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Hardest Vet School To Get Into

If you have a deep passion for animals, youโ€™ve probably considered becoming a veterinarian at some point. Youโ€™d spend your days saving the lives of furry creatures and get to experience the thrill of medicine in real life. But not just anyone can become a vet. If it were that simple, anyone could do it. But it takes an ambitious person to fill the role of a veterinarian. 

Get more information regarding Hardest Vet School To Get Into, hardest vet school to get into uk, what is the easiest vet school to get into, what’s the easiest vet school to get into, why is vet school so hard to get into & what is the hardest vet school to get into.

Best Vet Schools in the World

Therefore, you are advised to stay glue to this page if you have been searching for the best place to study veterinary-related course or program.

Having said all of that, below is a quick rundown of the 17 vet schoos that have all it takes to be regarded as the best institutions in the world according to the latest ranking.

1. Cambridge University

Cambridge University is right there at the top when it comes to the list of institutions offering veterinary courses.

Being the fourth oldest higher institution in the world is by no means a fluke and its experience has helped in providing quality education to students from across the world.

Its conducive learning environment, impressive teaching facilities and regular scholarship opportunities makes learning very exciting and pleasing to all students.

For those who cares about the Cambridge University history, It was created in 1209, and has since become a force to reckon in the world.

Click here to see its admission criteria and how you can successfully apply. Meanwhile, you can equally begin your application process through the link.

VISIT SITE


2. Texas A&M University

Established in 1948, Texas A&M is one University you could go without needing to break the bank, thanks to its affordable tuition fee.

Despite its relatively cheap fee, you can be rest assured of getting quality education that will enhance your speed and desire to becoming one of the best vets in this generation.

It is known for its great research facilities and well experienced lecturers who knows the in and out of different kinds of animalsโ€™ organs and their behaviors.

You can follow this link to begin your application process, while you can equally make use of the link to discover more info about the texas-based higher institution.

VISIT SITE


3. Michigan State University


MSU, as it is fondly called, was created in 1855 and has since become one of the most sought-after Universities in the world. Being considered among the best schools in Vet Medicine is a prove of its academic excellence.

Interestingly, you stand a very good chance of being admitted into the university as there is a lot of admission slots available to applicants. Itโ€™s relatively affordable, while its academic calendar is the best you can ask for.

VISIT SITE


4. University of Sydney

This is Australiaโ€™s oldest university and it also doubles as the best tertiary institution in the country. What else do you expect from an institution of this caliber? It is included in this list by QS not only because of its fame but as a result of the quality education it renders to students.

Are you interested in studying Law, Veterinary Medicines, or Economics? This university has all of them and more in its kitty.

Its scholarship programs are opened to both national and international students, while there is a very welcoming atmosphere for people to explore their academic potentials. Click here to see the application requirements and how you can go about it.

VISIT SITE


5. Wageningen University & Research

Here is another Holland-based Public Research University that offers you the chance to become the best in vets medicine and agricultural sciences.

Created some years ago, this University is located in Wageningen Netherlands, and it remains a hot-spot for those who desire to have an impressive reputation in the field. You might want to see more about the schoolโ€™s other courses and programs, that can be done here.

VISIT SITE


6. University of Glasgow

University of Glasgow can count on its experience to deliver good education services to its students as it was created in 1451 by papal bull. As a matter of fact, it is rated as the fourth oldest universities among anglophone countries.

The UK-based University supports all forms of undergraduate and post graduate programs as far as Veterinary Medicine is concerned.

VISIT SITE


7. University of California

Here is another institution rated among the best vet schools in the world as a result of its laudable research programs.

Known for its well experienced lecturers and peaceful learning environment, University of California is definitely one place you would want to go and study all that is related to veterinary proffession

Located in Davis, this university is known for its awesome and quality research program that gives you the opportunity to know more about animalโ€™s behaviors and activities.

Meanwhile, apart from going for your undergraduate programs in the school, the institution is also engaged in PhD programs, Professional Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Programs; Graduate Clinical Residency Program; Masters of Preventive Veterinary Medicine Program among others.

