Last Updated on June 23, 2022 by Laura Turner
Updated August 15, 2019 – SDN, along with the VIN Foundation and the American Pre-Veterinary Medical Association (APVMA), conducted an “Apply Smarter” webinar for pre-veterinary students. It covered strategies for applying to veterinary school and minimizing student debt. You can view a recording of the “Apply Smarter” webinar and download the free “Apply Smarter Checklist” at https://vetschoolbound.org/applysmarter.
A veterinary degree can cost as much as or more than a medical school degree and more than the average U.S. home mortgage. However, starting veterinary salaries are about ½ to ⅓ of what a new physician can earn.
The goal of the Apply Smarter webinar is to save future veterinarians years of heartache and financial stress. It will help pre-veterinary students narrow their target list of schools to those where they have the best odds of acceptance. Additionally, the tips provided can potentially save them hundreds of thousands of dollars in student loan debt.
“Educating pre-veterinary students on the wide range of veterinary school costs and student loan impacts prior to applications is vital to helping them make educated decisions and reducing the financial stress we see with many new graduate veterinarians,” said student debt educator and VIN Foundation board member Tony Bartels, DMV, MBA. “By collaborating with SDN and APVMA we are bringing together organizations on the forefront of educating pre-veterinary students and the future of the veterinary profession.”
“Student Doctor Network is excited to partner with VIN Foundation and the APVMA,” said Student Doctor Executive Director, Laura Turner. “We share their passion for helping pre-veterinary students with free resources to aid in their application process.”
“APVMA is excited to partner with the VIN Foundation and Student Doctor Network,” stated APVMA Vice President Ian Brown. “We’re looking forward to informing future veterinary students on smart ways on applying to veterinary school and how to save an extra penny in the process!”
Those who register for the Apply Smarter Webinar will be kept up to date on student debt and application information for veterinary school. They will also receive a recording of the webinar and the ability to ask further veterinary school application and student debt questions.
About the VIN Foundation
The VIN Foundation was created by members of the Veterinary Information Network (VIN) in 2005. VIN is an online community of veterinarians and veterinary students with over 70,000 members worldwide. Learn more about the VIN Foundation and its resources at https://VINFoundation.org. The VIN Foundation, a platinum level nonprofit, is made possible through generous gifts by individual donors and grants; all gifts made to the VIN Foundation are tax deductible.
About Student Doctor Network
Student Doctor Network (SDN) brings together thousands of current and future healthcare students and professionals into one community. They can share information, offer guidance, and provide encouragement to their peers and those coming up behind them. Whether considering a gap year, struggling with the intensity of their classes, or navigating the Match, members can find someone who understands what they’re facing.
About American Pre-Veterinary Medical Association
The American Pre-Veterinary Medical Association (APVMA) is a national organization of students. Our goal is to promote and stimulate interest in the field of veterinary medicine, provide open communication between pre-veterinary clubs and organizations nationally, provide resources to students on pursuing the field of veterinary medicine, and hold the annual national APVMA symposium allowing students to network with various organizations and communicate amongst each other face-to-face.
Laura Turner, MS, is the Executive Director of the Health Professional Student Association (HPSA), which publishes the Student Doctor Network (SDN). Prior to working with HPSA, she served for eight years as the Executive Director of SDN. At HPSA and SDN, Laura has been instrumental in providing students with tools and resources to pursue their aspirations in healthcare. Her previous roles include business analyst positions at The Capital Group and product management and marketing roles at software companies Paciolan, Adexa, and MSC Software.
In her current role at HPSA, Laura continues to drive innovation and forge partnerships to better support aspiring healthcare professionals. She is grateful for the opportunity to help countless individuals to achieve their dreams.