Once you’ve completed all vet school requirements and submitted your applications, you can breathe a little easier. The hard work is behind you. Now you should start to hone in on the school you feel will best help you attain your career goals as you learn which programs have offered you a seat.
Before you make your final school selection, make sure to fully investigate each of your options. Among other evaluation criteria, you might compare curriculums or review instructor credentials.
If you’re interested in the School of Veterinary Medicine at St. George’s University (SGU), you’ve probably already done some preliminary research. Even still, there are some significant highlights you might not have uncovered on your own.
10 facts about the SGU Veterinary Program
As you’re comparing veterinary programs, keep the following facts in mind about the SGU School of Veterinary Medicine.
1. SGU offers plenty of opportunities for getting hands-on animal experience
Most Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) students enter the field because they want to work with animals, so it’s important to have plenty of exposure. Lysa Selli, director of recruitment and admissions for the School of Veterinary Medicine, says their students enjoy the hands-on learning opportunities.
“We bring our students to our Small Animal Clinic, the Large Animal Research Facility, and our farms during their first year of veterinary school,” Lysa explains. “In many cases, students in US veterinary schools don’t typically get to actually touch an animal until their third year.”
To illustrate the point further, consider some of the most common procedures veterinarians perform, such as spays and neuters. US students often perform only one of these surgeries, or maybe only part of one, during their first three years of school. Lysa notes that SGU students are typically doing between four and five and in some cases more, as the lead surgeon.
Most DVMs want to begin practicing soon after school, but many find they first need to complete an internship year in order to receive an adequate amount of hands-on training.
“SGU graduates tend to be quite comfortable in those skills and may be ready to dive into the workforce and start earning an income,” Lysa says.
2. NAVLE pass rates have been consistently solid
The North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE) is the most important test any future vet will take since you cannot obtain your license to practice without a passing score. Over the last five years, 82 percent of SGU students and graduates passed the test.*
3. SGU’s clinical program spans multiple countries and interests
Your final year of veterinary school is spent completing clinical rotations. One of the advantages of attending SGU is the variety of options available for these clinical experiences. Students have the opportunity to complete their training at one of 30+ affiliated schools of veterinary medicine located in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Ireland, the Netherlands and Australia.
Furthermore, SGU students have the ability to complete rotations at a location that aligns with their career interests. For instance, a student who wants to be a dairy vet might opt to go to the University of Wisconsin for their rotations, Lysa says.
4. Graduates are making a difference around the globe
SGU takes pride in fostering a global community. That doesn’t end when students leave campus. The SGU alumni network includes more than 2,700 School of Veterinary Medicine graduates in the US and around the world who are part of a strong alumni network. They have practiced in 49 US states and 16 countries worldwide. **
Kate Williams, DVM ’18, is a veterinary surgeon at Palmerstown Veterinary Hospital in Dublin, Ireland, one of the few exotic animal hospitals in the country. She specializes in zoological medicine and soft tissue surgery and has a deep passion for wildlife conservation.
“SGU gave me an outstanding education,” Dr. Williams says. “Particularly on the practical side, the education I received was excellent and put me at an advantage for my clinical year. Those skills gave me the confidence to excel in that year and beyond graduation. It gave me a foundation to be a better vet.”
5. Dual-degree programs can bolster your DVM
It’s quite common for veterinary students with diverse interests to pursue a second graduate degree. What sets SGU apart is its commitment to supporting these ambitions—offering a variety of dual-degree programs that allow students to expand their expertise and follow multiple passions, all within one dynamic veterinary program.
- The DVM/MSc program offers a dual Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and Master of Science degrees, which is a great option for those interested in an advanced research career. Students in this program can conduct research in nine different areas of focus.
- The DVM/MPH program offers a dual Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and Master of Public Health, which helps educate future veterinary public health experts by teaching students about the intersection of animal and human health.
- The DVM/MBA program offers a dual Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and Master of Business Administration in multi-sector health management, which can help improve your business skills while promoting an understanding of the complexities of operating a veterinary practice.
Obtaining a second degree is more than just a resume builder. Some SGU graduates have found themselves in roles that wouldn’t have been attainable without the additional training.
“Soon after I got my MBA, I was hired as a medical director for a 24/7 emergency and general practice veterinary hospital that had 12 doctors and over 30 support staff. I would never have been considered in the running for the medical director position if I didn’t have my MBA,” according to Jennifer Lopez, DVM ’11/MBA ’13. “The MBA at SGU really helped me understand the financial and marketing management side of the business and how to think strategically.”
6. Students can pursue a variety of research opportunities
Even students who don’t plan to obtain an additional science degree can pursue research opportunities . The School of Veterinary Medicine has a tradition of enabling DVM students to weave research projects into their education. Students can choose from several areas of research, including vector-borne diseases, aquatic animal diseases, zoonoses and public health research, or parasitology.
7. Financial aid options may be available
There’s no denying that veterinary school is a substantial investment. SGU aims to ease the financial burden for students by participating in loan programs for those from both the US and Canada. There are also scholarship opportunities for eligible students.
8. Different DVM programs accommodate students from an array of education systems
While students from Canada and the US typically complete a four-year undergraduate degree before attending the DVM program, things can vary for students coming from countries with substantially different education systems.
SGU offers paths that range from four to seven years to meet the needs of an international study body. Eligible students also have the ability to obtain a bachelor’s degree en route to their DVM.
9. SGU student organizations and support services prioritize the student experience
SGU wants students to thrive as they work their way through school. This is why student support services are in place to provide assistance with everything from test-taking strategies to psychological counseling.
You can also choose to participate in organized sports or get involved with any of the student organizations. There are 17 different veterinary organizations that can help you connect with fellow students while learning more about a particular area of interest.
10. As a top travel destination, Grenada is a great place to live and study
Many SVM graduates will tell you living in the Caribbean is great and Grenada is fantastic place to live and study veterinary medicine.
John Nugra, DVM ’24, will begin an animal dermatology residency in California this summer. While on island, he made sure to seize every opportunity to expand his knowledge and skills, while soaking up island life.
“Although I was in the Caribbean to study veterinary medicine and earn my degree, I made sure to embrace everything Grenada had to offer,” he says. “From the beaches and hiking trails to boat trips and dancing, the experiences I shared with my classmates and friends will always be some of my most cherished memories.”
Pursue your veterinary medicine path
While you have a lot to consider when determining which veterinary program to attend, you can see the SGU School of Veterinary Medicine offers some unique benefits. The school focuses on teaching students the real-world skills they’ll need to succeed in veterinary medicine. Learn more about how the program can help you reach your career goals by heading to SGU’s request information page.
This article has been updated from June 2022 to include current facts and figures.
* According to International Council of Veterinary Assessment reports, 2020-2024
** Based on number of students who have completed the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) program from 2003-2024.
