I would argue that the time I spent shadowing or working directly alongside the vet taught me MORE about what it's like to be a vet than the hours working in the clinic with the vets on the road. Don't get me wrong, I still learned a TON of valuable information and skills during pretty much everything, but, as stated above, being a tech does not equal being a vet. It's easier to learn from watching the vet interact with the animal and client, and learn about their cognitive processes, if you are not on the other side of the hospital cleaning stalls/cages, counting pills, etc. These cognitive processes, client interactions, decision making, and surgery/other high level procedural skills are what make a vet a vet, not a tech; as far as deciding to go to vet school and getting in are concerned, the most important thing is whether you want to do these skills and whether you would be good at them, not whether you can wrap a surgery pack efficiently or set up a particular brand of fluid pump.
I wholeheartedly agree with Minnerbelle that you are putting too much emphasis on having technical skills when you come in to school. For one thing, there are too many species to work with and too many skills for everyone to have done everything before they come, which is one reason to cover everything in classes. Everybody teaches each other and to some extent weaknesses and strengths even out, although people always will have stronger areas and weaker areas. While you (or other student X) might be better than me at intubating a dog or putting a catheter in a cat, since I only shadowed in SA practice and didn't work, I have more experience handling difficult horses and have restrained a horse with one hand while giving an IV injection with the other. In addition to the classes, which pretty much establish the basics of how they want to do things, there are opportunities for reinforcing and practicing these skills by volunteering at free clinics, RAVS, TNR clinics, etc.
EDIT: Sorry, wrote this a couple hours ago, forgot to actually hit post, wandered off, came back and hit post. It IS important for students to know how to handle animals of all species - that's why we have handling classes and supervision in the VMTH! Have YOU handled all of those species, not just your own animals but strange animals who are in pain and in strange situations? It's true, a large number of people in my class had never handled a horse at the beginning of the semester, but I'm OK with that. They are learning safe methods of handling and those who want to continue equine work after they graduate have plenty of opportunities to get involved in extracurriculars and learn more, within and outside of the school. And even having your own horses is not the same as dealing with a 2 y.o. stud colt with a bad attitude and a bellyache who needs a nasogastric tube placed, or a cranky broodmare who is exhausted from worry and tired of having people in the stall every hour to take care of her foal.
Regarding client interactions, you don't have to be the employed tech to experience the difficult client. In fact, I think shadowing - so that you aren't distracted by restraining the pet, etc., and can watch body language and listen attentively - and then discussing with the veterinarian gives you a BETTER perspective on what the client actually says to the vet (which may be different from what they say to the tech), why they are saying it, and the pros and cons of different methods of dealing with difficult clients. There will be plenty of time later (including in school) for practicing client communication - as a pre-vet, it's enough to observe, absorb, and learn.
hit the banana instead!
I don't really want to know the thought process that goes through someones head who would do that.
<--- look SOV, it's your favorite smiley again 
