Guide 2010

Guide for
Prospective Students
A Message from the Dean

Dear Applicant: Welcome to the School of Veterinary Medicine at UC Davis. We appreciate your interest in a veterinary career and encourage you to learn all that you can to prepare a successful application. Veterinary medicine offers an exciting and nearly limitless variety of careers. If you are accepted into our program, you will learn not only how to care for pets, livestock or wildlife species, but also how to protect societys public health and food safety. You may choose a career in veterinary public practice, develop a new vaccine or therapy for animals, make discoveries in wildlife and environmental health, or teach the next generation of veterinarians. We are proud of our unique faculty with its many areas of expertise. Faculty research is vital to improve animal health, human health and environmental health. New scientific knowledge also strengthens and enriches our teaching programs. The four years of veterinary school include both academic courses and practical training. You will find comprehensive learning opportunities and gain hands-on experience at the William R. Pritchard Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital and other specialized training sites. We are committed to promoting diversity. Our graduates should reflect the richness of Californias many cultures. In this way, we as veterinarians can better serve the everchanging needs of our population. Our faculty and staff welcome the opportunity to work with you as you take your first steps toward a career in the veterinary profession, starting with a first-rate education at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. Sincerely,
Bennie I. Osburn Dean
Guide for Prospective Veterinary Students, UC Davis, 2010
Table of Contents
Career Opportunities in Veterinary Medicine . . . . . 4 The UC Davis Setting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 School Resources and Facilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Professional Curriculum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Curriculum Schedule . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Costs and Financial Aid. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Scholarships . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Advanced Degree Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Academic Preparation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Required Preveterinary Medical Courses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Admission to the School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Out-of-State and Foreign Applicants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Veterinary Medical Opportunity Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Dates to Remember . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Criteria for Selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Admission Statistics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Answers to Frequently Asked Questions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 UC Davis Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
The Gladys Valley Hall classroom complex, opened in 2006, features lecture halls with wireless Internet access and large homerooms where students can relax and interact between classes.
Career Opportunities in Veterinary Medicine

Veterinarians are highly trained medical professionals who provide for the health and quality of life of all kinds of animals. They use problem-solving skills and in-depth knowledge of biological, physical and social science to diagnose, treat and prevent animal diseases. Their expertise enhances the productivity of animals and assures the safety of animal products used by people. Most veterinarians in the United States work in private practice. Others work in a wide range of fields including public health, animal disease control, environmental protection, biotechnology, higher education and research. The profession becomes more complex as trade barriers fall, new zoonotic diseases emerge, human travel increases, and production and distribution of food products take place in more concentrated, large-scale operations.
Private Practice
Students learn surgical skills under faculty guidance by performing spay-neuter and other procedures for shelter animals that return to local shelters for adoption.
The United States animal health care system is based on the private practice of veterinary medicine. Private practitioners provide primary health care to livestock and companion animals on a case-by-case, fee-for-service basis. More than 70 percent of practices deal with small companion animals. Practitioners may specialize in one medical area, such as surgery or dermatology. Others emphasize a group or species, such as food animals, exotics, birds or horses. Whatever their interests, all DVM students learn to provide basic care to the general animal population and prevent disease and other health problems.
Public Practice
Veterinarians may work for federal or regional agencies that watch over the health and welfare of domesticated animals or monitor populations of free-ranging wildlife. These experts diagnose diseases, inspect meat and poultry, oversee communicable disease programs (West Nile virus, rabies, BSE, avian flu, etc.) and conduct research. Specialists also handle fish, wildlife, laboratory animals and other animals regulated by federal law. Such careers can include working with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Food and Drug Administration, United States Department of Agriculture, National Institutes of Health, Army or Air Force Veterinary Corps, and others.
Research
Research veterinarians investigate scientific problems and develop strategies and new technologies. They develop new diagnostic tests, vaccines and products that prevent human and animal disease and enhance food quality. For instance, veterinary pathologists and toxicologists working in public institutions or private companies test the safety and efficacy of new treatments, monitor environmental conditions and evaluate the effects of environmental pollutants.
