Explore our comprehensive guide to the best veterinary schools in the Caribbean in 2023. Discover the top-rated institutions offering exceptional veterinary education and training in the beautiful Caribbean region. Find your path to becoming a skilled veterinarian at the best veterinary schools in the Caribbean.
As an individual who loves animals and enjoys taking care of them, becoming a veterinarian will possibly be the most suitable and fulfilling career path for you.
Like any other profession, becoming a veterinarian may be tedious as it requires extensive medical knowledge and a time-consuming and expensive education.
If you intend to pursue an education to become a veterinarian, you may want to study at a top-ranked veterinary school in the Caribbean.
In addition, these universities provide the best opportunities for undergraduates who wish to concentrate on a veterinary science discipline and conduct research that will impress veterinary school admission committees.
Also, from what we have seen, the job opportunities for veterinarians are looking pretty solid in The Caribbeans.
This article will look at the best veterinary schools in the Caribbean to help you
make the right decision.
Before we proceed with a list of the best veterinary schools in The Caribbeans, let’s build up from the basics.
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Table of Contents
What is Veterinary Medicine?
Veterinary Medicine is the branch of Medicine that specializes in the study of including the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of illnesses and injuries solely in animals.
This broad practice involves all kinds of animals, their species, the diseases they suffer, and how these diseases may or may not affect humans.
Due to its broad range of expertise, most vet professionals have to work with other paraprofessionals with specific specialisms such as animal physiotherapy or dentistry.
In light of what we have learned from what Veterinary Medicine is, I am sure you have a rough understanding of a veterinary doctor, also called a veterinary physician, veterinary surgeon, or vet.
“Veterinarians” is a mother term for specialists in veterinary Medicine.
Such specialists include
- Veterinary surgeon
- Veterinary physician
- The veterinary assistant.
- The veterinary technician
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What is the Job of a Veterinarian
As stated above, the term “Veterinarian” is an umbrella term, meaning your job as a veterinarian would depend on your area of specialization in your career choice in this field.
A veterinarian technician will not be in the ward performing operations as that’s the Vet Doctor’s area of expertise.
To avoid a collision of responsibilities, your area of expertise in this field mainly depends on your course of study.
In light of that, the primary job of a veterinarian doctor includes prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and ensuring the health and well-being of animals are protected.
Here is a list to further expound more on the roles of a veterinarian doctor.
- Vets advise animal owners about the precise maintenance of their pets and livestock.
- Veterinarians assist in preventing and controlling animal and human diseases to promote public health.
- Administers immunizations and conducts physical examinations on animals.
- Provides emergency care, surgery, and dental procedures on animals.
- Prescribes medications and euthanizes animals.
- As an epidemiologist, vets examine disease outbreaks in animals and humans, like foodborne diseases, influenza, plague, rabies, AIDS, and encephalitis.
- Furthermore, they assess the safety of food processing plants, restaurants, and water supplies.
- Vets add to scientific publications to help graduate veterinarians acquire new knowledge and skills.
Why Should I Study in a Caribbean Vet School?
The Caribbeans are known for their incredible scenery, unique lifestyle, fantastic view, white sand beaches, tropical weather, and vast availability of fresh fruits and unique cuisine, which is more than enough reason for many to study in the Caribbeans.
There are also Caribbean veterinary schools that have what is called rolling admissions. Rolling admission means they do not just have one incoming class per year.
So admissions are still available even if you were not granted access to get in at the start of the year.
The Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (D.V.M.) is available to national and international students.
Due to the environment’s support for wildlife, the Caribbean veterinary schools support more animals like monkeys, birds, and other native species. They are also highly recommended for those who want to study zoology veterinary.
Cayman is one of the safest and most advanced islands in the Caribbean. The island has one of the lowest crime rates in the Caribbean.
The Cayman Islands are a busy tourist destination and a financial center. As a result, you can experience every modern convenience and the charm and vibrancy of a Caribbean island.
Grand Cayman island is well connected to the United States and other international locations. The island is less than an hour’s flight from Miami and connected to other North American cities like Chicago, Dallas, Toronto, and New York.
In addition to these advantages, while studying at SMUSVM, you’ll also have access to clinical rotations through mixed-track programs. The school has externships and agreements with reputed veterinary centers and universities in the U.S. and Canada, which enable students to participate in clinical rotations.
Studying at SMUSVM allows you to complete your primary sciences curriculum in 28 months and proceed to the U.S. or Canada for clinical rotations.
Cost of Attending Veterinary Schools in the Caribbean?
For all in-state veterinary schools, the registered students pay less but still spend more than $200,000 to acquire a D.V.M. on average.
However, according to the V.I.N. Foundation, a nonprofit that offers education and support for students in Caribbean veterinary schools, the average cost of four years of veterinary school is more than $200,000 for in-state students and $275,000 for international students.
The specifics of the tuition fee depend on the institute.
Veterinary Schools in the Caribbean
Caribbean veterinary school means a grand opportunity to study parasitology and pathology while enjoying the scenery and an ocean of endless blue in the distance.
It is almost ethereal, especially if you are from an area where you don’t get a chance to enjoy the luxury of such a fantastic sight.
