Veterinary programs for high school students vary widely in structure, intensity, and focus. Some are short exploratory camps designed to introduce animal care and veterinary careers, while others offer immersive clinical shadowing or research-based experiences. Most programs fall into one of three categories: academic pre-college courses, hands-on camps or internships, and career exposure programs connected to veterinary schools, zoos, or wildlife centers.
In general, these programs help you understand what veterinarians actually do day to day, how animal health connects to public health and conservation, and what preparation veterinary school requires. Some are better suited for students early in high school who are still exploring interests, while others are more appropriate if you already have veterinary shadowing experience and want deeper exposure.
What Do Students Actually Do and Learn?
Most veterinary programs combine classroom learning with applied or observational experiences. Depending on the program, you may:
- Practice basic clinical skills such as bandaging, suturing on models, or reading radiographs
- Observe veterinarians in hospitals, wildlife centers, or zoos
- Participate in dissections, anatomy labs, or diagnostic simulations
- Learn about animal behavior, welfare, conservation, and public health
- Explore veterinary career paths, admissions requirements, and ethical challenges in the field
More selective programs often expect prior experience, such as job shadowing or coursework in biology, and focus on helping you assess whether veterinary medicine is the right long-term path. Others are designed to build foundational knowledge and curiosity rather than technical skills. You may also explore Science Camps and Marine Biology Camps for high school students, depending on your interests.
Below, we have compiled 15 vet programs for high school students to help you choose one that fits your requirements.
15 Vet Programs for High School Students
1. Youth Pre-Vet BootCAMP – University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine
Location: UGA’s College of Veterinary Medicine, Athens, GA
Cost/Stipend: $20 student deposit and $20 chaperone deposit
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: November 7
Application Deadline: September 25
Eligibility: Eighth graders, high school freshmen, and high school sophomores
This is a one-day, on-campus introduction to veterinary medicine for younger students seeking early exposure to the field. You’ll spend the day participating in interactive workshops and meeting faculty, veterinarians, current vet students, and student ambassadors. The focus is on exploration rather than technical training, emphasizing understanding the profession over building advanced skills. The application requires a short YouTube video in which you answer essay-style questions, giving you early practice with reflective applications.
2. Veterinary Summer Experience Program (VSEP) – University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine
Location: The University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine, Knoxville, TN
Cost/Stipend: No cost
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: June 9 – July 11
Application Deadline: January 30
Eligibility: Current high school juniors or seniors with a minimum 3.0 GPA who are legal residents of Tennessee, enrolled in a Tennessee high school or homeschooling program, and at least 16 years old
This six-week summer program is designed to give you a realistic look at what veterinary medicine looks like day to day. You’ll spend five weeks shadowing professionals at a local veterinary practice, then one week on the University of Tennessee campus participating in lectures, labs, and clinical rotations. The structure combines long-term clinical observation with a shorter, intensive on-campus experience to help you understand both private practice and academic veterinary settings. The program focuses on career exposure, diagnostics, and clinical work rather than formal coursework or grades.
3. VetCAMP (Veterinary Career Aptitude and Mentoring Program) – University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine
Location: UGA’s College of Veterinary Medicine, Athens, GA
Cost/Stipend: Program fee required; $1,000 deposit (partial scholarships limited and not guaranteed)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: May 31 – June 6
Application Deadline: January 20
Eligibility: High school students in grades 10–12 who are at least 16 years old and reside in the United States
VetCAMP is a weeklong, residential summer program that gives you a realistic look at what veterinary training and careers actually involve. You’ll spend time in the veterinary teaching hospital, diagnostic labs, and research centers while also learning about vet school admissions and career paths. This program is explicitly designed to evaluate your readiness and competitiveness as a future veterinary student, not just spark interest.
4. Veterinary Medicine Program – Boston Leadership Institute
Location: Boston Leadership Institute, Waltham, MA
Cost/Stipend: $2,500 tuition; $2,097 residential fee (three-week program)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified; competitive admissions
Program Dates: July 6 – 24
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Rising 9th–12th grade students
This three-week summer program introduces you to veterinary medicine through lab-based activities, simulations, and guided projects rather than live clinical settings. You’ll practice skills like suturing, CPR on animal models, bandaging, and basic diagnostic reasoning using structured case studies. Most hands-on work is done using models and simulations, with learning focused on fundamentals rather than real patients. Past cohorts have participated in optional field trips to places like zoos, farms, and animal hospitals, though these are not guaranteed each year.
