Best Vet Schools

Looking for the best vet schools? There are many excellent veterinary schools all around the world, and some of the best-ranked are located in the US and Canada. Admission requirements are also just as rigorous as med school, so getting in is not easy. If you’re looking for the best vet schools to apply to, check out vet school rankings and how you can make yourself a top applicant. In this blog we have a list of the best vet schools in the US, the best vet schools in Canada and the best vet schools around the world. We’ll also look at how to apply to vet school, what admission requirements and statistics are and how to improve your chances of getting accepted to vet school.

Please note: although we have made every effort to provide the most accurate information, admissions information changes frequently. Therefore, we encourage you to verify these details with the official university admissions office. You are responsible for your own results. BeMo does not endorse nor affiliate with any official universities, colleges, or test administrators and vice versa. If you see an error here, please notify us with the updated information, and we’ll send you a FREE copy of a BeMo ebook of your choosing! You can receive our Ultimate Guide to Med School Admissions, our Ultimate Guide to MMI Prep, our Ultimate Guide to Medical School Personal Statements & Secondary Essays or our Ultimate Guide to CASPer Prep! Please email us at content [at] bemoacademicconsulting.com with any corrections, and we’ll arrange to send you your free ebook upon confirming the information.

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Best vet schools in the US

There are 32 excellent colleges of veterinary medicine in the US, and they all offer a comprehensive and high-quality education in animal medicine. There are comparatively fewer vet schools in the US than there are medical schools, so competition to get into these schools is quite high. The average vet school acceptance rates in the US are only around 10-15%. The table below covers the top 10 best vet schools in the US and their general admission requirements.

Best vet schools in Canada

Canada, like the US, has some of the best veterinary schools in the world and is a popular choice for students hoping to study veterinary medicine. Canada is an excellent country to practice as a veterinarian as well since they are in high demand. However, Canada has some of the fiercest competition for veterinary schools because there are so few spots open, only 5 veterinary colleges and thousands of applicants who apply each year. The table below illustrates the best vet schools in Canada and their admission requirements.

Applying to vet school? Check out these foundational requirements.

Best international vet schools

Some of the best vet schools in the world are outside of North America. The table below lists some of the best vet schools around the world, and their admission requirements.

Vet school admission statistics

Vet schools, like medical school acceptance rates, are notoriously low and admission to vet schools anywhere is very competitive. Acceptance rates for vet schools in the US sits around 10-15%. This is lower than even medical school acceptance rates, but there are only 32 vet schools in the US and therefore fewer chances for applicants to get in.

Competition is fierce at the best vet schools, but it is not impossible to get in. Admission requirements are very similar to those at medical schools, and there are many resources you can take advantage of to help you prepare your application, such as vet school admissions consultants.

Next, we’ll look at how you can apply to vet school and the vet school admission requirements you’ll need to fulfill.

How to apply to vet school

For many vet schools in the US, as well as some in Canada and even around the world, you can apply through the Veterinary Medical College Application Service (VMCAS). For all non-VMCAS vet schools, check school websites for information on how to apply directly or what application service is used to apply.

Applying through the VMCAS system means creating an account and uploading all of your necessary information and documents, including transcripts, test scores, written application sections and any additional documents needed for specific programs.

There are 4 sections to the VMCAS application:

Personal information and contact information
Academic history (transcripts, test scores)
Supporting info (personal essay, letters of recommendation, etc.)
Program materials (any supporting documents required by specific programs)

We’ll look at the key components of your vet school application in detail next.

Academic requirements for the VMCAS or vet school application mean your academic history and transcripts showing completion of all prerequisite courses and standardized test scores. VMCAS can accept your transcripts and test scores and attach them to your application once they are released.

The standardized test required for most vet schools is the GRE, although a handful of veterinary colleges in the US accept the Veterinary College Admissions Test (VCAT) or even the MCAT. This can vary depending on the school, so be sure to check which exam you’ll need to write so you can find the proper prep resources. GRE prep courses are different than MCAT prep or VCAT prep, and the three tests all have different materials to prepare for.

Prerequisite courses for vet schools are also similar to medical school admission requirements (MSAR) in that they are focused on core sciences and associated courses such as biology, organic and inorganic chemistry, physics, genetics, microbiology and biochemistry. Many vet schools also demand mathematics, humanities and social sciences prerequisites and strongly recommend or require animal-related science courses including animal biology or zoology, animal nutrition and anatomy. Vet schools have high standards for GPA scores in these courses, just as medical schools do. The minimum GPA score is usually 3.0 and above, but to be a competitive candidate you should aim to have an overall GPA above 3.6.

