Imagine standing among more than 10,000 hopefuls, where your journey to a 10.6% acceptance rate into vet school hinges not just on your 3.48 GPA and 512 hours of veterinary experience, but on how strategically you navigate a landscape where re-applicants are nearly twice as likely to succeed.
Key Takeaways
- In the 2022-2023 application cycle, 10,743 individuals applied to U.S. veterinary medical schools through VMCAS
- Of the 10,743 applicants in 2022-2023, 52.3% identified as female, 46.5% as male, and 1.2% as non-binary or other
- In 2022-2023, 12.4% of vet school applicants were from underrepresented racial/ethnic minorities, including 4.1% Black/African American and 3.8% Hispanic/Latino
- The cumulative GPA for 2022-2023 vet school applicants averaged 3.48 on a 4.0 scale
- Matriculants to U.S. vet schools in 2023 had an average last 30 credits GPA of 3.72
- 2022-2023 applicants' science GPA averaged 3.42, with top 10% exceeding 3.85
- Average GRE General Test score for applicants requiring it was 310 combined Verbal+Quant in 2019 cycle
- By 2022-2023, only 15% of U.S. vet schools required GRE, down from 50% in 2018
- Average GRE Verbal percentile for matriculants: 58th in 2021 for schools requiring it
- Average veterinary experience hours for 2022-2023 applicants: 512 hours
- Animal experience hours averaged 1,248 for matriculants in 2023 cycle
- Research experience: 72% of 2022-2023 applicants reported 500+ hours
- Overall acceptance rate for U.S. vet schools: 10.6% in 2022-2023 (1,152 matriculants from 10,743 apps)
- Multiple acceptances: 42% of matriculants held 2+ offers in 2023 cycle
- In-state preference: 65% of matriculants in-state at public schools 2022
Even amid fierce competition, 2026 vet school applicants are more diverse and qualified than ever.
Academic Performance
1The cumulative GPA for 2022-2023 vet school applicants averaged 3.48 on a 4.0 scale
Verified2Matriculants to U.S. vet schools in 2023 had an average last 30 credits GPA of 3.72
Verified32022-2023 applicants' science GPA averaged 3.42, with top 10% exceeding 3.85
Verified4Required prerequisite courses: 85% of applicants completed organic chemistry I/II with labs by 2023 cycle
Directional5Average total credit hours completed by applicants: 142.3 in 2022-2023
Single source62021-2022 matriculants science GPA: 3.65, up 0.03 from previous year
Verified778% of 2023 applicants had at least one upper-level biology course with GPA >3.5
Verified8Cumulative GPA for rejected applicants averaged 3.32 vs 3.62 for accepted in 2022
Verified9Physics prerequisite met by 92% of 2022-2023 applicants, average grade B+
Directional10Biochemistry GPA for applicants: average 3.51 in 2023 cycle
Single source112021 applicants averaged 3.45 overall GPA, with 15% below 3.0
Verified12Top decile matriculants: 3.92 cumulative GPA in 2022-2023
Verified13English composition prerequisite: 98% completion rate, average GPA 3.68 for 2023 applicants
Verified14Math/statistics courses averaged 3.55 GPA among 2022 applicants
Directional1565% of 2023 applicants had research experience reflected in GPA boosts >0.1
Single source16General chemistry I/II labs: 95% completed with average GPA 3.48 in 2022-2023
Verified17Advanced physiology GPA: 3.62 for matriculants in 2021 cycle
Verified1822% of applicants had post-bac GPA >3.8 to improve records in 2023
Verified19Microbiology prerequisite: average GPA 3.52, 89% completion in 2022
Directional20Overall GPA trend: increased 0.05 points from 2021 to 2023 cycles to 3.48
Single source21Genetics course GPA averaged 3.49 for 2023 applicants
Verified2212% of 2022 applicants used grade forgiveness policies effectively raising GPA by 0.15 avg
Verified23Cell biology elective GPA: 3.60 for top applicants in 2023
Verified242021 matriculants: 3.70 last 45 credits GPA
DirectionalAcademic Performance Interpretation
The path to becoming a veterinarian is an academic gauntlet where a 3.5 GPA is merely the starting line, your recent science grades are under a microscope, and your fate can hinge on whether you aced organic chemistry or just survived it.
