Veterinary Medicine

Veterinarians care for the health of animals and work to improve public health. They diagnose, treat, and research medical conditions and diseases of pets, livestock, and other animals.

Veterinary Medicine at a Glance

Veterinarians treat the injuries and illnesses of pets and other animals with a variety of medical equipment, including surgical tools and x-ray and ultrasound machines. They provide treatment for animals that is similar to the services a  physician  provides to humans. Get more information at  Explore Health Careers  and the  Occupational Outlook Handbook  

Core 34 Pre-Admission Coursework:   Check Sheet (PDF),  Accessible Check Sheet (PDF) 

Core Pre-Admission Coursework:   Check Sheet (PDF),  Accessible Check Sheet (PDF) 

References: KSU requires three reference letters – one must be from a veterinarian, one must be from your advisor or a professor, and one must be a personal evaluation from someone not related to you.  This is typical of other regional vet programs.   

Shadowing/Healthcare Experience: KSU recommends at least 500 hours of varied experiences with veterinarians.  This could include clinical, agribusiness, health sciences, and research, as long as it's under the supervision of a veterinarian.  

Other Animal Experience: You will also need other animal experience that doesn’t take place under the supervision of a veterinarian. This includes farm and ranch experience, 4-H membership, animal training, or similar activities. [https://www.vet.k-state.edu/admissions/requirements/application.html]   

Community Service/Leadership Experience: Recommended  

Research Experience: Recommended  

Pre-Admission Standardized Tests: KSU does not require any, but some schools utilize the Computer-based Assessment for Sampling Personal Characteristics (CASper).  

Student Organizations: Pre-Veterinary Society, International Pre-Health Sciences Organization, Delta Epsilon Mu (co-ed healthcare fraternity), University of Kansas Women in Medicine, Future Leaders in Healthcare

Application Window: Early-May to mid-September  

Resume Required: No 

Centralized Application Service: Veterinary Medical College Application Service (VMCAS)  

Early Decision Option: Some programs offer early decision programs 

Interview Required: Yes, for most programs