Admissions Requirements
OVERVIEW OF COLLEGE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE APPLICATION PROCESS www.cvm.illinois.edu/asa/brochure Application process begins with completion of the VMCAS (Veterinary Medical Colleges Application Service) and the University of Illinois Supplemental Applications – both are available on-line between early June and the deadline of the first of October each year. See our Admissions Brochure on the web for prerequisite courses and other useful information. PHASE I – ACADEMIC EVALUATION The initial applicant assessment ranks all applicants (usually between 800 and 1000 students) numerically according to a composite score derived from their cumulative and science grade point averages, their graduate record examination score, and an evaluation of the rigor of their academic experience. Class of 2013 (entering August, 2009) Cumulative GPA = 3.60 Science GPA = 3.48 GRE Score = 63% (approximately 4.5 written, 520 verbal, 660 analytic sections) “Average” Rigor Points unavailable – points are awarded for earning an undergraduate degree or advanced degree, taking advanced science, etc. PHASE II – NON-ACADEMIC EVALUATION The second stage of the assessment process is a non-academic evaluation of the VMCAS Application and the College of Veterinary Medicine Supplemental Application by the Admissions Advisory Committee. Each pair of applications is read by three members of the Committee who have not seen the Phase I information or rankings. PHASE III – PERSONAL INTERVIEW At this stage there are 300 (125 to 130 Illinois applicants and 150 – 175 non-residents) students left in the pool and they are all offered a personal interview. We interview all 300 on the same day utilizing 20 – 25 teams of interviewers made up of a College faculty member, a third/fourth year student and a veterinarian. Final score for ranking eligibility for admission is derived as follows: (Phase I score is not considered as part of the final ranking) Phase II score = 75% of final decision Phase III score =25% of final decision 120 total seats available for each entering class 75 - 80% offered to Illinois residents (around 90 seats) 20 – 25% offered to non-residents (around 30 seats) |
Pre-Veterinary Education
All academic pre-requisites for admission must be completed at regionally accredited colleges and universities. Successful applicants come to us from a variety of undergraduate backgrounds that include large public or private institutions, small public or private schools, four year research oriented institutions and four year liberal arts settings. It is not uncommon for applicants to have earned credit (could be one course or two years of work) from a local community or junior college as part of their preparation.
Applicants complete their requirements for admission in a variety of curricula. The most prevalent areas of study for students who come to the professional D.V.M. program are animal science, biology, and chemistry. There is no requirement for completion of a “pre-veterinary major”. No particular curriculum (major) or institution of higher education confers an advantage in the admissions process.
Students are encouraged to choose an undergraduate program of study that is desirable to them and an institution that is a comfortable fit for this effort. A student should find challenge in their pre-veterinary education to prepare them for the rigor of the veterinary curriculum. It is imperative to have a good foundation in biological sciences and chemistry including a biochemistry course that builds on organic chemistry course work. The prerequisite course requirements listed in Plan A or Plan B are considered the minimum requirements for a sound knowledge base for success in the veterinary curriculum. Additional courses in areas such as advanced biology (i.e. anatomy, physiology, microbiology, cell biology, or genetics), business management or economics, animal nutrition, or food animal production are highly useful for all applicants.
Prerequisite Course Requirements
A minimum of a C- grade (or the equivalent) must be earned in each required prerequisite course. Proficiency or AP credit is allowed to meet the 8 semester hour Physics prerequisite requirement if a student is awarded the full 8 semester hours. Proficiency or AP credit is allowed for Biology and Chemistry if it is followed up by more advanced college-level courses in those science areas. All prerequisites taken after August 1996 must be graded, unless they are taken at an institution that does not award grades. Students who attend institutions that do not award grades will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
No more than two prerequisite courses may be incomplete (pending) following the fall term during which the application is submitted. Courses “in progress” during the fall term are not considered incomplete. Pending courses taken after the fall term (spring term) must be listed on the Planned Prerequisite Courses form in the VMCAS application. ALL PREREQUISITE course work must be completed by the end of the spring term prior to the fall term of matriculation to the College of Veterinary Medicine. All course work must be complete by the time of matriculation to the College of Veterinary Medicine. Offers of admission to applicants who fail to meet minimal advertised requirements in the time expected will be withdrawn.
