Pre-Veterinary

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Undergraduate Curriculum

Most veterinary schools require a Bachelor's degree with coursework in these areas:

  • Biology/Zoology
  • Microbiology
  • Chemistry/Inorganic Chemistry
  • Organic Chemistry
  • Biochemistry
  • Physics
  • English
  • Statistics/Calculus
  • Humanities/Social Sciences

University of Akron students who are preparing for veterinary school most often pursue our pursue a Biology degree. View all UA degree programs here. Students pursuing a veterinarian degree (D.V.M.) will complete four years of coursework at the undergraduate level (bachelor's degree), four years of coursework at the veterinary school level (doctor of veterinary medicine degree); additional education may be required if choose a specialty area. 

Become a veterinarian

Getting into veterinary school takes planning, preparation and hands-on experience. Explore what admissions committees look for, when to take the GRE, how the application process works and the steps you can take to become a competitive applicant.

In addition to strong academic credentials, veterinary schools evaluate non-cognitive qualities such as interpersonal skills, character and motivation.

  • They also strongly encourage applicants to shadow veterinarians and volunteer at animal shelters.
  • To arrange a shadowing experience, contact a local veterinary office or animal hospital.

Curriculum at The University of Akron prepares you well to sit for the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). Although veterinary schools once required the Veterinary College Admission Test (VCAT), no U.S. veterinary school currently requires it. Instead, most require the GRE. The GRE is typically taken during the spring of your junior year of college. It is important to complete the exam before applying to veterinary school, as most schools will not consider students who have not received their GRE score.  

Although each veterinary school has different application deadlines, admissions applications tend to be available in May/June and close Mid September.  

  • It is imperative that you check the application deadlines for the veterinary schools in which you are interested.  

All veterinary schools require applicants to apply through the Veterinary Medical College Application Service (VMCAS) and some veterinary schools will have a secondary application. As part of the application, you will be required to submit recommendation letters. Therefore, it is important that you develop professional relationships with natural science faculty and veterinarians. You will also submit a personal essay.  

Veterinary schools will invite applicants to an on-campus interview with their teaching and clinical faculty. It is important to do several mock veterinary school interviews. To assist with preparing for this interview, schedule a meeting with a BCAS career liaison by calling 330-972-7880. 

To learn more about U.S. veterinary schools, visit the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges.

For additional information about pre-veterinary advising, contact the pre-health adviser and faculty mentor. Also, please carefully review the websites of the pharmacy schools in which you are interested.

Contact:

Ashley Rini
Director, Pre-Health Advising
Email: rini@uakron.edu
Phone: 330-972-6513
Fax: 330-972-7305
Campus location: CAS 118

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