r/veterinaryschool

Hi everyone, I currently work in tech and have been considering making the pivot into vetmed. I haven't made any decisions yet, but I thought I'd reach out and ask if anyone that's been in this position is willing to share any tips or advice.

I studied liberal arts so I will be needing to take all of my prerequisites from scratch. I also understand I will need to leave my job eventually to finish out the upper level prereqs and continue building out my application. Anyone else with a similar background that's made this commitment?

This isn't a career move I'm taking lightly. I am learning more and more of the emotional, mental, and financial sacrifice it's going to take. It's going to be especially difficult for someone in my position, with no science background. I'm really going to have to prove myself, likely significantly more than the traditional student that's had their sights set on this career from the start. I guess I'm just hoping to hear some success stories so that I don't shut this path out entirely.

If you were able to eventually pivot, what made you decide to enter vetmed in the first place? What about your experiences do you think worked for you? What strengths did you highlight in your application that may have helped you stand out? How many cycles did it take you to get accepted by a program?

Thank you in advance to anyone willing to sit and reply.

Hello,

Was wondering what would be better for vet school to live with an older woman just the two of us or share a dorm apartment with 4 other students? Both are really nice just trying to weigh out pros and cons

I’m a veterinary student and will soon be entering my final year of studies. Lately I’ve been feeling increasingly anxious about graduating, and I’m wondering if anyone else has experienced something similar.

I feel like my university hasn’t provided a well rounded education. I completely understand that a lot of learning is self-directed in veterinary medicine, and I’m happy to study outside of class. However, I feel that some fundamental subjects, like parasitology and pharmacology, were not taught properly. Lectures often felt rushed, and asking questions was discouraged. There were times when lecturers became frustrated with students simply for asking for clarification.
Clinical rotations have been another source of frustration. Some veterinarians are fantastic teachers, but many seem too busy or simply uninterested in teaching students. When we ask questions, we’re often told, “You’re in your 5th you should know this already.” But it’s difficult to know something when you haven’t been taught it, and your questions have gone unanswered for years.

We also don’t have access to the hospital database, so we can’t review cases in our own time. We aren’t allowed to read patient records, take photos of case notes, or print them to study later. It feels like we’re expected to learn from clinical cases, but we’re not given the resources to do so.
Recently, during an externship, a veterinarian pointed out that I have gaps in my knowledge and said it’s important that I work on them. I completely agree with that feedback, but instead of motivating me, it made me panic. In less than a year, I’ll be responsible for treating animals, and I honestly don’t feel ready. I know no new graduate knows everything, but I worry that my education has left me with bigger gaps than it should have.

Because of this, I’m starting to question whether clinical practice is the right fit for me. I’ve been looking into alternative veterinary careers, such as diagnostic laboratories, histopathology, research, or the pharmaceutical industry. I’m not particularly interested in teaching or academia, but I don’t really know how people transition into these other fields. Our university focuses almost exclusively on clinical practice and doesn’t discuss alternative career paths.

Has anyone else felt this way before graduating? Did you feel unprepared but eventually gain confidence once you started working? And for those who chose non-clinical careers, how did you get into them?

I’d really appreciate any advice or hearing about your experiences.

I am entering my senior year of college and finishing out my animal science degree on a pre-vet track, but due to a variety of circumstances, largely due to family influence and severe depression, my grades are not even close to what they need to be. I think in the best case I will finish school with a little bit over a 3.3GPA and a likely lower science GPA, but this is with some class retakes that won't go away on my final application. The dream has always been vet school, but I'm not very confident that it's in the cards for me anymore, and I am looking for a different path. I just feel so lost because it has been the only thing that has kept me going when times got rough. I dedicated so much time to it and have spent so much time collecting hours and experience. I even hold a job at my university's prestigious teaching hospital, but it all feels like the last few years have been for nothing. So, now looking into other careers, I feel so limited by my degree; it seems to be specific enough for most fields in the agricultural business and too specific for others. Now I'm just left with regret, wishing I had studied something like communications or finance that has a wider breadth of opportunities and job types. Maybe I'm closed-minded, but I am just unaware of alternative paths and feel like I wasted 4 years and lots of my parent's money. If anyone has any advice, I'd greatly appreciate it.

Just wanted to hear people's takes on this but basically I did not apply for vet school right away because I was heavily influenced by vet students and some vets being really negative about the experience/job. I don't blame them: vets are underpaid, overworked, and the constant stress of school and debt can be really overwhelming. But I feel like we are all here in spite of it all because of our shared passion for this career and have similar dreams in that way. So I'm not sure why some students always focus on the negative. Every time I ask other students how are things going it almost seems cultural now to just have an exhausted tone of "I can't do this anymore". I personally find it very challenging and tough but I really love learning and some things I found in vet school have ben so interesting, but every time I share that I'm enjoying it, I'm met with "that's so insensitive because you dont understand how much I am suffering". Just wanted to hear all of your thoughts and I'm sorry if even this post might be triggering to some <3

Heyy,

becoming a Veterinarian has always been my absolute dream but it's impossible to achieve it where I live due to multipule reasons. So Europe is my best option to study Vet Med (English taught). I would like to know which European countries are affordable, good & recognized, I'm doing a lot of research but I still need help in some things.