The Caribbean veterinary schools listed here are among the best colleges.
As of 2021, there were over 50 accredited veterinary colleges worldwide, with two Caribbean veterinary schools equally listed.
These accredited schools pass the required standards. Some of the necessary measures include:
- High safety priority of personnel and animals by the school
- The school must maintain on-campus veterinary teaching hospitals.
- Must have a diverse number and species of animal patients available to students.
- The college’s admissions policies must be non-discriminatory and consistent with applicable law.
- The school must possess an 80% NAVLE pass rate.
This list is simply a summarized version of the lengthy requirements list. To check out the complete list, visit https://www.avma.org/education/accreditation-policies-and-procedures-avma-council-education-coe/coe-accreditation-policies-and-procedures-requirements.
There are currently three Caribbean Veterinary Schools. They include
- Ross University College of Veterinary Medicine,
- St. George’s College of Veterinary Medicine, and
- St. Mathew’s University School of Veterinary Medicine.
#1 Ross University
At Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, students face an intense academic program that fosters adaptability, resilience, and patience, laced with the rigors of island life.
The Caribbean veterinary school offers a D.V.M. program, graduate programs, and dual degrees.
At Ross Veterinary School, unique experiences and opportunities are available to students who desire to delve in-depth into veterinary Medicine, acquire new skills, access actual patients, and build something more powerful than just a resume.
The cost of tuition at Ross Veterinary University varies for international students.
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Admission requirements
- Firstly, to study veterinary Medicine at Ross University College of Veterinary Medicine, you need to be passionate, enthusiastic, and excellence-driven.
You will be required to satisfy the following requirements to gain admission into Ross University Veterinary college:
- Competency in English
- 48+ Credits of college work
- 150+ hours of work experience
- GRE (optional for incoming 2021 and 2022 semesters)
- Personal essay or VMCAS PERSONAL STATEMENT
- OFFICIAL UNDERGRADUATE TRANSCRIPTS
- LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION (Two)
- CV OR RESUME (OPTIONAL)
#2 St. George’s College
The next in line of Caribbean Veterinary schools is St. George’s College of Veterinary Medicine! St. George’s shares the same accreditation year as Ross University did in 2011. St. George’s is located on the island of Grenada.
Founded in 1999, St. George has graduated not less than 1,900 veterinarians into the global healthcare industry, who continue to prove that excellence has no limits.
- The George’s University of Veterinary Medicine has a track record as one of the only few schools in the world that has been accredited by both the American Veterinary Medical Association Council on Education (AVMA COE) in the United States and Canada and the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) in the United Kingdom.
- George offers programs such as D.V.M./MSc, DVM/MPH, DVM/MBA, and Veterinary medicine Ph.D.
- George University also provides students with invaluable hands-on experience in veterinary surgery and other skills before their final-year clinical training at SGUSVM’s 32 affiliated veterinary medicine schools in the U.S., UK, Ireland, Canada, Australia, and the Netherlands.
The cost of veterinary school goes far beyond a dollar figure: It involves investing your time and determination.
- George’s University’s tuition total for all years is $197,595.
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#3 St. Mathew’s University
The last Caribbean veterinary school on the list is St. Mathew’s University School of Veterinary Medicine, located on Grand Cayman Island. St Matthew’s University School of Veterinary Medicine is also accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA).
- Mathew’s is a dedicated institution of learning.
They are committed to teaching and mentoring students to be their best practice. They produce socially responsible veterinary doctors skilled in the art and science of veterinary Medicine.
- Matthew’s University offers tuition costs that compete very favorably with other veterinary schools. At S.M.U., the total D.V.M. tuition for non-U.S. residents (including international students) is $200,492. Other Caribbean programs cost around $189,029.
Admission requirements
To Apply to St. Matthew’s University, you must Satisfy Entry Requirements.
- Complete the online application form
- Submit the application fee – S.M.U. has waived their usual $75 (U.S.) fee for September 2021 entry! Enter this code when prompted on the application form: 2701434​.
- Tender the following documents – Transcripts, personal statement, resume, and two letters of recommendation
- Show language proficiency – Applicants whose principal language is not English may be required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).
In conclusion, Veterinary schools in The Caribbeans offer an affordable yet exotic medical schooling experience to anyone who decides to apply and hopefully get it.
It is still challenging and requires a lot of patience, hard work, and dedication.
Although each school has various advantages and disadvantages, this guide to help you with your choice-making, the only hurdle is getting in.
Make sure to visit the school site for more information on each school.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Does It Take To Become a Veterinarian in The Caribbean
Becoming a veterinary technician in the Caribbean vet schools takes two years to complete.
That earns you an Associate degree in Veterinary Technology.
However, becoming a veterinary doctor or surgeon requires earning a bachelor’s, master’s, or Ph.D. in Animal Sciences, Veterinary Medicine, or public health.
That takes 4 years.
How Many Vet Schools Are in the Caribbean?
There are just 3 veterinary schools in the Caribbean.
How Good Is The pay For Vet Doctors
A Vet Doctor’s financial life is much more rewarding than many would think. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that veterinarians earned a median salary of $89,000 in 2019 in the U.S.A.
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