In 2022-2023, 10,743 people applied to U.S. veterinary medical schools through VMCAS. This page connects key application statistics—GPAs, prerequisite completion, and experience (animal, research, and leadership)—to outcomes like interview offer rates and admission selectivity. It also examines demographic and geographic patterns, including age, gender identity, underrepresented minority representation, and in-state preference at public schools.
Key Takeaways
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
With a 10.6 percent acceptance rate, strong GPAs, science grades, and experience help applicants stand out.
Related reading
01 · Category
Academic Performance24 stats
01
The cumulative GPA for 2022-2023 vet school applicants averaged 3.48 on a 4.0 scale
02
Matriculants to U.S. vet schools in 2023 had an average last 30 credits GPA of 3.72
03
2022-2023 applicants' science GPA averaged 3.42, with top 10% exceeding 3.85
04
Required prerequisite courses: 85% of applicants completed organic chemistry I/II with labs by 2023 cycle
05
Average total credit hours completed by applicants: 142.3 in 2022-2023
06
2021-2022 matriculants science GPA: 3.65, up 0.03 from previous year
07
78% of 2023 applicants had at least one upper-level biology course with GPA >3.5
08
Cumulative GPA for rejected applicants averaged 3.32 vs 3.62 for accepted in 2022
09
Physics prerequisite met by 92% of 2022-2023 applicants, average grade B+
10
Biochemistry GPA for applicants: average 3.51 in 2023 cycle
11
2021 applicants averaged 3.45 overall GPA, with 15% below 3.0
12
Top decile matriculants: 3.92 cumulative GPA in 2022-2023
13
English composition prerequisite: 98% completion rate, average GPA 3.68 for 2023 applicants
14
Math/statistics courses averaged 3.55 GPA among 2022 applicants
15
65% of 2023 applicants had research experience reflected in GPA boosts >0.1
16
General chemistry I/II labs: 95% completed with average GPA 3.48 in 2022-2023
17
Advanced physiology GPA: 3.62 for matriculants in 2021 cycle
18
22% of applicants had post-bac GPA >3.8 to improve records in 2023
19
Microbiology prerequisite: average GPA 3.52, 89% completion in 2022
20
Overall GPA trend: increased 0.05 points from 2021 to 2023 cycles to 3.48
21
Genetics course GPA averaged 3.49 for 2023 applicants
22
12% of 2022 applicants used grade forgiveness policies effectively raising GPA by 0.15 avg
23
Cell biology elective GPA: 3.60 for top applicants in 2023
24
2021 matriculants: 3.70 last 45 credits GPA
Interpretation
Academic Performance Interpretation
For Academic Performance, the applicants show strong and fairly consistent achievement with GPAs climbing from an average science GPA of 3.65 among 2021 to 2022 matriculants to 3.72 in the last 30 credits for 2023 matriculants while 85% completed organic chemistry I and II with labs and the top 10% of science GPAs surpassed 3.85.
02 · Category
Admissions Outcomes25 stats
01
Overall acceptance rate for U.S. vet schools: 10.6% in 2022-2023 (1,152 matriculants from 10,743 apps)
02
Multiple acceptances: 42% of matriculants held 2+ offers in 2023 cycle
03
In-state preference: 65% of matriculants in-state at public schools 2022
04
Interview offer rate: 28% of applicants interviewed in 2022-2023
05
Yield rate (accepted who matriculate): 78% average across schools 2023
06
Cornell University vet school acceptance rate: ~8% in 2022 cycle
07
UC Davis: 1,200 apps, 92 matriculants (7.7%) in 2023 entering class
08
Texas A&M CVM: 1,100 apps, 140 seats (12.7%) in-state heavy 2022
09
Ohio State: Acceptance rate 12% for 2023 class of 175 from ~1,450 apps
10
Average applications per matriculant: 9.3 schools in 2022-2023
11
Waitlist utilization: 15% of class filled from waitlists in 2023
12
Private schools avg acceptance 15.2% vs public 9.8% in 2022
13
Re-applicant success rate: 22% vs 11% first-timers in 2023
14
Colorado State: 10.5% acceptance, class of 138 from 1,310 apps 2022
15
NC State CVM: 9% rate, 100 seats from 1,100+ apps 2023
16
2022-2023: 32 U.S. schools enrolled 3,454 total DVM students
17
Early decision programs: 4% acceptance rate higher than regular in 2022
18
Tufts Cummings: 12.4% acceptance from 900 apps for 112 seats 2023
19
International applicants acceptance: 5.2% in 2023 vs 11% domestic
20
Post-interview acceptance: avg 38% conversion rate 2022-2023
21
Purdue CVM: 11% rate for 80 seats from 720 apps 2022
22
UMN CVM: 8.9% acceptance, 128 matriculants from 1,440 apps 2023
23
Trend: Acceptance rates stable 10-12% since 2019 despite applicant rise
24
Virginia-Maryland CAR: 10.2% rate, 48 MD/40 VA seats 2022
25
68% of 2023 matriculants ranked their school #1 choice
Interpretation
Admissions Outcomes Interpretation
Across U.S. vet school admissions in 2022 to 2023, only 10.6% of applicants were accepted, yet a strong 78% yield means those admitted commonly move on to matriculate, revealing that admissions selectivity is high but offers convert efficiently.
