Here's a message I sent to someone else earlier about hands on experience:
So, the school is constantly working on trying to improve the hands-on aspect of the curriculum. Compared to some other schools, there is probably less hands on experience directly built into the curriculum but it is SO easy to get.
- The course we have built in to provide hands-on experience is call Intro to Clinical Vet Med. First year it teaches you the basics of how to write a SOAP, PE patients, etc but isn't super hands on. In second year, you are required to do treatment shifts in the hospital and out at New Bolton. This is probably where you'll get the bulk of your hands on time through the school. At the end of second year, you have a required practical exam doing a PE on a horse and cow. I think there should be a dog and cat one too, honestly, but there isn't yet.
- Several of the services (ES, Exotics are probably the big two) allow students to shadow at various times. It might not be super hands on because the 4th years will be working up their cases, but depending on need, it can be more hands on at times. At the very least, you get exposed to other cases and how the hospital works. Other services, including exotics, hire students to help out. I've seen like one student working in the fluids wards as a nurse at night, but I'm not sure how that all worked since all our nurses are CVTs and many are specialized. I just worked a shift though last night to cover for a nurse who couldn't get in due to the snow.
- ******* VERY IMPORTANT UPDATE ON THIS: There is a new class/elective if you want to participate at the shelters. I think it will still get you the same great experience, if not even improve the surgical experience. That being said, I've heard it costs $99 to take the course. I do not know if this is a one time fee and you have to keep enrolling in the course or what. The price wasn't stated upfront so people are a little annoyed, but I'd honestly pay that for the experience. ********There are a ton of outside school opportunities to provide experience. We have many shelters in the area that allow you to get involved from day one. Things might change a little with this as a new vet is in charge of the Shelter Medicine Club, but I think she'll only make it better. Through this club, I've been doing cat neuters since first year, spays since second year and went into 4th year with probably 100 if not more surgeries under my belt. This was great for me because when I went on my shelter/low cost spay neuters externships because I was given more leeway as to what I was allowed to do. There are also several vaccine clinics throughout the year that provide experience.
- They recently just sent out an email, but there is talk (I think it's happening just not sure exactly when) of them building a Clinical Skills Lab for students to use as well. I don't know much more than that except that it sounds like it's going to happen and will probably be helpful for technical skills.
- During the summers, a lot of students do research. Some work in exotics over the summer if they'll be around. I did the Banfield Student Job Program summer after first year and it was a great experience. I loved my location and the vets I worked with and I learned a lot. Since then, I've worked their on breaks and if I don't match, I'm like 95% sure I have a job there already. Others do the trips, such as going to the Galapagos, Thailand or there is an awesome exotics/wildlife one in Brazil that people have done. Others just go back to where they worked prior to vet school. It's up to you and what experiences you want to gain.
As for clubs in general, there are ton and some are more active than others. Most hold at least one major wet lab a year. I also didn't mention that we alternate hosting the Special Species Symposium with Cornell. We're hosting it this year and it's a weekend of exotic/wildlife/zoo filled lectures and wet labs.
ETA: We also have a number of new clinicians who from the sounds of it are trying to incorporate more hands on stuff into lectures.