You will have two different pre-vet advisors while at UK

• Ms. Tebeau advises prospective, freshman and sophomore students.
• Upperclassman Pre-Vet Advisor advises juniors, seniors and post-baccalaureate students

Ms. Colette Tebeau

Pre-Vet Academic Coordinator

University of Kentucky

Department of Animal and Food Sciences

803 W.P. Garrigus Building

Lexington, KY 40546-0215

Phone: (859) 257-7551

Email: Colette.Tebeau@uky.edu

Each Vet School has different requirements for prerequisite courses. A curriculum based on chemistry, biology, physics, and liberal arts is required. Pre-veterinary advisors should be contacted for specifics, as they vary from college to college.

The majority of US vet schools participate in the Veterinary Medical School Application Service (VMCAS). http://www.aavmc.org/vmcas/vmcas.html. Veterinary schools admit students once a year in the Fall.

 Applications are submitted at least 12-15 months in advance of the desired enrollment date. However, the timing depends on when you will complete your degree and the necessary coursework, and successfully take the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) if necessary.

 Requirements vary from program to program. Research schools early for specific information about requirements.

Your Pre-Vet advisor is happy to help you with this process

The Veterinary School Application includes up to 5 main components:

1. Entry Exam (if required) – CASPer or Graduate Record Exam (GRE)
2. Primary Application – VMCAS for most U.S. schools
3. Letters of Recommendation
4. Supplemental Applications—Most Schools
5. Interviews

Step 1: Fill out the Applicant Information Form (March of the year you intend to apply).Those that do not fill out the applicant information form will not be added to the  "applicant" listserv and may miss out on additional information.

Step 2: Calculate your GPA(s) - gpa_calculations.pdf

Step 3: Assess vet school requirements for those you are interested in attending and have met the requirements for application/attendance

Step 4: Take Entry Exam- if required

Step 5: Complete and send residency forms by June 1st

Step 6: Fill out VMCAS application by the due date (usually early Sept)

• -Carefully read all the instructions before beginning application
• -Re-read all instructions as you fill out the application
• -Have someone knowledgeable edit and proofread your application material (spellcheck) before you submit your application

Step 7: Ensure all supplemental information has been provided to each school per VMCAS application instructions

Step 8: Visit with the Stuckert Career Center for information on resumes, cover letters, personal statements, and interview suggestions

Letters of Recommendation/Support:

Requirements for letters vary between Vet schools, so research schools early and know what you need. Get to know people from these categories so they can write excellent letters for you. Generally, veterinary schools require letters from:

1) Veterinarians with whom you have worked or volunteered,

2) A college professor who has taught you in a classroom setting and has given you a letter grade

3) An individual of your choice

Personal Statement

The personal statement is about you and your motivation for pursuing a career as a veterinarian. Remember, why you want to be a veterinarian is different from how you were inspired to become one. Describe your current passion for the field with specific examples from recent experiences. Try to choose a theme rather than random thoughts. The primary application activities section provides a list of accomplishments. Your personal essay is an opportunity to provide additional, more in-depth information.

The majority of Veterinary Medicine programs require completion of either the CASPer or GRE exams

Many veterinary schools hold “interview days” where they bring in a group of applicants for a day that may consist of some or all of the following: Interviews, written essays, school tours, and opportunities to meet students and faculty.

Interviews can take many forms, so it is important to research your schools and be prepared for each kind. The Stuckert Career Center can help you with preparation tips and practicing your interviewing skills.

The most common types of interviews are:

• One on one interview—Usually one or two 30-45 minutes interviews
• Multiple Mini Interview (MMI)—7-10 rooms with a different prompt or scenario posted on the door. You are typically given 2 minutes to think about the prompt before entering a room, and 5-8 minutes to respond to the prompt and any follow-up questions or play out the scenario with a trained actor.
• Group interview—May be either one applicant interviewed by several interviewers, or in a group of applicants interviewed by one or more interviewer.

Involvement allows you to supplement a strong academic record. Vet school admissions committees like to see evidence of initiative, creativity, leadership and collaboration, and organizational skills. 

Search UK Student Organizations/Programs at BBNVolved  https://uky.campuslabs.com/engage/

UK Student Organization related to Veterinary Medicine:

• Pre-Vet Club

Veterinary Experience

It is very important in your application. Having worked with a veterinarian and being able to obtain a letter of evaluation is mandatory for many schools. Ideally, students should have experience with small and large animals. The time to start is in high school and continues through college. Auburn (for example) requires 500 hours of veterinary experience.

Although the Commonwealth of Kentucky does not have a veterinary school, it does have contracts with Auburn University and Tuskegee University in Alabama. Thirty-eight seats are available at Auburn and two at Tuskegee for legal Kentucky residents. These seats are not reserved for any specific Kentucky college or university but are for any qualified legal Kentucky resident. However, pre-vet students can apply to any US veterinary school if they have all prerequisites.

Association of American Veterinary Medical College: https://www.aavmc.org/media-faqs.aspx

American Veterinary Medical Association: https://www.avma.org/

American Association of Wildlife Veterinarians: https://aawv.net/

American Animal Hospital Association: https://www.aaha.org/#gsc.tab=0

Students should contact Colette Tebeau – Colette.tebeau@Uky.edu to be added to the UK Pre-Vet Resources