IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
Things to Ask Vet Tech Schools
At this point you probably have decided on which veterinarian credential that you would like to attain, and if you intend to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are an abundance of vet community colleges, vocational and trade schools in the Centennial CO area and across the United States, you should ask some relevant questions in order to narrow down your list of options. As we mentioned in our opening, many prospective students start by concentrating on location and tuition expense. But we have already pointed out other important qualifiers, such as accreditation and internship programs. And of course you need to select a school that offers the specialty and degree that you are interested in. These and other factors are covered in the list of questions that you should ask the vet tech colleges that you are reviewing.
Is the Vet Program Accredited? It's important that you make sure that the veterinary technician program you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As earlier 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 gone through a demanding screening process that confirms you will obtain a quality education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, since many programs are not available for non-accredited programs. Last, having a certificate or degree from an accredited school is frequently a prerequisite for employment for a number of Centennial CO area vet practices and hospitals.
What is the College's Reputation? The vet college or vocational school and program you enroll in should have an outstanding reputation within the veterinary field. You can start your due diligence by asking the colleges you are looking at for testimonials from the employers in their job assistance network. Other pointers include looking on online school rating websites and contacting the school's accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the Colorado school licensing department if there have been any grievances or infractions relating to your specific schools. As a final pointer, phone some Centennial CO veterinary clinics that you may wish to work for after you go through your training. Find out what they think about your school choices. They might even recommend one or more schools not on your list.
Are there Internship Programs? The most effective way to get practical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a professional environment. Find out if the colleges you are reviewing have internship programs set up with Centennial CO veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. The majority of veterinary medicine programs require practical training and many furnish it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable relative to the clinical training, but an internship can also help establish connections in the local veterinary community and aid in the search for employment after graduation.
Is Job Assistance Offered? Getting a job after graduating from a vet tech school may be difficult without the help of a job placement program. To start with, find out what the graduation rates are for the programs you are evaluating. A low rate may mean that the teachers were unqualified to teach the syllabus or that a number of students were unhappy with the program and quit. Next, verify that the schools have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate could signify that the college has an excellent reputation within the Centennial CO veterinary community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A low rate might indicate that the training is not well thought of by employers or that the job assistance program is a failure at placing students.
How Large are the Classes? If the classes are larger, you probably will get little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Centennial CO programs you are considering what their classroom student to teacher ratios are. You might also want to participate in some classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between instructors and students. 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 approaches to teaching.
Where is the Campus Located? Of course, we already discussed location, but there are a couple of more points to make on the subject. If you are planning to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your Centennial CO home, you need to confirm that the driving time is compatible with your schedule. For example, 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 near a larger city. In addition, if you do decide to attend a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition fees particularly for state and community colleges. On the other hand, taking classes online could be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and minimize the need for travel.
Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And finally, it's imperative that you find out if the vet programs you are exploring offer class times flexible enough to accommodate your schedule. For instance, a number of students continue to work full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or at night near Centennial CO. Some might only be able to attend class in the morning or in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you require are offered prior to enrolling. In addition, determine if you can make-up classes that you may miss due to work, sickness or family emergencies. You might find that an online college is the best solution to fit your vet education into your busy life.