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Veterinary Medicine

The admission requirements for schools of veterinary medicine vary. There are minimum requirements for admission to most schools, but the majority of students admitted to veterinary medical schools have completed bachelor's degrees.

Admission to veterinary medical schools typically requires a minimum number of hours of relevant animal experiences in activities that give applicants an appreciation and understanding of the profession of veterinary medicine.

It is recommended that students take the Veterinary Aptitude Test (VAT) at least one full year before the intended entrance date.

Recommended courses include:
BIO minimum of one year from the following: 250, 251, 303, 311, 312, 317, 318, 414, 416, 418;
CHM 211, 212, 311, 312, CHM 315

Also suggested:
ENG 105, 106
MTH 121, 132
PHY 111, 112 or 121, 122
economics, one course
humanities electives, two courses
speech, one course

The specific requirements of professional schools differ greatly, even within a field. Therefore, we encourage students to plan an early consultation with a preprofessional adviser. These advisers assist students, whatever their majors, in achieving the academic balance, variety, and focus needed to reach their professional goals. Advisers are available to educate students on the variety of career options, to help students plan their programs, to help students prepare for national qualifying examinations, and to assist students in submitting applications to health professional schools. Applications for qualifying exams are available from the advisers.

Regular advising is essential because professional schools change their requirements occasionally and careful program planning is important in order to complete requirements in a timely way. Preprofessional students should contact their major advisers and the health professions advisers before enrolling in classes each term.

Additionally, the preprofessional advisers arrange for student evaluation and recommendation by the Health Professions Recommendation Committee. Students should arrange interviews with this committee one year prior to entrance into professional school.

Advisers also coordinate a variety of informational sessions, including presentations by representatives from medical, dental, and other schools.

Preprofessional students at Elmhurst have the advantage of receiving maximum individual attention and encouragement. There is a chapter of Alpha Epsilon Delta, the national premedical honor society, that serves to bring together students of common interest, even though they major in various academic departments.

The proximity of the College to several medical, dental, and other professional schools in the Chicago area makes it possible for students to visit these schools and obtain firsthand information, as well as to take a field-experience course at one of the area's medical facilities during the January Term.

Health Professions Recommendation Committee
Each student, in consultation with a health professions adviser, selects a recommendation committee of faculty members from the natural sciences, the social sciences, and the humanities. This committee evaluates the student and prepares letters of recommendation for students seeking admission to professional programs in health care fields, including medicine, dentistry, optometry, podiatry, and veterinary medicine.

Students seeking admission to professional schools should arrange interviews with this committee one year prior to entrance into professional school.

For more information, contact Dr. Frank Mittermeyer, special advisor.