Application Requirements

Step 1: Prerequisites and Application Requirement

The first step in the admissions process is to ensure you are on track to complete both the course prerequisites and application requirements in time to apply for your preferred year of entry.

International Students: We do not require a separate application or fee, and you should be prepared to meet all of the prerequisite and application requirements as outlined. If you need assistance with immigration (I-20 form, F-1 visa, SEVIS, etc.), our International Student Services (ISS) staff are available to help you. Visit the ISS website to learn more.

Step 2: Make Yourself a Competitive Candidate

Admission to the program is extremely competitive so you should strive to not only meet, but exceed the minimum requirements. To get a feel for the competitiveness of the applicant pool we recommend that you view our class statistics page and read what the admissions committee recommends you do to maximize your candidacy.

Step 3: Preparing and Submitting your Application

The apply now page will provide you with step-by-step instructions as well as an application checklist. There are a number of supporting materials that make up your completed application, and it is essential that you print and carefully follow the checklist to ensure that you properly submit these pieces by the deadline.

Required: One course each – Minimum of 3 semester or 4 quarter units

• Organic Chemistry w/ lab
  • Online/Virtual lab is not accepted. Must be on-campus & in person.
    • NOTE: Online/virtual labs will be accepted for labs taken during the 2020, 2021, and 2022 COVID-19 pandemic. Labs taken online prior to or after the pandemic will not be accepted.
• Biochemistry or Physiological Chemistry – preferably with lab
  • Online/Virtual lab is not accepted. Must be on-campus & in person.
    • NOTE: Online/virtual labs will be accepted for labs taken during the 2020, 2021, and 2022 COVID-19 pandemic. Labs taken online prior to or after the pandemic will not be accepted.
• Statistics
  • Biostatistics course may be accepted on a case-by-case basis, must submit syllabus for review if course is not listed in the prerequisite database

Required: One course each – Minimum of 3 semester or 4 quarter units
May have no more than two in progress after December 31st of the year prior to matriculation.

• Microbiology​
  • May not be a cell biology or molecular biology course
  • If lab taken, online/virtual lab is not accepted. Must be on-campus & in person.
    • Note: Online/virtual labs will be accepted for labs taken during the 2020, 2021 and 2022 COVID-19 pandemic.  Labs taken online prior to or after the pandemic will not be accepted.
• Upper Division Physiology
  • Must be designated for science majors
  • Must be an upper division course in animal, human or comparative physiology
  • If lab taken, online/virtual lab is not accepted. Must be on-campus & in person.
    • Note: Online/virtual labs will be accepted for labs taken during the 2020, 2021 and 2022 COVID-19 pandemic.  Labs taken online prior to or after the pandemic will not be accepted.
• Genetics or Molecular Biology
  • If lab taken, online/virtual lab is not accepted. Must be on-campus & in person.
    • Note: Online/virtual labs will be accepted for labs taken during the 2020, 2021 and 2022 COVID-19 pandemic.  Labs taken online prior to or after the pandemic will not be accepted.

Required: Three courses each – Minimum of 9 semester or 12 quarter units

• Upper Division Biological & Life Sciences with lab
  • May not be an introductory survey or fundamental course
  • Examples include: zoology, endocrinology, cell biology, molecular biology, reproduction, parasitology, histology, toxicology, nutrition and pharmacology.
  • Courses are generally not available at community/junior colleges.
  • May have no more than two in progress after December 31st of the year prior to matriculation.
    • Upper Division Biological and Life Sciences (one course)
    • Microbiology
    • Physiology
    • Genetics or Molecular Biology
  • Must be three upper division courses, one of which must include a lab or have a separate lab associated with the lecture course.
  • Online/Virtual lab is not accepted. Must be on-campus & in person.
    • Note: Online/virtual labs will be accepted for labs taken during the 2020, 2021 and 2022 COVID-19 pandemic.  Labs taken online prior to or after the pandemic will not be accepted.
• Humanities/Social Sciences
  • This may include art, ethnic studies, foreign language, history, humanities, liberal studies, music, philosophy, political science, religious studies, social sciences, theater and behavior
  • A maximum of three courses must be selected on the VMCAS application to satisfy this prerequisite

