Pathway Programs
A traditional DVM applicant will complete both a bachelor’s degree and the DVM program- totaling at least eight years of higher education. WSU’s pre-admit programs allow highly competitive applicants to be offered conditional acceptance to the DVM program in the fall of their junior year. Conditionally accepted students receive mentoring as they continue to prepare to enter the DVM program after their third or fourth year of undergraduate studies, depending on the pathway.
The WSU pre-admit program offers a unique advantage by providing early exposure to the WSU community and consistent support throughout undergraduate studies. The program helped me achieve my goals faster and made the transition into veterinary school far less intimidating while providing financial benefits, easing the total cost of my education along the way.
-Madeline Boehland (2025 DVM)
Other pathways to a DVM degree at WSU
The Honors College and College of Veterinary Medicine offer an Honors pre-admit program. Successful completion of this joint program takes seven years and results in the attainment of a Bachelor of Science degree and a DVM.
| Application Requirement (Nomination) | Matriculation (maintenance) requirement |
|---|---|
| You must be in the Honors College and in good standing in an approved honors preadmit academic program (animal sciences, microbiology, neuroscience, wildlife ecology, zoology). | You must remain in the Honors College in an approved honors preadmit academic program for the duration of your undergraduate coursework; animal sciences, microbiology, neuroscience, wildlife ecology, or zoology. |
| Completed a minimum of 60 credits at WSU with a VMCAS calculated cumulative GPA of at least 3.7. | Satisfactory completion of all academic course work required for both the Honors College and your departmental major with a cumulative GPA of no less than 3.50 as of August 1. |
| Completed 25 credits of DVM science and math prerequisite coursework with a grade of C- or better. | Completion of all DVM prerequisite coursework with a grade of C- or better. |
| Completed Hon 398 or have an approved honors thesis proposal. | Satisfactory completion of honors thesis requirements by August 1. |
| Minimum of 100 veterinary experience hours (can be paid or volunteer). | Continued development of your non-academic profile with experiences that are deemed satisfactory to the Director of Admissions in preparation for the veterinary curriculum, e.g., veterinary, research, employment, and animal experiences, extracurricular activities, community service and leadership training. |
To be eligible to apply for admission through the accelerated Honors Pre-admit Program in Veterinary Medicine, you must meet all of the application requirements. Applications that do not meet these criteria will be automatically denied.
The Department of Animal Sciences offers the Combined Program in Animal Sciences and Veterinary Medicine.
| Application Requirement (Nomination) | Matriculation (maintenance) requirement |
|---|---|
| You must be an Animal Science major in good standing. | You must remain an Animal Science major for the duration of your undergraduate coursework. |
| Completed a minimum of 60 credits at WSU with a VMCAS calculated cumulative GPA of at least 3.7. | Satisfactory completion of all academic course work (Animal Science major) with a cumulative GPA of no less than 3.50 as of August 1. |
| Completed 25 credits of DVM science and math prerequisite coursework with a grade of C- or better. | Completion of all DVM prerequisite coursework with a grade of C-or better. |
| Minimum of 100 veterinary experience hours (can be paid or volunteer). | Continued development of your non-academic profile with experiences that are deemed satisfactory to the Director of Admissions in preparation for the veterinary curriculum, e.g., veterinary, research, employment, and animal experiences, extracurricular activities, community service and leadership training. |
| Animal Science applicants who are enrolled in the Honors College must complete the requirements of both programs. | |
To be eligible to apply for admission through the Combined program in animal sciences and veterinary medicine, you must meet all of the application requirements. Applications that do not meet these criteria will be automatically denied.
This program offers a pathway to early acceptance into the DVM program. Eligible students may apply after completing their second year of undergraduate studies (at least 55 credits). If accepted, they are guaranteed a seat in the DVM program, contingent upon successful completion of their undergraduate degree and all program requirements. Successful completion of this joint program takes eight years and results in the attainment of a Bachelor of Science degree and a DVM.
| Application Requirement | Matriculation (maintenance) requirement |
|---|---|
| You must be admitted to a major in CVM* and be in good standing. | You must remain a major in CVM* for the duration of your undergraduate coursework. |
| Completed a minimum of 55 credits at WSU with a VMCAS calculated cumulative GPA of at least 3.6. | Satisfactory completion of all academic course work (including CVM major*) with a cumulative GPA of no less than 3.50 as of August 1. |
| Completed 20 credits of DVM science and math prerequisite coursework with a grade of C- or better. | Completion of all DVM prerequisite coursework with a grade of C- or better. |
| Minimum of 200 veterinary experience hours (can be paid or volunteer). | • Meet with your academic advisor and the CVM Associate Dean for Undergraduate Education each semester • Continued development of your non-academic profile with experiences that are deemed satisfactory to the Associate Dean and DVM Director of Admissions in preparation for the veterinary curriculum, e.g., veterinary, research, employment, and animal experiences, extracurricular activities, community service and leadership training. |
| * CVM Majors include Biochemistry, Genetics and Cell Biology, Microbiology, Neuroscience, and Public Health | |