Pre-Vet Track
GENERAL
1. What is the primary job of a veterinarian (day-to-day)?
It depends on the type of veterinarian they are whether that is small animal, equine, dairy, production animal, mixed animals, exotic, marine, etc. as well as the type of practice they work at and whether they focus mainly on the medicine aspect of the job during appointments or if they are in the surgery room all day or if they do a little of both.
2. What is the difference between a veterinarian and a veterinarian technician?
A vet tech (veterinary technician) is basically the nurse of the animal world, performing tasks both supervised and unsupervised by the veterinarian themselves. Veterinarians have to complete 4 years of schooling in veterinary school while vet techs have to complete 2 years of schooling. The median pay for vet techs is $31,800 per year and the median pay for a veterinarian is $88,490 but this salary also comes with more responsibility and stress along with paying back more student debt.
SIMMONS REQUIREMENTS FOR PRE-VET
3. What majors lineup best?
At Simmons, the major that lines up best is biology since the pre-requisites match up best with what you will be taking in vet school including zoology and animal physiology, but other possible majors are chemistry, physics, and biochemistry. At other school majors such as animal biology or zoology might also be available. In the end though, you can do whatever major you want to as long as you finish the pre-requisites needed for vet school.
4. Is it possible to be pre-vet and pre-med (or pre-dent or pre-PA) at the same time?
It is possible since many of the requirements overlap, but it is not the greatest idea because it is best to focus on one area and put your all into it.
EXAMINATIONS
5. What exam do you need to take in order to apply to veterinary school?
The Graduate Record Exam (GRE) which is a 3 hour and 45 minute exam. You can take the MCAT for select schools in replacement of the GRE including:
- Cornell University (New York)
- Western University (California)
- Ross University (Caribbean)
- St. George's (Caribbean)
But, most schools take the GRE.
6. Are there test exempt schools? If so, which ones?
There are schools that do not require test scores and will not consider them in the application process including:
- Michigan State (Michigan)
- Mississippi State (Mississippi)
- Ohio State University (Ohio)
- Purdue University (Indiana)
- Virginia-Maryland (Virginia)
- Cornell University (New York)
- Tufts University (Massachusetts)
- University of Tennessee (Tennessee)
- Colorado State University (Colorado)
- Kansas State University (Kansas)
- University of Calgary (Canada)
- University of College Dublin (Ireland)
- University of Glasgow (Scotland)
- Massey University (New Zealand)
- University of Melbourne (Australia)
- Murdoch University (Australia)
- University of Queensland (Australia)
- University of Saskatchewan (Canada)
7. How long is the exam?
About 4 hours for the GRE.
About 3 hours for the Biology GRE (subject test).
About 7 hours for the MCAT.
8. How often is it administered?
Once every 21 days, up to 5 times within any continuous rolling 12-month period (365 days). This applies even if you canceled your scores on a test taken previously. You may take the paper-delivered GRE General Test as often as it is offered which is about twice a year (November and February). Biology GRE is given 3 times a year (September, October, and April). MCAT is given in January, March, April, May, June, July, August, and September.
9. Can you take this exam multiple times?
You can take the GRE multiple times.
The MCAT is 3 times in a single year, 4 times in 2 years, and 7 times in a lifetime.
10. What is the 50th percentile?
GRE:
Verbal around 150-151.
Quant around 152-153.
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Biology GRE:
Mean is a 62
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MCAT:
Around 500-501 score.
11. How much does it cost to send test scores?
The GRE gives you the option to send either the most recent scores or all of your scores to schools for free on test day. After test day, it is $27 per recipient (basic registration fee for the exam is $160).
The Biology GRE can send scores to schools on test day for free as well, then after test day it is $27 per recipient (basic registration fee for the exam is $150).
The MCAT has a basic registration fee of $315 which covers the distribution of scores.
ADMISSIONS
12. What is the general timeline?
1. Submit the online application through VMCAS (no paper applications) which opens in January and closes in September. You can start submitting application in May. The earlier you get it in the better because it allows time for the verification process. No late documents are accepted. Some schools have their supplemental applications due the same day as the VMCAS application in September.
2. Take the GRE if you have not already done so no later than August and have the scores sent to the schools you are applying to.
3. After the September deadline, schools will reach out to you to submit their secondary application and fee if they have them. Some schools do not have supplementary applications.
4. You will be notified whether you got an interview (if they have them) or if you were denied admission.
5. Interviews will take place around December-February.
6. You will be notified whether you got admitted or waitlisted.
13. Are there Committee Letters needed to apply?
No, you will need to supply letters of recommendation on the VMCAS application instead. You must submit a minimum of 3, but can submit up to 6 and one must be from a veterinarian.
