Q's from a newb :]

[thaowey]

---

Members don't see this ad.

ello! i just have some few simple Q's...😀

1. How do you go about asking a vet/animal hospital to volunteer/shadow? like...do you just call 'em and say "hi, i was wondering if i could shadow one of your vets?" or like...go into the animal hospital. b/c i'm in collegetown right now and obviously the vets here are not my dog's vet...so i don't really know them...so yeahhhhh. idkkkk

2. what is the diff btw ANIMAL experience && VET experience?

3. have any of you study abroad before?? and if so, do you think it helped you tremendously to get into to vet school?

 

[HopefulAg]

1. How do you go about asking a vet/animal hospital to volunteer/shadow? like...do you just call 'em and say "hi, i was wondering if i could shadow one of your vets?" or like...go into the animal hospital. b/c i'm in collegetown right now and obviously the vets here are not my dog's vet...so i don't really know them...so yeahhhhh. idkkkk

I sent letters with a copy of my resume. Got 3 calls back out of 24 letters I sent.

2. what is the diff btw ANIMAL experience && VET experience?

Animal experience is just experience with animals in general.

Vet experience is experience under supervision of a vet. To my knowledge this can be done in a research or clinical setting and still count as 'vet experience'. Cleaning kennels and clerical work is not counted though.

 

[StillDreaming]

1. How do you go about asking a vet/animal hospital to volunteer/shadow? like...do you just call 'em and say "hi, i was wondering if i could shadow one of your vets?" or like...go into the animal hospital. b/c i'm in collegetown right now and obviously the vets here are not my dog's vet...so i don't really know them...so yeahhhhh. idkkkk

Just go in and ask. That's what i did. Or if you don't have a car (which i didn't lol) you can call them and ask before you go in. But going in is probab;y better because it's harder for them to ignore you when you are there. Also, my advice is to follow up once you have applied for a position (volunteer or otherwise) I would have just been forgotten had i not done this and reminded them about me

2. what is the diff btw ANIMAL experience && VET experience?

Animal = no vet around pretty much
Vet= vet around and 'supervising' you.

It's convuluted and some vet experience counts if its under a research scientist, even if its not under a vet

3. have any of you study abroad before?? and if so, do you think it helped you tremendously to get into to vet school?

[/QUOTE]

I don't know if it helps me tremendously, but i do think it adds something different. There are a number of pre-vetters that study abroad, but that number is minimal compared to the entire number of applicants (and some of the study abroad experiences aren't animal related... like a friend of mine is studying in france, just to go abroad, not to get some vet experience)... It will give you a different look on things, and i highly reccomend it. It will make you stand out a little more than the next applicant, but it isn't an automatic in.... and if you dont sudy abroad its not an automatic out... just do it if you can but dont stress if you cant

 

[DreamDVM]

1. How do you go about asking a vet/animal hospital to volunteer/shadow? like...do you just call 'em and say "hi, i was wondering if i could shadow one of your vets?" or like...go into the animal hospital. b/c i'm in collegetown right now and obviously the vets here are not my dog's vet...so i don't really know them...so yeahhhhh. idkkkk

I had the same questions when I was first going out there. It seems weird to just show up and ask to volunteer, but its not really. Remember that all vets had to do it at some point! That said, some vets seem to be really into helping students and some are not. You just have to keep trying and don't get discouraged.

Personally, I had bad luck with just dropping in. The veterinarian was always busy and I was usually just asked to leave my resume. I did, but I never got a call back that way. I recommend calling ahead and asking for a five-minute window (vets who are into helping students usually don't mind this) or seeking out a place with an office manager. I had great experiences with office managers. They often have time to talk to you on the spot and don't have the same pressures as the vets themselves. But I'm still new at it too so my biggest advice is just not to be shy, be friendly and look dedicated, and don't give up!

Good luck
LeAnne