Title: Majors: Pre-Veterinary Studies
Headings: 
PRE-VETERINARY STUDIES
WHAT CAN YOU DO WITH A PRE-VET MAJOR?

Content: Gaining admission to veterinary medical schools is highly competitive—more so even than medical school—and you will want to begin planning your undergraduate curriculum with this in mind. WHAT COURSES DO YOU NEED TO TAKE? While biology remains a popular pre-veterinary studies majors (because it allows you to easily fill veterinary school prerequisites), you do not have to major in biology to gain acceptance to veterinary medical school. Understanding that veterinarians need an understanding of everything from government regulations to small business management, veterinary medical schools look for students with diverse educational experiences, compassion, and a commitment to animal health. Veterinary schools do, however, require certain courses for admission. You will need at least one year of general biology or zoology with labs, one year of organic chemistry with labs, one year of inorganic chemistry with labs, one year of general physics with labs, one year of English, one quarter in statistics, one quarter in college algebra or pre-calculus, and one quarter of genetics. Be sure and check with each veterinary school to find out their individual requirements for admission. Veterinary schools also look at your extracurricular involvement and your commitment to the animal medical profession. Many students volunteer in clinics, conduct undergraduate research in the sciences, or shadow veterinarians as a way to learn more about the profession. These classes might also be helpful when it comes time to gaining entrance to veterinary medical school: