There's no need for bashing! People saying it is a competitive field are only being honest, and you need to go in with reasonable expectations so you can be properly prepared and know what you need to do. So to get to vet school first you have to complete your undergrad degree, or at least complete enough of the pre-reqs to qualify for vet school. I finished my degree because why not have something to show for those years? The pre-reqs vary slightly based on which vet schools you are applying to, but for the most part it's all your sciences (bio, chem, organic chem, biochem, genetics, animal science) and some non-science pre-reqs. Vet school is 4 years by itself - no shortcuts there. You don't have to major in a science field. You can major in whatever you want, and a business degree is smart if you ever want to own your own practice.
On top of this, a very important aspect is animal and veterinary experience. Now owning cool pets like chams doesn't count. They want to see you in the veterinary field especially - be a kennel tech and then try to be a vet tech so you are actually involved in the field you're interested in. That will help your application, but more importantly make sure you're actually interested in all that vets do and gives you a huge advantage later! What I learned as a tech was almost just as valuable as vet school. The experience makes everything make so much more sense. My biggest piece of advice for success is to be a vet tech for as long as you can before vet school.
Grades are important - aim as high as possible in undergrad because it does make a difference. There are only 29 vet schools in the whole US, Canada and Mexico combines, so that does make it very competitive. There are hundreds of med school and less than 30 vet schools.
When you go to vet school you don't get to pick your species. You learn about dogs, cats, cows, small ruminants and horses for the first two years in just about every program. And then starting your third year you get to pick if you like small animal versus large animal. Exotics classes are sparse and you can't ever chose to only do exotics. Dogs and cats or large animals are your focus, and you get exotics when and where you can. I took every exotic elective and wetlab I could and I still have so much to learn. I also spent two months of my 4th year at two zoos with their vets. That helped a lot! Also it was so much fun! I tell you this so you know what to expect and don't go in thinking you can just learn about reptiles from the beginning because then you'd just be disappointed.
Also get school is very expensive. The average vet student finishes vet school with around $120,000 in student loans. That's not something to take lightly...
edit: it would also be nice to some minor vet duties when i open my reptile store. i know the only vet in the area charges a rediculous amount for just about everything. who would pay for a $50 fecal?
Okay I do have to say something about this...if you're not a vet then I'd never pay for a fecal from you because even if you had the training to accurately diagnose what you're seeing (not easy) you can't give me any medications to treat it without a vet license. So what good would it be? And once you go through vet school where you work your butt off (first year and fourth year you're at school easily around 60-80 hours a week and then come home and study for hours and hours and pour everything you have into it) you will understand why the charges are the way they are. You deserve to get paid for your hard earned knowledge and skills! Be prepared to go into a very under-appreciated profession where despite your best efforts to help the owner and the patient you're always going to be accused of not caring or being greedy because you don't do it for free. Even when you give discounts to help! You have to be a strong person to not let that drag you down and burn you out.
Overall, I love being a vet! I get to make a difference and help the animals and help owners better understand their pets. It's a great profession to be in, but it is a hard one to get into. If your heart is in it and you're ready to do the work though you will get there! If there is anything I can expand on or offer to help in addition to the above please let me know!
but maybe they have super early morning classes? i dont have school till 12...and i dont mind waking up early.
