Pre-Veterinary

Program Overview

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Pre-Veterinary

Overview

The program of study for pre-vet students is designed to meet the entrance requirements of veterinary schools in the U.S. and abroad, and provides opportunities for valuable “hands-on” experience with animals. A student can major in any discipline, and as long as the entrance requirements for veterinary school are met, the student could be admitted to veterinary school. However, without animal experience, acceptance into vet school is more difficult. To help students get this important animal experience, our program encourages students to participate in experiential learning opportunities in classes, labs, internships, research, and practicums. We have a solid record of success with our undergraduate students who persist in their goal of gaining admission into veterinary school.

Mission

The mission of the St. Andrews Pre-Veterinarian program is to prepare students with the knowledge and skills necessary to gain acceptance in a veterinary school of their choice and to later excel in this field as a professional. This begins with a strong foundation in the sciences, which emphasizes the theoretical, conceptual, and experimental basis of these fields. This knowledge is the cornerstone for future success in every veterinary school. In addition, St. Andrews cultivates the less challenging field of veterinary science. Through a distinctive, well-rounded liberal education, and the numerous opportunities beyond the classroom such as internships and study abroad, St. Andrews students develop invaluable characteristics such as community awareness, creativity, and problem-solving abilities.

Possible Program of Study

Pre-Vet is not defined as a separate field of study, nor is it restricted to a single, specific major at St. Andrews. The majority of students in the pre-vet program usually major in Biology, but the completion of other majors does not exclude a student from successfully applying to a veterinary program. Students interested in becoming a veterinarian first discuss this career choice with the pre-vet advisor. They learn what the minimal and recommended requirements are for admission in a veterinary program, from course work to national exams. In consultation with the advisor, they choose a major and plan out their course work each semester to meet the goals of preparing for the specific veterinary schools of their choice, in addition to completing the major and general education requirements. Throughout their first four years at St. Andrews, the student will also discuss various opportunities with their advisor, such as internships, and important deadlines for national exams and applications.

Basic Science Courses

• Biology:
  • BIO 201 Concepts in Biology I
  • BIO 204 Concepts in Biology II
  • BIO 327 Genetics Total: 11 credits
• Chemistry:
  • CHE 210 & 210L Essential Concepts of Chemistry
  • CHE 220 Intro to Organic Chemistry
  • CHE 350 Organic Chemistry II
  • CHE 215 & 215L Introduction to Structural Inorganic Chemistry with lab Total: 14 credits
• Math:
  • MAT 225 Introductory Statistics
  • MAT 221 Calculus I Total: 8 credits
• Physics:
  • PHY 201 University Physics I
  • PHY 202 University Physics II
  • PHY 211 General Physics I
  • PHY 212 General Physics II Total: 8 credits
• Social and Behavioral Science:
  • Vet School requires at least two courses. Suggested courses include:
    • ACC 201 Accounting I
    • BUS 301 Business Law Total: 6 credits

Recommended Courses

• Biology:
  • BIO 221 Anatomy and Physiology
  • BIO 366 Animal Physiology
  • BIO 353 Zoology
  • BIO 365 Microbiology Total: 12 credits
• Chemistry:
  • CHE 365 Biochemistry I: Biomolecules Total: 3 credits

Veterinary Question and Answer

Question: Is pre-vet a major?

Answer: The program of study for pre-vet students is designed to meet the entrance requirements of veterinary schools in the U.S. and abroad, and provides opportunities for valuable “hands-on” experience with animals. A student can major in any discipline, and as long as the entrance requirements for veterinary school are met, the student could be admitted to veterinary school. However, without animal experience, acceptance into vet school is more difficult. To help students get this important animal experience, our program encourages students to participate in experiential learning opportunities in classes, labs, internships, research, and practicums. We have a solid record of success with our undergraduate students who persist in their goal of gaining admission into veterinary school.

Question: In addition to enrolling in an appropriate plan of study what else is necessary to gain admission to vet-school?

Answer: College students must perform well in coursework (get good grades in a rigorous program of study) and obtain practical experience with animals. This could be under the direction of a veterinarian, in an area research lab or working in one of our equestrian facilities. In addition, some schools require the GRE so individual vet schools need to be consulted.

Question: What classes should I take in high school to prepare myself for the pre-vet option?

Answer: Take as many science and math courses as your school allows, these can include biology, chemistry, physics, physiology, algebra, trigonometry, and calculus. In addition, take courses that provide writing experience and also take at least three years of one foreign language. In general, the better the academic background a student has, the better prepared s/he is for success at St. Andrews and beyond.

