Also see a sample 4-year plan.
Veterinarians Occupational Outlook
A veterinarian is a licensed medical professional who diagnoses, treats, and prevents diseases and injuries in animals. Veterinarians care for a wide range of species—including pets, livestock, zoo animals, and wildlife—and play an essential role in public health, food safety, and biomedical research.
Veterinarians care for the health and wellness of animals and practice in a variety of settings, including general, emergency, corporate/industry, research, public health, pharmaceuticals, and teaching. Clemson is scheduled to open a DVM program in Fall 2026, but currently, there are no colleges of Veterinary Medicine in South Carolina; however, three out-of-state schools admit a fixed number of SC residents as “in-state” students. These schools include: University of Georgia, Tuskegee University, and Mississippi State University. Other schools may allow students to pay in-state tuition after the first year. These Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) programs are highly competitive and require several steps to apply.
Students interested in pursuing a career in Veterinary Medicine may major in any area, but should ensure that they complete the prerequisites listed below. As prerequisites vary slightly depending on the program, students should check the specific requirements of the individual school they are interested in applying to. In addition, admission to DVM programs is highly competitive, so students will need to maintain a strong GPA. For example, students accepted into Mississippi State have an average GPA of 3.6. Although many no longer require it, some schools also require students to take the GRE (Graduate Record Examination) with the Analytical Writing (i.e., Tuskegee). Depending on the target school, students should plan on studying and preparing for the GRE before taking the exam. Beyond the VMCAS system application, some schools also require supplemental applications and fees. Students must also gain exposure to the Veterinary Medicine profession by working under the direct supervision of a veterinarian. At UGA, a minimum of 250 hours is required, and at Tuskegee, a minimum of 200 hours is required. Students may consider BIOL 461 or BIOL 463 for internship credit, which will document the number of clinical hours obtained. Students should try to get experience working with a variety of animals (e.g., smaller animals such as cats and dogs, and larger animals such as horses and pigs). Some programs may consider research hours as relevant experience. Additionally, students should strive for a well-rounded background in extracurricular activities, such as leadership roles in student organizations, athletic participation, and/or community service.
Veterinarians work in:
Veterinary schools typically require a bachelor's degree, although a few may accept 3 years of coursework if all prerequisites are met. Popular majors:
After attending Veterinary School:
One needs to:
Optional post-graduate training can include:
A successful veterinarian should have:
The job outcome in 2023 was:
Courses:
Check each program's exact list via AAVMC School Requirements: AAVMC
COURSEWORK
The following are only guidelines; students should consult their advisors and programs of interest to plan their academic schedule.
Biology: General Biology I and II with labs (BIOL 220/222, 221/223) Human Anatomy and Physiology I and II (BIOL 307 and 308 - must take both to count) Microbiology with lab (BIOL 310) Cell Biology (BIOL 315 or 320)
Chemistry:* General Chemistry I and II (CHEM 201 and CHEM 202) or **CHEM 211 (Accelerated) General Chemistry Lab (CHEM 204) Organic Chemistry I and II with labs (CHEM 301, 302, 304) Biochemistry with lab (CHEM 523/525) *Note that this sequence may satisfy the requirements for a minor in Chemistry **If CHEM 211 was taken in the first semester, the student only needs to take 204, not 202, in the second semester. But will only have 6 credits
Physics: Physics I and II with labs (PHYS 201/201L, 202/202L or 211/211L, 212/212L)
Math: Math (6 credits, college algebra is minimum)
Additional Courses: English (WRIT 101 and CRTW 201), Speech or Technical Writing (BIOL 480), Humanities and Social Sciences (15 credits), Medical Terminology (at Tuskegee) (NUTR 227)
Cumulative GPA: 3.5–3.8+
Science GPA: 3.5+
The GRE is optional or no longer required at many vet schools, but check the schools you’re applying to.
If required, take it by spring or early summer of junior year. GRE scores vary; if required, ~75th percentile or higher is strong.
Vet schools want students to have hands-on experience. Competitive applicants often have hundreds to thousands of hours in both:
Diverse experience is key—small animal, large animal, exotics, research, etc.
Apply through the Veterinary Medical College Application Service (VMCAS).
Application includes:
Veterinary Medicine Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges
Applications for Veterinary schools go through the Veterinary Medical College Application Service (VMCAS). The VMCAS hub of information is here.
Whether they're pets, livestock, or working animals, animals matter to individuals and society. Every community needs veterinary professionals to provide animal health care, but veterinarians also do many other kinds of jobs. They make sure the nation's food supply is safe. They work to control the spread of diseases. They conduct research that helps both animals and humans. Veterinarians are at the forefront of protecting the public's health and welfare.
Unmet needs for veterinary expertise exist in some sectors of veterinary medicine, such as public health, biomedical research, and food safety. To help address the lack of veterinarians in biomedical research, the AAVMC is a co-sponsor of the Merial Veterinary Scholars Program. The program's mission is to expose veterinary medical students in their first or second year of veterinary school to biomedical research and career opportunities in research. The program culminates in the Merial NIH National Veterinary Scholars Symposium, where veterinary students participating in the program gather from all over the United States and Canada to present their research findings and share experiences from their various programs. VetSchool Student Engagement System (VSES) is an opt-in newsletter-style engagement system that sends customized newsletters called "Pathways" every month. For further information, see the VSES Site
What are some common daily activities/experiences?
With a wide variety of careers in veterinary medicine, daily activities/experiences will depend on the career sector one decides to pursue. The most common activities/experiences would involve working directly with the well-being of animals of all species. Veterinarians also provide critical services that directly impact the well-being of humans.
What are 3-5 personal characteristics important for happiness and success in your profession?
What are 3-5 key questions students should be asking themselves as they prepare for their profession?
Preparation for Admission