Veterinary school is harder to enter than most people expect
Getting into veterinary school requires a combination of strong grades, specific science coursework, hands-on animal experience, and competitive test scores. Most programs accept fewer than 10 percent of applicants, and the average accepted student has a GPA above 3.5 and has spent hundreds of hours working with animals. Unlike medical school, where you can sometimes succeed with a narrow focus on academics, veterinary schools want to see that you have actually worked around animals and understand what the job involves.
The timeline matters too. You cannot explore during your first year of college. Most schools require you to complete prerequisite courses—typically biology, chemistry, organic chemistry, biochemistry, and physics—before you submit your process. This means you are looking at a minimum of three years of undergraduate work before you can even explore, and most successful applicants take four years or longer.
Key Takeaways
- Veterinary schools accept roughly 5 to 10 percent of applicants, making admission more selective than many medical schools.
- You need a GPA of 3.5 or higher, completion of specific science prerequisites, and a competitive score on the GRE or veterinary-specific entrance exam.
- Schools require documented experience working with animals—typically 200 to 500 hours—in settings like clinics, shelters, farms, or research facilities.
- The entire process from starting prerequisites to submitting your process usually takes three to four years of undergraduate study.
- Only 32 accredited veterinary schools operate in the United States, and some states have no veterinary school, making out-of-state competition fierce.
GPA and prerequisite courses are your foundation
Veterinary schools look at your overall GPA, but they pay special attention to your science GPA—the grades you earned in biology, chemistry, organic chemistry, biochemistry, and physics. Most accepted students have an overall GPA of 3.5 or higher and a science GPA that is equally strong or stronger. A single low grade in organic chemistry or biochemistry can seriously damage your chances, even if your other grades are excellent.
The prerequisite list varies slightly between schools, but the core courses are consistent. You will need at least one year of general biology with lab, one year of general chemistry with lab, one year of organic chemistry with lab, one semester of biochemistry, and one year of physics with lab. Some schools also require microbiology, anatomy, physiology, or statistics. You cannot take these courses all at once—most schools require you to complete general chemistry before organic chemistry, for example—so plan on spreading them across at least two years.
If you earn a C or D in a prerequisite course, many schools will not count it toward your process, and some will require you to retake it. This is why starting early and taking a manageable course load matters. Rushing through prerequisites to explore sooner often backfires.
Animal experience is mandatory, not optional
Veterinary schools require documented hours of hands-on work with animals. The exact number varies—some schools ask for 200 hours, others for 500 or more—but all of them want to see that you have spent real time in animal-related settings. This is not something you can fake or rush through in the final year before you explore.
Experience counts in several categories. Veterinary clinical experience means shadowing or assisting a veterinarian in a clinic, hospital, or large-animal practice. This is the most valuable type because it shows you understand what veterinarians actually do. Animal shelter or rescue work demonstrates commitment to animal welfare. Research experience with animals, especially in university labs, shows you can handle scientific work. Farm or equine experience is valuable if you are interested in large-animal medicine. Most successful applicants combine several types rather than logging all their hours in one setting.
Start building this experience early—ideally during your first or second year of college. Veterinary clinics and shelters often hire part-time staff or take volunteers, and many positions do not require prior experience. The earlier you start, the more hours you can accumulate, and the stronger your process becomes.
The GRE or veterinary entrance exam score matters
You will need to take a standardized test. Most veterinary schools accept the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), though some schools use the Veterinary Medical College Admission Test (VMCAT). The VMCAT is newer and is becoming more common, but not all schools have switched to it yet. Check the requirements for the specific schools you are interested in.
Competitive scores vary by school, but most accepted students score in the 50th percentile or higher on the GRE, and many score significantly higher. The test covers verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and analytical writing. Unlike the MCAT for medical school, the GRE does not have a science section, so your science knowledge is already being evaluated through your course grades and prerequisite performance.
Plan to take the test in your junior year, after you have completed most of your prerequisites. This gives you time to study, retake it if needed, and still submit your process on schedule. Most schools accept scores from the past three to five years.
Only 32 accredited schools exist in the United States
The scarcity of veterinary schools is one reason admission is so competitive. There are only 32 accredited veterinary schools in the entire United States, and they are not evenly distributed. California, Texas, and New York each have multiple schools, but many states have none. If you live in a state without a veterinary school, you will be competing for out-of-state spots, which are typically fewer and sometimes more expensive.
Some schools give preference to in-state applicants or applicants from states that have contracts with them. For example, if you live in a state without a veterinary school, your state may have an agreement with a neighboring state's school to accept a certain number of your residents at in-state tuition rates. Research these agreements early—they can significantly improve your chances and reduce your costs.
The limited number of schools means that even strong applicants sometimes do not get in on their first try. Many successful applicants explore to multiple schools, and some reapply after a year or two of additional experience or coursework.
What makes an process competitive
Schools review your entire process, not just your GPA and test score. They want to see a clear narrative: you have done well in science, you have spent significant time around animals, you understand what veterinary medicine involves, and you are committed to the field. Gaps or inconsistencies raise questions.
Your personal statement and letters of recommendation carry real weight. A strong personal statement explains why you want to be a veterinarian—not just that you love animals, but what specific experiences have shaped your interest and what you hope to do with the degree. Letters of recommendation from veterinarians, professors, or supervisors who can speak to your work ethic and character matter more than generic praise.
Schools also look at how you have spent your time overall. If you have worked your way through college, held leadership roles, or overcome significant obstacles, that context matters. Veterinary schools are not looking for perfect people; they are looking for people who are serious about the field and capable of handling the demands of the profession.
The financial barrier is real
Veterinary school costs between $100,000 and $200,000 for the full four-year program, depending on whether you attend a public or private school and whether you pay in-state or out-of-state tuition. Most students graduate with significant debt. This is not a barrier to admission itself, but it is a barrier that affects who can afford to pursue the degree, and it is worth understanding before you commit to the path.
Some schools offer scholarships or financial aid, but competition for these is also fierce. Plan to research funding options early and understand what your total cost of attendance will be at each school you are considering.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I do not get in on my first try?
Many successful veterinarians did not get in on their first process. If you are rejected, you can reapply the following year. Use that year to strengthen your process—earn higher grades in additional science courses, accumulate more animal experience, or retake the GRE if your score was weak. Some applicants also pursue a master's degree or additional coursework to improve their academic profile.
Can I get into veterinary school without shadowing a veterinarian?
Shadowing or working in a veterinary clinic is the most valued type of experience, but schools do accept applications from people whose animal experience comes primarily from shelters, farms, or research settings. However, most competitive applicants have some clinical experience. If you have not yet done this, prioritize it—it is easier to add than to replace other weaknesses in your process.
Do I need to major in biology or chemistry to get in?
No. Your major does not matter as long as you complete all the prerequisite courses and earn strong grades in them. Many successful veterinary students majored in English, business, chemistry, animal science, or dozens of other fields. Schools care about your science grades and your overall GPA, not your major.
How much does it cost to prepare for the GRE?
You can study for the GRE using free resources online, or you can pay for a prep course, which typically costs between $300 and $1,000. Many students use a combination—free practice tests plus a paid course or tutor for specific weak areas. The test itself costs around $200 to register.
What if I have a low GPA from my first year of college?
A low first-year GPA is not automatically disqualifying, but it makes the rest of your process need to be stronger. You will need to show an upward trend in your grades, especially in science courses. Some schools recalculate your GPA using only your last three years of coursework, which can help. Focus on earning excellent grades in your remaining prerequisites and upper-level science courses.