It will interest you to know that this tertiary institution is part of the UC System, and it is rated as the best vet school in the world according to the QS rankings.

You can click here to begin your application process. You can equally explore the above link to know more about the school and the criteria you must possess to have a successful application session.

VISIT SITE


8. Cornell University

Created in 1865, the new york-based university is the first private university in the list and it belongs to the statutory Ivy League of Universities.

known for its academic excellence, the Cornell University has become home to students who desire to be regarded as the best in this field.

It isnโ€™t only good in the theoretical aspect of learning, the well-equipped institution is known for its laudable practical session which aids to develop a huge chemistry between its students and the animal world.

Courses such as Public health, Animal Medicine, and Biomedical Research are extensively thought through the Universityโ€™s College of Veterinary Medicine.

Meanwhile, Cornell University is equally a one-stop eco-friendly institution for students who are interested in other disciplines.

Are you looking for a place to kickstart your undergraduate programs, PhD program or Masters program? This 155-year-old institution is inarguably one of the best places to be and you can Apply now.

VISIT SITE


9. Utrecht University

Utrecht University is another force to reckon with in the world when we are to talk of quality education and attractive learning environments.

Established in 1663, the Netherlands based institution consist of over 100 faculties, including the faculty of veterinary medicine which is best known for its prowess in the areas of education research and patient care.

It is important you know that the faculty of veterinary consist of 8 departments, hence, you have more options to choose from. Talking of the learning facilities, Utrecht University has lots of laboratories where students can carry out diverse practicals and researches for more understanding.

One of the Laboratories, belonging to the faculty of Veterinary Medicine, includes the central laboratory for animal research which is wide enough to host hundreds of researchers at a go.

Aside the veteranary-related discipline, Utrecht is engaged in other academic programs such as several departments in Sciences, Humanities, Law and Engineering.

Are you interested in knowing how to be admitted into the tertiary institution and the tuition fee? You are advised to click hereif your answer to the question is โ€˜yesโ€™.

VISIT SITE


10. The University of Pennsylvania

Here is another private US-based university that has all it takes to teach you all you should know as a veterinarian.

Considering the number of graduates who are currently doing well in the veteranary field, you should be rest assured you are in the best place to chase your dream of becoming a well-known vet doctor.

Just as the Cornell University, this institution belongs to the Ivy League Research Universities in the country and itโ€™s one of the well-known citadel of learning in the country.

This is why many admission seekers and applicants often make it their first choice. Hence, you should be ready to face stiff competition in your desire to be one of its students.

According to the QS ranking, the University of Pennsylvania is a place to be due to the quality education it renders to students of every discipline.

Also known as PennVet, its oneness is another reason why it gains so much impressive rating among the public as it possesses zero tolerance for racism and discrimination. Equal scholarship opportunity is rendered to both citizens and international students without descrimination.

Therefore, you can be rest assured that you are going to get quality education which will enhance your ability to treat animals of any kind and sizes; and the ability to provide solutions to any diseases outbreak.

VISIT SITE


11. The University of Guelph

This Canadian University is listed as one of the best vet schools in the world by QS ranking based on its obvious achievements since its creation in 1964.

Located at Ontario Guelph, the tertiary institution is known for its quality education and ability to provide with top-notch research facilities.

There are different laboratories for different departments as part of the managementโ€™s desire to provide friendly learning atmosphere.

Just as it is with the schools discussed above, University of Guelph welcomes students of other academic programs or disciplines such as Law, Lab Science, economics etc.

To be a part of this school, you are advised to apply as soon as possible by visiting its official websitewhich also reveals more info about the citadel of learning.

VISIT SITE


12. University of Edinburgh

University of Edinburgh has a spot in the list of worldโ€™s oldest universities as it was created in 1582 in Scotland.

Apart from its experience, this lovely tertiary institution serves as home to more than 3000 students because of its quality education and well-secured environment.

Donโ€™t be confused, the university has a special name for its faculty of veterinary medicine which is known as The Royal (Dick) School of veterinary studies and it was founded in 1823 by William Dick.

It specialises on veterinary education; clinical practice and research. it is inarguably one of the best universities you will find in Scotland and other UK countries. Learn more about the tertiary institution here.

VISIT SITE


13. University of Liverpool

Most of you probably get familiar with Liverpool as a result of the football club, but thatโ€™s not all the city is known for. It possesses one of the best universities you can come across in the world and thatโ€™s the University of Liverpool.

Listed among the best vet schools by QS, the tertiary institution was created in 1881 initially as a college before being transitioned to University.

This public Research University is truly one of the best we can recommend to every admission seeking candidate. Its unending lists of academic achievements and recognitions in this discipline are largely responsible for studentsโ€™ desire to be part of the highly competitive institution.

With two on-site working farms; three first opinion practices; and two referral hospitals, you can be rest assured you are set to get quality education as far this discipline is concerned.

Having check the Universityโ€™s profile, we can conclude that the University of Liverpool consists of beautiful side attraction, clean and conducive learning environment. It also boasts of convenient academic calendar which gives room for students to partake in extra-curricular activities or petty side hustles.

VISIT SITE


14. Royal Veterinary College

Unlike most learning schools in this list, Royal Veterinary College strictly on Vet Sciences. Unfortunately, not all students can be admitted because the London-based institution is not open to other disciplines.

However, this doesnโ€™t take anything away from its quality and importance as it is rated among the best vet schools in 2020.

VISIT SITE


15. Ghent University

The Ghent Universityโ€™s history can be traced back to 1817 when it was created by King William I of the Netherlands in Ghent.

it is also another school you can count on when it comes to delivering of quality education to students at an affordable tuition fee.

VISIT SITE


16. Melbourne University

the Melbourne University is a beauty to behold. Take a walk around the school facilities, youโ€™ll be wowed. Indeed, you would see many reasons why you should apply for admission as soon as possible.

Created 1853 as a Public Research Institute, the Melbourne University didnโ€™t based on vet medicine only, it equally participate in other faculties such as Law, Sciences and Humanities.

You can be rest assured that you will be exposed to all the practicals and details you need to succeed in the field.

VISIT SITE


17. Ohio State University

Last but not the least, the Ohio State University is inarguably one of the best institutions you can see in the United States and itโ€™s not a surprise to that it is included in QS ranking.

However, you need to apply as soon as possible as it is known for an average acceptance rate.

Why is Vet School so Hard to get Into

9 public and 2 private schools are ranked in the top 10 Veterinary Medicine colleges. The average acceptance ratio of the schools is 48.09% where University of Pennsylvania has the tightest acceptance ratio of 9% and Colorado State University-Fort Collins has the highest ratio of 78%. Total 455,539 students are enrolled into best Veterinary Medicine schools where Texas A & M University-College Station has the largest population with 65,632 students and Cornell University has the smallest with 22,319 students. The average graduation rate is 82.55% and the average students to faculty ratio is 16.00:1 at those colleges.Next table shows the academic information and key facts of the best Veterinary Medicine colleges including acceptance ratio, graduation rates, student population, and students to faculty ratio.

RankNameAcceptance RatesGraduation RatesPopulationStudent-Faculty Ratio
1Cornell University
Ithaca, NY 
14%94%22,3199:1 (11.11 %)
2University of California-Davis
Davis, CA 
42%85%36,46020:1 (5.00 %)
3Colorado State University-Fort Collins
Fort Collins, CO 
78%67%31,85618:1 (5.56 %)
3North Carolina State University at Raleigh
Raleigh, NC 
48%77%33,75513:1 (7.69 %)
5Ohio State University-Main Campus
Columbus, OH 
54%84%59,48219:1 (5.26 %)
5University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA 
9%95%24,9606:1 (16.67 %)
5University of Wisconsin-Madison
Madison, WI 
53%85%42,58218:1 (5.56 %)
8Texas A & M University-College Station
College Station, TX 
67%80%65,63221:1 (4.76 %)
9Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI 
66%78%50,34017:1 (5.88 %)
9University of Georgia
Athens, GA 
54%85%36,57418:1 (5.56 %)
9University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
Minneapolis, MN 
44%78%51,57917:1 (5.88 %)
Average48.09%82.55%455,539 (Total)16.00:1 (6.25 %

What are the Easiest Vet School To Get Into

The easiest vet school to get into

  • Western University of Health Sciences
  • Tuskegee University
  • Oklahoma State University
  • Oregon State University
  • University of Illinoisโ€“Urbana-Champaign

1. Western University of Health Sciences

The College of Veterinary Medicine at Western University of Health Sciences is listed as one of the easiest veterinary schools to get into. The school was established in 1998 as the first new college of veterinary medicine in the United States in over 20 years. It was accredited in 2010 to offer a four-year professional curriculum leading to the DVM degree. 

