For that reason, a criterion for selection is that candidates for admission be capable of completing all aspects of the curriculum. Veterinary Medicine is an exciting and rewarding profession. The opportunities in clinical practice, in research, and in public health are almost unlimited. At Cornell, the curriculum is designed to impart the learning and cognitive skills that will enable graduates to cope with the steady increase in knowledge and sophistication occurring in all areas of the profession. However, those aspiring to be veterinarians should realize that the life of a veterinary student is arduous and requires mental and physical stamina.
Long days are particularly common during the clinical years.
It is not unusual for each third and fourth year student on clinical duty to start the day with responsibility for the care of three to five different animal patients. Detailed reports that document changes in each patient's condition, explain diagnostic test results, describe surgical approaches and outcomes, and outline the direction of future therapies are written in the medical record. Students may then participate in ward rounds with other veterinary students and the chief of service. At the end of the day, most clinical services hold rounds to discuss the day's events and use these experiences for case-based learning. For students participating in the large animal ambulatory services, days may begin early to accommodate visits to several different farms or stables and may end late depending upon the season and the size of the herds visited.