Teaching
Veterinarians have excellent opportunities to teach at veterinary schools or colleges. Instructors teach courses that encourage professional-level students to develop the problem-solving skills and strategies that promote animal health. Faculty members also conduct basic and clinical research and provide various services to the public.
Hemodialysis for companion animals is available at both the William R. Pritchard Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, UC Davis, and the University of California Veterinary Medical CenterSan Diego.
Expected Salary Level
The mechanical strength of an equine bone is tested using biomedical engineering.
As in most professions, salaries are based on career option, time since graduation and job location. According to the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine Graduate Salary Survey of 2008, the mean base salary for a first-year associate veterinarian is an estimated $72,800 to $73,500. Graduates from 2006 report that their total compensationsalary plus benefitsin all practice types except internships is about $93,000. For more information, download the 2008 salary survey (www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/placement services/2008_Compensation.pdf).
Licensing in California
Trends
Surveys of state population growth and UC studies of health workforce needs indicate a growing demand for sophisticated veterinary services. Corporations and private practices will provide specialized opportunities in nutrition, dentistry, behavior and other services. Societys concerns about food safety and health mean that veterinarians will be increasingly called upon to fill positions in food animal health, zoonotic disease control and preventive medicine. Veterinary experts in genetics, pathology and toxicology are needed to fill biotechnology positions. Laboratory animal specialists will contribute more than ever to comparative medical investigations relevant to animal and human health.
Opportunities
The Board of Examiners in Veterinary Medicine regulates the practice of veterinary medicine in California, including the issuance of licenses to practice. Veterinarians must be licensed before they can practice veterinary medicine in California. To be eligible for licensure in California, candidates MUST have passing scores on the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE), and the California State Board (CSB). The application form includes the following question: Have you ever pled nolo contendere or been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor, other than a minor traffic violationif so, give details. The Board has the right to request and receive the police record of any applicant.
Environmental and ecosystem health Biosecurity and emergency preparedness Veterinary public health and infectious disease control Population medicine Laboratory animal medicine Food safety and security Food animal medicine and research Toxicology Pathology Academia
A student examines a client chicken in the hospitals Companion Avian and Exotic Pet Medicine Service.
School Resources and Facilities

William R. Pritchard Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital
The UC Davis Setting

The University of California, Davis, lies in the states Central Valley, 70 miles northeast of San Francisco and 15 miles west of the state capital, Sacramento. The city of Davis has a population of 64,300, which includes the universitys student population of 30,360. With about 5,300 acres, UC Davis is geographically the largest of all the UC campuses. With students comprising about half the citys population, Davis is one of the states few remaining college towns. Known as environmentally aware and socially innovative, Davis boasts more than 50 miles of bicycle paths and more bicycles per capita than any other city in the nation. Quality of life is a high priority in this community, and area residents are closely tied to the university campus. Residents are active in local, national and international political causes, sports, the arts and community organizations. Davis is surrounded by open space, including some of the most valuable agricultural land in the state. Winters in Davis are mild, and temperatures rarely fall below freezing. Although it hardly ever snows, winter fog and rain are common. Summers are sunny, hot and dry. The School of Veterinary Medicine, the only veterinary school in the University of California system, is a key component of UC Davis full range of undergraduate and graduate programs and professional schools, which include medicine, law, education and management.
The William R. Pritchard Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, located in the Health Sciences Complex, serves as the primary clinical teaching setting for professional veterinary students and residents. It also serves the public by offering high quality clinical veterinary services to more than 30,000 patients each yearfrom the family cat or dog to exotic birds, fish and livestock. Hospital cases support the schools teaching and research programs, while clinical faculty provide the highest quality medical, surgical and diagnostic skills.
