Vet School Requirements in 2026: GPA, Prerequisites, Experience & How to Apply

GPA Type	Examples of Published Minimums	Common GPA Metrics Used by Veterinary Schools	What It Tells Admissions Committees
Cumulative GPA	Varies by school	3.5+ is a useful planning benchmark	Overall academic performance
Science GPA	Varies by school	3.5+ is a useful planning benchmark	Performance in science coursework
Last 45 Credit Hours	Varies by school	Often 3.5+ for competitive applicants	Recent academic performance and trajectory

If your GPA falls below the competitive range, you still have options. What matters next is how you address the gap. One of the strongest ways to strengthen your academic profile is to show an upward trend through additional upper-level science coursework. 

Retaking one failed course can help, but earning A-grades across several 300- and 400-level science courses gives admissions committees more recent evidence of your academic ability. 

For applicants who need a larger academic reset, postbaccalaureate programs and master's degrees in biomedical fields are two possible routes. Both involve additional time and cost, so consider whether the program fits your academic goals before enrolling. A graduate degree alone will not fix a weak application if the grades remain low.

Graduates of both programs can take the NAVLE and pursue veterinary licensure in the United States, although clinical year placement and licensing steps may involve more planning than attending a domestic program.

Prerequisite Courses Required for Vet School

Prerequisite coursework is the most standardized part of the vet schooling admissions landscape. Many prerequisite subjects overlap across programs, but the exact courses, credit hours, laboratories, grade requirements, and course age policies vary by school. 

Several details behind the prerequisite table can make a real difference when you apply. Grade requirements vary by school. Some programs require a C or better, while others accept a C- or higher. A “C-” may require a retake at some veterinary schools, while other programs may accept it. Check the grade requirement for each school.

Where you complete a course can also matter. Many veterinary schools accept prerequisite coursework from community colleges, but policies for specific courses vary by program. Some schools have additional restrictions on upper-level prerequisites or require certain courses to be completed at a four-year institution. 

For example, Texas A&M requires genetics, biochemistry, and animal nutrition or feeds and feeding to be completed at a four-year institution. Before taking a prerequisite at a community college, check the current requirements for each veterinary school on your list. 

Online laboratory courses are another area to check before applying. Policies differ by school. Cornell, for example, specifies in-person, on-campus laboratory coursework for its biology prerequisite. 

How Old Can Prerequisite Courses Be?

Course-age policies can also vary.

For example, Oklahoma State says math and science coursework used for prerequisites must be completed within eight years of the application cycle. Cornell says science coursework more than 10 years old is acceptable but not preferred.

Career changers should check these rules before assuming previously completed coursework will still count.

Veterinary and Animal Experience Requirements

Veterinary experience is an important part of a vet school application, but requirements vary by school. Some schools require a minimum number of hours, while others do not. You report your experiences through VMCAS.

Veterinary experience is gained under the supervision of a veterinarian and may include:

• Veterinary hospital or clinic work
• Shadowing a veterinarian
• Veterinary assistant or technician work

Animal experience involves working with animals without direct veterinary supervision, such as:

• Farm or ranch work
• Animal shelters and kennels
• Grooming or training
• Riding stables

Schools consider quality, variety, and depth, not just total hours. Experience in different settings—such as small animal, large animal, and wildlife—can demonstrate broader exposure to veterinary medicine.

Veterinary experience can also help you obtain a strong letter of recommendation from a veterinarian who knows your skills, work ethic, and understanding of the profession.

For students on a traditional four-year college path, starting early—around sophomore year—provides several summers to gain meaningful experience in different areas of veterinary medicine.

Standardized Tests: GRE, CASPer, and MCAT

For 2026 applicants, the GRE is no longer a standard requirement for most US veterinary schools. However, testing policies can vary by program and application cycle, so applicants should check the current requirements for every school on their list.

