VetCAMP

Find out if you are serious about veterinary medicine

What is VetCAMP?

VetCAMP (Veterinary Career Aptitude and Mentoring Program) is an intensive weeklong summer program for high school students at the UGA campus in Athens. At VetCAMP, students experience veterinary medicine – and will be involved in activities aimed at evaluating their skills and competitiveness as future veterinarians. The week is filled with visits and hands-on learning at our veterinary teaching hospital, diagnostic labs, and the Poultry Diagnostic and Research Center — and highlighted by a behind-the-scenes tour of a veterinary medicine field trip. In addition, campers learn about what vet school is all about – from admissions to classes, to the wide variety of career paths veterinary medicine has to offer! Applicants must be from the United States.

UGA VetCAMP 2024 will be hosted June 1 – June 7, 2025.

The application period for VetCAMP 2025 is opened from August 1 – January 21, 2025.

Applicants will be notified of decisions via email by Friday, February 7, 2025.

Check out our UGA VetCAMP 2025 Closing Ceremony Video and the 7-Day Summer Residency Video!

To apply:

Have ONE teacher or counselor complete a recommendation form here
- Recommenders can submit this form at anything and does not require waiting for the student to complete the online application
- This recommendation form does NOT require submission of a letter or uploading a letter to our form
Complete an online application here
Within the application, you will need to
- Upload your unofficial transcript via the online application
- Submit a quality jpg headshot or photo
- Answer three short essay questions
  - How do you believe veterinarians contribute to the larger society?
  - What qualities would you hope to bring as an aspiring veterinarian?
  - Why should you be selected?
- Submit an unlisted YouTube video, no more than 3 minutes long to introduce yourself, while answering the three essay questions

2024 VetCAMP Application YouTube Video Samples:

Watch Chandler’s video from last year!
Watch Sofia’s video from last year!
Watch Tyler’s video from last year!
Watch Sergei’s video from last year!
Watch Brendan’s video from last year!
Watch Wyatt’s video from last year!

If selected:

Complete the Student Selection Form here
Complete and sign all waivers and documents with student and/or parent/guardian signatures
Complete the Excitement and Nerves Form here
Complete the Roommate and Residence Survey here
Complete the VetCAMP’s Got Talent Survey here
Submit the $1000 deposit student deposit
- The student deposit contributes to purchasing scrubs, shirts, backpacks, student supplies and materials, veterinary medical instruments and materials, meal plan, transportation, travel, and housing
- Limited, partial scholarships may be provided for students who experience financial hardship as defined by the criteria in the Student Selection Form. However, there is no guarantee partial scholarships will be available each year or awarded to selected students in need, due to solely meeting eligibility of hardship criteria
- Criteria and details on limited partial scholarships will NOT be communicated to applicants or the applicant’s recommenders and parents/guardians. Only selected participants will receive further details, after they have been accepted to VetCAMP

Application and program deadlines

January – all application materials must be received
February – applicants are notified of our decision via email
March – program fee for accepted applicants is due
April – full refund of program fee, less a $20 administrative fee, if cancellation is received by specified date at 8PM EDT
May – refund of 50% of program fee, less a $20 administrative fee, if the cancellation request is received by specified date at 8PM EDT

Frequently asked questions

Who can attend VetCAMP?

Our VetCampers must be 16 years old AND 10th, 11th or 12th grade students at the time of application who are interested in pursuing a career in veterinary medicine.

Do I have to apply to VetCAMP?

Yes. The application for VetCAMP opens up in early Fall of each year. Applicants will be notified by email if they are accepted. Students interested in applying to the program must complete an online application, upload a video essay, and provide a copy of their high school transcript. In addition, our office must receive a teacher / counselor recommendation on behalf of the application.

What are the qualifications for VetCAMP?

Applicants must be 16 years old AND 10th, 11th, or 12th grade students at the time of application. We consider all aspects of the application when making final decisions, including the content of the application, the video essay, a student’s high school transcript, and the teacher / counselor recommendation.

What is the cost to attend?

The program fee is $1000 and covers all expenses for the week, including lodging, meals, instruction, lab materials, scrubs, and social activities. Financial assistance is available to participants with demonstrated need and can only be requested once a student has been accepted into the program.

How do meals and lodging work?

VetCAMP participants reside in the dorms on the UGA Athens campus for the week. Students are accompanied by current CVM student ambassadors as well as staff from the College. When on campus, meals are provided at the on campus dining halls. When off campus, meals are planned accordingly. Dietary restrictions are always accommodated. The program fee includes the cost of all meals and lodging.

I was accepted but now I can't attend. Can I get a refund?

If you have paid the program fee for VetCAMP, but can no longer attend, all cancellations must be submitted in writing (email accepted). The individual who made the original payment will receive:

A full refund, less an administrative fee of $20, if cancellation is received in writing by 8PM EDT on Monday, April 21, 2025.
A refund of 50%, less an administrative fee of $20, if the cancellation request is received in writing by 8PM EDT on Monday, May 5, 2025.
No refund for a “No Show” or for a cancellation request received after 8PM EDT on May 5, 2025.