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

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Resources