Studies & Degrees in Pre-Veterinary Medicine
Pre-veterinary medicine, or pre-vet, is the undergraduate preparation for veterinary school in the United States. It is not a veterinary degree. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), veterinarians must complete a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM or VMD) degree at an accredited college of veterinary medicine, a programme that generally takes 4 years, and applicants typically already have a bachelor's degree in a field such as biology.
Pre-vet is the stage before that: a set of science courses, advising and experience with animals, taken during a first degree. In Spain and in most of Latin America, by contrast, veterinary medicine is a first degree that students enter directly after secondary school, so there is no separate pre-veterinary stage.
What pre-vet students learn
The courses follow what veterinary schools ask for. The Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine lists as common prerequisites:
- Biology with laboratory
- General and organic chemistry with laboratory
- Physics with laboratory
- Mathematics, often calculus or statistics
- Biochemistry and microbiology
- English or composition, and public speaking
Requirements vary by veterinary school, so students plan their courses with an adviser. Purdue adds that prospective veterinary students typically take a bachelor's degree in animal science, biology, chemistry or zoology, but that no specific undergraduate major is required or preferred.
Qualifications and levels
- A bachelor's degree with a pre-vet track: the usual route. Students choose a science major and add the prerequisite courses. At Arcadia University, pre-health advisers guide students in completing the courses recommended for admission into medicine, dentistry and veterinary medicine programmes.
- An associate degree for transfer: community colleges teach the first two years. North Idaho College awards an associate's degree with an area of emphasis in Pre-Veterinary Medicine, which normally fulfils the first half of a bachelor's degree. The college notes that acceptance into veterinary school is normally not gained until a bachelor's programme is completed.
- The professional degree: the DVM follows. Purdue describes veterinary school as a four-year programme in two phases, pre-clinical and clinical, and the BLS notes that students typically spend the final year in clinical rotations.
Getting into veterinary school
Admission is competitive. Purdue states that most veterinary schools expect a minimum grade point average of around 3.2 to 3.75 or higher. Standardised tests depend on the school: many do not require one, while others require the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). Applicants should also show hands-on experience with animals, for example in veterinary practices, animal shelters, research laboratories or on farms, and provide letters of recommendation and a personal statement.
Most applications go through the Veterinary Medical College Application Service (VMCAS), which lets applicants apply to several schools at once. Applications are made about a year ahead: the VMCAS cycle for 2027 entry closed on 15 September 2026. The Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges also publishes a directory of US, Canadian and international veterinary schools with their prerequisites, tuition and tests.
Place of residence can matter. North Idaho College explains that Idaho and Washington have an agreement that guarantees a number of places at the Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine to qualified Idaho residents. International students should ask each veterinary school whether it accepts applicants from abroad before choosing a pre-vet college.
Where to study pre-veterinary medicine
SpainExchange lists 29 active schools for pre-veterinary medicine, all in the United States. They include community colleges such as North Idaho College and universities such as Arcadia University, The Ohio State University and Purdue University, which has its own College of Veterinary Medicine. Teaching is in English.
When comparing schools, ask about pre-vet advising, access to animals and laboratories, and links with veterinary schools. The BLS notes that some veterinary colleges prefer candidates who have studied agriculture or have experience working with animals on a farm, at a stable or in an animal shelter.
Careers
Pre-vet alone does not qualify anyone to practise. After the DVM, veterinarians must be licensed: in all states they must complete an accredited veterinary programme and pass a qualifying exam. Veterinarians care for pets, livestock, zoo animals and laboratory animals, and most work in private clinics and hospitals.
The BLS counted 91,100 jobs for veterinarians in the United States in 2025 and projects employment growth of 9 percent from 2025 to 2035, which it rates as much faster than average. Students who decide against the full route can use the same science courses for related work; Purdue's advising page also points to veterinary nursing.
Frequently asked questions
Is pre-vet a degree?
Usually not. It is a track of prerequisite courses and advising taken within a bachelor's degree. Some community colleges award an associate degree with a pre-veterinary emphasis for transfer to a university.
Which major should a pre-vet student choose?
No specific major is required or preferred, according to the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine. Animal science, biology, chemistry and zoology are typical choices.
Do I need the GRE for veterinary school?
It depends on the school. Many veterinary schools do not require a standardised test, while others require the GRE.
How long does it take to become a veterinarian in the United States?
Typically a bachelor's degree followed by a veterinary programme that generally takes 4 years, and then the licensing exam.