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YOUR VET SCHOOL APPLICATION IS ABOUT MORE THAN NUMBERS
We take a holistic view of the vet school admissions process.
Rossies are many things: adventurers, visionaries, changemakers — and a single grade or test score will never tell the whole story. That’s why we take a holistic approach to admissions.
From your undergraduate courses to field experience, academic transcripts to your personal essay, every piece of your application helps the admissions committee identify those who will thrive in our challenging and life-changing program.
The Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine acceptance rate is affected by our holistic approach to admissions as well as our class sizes, which are larger than other member schools of the American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC). The requirements below detail the ability, accomplishment, and dedication we look for in prospective students, and the RUSVM acceptance rate reflects our inclination to look beyond the numbers.
EXPLORE ALL OTHER STUDENT REQUIREMENTS
Coming from somewhere else? Ross Vet welcomes students from around the globe in advancing veterinary medicine and animal welfare.
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE VET SCHOOL APPLICATION PROCESS
Find out how the application process works and what happens after you submit your application.
THE ROSS VET POLICY ON NON-DISCRIMINATION
Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, disability, or age in admission to, access to, treatment in, or employment in its programs and activities. Ross Vet is committed to ensuring that qualified students with disabilities are afforded reasonable accommodations. No qualified individual with a disability will be denied access to or participation in services, programs, or activities of Ross Vet.
VETERINARY SCHOOL REQUIREMENTS FAQS
Get answers to your most pressing questions. Don’t see your question here?
What are the requirements for veterinary school?
Fortunately, most veterinary school requirements are similar across organizations and may include the completion of vet school prerequisites, official test scores, veterinary professional experience, and personal essay.
Ross Vet school requirements include completion of veterinary school prerequisites, a minimum of 48 credits of college work, completion of the equivalent of 150 hours of veterinary professional experience or veterinary research, official Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores*, and proof of English proficiency if English is not your first language. For our international or transfer applicants, additional requirements may apply. We strongly recommend that you complete your undergraduate program.
We require a grade of C or better in all prerequisite coursework. Vet school prerequisite courses must have been completed within 10 years of the desired semester start date.
Please review our full DVM admissions requirements above or download the guide to learn more.
Is the GRE required?
The GRE is highly recommended, but not required for Ross Vet applicants. Applications that include the GRE, regardless of GRE score, will be given priority in the review process.
Ross Vet uses a holistic approach for selecting and admitting students to our DVM program. This means we take into account an applicant’s non-academic attributes and experiences in addition to important academic elements, such as GPA and GRE.
We utilize the GRE to better get to know each applicant as a “whole.” Our holistic review process helps ensure every applicant gets thoroughly evaluated as an individual and a fair shot at gaining admission to the DVM program.
ETS provides GRE Fee Reduction vouchers for individuals who meet eligibility requirements and can demonstrate financial need, for those who are unemployed, and for national programs that work with underrepresented groups. Visit the ETS website for more information.
What GRE score do you need for vet school?
The minimum GRE score will vary by vet school.
Ross Vet doesn’t have a minimum score requirement, but the average GRE score is 300* for enrolled students.
*Statistically representative of the Sept 2021, January 2022, and May 2022 classes. Data includes both new and advancing Vet Prep students.
How important are vet school GRE scores?
Find out how much GRE scores for vet school admission matter and what other factors you should keep in mind to help you stand out in our blog article, “How Important are Vet School GRE Scores?”.
What GPA do you need to get into vet school?
Many schools will look very carefully at your vet school prerequisite courses and may be looking for a GPA of 3.5 or higher.
Ross Vet doesn’t require a minimum GPA requirement, but our students have an average enrolled GPA of 3.24 and an average enrolled pre-requisite GPA of 3.21.* Ross Vet applicants generally fit this profile for admission to veterinary school:
- 3.24 Average Enrolled GPA*
- 3.21 Average Enrolled Pre-requisite GPA
- 301 Average Enrolled GRE*
- 150 Hours of Veterinary Professional Experience
- 100% Committed to Animal Health
*Statistically representative of the Sept 2022, January 2023, and May 2023 classes. Data includes both new and advancing Vet Prep students.
ROSS VET SCHOOL PREREQUISITES
Explore the breakdown of prerequisite coursework required. These are organized by subject and include semester hours, laboratory requirements and other pertinent details. We require a minimum of 48 credits of college work, but we strongly recommend that you complete your undergraduate program. We require a grade of C or better in all prerequisite coursework. Vet school prerequisite courses must have been completed within 10 years of the desired semester start date. Your required coursework includes:
Not sure if your previous coursework meets the requirements? Contact our Admissions department today to get clarification.
Biology
Two semesters of General Biology (eight semester hours) with laboratory.
Cell Biology or Genetics
One course (three semester hours); Lab is recommended but not required
Chemistry
One semester of General Chemistry (four semester hours) with laboratory.
One semester of Organic Chemistry 1 (four semester hours) with laboratory.
Biochemistry
One semester of General Biochemistry or Biochemistry 1 (three semester hours).
Note: Introductory or survey courses are not acceptable.
Physics
One semester of Physics 1 (four semester hours) with laboratory.
Note: Introductory or survey courses are not acceptable.
Mathematics
One semester of college-level mathematics (three semester hours) to be chosen among pre-calculus, calculus, and statistics.
English
One semester of English (at least three semester hours), preferably to include one semester of English Composition. Canadian students may satisfy English requirements in 3 possible ways: (1) one course or one semester of a course had a 40% essay requirement for the overall mark, (2) International Baccalaureate, and (3) Advanced Placement English.