Required: Two courses each – Minimum of 6 semester or 8 quarter units

• General Physics with lab​
  • 2 semesters or 2 quarters of Physics AND
  • 2 semesters or 2 quarters of Physics Labs
    • Online/Virtual lab is not accepted. Must be on-campus & in person.
      • Note: Online/virtual labs will be accepted for labs taken during the 2020, 2021 and 2022 COVID-19 pandemic.  Labs taken online prior to or after the pandemic will not be accepted.
• English Composition
  • May not be an English as a Second Language (ESL) or English as a Foreign Language (EFL) course

All ​Prerequisites:

• Must be completed at a regionally accredited U.S. institution (exceptions will be made on a case-by-case basis) or its equivalent abroad
• Must be completed with a grade of “C” or better (a grade of “C-” or lower is not acceptable)
• Must be completed by the end of Spring term prior to matriculation
• All coursework taken from non-US institutions (including French Canadian institutions) must be submitted to World Education Services for a course-by- course evaluation.
• May be taken on an advanced-placement or CLEP credit basis. These credits must be listed on the official university transcript at which the credit was received. If not, submit a letter from the registrar detailing for what each credit was received
• One course may not be used to satisfy multiple prerequisites
• Courses taken for pass/fail will be accepted if taken during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic. They will not be included in the calculation of GPAs.

Not sure if your course qualifies? If you’d like to find out whether the courses you’ve taken or plan to take will satisfy WesternU’s DVM prerequisites you may:

1. Search the prerequisite database by institution
2. If your courses are not listed in the database and you have numerous in question, or simply wish to lay out your coursework, you may instead print and submit an academic worksheet. Note: academic worksheets are available March – August and will be reviewed during this time only

Completion of prerequisite courses as outlined

Submission of Primary (VMCAS) Application by the deadline

Letters of Recommendation

• Three (3) letters of recommendation are required
• Letters may be from anyone other than family members who can speak to your anticipated success as a student and/or future veterinarian and should include behavioral examples
• Recommended that at least one be from a licensed veterinarian
• Letters must be submitted directly to VMCAS as a portion of your primary application and received by the deadline. No exceptions or extensions.

​Minimum Overall GPA of 2.75 and Science GPA of 3.0

• GPA must meet minimum requirement at the time of application submission
• Fall coursework in progress at time of application is not considered until the candidate is offered a seat in the class.
• Candidates must maintain the minimum required GPA through matriculation into the program
• All prerequisite coursework must be completed with a grade of C or higher (C- is not accepted)
• To be competitive applicants should possess an overall GPA consistent with the college’s most recent entering class

Although not required, having earned a BS or BA in any field will likely strengthen your application

​500 hours of hands-on animal-related experience

• Candidates must complete at least 300 hours by the application deadline and 500 hours by July 31, of the planned matriculation year.
• Must be hands on and go beyond observation effort.
• Must include hours completed under a licensed veterinarian.
• Supervisors should be able to assess applicant’s interest in animal well-being, work habits and personal integrity
• Appropriate venues include but are not limited to: veterinary practices, animal medical environments, commercial animal production operations, regulatory animal control and humane shelters, animal entertainment (zoos, etc.), or animal research institutions.
• Hours may be in progress at time of application and must be completed by July 31st of the planned matriculation year.
• Pet ownership and academic experience hours are not accepted to satisfy the requirement.

​Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) – If Required

• Required if you are not a US citizen and English is not your primary spoken language
• EXCEPTION: The TOEFL exam will be waived if you have or will graduate with a confirmed baccalaureate or higher degree from a United States institution at the time of application.
• Minimum score requirements
  • 550 paper-based
  • 213 computer-based
  • 79 internet-based
• TOEFL scores are to be submitted electronically to Western University of Health Sciences and valid for 3 years prior to the planned year of matriculation

Proof of Legal U.S. Residency – If Required

• International applicants, or any other applicants who are not U.S. citizens and who are living in the U.S., must provide proof of legal U.S. residency prior to matriculation.