Pre-Veterinary Medicine

Explore the categories below to learn more about academic preparation, the application process, and experiential opportunities that can enhance your pre-veterinary medicine experience at UCCS. 

Choosing a Major 
Upon starting your undergraduate education, one of the first decisions you are faced with is choosing a major. Veterinary schools do not require applicants to complete a specific undergraduate major, as long as they have completed the required prerequisite coursework. It is important to choose a major that you both enjoy and can excel in academically.

In addition to selecting a major of your choice, you have the option to select the UCCS Pre-Veterinary Medicine Track. Pre-Veterinary Medicine Preparation 2025-26

IMPORTANT: The Pre-Veterinary Medicine Track is not a major or a minor, but a listing of prerequisite courses and recommendations needed to be eligible for admission into CSU’s School of Veterinary Medicine & Biological Sciences in Ft. Collins, CO: Doctor of Veterinary Medicine – D.V.M. Program – Colorado State University's veterinary school

Other veterinary schools may have different requirements.  Students should check admissions requirements for all schools to which they plan to apply. Veterinary Medical School Admission Requirements (VMSAR)

*Completion of requisite coursework does not guarantee acceptance into any professional degree

Preparation for applying to veterinary medicine school benefits from early planning and a structured approach that balances academics, experiential learning, and application preparation. Because requirements vary by program, applicants are encouraged to develop a personalized timeline that includes completing prerequisite coursework, gaining veterinary and animal experience, and preparing for any required standardized exams. Applicants should also plan ahead to request official transcripts, secure strong letters of recommendation—often from licensed veterinarians and faculty—and draft a compelling personal statement. Staying organized and regularly reviewing individual veterinary school websites is essential, as timelines, experience expectations, and supplemental requirements can differ between programs.

Veterinary Medical College Application Service (VMCAS)

Most U.S. veterinary schools use the Veterinary Medical College Application Service (VMCAS), a centralized application system that allows applicants to submit one primary application to multiple programs. VMCAS typically opens in late spring or early summer for admission the following year and includes academic history, experiences, personal statements, and letters of recommendation. While VMCAS streamlines the application process, not all veterinary schools use it, and many programs that do participate may still require supplemental applications, additional fees, or separate deadlines. Applicants are responsible for confirming whether each school participates in VMCAS and for carefully reviewing program-specific application instructions.

Additional Resources: 

Examination requirements for veterinary medicine programs are program specific and have evolved over time. Unlike some other health professions, there is no single standardized exam required by all veterinary schools. A number of schools may still require or recommend the GRE, and some programs consider exam scores if submitted.  Because testing requirements vary and may change from one application cycle to the next, applicants should carefully review each veterinary school’s official admissions website to confirm whether any exams are required and to understand program-specific expectations and deadlines.

Resources for Exam Requirements

 

From the perspective of veterinary medicine programs, clinical experience and shadowing are essential components of a competitive veterinary school application and serve different but complementary purposes.

  • Shadowing involves observing a licensed veterinarian in clinical or professional settings such as small-animal, large-animal, mixed-animal, research, or specialty practices. Shadowing allows students to gain insight into the day-to-day responsibilities of a veterinarian, understand the scope of the profession, and explore different areas of veterinary medicine without direct responsibility for patient care.

  • Clinical experience is more hands-on and includes active participation in animal care under supervision. This may involve assisting with procedures, handling animals, performing basic care tasks, or working in veterinary clinics, shelters, farms, research facilities, or animal hospitals. Clinical experience demonstrates a deeper level of commitment and provides practical exposure to the realities of veterinary practice.

Many schools require a minimum number of hours working directly with or observing veterinarians, while additional animal experience (with or without veterinary supervision) can strengthen an application. Because expectations differ widely among veterinary schools, applicants should carefully review each program’s admissions website to understand required hour totals, acceptable experience types, and documentation guidelines.

Additional Resources:

UCCS Resources