Colleges of veterinary medicine welcome students from all academic majors, but applicants must complete prerequisite coursework before matriculation. While many veterinary schools share similar admission requirements, prerequisites vary by institution. Students should always review the admission requirements for each veterinary school they plan to apply to.
The table below outlines common prerequisite courses for many U.S. colleges of veterinary medicine and the corresponding NIU course(s).
Veterinary school prerequisites vary by institution. Some programs require animal nutrition, genetics, public speaking, economics, or additional humanities and social science coursework. Standardized testing requirements also vary. Students should review the admission requirements for each veterinary school they plan to apply to and meet regularly with the Pre-health Professions Program to develop an individualized academic plan.
| Requirement | NIU Course(s) | Required by Most Programs |
|---|---|---|
| General Biology I | BIOS 208/210 | Yes |
| General Biology II | BIOS 209/211 | Yes |
| General Chemistry I | CHEM 210/212 | Yes |
| General Chemistry II | CHEM 211/213 | Yes |
| Organic Chemistry I | CHEM 330/332 or CHEM 336/338 | Yes |
| Organic Chemistry II | CHEM 331/333 or CHEM 337/339 | Frequently |
| Biochemistry | CHEM 470 | Frequently |
| Physics I | PHYS 210 or PHYS 253 | Frequently |
| Statistics | STAT 200 | Frequently |
| English Composition | ENGL 103 | Yes |
| Genetics | BIOS 308 | Frequently |
| Microbiology | BIOS 313 | Frequently |
Many colleges of veterinary medicine no longer require the GRE. Always verify admission testing requirements for each veterinary school.
While not required by every veterinary school, these courses strengthen your preparation for veterinary education and clinical practice.
| NIU Course | Why Take It? |
|---|---|
| BIOS 311 - Functional Human Anatomy | Provides a strong anatomical foundation applicable to veterinary medicine |
| BIOS 355 - Human Physiology | Reinforces physiological concepts applicable across animal species |
| BIOS 308 - Genetics | Valuable for animal breeding, genetics and inherited disease |
| BIOS 313 - Microbiology | Strengthens understanding of infectious disease and immunology |
| CHEM 472 - Biological Chemistry II | Provides additional preparation in biochemistry |
| BIOS 461 - Immunology | Helpful for infectious disease, vaccination and immune system concepts |
This timeline combines guidance from the American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC) and the Veterinary Medical College Application Service (VMCAS) and has been adapted for NIU students. Individual timelines may vary depending on academic preparation and whether students complete all prerequisites before applying.
| Timeline | Recommended Activities |
|---|---|
| First year | Meet with the Pre-health Professions Program. Begin biology and chemistry coursework (if placement allows). Join a pre-health student organization. Begin volunteering and gaining animal experience. Explore careers in veterinary medicine by working with companion animals, livestock, equine facilities, wildlife organizations or research settings. |
| Second year | Continue prerequisite coursework based on your individualized academic plan. Gain hands-on animal and veterinary experience. Shadow veterinarians in multiple practice settings. Explore undergraduate research and leadership opportunities. |
| Third year | Continue prerequisite coursework based on your individualized academic plan. Continue building veterinary, animal, research, leadership and community service experiences. Request letters of recommendation. Begin drafting your personal statement and researching veterinary schools. |
| Spring of application year | Finalize your school list. Request official transcripts. Complete your personal statement and prepare your VMCAS application. Meet with the Pre-health Professions Program to review your application before submission. |
| January–September | VMCAS typically opens in January and applications are generally due in September. Submit your application well before the deadline and complete any supplemental application requirements. |
| Fall–Spring | Participate in veterinary school interviews (if required). Maintain strong academic performance and continue gaining veterinary and animal experience. |
| Gap year (pptional) | Many successful applicants strengthen their applications through additional veterinary employment, animal experience, research, leadership or graduate coursework before applying. |
Competitive veterinary school applicants typically demonstrate both veterinary experience (working directly with veterinarians) and animal experience (working with a variety of animal species). Experiences with companion animals, livestock, equine medicine, wildlife, research animals and shelters help demonstrate a broad understanding of the profession.
The following organizations provide reliable information about veterinary education, admissions, licensure and careers.
Pre-health Professions Program
prehealth@niu.edu