Thinking of Veterinary School? Some answers to frequently asked questions for prospective preveterinary students at Cornell University:

• Which college should I enroll in?
• What should I major in?
• What courses should I take?
• What kind of education prepares me for becoming a veterinarian?
• What kinds of animal care-related experience do I need?
• What percentage of Cornell students get accepted to vet school?
• What is the Double Registration Program?
• What help does Cornell give health careers students?

Which College Should I Enroll In? 
 
A student in any undergraduate college at Cornell may enroll in the courses required for entry into veterinary college. Cornell undergraduate applicants to veterinary school are enrolled primarily in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences with a few in the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Human Ecology, and the College of Engineering. The appropriate choice depends to a great extent on the student's other academic and career interests. Students contemplating application to Cornell for preveterinary education should consult the university's publications for information about the seven colleges at Cornell, admission requirements, majors, course descriptions, and financial aid.

What Should I Major In?

Veterinary schools do not require or recommend any particular undergraduate major course of study. Cornell does not have a preveterinary major or formalized academic program. There is no evidence that admissions committees of veterinary colleges give special consideration to any particular undergraduate education beyond satisfactory completion of the required undergraduate courses; for this reason you are encouraged to pursue your own intellectual interest in an academic major.

For example, a student might major in animal sciences, biological sciences, natural resources, or food science in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. But a student might just as well elect a major in biology or history in the College of Arts and Sciences or biology and society in the College of Human Ecology. You complete the preprofessional core of courses while at the same time receiving a broad education, and exploring other interests and careers. In this way, you leave open the option of pursuing an alternative career. You are also more likely to succeed at and benefit from subjects that interest and stimulate you.

What Courses Should I Take? 
 
Veterinary schools, while not requiring or recommending any particular major course of study, do require that a particular selection of undergraduate courses be completed. Listed below are the minimum course requirements for admission to the College of Veterinary Medicine at Cornell University: 

In discussing science courses required for entry to veterinary school, it is easy to lose sight of the fact that these are only a part of the total educational picture that veterinary schools consider. While it is generally agreed that an applicant must be able to perform well in science, to think like a scientist, and even to enjoy science in order to be a competent veterinarian, it also is widely accepted that being an educated person with broad appreciation of human nature and human achievement is equally important to the veterinarian, not only for his or her practice and personal life, but also for intellectual maturity. 

What Kinds of Animal Care-Related Experience Do I Need?

Veterinary medicine is an animal-oriented profession. Therefore, your experiences working with animals and your understanding of the veterinary profession are viewed by the admissions committee as an important consideration in the selection process. Such experience could involve breeding, rearing, feeding, and showing various kinds of animals including companion animals, livestock, laboratory animals, zoo animals, or wildlife. You should be prepared to present evidence of hands-on experience with animals and sufficient contact with the veterinary profession so that the admissions committee can determine that you have some understanding of the duties and responsibilities of a practitioner and the scope of veterinary medicine. 

What Percentage of Cornell Students are Accepted to Veterinary Schools?

For the classes entering the College of Veterinary Medicine at Cornell University for the past three years, 25 to 30 members of the class were from Cornell.

No figures are available for Cornell students accepted at veterinary schools other than Cornell.

What is the Double Registration Program?

The double registration program between Cornell University and the College of Veterinary Medicine at Cornell is approved for students in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. It enables a qualified student to save one year in his/her pursuit of the Bachelor and D.V.M. degrees. The program is intended for students who have been admitted to the College of Veterinary Medicine after completing three years of undergraduate work and who have made sufficient progress on the Bachelor's Degree requirements. Certain courses taken in the College of Veterinary Medicine can be used to complete those requirements. An outline of the policies and procedures is available from the Health Careers Program, University Career Center, 103 Barnes Hall. 

What Help Does Cornell Give Health Careers Students?

The Health Careers Program is located in the University Career Center in 103 Barnes Hall. It provides informational programs, library resources, orientations, counseling, and advising for students, and distributes The Cornell University Preveterinary Guide.

Members of the Health Careers Advising Network are also available for advising: