Prerequisite Courses

Candidates are responsible for organizing and completing all prerequisites outlined below. If you have specific questions regarding requirements, please contact the admissions office.

It is the responsibility of the Admissions Committee to assure that our veterinary school selects those students with academic qualities that will allow for success in their medical studies, as well as attributes and experiences that will result in a skilled and empathic veterinarian with a high degree of professionalism and strong communication skills. It is the goal of the faculty, through the work of this committee, to admit students who will make a positive contribution to the educational environment of the college and who will be the next generation of superb veterinarians to graduate from VMCVM.

  • Students must earn a "C-" or better in all prerequisite courses.
  • Prerequisite courses in which a "D" or "F" was earned must be repeated. Both the original and repeat grades will be included in grade point calculations for the cumlative and last-45 GPA. For any repeated science prerequisite, the highest grade will be used.
  • All applicant have until the end of the Spring semester after submitting an application to complete prerequisites.

A one-semester introductory course in biochemistry without a lab will meet the minimum requirement. Topics should include metabolism and chemistry of carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids. Courses in biochemistry that provide broader coverage would be helpful to an applicant.

A general or introductory course in Microbiology that covers topics such as: functional anatomy of prokaryotic cells, microbial growth and metabolism, microbial genetics, viruses and control of microbial growth and antimicrobial drugs.

A course that provides instruction and experience in preparation and delivery of speeches within a public setting and group discussion. One where you learn how to develop and organize ideas and prepare supportive materials.

  • Including but not limited to:  physiology (human or animal), anatomy, animal sciences, immunology, cell biology, molecular genetics, ecology, environmental science, chemistry (organic or general), biology, etc.  Up to 6 credits can be math credits.  

An introductory medical terminology course that covers the correct pronunciation, correct spelling, and meaning essential to use and understand medical terminology is required. This course requirement can be fulfilled online or at any accredited college or university.

  • Including but not limited to:  History, economics, anthropology, psychology, art, sociology, music literature, languages, writing and ethics 

Academic Guidelines

Undergraduate Majors

  • VA-MD Vet Med does not require a specific undergraduate major; however, it is strongly recommended that applicants enroll in a degree program of their choice to prepare for alternate career goals.
  • Students majoring in liberal arts or other non-science disciplines are advised that they may find it less difficult to deal with the veterinary curriculum if they do not limit their science studies to the minimum course requirements.

Course/Program Completion

  • Applicants must have completed three academic years (or six semesters) of college courses by the end of the spring term of the calendar year in which matriculation at the veterinary college is sought. In order to qualify for federal finacial aid.
  • All required course work must be completed by the end of the spring term of the year in which matriculation is sought. There is no option to complete prerequisite courses during summer term of the year of matriculation.
  • If an applicant fails to register for or withdraws from a prerequisite course projected for spring-term completion, his or her application will be removed from consideration, and any offer of interview or admission will be retracted.
  • If an applicant is currently enrolled in graduate school, a letter is requested from the applicant’s advisor and department head stating that if accepted into veterinary college, the applicant will have made satisfactory arrangements for completion or release from the graduate program.

Seven Year Policy

  • In cases in which an applicanat has taken required science courses seven or more years prior to the application deadline, the classes may be repeated, or courses of a higher level substituted, with the written approval of the Admissions and Standards Committee.
  • Upon approval, the repeated or substituted courses will be used in the calculation of the Required Science Course GPA. ALL courses taken will be used in the calculation of the cumulative GPA.
  • Note: This is not a limit on how far back courses can be taken.

Advanced Placement/Credit by Examination Guidelines

  • Advanced placement credit for one semester/quarter of English will be accepted if the additional required hours are composition or technical writing courses taken at a college or university.
  • Advanced placement credit or credit by examination for other pre-veterinary course requirements will be accepted. However, advanced placement credits will not be calculated in grade point averages, and no grade will be assigned. No course substitutions will be allowed for AP credit or credit by examination.
  • AP credit must appear on the college transcript.

Standardized Testing

  • The GRE is not required and will not be considered in our review process.