to vet school straight out of high school at RVC, so I need 2-weeks of vet and 2-weeks on animal experience to be considered (not a specific amount of hours, but I'm assuming that's approximately 35-40 per week.) I currently volunteer at an animal shelter for several hours each weekend, but that only counts for animal experience and not vet experience. I'm applying to several veterinary-prep summer camps this year, so I think that'll help with some hours, but I was wondering if anyone knew of any internships or summer programs that accept high school students?
Also, little side question: do you think it's appropriate for me to ask the animal shelter staff if they know of any shadowing/internship opportunities?
Hi there! 2nd year vet student, here.
It is often difficult to find veterinary internships or summer programs that take high school students. However, it may be possible to spend some time shadowing a veterinarian at a local clinic, which counts as veterinary experience hours. Start with asking to shadow for one day. If that day goes well, then ask about the possibility of shadowing on a more regular basis (once a week, a couple times a month, etc). I shadowed a veterinarian for the first time when I was 13. Note that different clinics have different rules about what age they require shadowers to be for liability reasons, so keep that in mind. If you are unable to find a clinic that will allow you to shadow due to your age or other clinic policies, just keep on with getting animal experience at the shelter (a great start!), and try again when you get a little older.
I would also strongly recommend that you keep an open mind and consider the 4 year undergrad --> vet school route, especially if you live in the United States and want to practice here. I know there is a lot of appeal to getting into the field as soon as possible when it is something you are very interested in as a high school student, but there is a LOT of value in having your college years to get more experience, develop your understanding of what it is really like to work as a veterinarian, and get to know what other career options are out there. You haven't had the opportunity to do that yet - which is completely okay and normal, you are still very early on in all of this - and it's really important to get that hands on experience before you commit to veterinary school.
And yes, it could be very appropriate to respectfully ask the shelter staff about that, especially if you have established yourself as a hard-working and reliable volunteer. The animal world isn't very big, and you never know who they might know!
It sounds like you are doing everything you should be right now, which is asking good questions, getting animal experience, and exploring opportunities. All the best to you, and feel free to shoot me a message if you have other questions.
