Preparation for veterinary school involves engaging in experiences that develop and demonstrate skills in communication, leadership, community service, research, and familiarity with the veterinary profession. What you do with your time helps define who you are in your application. Veterinary schools will learn what you care about and who you are through experiences that align with your interests and goals. Keep in mind that activities complement your coursework, but will not compensate for low grades. Both are important!

• Keep a detailed record of all hours and experiences — document contact information and reflections on each activity. Most students create an Excel spreadsheet to track experiences.
• Try to complete activities consistently throughout the school year.
• Be intentional and deliberate in planning your experiences, so you are prepared to apply when the time comes.

Veterinary Experience

Clinical observations or volunteering should be one of your first experiences as a pre-vet student. Observing veterinarians in action will help you gather the information you need to commit to the profession fully. It will help you learn about a variety of veterinarian specialties in an animal hospital, small animal, large animal, or in a mixed animal clinic. These hours MUST take place under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian.

Competitive applicants will complete 1-2 different experiences to help accumulate 400+ hours.

Employment Experience

List and describe all paid work done OUTSIDE of the animal or veterinary field; for example: a retail or restaurant job. These will exclude any experience listed in veterinary, animal, or research experience.

Animal Experience

Animal experiences should include farm and ranch experiences, 4-H and FFA membership, animal training, or other similar activities that were NOT under the supervision of a veterinarian.

The experiences you report in this section should be different from those entered for Veterinary and Employment experience

Possible Opportunities

• Classroom experiences
• Pet sitting
• Care of personal pets
• Experience at rehabilitation facilities or humane societies and shelters
• Pen rider at feedlot

• General laborer at a :

  • Poultry Operation
  • Hog Operation
  • Dairy Operation
  • Cattle Operation
• As well as breeding, rearing, feeding, and showing various companion animals, livestock, laboratory animals, zoo animals, or wildlife.

This may or may not be required for veterinary school, but makes you a more competitive applicant. Check with your desired program for requirements.

Research Experience

Schools desire applicants who understand scientific literature, know how research is performed, and can distinguish credible research. Any research, as long as it is hypothesis-based and utilizes the scientific method, can build your experience. As you do research, make sure you understand the hypothesis, the procedure, and your responsibility in the project. Participate in research through faculty-directed work.

Please report research experiences regardless of whether or not they were related to animals or under the supervision of a veterinarian.

This may or may not be required for veterinary school but makes you a more competitive applicant. Check with your desired program for requirements.

Volunteer/Community Service

Because you are preparing for a humanitarian profession, it is important to have volunteer experiences that demonstrate a consistent and long-term commitment to serving others in your community. Look for service opportunities with an underserved population, in your community, on campus, or in a humanitarian setting. Volunteer activities need not be animal-related but should be something important and meaningful to you. Quality of the experience is more important than quantity.

This may or may not be required for veterinary school but makes you a more competitive applicant. Check with your desired program for requirements.

Extracurricular Activities

List and describe ALL extracurricular activities in which you were engaged, including those during high school, beginning with the most recent first. Extracurricular activities may include (but are not limited to) participation is sports, clubs, music, arts, hobbies, etc

Veterinary schools want to see society involvement, ergo, it is recommended to involve yourself in student societies on campus.

This may or may not be required for veterinary school but makes you a more competitive applicant. Check with your desired program for requirements.

Achievements

List and describe honors, awards, or scholarships you have received, including those in high school.

This may or may not be required for veterinary school but makes you a more competitive applicant. Check with your desired program for requirements.

Hobbies

While veterinary schools do not have requirements for hobbies, they are interested in well-rounded students who know how to balance work with recreation. Hobbies and interests can make your application unique to you.

"Double-Dipping"

To be competitive, you should strive to meet the requirements in each individual area. One activity should not be counted in two areas. This is called "double-dipping," and makes it appear you are not taking the time to develop yourself fully. While an activity may be both volunteer and leadership, or volunteer and animal experience, you will list the experience as a single experience on your application—recognizing there may be overlap in some experiences.

