Pre-Veterinary Medicine

Course Requirements

General veterinary school course requirements include:

  • Two semesters of general biology with laboratories
  • Two semesters of general chemistry with laboratories
  • Two semesters of organic chemistry with laboratories
  • One semester of physics with laboratories
  • Two semesters of English
  • One Semester of calculus
  • One semester of biochemistry
  • One semester of animal nutrition (Required by some programs)
  • One semester of cell biology (Required by some programs)
  • Some programs require additional coursework, including genetics, anatomy and physiology and medical terminology.

Suggested coursework arrangement:

First semester

  • CHEM 1055 Principles of Chemistry I
  • FYS 1004 First-Year Seminar
  • BIO 1204 Integrated Concepts of Biology, Molecules and Cells

Second semester

  • CHEM 1065 Principles of Chemistry II
  • BIO 1206 Integrated Concepts of Biology: Organisms and Ecosystems
  • FYS 1104 First-Year Research Seminar

Third semester

  • CHEM 2155 Organic Chemistry I
  • MATH 1304 Calculus I

Fourth semester

  • CHEM 2165 Organic Chemistry II

Fifth semester

  • PHYS 2115 University Physics I

Sixth semester

  • CHEM 3084 Biochemistry

Kentucky residents will receive in-state tuition at both Auburn University and Tuskegee University. Students will need to contact the Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority (KHEAA) to verify their residency before Oct. 1.

Auburn University no longer requires the GRE exam, whereas Tuskegee University does still require the GRE for admission.

GRE

The GRE is generally taken in the summer after the third year in order to matriculate in the fall after graduation. 

The GRE tests the following subject areas:

  • Verbal reasoning
    • Sentence completion
    • Analogies
    • Antonyms
    • Reading comprehension
  • Quantitative reasoning
    • Arithmetic
    • Algebra
    • Geometry
    • Data analysis
    • Problem solving
    • Quantitative comparison
  • Analytical writing
    • Present your perspective on an issue
    • Analyze an argument

Competitive applicants

  • Overall GPA: 3.69
  • Science GPA (biology, chemistry, physics, math): 3.66
  • GRE overall score: 1129

Factors that increase competitiveness:

  • Community service/volunteer work
  • Experience in the field — quality of veterinary experience
  • Research
  • Leadership
  • Strong communication skills

Other important considerations: 

  • Auburn University requires 250 minimum hours of veterinary and animal experience
  • Some schools require the Casper Exam for admission
  • Pre-vet students can obtain observation hours by connecting with a mentor through Transy’s 100 Doors Program 

In-state tuition available for Kentucky residents at these schools: