What will I be doing next year? This is the question that every student must face after they graduate. Veterinary students are no different.

There are a few different options for students after graduation. They can apply to do internships, of which there are different pathways. One internship option is an academic internship. Academic internships often take place in an academic institution such as a university or a veterinary school. Typically these applications are submitted through a program called The Veterinary Internship & Residency Matching Program (aka “The Match”). Looking at the 2019 Match statistics, the overall match rates for internships was around 67% and was around 89% for residencies. Applications are due in December and notifications will be made in February. Typically, people that are applying through the Match are people that might be interested in pursuing a residency at some point and are interested in becoming board certified in something (surgery, internal medicine, radiology, oncology, etc.). The Match is a much more structured program than are the other two that I will discuss.

Some people apply to a private internship. This is done separate from the Match and each practice has their own forms that must be submitted and different dates for which the application is due. Typically they require a resume, recommendation letters, and a letter of intent indicating why the applicant would like to become an intern at the practice. Some require more documents such as an application specifically for that practice or a transcript.

Another option for recent graduates is to apply for an associate position at a practice. This seems to attract people that have grown up working in a local veterinary practice, or people that are interested in pursuing a general practice position. This is probably the most common route that people choose to participate in following graduation. Many people in my class already have job offers at this point, and some people receive offers even earlier in their veterinary school career.

I plan on pursuing a private practice internship at an equine practice, so I am not applying through the Match. I will be applying to three equine practices, and I have submitted one application so far. The practices that I am applying for have applications that are due either October 1st or October 15th, and will make their notifications by mid-November. The reason I am choosing to pursue this option is because I would like to obtain more mentorship after I graduate from veterinary school, and I believe that a great way to do this is to participate in an internship.