For parents and educators

Parents

Academic Preparation

As with any professional school, veterinary school curriculum is quite rigorous. The more high school students can hone their study skills, the better. They will want a strong background in science, math, writing and critical thinking.

Encourage your student to take challenging courses during the senior year as well. Many students want to take things easier their senior year. However, those who challenge themselves usually have an easier transition to college-level courses.

A few additional suggestions:

• Students will take biology, chemistry and physics as part of their pre-vet curriculum. Taking these classes in high school is great preparation.
• Take math during the senior year. Four years of math are required for admission to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. But an even more important factor is that taking a year off from math can make future courses more difficult.
• Although two years of foreign language is required for admission to the university, taking three or four years of that language certainly can be beneficial.
• Should high school students take college courses in high school? There is no one answer that fits every situation. It is often a great idea to take challenging courses. But there may be facets to course selection that should be discussed with a college contact. It is always a good idea to consult your child’s future college choices for additional information.
• Beyond their academic preparation, veterinary school admissions committees also consider the student’s career exploration and leadership development.

Career Exploration

• Veterinary schools want to know that the student has some knowledge about what it takes to be a vet. Shadowing a current vet is a great way to do this.
• Have your student contact your veterinarian and ask for an opportunity to shadow him or her. Perhaps talk through with your student before the meeting about questions to ask.
• After the meeting, encourage your student to keep a record of the experience, including a sentence or two about observations and impressions. These records will come in handy when applying for scholarships and for vet school a few years in the future.

Leadership Development

• Part of the application and interview process for veterinary school will revolve around the student’s leadership experiences. Encourage your student to get involved in clubs and organizations, whether at school, at church or in the community.
• It’s a great idea for the student to take a leadership role when it’s appropriate to do so. It’s considered a stronger demonstration of leadership to belong to one or two groups with a lot of involvement than to belong to many groups in name only. Again, keeping records will be valuable later.

Life beyond the classroom

Perhaps the biggest adjustment for new college students is life beyond the classroom. Here are some topics for discussion and practical preparation that can happen well before the student leaves for campus:

• Time management often is the biggest adjustment for new college students. Encourage your student to begin to use a planner, whether on paper or in an electronic form.
• If your student isn’t using an alarm clock to get himself or herself up in the morning, this is a good time to practice that skill.
• Where possible, encourage your student to complete scholarship and admission applications either on their own or together with you.
• Everyday tasks: does your student know how to do the following?
  • Laundry (for example, white shirts and blue jeans probably don’t belong in the same wash load)
  • Basic car maintenance: Your student may be able to put gas in the car, but can he/she open the hood, check the oil or add windshield washer fluid? Do you want them to do those things? (And while we’re on the subject…do you want an emergency service like AAA for your student? It may not be necessary, but it’s good to discuss.)
  • Balance a bank account
  • Use credit responsibly

College is a great experience for your student—and for you! You’ve done a great job preparing your student to become a responsible young adult. Now you’ll have a chance to watch them (and your relationship) mature as that development continues.