Veterinary Medicine

Overview

Veterinarians play a major role in the healthcare of pets, livestock, and zoo, sporting, and laboratory animals. Some veterinarians use their skills to protect humans against diseases carried by animals and conduct clinical research on human and animal health problems. Others work in basic research, broadening the scope of fundamental theoretical knowledge, and in applied research, developing new ways to use knowledge.

—From ExploreHealthCareers.org

Application Process

Applications for veterinary schools are processed through the Veterinary Medical College Application Service (VMCAS).

Curriculum Requirements

The suggested course sequence for pre-med students will prepare pre-vet students well, though they should also consider taking Biochemistry and Microbiology, as both Penn and Cornell require those courses. Prerequisites vary from school to school, so students should consult with the schools to which they are applying for specific requirements.

Entrance Exam Requirements

The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) or the GRE is required for admission to most programs: consult with the schools to which you are applying for specific requirements.

Letters of Evaluation/Recommendation

Your adviser from the Health Professions Advising Committee can compose a composite letter from the letters of recommendation you solicit from professors, supervisors, research mentors, and others who know you in professional or service contexts; that letter will also contain a rating of you on behalf of the committee based on your academic record, service, experience, and other factors. Students should consult early and closely with their adviser and with the schools to which they are applying for specific requirements and to determine whom to solicit for letters of recommendation.

Interviews

Schools usually require personal, on-campus interviews, though how many applicants are interviewed and at what point in the application timeline those interviews take place varies widely. Members of the Health Professions Advising Committee conduct at least one mock interview with applicants the spring before they apply; subsequent mock interviews are readily available and heartily encouraged.