Pre-Veterinary Medicine

The requirements for most veterinary schools are about the

same. There are two paths for a student interested in veterinary

medicine. The first involves the student completing a four year

baccalaureate degree generally with a major in biology and a

minor in chemistry. The student completes a four year program

from an accredited college of veterinary medicine for a total of

eight years. The second path is not as time-consuming. After

completing a three year pre-veterinary curriculum, the student

graduates from a four year program from an accredited col-

lege of veterinary medicine. Total years of education without

specialization is seven years.

Kentucky students have the opportunity to enter veterinary

medical school at Auburn University, Auburn, AL or at Tuskegee

University, Tuskegee, AL. This is made possible by the Common-

wealth of Kentucky’s participation in the Southern Regional Edu-

cational Program. The state of Kentucky pays an amount annu-

ally for each student. Auburn University reserves 38 positions

for Kentucky students and Tuskegee holds two positions. Stu-

dents must meet the admission requirements for the respective

school. If admitted, out of state tuition is waived for Kentucky

students. Under both of the above programs the students select-

ed are exempt from the out-of-state tuition that would normally

apply to a Kentucky resident. Admission is on a competitive ba-

sis with the final selection being made by a committee from each

of the veterinary schools.

Pre-veterinary studies is a pre-professional curriculum, not

a degree program. It is strongly recommended that all pre-

veterinary students decide on a degree goal early in their col-

lege career. Although it is possible to complete pre-vet require-

ments in three years, the majority of students accepted to Au-

burn have a B.S. or B.A. degree.

A minimum of 75 semester hours with an overall grade-

point average of 2.50 (on a 4.0 basis) is required prior to con-

sideration for admission. Due to the high level of competition for

admission to any veterinary school, a student should maintain at

least a 3.0 academic standing on all college work. The average

overall GPA for students accepted to veterinary schools is ap-

proximately 3.45. The student must have completed all of the

required courses or acceptable substitutes by June 15 of the

year of possible acceptance. Courses in certain advanced sci-

ences must be taken within six years of entry to Auburn. All re-

quired courses must have a grade of “C” or greater.

Auburn applicants use the Veterinary Medical College Ap-

plication Service (VMCAS) application, available at:

www.aavmc.org. The deadline for Auburn applications is

October 1. Auburn requires the General Aptitude portion of the

Graduate Record Examination (GRE). Tuskegee requires a sepa-

rate application form and the GRE, taken within three years of

application. Additional forms are required for both schools

which are available after June 1.

The following curriculum is designed to meet the require-

ments for both Auburn and Tuskegee. However, some changes in

the pre-veterinary curriculum may go into effect during the

school year. The student has the responsibility to work closely

with his or her pre-veterinary advisor in making certain that

all requirements are met for consideration for acceptance.

All CLEP and advanced placement credit for required

courses must have prior approval by your advisor. Auburn does

not accept correspondence credit for required courses, except

for Animal Nutrition.

For more information contact:

Roberta M. Dwyer, DVM, MS

Department of Veterinary Science

Gluck Equine Research Center

College of Agriculture

University of Kentucky

Lexington, KY 40546-0099

(859) 257-4757 ext. 81122

e-mail: [email protected]

www.ca.uky.edu/gluck/index.htm

Pre-Veterinary Curriculum Hours

Written Communication requirement 6

Literature* 3 or 6

Fine Arts 3

Humanities/Fine Arts electives 6

History* 3 or 6

Social sciences electives 9

Pre-calculus/Trigonometry or higher 3

The above courses are waived for students with a B.S. or B.A. degree.

BIO 201/201L Zoology and Lab 4

BIO 202/202L Botany and Lab 4

CHE 111 General College Chemistry I 3

CHE 112 General College Chemistry II 3

CHE 113 General Chemistry I Lab 1

CHE 114 General Chemistry II Lab 2

CHE 341 Organic Chemistry I 3

CHE 343 Organic Chemistry Laboratory I 1

CHE 342 Organic Chemistry II 3

CHE 344 Organic Chemistry Laboratory II 2

PHY 141/143 General College Physics and Lab 4

PHY 142/144 General College Physics II and Lab 4

CHE 460 Biochemistry 3

Animal Nutrition 3

Science Electives*** 6+

TOTAL HOURS 75

*6 hour sequence required; ** Must be taken within 6 calendar years

*** May be taken as an online course

Pre-Veterinary

Medicine

Natural Science Division

Campbellsville University

1 University Drive

Campbellsville, KY 42718-2799

C A M P B E L L S V I L L E U N I V E R S I T Y

Humanities include literature, philosophy, religious studies, speech, and foreign

languages.

