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Applying to Veterinary Medical College
Contents
- Introduction
- Major
- Prerequisite Courses
- GRE
- Experience
- Selection of Schools
- The Primary Applications
- Supplementary (Secondary) Applications
- Letters of Recommendation
- Interviews
- Financing Veterinary School
- Postbaccalaureate Programs
- Appendices
- Timeline
- PreVet Self-Assessment
- Useful Books
- Additional Websites
The path to acceptance to a veterinary medical college involves a number of steps, not necessarily done in this order:
- Completion of required courses
- Extracurricular activities, including veterinary experience, community service and other (research, clubs, sports, work, etc.)
- Letters of recommendation
- GRE
- Selection of colleges to which you wish to apply
- Submitting VMCAS application
- Sending in supplemental (secondary) applications
- Interviews at colleges (at their invitation)
Careful attention must be paid to every step; each must be done well or you will run the risk of not getting into the program of your choice. In addition, you should do everything deliberately, and well in advance of any deadlines. This will give you time to correct any errors. It is unrealistic to expect this process to go perfectly. If it does, great. But be prepared for problems. The best way to deal with potential problems is to give yourself the time to do so. Do not wait until the last minute.
To help you with your planning, you can use the Pre-Vet timeline as a guide. Keep in mind that every student will have a unique path, and your plans may differ from those of your friends and relatives. Note that the average age of the 2007 entering class at the Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Science was 25, indicating that many students took one or more years "off" before starting medical school. Consult with your Preprofessional advisor to see how to develop a timeline that fits your situation and goals.
As you proceed along your path toward application to medical school, it will be useful to periodically evaluate your preparation. This Pre-Vet Self-Assessment is designed to help you with this task.
II. Major
Choose your major carefully. You should choose something that you enjoy and truly love. Veterinary medical colleges do not require a specific major, as long as you have fulfilled the necessary prerequisites. They are interested in broadly educated students who can speak and write clearly, who have analytical ability, and are life-long learners. Veterinarians will be working with people almost as much as with animals, and therefore it is important to understand the social aspects of life and medicine as well as the science behind it. However, some veterinary medical colleges recommend a major in the sciences so that you can take advanced science classes. For example, CSU states that admissions "evaluators carefully assess the quality of an applicant's academic history in terms of relative academic strengths and promise, including the number and quality of upper division science courses. Required courses are important, but they represent part of the minimum academic requirements, and additional upper division biomedical science courses are valued, especially if academic performance is good to excellent and the courses have been taken recently." Be sure to consult with your prehealth advisor about what science courses you might consider taking beyond the prerequisites if you are not a science major.
III. Prerequisite Courses
A. Courses
The specific courses required for admission to a veterinary medical college vary depending on the particular school. The specific requirements for each school can be found in the book Veterinary School Admission Requirements that is published annually. Alternatively the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC) lists the requirements online at: http://www.aavmc.org/vmcas/college_requirement.htm. The courses listed below are required at most veterinary schools, although additional courses may also be required. It is extremely important that you research the requirements at the schools to which you intend to apply.
- General Biology: All schools require some type or background in biology. Most schools require 2 semesters of basic biology with labs.
- Genetics; required by most schools and many require the lab
- Microbiology; required by approximately 12 of the 25 US schools. Most specify a lab requirement as well.
- Physiology; required by 4 schools
- General Chemistry; Most schools require 2 semesters of general chemistry with labs.
- Organic Chemistry; many schools require 2 semesters of organic chemistry with lab, but some will require only one semester.
- Biochemistry; a one semester non-lab course is required by approximately 17 schools. There are 3-4 schools that require biochemistry with a lab and 1-2 schools require a two semester sequence of biochemistry.
- Physics; All schools require one semester of physics, and many require 2 semesters. Some schools require the lab sections, while others do not.
- English Composition/Writing: All schools require at least one semester of English coursework, and the majority of schools require two semesters. There are a few schools that require a full 3 semesters of English composition or writing.
- Speech; almost half of the schools require a speech or public speaking class, but many will allow this class to qualify as one of the required English classes.
- Nutrition; approximately 8 schools require a nutrition course and some specifically require a course in animal nutrition and will not accept a human nutrition course to fulfill their prerequisite.
- Statistics
Other courses that are often recommended include: cell biology, developmental biology, computer sciences, anatomy, histology, and other advanced biomedical sciences. Courses taken at vocational and proprietary schools will not usually be accepted.
B. Advanced Placement/International Baccalaureate courses
AP/IB courses are accepted for the prerequisites by many, but not all, veterinary medical colleges if they have been accepted by your undergraduate institution. You will need to check on policies at the specific schools to which you plan to apply. If you do choose to use AP credit for prerequisite courses it is a good idea to take higher level courses in the same field to show the admissions committees a college course grade in that field of science. For example, if you use AP credit for General Biology, you might consider taking courses such as Genetics (EBIO 2070 or MCDB 2150), Molecular Biology (MCDB 3500), Physiology (EBIO 3430 or 3700), or Cell Biology (MCDB 3120). Listed below are the schools that conditionally accept AP credit. All other schools will accept AP credit, as long as it has been accepted by your undergraduate institution.
