Comparison and competition in veterinary medicine

One defining moment many pre-veterinary students encounter early in their college careers comes during orientation, their first 'weed out class,' or first pre-veterinary or animal science club meeting. It’s common for professionals to ask pre-professional students to look around at fellow students. Then they’re told bluntly that very few of them will ever make it in the industry they are trying to enter, and will be weeded out or will choose 'easier' careers or majors. Along with this, the future of these industries are told that the professions they’re striving for are so competitive and so difficult that only the 'truly exceptional' succeed. These are their parting words as pre-veterinary students across the country start their collegiate journeys.

Even if pre-vets escape this messaging from their college or university, it’s a common experience to hear from high school teachers, parents, friends, and even random people on the street that the path to veterinary school is daunting, academically challenging, competitive, and harder than medical school.

With this mindset in place, pre-vets now entering the arena of college where the tension is palpable and feels as though the competition for the most, best, most unique, prestigious experiences has begun. Although I can’t speak for all universities or pre-veterinary experiences, I can say with confidence that the pre-vets I know feel this pressure greatly. Veterinary school admissions set the standards sky high for applicants, including a stellar GPA, a wide range of experience, research, volunteering, and leadership. All of this is expected from students who may be working to support family, paying their tuition, or even just attempting to maintain a social life.

In this pressure pot of expectations, competition thrives. It is incredibly easy to get caught up in the mindset of comparison amongst fellow pre-vet students. Who has the most experience? Who has the best grade in this class? Who studies the most? Who rests the least? This toxic spiral leads students to taking on experiences at the cost of their own mental health and wellbeing.

The need to compare and compete can become so ingrained that students are pushing their limits to constantly be working, studying, and be working for a perfect application. When it comes time to submit the Veterinary Medical College Application Service application, it can be nearly impossible not to compare your stats to other students or go down the spiral of social networking like Student Doctor Network or the American Pre-Veterinary Medical Association (APVMA) Facebook group.

As someone who ran APVMA’s Facebook group during my time on its National Board, I can tell you there is a nearly constant influx of students wondering how they stack up against others, if they’ve gathered enough experience, if all they’ve done will be enough.

Then comes the acceptance, and suddenly, the hamster wheel of working, studying, leadership, research, comparison, is over.

Now veterinary schools have gathered a group of smart, well rounded, intelligent, and caring individuals and the only thing left to focus on is learning as much as possible to become the best possible doctors. No more competition to get in. You made it, but breaking out of the cycle of comparison and competition can seem impossible.

The academic pressure remains, now somewhat heightened due to new information, and success on paper is still expected of those aiming for internships and residencies, but for the most part, that competition is behind us.

Now we must fight against our every instinct to compare and compete that was ingrained in us over the past however many years on the journey to veterinary school. Gone are the days where you would jump at every single experience offered, even if it doesn’t align with your interests, just to bolster your resume. Gone are the days where someone else failing might mean you succeed. In comes an era of working with colleagues to become the best doctors possible. Not for your resume, but for your patients.

How do we change the narrative that students are surrounded with as they enter veterinary medicine? How do we reframe the path to veterinary school? It’s challenging and good (enough) grades are needed. But how do we acknowledge the upcoming challenges they will face without encouraging an environment where their resume takes precedence over their wellbeing?

While I don’t have all the answers, here's what I suggest. To students – support each other. Take the creation of a supportive, kind, inclusive community into your own hands. This next generation of veterinarians has the power to rewrite the narrative pre-veterinary students hear as they begin their careers. Reach out to your fellow classmates, make friends, share experiences and insight. Most importantly, remember that there is room for everyone in veterinary medicine and that someone else’s success doesn’t limit yours, it only lifts all of us higher.

To practicing veterinarians – be mindful of your words towards upcoming students. Too many of us have heard the narrative of regret, telling us to choose human medicine or all the debt wasn’t worth it in the end. Please teach us about the reality of the field without crushing our spirits. Please remember your excitement as you entered this incredible field and support the next generation of veterinarians as much as you can!

Together we can shift the culture of comparison and competition and ensure that students can be more than just a resume.

Jodka is a first-year dual degree student at Colorado State University pursuing her Masters in Public Health and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. She hopes to combine clinical practice and research in her future career. She is a dvm360 Ambassador and involved in public health research surrounding diabetes prevention.