Admissions Outcomes
1Overall acceptance rate for U.S. vet schools: 10.6% in 2022-2023 (1,152 matriculants from 10,743 apps)
Verified2Multiple acceptances: 42% of matriculants held 2+ offers in 2023 cycle
Verified3In-state preference: 65% of matriculants in-state at public schools 2022
Verified4Interview offer rate: 28% of applicants interviewed in 2022-2023
Directional5Yield rate (accepted who matriculate): 78% average across schools 2023
Single source6Cornell University vet school acceptance rate: ~8% in 2022 cycle
Verified7UC Davis: 1,200 apps, 92 matriculants (7.7%) in 2023 entering class
Verified8Texas A&M CVM: 1,100 apps, 140 seats (12.7%) in-state heavy 2022
Verified9Ohio State: Acceptance rate 12% for 2023 class of 175 from ~1,450 apps
Directional10Average applications per matriculant: 9.3 schools in 2022-2023
Single source11Waitlist utilization: 15% of class filled from waitlists in 2023
Verified12Private schools avg acceptance 15.2% vs public 9.8% in 2022
Verified13Re-applicant success rate: 22% vs 11% first-timers in 2023
Verified14Colorado State: 10.5% acceptance, class of 138 from 1,310 apps 2022
Directional15NC State CVM: 9% rate, 100 seats from 1,100+ apps 2023
Single source162022-2023: 32 U.S. schools enrolled 3,454 total DVM students
Verified17Early decision programs: 4% acceptance rate higher than regular in 2022
Verified18Tufts Cummings: 12.4% acceptance from 900 apps for 112 seats 2023
Verified19International applicants acceptance: 5.2% in 2023 vs 11% domestic
Directional20Post-interview acceptance: avg 38% conversion rate 2022-2023
Single source21Purdue CVM: 11% rate for 80 seats from 720 apps 2022
Verified22UMN CVM: 8.9% acceptance, 128 matriculants from 1,440 apps 2023
Verified23Trend: Acceptance rates stable 10-12% since 2019 despite applicant rise
Verified24Virginia-Maryland CAR: 10.2% rate, 48 MD/40 VA seats 2022
Directional2568% of 2023 matriculants ranked their school #1 choice
Single sourceAdmissions Outcomes Interpretation
To become a veterinarian you must survive a gauntlet where roughly nine out of ten hopefuls are turned away, and even those who triumph often face the bittersweet dilemma of choosing between multiple hard-won offers.
Applicant Demographics
1In the 2022-2023 application cycle, 10,743 individuals applied to U.S. veterinary medical schools through VMCAS
Verified2Of the 10,743 applicants in 2022-2023, 52.3% identified as female, 46.5% as male, and 1.2% as non-binary or other
Verified3In 2022-2023, 12.4% of vet school applicants were from underrepresented racial/ethnic minorities, including 4.1% Black/African American and 3.8% Hispanic/Latino
Verified4The average age of 2022-2023 vet school applicants was 24.7 years, with 68% under 25 and 8% over 30
Directional5In 2022-2023, 41% of applicants held bachelor's degrees in animal science or related fields, 15% in biology
Single source62021-2022 cycle saw 10,506 applicants, with 53.1% female, marking a 2% increase in female applicants from prior year
Verified711.8% of 2021-2022 applicants were first-generation college students
Verified8In 2020-2021, 9,845 applicants, 51.5% from public universities, 48.5% private
Verified92022-2023 data shows 22% of applicants from Southern U.S. states, highest regional concentration
Directional103.2% of 2022-2023 applicants identified as LGBTQ+, up from 2.8% in 2021-2022
Single source11In 2023 cycle, 7.5% of applicants had military/veteran status or dependents
Verified1218.6% of 2022 applicants re-applied after previous cycles
Verified132022-2023 applicants: 14% international or from U.S. territories
Verified14Average household income self-reported by 2022-2023 applicants was $75,000-$100,000 for 32%
Directional1525.4% of 2021 applicants had advanced degrees (MS/PhD) prior to applying
Single source16In 2023, 62% of applicants were White/Caucasian, 12.4% underrepresented minorities
Verified172020 cycle: 35% of applicants from top 10 feeder undergrad schools like Texas A&M, Ohio State
Verified18Female applicants increased 3.5% from 2019 to 2022 cycles, reaching 52.3%
Verified194.1% Black/African American applicants in 2022-2023, consistent with 4.0% prior year
Directional2028% of 2023 applicants reported rural upbringing
Single source21Asian/Pacific Islander applicants: 9.7% in 2022-2023 cycle
Verified221.5% Native American/Alaska Native applicants in 2021-2022
Verified2345% of 2022 applicants from Midwest region
Verified24Re-applicants averaged 26.2 years old vs 24.5 for first-timers in 2023
Directional2519.2% of 2020 applicants had non-traditional career backgrounds pre-vet
Single source262023: 8.3% economically disadvantaged self-identified applicants
Verified27Undergrad major: Biology 22%, Animal Science 19% in 2022 cycle
Verified286.4% Hispanic/Latino applicants in 2023, up 0.6% from 2022
Verified292021: 55% applicants from out-of-state for target schools
DirectionalApplicant Demographics Interpretation
While the veterinary field is steadily diversifying beyond its traditional demographic of young, animal-science-focused undergraduates, the journey to the clinic remains a fiercely competitive marathon largely run by persistent, slightly older re-applicants who are statistically likely to be a woman from the South with an average family income, proving that passion, not pedigree, fuels the pack.
