Applying to Vet School: Letters of Recommendation

Letters of Recommendation

Letters of recommendation are a key component of your application. In my opinion, you will not be accepted to veterinary school without solid letters of recommendation. Although each school varies, many schools require 3 letters of recommendation. Sometimes, the school requires one letter be from a veterinarian, professor, or employer. Outside of the actual letter that is submitted, these people also mark a “grade sheet” of sorts that ranks you in terms of leadership, ability to work with animals, and communication among other things. So now who should you ask to write your letters and what can you do right now to “build” a solid letter of recommendation? I will try in give you these answers below:

Who should you ask?

Veterinarians- Often schools require that one letter be from a veterinarian, but this is a must even if it is not required. You want a veterinarian that has seen you work with animals, communicate with people, and had known you a long length of time. Again, depending on what the application requirements are, using more that one veterinarian is a good idea.

Professors/teachers- I would recommend a teacher that teaches a class involved with science, and a class that you have done well in. Also, you will want a teacher that you have actually worked or talked with outside of class. You want your letter to give the school more that you are a good student, but also attest to your communication, leadership, and integrity. Furthermore, it’s best to choose a college professor over a high school teacher.

Employers- These sources are good to verify your leadership, communication, dedication, integrity, and responsibility. Again, it’s best to use an employer you have worked with for a while and hold you in high regard.

Other- The three above would all make excellent choices for letters of recommendation. In case you need more letter or sources, the rules for choosing someone is fairly simple. You want a person (not family) that can prove you have the key traits to be a veterinarian. Its best to choose people that have known you a long time and can provide concrete details to show who you truly are.


What can you do now?

Start making strong relationships with people that hold the above positions. The longer and more complete these people know you, the better the letter of recommendation they can write. If your letters show that the person writing them has only known you 4 months, this will not carry the weight of a letter from a long time associate.

How I did it was easy and simple:

1) I started working a veterinary hospital in high school and during some college breaks I would return there to work. I built strong relationship with the owner and head veterinarian at the practice. Both of them wrote me letters of recommendation.

2) In college I did a summer internship with my advisor/professor. Not only did I work for her for a summer, but also visited with her outside of class at least once a semester. She wrote my other letter of recommendation.

So there you have it, 3 letters, one form a professor, veterinarian, and employer. Now go out there and meet with these people in your lives, I promise it will give a huge boost to your application.

Be sure to check out the basic attributes veterinary schools look for in their applicants. I’m talking more that just smart and animal-loving, but some other key attributes that schools believe all their students should posses. This can really help you write your personal statement, describe your past jobs and duties, and choose you letters of recommendation so that these attributes are highlighted.