The Most Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Admissions to Penn Vet

1) What is the criteria for PA residency?
To be a resident of PA, one must have lived in PA for 12 consecutive months prior to matriculation for other than educational purposes.

2) Do PA residents have a better chance of being admitted to PENN Vet?
Yes, at least 51% of our class of 110 students come from PA. Out of our current 1300 applicants, only about 250 are from PA. That leaves over 1200 applicants from outside of PA from which we will take no more than 49% of our class.

3) How do you make application to veterinary school?
Application is made by using the Veterinary Medical College Application Service (VMCAS) application.

4) How do I get an application?
Information is available through the Association of American Veterinary Colleges (AAVMC) in Washington, D.C. The phone number is 202.842.0773 or by using the web address, http://www.aavmc.org. This addresss will also give you access to the web site of the electronic application. There is no paper application.

5)  Is there a secondary application and a secondary application fee?
No.  The VMCAS application is the only application required.  We have no other fees until you are accepted and are asked to deposit to secure your seat in the class.

6) What is the average GPA of a successful applicant?
The average GPA for the 2006 entering class was a 3.58.

7) Is there a standardized test to be taken?
Yes, the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is the test required for our school.

• The GRE reporting code for Penn Vet is 2775.
• The verbal score is about 556 and the quantitative score is about 702.
• We do not use the analytical score, and thus do not require the writing sample.
• When considering scores from multiple test dates, we will take the highest combined verbal and quantitative scores from the same test date.

8) What should my major be in college?
Your college major should be in an area of interest. Although about 85% of our applicants are science majors, it is not required. However, there are a series of science courses including chemistry, physics and biology that are required by all applicants. Every year we have students entering with degrees in language, history, business, fine arts, music, etc. All of them have proven their ability to successfully complete science courses.

9) I have heard that I need veterinary experience as part of my application. What kind of experience do I need?
It is important for every applicant to understand what the practice of veterinary medicine is all about. Volunteering or working in a veterinary clinic will help you to realize that there is far more to veterinary medicine than just animals. The kind of practice is dependent on your interest area. If you are small animal oriented, then you should work in a small animal setting. If it is large animal, then your choice should be a large animal practice. If you are curious, then try both or volunteer at a zoo or a wildlife rescue organization. If research is of interest to you, then get involved in a research project at your college or university. A minimum of 500 hours is recommended.

10) Are there specific schools that you admit students from more readily than others? An entering class represents from 75 to 85 different colleges and universities. There are always a cluster from Penn State University and from the University of Pennsylvania. While there were several schools that had 3 or 4 students admitted most had only 1 or 2 representatives. Choose a competitive school and most importantly do well.

11) Where is the veterinary campus?
The first 2 1/2 years are spent on the University of PA campus in West Philadelphia. The main laboratory and lecture facilities are located here as well as the small animal hospital. For those that are large animal oriented, the school has a rural campus in Chester County called New Bolton Center. This 850 acre farm is home to the food animal and the equine medicine programs.

12) What are the prerequisite courses required for admission to PENN vet?
The following courses are required of all applicants to enter the school:

• General Chemistry + labs = 2 semesters.
• Organic Chemistry + lab =1 semester.
• General Physics + labs = 2 semesters.
• 3 Biology courses of your choice, 1 of which should provide the basics of genetics.
• 1 semester of calculus.
• 1 semester of Stats or Biostats (effective for Fall 2008/2009 entrance).  Biostats only (effective Fall 2010 entrance).
• 2 English courses (including 1 composition course).
• 2 Behavioral Science or Humanities courses (or 1 of each).

Although these are the basic prerequisites, in the current competitive market, many applicants have more upper level Biology courses and most have included at least 1 semester of Biochemistry. Prerequisite classes must be completed with a grade of C (2.0) or better in order to be acceptable.

13) Does Penn vet accept International Applications?

Yes. International Applications are included in the Non-Pennsylvania applicant pool. There are no additional prerequisite courses required. International transcripts must be evaluated by an agency on a course by course basis as recommended by VMCAS at their website. The TOEFL examination is also required.

14)  Can I apply before I have completed all the prerequisite courses?
Yes.  Frequently there are prerequisites that are being completed during the application year.  All prerequisite courses must be completed by the time you register for classes at our school.

15) How much does it cost to attend PENN Vet?
The current cost of tuition for PA residents is $31,725.. PA residents have been very fortunate because grant money has been included in the state budget for the past several years of $4,200 for each PA resident attending our school. Tuition for non-residents is approximately $6,000 more than for PA residents.

16) Does Penn accept AP (Advanced Placement) and IB (International Baccalaureate) credit?
Yes, we do accept AP and IB credit for prerequisite courses as long as the AP credit has been accepted by a college or university for credit towards graduation. It should be clearly recorded on the transcript from that college or university.

17) Does PENN accept transfer students?
No.

18)  Where should transcripts be sent?
They should be sent to: 

Admissions Office
3800 Spruce Street
Philadelphia, PA 
19104-6044.

19) Are Fall transcripts from the application year required?
Yes. Have your Fall transcripts sent as soon as grades are available.

20) Does my International Transcript from a semester or year abroad need to be evaluated by a VMCAS recommended agency?
Grades are important in the evaluation of your application to veterinary school. If your degree granting institution does not document grades and credits for study abroad, then your international transcript must be evaluated course by course by an agency as recommended by VMCAS.

21) How is contact information updated after the VMCAS Application is completed and shipped?
Contact information such as change of address, email,telephone, etc., should be updated by email to Admissions@vet.upenn.edu

22) How is the total GPA and last 45 hour GPA calculated?
If only one school has been attended, the total GPA usually will be on the transcript. If there are multiple transcripts, the credit hours for each course must be multiplied by the numerical value of each grade (see back side of transcript), added up and divided by the total number of credits. The last 45 hour GPA is calculated in the same way except that only the last 45 credits are included. Include all courses/credits in the semester in which the 45th hour falls. You may then have more than 45 hours but that is not a problem.