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.
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. Applicants must have more than 100 hours worth of veterinary experience in order to qualify for an interview.
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.
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.
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, problem solving, empathy, and ethics.
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 should 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 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.
Once interviews are completed, the weight of the different criteria may be altered to give more weight to criteria that show the applicant is prepared for the rigorous DVM Professional Program curriculum (rigor) and to criteria that can be assessed only by the interview. Applicants who score in the bottom 20% of the interviewed pool will not be considered for admission into the DVM Program.
GPA scores are recomputed to include fall semester grades, the total score is obtained, and acceptance letters are sent out to the top 126 in-state students based on their score. The next segment of applicants on the ranking are selected as alternates. These students will be offered a spot in the class, if one of the applicants originally offered a seat declines the offer.
Admissions Formula
The Admissions Formula reflects the relative weight placed on the factors considered when applications are reviewed. We place approximately 50% of the weight on the applicant’s academic ability and 50% on other skills and achievements.
Academic Ability
- 34% GPA
- GPA Overall
- Last 45 hours GPA
- Science GPA
Other Skills & Achievements
- 12% Veterinary and Animal Experience
- 21% Multiple Mini Interviews (MMIs)
- 17% All other achievements, activities, and evaluations
Deadlines & Transfers into the DVM Professional Program
See DVM Application Deadlines.
See Transfers into the DVM Professional Program.
Contact Us
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us at:
Admissions Coordinator
Professional Programs Office | Office of the Dean
Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences
4461 TAMU | College Station, TX 77843-4461
Tel: 979.862.1169 | Email: admiss@cvm.tamu.edu