US Veterinary Medical Colleges that Conditionally Accept AP Credit
- Cornell University: accepts AP for physics and inorganic chemistry with a score of 4 or higher. AP credit in other areas must be followed by more advanced coursework.
- Washington State University: reviewed on a case-by-case basis
- University of Illinois: accepted for physics if it covers the full 8 hour requirement, accepted for chemistry and biology if followed up by more advanced courses
- Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine: accepted for one semester of English if the additional required hours are taken at the college level. Accepted for all other pre-veterinary requirements.
C. Study Abroad courses
Study abroad is a wonderful way to gain exposure to a new culture and broaden your perspective. However, it is not always a good idea to take many of your prerequisite courses at non-US institutions. If you take the courses as part of a program at CU, they will appear on your transcript, but are typically listed as P/F. In some cases, you will need to obtain transcripts from the foreign institution and have them verified by a transcript evaluation service. The best approach is to use study abroad courses to fulfill core and major requirements and to explore new areas.
D. Degree
It is possible to enter veterinary school without obtaining a B.A. or B.S. degree. If you have the necessary prerequisites, you can apply to vet schools without a degree. However, the vast majority of accepted students will have a degree by the time of enrollment. In 2008, less than 10% of applicants did not have at least a bachelor's degree, and most of these students were enrolled in programs where they will complete the B.S. degree during their D.V.M. training. Even if a degree is not required by all schools, it is strongly recommended that you obtain one. This will make you a more attractive applicant and will also benefit you should you change your mind about future careers. A degree is also beneficial if you do not gain admission to vet school on your first try. However, if you already have a degree, you will need only to complete the required courses listed above.
E. GPA
The median overall GPA of matriculants at CSU College of Veterinary Medicine was 3.6 for the class entering in 2008. It is possible to be accepted with a lower GPA, but it becomes very unlikely if your overall GPA is below 3.2. However, this does not mean that if you have a GPA in the low 3.0's that you have no chance of being accepted. If recent coursework shows your ability to handle challenging science courses, many veterinary colleges will take into account other factors including a bad year, a slow start, etc. They are also interested in your experience working with animals, your GRE score and your characteristics as an applicant.
IV. The GRE (Graduate Record Examination)
A. Timing, registration and format
The GRE is now administered year-round at a variety of computer based testing centers. Registrations are taken on a first-come, first-served basis and you can take the test only once per month and not more than 5 times in a 12 month period. You can register online at http://www.ets.org or call 1-800-GRE-CALL.The test is offered in CBT (computer-based test) format and there are two overall types of test, the general GRE and the subject GRE. Veterinary colleges typically require only the general GRE. This test is broken down into three sections; verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning and analytical writing. The verbal reasoning focuses on the ability to analyze and evaluate written material and synthesize information as well as recognizing relationships between words and concepts. The quantitative reasoning section tests the ability to understand basic concepts of algebra, geometry, and data analysis. It also requires quantitative problem solving and reasoning. The analytical writing section requires the test-taker to clearly articulate complex ideas, examine claims and evidence, support ideas with examples and sustained a focused, coherent discussion.
Many schools require that your GRE scores be no more than 2-5 years old. Each school has its own policy and the specific length of time can be found in the Veterinary Medical School Admissions Requirements (VMSAR).
The best strategy is to take the GRE the year that you intend to apply. Some students prefer to take it during the fall or spring semester prior to applying so that they will have time to retake if necessary. Other students take the exam during the summer to have more time to prepare. It is strongly advised that you take the GRE before you fill out the VMCAS application so that you already have your scores. This will aid in your choice of schools to which you want to apply and help determine if you are a strong candidate. Because of the large number of applicants for limited interview and places in veterinary school, it is recommended that you apply early, rather than wait until close to the school's deadline.
It is important to note that the University of Georgia and Oklahoma State University also require the GRE biology subject test. This test is comprised of multiple choice questions in three areas of biology: cellular and molecular biology, organismal biology, and ecological and evolutionary biology. Equal weight is given to each of the three components.
There are also a number of schools which will accept the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) in lieu of the GRE. These schools are: Cornell University, University of Missouri, The Ohio State University, Tuskegee University, and Western University of Health Sciences. For more information on the MCAT, go to the applying to medical school link on the PreProfessional website or to http://www.aamc.org/students/mcat.
NOTE: Educational Testing Service, which offers the GRE, has provisions for Fee Reduction. The reduction is only available once per applicant, and will reduce the cost of the exam by 50%. See www.ets.org for more details.
B. Materials and Courses
The official information on the GRE is on the Educational Testing Services website at http://www.ets.org. This site also provides free tests when you register to take the exam. Numerous other online resources are available, including those from 800score, GREguide, GRE Explorer and others. Research them and choose the one(s) that suit your study style.