Veterinary Medicine Teaching and Research Center
The Veterinary Medicine Teaching and Research Center, Tulare, located in the heart of the nations dairy industry, offers intensive hands-on training for veterinary students, residents and graduate students in food animal medicine and population health. Services include consultations with local dairy producers and applied research responsive to current trends in food animal medicine and the dairy industry. Several affiliated food safety programs are also based at this center in the largest milk-producing county in the nation.
UC Veterinary Medical CenterSan Diego
The UC Veterinary Medical CenterSan Diego, a partnership with UC San Diego, enables faculty members from both institutions to collaborate in teaching and research activities and offer specialty services in Southern California. The center offers hemodialysis, nutrition and pharmacy services. Affiliated faculty members also capitalize on regional strengths in wildlife study, zoological medicine and ecosystem health to enhance resident and graduate training as well as collaborations on animal-related health programs.
Computing and Technology Services
All students have access to a collection of software programs and Internet Web sites developed by faculty and staff to complement printed course materials and allow students to study at their own pace. Courseware includes atlases (collections of images to reinforce lecture or laboratory material), laboratory exercises, simulated clinical exercises, reference works and interactive quizzes. Students have 24-hour computer and wireless network access.
Loren D. Carlson Health Sciences Library
The Carlson Health Sciences Library holds essential reference works in medicine, veterinary medicine, biology and other health-related sciences. In addition to a full range of library and reference services, the library provides access to full-text electronic veterinary journals and electronic information resources from online data bases.
Expanded Facilities
Since 2004 the school has completed six new buildings, including a teaching laboratory, a two-story classroom complex and a five-story multipurpose facility as part of a $354 million long-range facilities plan to modernize infrastructure and provide the best learning environment for students. School officials continue to develop public and private support for programs and facilities that will help to meet Californias growing need for veterinarians.
Cell culture is one technique used at the J.D. Wheat Veterinary Orthopedic Research Laboratory to improve the health and welfare of sport horses and companion animals.
Centers of Excellence
Learning and research opportunities are available through collaborative multidisciplinary centers that emphasize species interests or health issues: n Center for Equine Healthpromotes research on equine performance, disease, genetics and reproduction. n Center for Companion Animal Healthseeks to improve the health of small companion animals by fostering advanced studies of diseases in dogs, cats and small alternative pets, including inherited conditions, immune disorders, infectious diseases and cancers. n Wildlife Health Centeraddresses the health of free-ranging and captive terrestrial and aquatic wild animals. Educational and research programs encompass marine health of the Pacific Northwest, ecosystem health and conservation in Southern California, care for wildlife injured in oil spills, and other complex conservation issues. n Center for Food Animal Healthcoordinates resources and faculty research on livestock diseases, foodborne and vectorborne disease problems, diseases that can be transmitted from animals to people, and environmental health aspects of agriculture. n California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory Systemis a statewide network of four laboratories located in Californias top agricultural regions. Faculty and staff perform 1.8 million diagnostic tests each year to control livestock and poultry diseases and enhance health management of food animals, and work to help ensure the safety of foods of animal origin. n Center for Comparative Medicineinvestigates the pathogenesis of human and animal disease, using models or naturally occurring animal diseases. The center provides teaching at the professional graduate and postgraduate levels and disciplines such as comparative medicine and mouse biology. n Western Institute for Food Safety and Securityconducts research and training to enhance food safety in all sectors of the food system, from the production environment to the consumer. The institute is a resource for scientific information, innovation and new practices to improve food safety, build protection against intentional harmful acts directed at food systems, and promote economic stability of the food industry.
The Oncology Service at the Center for Companion Animal Health offers patients the most advanced radiation therapy and chemotherapy.
The Claire Giannini Equine Athletic Performance Laboratory features both research and clinical diagnostic treadmills to evaluate horses under exercise conditions.
Computer Requirements
Veterinary students are required to purchase a portable computer with specific hardware. Information regarding hardware specifications will be available once students are admitted to the school. Students should not purchase a computer prior to receiving this information.
