Veterinarians treat the injuries and illness of animals with a variety of medical equipment, providing care for animals as doctors do for humans. While the majority of veterinarians work in private clinics treating pets, there are specialties in veterinary medicine including equine, food animal, food safety and inspection and research veterinarians who travel to farms, work outdoors or in laboratories. Many veterinarians also work with the intersection of human and animal health.
Veterinary medicine provides healthcare to pets, livestock, and zoo, sporting and laboratory animals. Veterinarians (DVM or VMD) treat the injuries and illness of animals with a variety of medical equipment, providing care for animals as doctors due for humans. While the majority of veterinarians work in private clinics treating pets, there are specialties in veterinary medicine including equine, food animal, food safety and inspection and research veterinarians who travel to farms, work outdoors or in laboratories. Many veterinarians also work with the intersection of human and animal health.
Veterinarians typically do the following:
Explore these resources and organizations:
The requirements for admission into a veterinary medicine program vary by school. Review the list of AAVMC affiliated veterinary schools and the Prerequisite Chart. You should always verify the most current prerequisites.
Below is a list of possible courses that could meet admission requirements.
Please check with the schools you plan to apply to regarding their policy on AP Credits. Some schools may or may not accept AP Credit. If they do accept credits, an additional upper level course with a lab may be required.
Please see a PHA advisor to create an academic plan that meets your timeline and goals.
Below are the most common pre-med pre-requisites; remember that this list is of the CORE classes, and some schools may require or recommend additional courses.
*If you use AP credit for Biol 141, you must still take the Biol 141 Lab.
If you transferred to Emory and have questions about coursework taken at your previous institution, please contact your PHA advisor.
Admissions Exam: Most require the GRE (some accept the MCAT)
Application Service: Veterinary Medical College Application Service ( VMCAS)
Application timeline/deadline: Review important dates for VMCAS
Letters of Recommendation: VMCAS requires a minimum of three electronic evaluations. Some schools WILL NOT accept a composite letter. Requirements for letters of recommendation vary from school to school, and many require letters specifically from veterinarians. Be sure to check each school's requirements.
Emory’s Career Center offers a Credentials File to collect letters of recommendation that will be sent to the appropriate professional schools.
Personal Statement: PHA offers personal statement workshops on particular dates during the semester. Check the PHA newsletter for upcoming events. Once you complete a draft of your personal statement, you may submit your draft to the Career Center Document Critique Service for feedback.