Admissions Process
In evaluating an applicant for admission, the
CVM Admissions Committee considers both his/her academic and
non-academic qualities. In assessing an applicant’s academic
qualities, the committee members ask themselves, How likely is
it that this applicant will be able to successfully complete our
rigorous, science-based veterinary curriculum? Answering this
question begins by considering the applicant’s so-called
academic indices, i.e., cumulative GPA, science GPA, last
45-semester hour GPA, grades in upper division science courses,
course load per semester, and Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
score, as well as his/her record of academic honors,
scholarships, etc.
Academic Criteria
As completed applications are received by the CVM Office of Admissions,
from either our own on-line application or the Veterinary Medical Common
Application Service (VMCAS), they are immediately placed into one of three
categories, or “Tiers”, based upon the following
criteria: |
|
 |
| |
Overall GPA* |
|
Science GPA** |
|
GRE%*** |
| Tier I |
>3.5 |
or |
>3.7 |
or |
>75 |
| Tier II |
3.2-3.5 |
or |
3.5-3.7 |
or |
60-74 |
| Tier III |
<3.2 |
and |
<3.5 |
and |
<59 |
*Overall undergraduate GPA. Initial evaluation of GPA will not include fall
term grades. Fall term grades should be submitted as soon as grades are
posted and will be used in the final evaluation.
** Science GPA will include all Physical Sciences, Mathematics, and
Biological Sciences courses.
*** GRE scores are calculated by averaging the percentile rank on all 3
sections of the general test (composite score). If an application contains
more than one set of GRE scores, the committee will consider the highest
composite score. Only GRE scores received by the Admissions Office at the
time of initial academic evaluation will contribute to Tier assignment.
Scores received later will be used in the final evaluation.
- Tier I applications contain excellent academic records based upon
these GPA and/or GRE criteria. At the beginning of the process, we make
the basic assumption that, generally speaking, a student with a previous
record of academic excellence is more likely to be able to successfully
complete our program than one with a less excellent record. Therefore,
most Tier I applicants tend to be invited to participate in a personal
interview. Not surprisingly, the majority of the students interviewed
are Tier I candidates.
- Tier II applicants have good academic records based upon their
academic indices. In deciding whether a given Tier II application
warrants further review, the academic record is thoroughly evaluated to
determine if factors, such as academic rigor, work responsibilities, and
family commitments, might have contributed to a more modest performance.
Fewer Tier II applicants are invited for an interview.
- Tier III applications are those in which the GPA and GRE score do
not support a presumption of academic success. While these records are
very closely scrutinized for evidence to support an argument for
extenuating circumstances, very few Tier III applicants tend to be
invited for an interview.
Educational
Requirements for Admission
The Graduate Record Exam (GRE) The Graduate Record Exam
(GRE) General Test is a computer-based exam that is given at regular
intervals throughout the year. The Educational Testing Service (GRE), Box
6000, Princeton, New Jersey 08541-6000 administers the GRE. Results of the
examination will be reported to WSU if the code
4984 is
properly entered on the test form. For convenient scheduling of the test,
call 1-800-GRE-CALL.
GRE scores must be
RECEIVED
by October 1st of the year of application.
Please note: test scores that are more than 5
years old will not be accepted by the CVM. In such instances, the applicant
will be asked to retake the examination.
GRE Web Site
Non-Academic Criteria
The fundamental question the committee poses to evaluate an applicant’s
non-academic qualities is, Does the applicant possess the qualities of a
good veterinarian? In order to answer this question, the committee
considers various non-academic criteria, including his/her knowledge of the
profession, motivation, compassion, integrity, leadership and communication
skills, and desire to contribute to society. In addition, the committee will
assess an applicant’s resiliency, willingness to accept responsibility,
maturity, and breadth of experience. The following paragraphs describe
components of the application that are used by the committee to evaluate
these criteria.
1.) The Pre-Veterinary Experience and
Animal Experience Sections of the Application
Veterinary medicine is an animal health and production-oriented profession.
The Admissions Committee considers animal experience to be an important
preparation for the curriculum. Animal experience includes
such things as breeding, rearing, feeding, and showing various species of
companion animals, livestock, laboratory animals, zoo animals, or wildlife.
Pre-veterinary experience provides a basic
knowledge of the veterinary profession by closely
observing the role of the various members of the health care team in a
traditional practice setting. Participating in biomedical research, public
health, academic medicine, regulatory medicine, or industry can enhance an
applicant’s appreciation for the breadth of the veterinary profession. The
committee also takes involvement in seminars, practica, and other veterinary
professional activities into account.
