Applying to Veterinary School

Identify reference writers and confirm their willingness to support your candidacy

As part of the veterinary school application process, you will need to solicit letters of recommendation (LORs) in which the authors will assess your qualities, characteristics, and capabilities as they pertain to veterinary school. Ideally, a LOR will demonstrate to the admissions committees that you possess the traits that they look for in a future veterinarian. Don’t underestimate the importance of a strong letter of recommendation; a comprehensive letter from a solid source who knows you well can speak volumes about your integrity and the quality of your work.

Recommendation requirements vary by institution; please access the Veterinary Medical School Admissions Requirements page and the schools’ website prior to sending the VMCAS recommendation request to your recommenders. For tips on soliciting letters of recommendation, visit the Letter of Recommendation Page.

Electronic Letters of Recommendation (eLOR)

All letters of recommendation will be sent electronically using the VMCAS online application service. Applicants will enter in their evaluators’ information, and VMCAS will send the evaluators an email containing the evaluation form. Evaluators must complete the evaluations before the September 15th deadline.

The GRE

The GRE (Graduate Record Exam) General Test is the test required for admission to veterinary school. It should be taken no later than September 15 of the application year.

The Personal Statement

The personal statement is a very important component of the application.

Veterinary Medical College Application Service (VMCAS)

VMCAS is an online common application system that is used to apply to nearly all accredited veterinary schools in the United States, Canada, and a few other schools abroad. This online application system allows you to send out your application to as many veterinary schools as you wish, with an additional fee for each application that you send out. Once the veterinary schools receive your application, they will send out supplemental applications. These supplemental applications will vary in length and detail depending on the school.

Where do you send application materials?

Materials sent to VMCAS

• VMCAS web application 
• Minimum 3 electronic evaluations (differs depending on school)
• VMCAS application fee

Transcripts

Transcript verification can take up to FOUR weeks, so it is very important to request them as early as possible to make sure you make the September 15 deadline.

Materials sent directly to schools

• Standardized test scores
• Supplemental applications/fees/additional materials

Send transcripts to

VMCAS – transcripts
P.O. Box 9126
Watertown, MA 02471