Requirements for Vet Medical School

With only 28 accredited schools of veterinary medicine in the United States, admission is competitive.  Prospective students need to complete prerequisite courses, attain good grades, gain extensive animal and leadership experience, demonstrate effective communication skills and score well on standardized tests. 

Coursework

Admission to veterinary school requires good grades in all undergraduate courses and the completion of certain prerequisite classes.  Each veterinary school has its own set of prerequisites, so perspective students should check all schools of interest when choosing undergraduate courses.  Common veterinary school prerequisite courses include, two semesters each of general and organic chemistry with laboratories, two semesters of biology with laboratories, two semesters of physics with laboratories, specific upper level biology courses, calculus, English composition and courses in the humanities and social sciences.

Animal Experience

Veterinary schools expect students to have significant experience working with animals.  Most schools want to see a mixture of experience with small and large animals and expect prospective students to have worked or volunteered in a veterinary setting . Additionally, some schools require that at least one letter of recommendation be written by a veterinarian with whom the applicant have worked.

Leadership and Communication Skills

Veterinary schools want students who are effective leaders and communicators. This means that prospective veterinary students need to show leadership in clubs, organizations and jobs. Additionally, applicants need to demonstrate excellent communication skills in personal statements and interviews.

Standardized Tests

Veterinary schools require general Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores from prospective students.  Some schools also require the Biology GRE.  Prospective students are expected to have high scores, especially on the quantitative portion of the test.