Why 77% of New Veterinarians Are Women

I just wanted to add a quick comment from Australia. We recently held our first AVA Womens Conference where it was revealed that it is not so much that more women are applying to do vet science but that there are fewer men applying.I would also have to agree with those who felt that women become vets because they want to work in a profession which combines science with the desire to care, nurture and communicate. Even 20 years ago cattle farmers in my community were saying that they felt that their beasts responded better to a female vet than a male vet;and I know I was certainly not thinking about flexible working hours and raising a family when i applied to study veterinary medicine 38 years ago.

I feel that this statement is much more educated and eloquentally said than any "Harvard" researcher could have written. I find it extremely disappointing that this article was even written. We put off a big part of our lives to get an education and although when I do have children I intend to work because I want too, I also have to work as I am in an abundant amount of financial debt from pursuing the field that I love. Both my husband and I each work hard to pay that off! I guess the next article will be how we marry for money to pay our debt???? Thank you for saying the words I was to mad to write down!!I didn't think at 17 while applying to pre-vet program to much about my future children!
Julia Boyce DVM

I am disappointed with the Harvard economist's contention that more women enter the profession of veterinary medicine because of a "flexible" schedule. Obviously she's not a veterinarian. I think most of us decided to become veterinarians because we love animals, and people, and practicing medicine. I'm tired of derogatory comparisons between physicians and veterinarians. The entrance requirements and rigorous education are essentially the same for both professions. In fact, most people would agree that its more difficult to gain admission into veterinary schools, since there are fewer of them and class sizes are typically smaller than human medical schools. Post-graduate residencies are just as exhausting and lead to even more demanding schedules. I don't think any of us started down this career path thinking that we would have an easier time raising our children someday. Quite the contrary, most of us delayed having a family so that we could devote ourselves to education and career. In some cases, we've even sacrificed the opportunity to have children. Perhaps there are more women in this profession because we are good doctors and good communicators. Maybe as a gender, women are more willing to devote themselves to careers that provide challenges and fulfillment outside the realm of financial security and prestige. The majority of men may choose more lucrative careers out of different motivations. This disparity may be driven by our culture, but that's an entirely different discussion. Being a veterinarian is an altruistic calling for most of us, men and women alike. Clearly there are many factors that go into choosing a profession, but the schedules of most veterinarians are anything but flexible. I find it laudable that so many women are choosing to be veterinarians and I am proud to be one of them. After all, there are innumerable other professions that women excell in. Its inconceivable to me that any educated person would chalk up feminine leadership in our profession to such a trivial factor as the schedule.
Emily Murphy DVM

8 years of school

I think that there may be more women applying to veterinary school, but I also think there are fewer men applying. I don't have statistics to prove it, but I think the higher cost of education and the need for most men to be providers for their families may be driving more men to chose other more lucrative careers or careers that earn the same with less education and less student debt.
-Recent male Graduate.