Preparing for an MMI interview? Check out these top tips!

Expert tips on applying to vet school

Applying to vet school is a big undertaking, and with very low acceptance rates and high competition amongst applicants, you want to know how you can best stand out as a candidate and make your mark. Achieving all the admission requirements is only the first step. Being an excellent applicant on paper isn’t enough to secure a spot. You’ll need to earn high grades, ace the GRE and interview, write a stellar VMCAS essay or personal statement and show you have the necessary experience with animals.

Below we’ll look at some further expert tips on how to improve your chances of getting accepted to some of the best vet schools.

STUDY UP ON CASPER

Some vet schools in the US are currently using or considering implementing the use of the CASPer test. CASPer is the Computer-Based Assessment for Sampling Personal Characteristics open-response situational judgment test. It may be required of applicants who make the shortlist at certain vet schools. Look into some CASPer test prep courses or CASPer test prep books to help you get ready for this assessment if your chosen vet school asks for it. Also be sure to check CASPer test dates for your application year so you have time to complete it and submit your scores through AMCAS!
TALK TO AN ADVISOR

For any medicine-related school application, talking with a consultant or advisor is an excellent idea. An advisor can show you the ropes of the intense and complex application process as well as provide important feedback on your application and make you a more competitive applicant. An international student advisor can be especially important if you want to study at the best vet schools abroad, since there will be many stellar candidates vying for a small number of seats, and you’ll need to stand out to get an edge over local applicants and other international students.
GAIN EXPERIENCE

Experience is crucial for getting into vet school. Many schools require upwards of 100 shadowing hours and want to see that you have direct experience with animals. Having both of these on your application is a big bonus and can definitely set you apart.
RESEARCH EXTENSIVELY

Not all vet schools accept applications through VMCAS, and not all vet schools have the same requirements. Research your chosen schools thoroughly, and be sure to research the veterinary profession, too. The VMCAS recommends attending some professional events or information sessions to get an idea of what it’s like to apply to vet school and what it’s like to become a licensed veterinarian.

Taking the CASPer test? See our tips for how to prep!

Conclusion

Applying to the best vet schools in the US, Canada and around the world means putting together a killer application to get into these highly competitive programs. Most of the best vet schools will use the VMCAS system, which includes a comprehensive application package for vet school applicants. For the best chances to get into your chosen vet school, focus on earning extensive shadowing hours, write a killer personal statement and ace your MMI interview. Also be prepared to write the GRE and CASPer tests, so GRE and CASPer prep is important here. Talking with a vet school advisor or admissions consultant can be a great first step in your application journey if you want to get into vet school.

FAQs

1. What are the best vet schools in the US?

The University of California Davis, Cornell University and Colorado State University are ranked the top three colleges of veterinary medicine in the US.

2. What are the best vet schools in Canada?

The Atlantic Veterinary College, the Faculté De Médecine Vétérinaire (FVM) and Ontario Veterinary College are ranked the top three vet schools in Canada.

3. How do I apply to vet school in the US or Canada?

Veterinary schools in the US, as well as some Canadian and international schools, use the VMCAS application portal. Applicants can register, fill out their application and required documents, and have VMCAS send their applications directly to the vet schools of their choice. Check individual school websites for the application process of schools which do not use VMCAS.

4. What are the requirements for vet school?

Veterinary schools typically require prerequisite courses in the core sciences, as well animal science-related courses such as animal biology or animal nutrition. Requirements also usually include submitting your GRE or VCAT test scores, an admissions essay, 1 to 3 letters of recommendation and the admissions interview. Some vet schools require a bachelor’s degree and other program-specific requirements.

5. Which vet school is the hardest to get into?

The hardest vet schools in the US to get into are also some of the highest-ranked. These include the College of Veterinary Medicine at UC Davis, Cornell University vet school and Colorado State University veterinary school.

6. Which vet school is the easiest to get into?

The easiest vet schools to get into in the US are Texas A&M and the College of Veterinary Medicine at Western University of Health Sciences, which both have relatively easy admission requirements and higher acceptance rates.

7. Is it harder to get into vet or med school?

Acceptance rates for vet school fall between 10 and 15%, while acceptance rates for med school are just below 40%. There are comparatively fewer vet schools than medical schools in the US, and so competition can be harder to get into vet school. Overall, though, it is just as hard to get into vet school as it is to get into med school as their admissions processes and requirements are quite similar.

8. What GPA should I have for vet school?

Vet schools usually have a GPA minimum requirement of 3.0 and above, but most applicants who apply have a GPA of 3.5 and above. This means to be a competitive applicant; you should aim for a GPA of 3.6 and above.

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Your friends at BeMo