Is Vet School Hard?

Comparing Vet School and Med School

• Vet school is harder to get into than med school.
• Vet school requires more years of education.
• Veterinary school typically lasts four years.
• Veterinarians usually have a bachelor’s degree before starting vet school.
• The average cost of four years of veterinary school is over $200,000 for in-state students and $275,000 for out-of-state students.

Vet Tech vs Veterinarian

• Becoming a vet tech requires less training than becoming a veterinarian.
• A vet tech needs at least two years of training.
• Vet techs must pass a national exam.
• If you want to work in veterinary medicine but don’t want 8+ years of college, a vet tech is a great choice.

Challenges in Veterinary Medicine

• Vets face challenges in their careers and have high suicide rates.
• Vets help animals by diagnosing and treating illnesses and injuries.

Taking a Closer Look

• Veterinary school is challenging to get into and complete.
• The veterinary course load is intensive, with students taking 25-30 credits of rigorous science classes per semester.
• Veterinary students spend 35-40 hours per week in lectures or labs.

The Admission Process

• Competition for admission into veterinary programs is high.
• Veterinary schools have lower acceptance rates compared to medical schools.
• In 2019, the veterinary school acceptance rate averaged 14.6%, while the medical school rate was 6.7%.

Education and Training

• Before starting veterinary school, most students complete a bachelor’s degree.
• The cost of four years of in-state veterinary school exceeds $200,000. For out-of-state students, costs are over $275,000.
• Veterinary technicians complete at least two years of postsecondary training.

Similarities in Intensity

• Veterinarians and physicians complete similar intensity medical training.
• Both fields present difficulties and elevated rates of suicide.
• Veterinarians prevent, diagnose, and treat animal injuries, illnesses, and diseases.