Frequently Asked Questions

 

Application Questions

• Where can I apply?

  Apply through the Veterinary Medical College Application Service.

• When is the deadline to submit an application?

  The VMCAS application deadline is typically September 15, unless that date falls on a weekend, then deadline will be the following Monday. For more information, see the VMCAS  website.

• Is there a minimum GPA requirement for applications to be considered?

  Eligible applicants must have a minimum prerequisite GPA of 2.8

• Do all of the requirements have to be completed before I submit my application?

  No. While we prefer that applicants have the majority of all required coursework completed at the time of application, pending coursework may be completed throughout the application process. However, all required coursework must be completed prior to June 1 of the year you enter the DVM program, if admitted. 

  Please remember all coursework re-taken to replace a grade less than "C" must be done by the fall semester of application.

• Am I required to get a letter of reference from an adviser, employer and a veterinarian?

  We require three letters of reference, one of which must be from a veterinarian with whom you have worked and who can evaluate your potential as a veterinarian. The other categories of references are only suggestions for the remaining two letters.

• Am I required to have a Bachelor's Degree to apply?

  No. As long as you can complete all required pre-veterinary courses by June 1, you may apply without a Bachelor’s Degree.

• Where do I mail the letters of recommendation (ELOR)?

  You do not mail the letters. Letters of recommendation must be submitted electronically through VMCAS.

• When are admissions decisions made?

  View the admissions timeline diagram showing application deadlines and when decisions are made.

• What should I do if I can't confirm my processing fee payment was successful?

  Contact the CVM Student Services office at 405-744-6961.

• It is after the VMCAS deadline and there's an issue with my application. What should I do?
  Contact the Student Services Office, dvm@okstate.edu. Although we will try to work with you to the best of our capabilities, please note that the OSU-CVM cannot process an application if it has not been through the verification process with VMCAS first.

 

General

• What is the average class size?

  We have a maximum of 106 seats available to first year students. The class is comprised of 58 Oklahoma residents and 48 non-residents.

• Is it possible to find out where I placed on the alternate list?

  No. This varies and is not an accurate reflection in determining chances of being admitted.

• Are my chances of getting into the OSU CVM DVM Program better if I attend OSU as an undergraduate student?

  No. Students may complete their pre-veterinary coursework at any accredited college or university.

• Where can I get information about veterinary master's degree and doctoral programs?

  View information on master's degree and doctoral programs on the Graduate Program page.

• Is there a such thing as a legacy program at OSU CVM?

  No. The OSU Legacy program is not available for CVM students.

 

Academics

• Where do I send transcripts?

  Initial transcripts from every college an applicant has attended must be submitted to VMCAS by September 15, unless that date falls on a weekend, then deadline will be the following Monday. This includes courses taken concurrently through high school. 

  If you are enrolled in fall courses, those transcripts are due to the CVM by January 15. If you are enrolled in spring courses and selected for the incoming class, those transcripts will be due to the CVM by June 1.

• Where should I mail my transcripts?
  Initial transcripts should be sent to VMCAS. Fall and spring transcripts should mailed to CVM Student Services at 110 McElroy Hall, Stillwater, OK  74078 or emailed to dvm@okstate.edu.
• Do I need to send a transcript from every college I have ever attended?

  Yes. VMCAS must have an official transcript from every college or university you have attended.

• What if the transcripts from my current school contain the grades from my previous schools?

  Even if grades from one college or university are reported on a later transcript, VMCAS still requires an official transcript from every university attended.

• Do I still need to send my official transcripts if I attended Oklahoma State University?

  We are not able to print official transcripts from the university. You will need to request an official transcript sent from the OSU Registrar.

• Do I have to take Animal Nutrition? My school does not offer it.

  Yes. You can take it through OSU Office of Individual Study. Other schools offering Animal Nutrition via distance learning include Rutgers, Purdue, Kansas State, Oregon State and North Carolina State.

  Human, Plant, and species specific Nutrition courses will NOT satisfy the Animal Nutrition requirement. Acceptable Animal Nutrition courses should cover ruminant digestion, absorption, and metabolism. Feeds and Feeding courses are not accepted. 

• What courses must be taken at at four- year institution?
  Animal Nutrition
  Biochemistry
  Animal Genetics
  Organic Chemistry 1 & Lab
  Organic Chemistry 2 & Lab
• Can I use Advanced Placement (AP) credits to fulfill prerequisite courses?
  Credit earned through advanced standing is acceptable, although it is not used in the computation of the grade point average. Official credit earned from the AP exam must be reflected on your undergraduate transcripts.
• What if my total prerequisite credit hours does not add up to 64?
  Credit hours may vary by institution. Example of acceptable discrepancies: Microbiology & Lab at OSU are worth five credit hours combined. At another institution Microbiology includes a lab and is worth 4 credit hours. Both are acceptable.
• Who can I ask if I am not sure whether a course will satisfy the requirement? 
  Contact the Student Services Office at (405) 744-6961 or dvm@okstate.edu.
• Which courses are required for admission to the college?
  View the courses required for admission on the eligibility page.
• What should my college major be?
  As long as you complete the prerequisite coursework, your major is not reviewed as a factor of admission. The most common majors are Animal Science, Biochemistry, Biology, Physiology & Zoology.
• Does it matter how long ago I took a required course?
  Yes. Math and science based courses have to be taken within eight years of the year of application.
• What courses, other than the required ones, can I take to prepare myself for veterinary school?
  Physiology, Anatomy, Immunology, Reproduction, Histology, and Parasitology.
• What should I do if my courses have been academically removed from my transcript? 
  Email dvm@okstate.edu informing us of your academically removed courses to ensure they are not used on your application. 

 

Testing

• What is the deadline for taking the GRE?

  September 15 is the deadline for all GREs to be received by VMCAS, unless that date falls on a weekend, then deadline will be the following Monday. It typically takes GRE/ETS several weeks after the test is taken to successfully send the results so we highly encourage you to take the GRE no later than September 1 to meet this deadline.

• Can I take the VCAT or MCAT instead of the GRE?

  No. We only accept the General GRE.

• Do you require the GRE Biology Subject test?

  No

• Can I re-take the GRE multiple times to improve my score?

  Yes. You can take the General GRE once a month as many times as you would like. The highest set of scores on a particular test date will be used when the GRE has been taken more than once.

• How long are GRE scores good for?

  Four years.

• What is the institution code for OSU-CVM?

  The GRE institution code for OSU-CVM is 6558.

• What is the Casper test?
  Casper is a form of situational judgment test. Situational judgment tests (SJTs) are a type of psychological test which presents the test-taker with realistic, hypothetical scenarios and may ask the individual what they would do in the dilemma and why they would do it. Situational judgment tests tend to determine behavioral tendencies, assessing how an individual will behave in a certain situation, and knowledge instruction, which evaluates the effectiveness of possible responses.
• What is the format of the Casper test?
  Each section contains a video-based or word-based scenario and three open-ended questions. Test takers have five minutes to type their responses to all three questions. Casper progresses from one section to the next automatically. It typically takes 60-90 minutes to complete with an optional 15-minute break halfway through.
• Where can I take the Casper test?
  You can take the online Casper test on a computer and at a location of your choice. Since the test requires your full concentration, it is strongly recommend that you take the test in a space that is free from distractions and noise.
• How many times can I take the Casper test?
  You can only take the test once per admission cycle. Tests are not carried over from year to year so if you have to re-apply, you will need to take the test again the next cycle.
• How much does the Casper test cost?
  The veterinary medicine test for Casper is $50 plus $16 per school you choose to send test scores to.
• When is the deadline to take the Casper test?
  The last test date for the 2024 cycle is September 17. Applicants applying in the 2024 cycle who haven’t taken the test by September 17 will not be eligible to apply.
• Are there practice tests available?
  Yes! Visit Casper Test Prep.
• Where can I find more information about Casper?
  You can visit the Casper website. There is a wonderful FAQ section that should answer most applicant questions. Live Chat is also available in the dialogue box to the bottom right of the screen on the main Casper page.

 

Residency and Contract States

• How can I become an Oklahoma resident prior to acceptance?

  Information regarding residency can be found on the Registrar's Residency Status page or by calling the Registrar at 405-744-6876.

• Can I change my non-resident status after I have been admitted into the OSU vet school?

  No. The only way to change residency after acceptance is to marry an already established Oklahoma resident after beginning the OSU DVM program.

• Do you interview non-resident applicants?

  No. Currently, we only interview Oklahoma applicants.

• Do you have contract seats available for specific states?

  The Oklahoma State University College of Veterinary Medicine has educational contracts with Arkansas (1 seat) and Delaware (1 seat) to allow for a substantial tuition fee waiver if you are the top competing candidate from one of these states. These contracts provide access to veterinary medical education for top ranking residents since these states do not have a veterinary program. Contract seats are contingent on funding. 

  
  Arkansas 
  Delaware