SCHOOL OF VETERINARY MEDICINE

Information:
School of Veterinary Medicine
Office of the Dean
Surge IV
916-752-1383

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applying for admission, program of study (and links to departments), fees, academic calendar

The mission of the School of Veterinary Medicine is to provide the best possible health care for animals through teaching, research and public service. Students are offered a rigorous four-year program of study that prepares them for diverse career opportunities in veterinary medicine.

Preparation for the Study of
Veterinary Medicine

(To convert semester units to quarter units, multiply by ³ / 2. For example, a 4-unit semester course is equivalent to a 6-unit course in the quarter system.)

You should plan your preveterinary medical education carefully. The required courses should be spaced to permit maximum scholastic achievement. An undergraduate major should be selected on the basis of individual interest and aptitude; there is no advantage gained toward admission by selecting one major over another. Many students planning to enter veterinary school have definite areas of interest within the general field of veterinary medicine. These individuals are encouraged to take courses (for example, computer science, agricultural economics, molecular and biochemical genetics) that will broaden their background in these areas. Some specialized areas include laboratory animal medicine, exotic animal medicine, public health, food animal practice and biomedical research.

Examinations. All applicants must take the General Aptitude Test and the Subject Test in Biology of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) by the October test date. Graduate Record Examination scores received from the November test or later tests for the year the application is filed will not be accepted for consideration.Applications for the exams and additional information may be obtained from the Educational Testing Service, Box 23470, Oakland, CA 94623-0470. The GRE must be taken within five years of the time you submit your application. The highest scores will be used when the GRE is taken more than once.

Grade Point Average. To be considered for admission, you must have a minimum grade point average of 2.50 for both the required sciences and the cumulative grade point average. Applicants who do not meet the minimum grade point average can qualify for admission by receiving GRE scores in the upper 30th percentile for the combined General Aptitude Test and Subject Test in Biology. Applicants who do not have transcripts with letter grading can qualify for consideration with these same scores or by receiving a bachelor's degree with honors.

Practical Experience. Admission to the School requires extensive experience with animals. This experience should entail more than having family pets and should include experience with several animal species if it includes relevant experience with types of activities that give an applicant an appreciation and understanding of the veterinary profession. The minimum requirement for animal, veterinary and biomedical science experience is 180 hours (4.5 weeks). This experience should also include working with veterinarians, so that the applicant understands the duties and responsibilities of a practitioner and the breadth of veterinary medicine.

Applying for Admission

November 1 Deadline for filing applications for admission for Fall 1997 to the School of Veterinary Medicine

The Veterinary Medical Colleges Application Service (VMCAS) will be the central distribution, collection and processing service for applications to the School of Veterinary Medicine and to other veterinary colleges.

Students are admitted to the School of Veterinary Medicine in the fall only. Applications may be obtained any time after July 15 by writing to the Office of the Associate Dean--Student Programs, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616 or by calling 916-752-1383.

Students interested in admission to the School of Veterinary Medicine are urged to request an Announcement of the School of Veterinary Medicine at an early date so that all minimum academic requirements and deadlines are met.

Applicants with disadvantaged backgrounds (cultural, economic, social, educational, disabled and other factors) are encouraged to apply to the Veterinary Medical Opportunity Program (VMOP). For further information and advising services, contact the Office of the Dean--Student Programs or by calling 916-752-1383.

Letters of Evaluation. Three letters of evaluation are required and are submitted with your VMCAS application. Letters should be requested from persons who know you well, understand academic and professional demands, and have had the opportunity to evaluate your personal qualities and potential as a professional person. The evaluator should be willing to write a thorough, comprehensive letter on your behalf.

Interviews. Interviews may be requested, as deemed necessary, by the Dean and Admission Committee to obtain additional information. The Dean and Admission Committee may require additional evaluation procedures for selecting candidates for admission.

Out-of-State and Foreign Applicants. California residents are given priority for admission to the school. A small number of uniquely qualified applicants who are not California residents may be admitted as nonresidents. The criteria for determining residency are explained in Residence for Tuition Information in the Appendix of this catalog. Specific questions should be addressed to the Legal Analyst--Residence Matters, 300 Lakeside Dr., 7th Floor, Oakland, CA 94720. No other persons are qualified to give rulings on residency.

If you are from a country other than the United States, you must include a certified English version of your college transcript, and, if English is your second language, the official scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) taken within five years of the date when your application is submitted.

