How the Heck do I Apply to Vet School?

Applying to vet school can seem like a daunting process. Here is how you can approach it like a seasoned pro and totally rock it!

The first step to applying to vet school is creating a VMCAS account. The application cycle opens in the middle of January and closes in the middle of September. You can create your account here. Once you have an account made, you will see that there are four main windows that need your attention “personal info, academic history, supporting info, and program materials”. You can start filling in these categories as early as mid-January and your information will automatically be saved. It is a good idea to start this process early because it is time-consuming, especially when it comes down to entering your academic history. Each course is required to be entered manually.

Section 1: Personal Information

In this section, you fill in information about your background and general information about yourself and your family. This is typically a good place to start because you will already have all of the information you need. Unlike other sections, it is not dependent on classes or additional activities that still may be in progress.

Section 2: Academic History

In this section, you are required to manually enter all your coursework. This information will later be checked against your transcripts, but it is a good idea to be precise while entering the information because if there are discrepancies, this will delay the verification of your application. For this reason, it is a good idea to submit your VMCAS application and transcripts as early as possible *mid-august at the latest because it may take up to two weeks for your application to be verified. If you submit early and find out that there are some issues, you will still have time to correct them before the mid-September deadline. This whole application process can be stressful so don’t make it even worse by cutting it close to the deadline.

This section will also have an option for reporting standardized test scores. Make sure to check with each school you are applying to, because they may have different requirements for standardized tests. Only select schools still require the GRE, and others require the CASPER as a supplemental portion of their application. Check on these requirements early so that you have time to study and retake these tests if needed.

Section 3: Supporting Information

This section includes your personal statement, letters of recommendation, experience, and achievements. Your personal statement is typically focused on why you are pursuing a career in veterinary medicine. It is a good idea to start this essay early so that you can work through ideas at a leisurely pace and have plenty of time to revise and rework things before the deadline. Try to write about something other than just loving animals. Most people that love animals are content just owning pets, why do you want to take it a step further and become a veterinarian? Think deeply about why you have a passion for veterinary medicine. When you are done, pretend you are on the committee that is reviewing applications, and make sure you would enjoy reading your essay. It is also a good idea to have a mentor read through your essay and give you feedback.

VMCAS requires a minimum of three letters of recommendation but will take up to six. It is a good idea to have letters from a variety of sources. Most schools require one from a veterinarian and strongly suggest another is from someone who can speak on behalf of your academic skills. The third letter can be from a person of your choice but take into consideration the level that people know you and choose someone who can speak to the best of your abilities. It is a good idea to start thinking early about people you would potentially want to write your letters. That way they will start thinking about what they want to write about and will also have time to get to know you better. The longer you know someone, the more they will have to write about you and the more sincere their letter will sound. It is also important that you ask them to write you a letter with a lot of notice. I personally asked each one of my recommenders at the beginning of summer so that they had three months to prepare. It is also important that you thank them and let them know you appreciate them taking the time to write your letter. Odds are, especially if they work at a university, they are writing multiple letters of recommendation.

In the experience tab, you will be asked to categorize your experience and manually enter in your hours and a description of the activity. It is a good idea to keep a log throughout high school and college that documents all your experience. That way, when you are entering this information, you have it all organized. Vet schools require a minimum number of hours worked directly under a veterinarian. Most range from 180-250 but many applicants have significantly more hours than this minimum. Make sure you check each school’s individual requirements before applying to make sure that you are on track with their expectations.

The final tab allows you to enter your achievements and other recognitions that you received in undergrad. These include academic honors, scholarships, and athletic awards. It is a good idea to keep track of any awards that you have received and the reason that you received them so that you can easily enter them into the VMCAS portal.

Section 4: Program Materials

This final section is where you will find information about additional material that certain schools require. Many schools will require additional essay prompts, so it is important to check on their individual websites. The deadlines are not always the same as the VMCAS application so it is a good idea to stay organized and check the due dates early so that you can prioritize what needs your attention first.

Overall, the VMCAS application process can seem daunting but if you start early and break it up, it is totally doable. The biggest takeaway is to be proactive with due dates and make sure that you are aware of the different requirements for each school. It is also crucial to submit your application early so that there is time to fix any mistakes before the deadline. If you follow these steps and work on this application one step at a time, you should be totally fine! Once you press that submit button, take a deep breath, the first hard part is over!

Click here for a link directly to the VMCAS presentation, and here if you want your application or personal statement reviewed.