Students contemplating careers in veterinary medicine should prepare in both high school and college with a solid foundation in the biological and physical sciences with a general knowledge in the arts, social sciences, humanities and communications. Students should also be motivated by a sincere concern for animal and human populations, a desire to serve the public, and a genuine interest in the medical field.
“Pre-veterinary medicine” is not a major at Iowa State University but a pre-professional track that can be chosen within a major. Pre-veterinary medical students may pursue any undergraduate major of their choosing. The College of Veterinary Medicine seeks students with diverse backgrounds and encourages them to enroll in a major which meets their interests and goals. Although science majors such as animal science, biology, zoology, animal ecology, biochemistry, and microbiology are most common, admitted veterinary medicine students have also had degrees in business, fine arts, music, English, engineering, and psychology. The required pre-professional courses can be obtained through the curricula of a variety of fields of study.
A Bachelor’s degree is not required for admission to Iowa State’s College of Veterinary Medicine. Applicants must only complete the specified prerequisite courses at a regionally accredited college or university to fulfill the academic requirements.