Course Description for Prerequisite Courses
Biological sciences: These courses should emphasize the molecular basis for heredity, evolution, development, and the structure and function of cells, organisms, and populations. Additional course work in anatomy, physiology, microbiology, immunology, cell and molecular biology, advanced biology, and genetics is encouraged.
Chemistry: Laboratory work and familiarity with quantitative techniques are important aspects of this experience. The biochemistry course should have an organic chemistry pre-requisite and should emphasize the chemistry and metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, nucleic acids, vitamins, and coenzymes and their role in the regulation of cellular processes.
Physics: These courses should include the topics of mechanics, heat, sound, light, electricity, and magnetism, with appropriate laboratories.
FOR PLAN B:
English: The courses should emphasize and give practice in methods of exposition, argument, use of evidence, and style. One semester of speech communication may be substituted for a second semester of composition.
Humanities and social sciences: Courses in philosophy, psychology, sociology, history, fine arts, economics, foreign language, and related courses develop reasoning, problem-solving, and communication skills that are crucial to success in veterinary medicine.
Electives: Any additional upper-level (Jr., Sr. or graduate) science courses with some relevance to the veterinary curriculum will be beneficial to the student in both gaining admission and in furthering the understanding of the material presented in the professional curriculum.
Plan A: Applicants with a B.S. or B.A. degree in any major field of study from an accredited college or university may qualify for admission under Plan A. The following courses (equivalent in content to those required for students majoring in biological sciences) constitute the minimum knowledge base for the veterinary curriculum: *
a. Eight semester hours of biological sciences with laboratories.
b. Sixteen semester hours of chemical sciences, including biochemistry; inorganic and organic chemistry must have laboratories (a minimum of 3 semester hours of chemical science laboratories are required).
c. Eight semester hours of physics with laboratories.
Plan B: Individuals may apply without a B.S. or B.A. degree, but they are required to have at least 60 semester hours from an accredited college or university, including 44 hours of science courses. The minimum course requirements under Plan B are:
a. Eight semester hours of biological sciences with laboratories.
b. Sixteen semester hours of chemical sciences, including biochemistry; inorganic and organic chemistry must have laboratories (3 semester hours of chemical science laboratories are required).
c. Eight semester hours of physics with laboratories.
d. Three semester hours of English composition and an additional three hours of English composition and/or speech.
e. Twelve semester hours of humanities and/or social sciences.
f. Twelve semester hours of junior-/senior-level (or graduate-level) science courses in addition to the requirements listed above. These courses could include, but are not limited to, any of the following: advanced biology, anatomy, genetics, microbiology, physiology, zoology.
* These minimum requirements may qualify an applicant for consideration for admission to study veterinary medicine, but in no way reflect what is demonstrates as necessary to insure success in the rigorous veterinary curriculum. Students are encouraged to take as much science (particularly biological sciences) as possible prior to matriculation.
GRE
The standardized admissions test is the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test. Results of this test are required for the applicant to be considered for admission to the College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Illinois. Official standardized test scores from GRE must be sent to the University of Illinois electronically from the agency that administers the examination. The GRE code for the University of Illinois is 1836. The Veterinary Medicine department code is 0617.
The GRE is offered at various locations nationwide. The higher composite score of the two most recent examinations will be used. A test is valid when all three components are completed at the same time, and within two years of the application cycle. Applications submitted Fall 2009 require exam scores from tests completed September 1, 2007 - August 31, 2009. Results of this exam must be received no later than October 1 of the year you apply.
Information about the GRE is available from:
www.gre.org
Professional Examination Service
1440 Lower Ferry Road
Ewing Township
Trenton, NJ 08618-1497
609/771-7670
Selection Criteria
The Admissions Advisory Committee of the College of Veterinary Medicine will consider an application for initial review only if the applicant presents a minimum cumulative grade-point average of 2.75/4.0 (2.0 = C) and a minimum science grade-point average of 2.75/4.0 (2.0 = C) from all courses attempted by the end of the summer term preceding the admission deadline. No grade lower than C- will be accepted on required courses. Applicants who do not meet minimum prerequisite course requirements will not have their applications read or evaluated by the Admissions Advisory Committee.
Profile of Successful Candidates
Potential applicants should realize that science and cumulative grade-point averages below 3.0 (4.0 = A) will not be competitive. Fulfillment of only the minimum academic requirements is not sufficient to gain admission to the D.V.M. curriculum.
