Career Overview: Roles and Responsibilities of a Veterinarian
Veterinarians are licensed medical professionals who diagnose, treat, and prevent disease in animals across diverse settings. In clinical practice, veterinarians perform physical examinations, diagnose and treat illnesses, prescribe medications, conduct surgical procedures, interpret diagnostic tests (including lab work and imaging), and administer vaccines and other preventative care. The role also emphasizes preventative care and client education, including counseling animal owners on nutrition and behavior, long-term wellness, and disease-prevention strategies for their animal. Beyond individual animal care, veterinarians contribute to public health and regulatory efforts by monitoring zoonotic diseases, ensuring food safety in livestock production, and collaborating with state and federal agencies to support animal welfare.
- Private Practices
- Hospitals
- Research Institutions
- Government Agencies
- Zoos
- Wildlife Centers
- The Military
(After earning a DVM)
- Surgery
- Internal Medicine
- Dermatology
- Oncology
- Emergency/Critical Care
- Zoo/Wildlife Medicine
- Laboratory Animal Medicine
- American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)
- Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC)
Most veterinary programs require or strongly recommend:
Science Requirements
- General Biology – 2 semesters with labs
- General Chemistry – 2 semesters with labs
- Organic Chemistry – 2 semesters with labs
- General Physics – 2 semesters with labs
- Biochemistry – 1 semester
- Microbiology – required by some programs
Animal-Centered Courses
- Animal Behavior and/or Nutrition (BIOL 465, BIOL 534)
- Additional relevant course: BIOL 351
Additional Recommended Courses
- English Composition
- Statistics
- Genetics
- Physiology
Coursework varies by school. Always verify specific requirements on each program’s website.
The GRE (Graduate Record Examinations) is a standardized test designed to test your critical thinking skills in general categories rather than on specific “pre-requisite” content: verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and analytical writing.
After taking the GRE, you will receive a few different scores: a sub-score for your verbal and quantitative reasoning sections (scored between 130-170) as well as a combined score for your quantitative and qualitative reasoning sections (scored between 260-340). Additionally, you will receive a score for your analytical writing on a 6-point scale. Schools that require the GRE will likely report a minimum score needed to apply, or an average score of the previously admitted class/es. As you evaluate your scores, ensure that you are either at/above the minimum, or within a close range of the average.
Always check each school’s website to confirm testing requirements.
Application: Veterinary Medical College Application Service (VMCAS)
- Personal information
- Academic History
Transcript Entry
Standardized Tests - Supporting Information
Essay
Experiences
Licenses and Certifications
Recommendations
Achievements - Program Materials
Learn more about the VMCAS application
Research Programs: Create a list of programs and review their individual requirements for prerequisite courses, veterinary experience hours, testing (GRE), and letters of recommendation.
Obtain Veterinary Experience Hours: Many programs require veterinary experience completed under direct supervision of a licensed veterinarian before applying.
Typical Expectations
- At least 250 hours of veterinary shadowing
- Exposure to multiple species (small animal + large animal preferred)
- Shelter volunteering for animal handling skills
- Competitive applicants often exceed minimum hour requirement
Letters of Recommendation: Most programs require 3 letters of recommendation.
- One MUST be from a veterinarian
- Others may be from professors, supervisors, or research mentors
Programs will often specify who is an approved letter writer
To obtain meaningful letters, build relationships early by actively participating in class or clinical experiences, seeking feedback, and demonstrating reliability and initiative. When requesting a letter, ask well in advance, provide your resume, your personal statement, and clearly share deadlines and submission instructions. Thoughtful, detailed recommendations from individuals who know you well can significantly strengthen your application by offering credible, personalized perspectives on your strengths and potential.