Electives/Humanities/Social Sciences
Nine semester hours; one of the courses to meet this requirement must be one of the following:
- Comparative Anatomy
- Medical Terminology
- Microbiology
- Nutrition
- Physiology
- Spanish (or other foreign language)
- Public Speaking
- Introduction to business
CLEP EXAM INFORMATION
Please note that we will accept CLEP B-level scores for applicants who have previously successfully completed specified coursework but whose coursework is outdated. Note that the Chemistry CLEP is only for General Chemistry, not Organic Chemistry. Please see list below for accepted CLEP exams and credits:
- General Biology with a passing score set at B-level equivalent to 6 credits
- General Chemistry with a passing score set at B-level equivalent to 6 credits
- Calculus with a passing score set at B-level equivalent to 4 credits
- Pre-Calculus with a passing score set at B-level equivalent to 3 credits
- College Composition modular with a passing score set at B-level equivalent to 3 credits
APPLICATION DOCUMENT DETAILS
How to Submit Your Graduate Record Examination (GRE) Scores
The GRE is highly recommended, but not required for Ross Vet applicants. Applications that include the GRE, regardless of GRE score, will be given priority in the review process.
Ross Vet uses a holistic approach for selecting and admitting students to our DVM program. That means a majority of applicants are advanced to Interview and Committee Review stages and no applicant is excluded on the basis of GRE score alone.
At Ross Vet, we know there is more to your story than GPA and GRE, and that’s why we take into account non-academic attributes and experiences in addition to important academic elements, such as GPA and GRE. We also know that applicants who take the GRE, regardless of their score, are more likely to succeed and excel at Ross Vet. Our holistic review process helps ensure every applicant gets thoroughly evaluated as an individual and a fair shot at gaining admission to the DVM program.
Please release your scores to Ross Vet using the following site: https://www.ets.org/
The Ross Vet school code number is #2639.
*Statistically representative of September 2021, January 2022, and May 2022 incoming classes. Data includes both new and advancing Vet Prep.
Craft Your Personal Essay
An opportunity to tell your story.
A personal essay is required as part of your application. If applying through VMCAS, the personal statement will be accepted as your essay.
Explain a defining moment that helped steer you toward a career in veterinary medicine. Consider using that moment as the focal point of your essay.
Although there is no set of rules mandating what a strong personal statement should include, here are a few tips to help you successfully craft an effective personal statement:
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Discuss how you would contribute to the profession and patient care, all of which will help you stand out from other applicants
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Explain why you are good candidate for veterinary school —in a pile of 100 applications, would you enjoy reading your statement?
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Convey your passion for veterinary medicine in your statement
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Avoid repeating information from your transcripts or reference letters
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Ask yourself if this essay is a good representation of your character, ideals, and aspirations
Earn Two Letters of Recommendation
Ask a professor and a veterinarian to speak to your vet school preparedness.
Submit two official letters of recommendation on proper letterhead with contact information included and physically signed. Your letters should speak to your preparedness and motivation to become a veterinarian, your academic ability, and your experience in the veterinary profession.
- One academic letter from a science professor acquainted with your academic ability.
- One professional letter from a veterinarian acquainted with your veterinary experience.
Make sure your letters are sent directly from the recommender to the Ross Vet admissions office. Please email all materials to Admissions at vetadmissions@rossu.edu.
Work Experience is Part of Vet School Requirements
Show your dedication to the profession.
At least 150 hours of professional veterinary experience or veterinary research is required as part of your application.
Include proof of these 150 hours in your CV, resume, or letters of recommendation.
TRANSFER STUDENTS
Vet School Requirements for Transfer Students
Apply for admission with advance standing if you have completed a portion of the curriculum at another AVMA-accredited school of veterinary medicine.
- Completed coursework at an AVMA-accredited school
- Completed coursework comparable to the DVM program curriculum
- Meet all veterinary school requirements for Ross Vet
- A letter of intent that includes: a cogent, well-written explanation of the student’s reason(s) for requesting a transfer; an indication of the semester of the curriculum into which transfer is requested; and the student’s enrollment status in the college of veterinary medicine from which the student wishes to transfer.
- A letter of character and academic reference (including class ranking) from the associate dean of the college of veterinary medicine or his/her designee from which the student wishes to transfer.
- Up to two letters of reference from former instructors who are members of the faculty of the college of veterinary medicine from which the student wishes to transfer.
Placement will be determined by the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and the Dean, and will depend on the courses already completed. However, credit will not be given for more than the first four semesters of study. Transfer applicants must take all of the courses offered for the semester they are admitted and may be required to repeat the entire curriculum. All transfer students must spend a minimum of six semesters of study enrolled at RUSVM. Applicants who have previously been dismissed from a school of veterinary medicine are ineligible for admission to RUSVM.
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
Vet School Requirements for International Students
We give serious consideration to all international vet school candidates who show the potential to succeed in our veterinary medicine curriculum. That goes for our staff too, as we offer a diverse faculty hailing from all over the globe there to assist you with the transition.
Our admissions committee takes a holistic view of the admissions process, reviewing not just grades and test scores, but so much more: your experience with animals and exposure to animal medicine, personal character, interpersonal skills, motivation, and passion for the profession.
Demonstrate Your Proficiency in English
If English is not your primary language, or if you did not complete your undergraduate degree at a post-secondary institution where courses were taught in English, you will be requested to provide Ross Vet with your official record of scores for one of the following:
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) iBT — preferred minimum score on the computer-based test is as follows: 25 Listening; 22 Writing; 22 Speaking; 23 Reading.
- IGCSE English (First language) Grade B — International English Language Testing System (IELTS) — 7.0
- Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic — 67
- Cambridge English: Advanced & Proficiency overall 185
College Work Definition
Ross Vet defines college work as credits earned in a non-vocational program.