Oklahoma State, for example, states that it no longer requires either the GRE or CASPer beginning with the 2025-2026 application cycle. 

The GRE is still worth checking if you are applying to programs outside the US or to schools with unusual testing policies. Rather than preparing for the GRE automatically, start by reviewing the requirements for the schools you plan to apply to.

CASPer is different from the GRE. It is a situational judgment test that presents applicants with scenarios involving interpersonal and ethical situations. Some veterinary programs have used CASPer as part of their admissions process, while others have removed it. Oklahoma State is one example of a program that no longer requires it.

The MCAT is rarely part of US veterinary school admissions. 

For most applicants, the takeaway is simple: do not register for a standardized test until you know that a school on your list requires or accepts it as part of its admissions process. Testing policies can change between application cycles, so always check the current admissions page before you book an exam.

VMCAS Application Process and Timeline

VMCAS is the centralized application service used by many participating veterinary programs.

For the 2026–2027 VMCAS application cycle, the application opened on January 22, 2026, and the application deadline is September 15, 2026.

The application includes academic history, experiences, recommendations, the VMCAS essay, and other application information. Applicants must also arrange for official transcripts and recommendations to be submitted according to VMCAS requirements.

The exact timing of supplemental applications, interviews, transcripts, and other requirements can vary by school, so applicants should maintain a separate deadline calendar for each program. 

What About Texas Veterinary Schools?

Texas is different because its veterinary programs use TMDSAS rather than VMCAS.

TMDSAS currently lists Texas A&M University School of Veterinary Medicine and Texas Tech University School of Veterinary Medicine as its veterinary member institutions.

For the 2026 cycle, TMDSAS lists August 29, 2026 as the veterinary application submission deadline. Texas A&M also has a separate supplemental application deadline of August 31, 2026.

Texas applicants should therefore follow both the TMDSAS instructions and the individual veterinary school's supplemental requirements.

Vet School Requirements by School

The basic vet school requirements are similar across programs, but the details can vary quite a bit from one school to another. GPA expectations, prerequisite courses, experience requirements, residency policies, testing, tuition, and application deadlines can all affect which programs make sense for you.

Below, we’ll look at the differences among some of the veterinary schools applicants ask about most. 

1. UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine

UC Davis vet school requirements include a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.50, although admitted applicants typically have much higher GPAs. A bachelor's degree is required by matriculation, and applicants need at least 180 hours of veterinary experience. 

The school does not require the GRE or CASPer, and interviews are conducted using the MMI format. UC Davis also gives preference to California residents.

Current admissions requirements: [official admissions page] 

2. Texas A&M School of Veterinary Medicine

Texas A&M uses TMDSAS rather than VMCAS, so applicants need to follow a separate application process and earlier deadline. Its prerequisite list includes several courses that applicants may not see on other schools' lists, including animal nutrition or feeds and feeding, genetics, microbiology, and public speaking. Texas A&M also gives strong preference to Texas residents.

Current admissions requirements: [official admissions page] 

3. Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine

Cornell does not require a bachelor's degree. Applicants need at least 60 semester credits, including substantial upper-level coursework, along with its specific prerequisite courses. Cornell also has detailed rules for laboratory coursework, AP credit, and course age. 

Current admissions requirements: [official admissions page] 

4. Ohio State College of Veterinary Medicine

Ohio State lists a minimum overall GPA of 3.2, minimum science GPA of 3.0, and minimum recent 30-hour GPA of 3.0. It does not impose a minimum number of veterinary or animal-experience hours, but it expects applicants to demonstrate meaningful and diverse experience. 

Current admissions requirements: [official admissions page] 

5. University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine

The University of Minnesota does not require applicants to have a bachelor's degree, although most students entering the program do. The school does not have a separate supplemental application, which makes its application process somewhat simpler than programs that require an additional submission. Applicants apply through VMCAS and pay an additional program processing fee. 

