The Veterinary Student Externship is for senior veterinary students. If you are a graduate veterinarian, you may participate in our Veterinarian Training Program.

Applicant Requirements: 

• Open to senior veterinary students at AVMA-accredited colleges

• Must have completed the course and clinical surgery portion of veterinary training (not rotations) 

• Must be a rising 3rd year student (having fully completed 2nd year) at time of application

• If you are enrolled in an accelerated program, you may apply in your 2nd year to attend in your 3rd, but please use the 2nd bullet above to guide your attendance timeline

• No exceptions: Abuse of these rules could result in program disqualification

Before you apply, please be ready with the following:

• Senior year start date and graduation date
• List of available rotation blocks to guide date selection
• College extern/preceptorship coordinator’s details (name, phone and email)
• Credit/debit card to submit application ($25) and optional dorm ($200) fees

• For your convenience, we have linked our rotation schedule above, so you can make a plan before entering the site.

• Please do not click on the application link and create an account until you are ready to complete your application in one session and know you can commit to your selected dates. Entering and exiting our system may block your re-entry if attempted.

• For questions, please contact us at vetstudent@aspca.org.

We offer optional on-campus dorm-style accommodations for $200 per training session (price has been increased beginning with Class of 2027 applicants). Each four-person co-ed room consists of two bunk beds, storage, reading light, pillow, one blanket, and Wi-Fi. The dorm also contains a common kitchen, dining room, lounge, computer room, and bathroom/showers. A laundry facility is located within close proximity of our campus.

Check-in for the dormitory building is 7 a.m. on your first day. Checkout is 9 a.m. on your last day (though your responsibilities extend to around 11 a.m. that day). If your flight out is on Saturday, you will need to find alternate accommodations for Friday night. Getting off-campus and around Asheville is much easier with a car. Don't forget, though, that you will not be the only student training with us, and others may have cars you can pool.

4th Year Student Intern Permit Application

Two months prior to a scheduled externship, the ASPCA sends you the name and details of your instructor, so that you can complete the $25 online application for the North Carolina Veterinary Medical Board (NCVMB) intern permit.

Dean's Letter

A Dean's letter is something that is produced by your school and sent to the NC veterinary board as part of your permit application. It is a letter that verifies your status with your school (e.g., full-time fourth-year student) and that you are in good standing.

Visas

The ASPCA is not legally permitted to give out visa advice. Immigration rules change often and we strongly recommend that you speak with your university’s international office (or equivalent) to make sure you have all you need for crossing the border. You should, however, make sure you bring your acceptance letter, which stipulates you won’t be receiving financial compensation for training with us as that is usually a red flag at border control.

College Forms

Should you need to complete a college form prior to this time, please use ASNA's medical director's details:

• Facility: ASPCA Spay/Neuter Alliance
• Title: Sarah M. Orwig, VMD - Medical Director
• Address: 23 Heritage Drive, Asheville, NC 28806
• Phone: (855) 434-9285
• Fax: (828) 785-1972
• Email: vetstudent@aspca.org

ASNA does not offer training on the following holidays: MLK Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Election Day, Thanksgiving.

We usually finish surgeries at noon the day before Independence Day and Thanksgiving. We are also closed for two weeks around the winter holidays. You will receive credit for closed holidays during your rotation.