IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
Things to Ask Vet Tech Schools
By now you should have decided on which veterinary degree that you wish to obtain, and if you prefer to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are a large number of vet community colleges, vocational and trade schools in the Fontana CA area and across the Country, you must ask some important questions in order to fine tune your list of options. As we discussed in our introduction, many prospective students start by prioritizing location and the cost of tuition. But we have previously mentioned other important qualifiers, for example internship programs and accreditation. And obviously you want to select a program that offers the degree and specialty that you are interested in. These and other factors are addressed in the checklist of questions that you should ask the veterinary technician schools that you are reviewing.
Is the Vet Program Accredited? It's imperative that you verify that the vet tech college you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As earlier mentioned, among the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a thorough review process that ensures you will obtain a superior education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are requesting a student loan or financial assistance, since a large number of programs are not offered for non-accredited programs. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited school is frequently a prerequisite for employment for many Fontana CA area veterinary practices and hospitals.
What is the School's Reputation? The veterinary college or vocational school and program you choose should have an outstanding reputation within the veterinary field. You can begin your due diligence by asking the colleges you are looking at for endorsements from the employers in their job assistance network. Other tips include looking on internet school rating websites and contacting 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 targeted schools. As a final suggestion, contact some Fontana CA veterinarians that you might want to work for after you go through your training. Find out what they think of your school selections. They may even recommend some colleges not on your list.
Are Internships Offered? The best means to get clinical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a clinical setting. Find out if the colleges you are reviewing have internship programs set up with Fontana CA veterinarians, vet hospitals or clinics. The majority of veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and many furnish it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be valuable regarding the practical training, but an internship can also help develop associations in the local vet community and help in the search for a job after graduation.
Is there a Job Placement Program? Getting a job after graduating from a veterinary technician school may be difficult without the assistance of a job placement program. To start with, find out what the graduation rates are for the schools you are considering. A lower rate could mean that the teachers were unqualified to teach the syllabus or that a number of students were unhappy with the program and dropped out. Next, confirm that the schools have a job assistance program and find out what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate could signify that the college has an excellent reputation within the Fontana CA veterinary community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate might signify 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 in size, you probably will receive little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Fontana CA colleges you are looking at what their classroom student to teacher ratios are. You might also want to attend some classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and teachers. Ask for evaluations from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the instructors and determine what their backgrounds are as well as their methods of teaching.
Where is the School Located? Okay, we already talked about location, but there are several more points to consider on the topic. If you are going to commute to your vet tech classes from your Fontana CA home, you need to confirm 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 campus is located near or in a larger city. In addition, if you do choose to enroll in a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition charges particularly for community and state colleges. On the other hand, attending classes online could be an alternative that will give you more flexibility and decrease the need for travel.
Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And last, it's imperative that you determine if the veterinary schools you are looking at offer class times flexible enough to fit your schedule. For instance, many students continue to work full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Fontana CA. Some might only be able to go to classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you require are offered prior to enrolling. Also, find out if you can make-up classes that you may miss because of work, sickness or family responsibilities. You might find that an online college is the best solution to fit your veterinary education into your active life.