Pre-Veterinary Program
If you are interested in pursuing a career in veterinary medicine, please read this page carefully. Included here are tips for successfully gaining admission to vet school, coursework requirements, and links to other sites that may be helpful to you.
What is the "Pre-Vet" Program at UWW?First and foremost, there is no such thing as a "Pre-Vet" major at UW-Whitewater, or any other reputable university. The University does not offer a degree program in Pre-veterinary medicine. You may pursue a course of study that provides the minimum coursework required for admission to most vet schools, but such a program will not satisfy the requirements for completion of a bachelor's degree from UW-Whitewater. Incoming students should speak with an academic advisor in Biological Sciences to discuss appropriate choice of major and minor.
Choice of Major and Minor
Although a bachelor's degree is not required for admission to vet schools, we advise that students consider completing the requirements for a degree at UW-Whitewater. A bachelor's degree in the sciences is not necessary--vet schools admit students who have degrees in art, literature, political science, business, etc. Students with degrees in fields other than the sciences, must take additional coursework to satisfy vet school admission requirements. Typically, our "pre-vet" students major in Biology (Pre-Biomedical Professions Emphasis) and minor in Chemistry or Physical Science.
Successful Admission to Vet School
Admission to a vet school is a highly competitive process. Minimally, you should strive to achieve the following goals to make yourself a good prospect for admission to a professional program in Veterinary Medicine:
- Maintain a minimum 3.5 grade-point average (gpa)
- Score well on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test
- Gain significant experience working with animals, especially large animals, that could include internship or volunteer experience with a veterinary practice, work at a zoo, animal training facility (e.g., stables, track), or other experiences above and beyond pet care
- Successful completion of minimum coursework requirements as specified by the vet school of choice. Most programs now provide coursework requirements on their web sites.
Minimum Course Requirements
The following table indicates those UW-Whitewater courses which are required for admission to the University of Wisconsin's School of Veterinary Medicine. If you are considering applying to other vet schools, please consult them directly for information about their requirements for academic preparation.
| Requirement | Credits | UWW Courses which fulfill requirement * indicates Biology Dept recommendation |
|---|---|---|
(zoology) |
||
OR Physics 180 AND 181 (4 cr. each) Physics lab is not required |
||
Humanities |
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As you can see from studying this table, completion of the minimum coursework requirements will require at least two years of study at UW-Whitewater. In addition, many of these courses have pre-requisites that must be fulfilled. Please consult the UW-Whitewater Undergraduate Catalog for complete details about course pre-requisites and other academic requirements (available online).
How and When to Apply for Vet School
Students planning to apply for admission to the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine should contact the school directly for the VMCAS application packet during the spring or summer preceding the semester in which they intend to apply. The VMCAS application can be used to apply to many other vet schools as well. UWSVM applications are due by October 1st each year; the GRE must be taken by that date as well. Admission is for the following Fall Semester at UWSVM. You should be aware that each year, only 80 seats are reserved for new students at UWSVM, and 60-70 of these are reserved for residents of the state of Wisconsin. For more information on the application process or to obtain an application packet, please contact the UW School of Veterinary Medicine at: Office of Academic Affairs, School of Veterinary Medicine, 2015 Linden Drive West,University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI; 608-263-2525.
Useful Links to Other Sources of Information About Preparing for Vet School
UW-Madison School of Veterinary MedicineUWW Pre-Vet Student Advisor
Dr. Ellen DavisUpham 361
(262) 472-5141
davise@uww.edu