PRE-VETERINARY MEDICINE
Prepared by: Dr. Anne L. Ewing Assistant Professor/Health Professions Advisor Department of Biology 200C Howell Hall (405) 974-5733
aewing2@ucok.edu
Academic requirements for admission to veterinary medical schools vary. To be eligible for most U.S. programs, you are advised to complete the following:
2 semesters of English composition 1 semester of English elective 2 semesters of biology, including 2 semesters of inorganic chemistry w/lab
zoology w/lab 2 semesters of organic chemistry w/lab 1 semester of animal nutrition 1 semester of biochemistry w/lab 1 semester of microbiology w/lab 2 semesters of physics w/lab 1 semester of college algebra or 1 semester of genetics
higher math
Additional requirements do exist, and they must be met or the applicant will not be considered. (Beware: CLEP and/or AP hours are not always acceptable). Contact individual veterinary college admissions offices for specific information.
For example, academic requirements for admission to the Oklahoma State University College of Veterinary Medicine include certain coursework, a minimum grade point average of 2.8 in at least 60 semester hours, and a competitive score on the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) and the Biology Subject Test of the GRE. The course requirements may be met by earning a C or better in the following courses at UCO:
| Inorganic Chemistry | General Biology | Social Sciences and Humanities (6 hrs) |
| CHEM 1103 + 1112 | BIO 1404 Animal Biology | 2 semesters of any combination |
| CHEM 1223 + 1232 | BIO 2314 --Microbiology | |
| BIO 3304 General Genetics | English | |
| Organic Chemistry | ENG 1113 | |
| CHEM 3303 + 3312 | Physics | ENG 1213 |
| CHME 3323 + 3332 | PHY 1114 | ENG ---3 |
| PHY 1214 | ||
| Biochemistry | Optional areas that may strengthen | |
| CHEM 3403 | Animal Nutrition | preparation for professional curriculum: |
| ANSI 3543 (by OSU Correspondence) | statistics, microscopic and gross | |
| Mathematics | anatomy, and physiology. | |
| MATH 1513 or higher |
Note: All prerequisite courses must have been completed within 8 years of application.
Students planning to apply to veterinary medical schools other than OSU need to check the specific admission requirements of those schools by consulting their preveterinary advisor.
CREDIT HOURS AND GRADE POINT AVERAGE (GPA): All applicants to the OSU College of Veterinary Medicine must present a minimum of 60 semester credit hours from an accredited college or university. Applicants with only this minimum; however, are not encouraged to apply unless they have demonstrated exceptional personal and intellectual maturity. If a student has completed 109 hours, the possibility exists that UCO will grant a bachelor’s degree in Biology after successful completion of the first year in vet school. This is an option requiring careful supervision by the preveterinary adviser. More than half of the students in recent classes have had bachelor’s degrees.
In addition to the minimum hours, applicants must present a minimum grade point average of 2.8 (A=4.0) with a minimum grade of “C” in each required course. For a recently entering OSU class, the average GPA was 3.48 overall.
GRADUATE RECORD EXAM (GRE): All applicants to veterinary medical school must take the Graduate Record Exam. Students should take the test during the fall semester of the year they apply. The Biology subject test given by GRE is also required. The test must be completed no later than the November or December test dates offered. For information about the test and for registration, http://www.gre.org/ For a recently entering OSU class, the average scores were 489-verbal, 574quantitative, 580-analytical, and 558-biology.
RESIDENCY STATUS: In addition to specific courses, grade point average, and GRE scores, a factor considered in the selection of students is their residency status. Because the College is state-supported, applicants must recognize that priority will be given to state residents.
ADVISEMENT AT UCO: Advisement for students planning to enter the health professions is coordinated by Dr. Anne Ewing in the Biology Department. Graduation checks and curriculum planning are coordinated by Ms. Brenda Brent; NUC 1211. Since the preveterinary advisor will assist in the application process, wise students will visit Dr. Ewing regularly enough to be known by her personally and benefit from her knowledge of the application process. However, it is essential that premedical students hold themselves responsible for knowing the requirements and deadlines.
SELECTION OF MAJOR: It should be emphasized that “preveterinary” is not a major. It simply means that the student is meeting requirements for admission to veterinary medical school. Thus, in addition to satisfying these requirements, the student should be working toward a baccalaureate degree in some area. There is no recommended major for preveterinary medical students. The College of Veterinary Medicine encourages a broad general curriculum in the social sciences and humanities in addition to a high level of competence in the physical and biological sciences. Good communication skills are also important. Beyond this, the best advice for students is to select a major in an area that will offer stimulating challenges and provide a viable alternative to veterinary medicine if they are not admitted to the College
QUALITY OF CURRICULUM: Preveterinary medical students should choose a curriculum that demonstrates a capacity to handle the rigors of veterinary medical school. If they choose the easiest curriculum they can manage, it will be obvious to the Admissions Committee that they have been protecting their GPA. It will certainly deprive them of the level of preparation they need for professional school.
VETERINARY EXPERIENCE: In order to test the depth of their commitment, preveterinary medical students are advised to get direct exposure to the world of veterinary medicine. Many veterinarians will allow students to shadow in their clinics, and talk with them about career choices. Three letters of recommendation will be required in the application process, and one of them must be from a veterinarian.
For Veterinary information from Oklahoma State University contact: Dr. Katrina Meinkoth, OSU College of Veterinary Medicine, 110 McElroy Hall, Stillwater, OK 74078. 405-744-6985. OSU Veterinary Medical Site: http://www.cvm.okstate.edu/
Revised 10/04