03 · Category
Applicant Demographics29 stats
01
In the 2022-2023 application cycle, 10,743 individuals applied to U.S. veterinary medical schools through VMCAS
02
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
03
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
04
The average age of 2022-2023 vet school applicants was 24.7 years, with 68% under 25 and 8% over 30
05
In 2022-2023, 41% of applicants held bachelor's degrees in animal science or related fields, 15% in biology
06
2021-2022 cycle saw 10,506 applicants, with 53.1% female, marking a 2% increase in female applicants from prior year
07
11.8% of 2021-2022 applicants were first-generation college students
08
In 2020-2021, 9,845 applicants, 51.5% from public universities, 48.5% private
09
2022-2023 data shows 22% of applicants from Southern U.S. states, highest regional concentration
10
3.2% of 2022-2023 applicants identified as LGBTQ+, up from 2.8% in 2021-2022
11
In 2023 cycle, 7.5% of applicants had military/veteran status or dependents
12
18.6% of 2022 applicants re-applied after previous cycles
13
2022-2023 applicants: 14% international or from U.S. territories
14
Average household income self-reported by 2022-2023 applicants was $75,000-$100,000 for 32%
15
25.4% of 2021 applicants had advanced degrees (MS/PhD) prior to applying
16
In 2023, 62% of applicants were White/Caucasian, 12.4% underrepresented minorities
17
2020 cycle: 35% of applicants from top 10 feeder undergrad schools like Texas A&M, Ohio State
18
Female applicants increased 3.5% from 2019 to 2022 cycles, reaching 52.3%
19
4.1% Black/African American applicants in 2022-2023, consistent with 4.0% prior year
20
28% of 2023 applicants reported rural upbringing
21
Asian/Pacific Islander applicants: 9.7% in 2022-2023 cycle
22
1.5% Native American/Alaska Native applicants in 2021-2022
23
45% of 2022 applicants from Midwest region
24
Re-applicants averaged 26.2 years old vs 24.5 for first-timers in 2023
25
19.2% of 2020 applicants had non-traditional career backgrounds pre-vet
26
2023: 8.3% economically disadvantaged self-identified applicants
27
Undergrad major: Biology 22%, Animal Science 19% in 2022 cycle
28
6.4% Hispanic/Latino applicants in 2023, up 0.6% from 2022
29
2021: 55% applicants from out-of-state for target schools
Interpretation
Applicant Demographics Interpretation
In the 2022 to 2023 vet school application cycle, 10,743 applicants were diverse in gender and background with 52.3% identifying as female and 12.4% coming from underrepresented racial and ethnic minorities, underscoring that applicant demographics are becoming more varied at the start of admissions.
