Application Process & Timeline

Application Process & Timeline

Before You Apply

Review the minimum admissions requirements to ensure you’re eligible to apply. We also encourage you to review the comprehensive application checklist and instructions provided here  before beginning the application process.

• Review Prerequisite Requirements
• Students may apply once they have completed 75% of the required prerequisites. Approximately three can be outstanding at the time of application and all must be completed in the spring semester/quarter prior to matriculation. Specific course requirements are outlined in Academic Preparation & Prerequisites Courses.
• GRE - No Longer a requirement
• The GRE is no longer required and has been dropped as an admission requirement as of November 2022, following a senate faculty vote. More details on our selection process will be available in late spring, 2023.
• Determine How Competitive Your Application May Be
• All applications are initially evaluated in three areas:
  1. Two GPAs: 1) the most recent 45 semester/68 quarter hours and 2) all science courses (see what counts as a science course here on the VMCAS website)
  2. Quantitative GRE score (The GRE is no longer required. More details on our selection process will be available in late spring, 2023.)
  3. Three electronic letters of recommendation (eLors)
  
  By reviewing the most recent Admissions Statistics, specifically in the GPAs and GRE scores, you can determine how competitive your application may be. Note: The average scores are higher for non-CA resident applicants as there are fewer spots available to non-CA residents. Non-CA resident applications are evaluated by the three criteria listed above and are not included in the holistic review process.

How to Apply

The Veterinary Medical Application Service (VMCAS) is the centralized application service for Colleges of Veterinary Medicine. Through VMCAS you can complete one application and send all your required materials through this service. Your application is then processed, verified for accuracy, and sent to the veterinary medical schools you designate.

• Step 1: VMCAS Application

• Applicants must apply through the central application system VMCAS. Paper applications are not available. All application materials, including GRE scores, academic transcripts, and letters of recommendation, MUST be submitted through the VMCAS system. Any of the above application materials sent directly to UC Davis cannot be attached to applications or returned to applicants.

  January 21	May 12	September 15
  VMCAS application opens	Veterinary programs will become available for students to select	Application must be submitted by 8:59 pm (PST)
  VMCAS can accept transcripts and score reports	Applications can be submitted	All other application materials (eLors, transcripts, etc.) must be submitted to VMCAS. No late documents are accepted.

• Step 2: Transcripts and Score Reports to VMCAS

• Transcripts
  Order official transcripts from all institutions you have attended and have them sent directly to VMCAS. Review sending official transcripts to VMCAS for detailed instructions on all US, international, and study abroad transcripts.

  VMCAS must receive all transcripts by the September 15 deadline. Late transcripts will not be received. Any transcripts accidentally sent to UC Davis CANNOT be added or attached to applications. Applications missing transcripts by the deadline will not be considered for admission. No exceptions will be made, so please plan accordingly.
  
  GRE 
  The GRE is no longer required as of November 2022 following a senate faculty vote. More details on our selection process will be available in late spring, 2023.

• Step 3: Submit & Monitor VMCAS

• All submitted applications need to be verified by VMCAS, which can take up to four weeks. By submitting all of your transcripts BEFORE the deadline (September 15, 2022), you will greatly improve your chance of having your application verified early with time to make corrections if needed. Review Submitting and Monitoring Your VMCAS Application for more details.

  Note: Applications that reach the “verified” status may still be incomplete if other materials such as eLors or test scores are missing. If your verified application is missing any application materials after the September 15 deadline, it will not be considered for admission, even if you have submitted a supplemental application.

• Step 4: UC Davis Supplemental Application

• Around mid-August, we begin to import verified applications from VMCAS to the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine Applicant Portal. Applicants are notified via email when their VMCAS application has been added.

  Once imported, applicants will be sent an email with instructions to set up their Applicant Portal, complete the secondary application, and pay the $60 processing fee. The secondary application includes a personal statement (2,000 character limit) and the selection of which three eLors you want us to consider for your application. The UCD supplemental application is due October 15.
  Note: We do not begin to upload verified applications until mid-June, even if your application has been verified before this time. We will continue to import verified applications one to two times a week until the September 15 deadline. It can be up to a week to be emailed the supplemental application instructions.

How Applications Are Evaluated

Once supplemental applications are submitted, they are reviewed to ensure they are a) complete and b) eligible. Any applications missing application materials or not meeting eligibility criteria (i.e. GPA minimum, veterinary experience hours, one eLor from a vet) will not be considered for admission.

• Step 1: Initial Ranking

• All complete and eligible applications are ranked based on two GPAs (the most recent 45 semester/68 quarter hours and all science courses) the quantitative GRE score, and the combined composite scores from the three eLors.
  
  *Note: The GRE is no longer required. More details on our selection process will be available in late spring, 2023.

• Step 2: Top 180 Applicants

• The top 180 applicants (approximately top 25% of CA applicants and 10% of non-resident applicants) are invited to interview.

• Step 3: Holistic Review

• The next 180 applicants (CA residents only) in rank order (based on the above factors) will be holistically reviewed by the School’s Admissions Committee. The application review will include: Veterinary and other animal experiences, research opportunities, VMCAS essay questions & UCD SVM personal statement, letters of recommendation, leadership and community service, education, life experiences, and motivation for a veterinary career.

  Of these 180 applicants, 60 are invited to interview.

• Step 4: Interviews

• 240 applicants are invited to interview virtually in early December through Multiple Mini Interviews (MMIs). MMIs are short, structured interviews used to assess personal traits/qualities. More details on the process can be found in our FAQs.

  The 2022 MMI dates are December 1, 2, 5, & 6*. Candidates select one of the four interview days lasting approximately 100 minutes. Admitted student days will be held in early spring for students to network, tour the facilities, meet staff and faculty, and learn more about financial aid, curriculum, and other resources. 
   

• Step 5: Admissions Decisions

• At the conclusion of the MMI interview process, all applicants will be ranked based on their MMI scores. The Admissions Committee meets to discuss MMI results. An initial ranked list of the top candidates based on anticipated class size (offer admission) and then next candidates (waitlisted) will be discussed with the Dean. Approximately 150 students are offered admission and an additional 40-45 are offered a spot on the waitlist. Admission will be offered to applicants based solely on their MMI rank.
  
  Accept, deny, and waitlist notices will be posted to Applicant Portals by the end of January.

Virtual Info Session - Admissions Process

Watch the recording of our virtual info session to see an in-depth overview of the entire admissions process, including how applications are evaluated and selected for interviews.