hii!! i want to become a veterinary radiologist. right now im a junior in hs, i haven’t taken the sat, but im in IB and my weighted gpa is a 4.6. i really want to go to UMiami but i recently saw that they dont have a veterinary school. I want to stay in florida. what other good schools should i apply to in fl? tysm in advance…
If you want to be pre vet, anywhere. Vet school is after.
If you want to be a technician, the answer may be different.
Tagging @DadTwoGirls
University of Florida has a veterinary school. But you don’t have to go to the same undergrad as veterinary school.
@tsbna44 a veterinary radiologists is a vet with advanced training. It’s not a technician.
Here is what the student needs to do:
How to become a veterinary radiologist
You must first become a certified veterinarian before receiving training and an exam to officially be a veterinary radiologist. Follow these steps to become a veterinary radiologist:
- Earn your bachelor’s degree
You must first attend an undergraduate program to learn the basics of biological and natural sciences. Earn your bachelor’s degree in a biological sciences field of study to take the necessary prerequisite courses. Taking these courses can increase your chances of acceptance into your preferred veterinary program. These classes should focus on basic health sciences by offering practical courses both in the classroom and in a laboratory.Related: 35 Medical Jobs You Can Get With an Associate Degree
- Receive on-the-job experience
Work with animals during your undergraduate program by volunteering at humane societies, pursuing internships offered by your programs or working as a part-time veterinary technician or assistant in a clinical setting. Receiving hands-on experience helps you understand what it’s like to work in this field before committing to a full-time role. You can also list this on your veterinary school application, as most programs require experience working with animals.Related: What Is a Veterinary Technician? Degree and Requirements
- Take the MCAT check to see if the vet schools you are applying to require this. Some do and some don’t
After graduating with your bachelor’s degree, study for the Medical College Admissions test. You must receive a strong test score to get into the veterinary school of your choice, which must have an accreditation from the American Veterinary Medical Association. Conduct online research on your preferred veterinary school to determine the score needed to receive acceptance to the program.
- Enroll in veterinary school
Review the requirements of the veterinary program you’re applying for to understand what materials you need to enroll. These programs take approximately four years to complete as you focus on coursework, clinical training, laboratory experience, examinations and hands-on procedures. These courses teach various subjects related to veterinary sciences, including immunology, animal animal anatomy, pathology, veterinary practice, microbiology and cell biology.Common application materials most veterinary programs require include:
- Proven experience working with animals in clinical settings
- GPA results
- MCAT scores (if required)
- Recommendation letters
- Personal statement or admissions essay
Related: Q&A: How Long Is Veterinarian School?
5. Complete a post-doctoral residency program
After you finish school and become an official veterinarian, you must complete a residency program to earn the title of a veterinary radiologist. During this program, you receive direct supervision from a veterinary radiologist who teaches and trains you on subjects like large and small animal radiology, large and small animal ultrasound, computerized tomography, nuclear medicine and computerized tomography and MRI. This residency typically takes around one to two years to complete.Related: How Long Does It Take to Become a Radiologist?
- Pass the American College of Veterinary Radiologists exam
After finishing the residency program, you can officially become a veterinary radiologist by passing the board certification exam for radiology that the American College of Veterinary Radiologist provides. This test grades you on the knowledge you’ve gained over the one to two years of hands-on training you received during your residency program. Once you pass this exam, you receive diplomate status in the radiology veterinarian specialty.
- Continue renewing your board-certified status
From there, you must continue your education each year by taking additional courses to maintain your status as a board-certified veterinary radiologist. This allows you to stay updated on new technical and scientific discoveries and other advancements in the field. You can earn these additional credits by participating in laboratory experiments or attending lectures in person or online.
2 Likes
Just to make sure that I understand the goal.
A veterinary radiologist is a veterinarian (DVM) who also has additional special training related to radiology. My understanding is that this requires a three or four year radiology residency program that you complete after getting a DVM:
A veterinary radiology technician is not quite as difficult a road (and involves somewhat less training and expertise). I am not sure if the details of how to become one vary by state or not:
My knowledge in this area is mostly limited to having a daughter who is in the fourth year of a DVM program, plus anything that I have learned from her and/or found just now in a Google search. I can talk a bit about the path to become a DVM.
Basically just becoming a DVM is already a long and difficult and expensive path. First you get a bachelor’s degree plus significant experience with animals, including experience in a veterinary situation. Then you apply to DVM programs and hopefully get in somewhere. Then you study for another four years in the DVM program. At the end of this you have earned a doctorate in veterinary medicine and you are a veterinarian. This requires eight years of university, much of which is academically very challenging. To get through this much requires strong academic ability, good study skills, a great deal of determination, the willingness to put up with some yuck and some being bitten and/or pooped on, and the ability to somehow pay for 8 years of university.
My daughter got her bachelor’s degree at a university that does not have a DVM program, but that does have a good animal science program and that is good for pre-vet students. She did get some experience with both horses and cows, and a few smaller animals. The required pre-vet classes were the same as required premed classes, were academically very challenging, and were full of very strong premed students even at a university that was ranked somewhere around 100 or so. Some of her friends were premed (a few of which either have gotten their MD or will in the near future).
One major issue for most students is the cost of all of this. You would be advised to get your bachelor’s degree at a university that is affordable, preferably while leaving some money in the bank or 529 for your DVM program. It also would be valuable if you can get some veterinary experience, but this can be either while in university, or over the summer, or as a job (probably a low paying job) after you get your bachelor’s degree. Both small and large animal experience can be valuable.
My understanding is that residency programs are typically paid, but not paid super well. Thus if there is any way to get through a DVM without debt that would make it easier to be able to take on the residency afterward.
Do you know what your budget is for a full 8 years of university?
You do have multiple very good public universities in Florida. Unfortunately the distinctions between them, and which would have good animal science programs and large animals in the area, are not something that I personally know about (we live way to the north of you).
4 Likes
Yes but there are radiologists but also technicians. Just clarifying to be sure.
Well familiar with the human difference - unfortunately.
My son has recently graduated veterinary school and is doing an internship now. Next he will specialize for 3-4 years to become a board certified veterinary radiologist. This is not an easy path.
As stated above you can go to any undergrad schools that offer the prerequisite classes required for vet school. You can look at Florida State’s Vet School web site to see what their requirements are. Grades are key! Most schools no longer require the GRE and none we know of require the MCAT. After grades you need experience. Shadow, work as a vet assistant or vet tech, volunteer, get leadership and people experience. You will need strong letters of recommendation.
After getting into vet school which in itself is hard you have 3-4 years of vet school. FSU is typical 4 year program. There are some new accelerated programs that are 3 years year round. I don’t usually recommend them for someone wanting to specialize is radiology.
After vet school you go into the match for a one year rotating internship. Then the next year you apply again for a one year specialty internship or 3-4 year radiology residency. Then you have to pass the board exam. Last year many programs had 80 applicants for one or two residencies.
Internships and residencies are paid but pay tiny salaries! Plus many say you may not work outside the program to earn extra.
The key is that you have to be super motivated, be willing to accept the debt of vet school (unless you are really lucky to have someone who can fund it). Go to the cheapest undergrad school you can that has the prerequisites.
All that saying this path has worked well for my son who is right on track. Good luck!
7 Likes
This topic was automatically closed 180 days after the last reply. If you’d like to reply, please flag the thread for moderator attention.