If you’re curious about the 6 veterinary schools in California with the highest acceptance rates, have I got a story for you! It begins with a cat. My cat. She’s been a member of the family for about a decade now and I can’t imagine life without her. Distinct from just about any other cat I’ve seen in my life, her coat is white and pocked with black cow spots. Though the area surrounding her nose and mouth is white, the rest of her face–heck, the rest of her head is black. Her unique appearance made naming her a bit of a conundrum. Something cow-related would have been the obvious choice, though not necessarily the most creative. What’s more, my own comic relief aside, I can’t imagine she’d much appreciate being beckoned as “heifer” every time I wanted to feed her or let her out for some fresh air.
So, because pet owners are notoriously vainglorious when it comes to their ability to conjure up clever names for their beasts–the likes of which are meant to elicit a diverse range of reactions from guests–I, too, reached deep into my bag of creative cat names and ended up with: Bandit. Alright, admittedly not that creative, but ten points to Gryffindor for cuteness. With black fur covering her eyes in much the same way a bank robber’s mask disguises the thief’s identity, I couldn’t resist the opportunity to bestow upon her a name that would evoke nostalgia for the McDonald’s Hamburglar every time she was summoned.
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Apart from her name being particularly well-suited to her physical appearance, my family and I have come to realize that it also gels really well with her personality. Much like a real bandit, my Bandit has a certain penchant for living heedlessly when she’s outside exploring. Where other cats might cower from loud, imposing dogs; menacing snakes; and other intimidating animals of that ilk, Bandit is pretty content to confront apparent danger head-on and live with whatever consequences come of her recklessness. In most cases, this results in no recognizable harm to Bandit. At worst, she may slink back home with a barely-perceivable scratch on her masquerade-inspired face.
There was one instance, however, that was probably the closest that Bandit has ever gotten to tip-toeing the bounds of life and death. To this day, none of us are exactly sure about the nature of the predicament that she got herself into. What we can be sure of, though, is that given the massive gashes that criss-crossed her underbelly like lashes from slaver’s whip, whatever she had encountered shared her zest for dangerous encounters.
Returning to us with damage that was every bit as evident physically as it was emotionally, her countenance made it clear that she was in immediate need of medical attention. Fortunately, after a few hours with the vet and more stitches than I cared to count, Bandit was patched up and (relatively speaking) as good as new.
I consider myself a layperson when it comes to matters of animal health. The extent of my knowledge in that field and in what it takes to be a successful veterinarian pretty much maxes out at the two Doctor Doolittle movies starring Eddie Murphy that I saw when I was a kid. With that as a disclosure, I can’t even begin to imagine the expertise needed to do whatever it was that the veterinarian in my anecdote did to help patch Bandit up. Certainly, it was the culmination of years of training and untold hours of clinical practice manifested in what, for the practicing vet, was probably a pretty routine procedure. Beyond that, however, was a clear, underlying desire on the part of the veterinarian to provide quality care, not only to my cat, but to animals of all shapes and sizes. People all over the world share that passion for providing great care to sick or wounded animals, but often lack certain qualifications to be able to do so. In some circumstances, these qualifications may be academic or exam-based in nature. In others, the deficiencies may lay in financial standing as it relates to tuition fees. Whatever the case may be, however, it’s safe to say that most would agree that those with the desire to one day help other animals professionally ought to be granted the opportunity to do so.
Taking all of this into consideration, we decided to create a list of veterinary schools in California with the highest acceptance rates – where students from all walks of life can get a shot at pursuing their dreams. To do this, we compiled a few different resources (cited below) with data on veterinary training schools in California, as well as their associated admissions rates, and combined all of this information to compose the list that you will see over the next few pages.
If by chance, this information is of interest to you, you may also enjoy our list of the most affordable veterinary schools in the US. Even with all the qualifications needed to get into the school of your dreams, it doesn’t hurt to have a few more financially feasible options on the table. So, without further rambling from yours truly, I give to you the veterinary schools in California with the highest acceptance rates. Who knows, this list may be the first step toward your becoming the world’s next Doctor Doolittle.
