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 want to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinarian community colleges, trade and vocational schools in the Delano CA area and across the USA, you should ask some qualifying questions in order to fine tune your list of options. As we discussed in our introduction, many future students start by focusing on location and tuition expense. But we have previously touched on other essential qualifiers, for example internship programs and accreditation. And naturally you need to enroll in a school that offers the specialty and degree that you want to earn. These and other factors are covered in the checklist of questions that you should ask the veterinary technician schools that you are considering.
Is the Veterinary Program Accredited? It's imperative that you verify that the vet tech college you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As earlier mentioned, one of 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 thorough review process that confirms you will receive a superior education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, since a large number of programs are not offered for non-accredited colleges. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited school is in many cases a requirement for employment for many Delano CA area vet practices and hospitals.
What is the College's Reputation? The veterinary college or vocational school and program you enroll in must have an outstanding reputation within the veterinary community. You can start your due diligence by asking the schools you are interested in for testimonials from the employers in their job placement network. Other pointers include checking with online school rating websites and speaking with the school's accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the California school licensing authority if there have been any complaints or infractions involving your specific schools. As a final pointer, phone some Delano CA vet clinics that you might want to work for after you get your training. Find out what they think of your school choices. They may even recommend one or more programs not on your list.
Are there Internship Programs? The best approach to get practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a medical setting. Find out if the programs you are considering have internship programs set up with Delano CA veterinarians, vet hospitals or clinics. Most veterinary medicine programs require clinical training and a large number provide it through internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial regarding the practical training, but an internship may also help build associations in the local vet community and help in the search for a job after graduation.
Is Job Placement Provided? Finding a job after graduating from a veterinary technician college may be difficult without the help of a job placement program. To begin with, ask what the graduation rates are for the schools you are reviewing. A low rate might mean that the instructors were unqualified to teach the course of study or that a number of students were dissatisfied with the program and quit. Next, check that the colleges have a job placement program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate may signify that the program has an outstanding reputation within the Delano CA veterinarian community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate could mean 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 in size, you most likely will get little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Request from the Delano CA programs you are researching what their class student to teacher ratios are. You may also want to attend some classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between teachers and students. Ask for evaluations from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the teachers and determine what their qualifications are as well as their methods of teaching.
Where is the School Located? Okay, we already covered location, but there are several more points to consider on the subject. If you are going to drive to your vet tech classes from your Delano CA home, you have to make certain that the commuting time is compatible with your schedule. For example, 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 in or near a large city. Also, if you do choose to attend a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition costs particularly for community and state colleges. On the other hand, taking online classes may be an option that will give you more flexibility and decrease the need for travel.
Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And last, it's imperative that you find out if the veterinarian colleges you are evaluating offer class times flexible enough to fit your schedule. For example, a number of students continue to work full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Delano CA. Others might only be able to go to class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you need are available prior to enrolling. Also, determine if you can make up classes that you might miss because of work, illness or family issues. You may find that an online school is the best way to fit your vet education into your hectic life.