In addition, Kaplan (www.kaplan.com), and Princeton (www.princetonreview.com) offer classroom review/prep courses for the GRE. The Kaplan and Princeton courses are offered in a variety of formats and will cost between $800-1,600. These courses are not required, and are something you should think hard about before taking. One is not necessarily better than the other. Note that these courses will not work if you do not follow the program exactly. Be prepared to spend time studying outside of class with these programs.
V. Experience
A. Veterinary Experience
Admissions committees will use your experience in veterinary care settings to determine whether you understand the challenges and complexities of veterinary practice. They are looking for direct contact with animals in a variety of settings. The following is a quote from Colorado State University?s veterinary admissions office. "There is no minimum animal or veterinary experience requirement; however, in choosing applicants, the Admissions Committee looks for those who have gained an understanding of animals and of the profession through participation in such activities as 4H, Medical Explorer scouts, and through paid or volunteer work on farms or ranches, in kennels, animal shelters, laboratories, zoos, and/or veterinary clinics. Much of this experience may be gained prior to entry into college. The average applicant has accumulated over 1000 hours working with a veterinarian and another 1000 hours working with animals in other capacities. If you are lacking practical experience in working with animals or in the veterinary medical field, it would be to your advantage to acquire the experience as soon as possible. Upon application to veterinary school, a reference from a veterinarian is often required. Applicants should become acquainted with a veterinarian who would be able to evaluate motivation toward, and understanding of, the profession. Most applicants have worked (either for pay or as a volunteer) with a veterinarian in order to gain a realistic perspective of professional service. You should list all such work experiences on the application even if the work was done voluntarily or for course credit. Keep in mind that veterinarians work in many different settings. Exposure to non-practice careers is also helpful." You should also spend time shadowing veterinarians, asking them about what they like and dislike about their profession- work hours, pressures, satisfaction, etc. Take advantage of opportunities to ask questions of all the health care professionals you encounter or work with. The PreProfessional office has a list of potential opportunities at http://www.colorado.edu/ArtsSciences/aacforstudents/VetVolOpps05.htm, but this list is by no means comprehensive.
Use your clinical experiences as a chance to gain information about current issues in veterinary medicine. This includes topics such as pet health insurance, training practices for professional horse racing, animal euthanasia, and many others. A few useful sources of information on current topics include: the AVMA issues webpage http://www.avma.org/issues/default.asp; An Introduction to Veterinary Medical Ethics by Bernard Rollin; The Animal Legal and Historical Center http://www.animallaw.info/; and the AAVMC Reports and Publications section http://www.aavmc.org/reports_publications/articles.htm. However, remember that no amount of reading can take the place of first-hand experience in the veterinary fields.
B. Community Service
While veterinary experience is necessary, it rarely provides opportunities to show leadership, initiative, perseverance, teamwork, etc. Community service can provide those opportunities. In addition, there are often opportunities to develop your communication and interpersonal skills with diverse groups of people. You can accomplish more if you choose projects that flow naturally from your own interests, skills and talents. Sustained commitment to one area, or a consistent theme connecting projects, is likely to be more impressive than a series of many different, unrelated, short-term projects. For ideas, browse the Volunteer Connection website. UCB's Volunteer Resource Center also maintains a website at www.colorado.edu/StudentGroups/vch. The Prehealth Advising Student Groups site provides information on the Boulder campus PreVet Club as well as other prehealth clubs and health-related service groups.
C. Research
One of the advantages of being at a major research University is the number and variety of research opportunities that are available to undergraduates. You can do research for academic credit or be paid a stipend through BURST www.colorado.edu/Outreach/BSI/undergrad/burst.html, or UROP at http://www.colorado.edu/research/UROP/. Summer research opportunities are available at CU through the UROP SURF program and NSF's Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) programs (http://www.nsf.gov/home/crssprgm/reu/start.htm). A large database of paid summer internships can be found at http://people.rit.edu/gtfsbi/Symp/summer.htm.
If you are interested in research, talk with your major advisor about research opportunities in your major department. Undergraduate research provides an opportunity for you to see how new knowledge is obtained and evaluated. Even if you do not intend to do research yourself, this is a useful skill for a veterinarian, whose practice of medicine will be based on research done by others. Furthermore, research is an excellent way of developing your problem-solving skills, which are essential for practicing veterinary medicine. Carrying out a research project may also allow you to develop a strong relationship with a faculty member who may later be able to write you a letter of recommendation. If you enjoy and do well in research you may want to consider doing an honors thesis. Again, your departmental advisor can provide more information.
D. Work/Employment
Keep in mind that you can develop many useful qualities, such as leadership, teamwork, responsibility, problem solving, time management, communication and/or interpersonal skills through work experience.
E. Communication
Remember that in addition to getting these types of experiences, you will need to be able to talk about them in your essays and interviews. Collect a repertoire of stories and anecdotes that you can tell to help illustrate these experiences. If you are not a natural storyteller, develop those skills. Consider joining Toastmasters, taking an acting or storytelling class, or becoming an Undergraduate Teaching Assistant for a class. A successful veterinarian must be able to communicate effectively with a diverse range of clients and colleagues. Develop your ability to start a conversation with unfamiliar people and put them at ease.
