How to apply to vet school
Veterinary school admission is genuinely competitive - most accredited programs admit a minority of applicants - and the requirements are specific. Here's what actually goes into a complete application, and the usual shape of the application year.
Typical prerequisite coursework
Requirements vary school to school - always confirm against each program's own published prerequisites before planning your coursework - but most accredited US programs expect some combination of:
The application timeline
Spring (1+ years before enrollment)
VMCAS opens for the upcoming application cycle. Most schools that accept VMCAS use the same portal, but check each individual school for its own supplemental application and any additional requirements.
Summer - Fall
Submit transcripts, letters of recommendation, personal statement, and your veterinary/animal experience hours. Deadlines vary by school - some are earlier than others, so start well before the latest one.
Fall - Winter
Interviews, for schools that interview (format varies: traditional panel, multiple mini interviews, or none at all depending on the program).
Winter - Spring
Admissions decisions. Waitlist movement can continue into the summer before the class starts.
Late summer
Orientation and the start of year one.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a specific undergraduate major to apply to vet school?
No - most programs care about completing the required prerequisite coursework, not your declared major. Biology and animal science are common choices, but applicants come from chemistry, zoology, agriculture, and plenty of unrelated majors who completed the prerequisites separately.
How many hours of veterinary/animal experience do I need?
There's no single universal number - it varies by school and is usually expressed as a range in each program's own published requirements. What matters more than hitting an exact hour count is breadth: experience with multiple species, settings (small animal, large animal, exotic, research, shelter), and enough direct veterinarian shadowing that your letters of recommendation can speak to your readiness.
Is the GRE required?
Fewer schools require it than used to - many AVMA-accredited programs have dropped the GRE requirement in recent admissions cycles. Check each specific school's current requirements directly, since this changes program by program and year by year.
What is VMCAS?
The Veterinary Medical College Application Service - a centralized application most (not all) AVMA-accredited US vet schools use, similar to the Common App for undergraduate admissions. You submit one core application through VMCAS, then complete each school's own supplemental requirements separately.