So, you want to be a veterinarian. Perhaps you have always dreamed of being a vet, or perhaps you have just arrived at this career choice recently. Either way, you are looking into various veterinary programs. Becoming a veterinarian is challenging. First, you must complete an undergraduate education which entails making good grades in a number of prerequisite courses. Then there is vet school, which takes four years to complete in the United States. The curriculum is a mix of in-classroom work and hands-on field experience. The schedule is intense, but incredibly rewarding. This is our analysis of the vet schools in Texas.
There are only 31 accredited veterinarian schools in the United States. Because of this relative lack of schools (say, when compared to medicine or law), competition to earn a spot in one of these programs is intense. In the state of Texas, there had historically been only a single veterinarian school — Texas A&M university. It is common that only a single state university is home to the DVM (doctor of veterinary medicine) program. This was the case in Texas until very recently. In 2019, Texas Tech University, based out of Lubbock, announced they would be opening a veterinary school of their own. As you are reading this article, the newly formed Texas Tech School of Veterinary Medicine is deciding on which applicants will be awarded admission to their inaugural class. Classes will begin in fall 2021.
Best Veterinarian Schools in Texas
1. Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine and Biosciences (CVMBS)
Location: College Station, TX
Cohort Size: 400
Tuition per year: $25,852
Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine and Biosciences was founded in 1916, though its roots extended back into the late nineteenth century. Today, more than a century after its initial creation, Texas A&M DVM program is considered one of the best vet schools in the country. Generations of Aggie vets have treated animals in Texas and the greater United States. Due to the competitive nature of vet school, Texas A&M has outlined incredibly thorough advice for people interested in applying to their DVM program. For instance, they have an entire section for K-12 students who are interested in becoming Doctors of Veterinary Medicine. If you are a K-12 student, you would do well to familiarize yourself with the expectations and practical advice listed there. Here are a few of the pieces of advice they pass onto young people who wish to become vets.
- High schools student aspiring to become vets should complete the following coursework during high school: one year of chemistry, one year of physics, and one year of biology. Additionally, high schoolers should also one and a half years of Algebra, a year of Geometry, and at least a half year of trigonometry.
- Due to the challenging course load for the eight total years of education required, Texas A&M Vet School suggests that students develop strong study habits as early as possible. These will serve you well during long academic journey from college freshman to Doctor of Veterinary Medicine.
- Begin looking for experience with vets or animals earlier rather than later.
- volunteer at your local animal shelter, veterinary office, or similar practice.
- seek direct contact with animals through jobs or volunteering at farms, stables, et cetera.
The Department also provides equally thorough advice for college undergraduates, everything from choice of undergraduate major to special transfer programs available to community college students throughout the State of Texas. We have included some of the following advice as relayed by the department in their information brochure.
- 46% of students who attend veterinary schools in Texas studied a subject in the Biomedical Sciences (BMS). At Texas A&M, you can major in BIMS as an undergraduate. Majoring in BIMS will prepare you for the vet school curriculum, in addition to satisfying all the prerequisite requirements for the study of veterinary medicine at Texas A&M or another veterinary department.
- Students at 15 community colleges in Texas may apply to transfer into the BIMS program at Texas A&M through a scheme called 2+2 articulation programs.
In keeping with their thoroughness, Texas A&M offers lots of information regarding admission requirements for prospective students. Here are some of the broad strokes that may help you better prepare or understand the requirements of admission.
- Texas A&M insists on candidates having a good balance and strong showing in the following areas: veterinary experience, animal experience, academic rigor and course load.
- Applications are judged on very precise criteria, with each section weighted for by importance. Here is how Texas A&M breaks down their application formula.
- 38% based on GPA and course load.
- 16% on veterinary or animal experience.
- 25% on Multiple Mini Interviews (MMIs)
- 21% on other achievements, activities, et cetera
- Applicants should have, at minimum, a 2.9 undergraduate Grade Point Average (GPA).
- During their last 45 credit hours (approx. 3-4 semesters), students should have earned a 3.10 GPA in their coursework.
- Students need to have earned a 2.9 GPA in all of their sciences and math courses.
If a student meets these requirements, they may pass onto a second phase during which they are interviewed (Multiple Mini Interviews). After that, an offer of admission may be extended. Then you begin your long journey to becoming a vet! For more information about the curriculum and structure of the program at Texas A&M, visit their website.
2. Texas Tech School of Veterinary Medicine
Location: Amarillo, TX
Tuition: $22,000
Cohort Size: N/A
Slated to open in fall 2021, Texas Tech University has now opened the second veterinary school in the state of Texas. As it stands, TTU has been given permission by the veterinary accreditation body to accept students into their first-ever class. Much of the advice relayed on the Texas A&M website will also be applicable to those of you who are considering applying to Texas Tech — you must be a strong student with good grades and lots of animal/ veterinary experience. Applicants must have a 2.9 overall GPA, having earned at least a C in all of their pre-requisite classes. At minimum, applicants should have earned a 2.9 GPA or higher in their science courses.
It is exciting for many aspiring veterinarians that Texas Tech has opened a new vet school. This allows for more qualified people to attend vet school and get out in the field to help animals. While Texas Tech is still on the journey to become a vet school, we heavily encourage our readers to check out their website and see if it is the right fit for you.
We hope that our list has been helpful in guiding your research into graduate school and programs. Our list does not include any paid or preferred listings. It is prepared subjectively, using several metrics, including (but not limited to): tuition per credit hour, acceptance rate, number of programs offered, and availability of funding. If you are a representative for a university and want to contact us about a) your schools ranking or b) the fact your school is not included, please feel free to get in touch. We welcome feedback and input. Thank you for reading our list!