14. Is it rolling admissions?
Most vet schools use VMCAS which sends your application to all the vet schools you are applying to and you can apply anytime between May and September, but the earlier the better.
Some vet schools do use rolling admissions when it comes to their supplemental applications.
15. When are decisions sent?
Typically, invitations for interviews are sent between December and February. Decisions on whether you have been accepted or not come between February and March.
Vet School Profiles
GREATER BOSTON AREA
Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine
Acceptance Rate: Around 10% Simmons Alum Connections: No
Pre-Requisites Match up with Simmons Pre-Vet Track
Average Test Scores: GRE
Verbal around 159
Quantitative around 157
Analytical around 4.5
TOP 5 VET SCHOOLS IN THE US AS OF 2019
1. University of California Davis - College of Veterinary Medicine
Location: Davis, CA Acceptance Rate: 19% Average Test Scores: 324 average GRE
Pre-Requisites Match up with Simmons Pre-Vet Track
General Timeline: VMCAS application May-September, take GRE by August, applicants sent info to make applicant portal and submit secondary application and fee, invitations for interviews sent out by mid November, interviews held in December, accept/deny/wait list decisions posted by end of January, must accept by April.
2. Cornell University - College of Veterinary Medicine
Location: Ithaca, NY Average Test Scores: 276 average GRE
Pre-Requisites Match up with Simmons Pre-Vet Track
General Timeline: May-September VMCAS application and test scores, decisions sent out in January, enrollment decisions due in April (no supplemental application or fee or interview).
3. Texas A&M - College of Veterinary Medicine
Location: College Station, TX Acceptance Rate: 28.7% Average Test Scores: 312 average GRE
General Timeline: May-October TMDSAS application / test scores / supplemental application and fees due, interview invitations sent out in December, interviews take place in January, admissions decisions out by mid-March.
4. Colorado State University - College of Veterinary Medicine
Location: Fort Collins, CO Acceptance Rate: 8.9% Average Test Scores: 310 average GRE
Pre-Requisites Match up with Simmons Pre-Vet Track
General Timeline: VMCAS / supplemental application and fee / test scores due May-September, interview invitations sent out by December, Interviews take place in January, Decisions sent out in February, enrollment due in April.
5. University of Minnesota - College of Veterinary Medicine
Location: St. Paul, MN Acceptance Rate: 11.2% Average Test Scores: 310 average GRE
General Timeline: VMCAS / supplemental application and fee / test scores due May-September, interview invitations sent out by January, interviews take place in January and February, enrollment due in April.
TOP 5 VET SCHOOLS IN THE WORLD AS OF 2019
1. University of London - Royal Veterinary College
Location: London, UK Pre-Requisites Match up with Simmons Pre-Vet Track
General Timeline: VMCAS application May-September, invitation for interviews in October, interviews held in November, decisions sent January-March.
2. University of California Davis - College of Veterinary Medicine
Location: Davis, CA Acceptance Rate: 19% Average Test Scores: 324 average GRE
Pre-Requisites Match up with Simmons Pre-Vet Track
General Timeline: VMCAS application May-September, take GRE by August, applicants sent info to make applicant portal and submit secondary application and fee, invitations for interviews sent out by mid November, interviews held in December, accept/deny/wait list decisions posted by end of January, must accept by April.
3. Utrecht University
Location: Utrecht, Netherlands Taught completely in Dutch
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4. University of Cambridge
Location: Cambridge, UK
General Timeline: UCAS application by October, supplemental application, interviews in December, decisions in January.
5. Cornell University - College of Veterinary Medicine
Location: Ithaca, NY Average Test Scores: 276 average GRE
Pre-Requisites Match up with Simmons Pre-Vet Track
General Timeline: May-September VMCAS application and test scores, decisions sent out in January, enrollment decisions due in April (no supplemental application or fee or interview).
VET SCHOOL IN THE MIDWEST
Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine
Location: East Lansing, MI Acceptance Rate: Around 10%
Pre-Requisites Match up with Simmons Pre-Vet Track
General Timeline: VMCAS application due (no test scores considered), interviews held November-February for invited applicants and invitations sent in October, decisions sent after interviews.
VET SCHOOL IN THE NORTH WEST
Washington State University School of Veterinary Medicine
Location: Pullman, WA Acceptance Rate: 16%
General Timeline: VMCAS application / supplemental application and fee / test scores due May-September, interviews held and decisions sent out.
VET SCHOOL IN THE SOUTH
Virginia Tech Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine
Location: Blacksburg, VA Acceptance Rate: Around 11% Average Test Scores: GRE aptitude 155
Have to take Medical Terminology Course
General Timeline: VMCAS / supplemental application and fee / test scores due May-September, interviews held and decisions sent.
NEED HELP DECIDING ON WHAT SCHOOL?
