Before you Apply

Where do i begin?

The DVM application process can seem daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. We’ve broken down all the steps, prerequisites, and application materials for you. The key to successfully applying is to get organized, know all your deadlines, and work through all the steps.

Most importantly, know that you have support in this journey. If you have questions, we’re here to help, just ask! We’re available by email or phone.

For college students seeking an in-depth guide on becoming a strong vet school applicant, see VetMed Pathways’ Guide to Preparing for Veterinary School. For more veterinary career resources for all ages, visit our Resources & FAQs page.

What do we look for in our students?

Getting into vet school is a competitive process. We receive many more applications than we can admit each year. But don’t let that discourage you — start planning early, work hard and focus on your end goal.

A successful applicant to the CVM is someone with a well-rounded undergraduate education. Your major can be biology, animal sciences, business, or even art — basically, any subject that interests you — as long as you complete the prerequisite courses with a C (2.0) or better by the end of the spring semester before enrollment.

You should also have a minimum of 250 hours of diverse veterinary experience (including, but not limited to, clinical practice, biomedical research, and public health); show leadership potential and involvement in your community, and possess excellent written and verbal communication skills.

For the UGA CVM, the minimum requirements to be considered for admission is an overall GPA of 3.00 or greater. The overall GPA is calculated using all courses taken at the undergraduate level and beyond. This includes all repeated courses.

The following technical standards represent the necessary requirements for your application to be considered complete and able to progress to the selection process.

DVM Program Requirements

Minimum Requirements for Admission

To be considered for admission to the College you must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or greater. As part of our review process, UGA calculates your overall GPA by looking at any and all courses taken at the undergraduate level and beyond over the last 10 years. If you have retaken a course due to poor performance, both grades are considered as we calculate your overall GPA.

Course Requirements

Prerequisite courses

Required courses (in semester hours) must be completed by the end of spring term with a grade of C (2.00) or better prior to fall matriculation. These courses must be completed at an undergraduate level. All required science courses must be taken within the last 10 years.

6 hours of English;
14 hours of humanities or social studies (examples of courses: psychology, sociology, philosophy, history, government, foreign languages, economics, or fine arts);
8 hours of general biology (for science majors; full year with laboratory — please note that BIOL 1103 and BIOL 1104 taken at UGA will NOT count toward our general biology requirement);
8 hours of general chemistry (full year with laboratory);
8 hours of organic chemistry (full year with laboratory);
8 hours of physics (full year with laboratory);
3 hours of biochemistry;
8 hours of advanced biology courses (300/3000-level or higher biology courses(at the undergraduate level) that have general biology as a prerequisite. Behavior, production and ecology courses do not count toward the advanced biological sciences requirement. Recommended: 300/3000-level comparative anatomy, physiology, microbiology, cell biology, or genetics).

Online Courses

Beginning with the Fall 2023 semester, we are returning to our original policy for online coursework. If a prerequisite course requires a laboratory, we require that laboratory be taken in-person. We will allow hybrid courses (lecture online – laboratory in-person), however, we highly recommend that you complete these courses in the traditional lecture style format. We will still recognize prerequisites completed online from Spring 2020 – Spring 2023.

No testing requirement

The University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine no longer has a GRE requirement to apply to the program. We do not incorporate the scoring of this test in anyway throughout our admissions process.

Veterinary Experience

A minimum of 250 veterinary experience hours is required for all applicants. The 250 hours must be completed at the time the VMCAS application is submitted. To count toward veterinary experience, you must be under the direct supervision of a veterinarian. If you are not under the supervision of a veterinarian, the experience is considered animal experience.

Transfer Policy

Due to a change in our curriculum, we no longer accept transfer students in the DVM program.

DVM Program Home

Application Process