Application Information

Application Information

The Application

Please note that this information is subject to change at the discretion of the CVM Admissions Committee.

All applicants must apply through the Veterinary Medical College Application Service (VMCAS). The VMCAS application is available online *here* beginning in late January, the year before you intend to enroll. The deadline for the submission of applications and all application materials is generally mid-September and will be stated on the VMCAS website. The application deadline and other important dates for each cycle can be found at VMCAS Application Cycle Dates. 

To be considered for admission, in addition to meeting all academic, testing, and deadline requirements, an applicant must be in good standing at his/her current university, as well as at all colleges or universities he/she has attended. A student who has been dismissed from another college/school of veterinary medicine cannot be considered for admission to MSU CVM.

Apply Now Admissions FAQ VMCAS Application Guide

Transcripts

Transcripts must be submitted to VMCAS from all institutions attended by the stated VMCAS deadline. This includes any high school/college dual credit coursework or AP/IB/CLEP credits. AP/IB/CLEP credits must either appear on your official college transcripts and be equivalent to the appropriate college-level coursework or your institution's Registrar's Office must provide us with an AP/IB Certification listing the AP/IB /CLEP credit and the equivalent college-level course it fulfilled. If AP/IB /CLEP credits are not listed on your official transcript, contact your institution's Registrar's Office to have an AP/IB /CLEP Certification sent to admit@vetmed.msstate.edu. Exempted credits or waived requirements from an undergraduate institution will not be accepted for fulfilling prerequisite coursework. Credit hours must be awarded. 

Note: Mississippi State University recognizes the IB Program. Credit will be considered for the higher-level subject examinations with scores of 5, 6, or 7 pending approvals of the various colleges, schools, and major departments of the university. 

Failure to submit all transcripts could result in an incomplete application. If coursework from one institution is listed as "transfer coursework" from another institution, the official transcript from the transfer institution must be sent to VMCAS as well. 

Do not submit transcripts to MSU for the verification process. Transcripts sent directly to MSU CVM will not be evaluated as a part of your application. Late transcripts will not be accepted. 

If you are taking courses during the summer term, wait until summer grades are posted before sending transcripts to VMCAS. VMCAS will only verify your transcripts one time during the admissions cycle. To learn more about the verification process, click *here*.

Letters of Recommendation

Three electronic letters of recommendation (eLORs) are required as a part of the admissions process. The VMCAS application allows each applicant to submit up to 6 names and email addresses of evaluators. At least one of the three references must be a veterinarian who is listed in one of your experience categories (i.e., shadowing, working, classroom, or laboratory). Family members cannot be used as evaluators. 

We recommend entering your references as soon as possible to allow them ample time to complete your eLOR. References are strongly encouraged to provide a letter of recommendation that is reflective of the required rubric evaluation completed on behalf of the applicant. Supplying detailed information related to the rubric characteristics is highly beneficial. The rubric characteristics can be found *here*. 

Within MSU’s supplemental application, an applicant will identify the three references they prefer the admissions committee to review. The admissions committee reserves the right to read other recommendations beyond the three listed, if needed. Letters must be submitted electronically to VMCAS (not MSU CVM) by the VMCAS deadline which can be found at VMCAS Application Cycle Dates. No recommendations will be accepted after this deadline. 

Recommendation tips: 

  • Choose individuals who know you well enough to elaborate on your experience, motivation and dedication.
  • Submit additional references beyond the three required in the case that a reference fails to complete their evaluation by the deadline.
  • Follow up with your references to be sure they have correctly submitted the materials to VMCAS prior to the deadline.
  • Check your VMCAS portal to determine if your references have submitted the necessary materials.