Quick Reminders & Tips about the Interview:
 

• Check your time zones! Alabama is Central Standard Time (1 hour behind Kentucky!)
• Dress Professionally. Dr. Dwyer's advice is to dress like a banker.
• Limit the amount of jewelry, especially extravagant piercings. Keep it simple!
• Give sincere answers. Do not lie or say what you think they want to hear. They want your honest answer.
• Do not say "I'm passionate about...". This is a cliché way to respond. Many interviewers are tired of hearing this.
• Keep up with the news. Not just in veterinary medicine but in all current events.
• Be knowledgeable about the Veterinary School in which you are interviewing.
• Do not use the term "Vet"; say Veterinary/Veterinarian. Do not say "Doctor" when you are distinguishing between a Veterinarian and a Physician. Veterinarians are Doctors, too!
• Remember to BREATHE!!!

 

Sample Interview Questions*

Questions About You:

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

If you could describe yourself on a bumper sticker, what would it say?

What is the last book that you read?

What are you 3 best and 3 worst traits?

If there are any semesters/grades which are questionable, be sure you can
explain them.

What do you like to do in your spare time?



Questions About Becoming a veterinarian:

Why do you want to be a veterinarian?

What will you do if you don't get into vet school this year? Or next
year? Or ever?

Why don't you want to be a researcher (PhD), or an MD?

What can you do with a veterinary degree besides private practice?

What do you see yourself doing 10 years from now?

How much does a new veterinary graduate make in salary?

Why do you want to be a part of this particular school?

What area of the profession would you like to go into and why?

Do you know how many hours per week are usually required in the area you wish to go into?

Do you know what you have to do when you are finished with Veterinary school to go into your area of interest?

Do you know the average debt of a Veterinary School Student?

Who served as a role model for helping you to be interested in becoming a Veterinarian?

WHat have you done to further your knowledge within this profession?

What are one or two courses that have really impacted your life or decision to become a veterinarian?

What are some challenges you may face with the area you are interested in?

What kinds of problem solving skills do you have that pertain to the veterinary field?

WHat is one case or surgery that you heard or of dealt with that really interested you and made you read more about it?

Do you know how many vet schools there are in the United States?

Do you know how many positions there are for veterinary students?

What do you think is the biggest difference between undergraduate and veterinary school?

Ethical Questions:

How do you feel about euthanizing animals? What about Human Euthanasia?

How do you feel about doing surgery on live animals which are obtained from the dog
pound?

What would you do if an owner brought a healthy animal into your clinic to
be euthanized because the owner had to move to a new location which did not
allow pets? No, s/he does not want it adopted owner wants it put down and
cremated to take with him/her.

What would you do if you saw a fellow student cheating on a test?

How do you feel about Horse Slaughter? (this is also a current events question as well)

How do you deal with a "big client" who wants to do something that you do not feel is medically right or necessary?

How do you feel about how the BarBoro situation was handled?

How do you feel about Horse Racing? (Is it ethical?)

How is animal cloning done and is it ethical?

How do you feel about using the internet as a means of teaching/taking classes in veterinary school?

Current Events Questions/ News Questions/ Science Questions:

Do you think campaign finances should be restricted for presidential
candidates? (or current event questions; read the front page of the
newspaper until you go to the interview)

What is BSE or West Nile Virus or Foot and Mouth Disease or anthrax, or
West Nile Virus or Chronic Wasting Disease or Mare Reproductive Loss
Syndrome? (general knowledge of animal diseases------there is little way
to study for this, since they could pull anything out of their hat: DO NOT
GUESS!!)

What is the difference between animal welfare and animal rights?

Tell us about Mare Reproductive Loss Syndrome.

What do you know about Pain Management?

What Do Veterinarians Do for the U.S. Army?

What kind of impact did hurricane Katrina have on animals and their owners?

How do you feel about the Louisville legislation regarding pit bulls and rottweilers?

Which breed of animal has the most human bites?

What is the veterinarian's role in legislative issues?

Other Questions:

What questions do you have For Us, the Admissions Committee?  
 

Do not guess or tell untruths to interviewers--it is ok to say I don't
know/remember, and if you do come up with an answer later in the interview,
bring the answer to the previous question to their attention: "Oh, I do
recall now what BSE is----bovine spongiform encephalopathy which affects
cattle."

 

*These questions are taken directly from Dr. Dwyer and Mock Interviews and are common questions asked by Auburn and Tuskegee.