As a 26 years old international (non EU) student who just got back to school, what are the best options for me?

I know I would eventually need to learn the language of the country & of course I will but the programme needs to be taught in English. What are steps I need to take. Also, I would like to know your experience in the country: is it safe, are majority of people friendly, what's the social life like etc. You can message me if you don't want to comment about it~

I really appreciate your advice.

Thank you !

I’m a sophomore in high school, I want to become a large animal vet, preferably with horses or other livestock.

What degrees do I need first?

I know I need a Degree in veterinary medicine but Google isn’t helping and I can’t seem to find a simple answer, some sources say I need a bachelors degree in pre-veterinary medicine, others say I don’t and I really don’t know where to look or what to do.

If someone could point me in the right direction or give me something to look up I would appreciate that a 100%

Hello! Im looking for tips and tricks to make my first year a bit easier! Weather it be books or other ways to help memorize and learn things or basic tips and tricks.

I was originally a pre-vet student my freshman year of college but a lot of people discouraged me away from it and eventually led me to switch my major to engineering. I’m now about to go into my 5th year of my engineering degree and after two internships that I found kind of boring I am really regretting my switch and thinking about vet school again. The only thing holding me back is that I really love traveling, especially outdoorsy travel like backpacking, and I have a ton of travel goals many of which I would like to pursue in my 20s. If I go back to vet school I likely wouldn’t graduate until I’m 28 so my question is, is it possible to go to vet school and still fit in travel or would I need to pick one or the other. I’m mainly wondering about being able to take time away from school and clinical hours, although any financial advice would be appreciated as well, thanks!

Hey yall - im really struggling and dont know what to do.

I currently attend an international university and I am from USA. I have retaken the 1st year of vet school and our exams were just released to show that around 50% of the class failed exams - me included.

I do not think this school is right for me. I hate the teaching style and there is only 1 exam PER SEMESTER. So 2 exams the entire year.

Since I failed 1st year in 2025 and I am now retaking exams for the 2026 year, I dont have very good academic standing. My exam scores also reflect the deaths that occurred in my family.

At this point I do not know what to do. Should I take a gap year and work at a clinic and reapply to a different vet school next year (2027)?

Should I try to apply thru the VMCAS for the upcoming year. If this is the case do I tell my university or do I just apply like a regular student? I dont really know the process.

Should I just try to study my ass off for the exam retakes, hope I pass and then stay at this school for one more year then hope that I get grades good enough to transfer into another program?

I dont really know what to do but I do not know if I can stay in the international country, especially at this school.

If anyone knows anyone I can or should contact about this I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks!

Edit: I was offered a gap year but if Im being honest I dont want to have to retake the 1st year at the same school for the 3rd time. at that point i would have been at this international school for 4 years and still only in 1st year

If anyone was waiting - U of A has officially been granted the status of full accreditation! This will be the first public vet school in Arizona!

Unfortunately, because of the sheer number of classes I have taken, my science GPA is around 2.9, but my recent GPA was able to bring it up to a 3.75. So, I guess I would want to know which schools factor in their recent GPA much higher than holistic and science GPA.

Cramming for a resit exam

I'm a veterinary student who's technically doing the same assessment for the 4th time (resat the year, and now resitting the exam for the resitting year). I have a week to blast through clinical topics. I will make sense of the content. My question is tips on staying focused and not getting distracted. The unmedicated ADHD is HELL on me. But honestly I was even worse with the studying when medicated. Does anyone have tips? Does body doubling actually help? What about the pomodoro technique? I hear about 5 million of these "perfect for ADHD!" things. I've ordered a meal prep service so I don't have to waste time cooking. My plan is to go through one topic, and do a quiz on it once I'm done, and carry on that way till I get through all of it. I'm just looking to pass, I don't care about doing well. If anyone has anything, even the simplest of tips, please tell me. Also I get so sleepy while studying, and coffee/caffeine does not help. I DON'T HAVE TIME TO BE DOING THAT. any advice for that???

I have one year of Zuku premium frozen untouched, let me know if any one needs them for the best price

*Got permission to post this from the moderators on this community panel*

Greetings veterinary school forum!

I am excited to announce a new veterinary game that can be played on the Mac or PC that is innovative and fun and different from anything we have seen before.

DGGFV / Dogtors Game: Game for vets is a single-player and multiplayer veterinary-themed 3D board game that transforms studying clinical medicine into an engaging and memorable adventure. Featuring a charming voxel-inspired art style filled with lovable dogs, customizable veterinary characters, and dynamic gameplay, the game challenges players to apply their medical knowledge through generated clinical cases, diagnostic questions, and real-world scenarios.

Players progress across the board by solving cases, answering questions, and applying their veterinary knowledge while competing against friends or playing independently. Along the way, they can unlock new dog unlockables and skins, creating a unique blend of education, strategy, and entertainment.

