Your undergraduate pre-vet studies will focus heavily on scientific concepts to improve your understanding of pharmacology, pathology, and organic compounds. Sprinkle in some math to improve your comfort doing more advanced calculations, and you have a well-rounded foundation. Veterinarians often need to calculate dosages specific to each patient they treat while understanding how this medication impacts the condition itself and the entire body.
Your vet program teaches you to apply the skills in scenarios related to your career path, so you can confidently treat patients in the future.
What Prerequisites Do You Need for Vet School?
The exact prerequisite courses you need can differ depending on the school. At Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine (Ross Vet), we usually require students to complete our prerequisite courses within 10 years of their desired start date.
- Two semesters of General Biology with lab (eight credits)
- One course of Cell Biology or Genetics, labs are recommended but not required (three credits)
- One semester of General Chemistry with lab (four credits)
- One semester of Organic Chemistry with lab (four credits)
- One semester of General Biochemistry or Biochemistry 1** (three credits)
- One semester of Physics 1 with lab (four credits)
- One semester of Pre-Calculus, Calculus, or Statistics (three credits)
- One semester of English, preferably English Composition (three credits)
- Canadian students can satisfy this requirement by doing one of the following:
- Two semesters of university humanities where essays made up at least 40% of their overall grade
- International Baccalaureate
- Advanced Placement English
- Nine credits in electives, humanities, or social sciences and one of the courses must be one of the following:
- Comparative Anatomy
- Medical Terminology
- Microbiology
- Nutrition
- Physiology
- Foreign Language
- Public Speaking
We require you to have a C or above in your prerequisite courses since it speaks to your scientific background.
How Does Ross Med Evaluate Applicants?
Our holistic approach to the review process ensures we're not overlooking potential applicants based solely on one data point.
Grades only provide a snapshot of what you know, and even then, may not be an accurate reflection. Many colleges and universities tend to put an emphasis on test scores rather than homework, essays, and sometimes even quizzes. If you're a nervous test taker and the bulk of your grade comes from those results, only looking at your academics could do you a disservice.
That's why we look closely at your personal statement, letters of recommendation, and professional experience. We want to know why pursuing veterinary medicine is so important to you, and what steps you've taken to contribute to this community. We want to see diversified, professional experiences and how they've influenced your desire to pursue veterinary medicine.
Do You Still Need to Take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE®)?
Historically, it was common for vet schools to require students to submit GRE scores as part of their application. Most vet schools either no longer require them or have an optional policy. Ross Vet has an optional policy since we believe academics alone don't paint a full picture of an applicant's potential. Submitting your GRE score as part of your application gives us one more data point to review, which helps us better gauge how likely you are to be successful during your time at Ross Vet.
Do You Need a Specific Degree to Apply to Vet School?
Technically speaking? No, you don’t need a specific degree to apply to vet school, but you will need to complete the prerequisite coursework and gain at least 150 hours of professional experience. That said, we strongly encourage applicants to finish their bachelor's degree before enrolling in our Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) program. This gives you more time to build stronger relationships with mentors, gain more clinical experience, and create a competitive application.
Veterinary School Acceptance Tips
While there isn't a specific academic profile that guarantees your acceptance, there are steps you can take to create a strong application package.
1. Start Preparing Early
This one seems like a given, but don't underestimate the benefit of preparing for vet school very early in your studies. Create a wish list of schools you'd like to attend and review their admissions requirements. Each school has their requirements, but a lot of subjects - like biology, chemistry, and math - tend to overlap. Speak with the pre-vet studies advisor at your school, or your academic advisor, to make sure you complete this track throughout your studies.
Start gaining clinical experience and animal or research exposure as early as you possibly can. The more time you have to support or work alongside vets in your area, the better they can get to know you. This can also be a great way to learn about other local opportunities and diversify your experiences.
2. Document Your Professional Experiences
Keeping a journal may seem a bit silly at first, but this will be an invaluable asset when you start working on your personal statement. This time capsule preserves how your thoughts and feelings toward veterinary medicine change over time, and what caused it. Make sure to add pictures of important milestones and update your journal as often as possible. This record of your highs and lows can jog your memory before you start writing your essay, and help you pick the most impactful moment to share with admissions teams.
3. Maintain Good Relationships with Mentors
A glowing recommendation from someone you’ve worked with closely for extended periods could be the deciding factor for your application. While someone you’ve volunteered with for three months could write a good recommendation, someone you’ve worked with for a year can write a stronger one. They’ve seen how you’ve overcome obstacles and your passion for helping animals firsthand. Their opinion of your character is invaluable to admissions teams who are being introduced to you for the very first time.
Prepare for Your Vet Career at Ross Vet
Each prerequisite course helps you build the basic skills and knowledge needed to thrive in your DVM program
Ready to learn how? Submit this form for more information, or, if you’re ready, apply to Ross Vet today!
