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Frequently-Asked Questions About Preparation for Veterinary School

Table of Contents
Which college/major should I enroll in?
What courses should I take?
What about animal experience?
What's the deal with contract seats?
How do I get more information?

Which college/major should I enroll in?

A student in any undergraduate college at Rutgers may enroll in the courses required for entry into veterinary school. Most pre-vet students at Rutgers are Animal Science majors at cook College, though a student could elect a major in such diverse subjects as biological sciences or history. The preprofessional core of courses is completed while receiving a broad education, and exploring other interests and careers. This leaves open the option of pursuing an alternative career.

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What courses should I take?

Vet schools do not require a particular major, but they do require that a certain selection of undergraduate courses to be completed. The courses required are different for each of the 31 vets schools in North America (US and Canada), though most require biology, inorganic chemistry, physics, organic chemistry, biochemistry, and english. Check the current Veterinary Medical School Admission Requirements published by the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges for the requirements at each individual school or website of the individual schools.

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What about animal experience?

Veterinary medicine is an animal-oriented profession, and therefore animal experience and vet experience is an essential component of the vet school application. Animal experience can be in a farm or research setting, though additional experience working with a veterinarian is required by all schools, as it is important to be sure that this professions is "right for you". Most schools consider both the length of time of the animal and veterinary experience, as well as the type of experience it is, in their application process. The Department of Animal Science also incorporates hands-on experience in to the curriculum. The horse, large animal and lab animal practica allow experience with daily care of those animals. The Animal Handling, Fitting, and Exhibition course enables students to work with an animal in a show setting as well as preparation of their animal for the show. Students also may find a position as a veterinary assistant or other animal oriented position to complete their Co-op education requirement.

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Acceptance to veterinary school (What's the deal with contract seats?)

There are only 28 veterinary schools in the US, and two states have two schools (California and Alabama). Most schools are state-funded, and therefore accept students mostly from their own state. New Jersey does not have its own vet school, but has "contracts" with other states to "buy" seats reserved exclusively for New Jersey residents. Funding for these seats comes from the Department if Higher Education Student Assistance Authority (HESAA). New Jersey has contract seats in 7 schools: University of Pennsylvania, Cornell University (New York), Tuskegee University (Alabama), Iowa State University, Oklahoma State University, University of Illinois, and Tufts University (Massachussetts). The number of contract seats fluctuates somewhat depending upon state funding allocated for the program but usually there are between 24-26 seats available annually. Cook College graduates over the past 10 years have had a success rate of 60% to 90% acceptance for those applying to veterinary schools, which is higher than the nationwide average of 47% acceptance.

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For More Information:

Net-vet

Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges

Pre-Vet at Rutgers

Subscribe to the Cornell Pre-vet newsletter

For application information

For information on the contract seats

To register with the NJ Department of Higher Education