5. Georgia Aquarium Internship Program
Location: Georgia Aquarium, Atlanta, GA
Cost/Stipend: Paid internship (amount not specified)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: 8–12 weeks (summer session)
Application Deadline: Mid- to late February
Eligibility: High school graduates age 18+ with U.S. work authorization
This paid internship places you in one of the largest aquariums in the world, working alongside professionals in areas like animal training, zoological operations, or dive programs. You’ll commit between 20 and 40 hours per week and assist with tasks such as animal care routines, educational presentations, or research support, depending on your department. Unlike short-term camps, this program functions more like a real job and expects consistent time and responsibility. Interns also receive professional development opportunities and behind-the-scenes exposure to aquarium operations.
6. FutureVets Abroad – The National Leadership Academies
Location: Antigua, Guatemala
Cost/Stipend: Tuition required (amount not specified)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective
Program Dates: August 2 – 15
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school and undergraduate students (age requirements not specified)
FutureVets is a two-week international program that places students in veterinary hospitals, universities, and wildlife sanctuaries abroad. You’ll shadow veterinarians as they diagnose, treat, and rehabilitate animals, and you may observe surgeries and emergency care depending on placement. The experience is primarily observational and immersive, offering exposure to veterinary practice rather than formal instruction or assessment. Daily activities vary by site and may include anatomy sessions, clinical labs, and conservation work.
7. VetCAMP – North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine
Location: Veterinary Professions Advising Center (VetPAC) at North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC
Cost/Stipend: $750 (day camp); $1,000 (overnight option)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Approximately 80 total spots across two weeks
Program Dates: Week 1: July 6 – 10; Week 2: July 13 – 17
Application Deadline: April 6
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores, juniors, seniors, and rising college freshmen who are at least 15 years old and U.S. residents
VetCAMP is a five-day summer program that introduces students to careers in veterinary medicine through hands-on labs and campus-based activities. You’ll explore topics like small animal care, suturing, dissections, and livestock handling while also learning about pre-vet pathways and majors at NC State. The program combines structured lab experiences with exposure to both clinical and academic sides of veterinary medicine. Applications are reviewed holistically, and students may apply to multiple weeks to increase their chances of admission.
8. North Georgia Wildlife Park Internship
Location: North Georgia Wildlife Park, Cleveland, GA
Cost/Stipend: Unpaid; housing may be available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified; interview-based
Program Dates: Approximately 3 months; available year-round
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students aged 16+, able to commit 20+ hours per week, including weekends
This internship offers hands-on experience caring for both exotic and domestic animals in a small wildlife park setting. You’ll help with feeding, cleaning, enrichment, and basic husbandry, and may also assist with outreach programs, farm tasks, or guided tours. The experience is convenient and labor-intensive, giving you direct exposure to day-to-day animal care responsibilities. Interns work closely with keepers and educators and must be available on weekends.
9. Advanced Veterinary Academy – University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine
Location: University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine, Columbia, MO
Cost/Stipend: $400 program fee
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: June 8 – 12
Application Deadline: March 31
Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors ages 16–18 with a minimum 2.7 GPA and prior veterinary shadowing experience
This four-day summer academy is designed to simulate the veterinary student experience, combining classroom instruction with clinical exposure. You’ll attend lectures alongside current vet students and rotate through sessions in areas like anatomy, radiology, pathology, toxicology, and public health. The program places a strong emphasis on career readiness, including interview preparation and exposure to admissions exams like the ACT and GRE. Students are expected to have prior veterinary shadowing experience, and the application requires two recommendations and a substantial essay.
10. Animal Care Internship – Oatland Island Wildlife Center
Location: Oatland Island Wildlife Center, Savannah, GA
Cost/Stipend: Unpaid
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified; limited spots available
Program Dates: Spring (February – April or March – May), Summer (May – July or June – August), Fall (September – November or October – December)
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school graduates aged 18+, able to commit 24 hours per week for three months
This internship provides a structured introduction to animal care and wildlife management, with a focus on native Georgia species. You’ll help with daily husbandry tasks like diet preparation, feeding, enclosure cleaning, enrichment, and basic health observations. Direct animal handling is limited, but you’ll gain broad exposure to how a wildlife center operates day to day. Interns complete roughly 288 hours over three months and must meet health requirements, including a recent TB test and up-to-date tetanus vaccination.