Some schools require you to take the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) before you can apply. Check individual program websites to determine if they require the GRE.

What Content Does the GRE Contain?

The GRE is broken down into three sections:

1. Analytical Writing
2. Verbal Reasoning
3. Quantitative Reasoning

How is the GRE scored?

Verbal Reasoning
130-170, in 1 point increments

Quantitative Reasoning
130-170, in 1 point increments

Analytical Writing
0-6, in half-point increments

What Classes Should I Complete Before Taking the GRE?

ENG 150, ENG 301, MATH 109 (or MATH 110x and MATH 111), and MATH 221 are all foundational courses to prepare you for the GRE.

What Are the Costs Associated With Taking the GRE?

The GRE costs $220. There may be other fees for extra score reports or rescheduling fees.

The costs for study materials, travel, and the exam can be between $205-$1500, depending on if you choose to self-study or purchase programs and materials.

The GRE Program offers a limited number of GRE Fee Reduction Vouchers on a first-come, first served basis to U.S. citizens or resident aliens who are college seniors or unenrolled college graduates who meet eligibility requirements.

To apply for a GRE Fee Reduction Voucher, students should complete the GRE Fee Reduction Request form (PDF) and follow the instructions on the form regarding submission of materials to ETS. Students should allow up to three weeks for processing and mail delivery.

How Do I Register For the GRE?

The GRE® General Test is available at more than 1,000 test centers in more than 160 countries. It is offered as a computer-delivered test year-round at most locations around the world. To register for the test, view your scores, and access other services, you'll need an ETS account.

The computer-delivered test is offered year round, and you can register online or by phone. How you register may vary depending on where you will test. Register for the computer-delivered test.

Where do I take the GRE?

View test centers and dates for the GRE General test. For the computer-delivered test, you can also view seat availability, though you won't be able to register without signing into your GRE Account. See Test Centers and Dates.

How do I prepare for the GRE?

Give yourself one to three months to study for the GRE. Many sources recommend 100-200 hours of test preparation.

Additional ideas to help:

• Take two or three real-time simulated practice tests—this is the best way to most accurately replicate the conditions you will experience on test day.
• Study efficiently by creating a study calendar and focusing extra time on subjects you find difficult.
• Study one subject at a time. By focusing on one subject, you will be able to digest the material quickly and effectively.
• Get into a routine and ensure you continue to sleep and eat well.

There are multiple test prep courses available. When deciding between the courses, consider the following:

• Cost: compare what resources will be available through each test prep course for the expense
• Location: some test preps are only available online while other test preps will have in-person classes or tutoring available
• Teaching Style and Structure: Compare the length of the programs, the teaching style, and how the programs are structured.

US veterinary schools admit students once a year in the fall, but applications are submitted 23 months before the desired veterinary school enrollment date.

Veterinary schools requirements vary slightly from school to school — research schools early for specific information on their requirements.

Phase One - September

• Complete the VMCAS Application.
• VMCAS is the centralized application service for Colleges of Veterinary Medicine. Through VMCAS you complete one application and send all your required materials through this service. Your application is then processed, verified for accuracy, and sent to the veterinary medical schools you designate.

The VMCAS application opens in January. Applicants should begin working immediately, so they can have the application completed before the due date in September.

• Some schools do not use VMCAS. Check their individual requirements.

The VMCAS application closes on September 15th of each year. Late applications are not accepted under any circumstance. Even applications submitted 5 seconds late are not accepted.

• Complete the individual's school supplemental application,

  • Most schools have an additional supplemental application.

Phase Two - October through December

• Application Reviews by each school
• Invitations for subsequent interviews will be distributed

Phase Three - January

• Decisions released

International Students will need to check with the schools they are interested in to verify if they accept international students and what those extra requirements will be.

Entrance Examination Requirements

Non-native English speakers are required to present a TOEFL score at the time that they apply. Information about these examinations can be obtained at www.TOEFL.org. Applications with scores below the minimum will not be given consideration. Students who have graduated from U.S. institutions may be exempted from the English examination requirement at the discretion of each individual Veterinary Program.