Frequently Asked Questions
Also See: "Ask a Vet Student" Videos
What courses should a high school student take to prepare for a
career in Veterinary Medicine?
A high school student should follow a solid college
preparatory course, including English, mathematics, sciences (particularly
biology, chemistry, and physics), and social sciences.
What should I major in at college?
No preference is given for any particular undergraduate major. Any
undergraduate major will qualify for application as long as the prospective
applicant has fulfilled all CVM prerequisites (see academic and non-academic
criteria). Applicants are encouraged to develop a plan for an alternate
career. It is strongly recommended that applicants pursue a bachelor’s
degree in a desired field in the event they are not accepted into a DVM
program, rather than concentrating on a major solely with an eye toward
gaining entry into the DVM program.
Is it acceptable to attend a community/junior college?
While lower division prerequisite courses may be taken at a
community/junior college, upper division coursework must be completed at a
four-year institution. If you do choose to or currently attend a
community/junior college, be sure to get in touch with a transfer advisor to
make sure all credits you complete will be transferable to the four-year
institution and/or professional program. If you do attend a community
college, the committee will look for a rigorous schedule and performance at
the highest standards.
Does it matter where I get my undergraduate degree?
No, what is more important is your success in your academic
program. The committee will review the rigor of the program and its courses,
as well as the rigor of an applicants schedule at a given period time. Some
schools do offer more or less rigorous programs and this should be
considered by prospective students.
How many years are required in veterinary school?
Four years of study are required in the professional program to obtain a DVM
degree, regardless of the number of years spent in pre-professional or
pre-veterinary preparation.
Do all of the prerequisites have to be completed before I submit my
application?
No. While we prefer that applicants have a majority of all required
coursework completed at the time of application, pending coursework may be
completed throughout the application process. However, all required
coursework must be completed prior to starting the DVM program, if admitted.
How do I know if my college courses satisfy the WSU CVM
prerequisites?
Some prerequisite equivalency information can be found at
https://webapps.wsu.edu/ais/myinfoservices/darstce/ You should
also check with your academic advisor (from the institution where the
courses were taken). If you are still unable to determine equivalency, you
can contact the WSU College of Veterinary Medicine admissions program
coordinator for assistance. You will need to provide an unofficial
transcript, as well as a course description and syllabus.
Are my chances of getting into the WSU College of Veterinary
Medicine program better if I attend WSU as an undergraduate?
No. Qualified students have been accepted from academic institutions around
the world. A student’s state of residency is a consideration, however. Of
the 95–100 seats in a given year, 60 will be filled by Washington state
residents, 11 by Idaho state residents, and the remaining 29 by a
combination of WICHEfunded and out-of-area students.
Does WSU have a “tracking” curriculum?
No. Tracking curricula, in which students are asked to identify species
and/or discipline interests very early on in their veterinary education,
carry the advantage of efficiency, but this benefit is out weighed by some
distinct disadvantages. Our curriculum is designed to provide our graduates
with a core knowledge base, meaning that each graduate leaves the DVM
program with the knowledge they need to function as an entry-level
veterinarian across the full range of domestic species. Students are able to
enhance their preparation in specific areas of interest by taking various
electives and participating in off-campus experiences. Please contact Abbie
Demeerleer, CVM recruitment officer, at 509-335-5107 to learn more about
these.
What if I have a disability?
The WSU program is committed to assisting students who have disabilities
with reasonable accommodations. Students with concerns should contact the
WSU Disability Resource Center.
How are applications from under-represented groups considered?
The program is sincerely interested in and committed to recruiting and
admitting a highly-qualified, diverse student body. In keeping with this
commitment, the admissions committee seeks to select students who are
racially, ethnically, and experientially diverse.
I
f I am a non-traditional student and veterinary medicine is a
second career choice, what should I do to start pursuing my new career
choice?
To begin, you should verify if you have fulfilled any of the prerequisites
or determine which courses you need to take. You should also build your
experience hours, if you have not already. If you have not taken the GRE, or
it has been more than five 20 years since you took the test, you should
study for and take the exam. Since each non-traditional student’s situation
is unique, we encourage you to contact our assistant director of admissions,
Abbie DeMeerleer, who can work with you one-on-one in regard to your
particular preparation plan.
What is the gender distribution in the veterinary program?
Entering classes for the past five years have included approximately 75%
women and 25% men.
Can I take the VCAT or MCAT instead of the GRE?
No. We cannot accept any substitutions for the general GRE exam.
Can I retake the GRE to improve my scores?
Yes. If your scores are not competitive, retaking the exam may help you in
your final tier assignment. WSU will consider the highest single test score
set from within the five year period.
Do evaluations from influential people help?
These evaluations help no more than those from any other individual.
Generally, the best evaluations are written by people who know the applicant
well enough to provide candid and detailed information about his/her
technical and non-technical abilities.
Should I apply for financial aid before I know if I have been
accepted?
YES, DEFINITELY!
Can I reapply if I don’t get accepted on my first application to vet
school?
Yes. The average student accepted into the WSU CVM program has applied 1.76
times. If you are not successful with your first application, you may
request an evaluation of your application materials from the WSU admissions
committee until July 1. If you have further questions, you may contact the
WSU CVM Director of Admissions at 509-335-3063.
Remember that you must
submit a new application for each admission cycle.
Do I need to submit a new application the next year I wish to apply?
Yes. Applications are not carried over from year to year, so if you are
unsuccessful and wish to be reconsidered for admission in a different year,
you must submit a completely new application and all new supporting
materials (such as GRE scores, transcripts, evaluations, etc.).
Does WSU CVM accept transfer students from other veterinary
programs?
Sometimes. Transfer is possible if open seats are available in the
corresponding WSU DVM class; however, we have not had a transfer position
available in the previous eight years. When you accept a veterinary program
position, you should be prepared to remain in that program for its entirety
as transferring is not a guarantee. If you are still interested in trying to
pursue a potential transfer to WSU, you can contact Abbie DeMeerleer,
Assistant Director of Admissions, for the WSU CVM transfer-request policy
and information.
Does the WSU College of Veterinary Medicine offer a veterinary
technician program?
No.
Where can I get further information about a career in veterinary
medicine?
You may write to the American Veterinary Medical Association, 1931 North
Meacham Road, Schaumburg, Illinois 60173-4360, www.avma.org.
Last Edited: Apr 01, 2008 2:33 PM