IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
Questions to Ask Veterinary Technician Colleges
By now you probably have determined which veterinary degree that you wish to obtain, and if you intend 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 Madison WI area as well as across the Country, you should ask some relevant questions in order to narrow down your list of alternatives. As we discussed in our opening, many prospective students start by concentrating on location and the cost of tuition. But we have previously mentioned other essential qualifiers, such as internship programs and accreditation. And naturally you need to enroll in a program that offers the degree and specialty that you want to earn. These and other qualifications are addressed in the list of questions that you should ask the vet tech schools that you are reviewing.
Is the Veterinary School Accredited? It's imperative that you confirm that the vet tech college you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As earlier discussed, one of the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through a demanding screening process that ensures you will get a superior education. Also, accreditation is important if you are applying for a student loan or financial assistance, since many programs are not available for non-accredited programs. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited program is in many cases a requirement for employment for many Madison WI area veterinary clinics and hospitals.
What is the Program's Reputation? The vet college or trade school and program you enroll in must have an excellent reputation within the veterinarian field. You can begin your due diligence by asking the colleges you are reviewing for testimonials from the employers in their job placement network. Other tips include checking with online school ranking websites and speaking with the school's accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the Wisconsin school licensing department if there have been any grievances or violations relating to your specific schools. As a final recommendation, phone some Madison WI veterinarians that you might want to work for after you receive your training. Ask what they think of your school choices. They may even suggest one or more programs not on your list.
Are there Internship Programs? The best way to obtain clinical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a professional setting. Ask if the schools you are reviewing have internship programs established with Madison WI veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. Almost all veterinary medicine programs require clinical training and many provide it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable relative to the practical training, but an internship may also help develop connections in the local veterinary community and help in the search for a position after graduation.
Is there a Job Placement Program? Searching for a job after graduating from a veterinary technician school can be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. To begin with, find out what the graduation rates are for the schools you are considering. A lower rate may suggest that the instructors were unqualified to teach the course of study or that some students were dissatisfied with the program and dropped out. Next, check that the schools have a job placement program and find out what their placement rates are. A high placement rate may indicate that the program has an excellent reputation within the Madison WI veterinarian community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate might indicate that the training is not well regarded by employers or that the job placement program is ineffective at placing students.
How Large are the Classes? If the classes are larger in size, you most likely will receive little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Request from the Madison WI schools you are looking at what their class teacher to student ratios are. You may also decide to attend a couple of classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between instructors and students. Ask for feedback from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the instructors and determine what their backgrounds are as well as their approaches to teaching.
Where is the College Located? Okay, we already discussed location, but there are several more points to make on the subject. If you are planning to commute to your vet tech classes from your Madison WI home, you must confirm that the commuting time is compatible with 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 larger city. In addition, if you do choose to attend a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition fees especially for state and community colleges. Of course taking classes online could be an alternative that will give you more flexibility and reduce the need for travel.
Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And last, it's important that you determine if the veterinarian colleges 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 go to classes on the weekends or at night near Madison WI. Some might only be able to go to classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Verify that the class times you need are offered prior to enrolling. Also, determine if you can make up classes that you might miss due to work, illness or family responsibilities. You may discover that an online school is the best way to fit your vet training into your hectic life.