IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
Things to Ask Vet Tech Colleges
At this point you probably have decided on which veterinary credential that you wish to attain, and if you want to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinary community colleges, vocational and trade schools in the El Dorado Hills CA area as well as across the Country, you must ask some qualifying questions to help fine tune your list of alternatives. As we pointed out in our opening, many prospective students start by prioritizing location and the cost of tuition. But we have previously mentioned other essential qualifiers, for instance internship programs and accreditation. And obviously you want to choose a program that offers the specialty and degree that you would like to earn. These and other qualifications are addressed in the checklist of questions that you should ask the vet tech programs that you are reviewing.
Is the Vet Program Accredited? It's important that you verify that the vet tech program you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously mentioned, among the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone an extensive review process that confirms you will obtain a quality education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, since numerous programs are not offered for non-accredited colleges. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited program is often a requirement for employment for a number of El Dorado Hills CA area veterinarian practices and hospitals.
What is the School's Reputation? The vet trade school or college and program you enroll in must have an exceptional reputation within the veterinarian field. You can begin your due diligence by asking the colleges you are interested in for endorsements from the employers in their job assistance network. Other tips include looking on online school ranking websites and contacting the school's accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the California school licensing department if there have been any complaints or infractions regarding your specific schools. As a final suggestion, get in touch with some El Dorado Hills CA veterinarians that you may want to work for after you get your training. Find out what they think about your school choices. They might even suggest some schools not on your list.
Are there Internship Programs? The best means to obtain clinical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a medical setting. Ask if the schools you are looking at have internship programs set up with El Dorado Hills CA veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. Almost all veterinary medicine programs require practical training and many provide it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable relative to the practical training, but an internship can also help build relationships in the local veterinary community and aid in the search for a job after graduation.
Is Job Assistance Provided? Getting a job after graduating from a veterinary technician school can be challenging without the help of a job placement program. To begin with, ask what the graduation rates are for the schools you are reviewing. A lower rate may suggest that the instructors were unqualified to teach the curriculum or that some students were dissatisfied with the program and dropped out. Next, verify that the schools have a job placement program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate may mean that the program has an excellent reputation within the El Dorado Hills CA veterinary community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate may indicate that the training is not highly thought of by employers or that the job assistance program is a failure at placing students.
How Big are the Classes? If the classes are larger, you most likely will receive little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Request from the El Dorado Hills CA schools you are looking at what their classroom student to teacher ratios are. You may also decide to attend a few classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between students and teachers. Get evaluations 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 Campus Located? Okay, we previously talked about location, but there are a few more points to consider on the topic. If you are planning to commute to your veterinary technician classes from your El Dorado Hills CA home, you must make certain that the commuting time is compatible with your schedule. For example, driving during the weekend to investigate the route won't be the same as the drive during rush hour traffic, particularly if the campus is located in or near a larger city. Also, if you do decide to attend a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition fees particularly for state and community colleges. On the other hand, taking online classes might be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and reduce the need for travel.
Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And last, it's imperative that you determine if the veterinarian programs you are evaluating offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to fit your schedule. For instance, many students continue working full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or at night near El Dorado Hills CA. Others may only be able to go to classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you require are offered before enrolling. In addition, find out if you can make-up classes that you may miss because of sickness, work or family responsibilities. You may discover that an online college is the ideal solution to fit your vet training into your active life.