Early Entry Program

The Early Entry Program (EEP) is a unique program of the MSU CVM that allows high-achieving high school seniors to earn pre-approved acceptance into the CVM. Both Mississippi and out-of-state students are eligible for the program. Up to thirty positions are available each year with about 120+ applications generally received for this highly competitive program. Each Early Entry student must be accepted into Mississippi State University. Applications to the EEP and the University are separate applications. 

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The Application

The College of Veterinary Medicine Early Entry application is supplemental to the Mississippi State University application for admission. In order to access the CVM-EEP application, you must have been accepted to Mississippi State University and meet all requirements listed below. The EEP application opens on August 1st. Please visit your my.msstate.edu portal to access the CVM-EEP application. If the Early Entry Application does not display in your myState portal and you feel you meet our requirements, please contact us at admit@vetmed.msstate.edu.  

 A completed CVM-EEP application and all supporting materials must be submitted on or prior to January 4, 2023. Interviews are a required part of the final process. Applicants selected for interviews will be invited to participate in a virtual interview in late January. Please view the list of important dates below.         

The application period for 2022-2023 is now open. 

Application Requirements

Students applying for the Early Entry Program must have the following qualifications:

• Accepted as an undergraduate at MSU
• Minimum ACT composite or superscore of 27 (SAT score of 1260 on new SAT)
• Minimum high school core GPA of 3.6

In addition, the Early Entry Program Admissions Committee considers animal and veterinary experience, work experience, leadership qualities and non-academic qualities (listed below), that are addressed in the applicant’s written application to the EEP, and three evaluations submitted on behalf of the applicant by references of their choosing. One evaluator must attest to the applicant's animal handling skills. A veterinarian is preferred, but not required.  

Non-academic qualifications:

• Understanding of veterinary profession
• Integrity
• Communication skills
• Empathy
• Orientation towards service
• Uniqueness
• Motivation/self-determination
• Strong work ethic
• Interpersonal skills
• Problem-solving skills
• Leadership abilities

Interview

Interviews are a required part of the final process. Applicants selected for interviews will be invited to participate in a virtual interview in late January. Interview invitations will be sent by email in early to mid-January with further details. After interviews have been completed, notifications regarding acceptance to the program will be emailed and mailed by mid-February.

Acceptance into the EEP

Students who have an interest in veterinary medicine and meet application requirements during high school may apply for the Early Entry Program. If a student is accepted into this program, he or she begins undergraduate coursework at MSU after high school graduation and completes the first three to four years of prerequisite courses, while also working toward the completion of a bachelor’s degree. After the student has completed all Course Requirements for the College of Veterinary Medicine and remains in good standing, he or she can enroll in the CVM as a pre-accepted student. No further application or interview to the CVM is required.

Good Standing

To remain in good standing in the Early Entry Program, a student must:

• Successfully complete a minimum of 14 credit hours each semester at MSU
• Earn no less than a 3.35 GPA in
  • all college courses combined (cumulative GPA)
  • all prerequisite math/science courses (math/science GPA)
  • all other prerequisite courses (required courses GPA)
• Earn no less than a C- in all prerequisite courses
• Remain in good standing with the University
• Meet with the Early Entry Program administrator at least once each semester
• Document completion of at least 480 hours of experience under the supervision of a veterinarian in a clinical or scientific setting prior to entering the DVM program
• Refrain from enrolling full-time at an institution other than Mississippi State University

Bachelor’s Degree Options

Students in the EEP may choose any major of study; however, the following programs have degree requirements that align with requirements for admission to the CVM and may offer the opportunity for students to earn both their bachelor’s and DVM degrees in a shortened period of time:

• Animal & Dairy Science
• Biochemistry
• Biological Engineering
• Biological Sciences
• Chemical Engineering
• Food Science Technology
• Poultry Science
• Wildlife Veterinary Medicine

Please note there is no specific “Pre-Veterinary Medicine” major at MSU. However, students can opt for a pre-veterinary concentration.