This is one of the vet schools with low GPA requirements. The acceptance to graduation rate is quite high. For instance, it graduated 91.4% of students in 2019 and accepted 414 students for the 2019/2020 academic session.

In fact, it is one of the most innovatively equipped vet schools in the USA because it was built to correct the mistakes of the older schools. Again, the tuition fee for DVM is $55,575.00.

Lastly, the mission of the College of Veterinary Medicine is to educate veterinary professionals and advance knowledge to address the contemporary needs of society.Visit

2. Tuskegee University

Established 75 years ago, the Tuskegee University College of Veterinary Medicine (TUCVM) is the only veterinary medical professional program located on the campus of a historically black college.

Actually, it has educated more than 70 percent of the nationโ€™s African-American veterinarians.

Its primary mission is to provide an environment that fosters a spirit of active, independent, and self-directed learning, intellectual curiosity, creativity, critical thinking, problem-solving, ethics, and leadership. In the same vein, it promotes teaching, research, and service in veterinary medicine and related disciplines

The tuition for one semester is $20,585.Visit

3. Oklahoma State University

Oklahoma state university is one of the vet schools that accept low gpa. Out of 939 applicants, 690 applicants were eligible to be given admission. The vet school acceptance rate is 70%. The College ranks #1 in value for the cost of an education in veterinary medicine.

Apparently, this College of Veterinary Medicine educates and develops skilled veterinarians for a lifetime of investigation, innovation, care, and protection of animal health.

Again, the tuition fee for in-state students and out-state students is $23,890 and $50,260 respectively. Also, a GPA of 2.8 is required on a 4.0 scale.Visit

4. Oregon State University

Carlson college of veterinary medicine accepted 293 students from the toll of 1197 students. This is not because they do not want to, but because of the available space and the maximum number of students, they can cater for.

Actually, the tuition for residents yearly is  $26,688 and $51,375 for non-residents.

The small class size and innovative programs provide many valuable opportunities for real-world learning.

At OSU, the four-year professional program includes a rigorous basic science curriculum; classes in core areas such as toxicology, pharmacology, radiology, and clinical pathology; instruction in ethics, principles of medicine, surgery, and anesthesiology. You also get hands-on experience in clinical rotations.Visit

5. University of Illinoisโ€“Urbana-Champaign

The University of Illinois is in Urbana-Champaign is known for its high-quality academic programs and its exceptional resources and facilities. It is the first university to have established a division of student disability resources. 

The College of Veterinary Medicine is located at the south edge of the campus. In addition, there are more than 100 full-time faculty with research interests in a variety of biomedical sciences and clinical areas.

Out of over 350 applications yearly, only 130 students are granted admission.

Finally, the tuition for both residents and non-residents is $24,938.44 yearly.

How Competitive is Vet School?

You often hear people bemoaning the difficulty of acceptance into vet school, but really, how hard is it to get into vet school? There are only 32 vet schools in the United States, which means that there are states that donโ€™t even offer a degree in veterinary medicine.

Within each school, there is a set number of students who can gain acceptance into the program. This means youโ€™re not just competing with other aspiring vets within your own state. Youโ€™re also competing with outsiders, students who could have educational advantages over you. 

Youโ€™ve probably heard horror stories of aspiring veterinarians who were rejected because of their grades. Veterinary medicine encompasses a vast knowledge of mathematics and science, so you must earn high grades in these fields.

Some vet schools even require the GRE, so you want to make sure you earn a worthy score to gain acceptance. You canโ€™t go into this decision lightly. To succeed as a vet, you have to truly commit to the field. 