In addition to the core board game experience, DGGFV will continue to expand with new game modes and community features. One such separate mode, Rounds, allows players to compete directly against one another by introducing obstacles and distractions while offline or online opponents work through veterinary cases under pressure. Future updates aim to introduce additional game modes, seasonal events, potential raffles and prizes (depending on engagement and interest), and community-driven content to keep the experience fresh and engaging.

As a fourth-year veterinary student nearing the completion of my degree, I have spent years studying clinical medicine, problem-solving, research methods, and patient care. An unexpected change cut my academic journey short and provided me with the opportunity and time to step back and consider how I could contribute to the veterinary profession in a meaningful way while determining my own next steps toward completing my education.

That experience inspired me to dedicate my time to creating a resource that helps veterinary students and new graduates learn in a way that feels engaging, collaborative, and enjoyable. Veterinary education can be demanding, stressful, and at times isolating. My goal is to make studying feel less overwhelming by combining real clinical concepts with gameplay that encourages curiosity, creativity, critical thinking, confidence, competence, and community……The 6Cs :)

DGGFV is more than just a game. It is an effort to create an innovative educational tool that supports veterinary students, recent graduates, and lifelong learners within the profession in a unique way. By supporting this project, you are not only helping develop a unique gaming experience, but also contributing to a new approach to veterinary education that’s never been done before, one that makes learning more accessible, interactive, and enjoyable for the next generation of veterinarians.

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Features of the main game include:

Unlockables and Customization

Players can customize 9 different dog breeds with 10 collectible items and 25 unique skins inspired by real things seen in veterinary medicine. Unlockables are earned through hours played, games completed, and potentially by answering certain questions correctly to earn special rewards.

Review Scene

Players can revisit questions from the full deck, review questions they missed, filter by category, or focus specifically on questions they created themselves.

Friends Panel

Players can send friend requests to people they meet through online matches or the community board. The friends system includes both one-on-one messaging and group chat features.

Moderated Community Board

A moderated space where veterinary students, DVMs, and other users can discuss cases, share dog pictures, talk about what they learned in school, connect with students from other programs and class years, and build a supportive veterinary learning community.

Question Database

Users can upload their own veterinary questions for others to study, review, and play through in the game.

Map Editor and Question Creator

Players can customize their own board using preloaded questions or questions they create themselves, then play those custom maps with friends.

Leaderboard and Achievements Panel

Players can track their progress, earn achievements, compare scores, and see how they rank against others.

Vet Explorer

An in-game research tool that allows players to look up veterinary topics they are curious about while studying or playing.

Music Player

Includes 36+ custom-made songs that players can listen to while navigating the game, studying, or playing with friends.

Fun Fact Toggle

The main menu includes a fun fact toggle with 200+ veterinary facts that rotate over time for players who want to casually learn while waiting on the menu.

Voice Chat and Text Chat Multiplayer

Players can communicate with friends through voice chat and text chat while working through cases, answering questions, and playing together online.

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If you would like to connect with us, join our small but passionate 3-person creative team, contribute to the project, be added to a wishlist email, or support development through a donation, please reach out at dogtorsgame@gmail.com. We welcome creative vet students, new grads, and experienced DVMs of all backgrounds.

We hope to officially launch Version 1, along with the rounds game mode, within the next few weeks at a price that reflects the time, effort, and passion invested in creating this game. At the same time, our goal is to make DGGFV accessible to as many students and veterinary professionals as possible, and we are committed to exploring ways to ensure the game remains affordable and available to everyone who can benefit from it.

This indie project was built for the veterinary community, and we want it to be something that students of all years, new graduates, and veterinary professionals alike can enjoy, learn from, and grow with for years to come. We are still fine tuning some things as you can see in the video and debugging but will update everyone once it’s ready.

P.S. The video quality and small lag does not represent the experience you would have with your game, as it was recorded on editor platform of the software we used to make it. We also have an educational Youtube and Tiktok account that we have been posting on over the last week with fun learning videos. We hope to continue with this moving forward.

Hi! I am extremely excited to join Tufts V30 class in August!! I was wondering if any current students under the new curriculum could share what their schedule and routines are like/ any advice for incoming students.

I want to start shifting my daily routines to best accommodate school. I know this is highly individual and often changes, but any and all info would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!!

im confused which private college will be the best for me. I have names of \ few colleges that are supposed to be good like-

1. Apollo College of Veterinary Medicine, Jaipur
2. IIVER Rohtak
3. Arawalli Veterinary College, Sikar
4. Mahatma jyotiba fule (mjf) college of veterinary & animal science, chomu, Jaipur
5. Abhilashi University, Mandi
6. Khalsa college of veterinary and animal sciences, Amritsar

now rohtak and apollo are on the expensive side while sikar is little affordable, but budget is not the main issue here, which college will be the best? Few vets have told me sikar is not good as it doesnt have good internship but im not sure. I have been on this subreddit for sometime now, and I have seen many vets here. So I request all the vets to help me out here. You must have some friends or colleagues who studied from these colleges or know anything about them. Which college is the most value for money, and if money is ignored which one would be the best? Any help is appreciated