Procedure for Evaluation of Applicants & Selection Process

While the actual procedure may vary each year, applicants are evaluated academically and non academically through a holistic review. All Missouri residents and selected out-of-state residents will be interviewed and given a nonacademic score by the Admissions Committee. Factors included in selection of out of state applicants for interviews and full scoring include GPA, course load, veterinary and animal experience, leadership experience, diversity and life experience, and the like. Admissions decisions are made based on both academic (40%) and nonacademic (60%) scores.

Academic Evaluation

An academic score will be assigned to each student by using cumulative grade point average, the last three full-time semesters grade point average while working toward an undergraduate degree, (summer not included) and average undergraduate course load. Cumulative GPA must be at least 3.00/4.00. Grades for repeated courses are averaged for calculation of GPA. The academic score will constitute 40 percent of the total score.

Non Academic Evaluation

Each Missouri resident and select out of state applicants will be scored by the Admissions Committee based upon non academic factors. The committee will evaluate the following:

• Motivation and concepts of the veterinary profession
• Animal/medical/biomedical research/public health experience (a higher value will be assigned to observation or experience with a veterinarian than with a non-veterinarian)
• Communication skills
• Leadership
• Extracurricular activities
• Work experience (while enrolled in school)
• Diversity and life experience
• Overall Impression

The non academic calculation will constitute 60 percent of the total score.

The Admissions Committee will consider and reward all experiences with the understanding that the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted opportunities.

Six Year Academic Elimination Option

Applicants may elect to have all courses taken and grades received prior to and including spring semester 2018 ignored in the academic evaluation. If the applicant elects to eliminate courses and grades six or more years old, the required 60 semester hours of academic credit and all required courses (10 semester credit hours of physical science, etc.), including at least three semesters as a full-time undergraduate student, must have been taken within the past six years prior to application. Repeating courses previously taken is not required or recommended. New courses that will fulfill course category requirements are preferred. If the applicant elects to eliminate courses and grades more than six years old, another evaluation using all courses and grades will not be done during the same year of application as part of the same application evaluation.

Personal Interviews

Missouri residents who meet admissions requirements, present a complete and verified application, including verification of residency if required, are invited to interview. Missouri resident interviews are held January through February.

Notification of Selection

All necessary information to prepare for entering the College of Veterinary Medicine is mailed to accepted students either at the time of notification of acceptance or before the beginning of the fall session.

Each accepted applicant is required to sign a statement agreeing to accept a position in the class and to send a check for $500, which is applied toward first semester fees, by 5:00 PM, April 15.

Questions regarding admissions can be sent to:

Kathy Seay
Admissions Manager
W-203 Veterinary Medicine Building
University of Missouri-Columbia
Columbia, MO 65211
E-mail: VetAdmissions@missouri.edu
Phone: (573) 884-3341
FAX: (573) 884-5044