Applying for Veterinary School Admission
Since 1995, the American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges has provided centralized distribution, collection and processing for applications for veterinary medical colleges. The Veterinary Medical College Application Service (VMCAS) provides this service. VMCAS provides a common application for all 30 US veterinary medical schools and 14 international veterinary medical schools. Links to each of the VMCAS-affiliated veterinary schools are available.
While the VMCAS program provides a common application service, each veterinary school has unique requirements for admission. It is important that pre-veterinary students review the specific course and application requirements for ALL of the veterinary schools, they anticipate submitting applications. The VMCAS has links to specific requirements for each of participating veterinary medical college. VMCAS also provides a summary of course prerequisites and specific details of required courses for each affiliated institution. VMCAS provides a “Frequently Asked Questions” for application to veterinary school.
All VMCAS application materials (web application and evaluations) are due on September 15 by 12:00 midnight Eastern Time.
Supplemental Applications
Most of the participating VMCAS colleges require a supplemental application and supplemental fee to process your application. Supplemental applications and fees are submitted directly to the college. Information about specific supplemental applications is provided here.
Electronic Letters of Recommendation
VMCAS provides an “Electronic Letter of Recommendation” service as part of the common application. Referees can submit letters of recommendation electronically through the eLOR system. Carefully read all instructions in the VMCAS Web application about submission of letters of recommendation. All evaluations are due to VMCAS on September 15, by 11:59 pm Eastern Time. Evaluation requirements vary by institution; consult the College Specifications page and the schools’ website prior to sending the VMCAS evaluation form to your evaluators for specific requirements.
Transcripts
Official transcripts from ALL institutions are required. In most cases, transcripts need to be submitted to VMCAS, either by mail from each institutions registrar or electronically. READ the soecific instructions on submitting transcripts from VMCAS and fromt eh specific school your are applying. More information about submitting transcripts is provided by VMCAS.
Standardized Testing
Many colleges of veterinary medicine require standardized testing as part of the application process. Depending on the college, the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) or the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is required. Scores older than five years may not be accepted. International applicants may also be required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language and/or other English proficiency tests. It is important that applicants read all application instructions and contact selected institutions directly for more information about all standardized test requirements.
Test Prep Resources:
Education Testing Service (ETS)
Kaplan
Magoosh
The Princeton Review