Use of Animals in Teaching
Professional Curriculum
The professional curriculum at UC Davis is a four-year program of academic study and clinical skills training leading to the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree. It is designed for flexibility. Each student is provided with a broad foundation of knowledge and skills in comparative veterinary medicine. An elective component allows exploration of diverse, nontraditional areas of veterinary science or specialization. Broadly defined, the curriculum provides: a. Fundamental concepts and knowledge of veterinary science and training in basic clinical skills sufficient to enable graduates to practice veterinary medicine with an entry level of professional competency, and to enable them to effectively pursue lifelong learning in veterinary medicine. b. An individualized program of study that reflects each students interests with regard to the breadth, depth and practice emphasis of professional training. The core curriculum (75 percent) is discipline-based; it provides essential material, basic principles and concepts that are, for the most part, not species specific. The core material is more concentrated in the early years with students gaining a solid understanding of normal structure, function and homeostasis (year 1), pathophysiology and mechanisms of disease (year 2) and manifestations of animal diseases including history, diagnosis, and therapeutic and preventive strategies (year 3). The elective curriculum (25 percent) provides students with an opportunity to explore diverse veterinary-related interests and tailor their learning toward career goals. Consistent with the goals of lifelong learning, the elective requirement increases throughout the curriculum with the majority of electives taken in the third year. The senior clinical year (48 weeks) is the laboratory setting for developing problem-solving skills that result in making and applying medical judgment on an individual or herd basis. Most of the time is spent in the William R. Pritchard Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital (VMTH). Satellite UC Davis veterinary medical centers provide opportunities for specialized rotations such as dairy production medicine at the Veterinary Medicine Teaching and Research Center (VMTRC). These provide a rich environment for students to integrate reason and knowledge and develop the diagnostic and therapeutic skills necessary for clinical proficiency. The fourth year provides students the opportunity to focus on areas of interest. Eight speciesoriented clinical tracks and one individual track allow students to develop entry-level knowledge and skills within selected areas of veterinary practice. Within each track, core rotations provide the fundamentals. Elective rotations, including externships, provide opportunities to individualize instruction. The school offers two degrees that may be taken in conjunction with the professional DVM program, the DVM/PhD and DVM/MPVM (Master of Preventive Veterinary Medicine).
Since animal health care is the primary focus of veterinary medical training programs, appropriate use of animals for instruction is essential to the acquisition of knowledge and the development of diagnostic and therapeutic skills. For core courses in the DVM curriculum, completion of laboratory exercises involving animals or animal specimens is a requirement for satisfactory completion of the course. In most instances, options that permit use of suitable source animals or specimens are available for these courses. Where appropriate, academically sound alternatives such as software applications and models have been, and continue to be, developed to replace the use of animals in our curriculum. The school maintains animal colonies to allow students to learn noninvasive skills and procedures. Enrichment programs provide exercise and companionship for these animals. The school is committed to showing compassion for all patients and animals donated or purchased specifically for instruction, and respect for the unique contributions of animals and specimens to student education.
Students spend the fourth year in clinical rotations in core disciplines and specialty areas. For instance, a student might choose small animal/equine or small animal/mixed practice.
Interactive technology helps instructors deliver the curriculum and keeps students up to date with coursework.
Guide for Prospective Veterinary Students, UC Davis
First-year students learn the fundamentals of handling equine patients and performing a thorough examination for lameness.
