For Students Interested in Becoming Veterinarians
Veterinarians provide health care for both small and large animals, conduct research and work in government and other public agencies. Preparation for veterinary medicine should begin in both high school and college with a solid foundation in the biological and physical sciences, as well as a general knowledge in the arts, social sciences, humanities and communications. Students should also be motivated by a sincere concern for animal and human populations, a desire to serve the public, and a genuine interest in the medical field.
Most schools of veterinary medicine require a basic science curriculum for admission. UNO does not offer a veterinary medicine program, but Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine (ISU) and the University of Nebraska –Lincoln (UNL) Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources developed a cooperative agreement in veterinary medical education. Students are strongly encouraged to choose a major of choice and complete that coursework while simultaneously completing the pre-veterinary coursework, as ISU seeks students with diverse backgrounds and encourages them to enroll in a major that meets their interests and goals.
For further information on this cooperative agreement, please contact Kathy Kuehl by phone at 515.294.6808, or by email at kkuehl@iastate.edu.
Pre-Veterinary Medicine Requirement Information
All applicants must complete the courses below or their equivalents. All but two of the required science courses must be completed by the end of the fall term in which the applicant applies. Up to two required science courses may be taken the spring term prior to matriculation.
Other non-science required courses must be completed by the end of the spring term prior to matriculation.
- A "C-minus" or lower is not acceptable.
- Required courses must be taken from an accredited college or university on a graded A·F basis.
- No required course may be taken under the Pass/Not Pass or Satisfactory/Fail grading systems or similar options.
Veterinary Advance Placement (AP) and College Level Examination Program (CLEP)
If an applicant wishes to use AP or CLEP credits to fulfill a required course, these credits must be documented by original scores submitted to the College of Veterinary Medicine and must meet Iowa State University's minimum requirement in the appropriate subject area. CLEP credits may be accepted only for arts, humanities and social sciences.
Veterinary Graduate Record Exam (GRE)
The Graduate Record Exam General Test is required for application to the College of Veterinary Medicine. All applicants are required to take or retake the GRE which includes the analytical writing assessment.
Official scores must be received by October 31.
Applicants should send their GRE scores directly to the College of Veterinary Medicine.
The GRE code for the College of Veterinary Medicine at Iowa State University is 6315.
Applying to Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine Nebraska Cooperative Program
The Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine (ISU) and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources (UNL) developed a cooperative agreement in veterinary medical education. Under this program, 25 Nebraska resident students who are admitted to ISU will enroll and complete the first two years of the veterinary curriculum at UNL and the last two years at ISU.
The 25 Nebraska resident students will pay ISU resident veterinary tuition for all four years of matriculation with the tuition for the first two years paid to UNL and for the last two years to ISU.
Nebraska students who wish to participate in this program must apply to Iowa State University in the fall prior to the year of entry.
The following steps are required:
• Apply to Iowa State University through the regular application process. All applications must be received by October 1 (for admission the following fall semester)
• Complete the Nebraska Resident Certification Form. These forms must be received at UNL by October 1st.
Pre-Veterinary Medicine Pre-Requisite Information
Pre-veterinary students are strongly encouraged to complete a Bachelor's degree before enrolling in the College of Veterinary Medicine, however, a Bachelor's degree is not required for admission. Applicants must complete the specified prerequisite courses only at a regionally accredited college or university to fulfill the academic requirements. The student must complete:
• All pre-veterinary requirements (40 credits) by the end of the fall semester in the year in which they file an application for admission
• A minimum of 60 semester credits by the end of spring term of the year in which the applicant seeks to be admitted to the College of Veterinary Medicine
• The courses listed below --these are the minimum required for entry into the College of Veterinary Medicine professional curriculum. Credits earned must be equivalent to ISU Sem-hr.