Rates of Admission to Veterinary Medical College
In 2007, approximately 5750 students applied for 2650 places in the 28 United States Veterinary Schools. At Colorado State University, there were 1604 applicants (436 Colorado or WICHE) for 138 open places. While the exact numbers vary from year to year it is always true that obtaining entrance to veterinary medical college is challenging and not every student is successful. Following the steps outlined in this document and performing well academically will make you a more competitive candidate.
VI. Selection of Schools
A. U.S. and Canadian Medical Schools
The bottom line is that you can graduate from any veterinary school in the US or Canada and have any type of veterinary career you desire. Your success in veterinary school depends far more on how much effort you put into it and the opportunities you make for yourself than on what school you attend. For this reason, the most important questions to ask yourself are: Where are you a considered an in-state applicant? Where will you feel most comfortable? Which one(s) can you afford? And, for many applicants, at which one were you accepted? Some very valuable sources of information on veterinary medical colleges are listed below.
- Veterinary Medical Schools Admissions Requirements (VMSAR).
A new edition of the VMSAR is published frequently and contains the current information on requirements, etc. for the entering class for which you will be applying. You are responsible for meeting the current requirements. The VMSAR also has overviews of the programs at each school, summaries of admissions data, enrollment information and information on the application process.
- Bulletins or websites of the various schools.
- Additional websites- some useful ones include:
- American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges http://www.aavmc.org/index.html
- US News and World Report's veterinary school rankings http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/grad
- AVMA information on accreditation for veterinary schools http://www.avma.org/education/default.asp
The first step in deciding which schools should be favored with your application is to establish a set of criteria. This should include:
- The veterinary college(s) in the state of which you are a resident. It is here that you have the best chance.
- Schools that take non-residents. For the most part you will find that these are private rather than public schools. Check the VMSAR for the number of out-of-state students accepted and also note whether the school has a contract with other states, is influenced by family ties to the state, disadvantaged background, etc.
- Schools that you can afford. Keep in mind that that private veterinary medical colleges may have more financial aid to offset higher tuitions.
- Schools where CU-Boulder students have been accepted recently.
- Schools at which your GPA and GRE scores are competitive.
- Personal Criteria:
- Geographical areas you can tolerate for 4 years.
- Tuition (but remember #2 and #3 above).
- Application and interview expense.
- Any non-traditional characteristics you have: experience, talents, age, time out of school, etc.
- Programs in areas of your interests: clinical research, specialties, etc.
- Presence of some sort of support group...family, friends, church, etc.
Most students apply to 3 to 5 schools; some apply to one and some to as many as 10. More important than the number is whether they represent a realistic selection. As you investigate various schools, make notes as to what you like and what you do not like about the school. These notes will be useful later as you through the application process. If you write or email a school, do so in good English.
For each school to which you decide to apply, make a file folder. In the folder place your notes and copies of all communications to and from the school. On the front of the folder record all items needed by the school for the application process, the deadline and the date the material was sent. This way you will have ready access (assuming that you can find the folder) to all information on that school. Keep monitoring the front of the file to be certain that all requirements are being met well in advance of the deadline.
If you are a resident of a state that does not have a veterinary college, your state may have a contract arrangement with states that do. For example, residents of Arizona, Hawaii, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming can apply to the Colorado State University veterinary school, as well as to a variety of other veterinary schools, through the WICHE program (http://www.wiche.edu/) and not pay out-of-state tuition.
B. Foreign Veterinary Colleges
Some Foreign Veterinary Colleges are accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Their website lists the foreign veterinary schools and their accreditation status. See http://www.avma.org/education/cvea/colleges_accredited/allcolleges.asp for the complete list.
VII. The Primary Application
A. General Rules
- Do everything carefully, completely, neatly, error-free and in perfect English.
- Do everything well in advance of the deadline.
- Keep a copy of everything.
- Keep a dated record of all transactions, phone calls, etc.
- Type everything.
- Proofread everything very carefully, and have at least three other people proofread everything!
B. The application itself
The majority of veterinary colleges use the centralized application service known as VMCAS, which is short for "Veterinary Medical College Application Service." This saves both you and the veterinary schools time and money. There are a few veterinary schools that do not use VMCAS. You must get their application directly from those schools. After you submit the application to VMCAS, they verify the grades and courses and send the application to those schools that you designated. The application is now entirely web-based. The website is: http://aavmc.org/vmcas/vmcas.htm. The application itself usually becomes available in early June. The deadline for filing varies from school to school and is noted in the application material provided. However, the application deadline for submitting VMCAS is typically during the first week of October.
The way you fill out the application is extremely important. It is the first formal contact you have with the admission process at the school and it could be your last. If you are sloppy or secretive about yourself on the application, you will make a poor impression on the reader and your application will probably be rejected right then. It may be against your upbringing, but you must "blow your own horn" at this point. No one else can do it at this stage of the process.