Why is Getting Into Vet School So Hard?

Vet school is challenging to get into because there are a small number of vet schools available in the United States. Some states donโ€™t even have a vet school, which can add to the difficulty of gaining entry into schools in states where they donโ€™t reside.

Though vet schools are more likely to accept in-state students, you shouldnโ€™t let this stop you from applying because you deserve the chance to pursue your dream. Work hard in your classes and extracurriculars to help you stand out from other candidates. 

To put it simply, you have to put everything youโ€™ve got into your applications. You canโ€™t half-heartedly apply and expect to succeed. Youโ€™re competing with dedicated students across the country.

It takes more than just a deep love of animals to gain acceptance into vet school. It takes hard work to get in. It seems impossible, and you may be wondering where to begin. How do you prepare for something as difficult as vet school? 

Read on to learn more and consider using Inspiraโ€™s vet school consulting services to enhance your chances of acceptance. 

Improving Your Chances of Acceptance

The best way to improve your chances of vet school acceptance is to start preparing as soon as possible. Sometimes you donโ€™t know what you want to do with your life, while others have known their true calling since they were children. It doesnโ€™t really matter when you choose to pursue veterinary medicine.

Whatโ€™s important is that once you make your decision, you devote all of your free time to making your dream a reality. 

Put the majority of your energy into making good grades in high school and college. Remember that youโ€™re competing with other worthy candidates and you want to do everything you can to ensure your spot in vet school.

Make sure that you earn high grades in your math and science courses and give yourself some time to pursue extracurriculars. Vet schools look for well-rounded students who can juggle school and other obligations.

Volunteer at your local animal shelter or shadow a veterinarian. It takes more than just good grades to become a successful veterinarian. Vet schools want to see how you handle dealing with animals in real life, not just your imagination.

Sometimes youโ€™ll deal with animals who are less than friendly, and sometimes youโ€™ll bear witness to stomach-turning gore. Vet schools want to know that you can handle this sort of thing. Get as much experience you can to set yourself apart from other applicants. 

Check to see if the schools you want to apply to require the GRE. Some vet schools are moving away from this requirement, but most vet schools still require your GRE score to gain entry. Start studying for this exam as soon as you can. Itโ€™s more strenuous than the SAT or ACT, and determines whether you can attend graduate school, whether thatโ€™s vet school or any other graduate degree you might pursue. 

If you decide to pursue a bachelorโ€™s degree before applying to vet school, keep in mind that your major is not the most important factor in determining your acceptance. Though a chemistry or biology degree seems impressive, vet schools are more concerned with your grades than your degree. You could apply to vet school with an art degree so long as you meet the prerequisites for that vet school and have a high GPA. You want to choose a major that youโ€™ll enjoy so youโ€™ll be determined to earn good grades.

Donโ€™t pick a major just because you think itโ€™ll look good. It wonโ€™t help you if your grades are poor.

Easiest Vet Schools to Get Into

No matter where you decide to apply, the journey will not be simple. Vet school demands hard work and commitment. However, there are a few vet schools that donโ€™t have as many prerequisites as others, and some donโ€™t require the GRE either. 

Western University of Health Services

The Western University of Health Services prides itself on its ability to provide a variety of vet school education while also devoting itself to include a diverse student body and providing a cost-effective education for its students. Unlike some vet schools, this university does not require letters of recommendation. This university does require the GRE, so make sure you earn a high enough score before you apply. 

Prerequisites (Semester Hours)

  • Organic Chemistry (3) (lab required)
  • Biochemistry or Physiological Chemistry (3) (lab preferred)
  • Statistics (3)
  • Microbiology (3)
  • Upper Division Physiology (3)
  • Genetics or Molecular Biology (3)
  • Upper Division Biological and Life Sciences (9) (lab required)
  • Humanities or Social Science (9)
  • General Physics (6) (lab required)
  • English Composition (6)

Tuskegee University

Tuskegee University serves as the only vet program offered at a historically black university, boasting its achievement of educating nearly 70% of black veterinarians. You must have at least a 3.0 GPA and a high GRE score to apply. They do require letters of recommendation and some form of animal experience, but this helps boost your chances. 

