Admission Requirements

Prerequisites

• Complete the necessary prerequisite courses with a grade of C- or above. You can apply and be admitted under provisional admission before completing all required courses.
  • 2023 prerequisite guide (for students starting D.V.M. Program Fall 2023)
  • 2024 prerequisite guide (for students starting D.V.M. Program Fall 2024)
• Online courses must be taken for credit and a grade and show as completed on an official transcript.
• It is beneficial to the applicant to submit transcripts with letter grades or letter grade equivalents that use a grading scale with 4.0 as the highest score. Transcripts using only narrative evaluations make assessing academic performance difficult.
• If after reviewing course descriptions in the prerequisite course guide you are still unsure if your course will meet our prerequisite requirement, you can submit a course substitution request.
  • 2023 course substitution request form (for students starting D.V.M. Program Fall 2023)
  • 2024 course substitution request form (for students starting D.V.M. Program Fall 2024)

Evaluation Factors

When reviewing applications, we take into consideration the quality of the academic program, number and quality of upper-level biomedical science courses, ability to carry a full schedule of courses, academic trends, and employment during academic terms.

Other factors include participation in a variety of extracurricular and community activities with evidence of achievement and leadership; experience working with animals and familiarity with the many facets of veterinary medicine; diverse experiences; written and verbal communication skills, presentation of a carefully prepared application; and a candidate’s potential as a successful veterinarian.

Admissions Philosophy

The philosophy of the Veterinary Admissions Committee is to strive to admit a class of veterinary students who will successfully complete the program and actively contribute to current and future needs of the veterinary profession.

Holistic Review

The admissions committee uses a holistic approach in the review of every application. Each component helps build the full 360 degree picture of who you are and your story. Each piece, coursework, quality/hours of experience, personal statement, and letters of recommendation are all considered individually and as a whole to select candidates who will not only be able to handle the academic rigor of a veterinary program, but also contribute to the veterinary profession.

Our holistic evaluation does not use calculated GPAs, nor required minimums for any category.

Interview

Multiple mini interviews (MMI) are canceled and no longer a requirement for admission.

Special Circumstances

An applicant’s unique attributes that may positively impact future professional success are considered on an individual basis. Also considered are potential economic, educational, and/or cultural/environmental factors.

Early Academic Review

Applications with a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or lower will undergo an early screening process for evidence of the candidate’s ability to handle a rigorous upper-division biomedical sciences curriculum. Some candidates will be denied and some will move forward.

Vet Prep Program

This one-year program assists disadvantaged students. Candidates in the regular D.V.M. admissions pool with a qualified disadvantage and an application that presents an ability to handle a rigorous biomedical sciences curriculum (often showing an upward trend in academic coursework/credit load) will be considered for the Vet Prep Program. There is not a separate application – candidates do not apply for this program.

Evaluation Process

The Office of D.V.M. Admissions uses a phased admissions evaluation and notification process.

Diversity Statement

Colorado State University’s Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Program and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Combined Degree Programs welcome all applicants without discrimination. These programs have a long-standing commitment to increasing the number of veterinarians that are racially and ethnically underrepresented, from the LGBTQ community, of socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds, are first-generation college attendees, hold veteran status, and have disabilities.

We are also committed to providing an accessible and inclusive environment where all learners have access to our programs. The D.V.M. Program works with campus resources to implement approved accommodations for learners with disabilities.

The CSU community is committed to, and embraces, diversity in all forms. All candidates are encouraged to explore diversity resources for students.