Criteria for Selection

I. Academic Factors (50-60%)

A. College coursework:

1. GPA of all undergraduate and graduate coursework
2. GPA of required science coursework
3. GPA of last two years of college work (minimum of 72 quarter units)

B. Graduate Record Examination:

1. General Aptitude Test (Verbal, Quantitative and Analytical)
2. Subject Test in Biology

II. Non-Academic Factors (40-50%)

1. Narrative (5-20%)
2. Letters of Evaluation (5-20%)
3. Interviews (0-20%)

Applicants will also be evaluated for their understanding of the profession and the responsibilities of being a veterinarian, interest in serving the public, maturity, motivation and other qualities necessary for successful academic and professional work.

Program of Study

Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. To receive a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree, students must study veterinary medicine for the equivalent of 12 quarters of 12 weeks each (the last six quarters must have been spent in the School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis). A grade point average of 2.0 (C), computed on all courses taken in the School, is required and students must satisfactorily complete all required work as determined by the faculty of the School.

Master of Preventive Veterinary Medicine. Applicants for candidacy to the Master of Preventive Veterinary Medicine (M.P.V.M.) degree program must have completed the Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine or the equivalent; final admission decisions rest with the Admissions Committee, M.P.V.M program. Application deadline for fall quarter admission is March 15 (Please note that the deadline for applications for Nonresident Tuition Fee Fellowships is January 15.) International applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible. Students wishing to enter winter or spring quarter should contact the M.P.V.M. Program Director concerning application deadlines.

The M.P.V.M. degree normally takes one year to complete; however, some students may require as much as two years to finish the program. Students who intend to complete the program in one calendar year must commence the program in August. Candidates for the M.P.V.M. degree must satisfactorily complete a total of 40 units of coursework while in residence. This includes 27 units of required courses in epidemiology, biostatistics, information management and a minimum of 13 units of approved electives. Students must also complete a reasearch study which culminates in a written report and oral presentation. A committtee, consisting of three faculty members, reviews each paper for acceptability and assigns an appropriate grade.

Application forms and information about the program can be requested from the Director, M.P.V.M. Program, Office of the Dean, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616.

Combined Program. Students may enroll in the combined D.V.M./M.P.V.M. program in which the M.P.V.M. degree may be awarded by the end of the fall quarter of the fifth year or as soon thereafter as all requirements for both the D.V.M. and M.P.V.M. degrees are completed. The advantage of the combined program resides in the ability of the student to complete the M.P.V.M. program within six months after normal completion time of the D.V.M. degree, rather than 15 months, as would be the case if taken sequentially.

Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy. General information regarding these degrees will be found in the Announcement of Graduate Studies, which may be obtained from Graduate Studies, University of California, Davis, CA 95616. Additional detailed information may be obtained by writing the chairperson of the department in which you wish to study.

Link to courses in:

Anatomy, Physiology and Cell Biology

Medicine and Epidemiology

Molecular Biosciences

Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology

Population Health and Reproduction

Preventive Veterinary Medicine (M.P.V.M.)

Surgical and Radiological Sciences

Veterinary Medicine (core courses

Student Fees: School of Veterinary Medicine

At the time of registration each quarter, every student must pay the following fees.

These are the proposed fees for the 1996-97 academic year. Because fees are subject to gubernatorial, legislative and regental action, these fees may change without notice.

Students entering 1996-97

	Per Quarter	Annually
University Registration Fee	$238.00	$713.00
Educational Fee	$1,029.00	$3,086.00
Memorial Union Fee	$28.50	$85.50
Student Facilities Safety Fee	$22.00	$66.00
Health Insurance*	$150.00	$449.00
Professional School Fee	$1,334.00	$4,000.00
Total for CA residents	$2,801.50	$8,399.50
Nonresident Tuition	$2,798.00	$8,394.00
Total for nonresidents	$5,599.50	$16,793.50

* Students must purchase the Graduate Student Health Insurance Plan unless they are able to prove comparable coverage under another plan.

ÝM.P.V.M., Masters, and Ph.D. students do not pay the Professional School Student Fee. These students pay the Graduate Student Fees (see Graduate Studies).

Students previously admitted

The Professional School Fee for students admitted to the School of Veterinary Medicine in previous years is as follows:

• 1995-96: $3,000 per year. Total annual student fees for California residents are $7,399.50;
  for nonresidents, $15,793.50.
• 1994-95: $2,000 per year. Total annual student fees for California residents are $6,399.50;
  for nonresidents, $14,793.50.
• Prior to 1994-95: students are not assessed the Professional School Fee. Total annual student fees for California residents are $4,399.50;
  for nonresidents, $12, 793.50.

PELP students are considered continuing students. Readmitted students are considered new (entering) students.

School of Veterinary Medicine
Academic Calendar 1996-97

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