There are 30 veterinary schools accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) in the U.S. There were nearly 6,800 applicants competing for approximately 2,700 openings in 2013. In other words, it is very competitive to gain admission to a veterinary school.
Admission requirements for veterinary schools have many things in common; however the specific requirements may vary among schools. It is therefore advisable to become familiar with the entrance requirements (PDF) early in your career as this may affect course selection especially after your first year of college.
Most U.S. veterinary schools utilize the centralized application service operated by the American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges (Veterinary Medical College Application Service-VMCAS). This application service accepts your application and your letters of evaluation and distributes them to each school you indicate. Applicants should make sure to submit their transcripts to VMCAS. Many schools have a supplemental application as well and require that this information be sent directly to the school.
So you want to be a vet? That’s great! Veterinary medicine is a noble and fulfilling career path for animal lovers. However, the road is long – usually taking 8+ years of schooling beyond high school While it’s a major commitment, the rewards of improving animal health and welfare make the rigorous education and training worthwhile.
In this article, we’ll break down the step-by-step path to becoming a licensed veterinarian. From undergraduate prerequisites to veterinary school to licensing exams, you’ll get a clear picture of what’s required. We’ll also discuss some realities of the profession so you know what you’re getting into. Let’s get started!
Prerequisite Undergraduate Education
The first step to becoming a veterinarian is completing an undergraduate degree usually lasting 4 years. While specific bachelor’s degrees aren’t required a science-related major like biology, zoology, or animal science best prepares aspiring vets.
More important than your major are the prerequisite courses needed for veterinary school admission. Common required classes are:
- Biology – At least 1 year with labs
- Chemistry – At least 1 year with labs
- Organic Chemistry – At least 1 semester
- Physics – At least 1 semester
- Biochemistry – At least 1 semester
- Mathematics – At least 1 semester of calculus
- English Composition – At least 1 semester
- Humanities and Social Sciences
Some vet schools want upper-level science courses too like microbiology, genetics, or anatomy and physiology. Check individual program requirements. Strive for the highest grades possible in these challenging courses – admissions committees pay close attention!
Gaining animal experience during undergrad is also crucial through vet office work, volunteering, research, shadowing, etc. This demonstrates your commitment to the field.
Veterinary School Admission
Once you’ve completed your bachelor’s degree and prerequisites, the next step is applying to veterinary school through centralized application services like VMCAS. With only 30 accredited vet schools in the U.S. and Canada, acceptance is very competitive.
You’ll need to submit:
- Transcripts showing excellent grades (3.5+ GPA recommended)
- GRE scores
- Letters of recommendation
- Relevant animal/veterinary experience
- Personal statement and supplemental essays
Interviews are also required at most schools. Prepare to speak knowledgeably about your experience and interest in the field.
Patience is key, as you may need to apply more than once before being admitted. Perseverance pays off!
Veterinary School: An Intense 4 Years
Once accepted, you’ll dive into 4 rigorous years of classroom and clinical work to earn your Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM).
The first 3 years focus on coursework like:
- Anatomy
- Physiology
- Pharmacology
- Microbiology
- Pathology
- Surgery
- Anesthesiology
- Radiology
- Nutrition
- Business Management
Hands-on labs, dissections, and simulated vet practices prepare you for the real world. You’ll also observe clinical settings.
The 4th year is intense clinical rotations where you work directly with animals and clients in various settings like clinics, farms, zoos, etc. Rotations can include:
- General medicine and surgery
- Emergency/critical care
- Dermatology
- Dentistry
- Ophthalmology
- Internal medicine
- Radiology
- Anesthesiology
These rotations help you decide what area you wish to practice in. Additional internships and residencies are required after vet school to specialize.
Licensing Exams and Continuing Education
You’re not officially a vet until licensed! All states require passing the NAVLE (North American Veterinary Licensing Exam) to practice. Many also require a state licensing exam.
Licensure must be renewed yearly through continuing education. Vets are also encouraged to pursue board certification in specialties like surgery, dentistry, ophthalmology, etc. This requires an intense 1-4 year internship or residency program after the DVM.
Lifelong learning is a must to provide the best care as advances occur.
Reality Check: Rewards and Challenges
Before committing to this long path, know that being a vet has immense rewards but also challenges:
Rewards
- Improving animal health and welfare
- Variety of career paths and specialties
- High earning potential
- High job demand and security
- Flexible work-life balance
- Continual learning
- Working with animals daily!
Challenges
- Long, expensive education
- Managing life outside work
- Emotionally taxing decisions
- Potential for burnout
- Dealing with difficult clients
- Workplace hazards like bites and scratches
- Student loan debt
If the rewards outweigh the challenges in your mind, don’t let anything stop you from pursuing this meaningful career and making a difference!
Conclusion: A Long but Worthwhile Journey
Becoming a licensed veterinarian takes years of hard work and commitment. However, for passionate animal lovers, it’s a rewarding and fulfilling choice. You’ll gain scientific knowledge, medical skills, and real-world experience to improve the health and wellbeing of all creatures great and small.
