Resources for Veterinary Medicine
Click the heading below for more information about:
DETAILED INFORMATION ABOUT VETERINARY CAREERS
General facts about veterinary medicine
According to the Association of American Veterinary Colleges:
- Doctors of veterinary medicine are medical professionals who play a significant role in the health care and welfare of animals, human public health, medical research, and public safety.
- The doctorate in veterinary medicine can lead to diverse career opportunities and a variety of lifestyles - from a solo mixed animal practice in a rural area to a teaching or research position at an urban university, medical center, or industrial laboratory.
- Seventy-five percent of the 60,000 veterinarians in the United States are in private practice, although significant numbers are involved in preventive medicine, regulatory veterinary medicine, military veterinary medicine, laboratory animal medicine, industrial research and development, and teaching and research in a variety of basic science and clinical disciplines.
Applying to Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) programs
Below are useful facts about applying to Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) programs:
- DVM programs require applicants to have a broad based undergraduate liberal arts education, which includes course work in general chemistry, general biology, organic chemistry, physics, English and the social sciences.
- Prerequisites for DVM programs can vary quite considerably from school to school. Be sure to research individual schools, checking to see what specific undergraduate coursework is required.
- The majority of schools require GRE test scores. A few schools require the GRE and GRE Bio test, and some programs will consider MCAT scores.
- All veterinary schools require veterinary, animal, and/or health science experience; many recommend a breadth of experience working with many species.
- To find and select DVM programs, you should begin your search with the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges, which represents accredited programs.
- AAVMC supports a centralized application service called VMCAS (Veterinary Medical College Application Service). VMCAS encourages applicants to use their online, electronic letter of recommendation format (eLOR). Students do not need a committee letter from their House Premedical Tutor; letters from individual faculty and supervisors are sent directly to VMCAS. While most DVM programs participate in VMCAS, there are a few that do not participate. Be sure to research individual schools regarding their application procedures.
Harvard-affiliated internet resources
Below is a list of Harvard-affiliated internet resources that have information about veterinary medicine:
Office of Career Services resources
The following publication are available at the OCS Library, Health Career Shelves F & G. You can also schedule an appointment with an
individual career counseling by calling 617-495-2595.
- OCS binder of Veterinary Medicine
- Catalogues from several DVM programs
- American Medical Veterinary Association Membership Directory and Resource Manual
- Animal Hospital
- Careers with Animals
- Veterinary Medical School Admissions Requirements
Veterinary-oriented web sites
Below is a list of web sites that have information on veterinary medicine:
- Academy of Rural Veterinarians (ARV): ARV’s mission to be proactive and provide information to encourage interest in the rewards of veterinary practice in rural America.
- American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA): The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) is a not-for-profit association representing more than 74,000 veterinarians working in private and corporate practice, government, industry, academia, and uniformed services. This site offers comprehensive information on animal health policy, public health, Student AVMA, and career services.
- Animal Rescue League of Boston: The Animal Rescue League is a non-profit organization dedicated to rescuing domesticated animals and wildlife from suffering, cruelty, abandonment, and neglect. There are a wide range of volunteer opportunities such as assisting in the Mobile Clinic, Adoption Services, and Kennel Assistance.
- Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC): The AAVMC represents all veterinary medical colleges in the United States and Canada. It supports, VMCAS, the centralized application service. The website also provides school specific information regarding prerequisites and links to all DVM programs.
- Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA): AZA is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the advancement of accredited zoos and aquariums in the areas of animal care, wildlife conservation, education and science. AZA lists internship opportunities across the country.
- Cornell University, The College of Veterinary Medicine: Cornell has a terrific pre-veterinary newsletter. The Vet School has many volunteer programs.
- GRE (Graduate Record Examination): The standardized test needed to apply DVM programs. The GRE measures verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, critical thinking, and analytical writing skills. Some schools require an additional test, the GRE Biology exam.
- MSPCA-Angell: MSPCA-Angell is a national and international leader in animal protection and veterinary medicine. There are volunteer opportunities throughout Massachusetts including, Boston, Cape Cod, Nantucket as well as Martha’s Vineyard.
- Museum of Science-Boston (MoS): Volunteers in the Live Animal Center at the MoS assist in the handling, care, and feeding of wild animals used for educational programs in the Museum. Volunteers also help with the maintenance of the Live Animal Center, including much cage cleaning, floor sweeping, and other tasks as required.
- New England Aquarium: Volunteer opportunities range from animal husbandry to aquarium administration. Most positions require a six month time commitment although there are summer opportunities.
- Plimoth Plantation, Plymouth, MA : Plimoth Plantation is a reconstructed, 17th century village in southeastern, MA. There are openings in the Farm and Horticultural Department where students will help with rare-breed farm animals.
- Projects Abroad: An international study and travel program with a specific area focusing on veterinary medicine. Placements include: Ghana, India, Mongolia and Romania.
- Tufts Cummings School for Veterinary Medicine: The school offers a one week career exploration program for college students called Adventures in Veterinary Medicine. Tufts charges tuition for this program. Aside from the Adventures in Veterinary Medicine program, Tufts has plenty of volunteer opportunities available to gain experience in veterinary medicine. Their site list specific openings in Wildlife Clinic.
- Windrush Farm Therapeutic Equitation: Windrush Farm Therapeutic Equitation, Inc. (WFTE, Inc.) is a nonprofit working horse farm with therapeutic programs for the disabled in Boxford, MA. There are opportunities for volunteers both in the barn with the horses and students.
