Once youโve 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 youโre interested in the School of Veterinary Medicine at St. Georgeโs University (SGU), youโve 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 youโre 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 itโs 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.
โWe bring our students to our Small Animal Clinic, the Large Animal Research Facility, and our farmsย during their first year of veterinary school,โ Lysa explains. โIn many cases, students in US veterinary schools donโt typically get to actually touch an animal until their third year.โ
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 doingย 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.
โSGU graduates tend to be quite comfortable in those skills and may be ready to dive into the workforce and start earning an income,โ 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. SGUโs 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 doesnโt end when students leave campus. The SGU alumni network includes more thanย 2,700 School of Veterinary Medicine graduatesย in the US and around the world who are part of a strong alumni network. They have practiced inย 49 US states and 16 countries worldwide. **
Kate Williams, DVM โ18, 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.
โSGU gave me an outstanding education,โ Dr. Williams says. โParticularly 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.โ
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 ambitionsโoffering a variety of dual-degree programs that allow students to expand their expertise and follow multiple passions, all within one dynamic veterinary program.
- Theย DVM/MSc programย 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.
- Theย DVM/MPH programย 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 wouldnโt have been attainable without the additional training.
โSoon after I got my MBA, I was hired as a medical director for aย 24/7ย 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 didnโt have my MBA,โ according to Jennifer Lopez, DVM โ11/MBA โ13. โThe MBA at SGU really helped me understand the financial and marketing management side of the business and how to think strategically.โ
6. Students can pursue a variety of research opportunities
Even students who donโt plan to obtain an additional science degree can pursue research opportunitiesย . 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
Thereโs no denying that veterinary school is a substantial investment. SGU aims to ease the financial burden for students by participating inย loan programsย for those from both the US and Canada. There are also scholarship opportunitiesย 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 thatย range from four to sevenย years to meet the needs of an international study body. Eligible students also have the ability to obtain a bachelorโs 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 whyย student support servicesย are in place to provide assistance with everything from test-taking strategies to psychological counseling.
You can also choose to participate inย organized sportsย or get involved with any of theย 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 โ24, 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.
โAlthough I was in the Caribbean to study veterinary medicine and earn my degree, I made sure to embrace everything Grenada had to offer,โ he says. โFrom 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.โ
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 theyโll need to succeed in veterinary medicine. Learn more about how the program can help you reach your career goals by heading to SGUโs 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.ย