While the road is long, you don’t have to walk it alone. Find mentorship through vet professional organizations and online forums. Most importantly, always remember why you chose this path – your desire to help our animal companions and work with creatures you love. That passion will keep you going through every late night study session, difficult exam, and challenging clinical rotation.
If you believe veterinary medicine is your calling, don’t let anything deter you from achieving this noble goal. Be prepared for hard work, financial investment, and time commitment, but know it will pay off! Our furry, feathered, and scaled friends need your compassionate care.
In High School: Start preparing as early as you can
Take all the mathematics, chemistry, biology, and physics courses which are available to you in middle and high school; they will open up many career opportunities in college including veterinary medicine.
In College: Undergraduate degree program
Choose a degree program which will provide you a strong grounding in the biological and physical sciences. Make a list of degree programs at various universities and colleges and visit them individually. Find a program that will suit your needs the best. There are various undergraduate pathways to study prior to be admitted to vet schools.
All the required courses for you to get admitted to most vet schools are required in the Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences Program at Penn State.
Criteria that you should accomplish during your undergraduate degree before your application to Veterinary Colleges
- Grade Point Average (GPA): Maintain a competitive GPA, preferably 3.5 or higher. Most veterinary schools examine courses taken in the last 3-4 semesters closely.
- Animal and Clinical Experience: Volunteer with a veterinarian to gain wide variety of animal and clinical experience, and appreciation for the veterinary medical field. This might be an opportunity to find out if veterinary medicine is for you.
- Graduate Record Examinations: You think that you are done after taking SATs or ACTs for your college applications. Not quite! The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is widely accepted by most veterinary colleges while MCAT is another standardized test that is accepted by some in addition to by Medical Schools. Check each schools web page for their target standardized test scores.
- Letters of Recommendation: Choose three individuals to provide letters of recommendation. One is required from an academic adviser; one is required from a veterinarian; and the third one can be from an individual of your choice (typically one of your course instructors). It is important to get to know your academic adviser and/or professors during your college education. Some schools may require letters from two veterinarians. The application will give you a choice to waive your right to see letters of evaluation. You also have the choice not to waive that right and therefore request to see the letters after your application has been evaluated. While it is your right to see the letters, our advice is to waive the right to examine the letters. Evaluators will know before they write the letter if you have waived the right to see the letters or not. Some schools will think that evaluators may be hesitant to make negative comments about students do not waive their right to examine the evaluations. This can influence the evaluation of that letter by the admission committee.
- Leadership and communication skills; and co-curricular activities: It is highly recommended that you get involved in student club activities, such as, Pre-Vet club which will provide you numerous opportunities to serve in your community which will provide you to interact with people from all walks of life. Make effort to hold an officer position or to serve on a committee which will provide numerous opportunities to gain leadership and communications skills. Remember admission committee is looking for tomorrows leaders.
Make sure to have a back-up plan!
Most U.S. veterinary schools require the following college courses (specific Penn State courses are listed in parentheses):
- Two semesters of general chemistry with lab (CHEM 110, 111, 112, and 113)
- Two semesters of organic chemistry with lab (CHEM 202 and 203; or CHEM 210, 212, and 213)
- One or two semesters of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology with laboratory (B M B 211, 212, and 221; or B M B 401 and 402)
- B M B 251: Molecular and Cell Biology is also required by some veterinary colleges
- Two semesters of general biology with labs (BIOL 110, and BIOL 220W, 230W, or 240W).
- Two semesters of physics with lab (PHYS 250 and 251)
- Mathematics–The minimum requirement ranges from algebra and trigonometry to two semesters of calculus and varies with each school. Note that it is a minimum requirement. Most schools do not accept students who have not taken calculus, even if their published requirement is algebra and trigonometry (MATH 140 and 141).
- General education–Penn State students rarely have difficulty meeting this requirement if they meet Penn States General Education requirements for graduation.
- The specific number of credits required in each of the above categories may vary among veterinary schools. Thus, it is important to check the specific admissions requirements for each veterinary school.
What Major and Classes do I need to become a Veterinarian?
Should you go to veterinary school?
“There is not going to be any reason why you shouldn’t succeed when you go to vet school,” she says. Veterinary school typically lasts for four years and veterinary students usually have a bachelor’s degree, which means that the journey into the veterinary profession is a long one.
What are the prerequisites for veterinary school?
Vets typically complete specific prerequisite courses before applying for veterinary school, so it’s important to review the requirements when earning your undergraduate degree. Required courses may include biology, chemistry, physics, genetics, biochemistry, math, English, social sciences and humanities.
What degree does a veterinary doctor get?
Once they graduate from a U.S. veterinary school, they receive a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) or Veterinary Medical Doctor (VMD) degree (the degrees are different in other countries). They are now veterinarians and are qualified to perform the duties of the profession.
Do you need a degree to become a vet?
Veterinarians are leaders in the veterinary field and earn the highest income of all vet professionals. Do You Need a Bachelor’s Degree? While a bachelor’s degree is not always a prerequisite for vet schools, it significantly enhances your application.