11. Internships at the Smithsonian National Zoo – Smithsonian National Zoo
Location: Virtual and hybrid options available (location varies by internship)
Cost/Stipend: Paid; stipend amount varies by role
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified; varies by internship
Program Dates: Typically 8–12 weeks (varies by internship)
Application Deadline: Rolling; varies by internship
Eligibility: Open to high school students (requirements vary by role)
These internships offer exposure to veterinary science, animal care, and wildlife conservation through a range of specialized tracks. Depending on the role, you may learn about zoological medicine, animal welfare science, bird care, or research areas like felid endocrinology. Many opportunities emphasize observation, research support, and applied learning rather than direct animal handling.
12. VetSummer Animal Camp – VetSummer
Location: College of Mount Saint Vincent, Bronx, NY
Cost/Stipend: Tuition required (amount not specified)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: Multiple one-week sessions in July (dates vary by year)
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Students aged 12–17
VetSummer is a one-week, college-based animal camp that introduces middle and high school students to veterinary and animal care topics. You’ll participate in workshops on animal behavior, anatomy, and basic care skills, along with off-campus field trips to nature centers or animal facilities. The program emphasizes exploration and exposure rather than technical or clinical training. Students can attend as day campers or live on campus, which offers a preview of college life alongside structured activities and group events.
13. Animal Studies Pre-College Program – Eckerd College
Location: Eckerd College, St. Petersburg, FL
Cost/Stipend: $1,975 (includes housing, meals, field trips, labs, and activities)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: June 14 – 19
Application Deadline: Not specified; Register here
Eligibility: Students entering grades 10–12 in Fall
This one-week residential pre-college program introduces you to animal studies through an interdisciplinary lens rather than a strictly pre-veterinary track. You’ll attend classes taught by Eckerd faculty and explore topics like animal behavior, wildlife conservation, animal-assisted interventions, and the role of zoos and aquaria. The program emphasizes observation, research skills, and critical thinking over clinical or medical training. You’ll also take part in citizen science wildlife surveys and visit local aquaria, zoos, or shelters to learn about animal husbandry and enrichment.
14. Wildlife Science Summer Program – Lees-McRae College
Location: Lees-McRae College, Banner Elk, NC
Cost/Stipend: $2,100 for one week; $3,600 for two weeks (includes housing, meals, instruction, and field trips)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: Week 1: June 7 – 13; Week 2: June 14 – 20
Application Deadline: May 10; Apply here
Eligibility: Students entering grades 11–12, ages 15–17, with prior high school biology coursework
This summer program offers an immersive introduction to wildlife biology, conservation, and rehabilitation through both academic and field-based experiences. During the first week, you’ll explore ecology and conservation at the Elk Valley Preserve and gain exposure to veterinary science and wildlife rehabilitation at the May Wildlife Rehabilitation Center. The second week is more advanced and clinically focused, designed for students with prior experience who want deeper, mentored work in wildlife rehabilitation and research settings. Participants live on campus and work closely with faculty, staff, and undergraduate mentors throughout the program.
15. Zoology (CTY In-Person Course) – Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth
Location: Roger Williams University, Bristol, RI, and Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles, CA
Cost/Stipend: $6,717–$7,801 (commuter vs. residential; financial aid available)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Typical class size 18–20 students
Program Dates: Summer A: June 21 – July 10; Summer B: July 12 – 31 (Roger Williams University); Summer B: July 19 – August 7 (Loyola Marymount University)
Application Deadline: May 11 (for Summer A), June 8 (for both Summer B)
Eligibility: Students in grades 7–11 who meet CTY identification and testing requirements
This intensive summer course introduces you to zoology through a mix of lectures, labs, and research-based discussions. You’ll study comparative animal anatomy, physiology, genetics, taxonomy, and evolution, with hands-on dissections of species ranging from fish to mammals. The course emphasizes scientific thinking and research skills rather than clinical veterinary training, making it more academic than pre-professional. You’ll also explore topics like animal behavior, domestication, environmental adaptation, and human impacts on animal life.
One more option – Horizon Academic Research Program
If you’re looking for a competitive mentored research program, consider applying to Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs! This selective virtual research program lets you conduct advanced research and develop a research paper on a subject of your choice. Horizon has worked with 1000+ high school students so far and offers 600+ research specializations for you to choose from. You can find the application link here!
Image Source – John Hopkins University