Current admissions requirements: [official admissions page] 

6. Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine

Michigan State requires a minimum 3.0 science prerequisite GPA and 3.0 most-recent-three-semester GPA. It does not use cumulative GPA in its GPA calculations. The school recommends 150 hours of veterinary experience but does not make that a minimum requirement. 

Current admissions requirements: [official admissions page] 

7. Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine

Colorado State does not require GRE scores. Applicants submit their main application through VMCAS along with a Colorado Supplemental Application. 

Current admissions requirements: [official admissions page] 

8. University of Missouri

The University of Missouri requires a minimum 3.00 cumulative GPA, with repeated course grades averaged rather than replaced. Applicants also need at least 40 hours of veterinary experience through observation, employment, or volunteering with a veterinarian. Competitive applicants typically have well beyond the 40-hour minimum. 

Current admissions requirements: [official admissions page] 

9. Oklahoma State University College of Veterinary Medicine

Oklahoma State University does not require the GRE or CASPer for admission. Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 and meet the school's 2.8 minimum GPA for required courses. Applicants must also complete at least 64 semester hours of required pre-veterinary coursework. A bachelor's degree is not required as long as all required coursework is completed by the school's deadline. Three letters of recommendation are required, including one from a veterinarian.  

Current admissions requirements: [official admissions page] 

10. Lincoln Memorial University College of Veterinary Medicine

Lincoln Memorial University requires at least 46 semester hours or 66 quarter hours from a regionally accredited college or university and a minimum 3.0 overall GPA, as calculated by VMCAS. Applicants below 3.0 may still be considered individually if they show strong academic performance during their last two years or most recent 60 semester hours. 

Current admissions requirements: [official admissions page] 

11. Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine

Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine reports an average enrolled GPA of 3.25 and an average prerequisite GPA of 3.23. Applicants need at least 48 college credits, including the required prerequisites, and a minimum grade of C- in prerequisite courses.

The program also requires at least 150 hours of veterinary professional experience or research. The GRE is not required, but applicants who submit a score receive priority during application review. 

Current admissions requirements: [official admissions page] 

12. St. George's University School of Veterinary Medicine

St. George's University School of Veterinary Medicine is based in Grenada and follows an international training model. Students complete their preclinical veterinary education in Grenada before completing clinical training through affiliated schools and hospitals.

SGU's DVM program is currently accredited by the AVMA Council on Education, following reaccreditation in 2025. Applicants should check the current clinical affiliate list and admissions requirements when planning their application.

Current admissions requirements: [official admissions page] 

How Long Does It Take to Become a Veterinarian?

The traditional path generally involves completing undergraduate coursework followed by a four-year DVM or VMD program. However, the total time can vary because some veterinary schools admit students who have completed the required college credits and prerequisites without a bachelor's degree.

After veterinary school, graduates must meet the licensing requirements for the jurisdictions where they intend to practice. The national licensing examination is the NAVLE, and individual states or jurisdictions may have additional requirements.

Students who later pursue board certification in a specialty generally complete additional postgraduate training such as internships and residencies. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What GPA do you need for vet school?

Most veterinary schools list minimum cumulative GPAs between 2.5 and 3.0. Competitive GPAs vary by school, but many successful applicants have GPAs well above the published minimums.

What are the prerequisite courses for vet school?

Most programs require courses such as general biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, biochemistry, physics, genetics, microbiology, statistics, and English composition. The number of semesters and lab requirements vary by school, so check the current prerequisite list for each program.

Is the GRE required for vet school in 2026?

No. Most U.S. veterinary schools do not require the GRE, but requirements vary by program. Check the current admissions requirements for each school before applying.

What is the VMCAS application?

VMCAS, or the Veterinary Medical College Application Service, is the centralized application system used by most US veterinary schools. Applicants submit their academic information, experiences, personal statement, recommendations, and other materials through VMCAS and select the programs they want to apply to. Texas A&M and Texas Tech use TMDSAS instead.