6. Foothill College
Situated in Los Altos Hills, California, this public institution admits 100% of the students that apply and affords each of them training in a range of animal health disciplines broadly-based under animal health technology and veterinary assistance. The school’s programs enable accepted applicants to train alongside myriad experts ranging from veterinarians and zoologists to laboratory animal specialists in order to enhance their knowledge and fundamental understanding of a variety of veterinary matters. Students can expect to graduate having undergone extensive training in anesthesiology, radiology, clinical pathology, animal health and nutrition, and dental prophylaxis, while simultaneously having gained skills in office administration, patient management, and owner communication. Of the 73 majors available at Foothill College, Veterinary/Animal Health Technology and Veterinary Assistant is the 11th most popular, which is indicative of balanced coursework offerings and an engaged veterinary faculty available to aid students at the drop of a hat.
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5. Westech College
The $75 fee associated with applying to Westech College, one of the veterinary schools in California with the highest acceptance rates, is a small price to pay for the 100% admission rate it offers to students that apply. Located in Ontario, California, Westech College’s Veterinary Technician and Assistant program boasts the most graduates of any major offered by the school. Of the 344 undergraduates attending the Southern California 2-year institution, 123 graduate with veterinary certifications.
The students that opt for a degree in the animal health and veterinary technology program at Westech enjoy access to state of the art facilities, and coursework that will place them alongside trained professionals in the field of animal health. What’s more, students graduate with a vastly enhanced understanding of animal handling, clinical pathology, and applicable standards and regulations.
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4. OC Veterinary Assistant School
As with the previously-listed schools, the OC Veterinary Assistant School is a great option for students looking to gain access to veterinary schools in California with the highest acceptance rates. All applicants are admitted and may choose from a range of different training programs based on their initial skill level.
In the Veterinary Attendant Program, for example, students gain an understanding of the fundamental skills needed to work with animals, including grooming, surgery, nursing, radiology, restraint, CPR, and an array of other skills. Upon completion of this program, students benefit from job placement assistance, which can get them on their way to a dream career in the field of animal health.
Another offering from OC Veterinary Assistant school targets students with a bit more experience, and provides students training in a broad spectrum of veterinary medicine disciplines, which include zoonotic and infectious diseases, nutrition, anatomy and physiology, and management and leadership. This set of courses serves as a great complement to students that are already employed by a veterinarian.
Lastly, students preparing to take their Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE) can enroll in OC’s Level II Vet Tech classes, which teach students how to bandage, pull teeth, care for emergency animal patients, and much more.
In all, regardless of a student’s level of background knowledge as it pertains to animal health, the OC Veterinary Assistant School offers something for everyone.
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3. Platt College
With campuses in four locations throughout California (Los Angeles-Alhambra; Ontario; Riverside; and Anaheim), the Veterinary Technology Program at the Platt School of Medical Sciences may be the most convenient option among veterinary schools in California with the highest acceptance rates. Admitted students are exposed to a diverse range of coursework, which includes an introduction to veterinary technology, veterinary economics, parasitology and clinical pathology during the first year, as well as anesthesia, surgical assistance, diagnostic imaging, and exotic animal care during the second. In addition to this, Platt College offers students an array of externship opportunities, which further enhance the overall learning experience via hands-on opportunities.
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2. Carrington College
Among top two on the list of veterinary schools in California with the highest acceptance rates we have Carrington College’s seven California locations that offer two enticing educational options to students looking to establish themselves in the field of animal health. Their Veterinary Assisting program trains students for an exciting, fast-paced career as veterinary assistants, while the veterinary technology program prepares students by providing them requisite skills for modern day veterinary practice. These include fundamental knowledge in biomedical research and large animal medicine as well as intensive training for the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE) and the California Veterinary Technician Exam (CVTE).
Both programs, lasting nine months and two years, respectively, provide a number of complementary services that are designed to help make the learning process more approachable for enrolled students. These range from tutoring and career placement to externships and student financial support.
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1. San Joaquin Valley College, Fresno
Rounding out our list of veterinary schools in California with the highest acceptance rates is San Joaquin Valley College, a private junior college offering students extensive training in veterinary technology. Those enrolled in San Joaquin Valley’s program gain in-depth knowledge in areas pertaining to surgical assisting, animal nursing fundamentals, laboratory procedures, and diagnostic imaging, among others. What’s more, with direct supervision from licensed animal care experts, and ample opportunities for hands-on experience via externships, students are guaranteed invaluable real world experience during their time at the college. SJVC’s initial accreditation by the American Veterinary Medical Association provides further legitimacy to the quality of education that students will receive while enrolled, and as such, justifies their veterinary technology program as one of the best available among schools with high acceptance rates in California.
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