Pre-Veterinary
Pre-Veterinary
As you become a veterinarian, you'll diagnose, treat, and research medical conditions and diseases of pets, livestock, and other animals. Veterinarians offer many services including more complicated procedures such as cancer treatments and kidney transplants.
Why Consider Veterinary?
You'll have a rewarding career as you provide care and relieve the suffering from animals and pursue one of the most popular career options for animal lovers.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of veterinarians is projected to grow 16 percent from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations.
Explore: Veterinary Pathways
Become a student at USM and obtain the necessary requirements to apply to veterinary programs, with the guidance of our pathways expert!
| Undergraduate Credit Required | Bachelor's degree |
| Entrance Exam | Most programs require the GRE |
| Professional Schooling Required | Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM or VMD) |
| Professional Organization Websites |
American Veterinary Medical Association, Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges |
Here are some of the local or surrounding area professional schools:
- Mississippi State University (Starkville, MS)
- Louisiana State University (Baton Rouge, LA)
- Auburn University (Auburn, AL)
- Program Directory
Navigating the Application Process
Beginning early with the application process allows students to structure an academic plan of study and ensures you are on track. Veterinary schools have relatively similar requirements that we can help prepare you for, including competitive scores and high GPA (overall and prerequisite), preparing for the GRE (Graduate Record Examinations), providing evidence of care for people through service and shadowing experiences, leadership roles, and more!
We encourage you to contact our pathways expert to support you in your professional development endeavors.
Some students already have a B.A. or B.S. or above and decide to pursue becoming a veterinarian. It is recommended that such students visit the pre-professional office for additional advisement. It is common for these students to take their missing prerequisite courses for veterinary school here at USM as post-baccalaureate students, work on the other non-course requirements, prepare for and take the GRE, and then apply to veterinary school(s).
Some students may choose to pursue a second major, while others enroll in prerequisite courses as a non-degree-seeking student. In either case, students must go through the University's Undergraduate Admissions office to be either admitted (new students) or re-admitted (former students) prior to enrollment.
The following list of courses meets only the minimum requirements for admission to the Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine near Starkville, MS. Students must consult the specific admission requirements and application deadlines for the school(s) to which they plan to apply, including MSU.
- English Composition - ENG 101 & 102
- Speech OR Technical Writing
- Two Mathematics courses at or above MAT 101
- General Biology - BSC 110/L & 111/L
- Microbiology - BSC 282/L
- General Chemistry - CHE 106/L & 107/L
- Organic Chemistry - CHE 255/L & 256/L
- Biochemistry - CHE 420/L
- General Physics - PHY 111/L & 112/L OR 201/L & 202/L
- Three to four advanced science electives (12 hours total)
- Electives in the humanities, social sciences, and fine arts (15 hours total)
Admission to veterinary schools is not solely determined by prerequisites. Gaining entrance into veterinary school is highly competitive, and students who are accepted usually surpass the minimum requirements.
Veterinary schools have relatively similar minimum requirements for admission, typically:
- Completion of a series of specified courses in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics (BCPM) and English with no grade lower than a C
- Completion of a baccalaureate degree (although consideration is occasionally given to exceptional students with 79+ credit hours)
- A competitive GPA (typically around 3.6, but a minimum 2.8) in BCPM courses and overall
- Multiple positive character traits, such as honesty, integrity, ethics, compassion, leadership ability, and motivation
- Competitive scores from the nationally administered Graduate Record Examinations (GRE)
- Three letters of evaluation from professors and/or veterinary professionals
- Experience working in a veterinary office as well as experience in animal handling (outside of a veterinary office)
- Active participation in community service
What Should I Major In?
The “pre-veterinary curriculum” is just a list of courses that are required for admission to vet school. It is NOT an academic major, a minor, or an emphasis area. Prerequisite courses can vary between veterinary schools, so it is important to check with individual schools about their requirements and deadlines.
Veterinary Schools do not require a particular major—pursue a major in which you feel the most comfortable with! Many students choose a major at USM in one of the sciences, but also look into the humanities, social sciences, or business. Explore related majors:
