IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
Questions to Ask Veterinary Technician Colleges
By now you probably have decided on which veterinary credential that you want to earn, and if you want to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are a large number of vet community colleges, vocational and technical schools in the Fond Du Lac WI area as well as across the United States, you need to ask some qualifying questions to help narrow down your list of alternatives. As we pointed out in our opening, many future students start by concentrating on location and the cost of tuition. But we have already pointed out other significant qualifiers, such as internship programs and accreditation. And obviously you need to select a program that offers the degree and specialty that you are interested in. These and other qualifications are covered in the checklist of questions that you need to ask the vet tech schools that you are reviewing.
Is the Veterinary Program Accredited? It's important that you make sure that the vet tech school you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously 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 thorough review process that ensures you will obtain a superior education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, since many programs are not offered for non-accredited colleges. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited school is frequently a requirement for employment for a number of Fond Du Lac WI area vet practices and hospitals.
What is the Program's Reputation? The vet college or vocational school and program you choose should have an outstanding reputation within the veterinarian field. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the schools you are interested in for endorsements from the employers in their job assistance network. Other tips include looking on internet school rating websites and speaking with the school's accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the Wisconsin school licensing department if there have been any complaints or infractions involving your specific schools. As a final recommendation, get in touch with some Fond Du Lac WI veterinary clinics that you might wish to work for after you receive your training. Find out what they think of your school selections. They may even recommend one or more programs not on your list.
Are Internships Offered? The best approach to get practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a medical environment. Find out if the colleges you are considering have internship programs arranged with Fond Du Lac WI veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. Almost all veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and many provide it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be valuable relative to the clinical training, but an internship can also help build relationships in the local veterinarian community and aid in the search for a position after graduation.
Is Job Assistance Provided? Searching for a job after graduating from a veterinary technician program may be difficult without the help of a job placement program. First, find out what the graduation rates are for the schools you are evaluating. A low rate could suggest that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the curriculum or that some students were unhappy with the program and quit. Next, check that the colleges have a job assistance program and find out what their placement rates are. A high placement rate could mean that the school has an excellent reputation within the Fond Du Lac WI vet community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate could mean that the training is not well 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 may get little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Fond Du Lac WI colleges you are looking at what their classroom student to teacher ratios are. You may also want to attend a couple of classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and teachers. Ask for evaluations from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the teachers and find out what their backgrounds are as well as their approaches to teaching.
Where is the School Located? Of course, we already discussed location, but there are a couple of more points to make on the topic. If you are going to drive to your vet tech classes from your Fond Du Lac WI home, you need to make certain that the driving 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, especially if the campus is located in or close by 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 costs particularly for community and state colleges. Of course attending online classes could be an option that will give you more flexibility and decrease the need for travel.
Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And finally, it's important that you find out if the vet colleges you are considering offer class times flexible enough to accommodate your schedule. For instance, a number of students continue to work full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Fond Du Lac WI. Others might only be able to go to class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you need are offered prior to enrolling. Also, find out if you can make-up classes that you may miss due to sickness, work or family emergencies. You might find that an online program is the best solution to fit your veterinary education into your busy life.