Skip to main content Skip to navigation
WSU Health Professions Student Center Pre-Veterinary

Pre-Veterinary specialist

Tina Krauss

Pre-Veterinary Medicine

The preparatory program at Washington State University is one of the most comprehensive in the nation and offers many opportunities for students. Your health professions specialist can help you explore opportunities for research, leadership, and industry experience. Your pre-vet specialist will assist you in preparation for your professional exams and help you produce and submit a complete application to the veterinary programs of your choice.

We encourage students to meet with us at least once each semester beginning your very first semester at WSU Pullman. We advise and support students from all majors and continue to provide support to students after they complete their degree at Washington State University.

Pre-Veterinary study is not a major in itself. It is a preparatory track that can be incorporated into any major. As an undergraduate student, you may choose any major that you are passionate about and still fulfill the prerequisites necessary to qualify for a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program after you graduate.

+7-Year Programs

Highly motivated and uniquely qualified individuals may gain early acceptance (pre-admission) and early entry (admission) into the professional veterinary medical program. In cooperation with the WSU College of Veterinary Medicine, the WSU Honors College offers the Pre-Admit Veterinary Medicine Program and the Department of Animal Sciences offers the Combined Program in Animal Sciences and Veterinary Medicine. These programs share the common goal of identifying and retaining highly qualified students early in their undergraduate programs by offering an opportunity to gain pre-admission into the professional program at the end of their first undergraduate year.

  • The Honors College and College of Veterinary Medicine offer an Honors Pre-Admit Program. Successful completion of this joint program takes seven years and results in the attainment of a BS and a DVM.
  • A similar seven year program is offered by the Department of Animal Sciences and College of Veterinary Medicine. Selection is by invitation only and requires significant experience with food-producing animals. Successful completion results in a BS in animal sciences and a DVM.

+Veterinary School Requirements

Veterinary schools have different requirements. Please keep in mind that the requirements listed here are a general road-map for student success, and not a prescribed plan for a specific program. Students are encouraged to check individual school websites for specific requirements. If you have questions about the admissions criteria or pre-requisites for a specific program, please make an appointment with Tina Krauss on our homepage.

Academic Records

Admissions committees will consider your cumulative GPA, science GPA, last 45 semester hour GPA, prerequisite GPA, grades in upper division science courses, as well as course load per semester. Does this mean that you need a 4.0?

No, it doesn’t! Many vet schools have no minimum GPA required to apply. Veterinary schools are looking for well-rounded students. They’re looking for future leaders. You can make yourself a better candidate by getting good (or great) grades as well as experience and leadership skills.

Standardized Testing

Some veterinary colleges require the GRE Revised General Test. GRE scores must be submitted to the veterinary colleges of their choice or through the application service (depending on school).

Letters of Recommendation

Students are required to submit at least three letters of recommendation, but may submit up to six. The criteria for these letters change depending on the school, but generally at least one of the letters submitted must be from a veterinarian.

Shadowing and Animal Experience

Most veterinary schools do not provide a minimum, but many recommend approximately 250-600 hours of animal experience (any work with animals not supervised by a veterinarian) and 250-600 hours of shadowing/veterinary experience  (work supervised by or in observation of a veterinarian). Note that obtaining high quality, diverse (small & large animal) shadowing experience is more important than merely accumulating hours.

Volunteer and Community Service

A strong history of volunteer activity is an indication of the applicant’s desire to contribute to society; a major component of becoming a veterinarian. A good place to start looking for community service opportunities is at the Health Professions Student Center. Your Pre-Vet Specialist, Becky Jewell can point you to opportunities in the Pullman area.

 

Prerequisite Courses for Veterinary School

+Helpful Links

WSU College of Veterinary Medicine

  • Information for prospective students: Contains links to information about preparing for vet school, the application process, and resources available to WSU vet students.
  • Important dates: Important deadlines for submitting the various components of the admission application.

Washington State University

External Resources

Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges

United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)

Resources for Obtaining Scholarships

  • Veterinary Student Scholarships: A helpful list of national organizations, colleges, and states that sponsor valuable scholarships designed to help veterinary students pay for their college education.

USDL Bureau of Labor Statistics