Recently, there have been three applicants for each resident position and 20 to 30 applicants for each non-resident position in the entering class. (Approximately 80 percent of the 120 openings in each class is reserved for resident applicants.) The mean grade-point average has been around 3.55 (4.0 = A) for successful resident applicants and 3.67 for successful non-resident applicants. The mean number of completed undergraduate hours completed has been close to that required for a B.S. degree. The number of applications and interest in admission to the profession is expected to remain steady. Thus, all applicants are encouraged to strive for high academic achievement from the very beginning of their undergraduate education.
Ranking Systems Used in Admissions Decisions
Applicants are ranked on an order of merit list system. The allocation of points is subject to change without notice. Applicants are evaluated for admission with a goal of selecting academically talented individuals who also possess some of the personal characteristics recently identified as defining successful veterinarians. Traits such as positive interpersonal skills, stress tolerance, a desire for achievement, independence, creativity, service orientation, being a problem solver or good decision maker are vital to success as a practicing D.V.M. and so they are considered very important to the selection process.
PHASE I
The initial applicant assessment ranks individuals numerically according to a composite score derived from their cumulative and science grade point averages, their graduate record examination score, and an evaluation of the rigor of their academic experience.
PHASE II
The second stage of the assessment process is a non-academic evaluation of the VMCAS Application and the College of Veterinary Medicine Supplemental Application by the Admissions Advisory Committee. The non-academic score is determined using the following factors: VMCAS Personal Statement, CVM Supplemental Personal Statement, veterinary related experience, animal related experience, other career experience (research, lab animal work, business experience, agribusiness experience, etc.), community service/citizenship, leadership, initiative/enterprising activities, any special recognitions (academic, personal or professional), and letters of reference.
At this junction a preliminary order of merit list is developed and a determination is made as to which applicants will be offered the opportunity for a personal interview. Once interviews are completed, the final, official, order of merit lists designate resident and non-resident applicants who will be offered admission.
Components of the Application
The word “science” in the course title does not mean the course will automatically be included in the science GPA. The decision is based on course content and the contribution the course would make in strengthening the scientific background of the applicant. Courses of a technical nature are unlikely to count in either the science or cumulative GPA. Any courses that count in the GPA must be capable of receiving transfer credit to the undergraduate or graduate programs at the University of Illinois. If there is a question about the transferability of a course, applicants should consult with the institution at which the course was taken and with the Office of Academic and Student Affairs in the College of Veterinary Medicine (217/333-1192).
The Personal Statement within the VMCAS application should be viewed as a first opportunity to tell the Admissions Advisory Committee about yourself. Committee members are interested in who you are beyond being a fine student and what driving force led you to decide you want to become a veterinarian. The statement should be carefully written and tightly constructed. In addition, Committee members would like to know what you have learned from your experiences with veterinarians and animals. We are sure you know a great deal about animal wellness and disease. You know the worst parts and the best parts about a career in veterinary medicine and you still have a passion for the profession. Tell the Committee why you feel this way.
The Personal Statement included in the College of Veterinary Medicine Supplementary Application will propose one question and ask for a succinct, clear response of no more than one page. This should not duplicate any part of the VMCAS application. You are encouraged to give sufficient thought to the content and construction of both statements.
No more than 5 letters of recommendation will be accepted and no less than 3. Additional letters sent to the College of Veterinary Medicine are not distributed to members of the Admissions Advisory Committee and play no role in the evaluation process. Letters should be written by individuals who can evaluate the applicant’s experience and ability relating to professional and scientific study. One letter should be from a college instructor or academic adviser. One letter should be from a veterinarian familiar with the student’s potential and motivation. The third letter may be from a second veterinarian or academician or from an individual who can objectively evaluate your potential and motivation. Letters from high school teachers or principals are discouraged, and letters from relatives or your family’s close friends are not acceptable.
NOTICE: All letters must be submitted with the VMCAS application.
Interviews
Success in the veterinary profession requires more than high academic achievement. It includes an ability to communicate effectively with others. The interview component of the application process helps in assessing communication skills and personal attributes that are difficult to evaluate by examination of academic transcripts and a formal application. An interview is mandatory to be offered admission. The applicant interview day includes a tour of the College and an opportunity to meet current students and faculty. Applicants being interviewed are strongly encouraged to fully participate in the activities of the day.
Offers of Admission
Offers of admission are based on the final order of merit list.
Transfer Requests
A new transfer application will be posted January 2010 for entrance Fall 2010 into the second year class if positions are available.