Program Overview

Admissions Information

Eligibility Criteria

• All candidates must have completed a minimum of 60 college credit hours from an accredited institution with a minimum overall GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. All course grades will be used in the calculation of the overall GPA including any repeated courses and graduate courses.
• Prospective international students must show proof of English language proficiency according to the Rowan University English Language Policy.

Important Considerations

• A baccalaureate degree is not required for admission, but most successful candidates will have completed an undergraduate degree prior to matriculation.
• No minimum number of hours of documented animal or veterinary experience is required. However, it is strongly recommended that applicants have a demonstrated understanding of the veterinary profession and evidence of exposure to varied animal and veterinary experiences.
• Standardized tests such as the Graduate Record Exam (GRE), the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), and the CASPer test are not required for admissions and will not be evaluated during admission decisions.

Prerequisites

• The following courses must be completed prior to matriculation. A maximum of two prerequisite courses may be in progress at the time of application but must be completed and transcripts submitted prior to July 31st of the year of planned matriculation.
• Applicants must have received a minimum of C- or equivalent grade in all prerequisite courses to fulfill these requirements.
• Online courses that meet all prerequisite standards will be accepted. If a laboratory component is required, it must be completed in-person. This means it was taken in a laboratory setting with an instructor present. At-home laboratory kits are not considered to be in-person and do not meet this requirement.

Prerequisite Courses

• English or Writing-Intensive courses (6 semester credit hours)
  • Advanced placement (AP) credit is accepted for up to 3 credit hours, but one college-level course on composition or technical writing is required.
• Math (3 semester credit hours)
  • The math requirement may be satisfied with 3 credits of a Calculus I or higher-level math course, a statistics course, or a physics course.
• General Biology (6 semester credit hours)
  • Two semester courses in general biology or the equivalent, each with an in-person laboratory component.
• Microbiology (3 semester credit hours)
  • A one-semester course with or without a laboratory component meets the minimum requirement.
• Upper-Level Biology (6 semester credit hours)
  • Two upper-level biology courses (300-level or above) are required. Suggested subjects include anatomy, cell biology, immunology, neuroscience, physiology, virology, or zoology. Courses must meet the requirements for transfer to Rowan University at the 300-level or above to qualify.
• Genetics (3 semester credit hours)
  • This course must include both Mendelian and molecular genetics.
• General Chemistry (6 semester credit hours)
  • Two semester courses in chemistry each with an in-person laboratory component is required.
• Organic Chemistry (4 semester credit hours)
  • A one-semester course in organic chemistry with an in-person laboratory component is required.
• Biochemistry (3 semester credit hours)
  • A one-semester course with or without a laboratory component meets the minimum requirement.
• Social Science or Humanities (6 semester credit hours)

Selection Process

• Stage 1: Verification of Application Information
• Stage 2: Application Review
  • Academic Performance (35 points)
    • Overall GPA
    • Prerequisite GPA
    • Last 45-hour GPA
  • Non-Academic Performance (65 points)
    • Personal statements
    • Letters of reference - three required; one preferably from a veterinarian
    • Understanding of the profession including breadth and depth of animal and veterinary experiences
    • Awards and achievements
    • Community service
    • Experiences outside veterinary medicine
• Stage 3: Interview (25 points)
  • Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) format
  • Conducted virtually
• Stage 4: Final Ranking
  • Candidates that complete Stage 3 will advance to Stage 4 and receive a final score based on the sum of scores from the application review and interview.

Financial Preparation

• Pursuing a DVM degree is a professional, personal, and financial investment.
• Adhering to Rowan University’s strategic pillars of affordability and quality, Shreiber School of Veterinary Medicine is committed to delivering a high value educational experience.
• Scholarships will be available via a competitive application process to help reduce the student educational costs.

Residency Information

• SSVM welcomes applications for admission from both in-state and out-of-state applicants.
• Applicants to SSVM should only indicate on the application that they are New Jersey residents if they can show evidence of domicile in New Jersey for at least twelve months preceding enrollment.

State Licensure

• Veterinarians practicing in the State of New Jersey apply for their license through the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners.
• For veterinarians seeking to work in another state, the appropriate page on that state's Board of Veterinary Medicine website will provide more specific detail on that process.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What non-academic qualities are you looking for in a candidate?
• Do I need a bachelor’s degree to apply for the veterinary program?
• How do I apply for your program?
• How many students will you accept into your program?
• Are you requiring any standardized tests (eg. GRE) to apply?
• What academic metrics will you be evaluating during the admissions process?
• Do all prerequisites have to be completed before I apply?
• Do you accept online courses/labs?
• Will you be conducting in-person admissions interviews?
• Can I book an appointment to discuss my application?
• Are you offering tours of your facilities?
• How much will tuition cost for your program?
• If I was enrolled in another veterinary program but did not complete it, can I apply to your DVM program?
• Which transcripts do I need to submit?