Early Entry Pathway to Veterinary Medicine

A four-year undergraduate degree is not required to gain admission to the College of Veterinary Medicine. Students are eligible to apply once they fulfill the admissions requirements. By applying and being admitted early, a student could save on undergraduate tuition, housing, and other expenses while starting their career sooner. This guide can help plan the time spent in undergraduate studies so that the coursework required for application to the College of Veterinary Medicine can be completed in as little as four semesters. Students are encouraged to consult the CVM admissions office when considering this option.

The following is a suggested 2-year pathway, including courses taken in the summer. Students also apply after 3 years of undergraduate education.

*Please note: Prerequisite have strict guidelines. Please find more information here. 

Download PDF of Early Entry Pathway to Veterinary Medicine

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General College/University Courses

YEAR 1
Fall Semester 1
Biology I + Lab
Chemistry I + Lab
English
Arts and Humanities

Spring Semester 1
Biology II + Lab
Chemistry II
Arts and Humanities
English
Elective

Summer Semester 1
Organic Chemistry I + Lab
Anatomy/Physiology

YEAR 2
Fall Semester 2
Upper-level Biomedical Science
Physics I + Lab    
Genetics
Biochemistry

Spring Semester 2
Upper-level Biomedical Science
Upper-level Biomedical Science
Speech
Elective
Elective

There is flexibility for placement of the arts, humanities, English and elective classes. Most courses can be taken at a community college with the possible exception of biochemistry and genetics.

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Iowa State University Courses

YEAR 1
Fall Semester 1
Chem 177 and 177L
Biol 211 and 211L
Engl 150
Arts and Humanities

Spring Semester 1
Chem 178
Biol 212 and 212L
Engl 250
Elective
Elective

Summer Semester 1
Chem 331 and 331L
Anatomy (BMS 329 
or AN S 214 or 
Biol 155, 255, 335)

YEAR 2
Fall Semester 2
Upper-level Biomedical Science
Phys 131X/131LX or Phys 231X/231LX or Phys 115/115L
BIOL 313, GENETICS 320 
or ANSC 352
BBMB (301, 316 or 420)

Spring Semester 2
Upper-level Biomedical Science
Upper-level Biomedical Science
SP CM 212
Arts and Humanities
Elective
Elective

UPPER-LEVEL BIOMEDICAL SCIENCE COURSEWORK REQUIRED BEGINNING WITH THE 2024-25 ADMISSIONS CYCLE (Entering Fall 2025)

• 9 semester credits – Upper division biomedical science courses (junior-level (300/3000) undergraduate courses or higher-level courses). 
  Suggested topics include anatomy or physiology courses beyond the prerequisite, bacteriology, biochemistry beyond the prerequisite, embryology, endocrinology, epidemiology, histology, genetics beyond the prerequisite, immunology, infectious disease, microbiology, bacteriology, cell/molecular biology, neurology, nutrition/metabolism, parasitology, pharmacology, reproductive physiology, toxicology, virology, zoology, and cancer biology.
  
  Courses that will not fulfill this requirement include animal disease prevention/management, artificial insemination, behavior, biometry, conservation biology, livestock (dairy/beef/etc.) systems/management, ecology, environmental physiology, equine management, equine science, evolution, herpetology, human-animal interactions, ichthyology, lab animal science, mammalogy, oceanography, ornithology, poultry science, small animal science, swine science, vet laboratory principles, and welfare.
   

• All applicants, regardless of major, must complete these courses or their equivalents.
• All science requirements should be fulfilled by the time of application or scheduled for completion by the end of the fall term in which the applicant applies. However, if necessary, the applicant may complete up to two required science courses after Fall grades are in (due January 20).  Transcripts for any remaining courses and/or degrees must be received by July 1.  There is no maximum number of non-science required courses that may be completed but the transcript deadline of July 1 applies. The July 1 deadline for transcripts and grades is firm.

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Advanced Placement

• AP Biology and Chemistry - Scores of 4-5 on each of these meets the General Biology & lab requirement and the General Chemistry & lab requirement for veterinary medicine.
• AP English for English 150 or with 24 ACT, 550 SAT can take English 250 and get credit for both if the person earns a C or better.
• AP Physics 1 or Physics C-mechanics – Scores of 4-5 on this exam meets the General Physics 1 and lab requirement for veterinary medicine.
• Social sciences, humanities, and electives may also be completed with AP exams or taken at a community college while in high school.

If a student completes all of these above courses in high school, then:

YEAR 1
Fall Semester 1
Organic Chemistry I + Lab
Arts and Humanities
Speech    

Spring Semester 1
Genetics
Arts and Humanities

YEAR 2
Fall Semester 2
Anatomy 
Biochemistry     
Elective
Upper-level Biomedical Science 

Spring Semester 2
Upper-level Biomedical Science 
Upper-level Biomedical Science
Elective
Continue to take courses to fulfill undergraduate major