IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
What to Ask Veterinary Technician Colleges
By now you probably have selected which veterinarian degree that you would like to attain, and if you want to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are a large number of vet community colleges, trade and vocational schools in the Rancho Santa Margarita CA area and across the Country, you must ask some important questions to help narrow down your list of alternatives. As we mentioned in our opening, many prospective students start by concentrating on location and the cost of tuition. But we have previously pointed out other essential qualifiers, which include accreditation and internship programs. And naturally you want to choose a college that offers the degree and specialty that you would like to earn. These and other factors are addressed in the checklist of questions that you should ask the vet tech programs that you are reviewing.
Is the Vet College Accredited? It's essential that you verify that the vet tech school you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As previously discussed, one of the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a thorough review process that confirms you will obtain a superior education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, since a large number of programs are not offered for non-accredited schools. Last, having a certificate or degree from an accredited college is in many cases a prerequisite for employment for many Rancho Santa Margarita CA area veterinary clinics and hospitals.
What is the College's Reputation? The veterinary college or trade school and program you select should have an exceptional reputation within the vet 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 suggestions include looking on internet school ranking websites and contacting the school's accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the California school licensing authority if there have been any complaints or infractions concerning your specific schools. As a final pointer, call some Rancho Santa Margarita CA veterinary clinics that you might wish to work for after you receive your training. Ask what they think about your school selections. They may even recommend one or more schools not on your list.
Are there Internship Programs? The best way to obtain clinical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a professional setting. Find out if the colleges you are looking at have internship programs set up with Rancho Santa Margarita CA veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. The majority of veterinary medicine programs require clinical training and many provide it through internships. Not only will the experience be valuable relative to the clinical training, but an internship can also help build connections in the local veterinarian community and assist in the search for employment after graduation.
Is Job Assistance Offered? Searching for a job after graduating from a veterinary technician school can be difficult without the help of a job placement program. To begin with, ask what the graduation rates are for the programs you are considering. A lower rate might suggest that the instructors were unqualified to teach the course of study or that a number of students were unhappy with the program and dropped out. Next, verify that the schools have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate could mean that the college has an excellent reputation within the Rancho Santa Margarita CA veterinary community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A low rate might mean that the training is not highly regarded by employers or that the job assistance program is ineffective at placing students.
How Large are the Classes? If the classes are larger sized, you most likely will get little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Rancho Santa Margarita CA schools you are looking at what their class teacher to student ratios are. You may also decide to sit in on a couple of classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between teachers and students. Get evaluations from students relating to 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 Campus Located? Of course, we previously covered location, but there are a few more points to make on the subject. If you are going to commute to your vet tech classes from your Rancho Santa Margarita CA home, you need to confirm that the driving time fits into your schedule. For instance, driving during the weekend to investigate the route won't be the same as the commute during rush hour traffic, particularly if the school is located in or close by a large city. In addition, if you do opt to enroll in a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition fees particularly for state and community colleges. Of course taking online classes may be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and decrease the need for travel.
Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And last, it's important that you ascertain if the veterinarian colleges you are considering offer class times flexible enough to accommodate 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 Rancho Santa Margarita CA. Some may only be able to attend classes in the morning or later in the afternoon. Confirm that the class times you require are available before enrolling. Also, determine if you can make up classes that you may miss as a result of work, illness or family issues. You may find that an online school is the best way to fit your veterinary education into your active life.