Pre-Vet FAQs
Pre-Veterinary Mentoring Program FAQs
Mentoring FAQs
Contact Colette Tebeau and ensure you are on the Pre-Vet Mentoring Program's Canvas page.
You will have two different pre-vet mentors while at UK:
Colette Tebeau advises prospective, freshman and sophomore students;
Dr. Amber McNamara advises junior and senior students.
It is strongly recommended that you meet with your pre-vet mentor each semester before registering for classes. Students are always welcome to schedule more frequent mentoring sessions and can contact their pre-vet mentor anytime throughout the semester.
Information on signing up for a mentoring appointment can be found on the UK Pre-Veterinary Mentoring Canvas page. Students are always welcome to email their pre-vet mentor directly for more information on registering for an mentoring appointment.
No, only your primary academic advisor can lift your advising hold so you may register for classes.
Degree advisors (such as those for ASC, EQM, etc.) are knowledgeable and very competent; however, they may not be up-to-date on the most recent information for veterinary school admission. Prerequisites and non-academic requirements can change frequently and without warning for each of the more than 30 U.S. veterinary schools.
Pre-Vet mentors provide a wealth of information: Class progression, GPA requirements, prerequisites, non-academic vet school essentials, veterinary experience hours, U.S. and international vet school choices, bolstering your application, appropriate ways of communicating with vet schools and much more.
During mentoring appointments it is always helpful to bring a copy of your unofficial transcript and a list of classes your degree/major academic advisor recommends (if you have already met with them). You may also want to bring a list of questions or concerns so you do not forget them during the appointment.
Pre-Vet FAQs
A curriculum based on chemistry, biology, physics and liberal arts is required. Pre-veterinary mentors should be contacted for specifics, as requirements vary among veterinary programs.
A good background in biological and physical sciences, mathematics and English is of utmost importance since both pre-veterinary and veterinary medicine programs are based on these subjects. These subjects should allow students to score well on comprehensive college entrance exams so they have a better chance of attending their college of choice.
While completing prerequisite courses, most successful applicants earn enough credits to obtain a B.S. or B.A. degree prior to entrance to veterinary school. For those programs that do not require a degree, a specific number of college credits is generally required in addition to the prerequisites courses.
No. However, the majority of applicants accepted have completed four or more years of college.
In any professional program where the number of applicants exceeds the available seats, it is advisable to choose a degree program to complete concurrently with the pre-veterinary program. It is strongly recommended that a student interested in pursing veterinary school select a degree of their interest early in their college career.
No. Any degree program that is of interest to the student is fine, if the required pre-vet courses are completed.
Students should choose a degree program about which they are passionate. This area of study should be selected based on future career interests in case the student does not become a veterinarian. While a majority of UK’s pre-vet students are pursuing science-based degrees (Animal Science, Agricultural and Medical Biotechnology, Equine Science, Biology, etc.), individuals have been accepted into veterinary schools with UK degrees in Music, Business, Finance, Psychology and History.
Vet School FAQs
United States veterinary schools are accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). A full listing of these schools can be found on the Veterinary Medical School Admissions Requirements (VMSAR) website.
There are currently more than 34 accredited schools of veterinary medicine in the United States. Other AVMA accredited schools exist across the globe including programs in Canada, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and the Caribbean.
The University of Kentucky does not offer a DVM degree.
Yes, providing that the student has met course requirements for each school. The average overall college GPA for accepted students is 3.7 on a 4.0 scale.
No. In fact, because of the keen competition for the available positions, it is recommended that applicants have at least a 3.2 grade point average on all work attempted. Many veterinary schools have required minimum GPAs which may be different for in-state and out-of-state applicants.
Veterinary schools are also looking for individuals who have an understanding of the profession based on at least 500+ hours of experience working with both small and large animal veterinarians; community service; leadership activities; excellent communication skills; and a strong work ethic.
The Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority (KHEAA) administers the Kentucky Veterinary Contract Spaces Program in cooperation with the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB). This program provides a discounted tuition opportunity for Kentucky residents wishing to attend veterinary school.
There are currently 38 seats available each year at Auburn University's College of Veterinary Medicine. Only legal residents of Kentucky (no matter where they obtained their undergraduate education), who meet Auburn's application requirements, may apply as a Kentucky Veterinary Contract Spaces Program candidate.
Legal Kentucky residents can also apply to any of the other more than 34 U.S. veterinary schools as long as they meet the schools’ requirements.
Contact your pre-vet mentor for details.
Our students have been accepted to more than 32 U.S. veterinary schools, as well as AVMA-accredited veterinary schools in Canada, Great Britain, New Zealand, Europe and the Caribbean.
A comprehensive study of an applicant is carried out by the selection committee in determining those who will be accepted. For a student to be competitive in gaining admission to veterinary school, it is recommended that a 3.5 or higher GPA be maintained (for KY residents). Courses in physical sciences, biology and mathematics are closely scrutinized by selection committees. A high GPA is important but not the sole criterion. The student must be mature and able to work with people, as demonstrated by community and leadership activities. Animal and veterinary experience is necessary; large and small animal veterinary experience is highly desirable. In general, applicants must have one letter of recommendation from a veterinarian, one from an academic person and one from a person of the student's choice.
Grade Point Averages
- A minimum 2.5 GPA overall is required for your application to be considered for Auburn. A student with a GPA of 2.49999 will NOT be evaluated by the Auburn Veterinary Admissions Committee. Minimum GPA requirements vary among other vet schools. Average overall GPAs for admitted students in the U.S. is 3.7.
- Advanced Placement credit should be cleared through the veterinary school for applicability on their acceptance of this type of credit.
- All required courses must have a letter grade of a C or higher.
Veterinary experience is very important in your application. Having worked with a veterinarian and being able to obtain a letter of evaluation is mandatory for many schools. Ideally, students should have experience with small and large animals. The time to start is in high school, and continue through college. Auburn requires 500 hours of veterinary experience.
Yes. Reapplication exhibits a continuing determination to be a veterinarian. Reapplication does not ensure acceptance, but students have been accepted after applying three consecutive years.
Yes. All financial aid is administered by the Office of Financial Aid at each of the veterinary schools, with many students attending veterinary school obtaining graduate student loans.
No. However, the possibility of creating a veterinary school in Kentucky is currently being investigated.
Yes! A Pre-Vet mentor will guide students through the VMCAS application process and maintains a Canvas page for each year’s applicants.. However, each student is responsible for complying with deadlines and application instructions.
Applications to veterinary school take place a year before anticipated starting of vet school. The majority of U.S. vet schools participate in the Veterinary Medical School Application Service (VMCAS).
Students interested in applying to veterinary schools should keep updated on information directly from the veterinary schools’ websites. The VMCAS summary pages should be used for general guidance only.
The overall applicant-to-seat ratio is approximately 2.4:1; however, individual programs’ applicant-to-seat ratios can vary widely, with some schools reporting more than 20 applicants per available seat
(2024-2025 AAVMC Annual Data Report [Internet]. Washington, DC: American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges; 2025 May. p. 1-60. Available from: https://aavmc.org/about-aavmc/public-data/)
Changes are expected with new veterinary schools seeking accreditation.