C. Transcripts
Prior to beginning the application process, have copies of your transcripts from every school you have ever attended sent to you. This includes your CU Boulder transcripts. The internal transcripts that you and your advisor can access by computer differ slightly from the official transcripts that are sent out, especially with regard to AP credits. You will want to see what is actually being sent out. Make sure they are correct! If there is an error, it MUST be corrected prior to filing your application. You will be required to put on your application exactly what is on your transcript. If there are any discrepancies your application will be delayed significantly, and may be delayed long enough to prevent you from entering veterinary school. Your official transcripts must then be sent to each veterinary medical college to which you are applying. Do NOT send them to VMCAS.
D. Experiential Biography
To fill out the application to your best advantage you need to know who you are. Who you are is reflected in what you have done. And you have done a lot of things. Start now by dividing a piece of paper in half, lengthwise. On the left hand side list all that you have done since high school. This includes involvement in clubs, groups, or organizations as either a member or as an officer. For each group list what you have done for or with it. List involvement in political activities, work with scouts, church, community groups, tutoring, etc. List activities associated with veterinary care, whether volunteer or paid. List all the jobs you have had. The list should also include the help that you have rendered to friends and neighbors. List everything- the list can be slimmed down later.
For each item on the list, indicate number of hours per week and the types of things you did. It will take some time to recollect all that you have done. So work on the list for a while, then put it away for a day or two and then work on it some more. You will probably be very surprised at all that you have done.
The schools are looking for evidence of leadership abilities, self-motivation, ability to carry things through, compassion, caring for others, ability to work with others, well-rounded education and experience, good communication skills and all such good things. Once you have your list of activities, go through the list and on the right hand side of the page put down the skills and personal characteristics these activities reflect or required. From this list you will gain insight into the characteristics that help define who you are.
Now, think of the anecdotes or stories you could use to illustrate these skills and characteristics and make notes to yourself so you can use these later.
E. Filling out the primary application (VMCAS)
The process of filling out the application must be begun well in advance of any deadlines. It takes a considerable amount of time to complete!!
- Print out or download and read the Instruction Book completely and carefully before beginning to fill out any part of the application. If you want to begin working before the VMCAS for your application cycle becomes available, you may start with the Sample Application Questions Worksheet that is on the VMCAS website.
- Be sure that you have an official copy of your transcript ready to fill out your courses on the application. You also need to have the Registrar send a copy of your transcripts to the veterinary medical colleges to which you are applying. It is strongly recommended that you review a copy of all your transcripts prior to having them sent to the colleges. This way, if there is an error, you have time to correct it prior to submitting your application.
- Reread the instructions.
- Now that you have used the experiential biography you generated to find out who you are, you are ready to begin to write the first draft of your VMCAS application essay. Put yourself in the place of the reader and ask yourself what you would like to know about an applicant. Then write accordingly. Tell them who you are and why you are the best applicant in the pile. Never apologize for something in the past; just explain it briefly. Remember that a coherent essay with a few brief anecdotes or stories to illustrate your points is better than a list of everything you have done. Use good English and make no typing errors. SELL YOURSELF.
Still having trouble starting your essay? That is common. Most students worry about what is most important to include. Some students feel more confident if they consult books with examples of successful application essays before they try to write anything. We are happy to suggest such books but we do not believe that they are necessary. We find that the most effective essays "flow from the heart," so the best strategy is to start writing and see what emerges. Once you have a reasonable draft of your essay, it may be useful to take advantage of an Application Essay Writing Workshop, if one is being offered. Check the Events Calendar on the Prehealth website for current workshops.
- Now you can use the experiential biography you generated to fill out the Experiences sections, including employment, veterinary experience, animal experience, honors and awards, and extracurricular activities. Be selective and only include significant experiences. However, for those, be sure to describe what you actually did, making clear what your contributions were and what you learned or how you benefited. Consolidate where possible. For example, if you were on the Dean's list for 6 consecutive semesters, they should make up one entry, not six. You will normally include activities that you mention in your essay as well as others.
- As you fill out the Academic Record section, be aware that the listing of all courses must be done carefully. Read the instructions carefully. VMCAS will compare your listing against the official transcripts. For more information on how to enter specific courses (such as study abroad and college courses taken in high school) go to http://www.aavmc.org/vmcas/vmcas_faq.htm
- Once you have the rest of the application filled out, begin to rewrite the draft you have of your VMCAS Application Essay. In item 4, a number of suggestions were made as to how to prepare for this portion of the application. Here are some other tips to follow if they feel right and if they fit your situation.
-
Amplify any significant items. Wherever possible be specific! Give an anecdote or tell a story to illustrate your point. This will be much more convincing and more memorable than just saying you are 'hard-working' or 'compassionate' or 'have always been interested in science.'
- Discuss what attracts you to veterinary medicine.
- Discuss what you can contribute to veterinary medicine.
- Discuss anything that indicates your uniqueness.
- Answer the question of why you, above all other applicants, should be accepted.
Write whatever feels right and proper to you.
- Explain any significant inconsistencies between your GPA and your GRE scores.
