The undergraduate major that leads to vet school

You do not have to major in biology or animal science to go to veterinary school, but you do have to complete specific science courses that most vet schools require before you explore. The actual major matters far less than finishing those courses with strong grades. Many students major in biology, chemistry, animal science, or zoology because those programs include the required classes. Others major in completely different subjects — English, business, psychology — and take the required science courses as electives or through a post-baccalaureate program.

The courses vet schools almost always require are general biology, organic chemistry, biochemistry, general chemistry, physics, and mathematics through calculus. Some schools also want microbiology, genetics, and animal physiology. You need to check the specific requirements of the schools you are interested in, because they vary slightly. A school's admissions page lists exactly which courses count and whether they must be taken in-person or if online versions are accepted.

Your GPA in these science courses matters more than your overall GPA, though both are considered. Vet schools typically look for a science GPA of 3.5 or higher, though some schools are more competitive. The grade you earn in organic chemistry is often the first filter admissions committees use, because it predicts how well you will handle vet school coursework.

Key Takeaways

  • You can major in any subject as long as you complete the required science courses, which typically include biology, chemistry, organic chemistry, biochemistry, and physics.
  • Your grades in science courses matter more to vet schools than your overall GPA or your choice of major.
  • Vet schools publish their exact course requirements on their admissions pages, and these requirements vary between schools.
  • If you did not take the required courses as an undergraduate, you can complete them through a post-baccalaureate program before explore to vet school.
  • Shadowing a veterinarian and gaining animal care experience are expected alongside coursework, so plan time for both during your undergraduate years.

Majors that naturally include the required courses

A biology major covers most of the required courses because the major itself demands general biology, organic chemistry, and biochemistry. Animal science majors go further and add animal physiology, genetics, and sometimes microbiology. Zoology and wildlife biology majors also hit most of the requirements. Chemistry majors will have all the chemistry and biochemistry you need but may have to add biology and physics as electives.

The advantage of these majors is that you finish your degree without scrambling to fit in science courses in your final year. The disadvantage is that these majors are rigorous and leave less room for other interests. If you choose one of these paths, you still need to plan time for veterinary experience — shadowing, volunteer work at shelters or clinics, or paid positions as a veterinary assistant. Vet schools expect to see this experience on your process.

Majors that require you to add science courses

If you major in business, English, psychology, agriculture, or any non-science field, you can still go to vet school. You will take the required science courses as electives, often spreading them across your four years. This approach works well if you want to study something else or if you discover your interest in veterinary medicine later in your undergraduate career.

The risk is that you may not finish all the required courses by the time you graduate, which delays your vet school process by a year or more. Some students finish their bachelor's degree and then enroll in a post-baccalaureate program — a one- or two-year program at a college or university that lets you take the remaining science courses you need. This costs extra money and time but is a standard path that vet schools recognize.

Post-baccalaureate programs if you need to catch up

A post-baccalaureate program is designed for people who already have a bachelor's degree but did not take the required science courses. These programs are offered at many universities and community colleges. Some are formal, structured programs with a set curriculum and timeline. Others are informal — you straightforward enroll in the courses you need as a non-degree student.

The cost varies widely. A formal post-baccalaureate program at a private university can cost $15,000 to $30,000 or more. Taking courses at a community college or public university is usually cheaper, sometimes $3,000 to $8,000 for the full set of required courses. Vet schools do not care where you take these courses, as long as the institution is accredited and the courses are rigorous. Some students take a few courses at community college and a few at a four-year university.

The timeline matters. If you finish your post-baccalaureate courses in the spring, you can explore to vet school in the summer for the following fall. If you finish in the fall, you may have to wait until the next process cycle. Check the process important date for the schools you want to attend before you enroll in a post-baccalaureate program.

How to choose a major if you are still undecided

If you are starting college and thinking about vet school, pick a major you actually want to study. Vet schools see thousands of applications from biology majors. They do not favor one major over another as long as you finish the required courses and do well in them. Your transcript will show that you took organic chemistry and biochemistry — the major listed on your diploma does not matter.

