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| ACADEMICS: Health Professions Advising | ||||||||||||||
| Home > Academics > Majors > Health Professions Advising > Handbook | ||||||||||||||
| { Handbook: Chapter 4 } | ||||||||||||||
Veterinary SchoolsWhile admission to the 27 veterinary schools is less competitive
than it was in the early 1980s, the number of applications is increasing.
In 1994, there were four applications per first-year position nationwide,
up from a ratio of nearly 2:1 in 1989. Applications now are increasing,
but some schools still have fewer qualified applicants than they can
accommodate. Ripon students who have applied to veterinary schools
within the past several years have been very successful in gaining
admission. A larger number of schools now are accepting applications
from out-of-state students. The Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine,
which opened in the fall of 1983, has 60 spaces for residents and 20
for nonresidents. Minnesota, Kansas and Iowa also have admitted Ripon
students in the past decade. Admission is within reach for a student
with solid academic credentials and a good nonacademic background including
experience with both large and small animals. Another interesting change is in the ratio of male to female applicants. In 1994, 2/3 of the applicants were women. In all U.S. veterinary schools today, the majority of students are women. A book by Jane D. Crawford, "The Veterinary Planning Guide," (Betz Publishing Co., 1987) gives further statistics and information. It is available from HPAC. Additional information may be obtained from the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges. Admission RequirementsThe requirements for veterinary schools are very similar to those of medical schools. Requirements for specific courses in animal science have been eliminated at many schools, including University of Wisconsin. Most schools require VMCAS, the Veterinary Medical Colleges Application Service. University of WisconsinRequirements for admission are 60 semester credits of college course work, the courses outlined below and the Graduate Record Exam general aptitude test. The GRE must be taken no later than October of the application year. For more information, visit the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine Web site.
University of MinnesotaFor more information, visit the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine Web site.
Electives should be selected on the basis of the student's interests in a broad educational program and completion of a degree program in a desired major(s). Students are encouraged to choose courses in the care and management of cattle, dogs, horses, sheep and swine if they are available. Students not having experiences with food-producing animals are especially encouraged to select courses in the care and management of cattle sheep and swine. A course in analytical chemistry and an introductory course in statistics are recommended for all applicants. Students planning academic or research careers should consider additional courses in science, mathematics and computer science. Other states The Veterinary Aptitude Test (VAT)Most schools require the Veterinary Aptitude Test (Wisconsin requires the GRE and Iowa the MCAT). The test is given in October, November, January and March of each year, and students must register at least one month in advance. See the Career Development Office for registration materials. The test has sections on reading comprehension, quantitative ability, science knowledge and a reading section in which the student is given material to read and then must answer questions without reference to the material. The VAT test is very different from the MCAT; it relies more heavily on speed and specific recall of fact. Animal ExperienceAs indicated above, most vet schools require experience with animals. This experience should include work in both a clinic and on a farm. This will ensure exposure to both house pets and commercial or large animals. You should begin this experience as early as possible, especially if you are from a non-farm environment.
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