The minimum educational requirement for admission to the School of Veterinary Medicine is the satisfactory completion of three years study in a college or university accredited by the Association of American Colleges and Universities or one of the regional accrediting associations. The three years of college study must total 90 semester credits (135 quarter credits) and must include the following courses:
English: 6 semester credits (at least 3 must be in composition).
Physics: 8 semester credits, including 2 laboratories.
Chemistry: 12 semester credits, including laboratory in at least one course; 8 semester credits in general chemistry; and at least 4 semester credits in organic chemistry.
Biology or Zoology: 9 semester credits, (3 courses) at least one course of which must cover the basic principles of genetics.
Social Sciences or Humanities: 6 semester credits.
Calculus: 3 semester credits.
Stats or Biostats: 3 semester credits (effective for Fall 2008/2009 entrance). Biostats only (effective Fall 2010 entrance).
A grade of C (2.0) or better must be earned for these courses.
While we do consider junior year applicants, the more academic course work you have completed the stronger the application.
The biology requirements may be met by taking a six semester credit course in general biology, which includes the biology of plants and animals. This may be followed by a course of not less than three semester credits in embryology or comparative anatomy of the vertebrates. An alternative method of completing the biology requirements is to take separate courses in vertebrate zoology, genetics, and embryology or comparative anatomy. Applicants also have the option of taking any other courses that will satisfy these requirements. The ability of the applicant to write and speak English correctly is important.
The choice of additional courses is left to the student. However, since the curriculum of a professional school is extremely specialized, students are encouraged to make their college years as broad as possible by selecting in the humanities and social sciences. All course requirements must be met prior to matriculation.
All applicants must submit scores obtained on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), (Educational Testing Service, PO. Box 6000, Princeton, New Jersey 08541-6000; 1-609-776-7670), to the veterinary colleges to which they are applying. The GRE code for Penn Vet is 2775.
GRE scores must be received by December 1st. The obligation to understand and to meet these requirements rests solely with the applicant.
All applicants for each entering class are reviewed by the Committee on Admissions, a standing committee of the faculty. Applicants are selected on a comparative basis. Having all the requirements for admission does not ensure acceptance, since there are many more applicants than places. In making selections, the Committee on Admissions considers all factors presented in the applicant's file, but the following are most important: academic ability; apparent familiarity with the profession and resultant sincerity of interest; recommendations of academic counselors; GRE scores; character; personality, and general fitness and adaptability for a career in veterinary medicine.
Exposure to practice, research, or other areas of veterinary medicine is essential and should be described on the VMCAS application. The applicant should download the evaluation form from the VMCAS website. The signed evaluation form must be submitted to VMCAS by October 1. A letter of recommendation may accompany the form. One recommendation must be from a science related academic source and one must be from a veterinarian. The third is of the applicant's choice but should not be from a family member.
Paper recommendations must be submitted in a sealed envelope, with the recommenders signature across the seal. VMCAS has created the option for the applicant to submit recommendations electronically (eLOR). Instructions are provided at the VMCAS website.
