Veterinary medicine is ideal for students passionate about animal health and well-being. A solid academic foundation combined with volunteering with animals will help pave your way to veterinary school. It’s a career that blends science and compassion to care for various animals.
Below are the steps to help make preparing for veterinary school easier. If you have any questions along the way, feel free to reach out to the Pre-Health Advisors.
Additionally, if you are a current student, consider joining the Pacer Pre-Health Organization on campus. This organization provides assistance throughout your time at USCA, offering resources such as meetings, volunteer opportunities, campus visits, professional panels, mock exams, and more to help you succeed in reaching your professional goals. To join the organization, reach out to your Pre-Health advisors.
Pre-Health Advisors:
- Mary Katherine (MK) Mills, Ph.D. – marymi@usca.edu
- Susan Glenn, Ph.D. – susang@usca.edu
Step 1: Choose Your Program(s)
Select 3-4 veterinary schools you're interested in applying to. These programs will guide your course selection and shadowing/animal care hours.
Step 2: Identify Prerequisite Courses
Prerequisite courses vary by program. Review the requirements for each program you're considering.
Commonly required courses include:
- Introductory Biology (BIOL A121 and BIOL A122)
- Physical Chemistry (CHEM A111 and CHEM A112)
- Organic Chemistry (CHEM A331 and CHEM A331L)
- Biochemistry (BIOL A241)
- Prerequisite: Organic Chemistry (CHEM A331/331L)
- Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy (BIOL A314)
- Animal Physiology (BIOL A360)
- Prerequisite: Physical Chemistry (CHEM A111)
- Animal Nutrition (BIOL A365)
- Animal Behavior (BIOL A366)
- Physics (PHYS A201)
Step 3: Identify Hour Requirements
Many programs require specific volunteer, shadowing, or animal care hours. Each program may have different requirements, so start early to plan your spare time and summers.
- Shadowing – Observation of a veterinary professional at their practice
- General guideline: 250 hours
- Animal Care – Direct interaction with animals.
- General guideline: 1000+ hours
Step 4: Navigate your courses and get your hours
- Focus on maintaining a strong GPA and accumulating your hours gradually.
- There are no major exams (like the GRE) required until your junior year, so use your time wisely to build your foundation.
Step 5: Study for your exam (if applicable)
- Starting the fall of your junior year, you can begin studying for the GRE if your programs require it.
- Check the specific exam requirements for your chosen programs.
Step 6: Start Your Application
- You can begin your application in the spring of your junior year. Application requirements include:
- Writing a personal statement
- Securing letters of recommendation
- Navigating the VMCAS system
Step 6: Submit Your Application
- Once everything is complete, click submit!
Step 7: Prepare for Interviews
- After submitting your application, be prepared to wait for responses
- Some programs may require follow-up essays or conduct interviews before making final decisions
Step 8: The Fork in the Road
- Option 1: Acceptance – Congratulations! Relax until you are officially admitted into the program.
- Option 2: Non-Acceptance – Don’t be discouraged. Many students do not get accepted on their first try. Identify how you can improve your application and attack the next round with confidence.