More related reading
04 · Category
Experiential Requirements24 stats
01
Average veterinary experience hours for 2022-2023 applicants: 512 hours
02
Animal experience hours averaged 1,248 for matriculants in 2023 cycle
03
Research experience: 72% of 2022-2023 applicants reported 500+ hours
04
Leadership roles: 85% of accepted applicants had 2+ positions in 2022
05
Average employment hours outside vet/animal: 1,856 for 2023 applicants
06
Volunteer hours non-vet: avg 678 for matriculants 2022-2023
07
91% of 2023 applicants had veterinary shadowing >100 hours
08
Equine experience minimum recommended 100 hours by 65% schools, avg 245 hours applicants 2022
09
Publications/presentations: 18% applicants had 1+, avg 1.2 for top 2023
10
Farm/rural experience: 42% applicants >500 hours in 2022 cycle
11
Extracurricular clubs: avg 4.1 memberships for accepted 2023
12
Veterinary tech work counted as 68% of total vet hours for 2022 applicants
13
International animal experience: 12% applicants, avg 156 hours in 2023
14
Teaching/tutoring hours: avg 342 for matriculants 2021-2022
15
Shelter/volunteer animal work: 1,056 avg hours for 2023 applicants
16
Awards/honors: 76% applicants listed 3+
17
2022: Small animal vet hours avg 412, large animal 156
18
Community service hours: min 100 recommended, avg 512 achieved 2023
19
Lab animal research hours: 28% applicants >200 hours in 2022
20
Diversity experience (e.g., underserved): 35% reported in 2023 apps
21
Average letters of recommendation: 3.2 vet-specific for 2022 matriculants
22
Wildlife/exotic experience: avg 89 hours for 41% applicants 2023
23
2021: Total experience hours >4000 for top 5% applicants
24
Personal statement revisions avg 4.5 drafts per applicant in 2023
Interpretation
Experiential Requirements Interpretation
For experiential requirements, strong vet school candidates consistently show substantial hands-on involvement, with 2022 to 2023 applicants averaging 512 veterinary experience hours and 72% reporting 500 or more research hours, alongside extensive overall time commitments like 1,248 animal experience hours and 1,856 employment hours for 2023 applicants.
05 · Category
Standardized Testing24 stats
01
Average GRE General Test score for applicants requiring it was 310 combined Verbal+Quant in 2019 cycle
02
By 2022-2023, only 15% of U.S. vet schools required GRE, down from 50% in 2018
03
Average GRE Verbal percentile for matriculants: 58th in 2021 for schools requiring it
04
GRE Analytical Writing average 4.1 for accepted applicants in 2020 cycle
05
65% of 2023 applicants submitted no standardized test scores due to test-optional policies
06
For GRE submitters in 2022, Quant average 154 (53rd percentile)
07
CASPer test adopted by 20 schools in 2023, average situational judgment score 75th percentile for matriculants
08
MCAT scores for dual MD/DVM applicants averaged 510 in 2022
09
GRE subject test rarely required; <1% applicants submitted biology GRE in 2021
10
2023: Average GRE Verbal 153 (55th percentile) for top schools like Cornell requiring it
11
Test-optional applicants had 12% higher acceptance rate in 2022-2023 vs GRE submitters
12
Average GRE for UC Davis applicants (optional): 312 total for interviewed in 2022
13
8 schools still required GRE in 2023, applicants averaged 308 combined score
14
GRE Quant for STEM-heavy applicants: 156 avg (65th percentile) in 2021
15
2020 pandemic led to 40% drop in GRE submissions from 2019 levels
16
Matriculants GRE average at Texas A&M: Verbal 154, Quant 155 in 2022
17
75% of GRE submitters scored above 300 total in 2023 cycle
18
Some schools like Ross University accept MCAT >500 for vet entry, avg 505 in 2022
19
GRE fee reductions claimed by 22% of low-income applicants in 2021
20
Average CASPer quartile for accepted: 3rd or 4th in 12 adopting schools 2023
21
Ohio State (GRE optional) matriculants avg GRE 314 if submitted in 2022
22
2019 baseline: 45% schools GRE required, applicant avg 309 total score
23
2022 Colorado State GRE avg for class: Verbal 157, Quant 158
24
28% of applicants with GRE >320 received multiple interviews in 2021
Interpretation
Standardized Testing Interpretation
Standardized testing has rapidly lost its role in vet admissions, with GRE required by only 15% of U.S. vet schools by 2022 to 2023 compared with 50% in 2018, while 65% of 2023 applicants submitted no standardized test scores due to test optional policies.
Reference
Cite This Report
This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.
APA
Daniel Varga. (2026, February 13). Vet School Application Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/vet-school-application-statistics
MLA
Daniel Varga. "Vet School Application Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/vet-school-application-statistics.
Chicago
Daniel Varga. 2026. "Vet School Application Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/vet-school-application-statistics.
Sources & references
12 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level