Selection Process

Academic Performance

The Selections Committee uses a point system to evaluate applicants for admission to the DVM Professional Program. Academic performance is heavily weighted because it is a predictor of academic success, as well as being a reflection of the applicant’s work ethic and determination—characteristics that are necessary to be a successful veterinarian.

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Professional Preparation Criteria

The remaining points are based on professional preparation criteria including:

• Veterinary experience
• Animal experience
• Honors courses
• Academic rigor and course loads are based on the rigor of the institution where the student did the majority of his or her undergraduate work, whether or not they took honors courses, the number of credits averaged per semester, and the average number of science courses carried per semester. These criteria are used to evaluate how well prepared the student is for the heavy loads required in veterinary school.

Veterinary and animal experience is considered to evaluate the applicant’s personal qualities and motivation to be a veterinarian.

Veterinary experience is hours spent working under the direct supervision of a veterinarian, whether in a clinical or research environment, paid or volunteer. 

Animal experience includes caring for and handling animals in a kennel or animal shelter. It also includes any other experience that was not under the direct supervision of a veterinarian, such as FFA and 4-H projects.

Points are assigned based on the number of hours worked and the variety of environments in which the hours were obtained. These two experiences are scored separately, so applicants should obtain experience in both areas. For example, an applicant who worked for a veterinarian should include time spent cleaning stalls or cages as animal experience and time spent with the veterinarian as veterinary experience.

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Other Factors

Texas law requires that socioeconomic factors also be considered. This includes factors such as whether or not the applicant was the first in his or her family to attend college, whether English was the primary language spoken at home, if the applicant had to work to support the family while in high school, or was responsible for the care of a sibling. The points assigned for these factors account for less than three percent of the total 300 points.

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Qualifying for an Interview

The above criteria are scored for each applicant and the scores are added together. The applicants are then ranked based on their total score. Once it is determined how many interviews will be conducted, interviews are scheduled.

Interviews are structured in the Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) format. Selected applicants participate in a series of mini interviews. Each mini interview is typically 6-10 minutes in duration, with two interviewers at each station. Selected applicants move through a series of stations. The full circuit of mini interview stations takes approximately one hour to complete.

The MMI format is designed to increase fairness to applicants as well as increase the reliability and measurability of characteristics such as communication skills, critical thinking, cultural competency, problem-solving, empathy, and ethics.

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Final Selection

Members of the Selections Committee who do each interview are also responsible for evaluating that applicant’s extracurricular activities, leadership experience, personal statement, and evaluations. Extracurricular activities and leadership experience are evaluated to determine the applicant’s ability to work with other people—an essential characteristic for a successful veterinarian.

Evaluations are an important part of the selection process and must be completed by individuals other than family members who have known the applicant for an extended period of time. The applicants are strongly encouraged to read the questions that are asked on the evaluation form and select as evaluators those individuals who can provide the most thorough answers to the questions. At least one evaluation must be completed by a (non-family member) veterinarian with whom the applicant has worked. The veterinarian should address what the applicant did while working for them. They should also honestly evaluate the applicant’s strengths and weaknesses.

GPA scores are recomputed to include fall semester grades, the total score is obtained, and acceptance letters are emailed. An alternate list is generated and applicants on the alternate list will be offered a spot in the class as original offers of admission are declined. Up to 10% of the total number of students in the class will be non-Texas residents.

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Admissions Formula

The Admissions Formula  reflects the relative weight placed on the factors considered when applications are reviewed.

Academic Ability

• 30% – 38% GPA
  • GPA Overall
  • Last 45 hours GPA
  • Science GPA

Other Skills & Achievements

• 13% – 16% Veterinary and Animal Experience
• 25% – 41% Multiple Mini Interviews (MMIs)
• 16% – 21% All other achievements, activities, and evaluations

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Deadlines & Transfers into the DVM Professional Program

See DVM Application Deadlines.

See Transfers into the DVM Professional Program.