2.) Extracurricular Activities Section of the Application
Achievements, leadership ability, and participation in academic and other
activities will be evaluated carefully. Community service activities are
viewed as an indication of an applicant’s desire to contribute to society.
These activities need not be directly affiliated with veterinary medicine.
The applicant should clearly and succinctly describe their level of
participation in these activities.
3.) Evaluation Forms (Letters of Recommendation)
Each applicant should obtain three evaluations to aid the Admissions
Committee in assessing their personal traits. The best individuals for these
evaluations are those who know the applicant well enough to provide
meaningful comments. At least one evaluation must be from a graduate
veterinarian with whom the applicant has interacted fairly extensively.
Other evaluations should come from individuals who can evaluate the oral and
written communication skills as well as the scientific background of the
applicant. Graduate students should include an evaluation from their major
advisor. Evaluation forms are used as sources of information about an
applicant’s veterinary medical exposure, animal experience, and commitment
to community activity. Since the letters of reference play such a vital role
in the evaluation process, referees should be urged to provide a narrative
in supporting their recommendation of the candidate.
References will be "spot-checked" to ensure accuracy and to verify the
information provided.
4.) Diversity/Adversity
Each year, the CVM Admissions Committee is given the enormous task of
selecting top candidates from among a vast array highly qualified
applicants. The committee seeks applicants who will increase the geographic,
cultural, and economic diversity of the student body and the profession.
Extenuating circumstances such as extensive extracurricular work commitments
or family responsibilities are taken into consideration as well. If you feel
that you qualify in this category, please provide information on the
Explanation Sheet of the application. Applicants may have issues about which
they are reluctant to write in their veterinary school application. If so,
these candidates should feel free to contact the Associate Dean for Academic
Affairs 509- 335-3063 to discuss the matter.
5.) The Personal interview
Non-academic evaluation of the top academically qualified applicants in the
Washington, Idaho, and out-of-area pools may include a personal interview.
While WICHE applicants are not formally interviewed, they are encouraged to
visit the WSU campus at any time.
The interview consists of 2 parts: 1) an extemporaneous written essay to be
completed by the applicant just prior to the interview and 2) a 20-30 minute
personal interview with 2 members of the Admissions Committee and a
representative from the respective state veterinary medical association (the
Idaho or Washington State Veterinary Medical Association). Two members of
the Admissions Committee will comprise the interview team for non-service
area (out-of-area) applicants.
The extemporaneous written essay will enable the committee to assess the
applicant’s ability to compose a concise, organized, and grammatically
correct response to a posed question.
The personal interview will be used to clarify any issues arising from the
academic and non-academic evaluation and to assess the applicant’s maturity,
motivation, communication skills, knowledge of the profession, and desire to
contribute to society through veterinary medicine.
Anti-Discrimination Policy
Washington State University and the University of Idaho prohibit
discrimination on the basis of race, sex (including sexual harassment),
religion, age, color, creed, national or ethnic origin, physical, mental or
sensory disability, marital status, sexual orientation, and status as a
Vietnam-era or disabled veteran in the recruitment and admission of
students, the recruitment, employment, and retention of faculty and staff,
and the operation of all university programs, activities, and services.
Applications from women and members of minority groups are encouraged.
Final Evaluation
After all information has been accumulated on academically qualified
applicants, the Admissions Committee will meet to decide which applicants
are best suited to enter the veterinary curriculum and the profession. Both
academic (including fall grades, except for WICHE students as noted above)
and non-academic factors will be used to reach a final decision. For
Washington, Idaho, and out-of-area applicants, this process will generate a
group of admitted students and a list of alternates who may receive offers
of admission at a later date. In the case of WICHE applicants, the process
will yield a ranked list of all applicants from each sending state. Ranking
of applicants from each WICHE state by the three regional colleges of
veterinary medicine (Washington State University, Oregon State University,
and Colorado State University) determines which applicants are funded each
year. WICHE applicants are strongly encouraged to apply to all three
regional schools.
Please do not request information by phone or email
regarding offers of admission prior to notification dates.
This information is confidential and provided only in official
letters. Applicants are encouraged to have
all components
of the admission application submitted well in advance of these
deadlines.
Revised
April 01, 2008Last Edited: Apr 01, 2008 1:10 PM