DVM Admission Requirements - North Carolina State University ...

VETERINARY ADMISSIONS
Overview for Counselor Education
NC State University
College of Veterinary Medicine
Student Services Office
Jeffrey Huckel
Johanna Donovan
April 2012

Veterinary Medicine Highlights
Only 28 colleges in the United States
Roughly 6,500 applicants per year nationwide
Both applicant pool and student enrollment is 80% female
NC State: 100 slots (80 res, 20 nonresident)
About 700 applications in each of the last three cycles

Veterinary Colleges
• Auburn University
• University of California-Davis
• Colorado State University
• Cornell University
• University of Florida
• University of Georgia
• University of Illinois-Urbana
• Iowa State University
• Kansas State University
• Louisiana State University
• Michigan State University
• University of Minnesota
• Mississippi State University
• University of Missouri
• North Carolina State University
• The Ohio State University
• Oklahoma State University
• Oregon State University
• University of Pennsylvania
• Purdue University
• University of Tennessee
• Texas A & M University
• Tufts University
• Tuskegee University
• VA-MD Regional College of Vet Medicine
• Washington State University
• Western University of Health Sciences
• University of Wisconsin-Madison

The Roles of Veterinarians
Veterinarians' roles can include a wide variety of activities. For example, the veterinarian is a
central figure in companion animal practice, public health, wildlife conservation,
environmental safety, and more. While many veterinarians care for pet animals, such as
dogs, cats, birds, and small mammals, some veterinarians make sure that farm animals are
productive and healthy. Other veterinarians work to ensure that our food supply is
wholesome and safe, from farm to table. Veterinarians also play a significant role in
biomedical research by helping create new medicines and procedures, and find cures for
diseases and ailments in people and animals.
• Veterinarians are trained in a variety of public health issues; thus, many can be found
working for government agencies monitoring diseases and environmental concerns.
Throughout the country, veterinarians are consulted on wildlife conservation and ecosystem
health issues, as well. They can also play a role in homeland security, as veterinarians have
already studied many potential bioterrorism agents.
• For more information concerning the role of the veterinarian, please consult the American
Veterinary Medical Association website.

Path to Becoming a Veterinarian
• The path to becoming a veterinarian is rewarding. It requires
undergraduate schooling, admission to an accredited veterinary
medical school or college, completion of the curriculum, passage of
appropriate certification examinations and state licensure. On
average, most students complete their undergraduate
preprofessional and veterinary education in eight years.
• The AAVMC strongly suggests that individuals interested in a
veterinary medicine career consult with an advisor familiar with
veterinary medicine and the veterinary college application process.
Undergraduate advisors and admissions advisors at colleges of
veterinary medicine may offer valuable insights into the application
process.

Path to Becoming a Veterinarian
• Elementary and Middle School students
– Do well in school
– Develop and nurture interests; participate in science camps
• High School students
– Do well in school; follow a college prep curriculum
– Develop and nurture interests; join clubs and take leadership roles
– Explore veterinary and animal experience opportunities
• College students
– Do well in school; pursue a degree that meets personal and professional goals
– Develop and nurture interests; join clubs and take leadership roles
– Obtain veterinary and animal experience opportunities

How do you become a vet?
• Ask questions!
• Desire!
• Grades
– College Prep Courses in high school
– College Major: Any in theory, but usually a basic science
such as biology, zoology, animal science, etc.
• Experience
• References
• Communication skills

Veterinary Medical College
Application Service (VMCAS)
• VMCAS is a standardized, universal application service for veterinary
colleges. The majority of United States and Canadian veterinary
colleges currently participate in VMCAS. Several schools in the
United Kingdom also participate. You must remember to check that
the school to which you are applying participates in VMCAS. This
may be done on the VMCAS page. If you are applying to a non-
VMCAS school, you must contact that college directly and request a
regular institutional application.
• If you apply to one or more of the participating VMCAS schools, you
need to complete only one VMCAS application. VMCAS applications
are completed online; further information is available on the VMCAS
page. Letters of recommendation can even be submitted online.

OBJECTIVE SCORING BARS
@ NC STATE
NC Residents GPA
Out of State GPA
Cumulative 3.0 Cumulative 3.4
Last 45 hr 3.3 Last 45 hr 3.4
Required 3.3 Required 3.4
GRE General GRE General
Test
Test

Required Courses @ NC State
Animal Nutrition (3)
Biochemistry (3)
Biology (4)
Chemistry, General
(8)
Chemistry, Organic
(8)
Composition &
Public Speaking (6)
Humanities & Social
Sciences (6)
Microbiology (4)
Physics (8)
Calculus or Logic (3) Genetics (4) Statistics (3)

SUBJECTIVE REVIEW
AREAS TO BE EVALUATED:
@ NC State
1. VETERINARY EXPERIENCE
2. ANIMAL EXPERIENCE
3. LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION
4. PERSONAL STATEMENT
5. EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE
6. DIVERSITY
7. EXTRACURRICULAR/COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES

APPLICATION INFORMATION
• DUE OCTOBER 1 for following fall semester.
• Web application becomes available in June.
• Always working a year in advance of
prospective start date.

Program Highlights at NC State
• Veterinary Teaching
Hospital
• Teaching Animal Unit
• Animal Scan Pet Imaging
Center (first MRI at a
CVM in the U.S.)
• Featured on National
PBS television program,
NOVA scienceNOW
• State-of-the-Art Graduate
Research Building
• $25+ Million Gift From
R.B. Terry Foundation
• Equine Health Center at
Southern Pines
• New Companion Animal
Hospital opened in June
2011

Pointers
1. Research programs of interest
2. Know the admissions requirements
3. Get experience in multiple areas
4. Keep a journal
5. List information accurately on VMCAS
6. Sell yourself!

More Information
• American Veterinary Medical Association
– www.avma.org
• Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges
– www.aavmc.org
– VMCAS
• North Carolina Veterinary Medical Assn
– www.ncvma.org

CONTACT INFORMATION
Student Services
DVM Program (919) 513-6262
Graduate Programs (919) 513-6262
Web
www.cvm.ncsu.edu
• DVM program cvm_dvm@ncsu.edu
• Graduate programs cvm_grad@ncsu.edu