Reviewed by:
Jonathan Preminger
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!
Applying on time is the first step to becoming a veterinarian. Keep reading as we cover the vet school application timeline and answer your frequently asked questions!
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Vet School Application Timeline
You must know the process, expectations, and dates for your vet school application. Vet schools are very competitive, so it’s best to be prepared to maximize your chances of acceptance.
Here is an outline of deadlines for vet school applications to help you plan your application.
January 22nd
The Veterinary Medical College Application Service (VMCAS) opens for all candidates. While college selections are not yet available, you can complete the standard application.
May 8th
Specific programs typically open in May, but you can start applying to college programs through 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.
VMCAS is not a first-come, first-served application portal, so you do not need to finish your application right away. Take your time to build a strong application.
August 7th
This is the deadline to order the Professional Transcript Entry (PTE) service.
The PTE service is an optional feature offered through the Veterinary Medical College Application Service (VMCAS). It allows applicants to have their completed coursework from accredited U.S. or English Canadian institutions entered into their application by trained specialists for an additional fee. This service can save time and help ensure accuracy in the Academic History section of your application.
September 15th
The VMCAS application closes at 11:59 pm EST. After this date, you can’t create an account or submit any application materials.
This is also the deadline for official GRE scores and transcripts to be matched to your application.
October 1st
This is the last day to approve your PTE if you used this service.
October 9th
This is the last day for VMCAS to verify applications.
October – February
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.
February – April
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.
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Important Vet School Application Deadlines
There are many important deadlines when applying for vet programs, so we’ve put these dates together in a table below.
| Deadline |
Event |
| January 22, 2025 |
VMCAS application portal opens. |
| May 8, 2025 |
First date to select and submit applications to veterinary programs. |
| August 7, 2025 |
Deadline to order the Professional Transcript Entry (PTE) service. |
| September 15, 2025 |
Final deadline to submit VMCAS application, request recommendations, and for recommenders to submit their letters. |
| October 1, 2025 |
Last day to approve your PTE if you used this service. |
| October 2, 2025 |
Final date to re-submit applications that were previously marked as “Undelivered.” |
| October 9, 2025 |
Last day for VMCAS to verify applications; all processing ends. |
| October 2025 – February 2026 |
Interviews conducted by many veterinary schools during this period. |
| January – March 2026 |
Many veterinary schools release their initial acceptance offers during this period. |
| April 15, 2026 |
Common deadline for applicants to accept offers and submit necessary enrollment materials. |
| April – August 2026 |
Schools may continue to admit students from waitlists as spots become available. |
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.
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Vet School Application Steps
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.
Before You Apply
Preparation for your application to vet school begins as early as high school. You should discuss with your school’s counselor the best courses to take for vet school.
You should work towards a high GPA to increase your acceptance chances. The average GPA for vet school applicants is 3.6. This varies from school to school, but considering this number, if you want to be a competitive applicant, aim for a GPA above 3.7.
Steps To Apply
First, you will need to create a VMCAS account. All vet school applications use this portal. Before submitting your application, you must pay an application fee.
The initial program you apply to costs $241, and any additional programs cost $132. That means if you’re applying to five schools, you can expect to pay $769.
Once you create your account and start your application, you will be asked to:
- Provide personal information, such as your full name and address
- Fill out your academic history
- Submit additional materials, including letters of recommendation, personal statement, and relevant experience
- Compile additional materials, as requested by each school
To complete your application, you must order your transcript and test scores. You can do this 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.
Work smarter by partnering with an expert to improve your chances of admission into vet school. They can help you throughout your timeline, ensuring every aspect of your application is refined and aligned with your top choices.
After You’ve Applied
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 below to evaluate your chances of acceptance!
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FAQs: Vet School Application Timeline
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.
1. How Long Does It Take to Hear Back From Vet Schools?
Most veterinary schools begin notifying applicants 3-4 weeks after the interview. Final admissions decisions typically follow from January through April. Some schools offer rolling admissions, so you may hear back sooner if you apply early.
2. How Early Can I Apply to Vet School?
You can begin your veterinary school application as early as January, when VMCAS opens for the upcoming cycle. While submission typically begins in May, applying early (ideally in May or June) gives you the best chance for timely consideration, especially at schools with rolling admissions.
3. What Percentage of Vet School Applicants Get Accepted?
In a recent admissions cycle, there were 12,310 applicants, and the first-year DVM class was comprised of 4,278 students. This means around 34.75% of applicants were accepted.
Please note that acceptance rates can vary by institution, with some schools being more competitive than others. This is an approximate estimate given recent admissions stats.
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Final Thoughts
When applying to veterinary programs, you must follow the strict deadlines and dates. Vet school is hard to get into, so ensure you are organized and on track at every step of the application process.
Dr. Jonathan Preminger was the original author of this article. Snippets of his work may remain.
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