Word everything in a positive manner. Do not put yourself or others down. Do not be negative
Explain or describe any circumstances which affected your academic performance. (But only if you did very poorly. A semester of B's is not doing poorly!)
- Did you sell yourself?
- Have several people, some who know you well and others who do not, read what you have written both for grammar and for what they feel as they read it. Is it positive? Is it upbeat? Does it make you sound good? Are the people who do not know you well able to tell you who you are in the way you intended? Your PreHealth advisor will be glad to give you feedback.
- When the application is complete, have at least three different people proofread the whole document. Errors reflect poorly on you. They can be interpreted as an indication that you do not really want to be a veterinary student. The key here is to show that you can be professional.
- To facilitate our obtaining information about CU-Boulder applicants from VMCAS so that we can provide the best advice possible, please authorize VMCAS to release information about your application to your PreHealth advisor. All of your information will be kept strictly confidential.
- Before submitting, check each part of the application against the Instructions.
- Submit the application to VMCAS well in advance of deadlines. You do not need to have taken the GRE nor have the letters of recommendation finished before submitting the VMCAS application. The schools will hold your application until the GRE scores arrive and the letters are involved in the secondary application process.
VIII. Supplementary (Secondary) Applications
Many of the colleges will, after receiving their copy of the VMCAS application, review your application and, if interested in you, will send you a supplementary application packet or provide information about online submission. For many schools this means one or more additional essays, which you should tailor to that particular school. The files folders you made as you researched the veterinary colleges will be very useful here. Hence the need for the notes mentioned earlier. It is critical that you be very familiar with each individual school for which you complete a secondary application. They are trying to ascertain from you why you want to go to their particular school, not just why you want to go to veterinary school. You should not write and submit a generic statement on your secondary applications nor should you repeat your VMCAS essay. They already have that.
IX. Letters of Recommendation
A. General
You will need letters of recommendation/evaluation for application to veterinary schools. These letters will be submitted electronically through VMCAS, using eLOR (electronic letters of recommendation). The process for doing this is explained at the VMCAS website. You will need letters of recommendation from faculty members. Therefore you must get to know the faculty with whom you have contact. You can make these essential contacts through your classes or by doing research in a lab or taking an active role in a club or activity that has a faculty advisor. In large classes, you will need to make use of office hours and/or time before and after class. You can also seek out smaller classes, such as seminars, critical thinking courses, honors courses to establish a working rapport with faculty. It is critical that whoever writes letters for you to be able to address who you are, and why you would be a good veterinary student. They need to be able to address issues or bring things to light that are in addition to what is in your application. If your letter writer can only comment on your grade or that you attended class, they will write a letter that not only is of no use, but could actually be detrimental. Try to ask letter writers who can comment on specific accomplishments, activities, characteristics.
If you are uncertain, it is all right to ask your potential letter writers whether they feel that they can write you a good letter. Be prepared to provide any information they ask for- typically a copy of your application essay for VMCAS, a resume, and transcripts. You may choose to use the Credentials File service provided by the Preprofessional Advising Office to hold your letters until you are ready to have them sent (see below). Pay attention to what is requested by each school. For example, The Colorado State University School of Veterinary Medicine recommends three letters or recommendation; one from a veterinarian, one from a faculty member or advisor and one from a recent employer. Each school differs in the type of recommendation letters it requires. Do not have too many letters sent. It only increases the work of the admissions committee and, in many cases, additional letters will not be used in evaluating your candidacy. If there are too many letters in the file, one begins to wonder what the applicant is trying to hide. As long as your letters fit what the school is asking for, it is better to have letters from people who know you well than from a higher level person who does not really know you.
You may choose to use the Credentials File Service in the Preprofessional Advising Office to send your letters to each veterinary medical school. This service allows you to establish a file to hold your letters of recommendation until you are ready to have them sent. Further information about this service as well as the forms needed for establishing a Preprofessional Credentials File are available at PreProfessional Credentials File Service. If you choose to use this service, you will need to complete and turn in the following forms to give to your recommender; Guidelines to Recommenders and Waiver of Confidentiality. The recommender should then send the completed forms and letters of recommendation to our office. Historically, most veterinary applicants have chosen to send their letters without using the Credentials File Service.
X. Interviews
A. General
Not all veterinary colleges use interviews to evaluate their candidates, but those that do use interviews to gain an impression of you and how you react to people when you meet them for the first time. They are looking for such things as how articulate you are, how you think on your feet, how self-confident you are, your maturity, the level of your motivation, and the reasons why they, the interviewers, should advocate your acceptance. At many veterinary colleges, the interviewers present your case to the committee. Thus, they are on your side. They expect you to be nervous; if you are not they might draw the conclusion that you are overconfident or, that you do not really want to gain entrance into the program.
There are a few things that you can do to prepare for the interview:
- Know what you wrote in your application materials.
- Be sure you have good answers for questions of the types listed below. Learn to use the STAR technique for answering behavioral questions.
- Know the background of the people who wrote your letters.
- Know the school, its requirements and its curriculum. Read their website in great detail.
