What do Vet schools want from me?

The most important thing Vet schools (or any higher education institution) look for during admission is experience in the desired area of study. Having experience with actual vet work, animals, or research is a well sought after quality, as well as it better prepares you for future career prospects. In addition, any applicable extracurricular activities centered around involvement, outreach, or leadership is worth showcasing in your application. It is a great idea to accumulate these experiences during your undergraduate years so you have a healthy variety of characteristics to enhance your admission process.

Note: Research does not have to be strictly veterinary related! Any opportunity that has you working with animals in any sense is a valuable asset for your experience and application. Examples include general husbandry, handling (especially specific species like amphibians or reptiles), work with behavior, conservation, or environmental ecology (to name a few).

During your formal application process, you will also be required to submit 3 letters of recommendation and personal statements. For these, it is crucial to build relationships with your peers and professors in your field who can vouch for your person. The best way to do this is to simply get in touch with any professor whose career or research interests you and express your enthusiasm for what they do. Working in labs under professors or Graduate students is also a good way to acquire letters of recommendation.

For assistance and advice on obtaining letters of recommendation, visit the Health Professions Advising website page on Application prep.

You will also want to make sure that your transcripts are well-rounded when applying to vet school. Having a good GPA is expected, but you also want to take interesting General Education courses outside of the usual STEM ones. Classes on public speaking, human resourcing, and behavior have both real life applications as well as enhancing your resume and transcripts by showing that you are able to communicate effectively with your peers and understand more than just basic biology.

How can I get the things Vet schools want?

In addition to the ways mentioned above, there are other options as well. Joining pre-vet clubs like the Pre-Vet Students Supporting Diversity Club and Vet Aide Club can help prepare you as well as build networks with fellow peers. The Internship and Career Center is also a great place to start looking for volunteer and internship opportunities in research to strengthen your background in your area of study.

It is also important to note that you aren't limited to gaining experience exclusively through the UC Davis camps. It is also possible to get experience off campus, such as through local zoos, the Wildlife Care Association, the SPCA, Handshake jobs, and more! In doing so, this can allow you to start getting an idea of the opportunities available to you after graduation and what you can do with your degree.