Nonacademic Admission Factors

To ensure our veterinary students can complete our rigorous veterinary medical curriculum, we look for skill sets beyond academic excellence. In their careers, veterinarians need to be excellent communicators and superb critical thinkers. Other valuable qualities for veterinarians include resiliency, adaptability, and other important interpersonal and intrapersonal abilities. We look for these qualities within our applicants by reviewing all components of the applicant’s Slate/VMCAS application and the supplemental application. Below are some of the non-academic factors we assess during our review process.

As a prospective student, you are not required to gain a specific number of veterinary medicine experience hours; however, you should demonstrate that you have a broad understanding of the veterinary profession. This may be obtained through paid positions or volunteer experiences. The Admissions Committee considers the quality of each experience and whether it enhances your personal and professional skill sets and knowledge. The Admissions Committee also takes into consideration other factors, which can include but are not limited to the diversity of animal species worked with, whether experiences were self-initiated or part of a course, the level of client interaction and responsibility for patient medical care, and whether you are a licensed veterinary technician.

Animal Experiences

You are not required to gain a specific type or number of animal experiences, but are encouraged to gain meaningful experiences with production animals, horses, and other pet species. The Admissions Committee takes into consideration the quality of each experience and if it develops your personal and professional skill sets and knowledge. The Admissions Committee also takes into consideration other factors which can include, but are not limited to, the types of animal species worked with, husbandry and care of the species, location of the experience (e.g., rural environment), capacity for professional growth, and enhancement of soft and/or technical skills.

Research Experiences

Research experiences are taken into consideration by the Admissions Committee. Some examples of research experience include, but are not limited to, serving as a field technician or working in a clinical or laboratory environment. The experience will be considered a research experience if you gained an understanding of the scientific method, assisted with data entry including involvement in the data analysis/interpretation, or other activities where you contributed significantly to the research project. Washing glassware or other similar activities will not be considered research experience.

Volunteer/Community Enrichment

We encourage you to give back to your community. The Admissions Committee takes into consideration many factors including but not limited to the leadership, mentorship, and teaching roles for these experiences. They can include animal or veterinary-related volunteer/community enrichment opportunities, but equally important are non-animal-related opportunities.

Personal Statement

We ask that you craft a well-written, engaging essay that answers the question, “Why do you want to pursue a career in veterinary medicine?” The VMCAS application provides some suggestions on approaching the essay. The Admissions Committee takes into consideration many different factors, including but not limited to if you answer the question; if you share appropriate, professional information about yourself and your experiences; if you discuss any barriers you encountered during your pre-veterinary education pursuits; and the logical flow and quality of writing.

Letters of Recommendation

We also ask that you submit at least three letters of recommendation, none of which should be from immediate family members or family friends. One letter must be from a licensed veterinarian. Only letters where you waive the right of access to the recommendation will be considered. We strongly encourage you to seek more than three letters of recommendation in case a reference is unable to meet the deadline. The Admissions Committee will review up to six letters of recommendation submitted through the Slate/VMCAS application system.

A-State Supplemental Application

As part of the application process, we ask that you submit a supplemental application through Slate. The supplemental application is composed of questions to help the Admissions Committee gain an appreciation of how you have prepared for the rigors of a professional program and your career goals. The Admissions Committee takes into consideration many factors, which can include but are not limited to critical thinking skills, conflict resolution abilities, and communication skills. The Admissions Committee is not evaluating the questions for a right or wrong answer. This application is required - if you do not submit a supplemental application, your program application will not be reviewed. There will be no supplemental application fee for the first A-State CVM application cycle.

Accolades/Awards

The Admissions Committee considers both academic and non-academic achievements, including scholarships, as well as recognition for leadership, mentorship, and teaching roles.

Technical Standards

Applicants and/or enrolled DVM students must be able to perform minimal essential functions and technical standards in the following categories with or without reasonable accommodations:

Observation
Communication
Motor
Intellectual, Conceptual, Integrative, and Quantitative
Behavioral and Social Abilities
Ethics and Professionalism

The Admissions Committee strongly encourages you to review the Technical Standards for Admissions and Successful Progress in the DVM Program.

Review the Technical Standards for Admissions and Successful Progress

English Proficiency

Non-native English speakers must meet the English proficiency requirements set by the A-State Graduate School.

Review English proficiency requirements

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