Question: Do Advanced Placement (AP) classes help?

Answer: Yes, AP classes in almost any subject help. Taking AP classes in the kinds of classes listed above will provide you with an excellent background in those subjects. AP classes in other subjects, such as history, language, and English will also give you good background for general education classes at St. Andrews. Achieving a good score on AP tests can allow you to meet specific course credits at St. Andrews, and allow for greater flexibility in course scheduling. A word of caution…some veterinary programs do not accept AP credit in required courses. If you pass the AP exam, check with your pre-vet advisor to determine if accepting the AP credit is appropriate for you.

Question: What are my chances for getting into vet school?

Answer: The chance of successfully getting into a vet school depends on a number of factors and the weight put on these factors varies from school to school.

• It is important to make sure you are a resident of a state that has a vet school or a state that has a contract with another vet school to accept students. Veterinary schools almost all limit enrollment to students in one of these two situations.
• Most of the veterinary schools will give you the formula they use to evaluate students. Some schools use a point system and by adding up the points for experiences like military service, working in a veterinary hospital, etc., you can figure out how your experience will affect your chances. The rest of the weight is usually on degrees obtained, grade point average, standardized testing, recommendations, and a personal statement.
• At many vet schools, persistence will work in your favor, too. Applying more than once or twice does show a strong desire to get in, especially if combined with some sort of coursework to improve grade point average or to get a degree in a related field.
• Contacting the college with a veterinary school that accepts students from the state you are in is the first step. For a list of accredited veterinary schools go to the American Veterinary Medical Association website at www.avma.org.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

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Overview:

The Pre-Veterinary program at St. Andrews University is designed to prepare students for admission to veterinary schools in the United States and abroad. The program provides a strong foundation in the sciences, emphasizes hands-on experience with animals, and cultivates essential characteristics such as community awareness, creativity, and problem-solving abilities.

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Objectives:

• Meet the entrance requirements of veterinary schools
• Gain valuable hands-on experience with animals
• Develop a strong foundation in the sciences
• Cultivate essential characteristics for success in the veterinary field

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Program Description:

The Pre-Veterinary program is not a separate field of study but rather a tailored plan of study that meets the requirements for admission to veterinary schools. Students can major in any discipline, but the majority typically choose Biology. The program emphasizes experiential learning opportunities through classes, labs, internships, research, and practicums.

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Outline:

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Content:

• Basic Science Courses: Biology, Chemistry, Math, Physics
• Social and Behavioral Science Courses: Accounting, Business Law
• Recommended Courses: Anatomy and Physiology, Animal Physiology, Zoology, Microbiology, Biochemistry

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Structure:

• Students work closely with a pre-vet advisor to plan their coursework and meet the requirements of specific veterinary schools.
• The program encourages participation in experiential learning opportunities throughout the four years of undergraduate study.

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Course Schedule:

• The course schedule is tailored to meet the requirements of individual veterinary schools and the student's chosen major.
• Students are advised to consult with their pre-vet advisor for specific course recommendations.

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Individual Modules:

• The program does not have specific modules but rather a flexible plan of study that allows students to customize their coursework based on their interests and career goals.

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Assessment:

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Assessment Methods:

• Coursework grades
• Performance in experiential learning opportunities
• National exams (e.g., GRE)
• Personal statement
• Letters of recommendation

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Assessment Criteria:

• Academic performance
• Hands-on experience with animals
• Communication skills
• Problem-solving abilities
• Commitment to the veterinary profession

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Teaching:

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Teaching Methods:

• Lectures
• Labs
• Experiential learning opportunities
• Research projects
• Internships

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Faculty:

• The program is supported by experienced faculty in the sciences, veterinary science, and other relevant fields.

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Unique Approaches:

• The program emphasizes hands-on experience with animals through internships, research, and practicums.
• Students have access to the university's equestrian facilities and other animal care resources.
• The program fosters a close-knit community of pre-vet students and provides support and guidance throughout their undergraduate journey.

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Careers:

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Potential Career Paths:

• Veterinarian
• Veterinary technician
• Animal researcher
• Animal welfare advocate
• Veterinary pharmaceutical sales representative

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Opportunities:

• The program prepares students for admission to veterinary schools, which opens up a wide range of career opportunities in the veterinary field.
• Graduates are well-prepared for careers that involve working with animals, conducting research, or advocating for animal welfare.

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Outcomes:

• The program has a solid record of success with undergraduate students gaining admission to veterinary schools.
• Graduates are highly sought after by employers in the veterinary field due to their strong academic foundation and practical experience.