IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
What to Ask Vet Tech Colleges
At this point you should have decided on which veterinarian credential that you would like to earn, and if you want to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are an abundance of vet community colleges, trade and vocational schools in the Greeley CO area as well as across the Country, you need to ask some important questions in order to narrow down your list of alternatives. As we mentioned in our introduction, many prospective students start by focusing on location and the cost of tuition. But we have previously pointed out other essential qualifiers, such as internship programs and accreditation. And obviously you want to select a school that offers the specialty and degree that you would like to earn. These and other qualifications are covered in the checklist of questions that you should ask the veterinary technician schools that you are considering.
Is the Vet School Accredited? It's essential that you verify that the vet tech program you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As earlier discussed, among the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a rigorous screening process that confirms you will obtain a superior education. Also, accreditation is important if you are applying for a student loan or financial assistance, since numerous programs are not available for non-accredited schools. Last, having a certificate or degree from an accredited college is frequently a prerequisite for employment for many Greeley CO area veterinarian clinics and hospitals.
What is the Program's Reputation? The vet vocational school or college and program you choose should have an excellent reputation within the veterinary field. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the colleges you are interested in for references from the employers in their job placement network. Other suggestions include checking with internet school ranking websites and contacting the school's accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the Colorado school licensing authority if there have been any complaints or violations concerning your specific schools. As a final tip, get in touch with some Greeley CO veterinarians that you may want to work for after you receive your training. Ask what they think of your school selections. They might even suggest some colleges not on your list.
Are Internships Offered? The best way to obtain practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a clinical setting. Find out if the schools you are looking at have internship programs arranged with Greeley CO veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. Almost all veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and a large number provide it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable relative to the clinical training, but an internship can also help build associations in the local veterinarian community and help in the search for a job after graduation.
Is Job Assistance Offered? Getting a job after graduating from a vet tech program can be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. First, ask what the graduation rates are for the schools you are reviewing. A low rate might suggest that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the curriculum or that a number of students were unhappy with the program and quit. Next, check that the colleges have a job placement program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate may mean that the college has an outstanding reputation within the Greeley CO vet community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate might mean that the training is not highly regarded by employers or that the job assistance program is ineffective at placing students.
How Big are the Classes? If the classes are bigger, you most likely will get little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Greeley CO colleges you are looking at what their class student to teacher ratios are. You may also want to attend some classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between students and teachers. Ask for evaluations from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the instructors and find out what their qualifications are as well as their methods of teaching.
Where is the College Located? Yes, we previously covered location, but there are a few more points to make on the topic. If you are planning to commute to your veterinary technician classes from your Greeley CO home, you need to make sure 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 college is located in or close by a larger city. In addition, if you do opt to attend a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition costs especially for state and community colleges. On the other hand, taking online classes might be an option that will give you more flexibility and reduce the necessity for travel.
Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And finally, it's important that you find out if the veterinary schools you are exploring offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to fit your schedule. For instance, a number of students continue working full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or at night near Greeley CO. Some may only be able to attend class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Verify that the class times you need are offered prior to enrolling. In addition, find out if you can make up classes that you may miss because of work, illness or family issues. You might discover that an online college is the best way to fit your veterinary education into your active life.