Today’s veterinarian is a medically trained, scientifically-oriented professional, capable of rendering many services and accepting wide responsibilities in all areas of animal health and in many areas of public health. Such a challenging career stimulates the interest of students; therefore, the competition for vacancies in veterinary medicine is high.

While most of the pre-veterinary medicine curriculum can be completed in two years, many students are finding it advisable to spend three or four years in completing these requirements. During this time, they also take additional courses leading to a degree in agricultural sciences. Many students are completing degrees before they enter a college of veterinary medicine.

Interested students should anticipate spending three to four years at college preparing for admission to any school of veterinary medicine. Students trying for admission need to maintain a high grade point average in college, especially in science courses. After receiving the applications, some schools arrange for interviews with prospective students to gauge their interest and knowledge of veterinary medicine and their likely success as a veterinarian. Students should have previously gained exposure to veterinary medicine, possibly by working with one or more veterinarians.

The Department of Agriculture always stands ready to assist students in fulfilling their pre-veterinary medicine requirements, whether they wish to do it in a two-year span or over three or four years. The supporting departments at the University – including biology, chemistry, and English – offer quality courses that provide students with an excellent background for the pursuit of veterinary medicine.