Veterinarians provide health care for pets, livestock, zoo, and laboratory animals; study diseases carried by animals that may affect people; and conduct clinical and laboratory research. Veterinarians often work long hours, with well over one-third of full-time workers spending 50 or more hours on the job.
The authoritative text on the veterinary school application process is Veterinary Medical School Admissions Requirements; a copy is kept on reserve at 726 Broadway, 7th Floor.
REQUIREMENTS:
Applicants will need to submit scores from either the GRE (Graduate Record Exam) or the MCAT (Medical College Admission Test) depending on the preference of the college to which they will be applying. A minimum GPA and the applicant's veterinary and animal experience are also weighed heavily. Experience with both small and large animals is essential.
Required courses usually include:
- Biology with Labs (2 semesters)
- General/Inorganic Chemistry with Labs (2 semesters)
- Organic Chemistry with Labs (2 semesters)
- Physics with Labs (1-2 semesters)
- English/Writing (2 semesters)
Some programs may also require courses in Biochemistry, Animal Biology, Animal Nutrition, Genetics, Vertebrate Embryology, Cellular Biology, Microbiology, Immunology, Zoology, or Systemic Physiology. Mathematics requirements may be nonexistent or include Calculus, Statistics, College Algebra, Trigonometry, or Precalculus. Most schools also have requirements in English, Social Sciences, and Humanities.
NEARBY PROGRAM:
Cornell University
College of Veterinary Medicine
Ithaca, NY 14853-6401
Tel: (607) 253-3700
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
American Veterinary Medical Association
1931 North Meacham Road, Suite 100
Schaumberg, IL 60173
Tel: (847) 925-8070
Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges
1101 Vermont Ave. NW, Suite 701
Washington, DC 20005
Tel: (202) 682-0750 or (877) 862-2740