Prerequisites (Semester Hours)

  • English Composition (6)
  • Humanities or Social Science (6)
  • Liberal Arts (6)
  • Mathematics (6)
  • Medical Terminology (1)
  • Advanced Biology Courses (9)
  • Biochemistry (4) (lab required)
  • Chemistry (4) (lab required)
  • Organic Chemistry (4) (lab required)
  • Physics I and II (8) (lab required)
  • Electives (8)
  • Introduction to Animal Science (3)
  • Physical Education (if no B.S.) (2)

Oklahoma State University

Oklahoma State University remains number one in value for the cost of veterinary education. This university also provides research centers in areas of parasitology as well as veterinary sports medicine, and they put a lot of work into research on infectious diseases. You must have at least a 2.80 GPA, and you have to take the GRE as well as the CASPer test

Prerequisites (Semester Hours)

NOTE: All upper division courses must be completed at a four-year university. 

  • Animal Nutrition (3)
  • Biochemistry (3)
  • Biological Sciences (8)
  • Chemistry (8) (lab required)
  • English (9)
  • Genetics (3)
  • Humanities or Social Sciences (6)
  • Microbiology (4-5) (lab required)
  • Organic Chemistry (5-8) (lab required)
  • Physics (8)
  • Statistics (3)

Oregon State University

Oregon State University provides an exceptional veterinary medicine education, seeing as 98% of the 2020 graduating class passed the NAVLE, an exam you must pass in order to become a licensed veterinarian. This university does not require the GRE, nor does it require a bachelorโ€™s degree to apply. As long as you meet the prerequisites, youโ€™re eligible to apply. 

Prerequisites (Semester Courses)

  • Intro to Biology (2)
  • Biological Sciences (4) (lab required)
  • Physics (8)
  • General Chemistry (2) (lab required)
  • Organic Chemistry (1)
  • Biochemistry (1)
  • Genetics (1)
  • Mathematics (1)
  • Physiology (1)
  • Statistics (1)
  • English (4)
  • Public Speaking (1)
  • Humanities or Social Sciences (8)

University of Illinois at Urbanaโ€“Champaign 

The University of Illinois at Urbanaโ€“Champaign offers a variety of specialties in veterinary medicine and a teaching hospital. They also focus on specific areas of medical research like oncology and equine orthopedics. They require the GRE, but you only need a GPA of 3.0 and a C- or higher in the prerequisite courses. They also offer two different prerequisite plans: Plan A for students who already have or will have a bachelorโ€™s degree by the time of application, and Plan B for those who do not have an undergraduate degree. 

Prerequisites (Semester Hours)

Plan A

  • Biological Sciences (8) (lab required)
  • Chemical Sciences (16) (lab required for inorganic and organic)
  • Physics (8) (lab required)

Plan B

  • Biological Sciences (8) (lab required)
  • Chemical Sciences (16) (lab required for inorganic and organic)
  • Physics (8) (lab required)
  • English Composition (3)
  • English Composition or Speech (3)
  • Humanities or Social Sciences (12)
  • Upper Division Science courses (12) 

As you can see, even the โ€œeasierโ€ vet schools still require a lot of work in order for students to gain acceptance. But if you feel up for a challenge, take a look at the harder vet schools below.

Hardest Vet Schools to Get Into

Youโ€™ve seen the requirements for some of the more accessible vet schools. But if you want to give yourself the best chance of acceptance, you should consider applying to some of the harder vet schools as well. After all, there arenโ€™t a lot of vet schools available in the United States, so you should at least apply to more than one. 

UC Davis

Ranked as the #1 vet school in the United States, UC Davis provides some of the highest quality veterinary medicine education. They offer a wide range of specialties, including exotic animal medicine as well as aquatic animal medicine.

They also provide over 28 different research programs, including community outreach and diagnostic testing. They require 180 hours of veterinary experience, a bachelorโ€™s degree, as well as the GRE, and at least three letters of recommendation, with one of these letters written by a veterinarian. 

Prerequisites (Semester Hours)

NOTE: All upper division courses must be completed at a four-year university.

