Anyone who is interested in attending a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) program has likely noticed there are many vet school requirements that need to be completed for applications.

The path to becoming a veterinarian begins before vet school, so take stock of what you need to do to apply for admission to a DVM program like St. George’s University (SGU) School of Veterinary Medicine. Creating a process and strategy for finishing requirements is important. Being organized will help you figure out what to work on now and what to expect later in the process. The overview below can help you get started.

1. Complete all course prerequisites

Most vet schools expect applicants to have a bachelor’s degree, and students can pursue any major they choose. It’s also important to be sure to complete veterinary school prerequisites.

Required coursework varies from one program to the next, but you can look into specifics for the SGU veterinary medicine requirements as an example. Another option would be to use the Veterinary Medical School Admission Requirements (VMSAR) directory. Many of these prerequisites are science classes, which are important to the schools that will be educating future veterinarians.

According to the SGU veterinary admissions team, schools want to make sure that students have been doing well in science courses along the way and that they’re going to be able to succeed in vet school.

It’s also wise to remember that some schools have minimum grade requirements, both for your science GPA and your overall GPA. Even the schools that aren’t as specific still have averages to consider. For 2025, SGU has an average cumulative GPA of 3.4 and an average science GPA of 3.3.

2. Gain as much animal and veterinary experience as you can

Animal experience and veterinary experience, which is conducted under the supervision of a veterinarian, might be the most important application components. The latter is particularly crucial.

“We really want to know that you’ve worked alongside a veterinarian long enough that you have truly seen what veterinarians do on a daily basis,” says an SGU veterinary admissions team representative.

“We really want to know that you’ve worked alongside a veterinarian long enough that you have truly seen what veterinarians do on a daily basis.”

While schools may not require a set number of experiential hours, American Associate of Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC) data shows that students who started vet school in 2023 had a median of 500 animal and 800 veterinary experience hours. Keep in mind that variety is also important.

“A lot of schools do require a breakdown of large-animal experience and small-animal experience,” the SVM admissions rep says.

3. Take your time crafting your vet school personal statement

The Veterinary Medical College Application Service (VMCAS), which most students use to apply to programs, requires applicants complete one personal essay that is 3,000 characters or fewer. Though it can be daunting to compose something that shows who you are and why you want to pursue veterinary medicine, taking some time to reflect can help guide you.

“It’s really to allow the schools to get a better understanding of who you are as a person and where you see your career going,” says the rep. “Just be as concise as possible—and be honest.”

Make sure to review specific requirements for each school you plan to apply to as well. Some might request additional written responses.

4. Secure great letters of recommendation

Veterinary programs want to hear perspectives from others on the strategies you use to overcome problems and how well you work with others. This is why letters of recommendation for vet school are so important.

VMCAS requires a minimum of three letters and a maximum of six, but make sure you examine each school’s requirements. Additionally, be thoughtful about who you choose to write your letters.

“We really prefer to see letters from veterinarians who students have worked with or shadowed,” the rep explains. “Somebody you’ve been with long enough and can tell us more about you.”

You would also be wise to choose an evaluator with whom you’ve developed a close working relationship. “You want to ask somebody who knows you well and who may have seen you struggle—but overcome that struggle and succeed,” the rep notes.

5. Make sure to address any school-specific requirements

Some program-specific requirements, such as interviews or secondary applications, won’t require action until after you’ve submitted your initial application. But some veterinary programs request that additional application materials to be submitted through VMCAS.

Check for details in VMSAR, making sure to review all the requirements for all schools you’re considering.

6. Determine if you need to take the CASPer exam

This vet school requirement doesn’t apply to all schools, but it is beginning to become more common. The Casper exam is an online assessment that measures attributes and interpersonal characteristics that are important for DVM students to possess.

This is an open-response exam that asks questions about how you would react in a tough situation. The purpose is to determine behavioral tendencies of individuals pursuing people-centered professions, such as veterinary medicine. The exam assesses several qualities such as communication, empathy, equity, professionalism, self-awareness, problem-solving, and more.

The Casper exam is available to take online. Be sure to check the program requirements closely to determine if this is a required element for your desired DVM program.

7. Submit your VMCAS applications

It’s a good idea to follow the VMCAS timeline to stay on track during the application process. When it comes time to select your programs, give it some serious thought. As Bates explains, many veterinary schools reserve most of their seats for in-state students. He suggests asking programs how many out-of-state seats are available and making sure that your academic metrics are competitive for those slots.

Once you’re nearly finished, review everything to make sure you haven’t made any mistakes and that you’ve paid all fees. You’ll receive an email notification when your application is complete, and your status within VMCAS should change to “received.”

While you wait to hear whether you’ve been accepted to these schools, work to tie up any loose ends, and consider practicing your interview skills—some programs include an interview as part of the admissions process.

Confidently complete all veterinary school requirements

Considering vet school requirements one by one can help simplify the application process, even if you’re still considering a number of schools. Eventually, you’ll need to start focusing on the schools that are the best fit for you. If SGU is on your list, make sure you gather some more specific information by reading “10 Things You May Not Know About the SGU School of Veterinary Medicine.”

This article has been updated from October 2021 to include current facts and figures.