If you are in thinking about or in the process of apply to Veterinary Schools, you’re probably curious about the GPA requirements for Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) programs.

It can’t be denied that your grade point average is an important element of your overall vet school application. However, it is not the only thing selection committees evaluate. Since veterinary schools consider your grades in a few different ways, we are going to take a closer look at how your GPA might affect your odds of vet school acceptance. You’ll soon see it’s only part of the picture.

What gpa do you need to get into vet school?

Veterinary medicine programs have to start somewhere when evaluating applicants. Beginning with a prospect’s GPA helps admission officers objectively sort through all of the applications

It’s also important to note that vet school GPA standards are generally stricter for vet school prerequisite courses. Since veterinary school is heavily science-based, admissions committees want to select applicants who’ve demonstrated they can handle the material. Even among prerequisites, courses like organic chemistry and biochemistry may be evaluated a bit more closely.

That said, veterinary schools have begun to realize things like GPA and Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores can only say so much about an applicant. Dr. Keith Webb, owner of Pet Doctor, says academic metrics only account for half of what selection committees consider.

“The other 50 percent is dependent upon your experience with animals, other types of club involvement, how active you are in community service, and then your interview process,” he explains.

Why the shift? Expectations at individual colleges can vary. One student might have a slightly lower GPA than another simply because they attended a more rigorous undergraduate program.

Vet schools are also starting to recognize that other skills are equally important and that some students may have lower grades due to a demanding work schedule.

 

What else stands out to selection committees?

1. Vast and varied experience

You may wonder how many hours of animal or veterinary related experience you need to apply. There isn’t an exact answer. Every program varies, with some listing requirements and others offering recommendations. Vet schools also require both animal experience and activities that involve working directly with a veterinarian.

On top of that, selection committees really want to see that applicants have been exposed to multiple veterinary careers. That variety could include emergency training, large animal work, zoo or wildlife interest or time in a research setting.

In addition to helping your applications, you should make sure you’re acquiring true hands-on experience with animals as well. It’s the best way to get a feel for what it’s like to practice veterinary medicine.

“It’s one thing to have book knowledge,” Dr. Webb offers. “It’s another to actually have hands-on experience and really know this profession is for you.”

 

2. Great communication skills

Loving animals is a given for anyone considering becoming a veterinarian. But you might be surprised to know that being able to work with animals is not the only requirement.  Veterinary clinics are team settings, so it is important to be able to work well with other people.

Communication skills are have been a growing focus in veterinary medicine. With so much interaction with pet owners, it is really important to be a good communicator.

There are a few ways you can show your communication skills to an admissions team. The most obvious one is representing yourself well during vet school interviews. While not every program includes an interview component, those that do see them as incredibly valuable.

“If you can’t actually meet with the selection committee, all you can do is rely on other people to vouch for you,” Dr. Webb says.

Given that more and more schools are moving away from interviews, it’s likely you’ll apply to some that don’t include a formal Q&A. It’s still possible to demonstrate you understand how to express yourself when speaking. You just need to make sure you choose the right people to compose your letters of recommendation.

3. Other passions and strengths

While being a bookworm might have been the most admire trait in candidates in the past, vet schools have a different perspective these days. They’re looking for students who have other interests and are involved in areas outside veterinary medicine.

“They’re looking for well-rounded people,” Dr. Webb explains.

This shift in candidate evaluation is actually good news because it means you can give your application a boost by pursuing things you’re already interested inTaking an active interest in humanitarian projects, business classes, biomedical research, and other areas can be important ways to stand out against a sea of candidates.

In addition to extracurriculars that involve animals, getting involved in athletics can help set you apart. Participating in team sports demonstrates you have a strong work ethic and can work well with others, which are appealing attributes according to Dr. Webb.

Discover how you can stand out

You’ll certainly need to keep vet school GPA expectations in mind as you get closer to applying. After all, programs will always want to know students have what it takes to succeed in a rigorous academic setting. But it’s also clear there are many other factors that go into a strong application. You especially need to make sure you gain plenty of exposure to veterinary medicine.

Figuring out how to gain relevant experience can be intimidating if you’re just getting started. How do you find opportunities? What types of experiences should you target? Find out how to get started by reading our article “How to Gain Veterinary Work Experience for Your School Applications.”

This article was originally published in 2021. It has since been updated to include information relevant to 2024.