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Questions to Ask Vet Tech Colleges

Hartselle Alabama cat in carrier in vet clinicBy now you should have determined which veterinary degree that you want to obtain, and if you intend to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are an abundance of vet community colleges, technical and vocational schools in the Hartselle AL area as well as across the United States, you should ask some relevant questions to help narrow down your list of alternatives. As we discussed in our opening, many future students start by focusing on location and tuition expense. But we have already pointed out other important qualifiers, such as internship programs and accreditation. And of course you need to enroll in 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 Vet College Accredited?  It's imperative that you verify that the veterinary technician college you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously stated, one of the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a demanding screening process that ensures you will obtain a quality education. Also, accreditation is necessary 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 school is in many cases a requirement for employment for a number of Hartselle AL area veterinarian practices and hospitals.

What is the Program's Reputation?  The veterinary college or vocational school and program you enroll in must have an outstanding reputation within the veterinarian community. You can start your due diligence by asking the schools you are reviewing for endorsements from the employers in their job placement network. Other tips include looking on online school ranking websites and contacting the school's accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the Alabama school licensing department if there have been any complaints or infractions involving your specific schools. As a final suggestion, call some Hartselle AL veterinary clinics that you may wish to work for after you get your training. Find out what they think about your school choices. They may even suggest some schools not on your list.

Are Internships Offered?  The most effective means to get clinical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a professional setting. Ask if the colleges you are looking at have internship programs established with Hartselle AL veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. The majority of veterinary medicine programs require clinical training and a large number provide it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be valuable regarding the clinical training, but an internship may also help establish associations in the local vet community and aid in the search for a position after graduation.

Is there a Job Assistance Program?  Getting a job after graduating from a veterinary technician program may be challenging without the help of a job placement program. First, ask what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are reviewing. A low rate could suggest that the instructors were ineffective at teaching the course of study or that a number of students were disappointed with the program and quit. Next, check that the schools have a job placement program and find out what their placement rates are. A high placement rate could mean that the college has an exceptional reputation within the Hartselle AL veterinary community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate could signify that the training is not highly thought of by employers or that the job placement program is ineffective at placing students.

How Big are the Classes?  If the classes are bigger, you may get little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Request from the Hartselle AL programs you are considering what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You might also decide to participate in some classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between students and teachers. Ask for feedback from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the teachers and find out what their qualifications are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the School Located?  Okay, we already talked about location, but there are a few more points to consider on the topic. If you are planning to drive to your vet tech classes from your Hartselle AL home, you must make sure that the driving time is compatible with your schedule. For instance, driving during the weekend to check out the route won't be the same as the commute during rush hour traffic, particularly if the college is located close by or within a larger city. Also, if you do opt to enroll in a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition charges especially for community and state colleges. On the other hand, attending online classes may be an alternative that will give you more flexibility and decrease the necessity for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule?  And finally, it's imperative that you find out if the veterinarian programs you are looking at offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to fit your schedule. For instance, a number of students continue working full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or at night near Hartselle AL. Some might only be able to attend class in the morning or in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you need are available prior to enrolling. In addition, find out if you can make-up classes that you might miss as a result of illness, work or family issues. You may find that an online school is the ideal way to fit your veterinary training into your hectic life.

Learn More About How to Become a Veterinary Technologist in Hartselle



 

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