1. Becoming a Veterinarian
Student Sample 2
Mr. Whitehurst
English 8 Per. 5
3 December 2016

2. Why a Veterinarian?
I am fascinated by it. I do not get affected by blood, I love animals, and science is very intriguing.
Since I was a baby, I have spent a lot of time at our veterinary hospital, Animal Care Wellness Center.
I have been watching my father, Dr. Marc DiCarlo, perform surgeries since I was just a little girl.
I volunteer each summer at our hospital and have learned a lot from being there.

3. Career Yearly salary= $86,826.00 Monthly gross pay= $7,218.00
Monthly net pay= $5,775.00
Comment: The salary will definitely vary based on the size of the office, years of experience, and the number of associates.

4. Education for Becoming a Veterinarian
Minimum requirement for becoming a D.V.M. (Doctor of Veterinary Medicine) is a bachelor’s degree with an emphasis on hard science
Minimum of 2,000 volunteer hours at a veterinary hospital or facility
Pass the VCAT exam (Veterinary College Admissions Test)
4 years of veterinary medical school
Passing score -National and State veterinary medical board exams.
Comment: Although I wasn’t surprised by the education needed to be a vet, honestly, it’s a little intimidating.

5. What Does A Veterinarian Do?
Diagnose and treat illness
Treat animal wounds
Vaccinate
Euthanize
Advise owners on pets’ health
Prescribe medication
Perform surgery
Perform dentals

6. Housing
“While I went house hunting, I wanted an apartment in the San Marcos/Carlsbad area, with 1 bedroom and 1 bath.”
I chose The Reserve At Carlsbad
Monthly cost $1,500/month
557 square feet
Good/safe location with great shopping and is near the beach
Good online reviews about the housing staff

7. Utilities Monthly cost= $150 Includes electricity and water
No cable cost because I will be using Hulu and Netflix
Internet and trash are included in my monthly apartment rent
Comment: This was hard to find because the cost is different depending on where you live. As result, I averaged a few quotes together.

8. Transportation
“When I went car shopping, I wanted something that would be spacious, but not exactly a mini van.”
Economical on gas
I chose a 2017 Ford Fusion Hybrid
Standard edition, Grey
Total cost= $29,865.00
Monthly cost= $392.77
Yearly cost= $4,716.00
Comment: I loved choosing MY car…I felt like an adult!!

9. Car Insurance
“I went online with my mom and the insurance companies asked for all of my personal information.”
I had to choose between Progressive and GEICO car insurance
I chose GEICO because it would save me $535 a year

10. Grocery Shopping We went to Stater Brothers in Highland
We looked at coupons and circled items that we needed
I was given a shopping list divided into food group categories
The grocery shopping took longer than I expected
It helped me understand how to look for deals and better prices
If I were 22, my monthly food bill would be $560
My family’s grocery expense is about $800/month

11. Making Dinner For dinner, I made chili cheese dogs I cut up the onions
Grilled the hotdogs on a skillet
Warmed up some leftover chili from the freezer
Warmed up buns
Cut up fruit
Set table
Served dinner
Hand washed dishes

12. Monthly &Yearly Expenses
Gross monthly income= $7,
Deduct taxes, and all monthly expenses on the chart, I have a total of $2, left to pay everything else.
With left over money I’ll pay back student loans and pay other expenses.
I estimate I would have about $500 leftover, and I would deposit money in a savings account for a down payment on my first house.
Yearly Expenses
Monthly Expenses
Income
$86,626.00
$7, ($5, with taxes deducted)
Housing
$20,400.00
$1,700.00
Utilities
$1,800.00
$150.00
Grocery
$6,720.00
$560.00
Car Payment
$4,716
$392.77
Insurance Payment
$1,475.76
$122.98