IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
Questions to Ask Vet Tech Schools
By now you probably have determined which veterinary credential that you wish to earn, and if you prefer to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are an abundance of vet community colleges, trade and vocational schools in the Auburn AL area and across the United States, you should ask some relevant questions in order to narrow down your list of alternatives. As we mentioned in our introduction, many future students start by prioritizing location and the cost of tuition. But we have already pointed out other important qualifiers, such as internship programs and accreditation. And obviously you want to choose a college that offers the degree and specialty that you would like to earn. These and other factors are reviewed in the checklist of questions that you should ask the vet tech schools that you are reviewing.
Is the Veterinary School Accredited? It's important that you verify that the veterinary technician college you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As previously mentioned, among the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a demanding screening process that verifies you will get a quality education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, since a large number of programs are not available for non-accredited colleges. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited college is in many cases a precondition for employment for many Auburn AL area veterinary practices and hospitals.
What is the School's Reputation? The veterinarian college or trade school and program you enroll in must have an outstanding reputation within the vet community. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the colleges you are reviewing for references from the employers in their job placement network. Other suggestions include checking with online school rating websites and contacting the school's accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the Alabama school licensing authority if there have been any complaints or infractions relating to your specific schools. As a final suggestion, phone some Auburn AL veterinary clinics that you may want to work for after you go through your training. Find out what they think of your school selections. They may even recommend some schools not on your list.
Are Internships Offered? The most effective way to obtain clinical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a medical environment. Find out if the schools you are reviewing have internship programs established with Auburn AL veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. The majority of veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and a large number furnish it through internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable as far as the practical training, but an internship may also help develop relationships in the local vet community and assist in the search for a job after graduation.
Is there a Job Assistance Program? Getting a job after graduating from a veterinary technician college can be difficult without the assistance of a job placement program. To begin with, find out what the graduation rates are for the schools you are considering. A lower rate could suggest that the teachers were unqualified to teach the course of study or that some students were disappointed with the program and dropped out. Next, confirm that the schools have a job placement program and find out what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate could mean that the program has an outstanding reputation within the Auburn AL veterinarian community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate might signify that the training is not well regarded by employers or that the job assistance program is ineffective at placing students.
How Large are the Classes? If the classes are larger, you probably will receive little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Auburn AL programs you are researching what their class teacher to student ratios are. You might also want to participate in a few classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between instructors and students. Get evaluations from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the teachers and determine what their backgrounds are as well as their approaches to teaching.
Where is the Campus Located? Of course, we already talked about location, but there are a few more points to make on the topic. If you are going to commute to your veterinary technician classes from your Auburn AL home, you need to make sure that the commuting time fits into your schedule. For instance, driving during the weekend to check out the route won't be the same as the drive during rush hour traffic, particularly if the school is located near or in a large city. In addition, if you do decide to attend a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition fees especially for community and state colleges. Of course taking online classes might be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and minimize the necessity for travel.
Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And finally, it's essential that you find out if the veterinary colleges you are considering offer class times flexible enough to fit your schedule. For instance, a number of students continue to work full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or at night near Auburn AL. Some might only be able to go to class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you require are offered prior to enrolling. Also, determine if you can make up classes that you may miss because of sickness, work or family responsibilities. You might discover that an online college is the ideal solution to fit your veterinary education into your active life.