- Read up on current issues in veterinary care delivery. See the veterinary section of the Prehealth Reading List as well as sites listed above for suggested reading material.
- Be prepared for questions on a variety of topics. Some possible questions are listed below.
- Sign up for an Interview Workshop. These can be useful well before the year in which you apply and in the year before you apply. Watch for announcements on the Healthlist Email List. Previous announcements are posted on the Events Calendar.
- Use the practice interview service provided through the Preprofessional Advising Office. Practice interviews should be scheduled through the Preprofessional Advising Office. Times are somewhat limited, so be sure to sign up as soon as you are invited to your first interview.
B. What is the interview format?
There is a great variation in the timing and the style of interviews, largely dependent on the preference of the school. Some interviews are in front of a panel, some are one-on-one, others may be group interviews with a number of candidates interviewing at the same time. If you are invited to an interview, the college will usually provide you with information on the interview format. Do not try to read anything into the style of the interview. The interview format reflects more the needs of the interviewer than how the interview went.
C. Who are the interviewers?
The types of interviewers vary. They may be from one of the basic science departments, from a clinical area, or you might have a student who is a member of the admissions committee. They have varying styles, which should not be surprising. Some are pushy, some laid back, some friendly, some antagonistic, some active, some passive, but they are all skilled at interviewing. Do not be offended by their mannerisms. Some will have read your folder before you arrive. Others feel that they get to know you better if they do not look at your folder until after the interview, or during the interview. In this manner they are not biased for or against you. In all cases they will be your advocate before the committee and are looking for information with which they can urge your acceptance before the committee. You start with a 10, the highest score, and only your performance can lower it.
D. How should you behave?
Arrive early so you can find the room where you are to report. Dress neatly. When you meet the interviewer, be courteous and greet with a firm (not bone crushing) handshake. Introduce yourself with first and last name. Throughout the interview maintain eye contact with the interviewer; do not look all over the place. Remain cool; do not overreact. Some of the interviewers try to provoke the interviewee; do not fall for it. Do not chew gum, do not smoke, and do not play with your pencil or your hair. Sit erect but relaxed, or at least as relaxed as possible. Listen to what is being said. If you do not understand the question, ask that it be repeated. Put your mind in gear (but do not take too much time) before answering. Answer the question that was asked, not what you expected to be asked. Have a positive attitude and give positive answers. Do not ramble; be spontaneous, clear, concise (but not cryptic) and, above all, honest. Do not volunteer information on subjects about which you are not extremely well versed. Use the title and name of the interviewer (e.g., Dr. Jones). Remember you are the expert- only you know yourself. If given the opportunity, ask questions, but only if you have thoughtful ones. Thank the interviewer for his or her time.
E. How should you dress?
It is important to appear as professional as possible during the interview. Generally, this means suits for men and women. Choose outfits that are clean and well-fitted to your body and above all, accentuate your personality and allow the interviewer to focus on you. Review the following document for more details about what is and isn't appropriate attire for interviews.
F. Example questions
- Questions centering on your motivation and the testing of your motivation: When did your interest in veterinary medicine first arise? What other experiences confirmed this interest? Trace why you have wanted to be a veterinarian from your freshman year in high school to today. Why do you want to be a veterinarian? Note that general statements about liking science or wanting to help animals are insufficient. Think about your answer to this question.
- Questions centering on your understanding of veterinary school: Why do you think you will do well in veterinary school? What makes for a good veterinary student?
- Questions centering on how you view the future, on how you project your past experiences into the future and what your life goals are: What will you be doing ten years from now? What type of veterinary medicine will you practice? How do you visualize yourself as a veterinarian?
- Questions centering on how you have planned your life: Why did you choose your
particular major? Why did you take time off after college?
- Questions centering on the nature of your support groups (because these have been shown to be essential for success in veterinary school): What is your family like? What are your friends like? Do they support your decision? What is your relationship with your family? Do you get along with your spouse, parents, etc.?
- Questions centering on your likes and dislikes and how you perform under adverse conditions: What was your biggest adversity? What was the best experience in your life? What was the worst experience in your life?
- Questions centering on your realistic self-evaluation: What are your strong points? What are your weak points? You do need to be able to discuss your weaknesses. Pretending you have none is not believable. On the other hand, balancing your discussion by talking about what you have learned about how to deal with it, or the positive side of this characteristic, is reasonable.
- Questions centering on your outside interests and your inquiring mind and how you deal with stress: What are the last two non-school books you have read? Did you like them? Why did you like them? What do you do for relaxation?
- Questions centering on poor performance in the past, or on the breakup of a marriage; have you moved beyond the experiences or do you still carry a guilt about them that might erupt when you are stressed as a veterinary student?
- Questions centering on the aspect of veterinary medicine you have chosen: Why not a career in research? If you want to work with animals, why not open a kennel or board horses?
- Questions asked of both males and females: How will your child(ren) be taken care of if they are sick? What happens if you (or if male, your wife) gets pregnant while you are in veterinary school? How will you deal with marriage while in veterinary school?
