IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
Questions to Ask Vet Tech Colleges
At this point you probably have selected which veterinary credential that you wish to obtain, and if you want to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinary community colleges, trade and vocational schools in the Gilroy CA area and across the USA, you must ask some qualifying questions to help narrow down your list of alternatives. As we pointed out in our opening, many potential students start by prioritizing location and the cost of tuition. But we have already pointed out other important qualifiers, for example internship programs and accreditation. And naturally you need to enroll in a program that offers the specialty and degree that you want to earn. These and other factors are reviewed in the list of questions that you need to ask the veterinary technician programs that you are reviewing.
Is the Veterinary School Accredited? It's imperative that you verify that the vet tech program you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As earlier mentioned, among the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through a rigorous screening process that ensures you will get a quality education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are applying for a student loan or financial assistance, since a large number of programs are not obtainable for non-accredited programs. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited college is in many cases a requirement for employment for a number of Gilroy CA area veterinary clinics and hospitals.
What is the School's Reputation? The vet vocational school or college and program you choose should have an outstanding reputation within the veterinary community. You can begin your due diligence by asking the schools you are looking at for endorsements from the employers in their job placement network. Other pointers include checking with internet school rating websites and speaking with the school's accrediting organizations 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 recommendation, phone some Gilroy CA vet clinics that you might wish to work for after you get your training. Ask what they think about your school choices. They may even recommend one or more programs not on your list.
Are Internships Offered? The best way to get clinical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a professional environment. Find out if the schools you are considering have internship programs arranged with Gilroy CA veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. Most veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and many furnish it through internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable as far as the clinical training, but an internship may also help establish relationships in the local veterinarian community and help in the search for employment after graduation.
Is Job Assistance Offered? Searching for a job after graduating from a vet tech school can be difficult without the help of a job placement program. First, find out what the graduation rates are for the programs you are reviewing. A low rate could mean that the instructors were unqualified to teach the syllabus or that a number of students were dissatisfied with the program and quit. Next, check that the colleges have a job placement program and find out what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate might indicate that the school has an exceptional reputation within the Gilroy CA veterinarian 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 placement program is a failure at placing students.
How Big are the Classes? If the classes are larger sized, you most likely will get little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Request from the Gilroy CA schools you are looking at what their class teacher to student ratios are. You might also decide to participate in a couple of classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between students and instructors. Get evaluations from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the instructors and find out what their qualifications are as well as their methods of teaching.
Where is the College Located? Of course, we already covered location, but there are several more points to make on the subject. If you are going to commute to your vet tech classes from your Gilroy CA home, you need to confirm that the driving time fits into your schedule. For example, driving during the weekend to investigate the route won't be the same as the commute during rush hour traffic, especially if the campus is located near or in a large city. Also, if you do opt to attend a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition costs particularly for state and community colleges. On the other hand, taking classes online may be an option that will give you more flexibility and minimize the necessity for travel.
Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And finally, it's imperative that you determine if the veterinarian schools you are considering offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to accommodate your schedule. For instance, many students continue working full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or at night near Gilroy CA. Some might only be able to attend classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Confirm 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 illness, work or family emergencies. You may discover that an online school is the ideal solution to fit your veterinary training into your active life.