Fine arts include art, music, theater, and dance with an emphasis on history

and appreciation rather than performance.

Social/behavioral sciences include history, anthropology, economics, geogra-

phy, political science, psychology, and sociology.

Science electives must include at least two of the following: comparative anat-

omy, genetics, embryology, mammalian or animal physiology, microbiology, cell

biology, histology, reproductive physiology, parasitology, or immunology.

HOW TO GET STARTED

College: Freshman Year

 Meet with pre-vet / pre-health professions advisor

 Learn pre-vet requirements

 Think about a major (career options)

 Plan a tentative schedule (3-4 yrs)

 Develop study skills

 Maintain an excellent GPA

 Begin extracurricular activities

 Participate in pre-vet club (pre-health professions club)

 Work/volunteer in veterinary medicine and keep track of hours

for use

in completing your application

 Talk to pre-vet upperclassmen to get a reality check

 Consider what you will do this summer

College: Sophomore Year

 Work / volunteer in veterinary medical area

 Meet with pre-vet / pre-health professions advisor

 Decide on a major

 Fine-tune your college schedule

 Maintain an excellent GPA

 Check veterinary medical schools’ entry requirements

 Consider participating in research

 Consider what you will do this summer

 Study for the GRE

 Apply for the GRE (if you plan to apply after 3 years)

 Plan for any special junior year programs (i.e., junior year

abroad)

College: Junior Year

 Complete VMCAS application by October 1 (if applying after 3

years)

 Request reference letters

 Request / obtain / send transcripts

 Complete VMCAS and supplemental applications

 Study / apply for / take the GRE

 Meet with pre-vet / pre-health professional advisor

 Gather information about veterinary schools

 Maintain the best GPA you can

 Begin preparing VMCAS personal statement

 Work / volunteer in veterinary medical area

 Visit nearby schools in which you are interested

 Consider what you will do this summer

College: Senior Year

 Complete VMCAS application by October 1

 Complete supplemental application(s)

 Request / obtain / send transcripts

 Select references / request letters

 Provide information

 Write thank you notes

 Check your e-mail frequently (colleges may contact you if any-

thing is missing)

 Work / volunteer in veterinary medical area

 Take additional upper level biological science courses—do well

 Interview in the spring

 Accept offer by April 15!

Suggested Course Sequence

Freshman Year

Fall Semester Hours

BIO 200 Biological Concepts 4

ENG 111 Freshman Composition I 3

OR 100 Freshman Year Experience 1

MTH 210 Calculus I 4

General Education/Electives 6

Spring Semester

BIO 201 Zoology 4

ENG 112 Freshman Composition II 3

PSY 111 General Psychology 3

TH 120 Fundamentals of Speech or

MAC 140 Introduction to Communication 3

General Education/Electives 5

Sophomore Year

Fall Semester Hours

BIO 202 Botany 4

CHE 111/113 General Chemistry I and Lab 4

CIS 100 Computer Concepts & Applications 3

ENG 210 Lit. Studies 3

Spring Semester

BIO 321 Microbiology 5

CHE 112/114 General Chemistry II and Lab 5

PHY 141/143 General College Physics I and Lab 4

General Education/Electives 4

Junior Year

Fall Semester Hours

BIO 341 Ecology 4

BIO Elective 3-4

CHE 341/343 Organic Chemistry I and Lab 4

PHY 142/144 General College Physics II and Lab 4

Spring Semester

BIO 344 Genetics 4

CHE 342/344 Organic Chemistry II and Lab 5

BIO 348 Medical Terminology 3

Minor/General Education/Electives 5

Senior Year

Fall Semester Hours

BIO 362 Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy 5

BIO 480 Senior Seminar OR

BIO 490 Senior Research 1

Minor/General Education/Electives 10

Spring Semester

BIO 422 Animal Physiology 4

BIO Electives 4

Minor/General Education/Electives 8-10

[updated 4/2016]