Application Information

Pre-High School

Interested pre-high school students are encouraged to talk with their local veterinarians about volunteer or work opportunities and to develop strong academic skills in all coursework—especially math and science courses.

High School

Focused preparation for entering veterinary school can begin as early as high school. Students should take as many science classes (e.g. biology, chemistry, physics) as possible to prepare them for college courses. In addition, hours gained working or volunteering with a veterinarian will count towards the hours of veterinary experience necessary to qualify for admission.

Prerequisite Courses

A variety of college-level prerequisite courses must be completed before enrolling in the DVM program. These courses include biology, chemistry, physics, and humanities courses. Relevant AP (Advanced Placement) or IB (International Baccalaureate) credits reflected on a college transcript will be accepted in fulfillment of prerequisites. Prerequisite courses must be completed by June 15, prior to entry into the DVM program in the fall.

More information on the prerequisite courses for the Auburn University DVM program

Academic Requirements

The minimum acceptable grade for required courses is a C-minus. If a course is repeated for a higher grade, both grades will factor into our overall grade point average (GPA) calculations. All coursework completed at any college or university will be used to calculate the applicant’s cumulative GPA. This includes dual enrollment credits earned in high school.

Alabama and Kentucky residents must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.50 on a 4.00 scale. At-large applicants (those who are not Alabama or Kentucky residents) must have a 3.00 GPA on a 4.00 scale.

Experience Working with Veterinarians

In addition to completing the required pre-veterinary courses, students are required to work with one or more veterinarians to learn about the career opportunities and responsibilities within the profession. A minimum number of hours of experience is necessary to qualify for admission. Access the Auburn VMCAS page for up-to-date information.

Applying to the Program

VMCAS

All applications must be submitted through the Veterinary Medical College Application Service (VMCAS). Please pay careful attention to the application deadline as late applications will NOT be accepted by Auburn University.

Graduate Records Examination (GRE)

The GRE is not used to assess applicants for admission to Auburn’s DVM program.

Letters of Recommendation

Three letters of recommendation are required and must be submitted through VMCAS. One must be from a veterinarian. The other two should come from an employer (may be second veterinarian but does not have to be) and from a professor or advisor who is familiar with your academic work.

Transcripts

Transcripts from all colleges where academic credit was earned, including dual enrollment during high school, must be submitted through VMCAS.

Application Processing Fee

An application processing fee must be submitted through AUCVM’s website. The link to pay the fee is available through the VMCAS application. Applications will not be processed until the processing fee is received.

Interviews

Qualified applicants will be invited to a 30-minute virtual interview with members of the Admissions Committee. The purpose of this interview is to optimize the committee’s understanding of the applicant’s communication skills, depth and breadth of experience working with veterinarians and professional potential.

Evaluation of Applicants

Auburn University has a three part admission procedure which entails an objective evaluation (academic credentials), a subjective review (personal credentials & work experience with animals), and a personal interview.

Applications are evaluated based on academic record and experience. Four GPAs will be calculated: an overall GPA combining all college-level coursework completed at every institution attended; a science GPA which will include science core and elective courses; a GPA combining organic chemistry, biochemistry, and physics; and a trend GPA over the most recent 60 credits completed. Plus and minus grades are rounded to the full letter grade (an A- is calculated as an A, a B+ as a B, etc.).

CASPer Assessment

All applicants applying to the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) program, at Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine are required to complete Acuity Insights Assessments for the 2023/2024 admissions cycle.

Acuity Insights Assessments is a standardized, multi-part online assessment that measures different competencies and attributes that we believe are important for successful students and graduates of our program. These assessments will complement the other tools that we use for applicant review and evaluation. In implementing Acuity Insights Assessments, we are trying to further enhance fairness and objectivity in our selection process. 

Acuity Insights Assessments consists of:

  • Casper: 90-110 minute online, open-response situational judgment test

How to complete the assessments

In order to take the assessments, you will be responsible for securing access to a laptop or desktop computer with webcam and audio capabilities and a reliable internet connection with an internet speed of at least 1.5 Mbps and upload speed of at least 2 Mbps. You will require the following for both account creation and completing Acuity Insights Assessments::

  • Government-issued photo ID (English/French) for account validation
  • Valid email address (the same one you will use to submit your application)
  • Desktop or laptop computer
  • Working webcam
  • Working microphone
  • Reliable high-speed internet connection
  1. Please go to www.acuityinsights.app to sign up for Acuity Insights Assessments for CSP-10101 – U.S. Professional Health Sciences, under your specific country, and register using your VMCAS ID and a government-issued photo ID. 
  2. Select a Casper test date. You will be provided with a limited number of testing dates and times, which have been pre-arranged/approved by your program(s) in accordance with their admissions timelines. Please note that these are the only testing dates available for your Casper test based on your program selection(s). There will be no additional tests scheduled. Please use an email address that you check regularly and that you have used for your application; there may be updates to the test schedule.

    Important:  To account for identity verification and payment processing timelines, ensure that you register for your test at least 3 days before your preferred test date and time. Last-minute bookings are not recommended.

  3. Ensure you have selected Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine for distribution before the posted distribution deadline. Likely, there will be no additional tests scheduled, but the most up-to-date information can be found by browsing the Test Dates and Times on acuityinsights.app.
  4. Please direct any inquiries on Acuity Insights Assessments to support@acuityinsights.app. Alternatively, you may use the chat bubble in the bottom right corner of your screen on the acuityinsights.app website.

Accommodations: Applicants requiring testing accommodations to complete their Acuity Insights Assessments should submit an Initial Request Form (Part 1 and 2) at least four (4) weeks prior to their scheduled Casper test date. More information regarding the accommodations policy can be found in this help article here.

Completion of Prerequisites

Any prerequisite courses which are in progress or which the student plans to take in the spring following submission of their application should be listed in VMCAS. Courses must be completed before June 15th prior to entry into the DVM program in the fall.

More information on the prerequisite courses for the Auburn University DVM program

Kentucky Residents

Please contact the Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority (KHEAA) before October 1 to document your Kentucky residency. If you have questions, please contact the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education (KCPE) at 502-573-1555.

Apply for the Veterinary Contract Spaces program

Accepted Students

Applicants who are offered admission are required to submit the official application for admission and Auburn University application fee. Additional information will be provided at the appropriate time.