Pre-Veterinarian
Veterinarians care for the health of pets, livestock, and animals in zoos, racetracks, and laboratories. Some specialize in small animals like cats, dogs, birds, and fish, while others specialize in large animals like horses, cows, pigs and sheep. Veterinarians also advise owners about animal feeding, behavior, breeding, and issues like fleas and ticks.
Major Selection
As an undergraduate student, you may choose any major in preparation for applying to veterinary schools. There is not a specific preference on a particular major, so you are encouraged to choose a major based on your own personal interests and strengths. What’s important is that you have completed the prerequisite courses required by the institution you are applying to.
Prerequisite Courses
Requirements may vary from school to school, so you will want to research different program requirements. In general, most veterinary schools will expect applicants to have completed the following types of courses:
Course | Course Title | Required or Recommended |
---|---|---|
CHEMISTRY | ||
General Chemistry I | Required | |
General Chemistry I Lab | Required | |
General Chemistry II | Required | |
General Chemistry II Lab | Required | |
Organic Chemistry I | Required | |
Organic Chemistry I Lab | Required | |
Organic Chemistry II | Required | |
Organic Chemistry II Lab | Required | |
Biochemistry I | Required | |
Biochemistry I Lab | Required | |
Biochemistry II | Recommended | |
BIOLOGY | ||
Cell Biology | Required | |
Cell Biology Lab | Required | |
Organismal Biology | Required | |
Organismal Biology Lab | Required | |
Human Anatomy | Recommended | |
Human Anatomy Lab | Recommended | |
Genetics | Recommended | |
Genetics Lab | Recommended | |
Human Physiology | Required | |
Human Physiology Lab | Required | |
Microbiology | Recommended | |
Microbiology Lab | Recommended | |
ENGLISH | ||
ENGL | 6 credits | Required |
MATH | ||
Calculus I | Required | |
, , | Statistics | Required |
PHYSICS | ||
or PHYS | College/General Physics I & Lab or Physics I with Calculus & Lab | Required |
or PHYS | College/General Physics II & Lab or Physics II with Calculus & Lab | Required |
OTHER | ||
Vertebrate Zoology | Required | |
Vertebrate Zoology Lab | Required |
*Other courses may be required/recommended by specific programs. You are responsible for knowing the requirements for each individual program. Policies on AP, IB and community college credits vary by institution.
Complete listing of veterinary programs and their .
Admissions Test
The GRE is compromised of the following sections:
- Verbal Reasoning
- Quantitative Reasoning
- Analytical Writing
.