Admissions

“Due to many colleges shifting to pass/fail online instruction only during Spring 2020, the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine will consider prerequisite courses to be acceptable if completed in Spring 2020 with a Passing grade (in place of the usually-required letter grade).”

The selection of students is a three-phase process, usually completed by late-February in the year of matriculation. All applications are screened initially to ensure they meet minimum standards.

PHASE ONE – COGNITIVE EVALUATION

The initial applicant assessment ranks all qualified applicants (over 2000 in 2021-2022) numerically according to a composite score derived from the Cumulative and VMCAS Science Grade Point Averages, and the GRE percentile score (if the student chooses to take the GRE and shares scores).

PHASE TWO – NON-COGNITIVE EVALUATION

The second phase of the assessment process is a non-academic evaluation by the Admissions Advisory Committee. Each application is read by members of the Committee who have not seen the Phase One information. Committee members reading applications evaluate the Veterinary Medical College Application Service (VMCAS) application and the additional Illinois questions embedded in the VMCAS application. The non-academic score is determined by the following factors:

• VMCAS personal essay
• Veterinary-related experience
• Animal-related experience
• Other experiences (research, international studies, business, agribusiness, other careers before application)
• Special recognition (academic, personal, or professional)
• Community service/citizenship
• Leadership
• Electronic Letters of Reference (ELOR)

PHASE THREE – INTERVIEW

• Approximately 400 applicants (approximately 150 Illinois residents and 250 non-residents) will be offered a personal interview to be scheduled in February.

All applicants will interview on one single day with a team of interviewers. Each team is comprised of a college faculty member, a graduated veterinarian alumnus/alumna, and a third or fourth year veterinary student. A behavior-based interview style is used to assess skills, knowledge, attitudes, and aptitudes pertinent to successful completion of the curriculum and a successful future as a practicing veterinarian. Phase I scoring is not considered in the final ranking.

Final scores for ranking eligibility for admission are derived as follows:

• Phase Two score = 75% of final decision
• Phase Three score = 25% of final decision