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Animal Science, Pre-Veterinary Medicine Concentration, B.S.

The Animal Science, Pre-Veterinary Medicine Concentration major in the School of Agriculture prepares undergraduate students for admission into a professional Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program and lays the foundation for a successful career in veterinary science by equipping them with the knowledge and skills to:

• Demonstrate a strong understanding of core concepts in animal health, welfare, genetics, reproduction, nutrition, management, and the basic sciences.
• Analyze complex situations within the scope of companion and livestock animal species and synthesize applied strategies to address potential problems in the animal and veterinary science realms.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I become a veterinarian?

Becoming a veterinarian requires a complete commitment to your academics at the undergraduate level, especially in the sciences. You must be a hard worker in the classroom. It also requires balancing academics with pursuits outside the classroom, such as vet experience, leadership opportunities, and research experiences. Toward the end of your undergraduate pre-veterinary medicine program, you will start the application process for veterinary school admission. Acceptance into a professional DVM program is highly competitive, with acceptance rates in the U.S. typically around 10-15%. If accepted, you will complete a rigorous 4-year professional DVM curriculum and then successfully pass a board exam. After all this, you are now a veterinarian!

How long does it take to become a veterinarian?

Generally, it takes 7-8 years from the beginning of your undergraduate program to completion of the requirements for a DVM degree. For most students it takes 3-4 years to complete their undergraduate program, and then 4 years to complete the DVM program once accepted into a college of veterinary medicine.

How much does a veterinarian make?

The starting salary for a veterinarian is dependent on practice area of focus. Average starting salary for companion animal practice is $140,000, mixed practice is $112,000, food animal practice is $100,000, and equine practice is $95,000 (AVMA Census of Veterinarians, 2025). Salaries can exceed these for those who choose additional training to become a veterinary specialist. Average veterinary school debt is above $200,000.

What makes an applicant competitive for vet schools?

Although undergraduate GPA, and particularly science GPA, is the most important consideration for vet school admission, a competitive applicant must be as holistic as possible. Beyond good grades, you need experience volunteering or working with a veterinarian (the more hours the better!). You also need to immerse yourself in extracurricular activities and leadership opportunities, both at the university level and in the community. It is also advisable to take advantage of opportunities to gain undergraduate animal research experience.

How does animal science prepare me for vet school?

The Animal Science, Pre-Veterinary Medicine Concentration major is foundationally based in the animal sciences, with considerable additional courses in the basic sciences. Animal Science is the study of animals that impact humankind, including food, fiber, and companion animals. Animal science is by nature an applied, hands-on discipline. This makes it an ideal area in which to house pre-veterinary medicine. During your undergraduate program, you will learn about and be exposed to a variety of agricultural and companion animals. This is a distinct advantage for the Animal Science, Pre-Veterinary Medicine Concentration student when compared to students that don鈥檛 complete an animal science-based pre-vet curriculum.