How to Obtain a DVM
If you want to become a doctor of veterinary medicine, or DVM, you will be taking care of animals in your own office, and may visit and treat animals on a ranch or farm. Becoming a DVM requires quite a few years of college, and the grades you receive while in college is very important.
Supplies:
- College applications
- Veterinary school requirements and applications
- Stamps
- Pens
- Paper
- Work for a veterinary office while you are still in high school. This will help you get experience early. You can also work on a farm around animals, if there are a lot of farms in your area. Even working in a pet shop will help you gain experience with animals.
- Go to a college that offers a pre-veterinary program. Take classes that are required by the American Veterinary Medical Association. Make sure you keep your grade point average high, as this will be very important when you apply to veterinary school after you graduate. If you cannot find a school in your area that offers the veterinary program, take classes in biology, chemistry, and the sciences.
- Apply to an accredited veterinary school that offers the DVM degree. This will take you four years to complete. When you graduate, you will then need to take the North American Veterinary Licensing exam to obtain your license to become a veterinarian. You cannot become a DVM without passing this exam. Make sure you prepare yourself well and study for this exam, as it is not easy. If you do not pass it the first time, you can take it again in the future.