What does matter is that you maintain a strong GPA in your science courses while also gaining experience with animals. This means you need to manage your time carefully. If you choose a demanding major like chemistry or biology, you will have less time for shadowing and volunteer work. If you choose a less demanding major, you will have more flexibility to seek out veterinary experience. Both approaches work; the difference is how you spend your free time.

Talk to your school's pre-veterinary advisor if your college has one. This person knows which courses count toward vet school requirements, which professors are known for rigorous grading, and which local veterinary clinics offer shadowing opportunities. They can also tell you whether your school's post-baccalaureate program is a good option if you fall behind.

The role of grades and course selection in vet school admissions

Vet schools are competitive. The average accepted student has a science GPA around 3.6 to 3.7 and an overall GPA around 3.5 to 3.6, though these numbers vary by school. Your grades in the required science courses are weighted more heavily than grades in electives or non-science courses. If you earn a B in organic chemistry, that will hurt your process more than a B in an elective.

This does not mean you need a 4.0. It means you should take the required courses seriously, study hard, and consider retaking a course if you earn a grade below a B. Many vet schools allow you to retake a course, and they will count the higher grade. Some schools average both grades; others use only the new grade. Check the policy at each school you are interested in before you retake a course.

Beyond grades, vet schools also look at the rigor of your coursework. Taking organic chemistry at a community college is fine, but taking it at a four-year university where the course is known to be difficult may be viewed slightly more favorably. This is a small factor compared to your actual grade, so do not choose a harder course if you think it will lower your GPA.

Experience and shadowing alongside your major

Your major and your grades are only part of your vet school process. Vet schools also want to see that you have spent time around animals and in veterinary settings. This means shadowing a veterinarian, volunteering at an animal shelter or rescue, working as a veterinary assistant, or interning at a clinic. Most accepted applicants have at least 100 to 200 hours of this kind of experience, though some have much more.

You do not need to work in veterinary medicine full-time. Many students work 5 to 10 hours per week during the school year and more during summers. This gives you real experience, shows vet schools that you understand what the job involves, and helps you decide whether veterinary medicine is actually right for you. Some students discover during shadowing that they prefer a different career path, which is valuable information.

Start looking for shadowing and volunteer opportunities early in your undergraduate years. Veterinary clinics are often willing to let pre-vet students shadow for a few hours, and shelters almost always need volunteers. The earlier you start, the more hours you will accumulate by the time you explore to vet school.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I major in something completely unrelated to science and still become a vet?

Yes. You can major in history, music, business, or any other subject as long as you complete the required science courses. Many vet schools do not care what your major is. You will need to take biology, chemistry, organic chemistry, biochemistry, and physics either as electives during your undergraduate years or through a post-baccalaureate program after you graduate.

What if I do not have time to take all the required courses before I graduate?

You can complete the remaining courses through a post-baccalaureate program after you finish your bachelor's degree. These programs range from informal (enrolling in individual courses at a university) to formal (structured one- or two-year programs). Vet schools recognize both approaches and do not penalize you for finishing your science courses after graduation.

Do vet schools care which college I take my science courses at?

Vet schools care that your courses are from an accredited institution and that they are rigorous, but they do not favor one college over another. You can take some courses at a community college and some at a four-year university. Taking a course at a well-known university does not help your process if you earn a lower grade than you would at community college.

How important is my overall GPA compared to my science GPA?

Your science GPA is more important. Vet schools focus on your grades in biology, chemistry, organic chemistry, biochemistry, and physics because these courses predict how you will perform in vet school. Your overall GPA matters, but a strong science GPA with a slightly lower overall GPA is better than the reverse.

Should I retake a course if I earned a C in a required science class?

Most vet schools recommend retaking a course if you earned below a B in a required science class. Check the specific policy at each school you are interested in — some count only the new grade, while others average both grades. A higher grade will strengthen your process, but retaking the course also delays your graduation or vet school process by a semester.