Vet Schools Best in Which Fields?

[Fishey]

Which vet schools are best for critical care, large animal, zoo, etc? I'm just wondering which vet schools are the best at which field 🙂

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[LetItSnow]

Which vet schools are best for critical care, large animal, zoo, etc? I'm just wondering which vet schools are the best at which field 🙂

The one you get accepted at.

 

[cowgirla]

The one you get accepted at.

The cheapest one.

 

[Lissarae06]

The cheapest one.

👍

 

[jmo1012]

the one with the coolest school colors.

 

[Fishey]

Well what I mean was which vet schools have the best critical care program, exotics/zoo program, large animal program, etc. and also which schools have more opportunities for a certain vet field. I've heard of vet schools that do not offer much exotic experience and etc.

But I'm guessing from your answers that they all have the best fields in everything 🤣

 

[Lab Vet]

There are two schools of thought when it comes to veterinary education: tracking and non-tracking. A school that 'tracks' requires a student to identify an area of interest (small animal, large animal, mixed, research, etc.) and complete a large portion of practical (rotation) hours within this discipline prior to graduation. A non-tracking school requires all graduates to complete the same practical experience requirement, regardless of interest area.

Whether a student graduates from a tracking or non-tracking institution, all veterinary schools train their students to be generalists (i.e. general practitioners). One must have a working knowledge of all major species in order to receive a passing grade on the NAVLE. If a student has a specialty interest (either with respect to species concentration [lab animal, zoo animal] OR discipline [cardiology, neurology, emergency/critical care]) he or she is required to complete internships and/or residencies in his or her area of interest before having gained the appropriate level of expertise in order to practice specialized medicine.

Although it may be helpful to gain specialized expertise in a given discipline during veterinary school, the meat of a specialized education will come during an internship and residency. There is much truth to what was said in the comments previously posted. The 'best' veterinary school is the institution that A) accepts you and B) you can reasonably afford. All accredited veterinary schools will provide excellent preparation for the NAVLE. Once there, it is up to you to make the professional connections (via preceptorships, etc.) that will set you up to gain the practical experience you need to land a top internship or residency following graduation. Just because the vet school you attend doesn't have a summer program in your area of interest doesn't mean that another vet school doesn't. Scout around and look for out of state programs, at vet schools and other institutions, that offer experience opportunities in a variety of specialties. By the time you reach vet school, it is assumed that you will captain the ship of your career.

A word about tracking. Some people are quite certain of the direction they wish to take their veterinary career post-graduation (like me- I'm 34 and have been working in a related field for a number of years). Many students do not. It is very common for students to change their area of interest from application to graduation.

Tracking or non-tracking, both will provide you with a stellar veterinary education, but each has negatives and positives. Just because a school doesn't have a tracking program in your area of interest doesn't mean that you can't acquire that experience during your vet school years. It just may take a bit more effort on your part to make those opportunities happen for you by way of off site programs during the summers, etc.

Something else to consider (other than a school's reputation in a given area).

 

[MysteryCat]

the one with the coolest school colors.

 

[cs5910]

Best mascot?

 

[twelvetigers]

You get your super awesome experience with equine, bovine, surgery, emergency, exotics, research, whatever whatever by a: seeking it out yourself at the school, and b: doing super cool summer externships and preceptors during your clinic years. If you have an in state school, you should probably go there unless there is a cheaper option for you. You can always find opportunities to get the experience you want.

 

[Falina]

This is always a good thread to read when trying to chose schools to apply to:
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=580221

 

[Fishey]

There are two schools of thought when it comes to veterinary education: tracking and non-tracking. A school that 'tracks' requires a student to identify an area of interest (small animal, large animal, mixed, research, etc.) and complete a large portion of practical (rotation) hours within this discipline prior to graduation. A non-tracking school requires all graduates to complete the same practical experience requirement, regardless of interest area.

Whether a student graduates from a tracking or non-tracking institution, all veterinary schools train their students to be generalists (i.e. general practitioners). One must have a working knowledge of all major species in order to receive a passing grade on the NAVLE. If a student has a specialty interest (either with respect to species concentration [lab animal, zoo animal] OR discipline [cardiology, neurology, emergency/critical care]) he or she is required to complete internships and/or residencies in his or her area of interest before having gained the appropriate level of expertise in order to practice specialized medicine.

Although it may be helpful to gain specialized expertise in a given discipline during veterinary school, the meat of a specialized education will come during an internship and residency. There is much truth to what was said in the comments previously posted. The 'best' veterinary school is the institution that A) accepts you and B) you can reasonably afford. All accredited veterinary schools will provide excellent preparation for the NAVLE. Once there, it is up to you to make the professional connections (via preceptorships, etc.) that will set you up to gain the practical experience you need to land a top internship or residency following graduation. Just because the vet school you attend doesn't have a summer program in your area of interest doesn't mean that another vet school doesn't. Scout around and look for out of state programs, at vet schools and other institutions, that offer experience opportunities in a variety of specialties. By the time you reach vet school, it is assumed that you will captain the ship of your career.

A word about tracking. Some people are quite certain of the direction they wish to take their veterinary career post-graduation (like me- I'm 34 and have been working in a related field for a number of years). Many students do not. It is very common for students to change their area of interest from application to graduation.

Tracking or non-tracking, both will provide you with a stellar veterinary education, but each has negatives and positives. Just because a school doesn't have a tracking program in your area of interest doesn't mean that you can't acquire that experience during your vet school years. It just may take a bit more effort on your part to make those opportunities happen for you by way of off site programs during the summers, etc.

Something else to consider (other than a school's reputation in a given area).

This completely makes sense now. I just thought that all vet schools track 🙂 Thanks for clearing it up!

 

[Minnerbelle]

It it really matters to you, look at the caseloads for the type of specialty/animal you're interested in. Look to see how many faculty members are working in that specialty.