- Questions centering on how you react to people and how you have thought about your experience: During your clinical experiences, what kinds of interactions with people have been the worst and what kinds have been the best? What kinds of people do you find most irritating?
- Questions centering on how you react to animals in a variety of different situations. During your animal experience, what kinds of animals have been the most challenging for you? What characteristics of animals do you find irritating?
- Questions centering on how realistic you are: What will you do if you are not accepted this year? What about next year?
- Questions centering on current issues: How do you view medical insurance for animals? What is your opinion on the way race horses are raised and treated? What do you think of factory farms? Should puppy mills be regulated?
- Questions about situations (note there are no right answers, but you should answer). They are looking to see if you are flexible, opinionated, innovative, how you view people, etc.: A young couple have a baby and no longer have time for their dog, so they want you to euthanize him. A 70-year old woman has a cat with diabetes as her only companion, but cannot afford the medicine. A pit bull is brought in that has obviously been involved in a dog fighting ring. A horse owner refuses medical treatment for a horse that is older and can no longer race. What would you do?
These are the types of questions that are asked. Let me underscore that both men and women are asked about the impact of a career as a veterinary student upon their marriage and the care of any children. In the past few years the veterinary schools have come to realize that a support group of some kind is vital for a student and that both spouses have a role in the care of each other and of their children. While a number of questions may seem nosy, remember that you ARE the subject of the interview!
Other sources of information about veterinary school interviews.
- http://web.wm.edu/so/prevet/interview.html?svr=www has a list of general questions as well as lists of questions asked at specific schools.
- The student doctor.net site has a section about veterinary school interviews and can be found at http://www.studentdoctor.net. Remember that this site is simply comments from students and may not always be completely accurate
- The University of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences has a list of potential questions found at http://www.aces.uiuc.edu/Careers/documents/VetSchoolAdmissionsInterview-PrcaticeQuestions.pdf
- The book, Get Into Veterinary School: Insights by an Admissions Expert, 2007, by Joseph Piekunka, has a variety of useful tips for the entire application process.
Although this document is specific to medical school, many of the questions apply to veterinary medicine as well.
Please, after you have been interviewed, drop by and tell me about the interview.
G. Should I send a thank you note after the interview?
It is a nice gesture to send the interviewer(s) a thank you note after the interview. It is also a way to help you stand out and be remembered. Thank you notes should be hand written on a note card and not sent as an email. They should mention something you learned or enjoyed about the interview and should, of course, thank the interviewer for his/her time.
XI. Financing your Veterinary Education
Working during veterinary school is virtually impossible. Most students rely primarily on financial aid rather than employment to meet their financial needs. About 75% of all veterinary students have some type of financial aid. Many, but not all, forms of financial aid are need-based. This assumes that the student, spouse, or in some cases the parents will pay for the cost of education to the extent that they are able and that financial aid will be used to supplement the effort the family is making. Be prepared to borrow money. CSU's tuition and fees for 2008 are approximately $16,700 for residents and $43,900 for non-residents. This does NOT include living expenses. When living expenses and other fees are added, the average cost of one year of veterinary school at CSU is estimated at $28,500 for residents and $56,500 for non-residents. See http://sfs.colostate.edu/ for more details. While these numbers may seem daunting, default rates for veterinary school graduates are currently quite low.
Keep in mind that you can defer payments on most undergraduate education loans while in veterinary school, but repayment begins upon graduation from the veterinary program. So, it is best to have the smallest amount of debt possible before entering vet school. Many loan programs will NOT provide funds to pay off credit card debt, so be sure that your credit card balances are as low as possible (preferably zero) before entering veterinary school.
Some scholarships are available from sources such as the American Veterinary Medical Foundation (http://www.avmf.org/index.php?src=), the American Kennel Club (http://www.akc.org/vetoutreach/aboutus_2.cfm), and the USDA Saul T. Wilson Scholarship Program (http://www.aphis.usda.gov/audience/students.shtml ). In addition, many veterinary schools have scholarships specific to their programs. See http://www.cvmbs.colostate.edu/cvmbs/scholar.htm for a list of the scholarships and awards available at CSU.
Military Scholarships are available from the US Army Veterinary Corps. This scholarship provides full tuition and fees, reasonable expenses and a monthly stipend at any approved veterinary medical college. In return, you will be required to serve on active duty for three years and in the Individual Ready Reserve for five years. Your obligation also includes a certain number of days on active duty each year while on scholarship. For more information go to http://vetopportunities.amedd.army.mil/hpsp.html
XII. Postbaccalaureate Programs.
Some students find that they are interested in veterinary medicine, and yet are not competitive applicants. This may be because they lack the necessary prerequisites, or because their GPA is not quite high enough. One option open to these types of students is a postbaccalaureate program. These are 1-2 year programs that you may enroll in after your have received your baccalaureate degree. For a full explanation of these programs and those that are specific to veterinary school applicants, go to http://www.colorado.edu/aac/postbacprogs.pdf.
XIII. Appendices
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