  • College Physics (6)
  • General Biology (6) (lab required)
  • General Chemistry (6) (lab required)
  • Organic Chemistry (6) (lab required)
  • Statistics (3) (lower or upper division)
  • Biochemistry with Metabolism (3)
  • Genetics (3)
  • Systemic Physiology (3) (animal or human)

Cornell University

Ranked as the #2 vet school in the United States, Cornell University provides exceptional veterinary medicine education. Though they no longer require the GRE or CASper test, you must submit three letters of recommendation with one letter from a veterinarian. 

Prerequisites (Semester Hours)

  • English Composition or Writing Intensive courses (6)
  • Biology (6) (lab required)
  • General Chemistry (6) (lab required)
  • Organic Chemistry (3) (lab recommended)
  • Advanced Life Science course (3) (lab recommended)
  • Biochemistry (4) (lab recommended)
  • Physics (6) (lab required)

Colorado State University

Colorado State University sits as the #3 vet school in the United States. They have four different academic departments that contribute to the program, and they see over 45,000 patients visiting their teaching hospital per year. Though they no longer require the GRE, you must have letters of recommendation, and you must participate in extracurricular activities. 

Prerequisites (Semester Hours)

  • Genetics (that requires biology) (3)
  • Lab associated with biology course (1) 
  • Biochemistry (that requires organic chemistry) (3)
  • Physics (4) (lab required)
  • Statistics (3) (upper division preferred)
  • English Composition (3)
  • Humanities or Social Sciences (12)
  • Electives (30)

University of Pennsylvania

The University of Pennsylvania serves as the only vet school developed in association with a medical school, and they have graduated nearly 6,000 veterinary students. Though they donโ€™t require the GRE, you must complete a number of hours in veterinary experience and provide letters of recommendation. 

Prerequisites (Semester Hours)

  • English (6) (at least 3 must be in composition)
  • Humanities or Social Sciences (6)
  • Physics (8) (lab required)
  • Chemistry (12) (8 in general, 4 in organic) (lab required)
  • Biology or Zoology (9) 
  • Microbiology (3)
  • Biochemistry (3)
  • Calculus (3)
  • Statistics (3)

As you can see, some of the hardest vet schools to gain entry to are some of the highest-ranked vet schools. But donโ€™t let this deter you from applying. The chances might seem bleak, but you might be successful. You wonโ€™t know until you try.

Cost of Vet School

One of the biggest deterrents for students applying to vet school is the cost of vet school. While the costs vary from school to school, and the costs differ from students applying in-state versus out-of-state, your wallet wonโ€™t come out unscathed. 

Though the cost of vet school varies from school to school, you can expect to spend an average of $200,000 for an in-state vet school education. While you may balk at the price tag, there are tons of scholarship opportunities at every school and you can always look into taking out student loans. Once you get a job as a veterinarian at an animal hospital or clinic, youโ€™ll earn enough money to begin paying back your loans.  

Sometimes you just canโ€™t afford the price, and while it would be devastating to give up your dreams of becoming a veterinarian, you can still pursue a career in the veterinary field. Veterinary technicians donโ€™t make as much money as veterinarians, but it requires less education and allows you to continue to help animals. You can find a more detailed outline of the costs of vet school here. 

Is Vet School Harder Than Medical School?

Veterinary school and medical school both require extensive knowledge of math and science courses. Many of the prerequisites for these schools are similar because biology and chemistry are needed in the veterinary and medical fields. Though aspiring med students have to take the MCAT before applying to medical school, most people agree that vet school is harder than medical school. 

Vet school isnโ€™t harder because it requires more strenuous work. Medical school is just as demanding. What makes vet school harder is the simple fact that fewer vet schools exist. With less schools available, students struggle to gain acceptance in vet schools even if their grades are worthy. Each school has only a certain number of students they can take each year, making for a competitive experience.

Though medical school is difficult as well, there are more medical schools available. More schools mean more chances for students to be accepted. Both fields require intelligent students who can maintain competency in difficult subjects, but medical schools exist all over the country, with multiple schools residing in each state. Some states are lucky to have one vet school, while others donโ€™t have a vet school at all. 


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