Prospective Pre-Vet Students
- Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What training does a veterinarian receive?
A. A veterinarian holds a
Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine, D.V.M., which is an applied degree equivalent
to an M.D. A practicing veterinarian has also passed State Board Examinations.
Q. How does one obtain a D.V.M.
A. The D.V.M. is awarded after
the successful completion of fours years of specific training in a
Q. Where are Colleges of Veterinary Medicine?
A. Most states that have Land
Grant Universities have a
Q. How many years does it take to prepare for
A. That depends on how extensive
your high school preparation was. Although some outstanding applicants with
considerable high school preparation will be competitive for admission after
2-3 (e.g., MSU) or 3 (e.g., Tufts) full academic years in an accredited college
or university, the majority successful candidates will have earned bachelor’s
or higher degrees prior to enrolling.
Q. What courses should I take in high school
if I want to be a vet?
A. To prepare for college-level
preveterinary courses, you should complete a college-preparatory curriculum
that includes:
At least 1½ years of algebra,
one year of geometry, and ½ year of trigonometry
One year each of chemistry,
biology, and physics
Academic core subjects,
including English (writing and literature), social sciences, history, and any
other subjects required by your high school and by the college(s) you plan to
attend.
Q. What course work should I take at CMU to
prepare for application for admission to
A. Click here
Q. What should I major in while pursuing
pre-veterinary studies at CMU?
A. That is up to you as long as
you satisfy the course pre-requisites for admission to
Q. What classes should I sign up for my first
year at CMU?
A. Click here
Q. Should I go in-state or out-of-state for
A. State schools receive
substantial funding from the state, in return they reserve a significant
proportion of available "seats" for residents. Therefore your chances
of being accepted are greatest in the state in which you hold residence. However,
the truly outstanding students always have their pick. Most of our students
apply to MSU.
Q. Can I transfer into the Veterinary
Program at Michigan State?
A. No. Admission to the
Professional Program in Veterinary Medicine is a highly selective process and
you must be accepted into the program after completing all pre-requisite
coursework and examinations. You may transfer to MSU to do your pre-veterinary
studies however.
Q. Would it be better for me to
transfer to MSU to do my pre-veterinary studies?
A. CMU provides a competitive
program of pre-veterinary study that fulfills the pre-requisites for admission
to MSU's professional degree program. MSU does not preferentially accept
students who have done their pre-veterinary studies at MSU so transferring to
MSU does not provide an advantage as far as admissions is concerned.
Q. How does MSU select applicants for
admission?
A.
Q. What examinations should I take prior to
applying to
A. Scores from the GRE
must be submitted at the time of application to a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
program. (MSU will accept either the GRE or the MCAT)
Q. What other experiences should I have
to be competitive for admission to
A. Veterinary Exposure:
Applicants will be expected to have basic, general knowledge of the veterinary
profession gained from working or volunteering with a veterinarian. 240 hours
minimum is required by MSU. The veterinarians with whom the applicant worked
may be asked to verify a work log. Also, one letter of recommendation should
come from a veterinarian with whom the applicant has had considerable
experience.
Animal Exposure: The expectation for animal exposure is
separate from veterinary-related exposure and is evaluated in terms of basic
knowledge. Areas in which applicants may gain exposure to animals include
racetracks, clinics/hospitals, stables, zoos, kennels, and laboratories. Animal
exposure should entail more than the routine care and feeding of companion
animals or family pets.