Experiential Requirements
1Average veterinary experience hours for 2022-2023 applicants: 512 hours
Verified2Animal experience hours averaged 1,248 for matriculants in 2023 cycle
Verified3Research experience: 72% of 2022-2023 applicants reported 500+ hours
Verified4Leadership roles: 85% of accepted applicants had 2+ positions in 2022
Directional5Average employment hours outside vet/animal: 1,856 for 2023 applicants
Single source6Volunteer hours non-vet: avg 678 for matriculants 2022-2023
Verified791% of 2023 applicants had veterinary shadowing >100 hours
Verified8Equine experience minimum recommended 100 hours by 65% schools, avg 245 hours applicants 2022
Verified9Publications/presentations: 18% applicants had 1+, avg 1.2 for top 2023
Directional10Farm/rural experience: 42% applicants >500 hours in 2022 cycle
Single source11Extracurricular clubs: avg 4.1 memberships for accepted 2023
Verified12Veterinary tech work counted as 68% of total vet hours for 2022 applicants
Verified13International animal experience: 12% applicants, avg 156 hours in 2023
Verified14Teaching/tutoring hours: avg 342 for matriculants 2021-2022
Directional15Shelter/volunteer animal work: 1,056 avg hours for 2023 applicants
Single source16Awards/honors: 76% applicants listed 3+
Verified172022: Small animal vet hours avg 412, large animal 156
Verified18Community service hours: min 100 recommended, avg 512 achieved 2023
Verified19Lab animal research hours: 28% applicants >200 hours in 2022
Directional20Diversity experience (e.g., underserved): 35% reported in 2023 apps
Single source21Average letters of recommendation: 3.2 vet-specific for 2022 matriculants
Verified22Wildlife/exotic experience: avg 89 hours for 41% applicants 2023
Verified232021: Total experience hours >4000 for top 5% applicants
Verified24Personal statement revisions avg 4.5 drafts per applicant in 2023
DirectionalExperiential Requirements Interpretation
The modern veterinary candidate is less a hopeful animal lover and more a seasoned CEO of a demanding startup called 'My Application,' having logged enough diverse hours to qualify for several careers, all while perfecting a single, crucial document through endless drafts.
Standardized Testing
1Average GRE General Test score for applicants requiring it was 310 combined Verbal+Quant in 2019 cycle
Verified2By 2022-2023, only 15% of U.S. vet schools required GRE, down from 50% in 2018
Verified3Average GRE Verbal percentile for matriculants: 58th in 2021 for schools requiring it
Verified4GRE Analytical Writing average 4.1 for accepted applicants in 2020 cycle
Directional565% of 2023 applicants submitted no standardized test scores due to test-optional policies
Single source6For GRE submitters in 2022, Quant average 154 (53rd percentile)
Verified7CASPer test adopted by 20 schools in 2023, average situational judgment score 75th percentile for matriculants
Verified8MCAT scores for dual MD/DVM applicants averaged 510 in 2022
Verified9GRE subject test rarely required; <1% applicants submitted biology GRE in 2021
Directional102023: Average GRE Verbal 153 (55th percentile) for top schools like Cornell requiring it
Single source11Test-optional applicants had 12% higher acceptance rate in 2022-2023 vs GRE submitters
Verified12Average GRE for UC Davis applicants (optional): 312 total for interviewed in 2022
Verified138 schools still required GRE in 2023, applicants averaged 308 combined score
Verified14GRE Quant for STEM-heavy applicants: 156 avg (65th percentile) in 2021
Directional152020 pandemic led to 40% drop in GRE submissions from 2019 levels
Single source16Matriculants GRE average at Texas A&M: Verbal 154, Quant 155 in 2022
Verified1775% of GRE submitters scored above 300 total in 2023 cycle
Verified18Some schools like Ross University accept MCAT >500 for vet entry, avg 505 in 2022
Verified19GRE fee reductions claimed by 22% of low-income applicants in 2021
Directional20Average CASPer quartile for accepted: 3rd or 4th in 12 adopting schools 2023
Single source21Ohio State (GRE optional) matriculants avg GRE 314 if submitted in 2022
Verified222019 baseline: 45% schools GRE required, applicant avg 309 total score
Verified232022 Colorado State GRE avg for class: Verbal 157, Quant 158
Verified2428% of applicants with GRE >320 received multiple interviews in 2021
DirectionalStandardized Testing Interpretation
The veterinary school admissions landscape has shifted dramatically away from the GRE as a gatekeeper, revealing a process that now values situational judgment and holistic potential more than a single standardized test score, though high scores can still open doors for those who choose to submit them.
Sources & References
- Reference 1AAVMCaavmc.orgVisit source
- Reference 2VETvet.cornell.eduVisit source
- Reference 3VETMEDvetmed.ucdavis.eduVisit source
- Reference 4VETMEDvetmed.tamu.eduVisit source
- Reference 5VETERINARYveterinary.rossu.eduVisit source
- Reference 6VETvet.osu.eduVisit source
- Reference 7VETMEDBIOSCIvetmedbiosci.colostate.eduVisit source
- Reference 8CVMcvm.ncsu.eduVisit source
- Reference 9VETvet.tufts.eduVisit source
- Reference 10VETvet.purdue.eduVisit source
- Reference 11VETMEDvetmed.umn.eduVisit source
- Reference 12VETMEDvetmed.vt.eduVisit source