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Reviewed by:
Former Admissions Committee Member, Hofstra-Northwell School of Medicine
Reviewed: 10/23/23
Here is everything you need to know about the vet school application timeline for all aspiring veterinarians!
Getting your school application in on time is the first step to kick-starting your education and, ultimately, becoming a veterinarian.
Keep reading as we go through the vet school application timeline and answer your frequently asked questions about the process!
It is important to know the process, expectations, and dates for your vet school application. Vet schools are very competitive, so it’s best to be as prepared on your application as possible to maximize your chances of acceptance.
Here is an outline of deadlines for vet school applications to help you plan your application.
The Veterinary Medical College Application Service (VMCAS) opens for all candidates. While college selections are not yet available, you can complete the standard application.
Specific programs open in May. You can start applying to college programs through the VMCAS.
You may also be asked to complete additional materials for the school’s program. Make sure to read through all the requirements for each program you are interested in.
The VMCAS is not a first come, first serve application portal, so you do not need to finish your application right away. Quality over speed; take your time to build a strong application.
The VMCAS application closes at 11:59EST. After this date, you will not be able to create an account or submit any application materials.
Successful applicants will be offered interview dates.
Your exact interview date will depend on the specific school you applied to. Vet school interviews can happen as early as October, but some schools may do their interviews in early spring.
The interview is crucial to your acceptance into a program. Be sure to brush up on common questions asked during vet school interviews and how to answer them.
While this date may vary depending on the school you applied to. Generally, acceptance decisions will be released during this time.
Make sure to double-check the deadline to accept your offer, as this date will also change depending on the school.
There are many important dates to keep in mind when applying for vet programs, so we’ve put these dates together in a table below.
Keep the vet school application timeline open as you begin your application. You don’t want to miss any of these dates, or else you could jeopardize your chances of getting accepted into a school.
Knowing the steps to apply to vet school is just as important as knowing the timeline. Here are the key steps you need to take for your application.
Preparation for your application to vet school begins as early as high school. You should discuss with your school’s counselor about the best courses to take to prepare you for vet school.
You should work towards getting a high GPA to increase your chances of getting accepted. The average GPA for vet school applicants ranges from 3.5 to 3.8. Due to the competitive nature of vet schools, if you have a low GPA, you may not get accepted.
First, you will need to create a VMCAS account. All vet school applications use this portal. Before you submit your application, you will need to pay an application fee on the website.
Once you create your account and start your application, you will be asked to:
To complete your application, you will need to order your transcript and test scores. You do this directly on the application portal online or by mailing your official transcripts to the schools you are applying to.
All the application steps are completed through the VMCAS website.
After you’ve completed all the steps and officially submitted your completed application, you can monitor its status online and follow up on any action items.
Your application status can be found on your VMCAS account.
For an in-depth look at how your application might fare in vet school admissions, take our free quiz down below to evaluate your chances of acceptance!
Still have questions about vet school application deadlines and process? We’ve got you covered! Keep reading as we answer some frequently asked questions below.
This will depend on when you had your interview with the school, and when the school releases their acceptance decisions.
Generally, you will hear back from vet schools in February, and will have to accept your offer by mid-April.
You can begin your application as soon as the VMCAS opens in January.
However, you won’t be able to complete your application until May, when schools open up their application submissions and release their additional application materials.
As we’ve mentioned before, while the application portal opens early, you do not need to complete the application right away. It is not a first-come, first-serve situation. All complete applications will be reviewed after the deadline, so you don’t need to rush to get yours in.
Take your time and plan out your materials, such as reference letters. While we don’t recommend waiting until the last minute, focus on the quality of your application over getting it in as soon as possible.
Acceptance rates differ from school to school, but vet schools are notoriously competitive to get into. This is largely because there are only a handful of vet schools in the country, so programs are very competitive.
On average, the acceptance rate for vet schools in the US ranges from 10 to 15 percent.
When applying to veterinary programs, it is essential to follow the strict deadlines and dates. Vet school is hard to get into—so make sure you are organized and on track at every step of the application process.
Good luck!
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