IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
Things to Ask Vet Tech Colleges
By now you probably have decided on which veterinarian degree that you would like to attain, and if you intend to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinary community colleges, vocational and trade schools in the Claremont CA area as well as across the United States, you should ask some qualifying questions to help narrow down your list of alternatives. As we discussed in our opening, many potential students start by focusing on location and the cost of tuition. But we have already mentioned other important qualifiers, such as accreditation and internship programs. And obviously you need to select a program that offers the degree and specialty that you would like to earn. These and other factors are covered in the checklist of questions that you should ask the veterinary technician colleges that you are looking at.
Is the Vet School Accredited? It's essential that you verify that the veterinary technician program you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As earlier discussed, among the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through a rigorous review process that confirms you will obtain a superior education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, since numerous programs are not obtainable for non-accredited colleges. Last, having a certificate or degree from an accredited program is frequently a prerequisite for employment for many Claremont CA area vet practices and hospitals.
What is the Program's Reputation? The veterinarian college or vocational school and program you enroll in must have an exceptional reputation within the vet community. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the schools you are looking at for testimonials from the employers in their job assistance network. Other suggestions include checking with internet school rating websites and checking with the school's accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the California school licensing department if there have been any complaints or violations regarding your specific schools. As a final pointer, phone some Claremont CA veterinarians that you might want to work for after you go through your training. Ask what they think about your school choices. They might even recommend one or more colleges not on your list.
Are there Internship Programs? The most effective way to obtain practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a clinical setting. Ask if the schools you are looking at have internship programs arranged with Claremont CA veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. Most veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and many provide it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be valuable regarding the clinical training, but an internship may also help build connections in the local veterinarian community and assist in the search for a job after graduation.
Is Job Placement Provided? Searching for a job after graduating from a vet tech school can be challenging without the help of a job placement program. To start with, ask what the graduation rates are for the programs you are evaluating. A low rate might indicate that the teachers were unqualified to teach the syllabus or that a number of students were dissatisfied with the program and quit. Next, check that the schools have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate may indicate that the program has an exceptional reputation within the Claremont CA veterinarian community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate could indicate that the training is not highly regarded by employers or that the job assistance program is a failure at placing students.
How Big are the Classes? If the classes are larger sized, you may receive little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Claremont CA programs you are researching what their class student to teacher ratios are. You might also decide to participate in a couple of classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between instructors and students. Get feedback from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the teachers and determine what their qualifications are as well as their methods of teaching.
Where is the College Located? Okay, we already discussed location, but there are a few more points to make on the subject. If you are going to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your Claremont CA home, you must make sure that the driving time is compatible with your schedule. For example, driving during the weekend to check out the route won't be the same as the drive during rush hour traffic, especially if the campus is located near or in a larger city. Also, if you do choose to enroll in a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition charges particularly for state and community colleges. On the other hand, taking classes online could be an option that will give you more flexibility and minimize the necessity for travel.
Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And finally, it's important that you ascertain if the veterinarian programs you are looking at offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to accommodate your schedule. For instance, many students continue to work full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Claremont CA. Others may only be able to go to class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Confirm that the class times you need are available prior to enrolling. Also, find out if you can make-up classes that you might miss due to work, sickness or family issues. You may discover that an online college is the ideal solution to fit your vet training into your hectic life.