Curriculum Schedule*
First Year
Normal Anatomy of the Canine Locomotor System Physiological Chemistry Principles of Behavior Principles of Radiography and Radiologic Interpretation Cell and Tissue Structure and Function Principles of Neurosciences Veterinary Ethics and Law Nutrition and Nutritional Diseases in Animals Normal Gastrointestinal System Structure and Function of the Urinary System and Body Fluids Cardiovascular Anatomy Cardiovascular Physiology Respiratory Anatomy and Physiology Hematology Genetics Parasitology Epidemiology Immunology Endocrinology Normal Anatomy of the Canine Head Doctoring Clinical Skills Electives
Second Year Third Year
Pharmacology Toxicology Virology Bacteriology and Mycology General Pathology Clinical Pathology Systemic Pathology Large Animal Radiology Oncology Reproduction Small Animal Radiology Fundamentals of Zoonoses Introduction to Public Veterinary Practice and Foreign Animal Diseases Food Animal Medicine Food Animal Reproduction Small Animal Medicine Small Animal Reproduction Equine Medicine Equine Reproduction Food Safety Anesthesiology and Critical Patient Care Doctoring Clinical Skills Electives
Principles and Techniques of Surgery and Anesthesia Neurology Ophthalmology Clinical Endocrinology Food Animal Medicine Small Animal Medicine Equine Medicine Clinical Orthopedics Veterinary Ethics and Law Doctoring Clinical Skills Electives
Fourth Year
The fourth year consists of clinical rotations and externship opportunities established for each of the eight tracks (special areas of professional interest).
* Subject to change
Costs and Financial Aid

Mandatory systemwide and campus-based fees and tuition for the 200910 academic year are approximately $26,466 for California residents and $38,711 for nonresidents. Fees and tuition are subject to change and may increase in future academic years. The estimated cost of books, supplies and living expenses during the first year of the veterinary program averages $21,000. All students are encouraged to file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be evaluated for all funding options. Students may receive a combination of grant, scholarship and loan based on eligibility that does not exceed their cost of attendance. In 200910, approximately 13 percent of a financial aid recipients cost of attendance may be funded with university grants, with the remainder funded by personal resources, federal and alternative student loans, and applicable scholarships. Most financial aid recipients entering the program can expect to borrow an average of $30,000 per year in student loans. Mandatory fees and nonresident tuition are determined by gubernatorial, legislative, regental and/or campus action, and are subject to change without notice. For further information on current registration fees, tuition and financial aid, please visit our Web site (www.vetmed.ucdavis. edu). No deposit of fees is required prior to matriculation.
Scholarships
Scholarship aid for second, third and fourth year students available through the school includes Health Sciences Regents Scholarships, Chancellors Grants and scholarships funded by private donations.
The Food Animal Herd Health and Reproduction Service delivers health care to cattle, sheep and goats on local farms. Students in the food animal rotation also gain hands-on experience and develop professional insight into dairy medicine at the Veterinary Medicine Teaching and Research Center, Tulare.
Each year, Regents Scholarships and Recruitment Scholarships are awarded to a small number of highly qualified students at admission, based on outstanding academic performance. Chancellors Grants are awarded at the beginning of the first year based on financial need and other factors. Both Regents Scholarships and Chancellors Grants are renewable, depending on academic achievement. In 2009, the school was able to award approximately $3.2 million in state-supported and privately donated scholarships, prizes and grants-in-aid, thanks to the generosity of individuals and organizations who support the school.
Graduating veterinarians will serve in many disciplines. Some will earn Master of Preventive Veterinary Medicine (MPVM) or PhD degrees.
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Advanced Degree Programs

Veterinary Scientist Training Program
This dual degree DVM/PhD training program enables students to combine basic science studies (PhD) with veterinary medicine (DVM) for a career in academic veterinary medicine. Funding is available for a small number of students in the DVM training program. For details, visit the Veterinary Scientist Training Program Web site (www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/vstp).
Master of Preventive Veterinary Medicine In the Center for Companion Animal Health, faculty members, postdoctoral fellows, and graduate and undergraduate students investigate genetics and the genetic basis of diseases.
The school offers a professional Master of Preventive Veterinary Medicine (MPVM) degree. Using state-of-the-art methods in epidemiology, the program prepares veterinarians to investigate and evaluate disease and production problems in animal populations and to design, evaluate and implement disease control or other veterinary services programs. Students enrolled in the DVM program can complete some requirements for the MPVM degree if course scheduling permits. Generally, six to 12 months of study is required beyond the DVM program to complete all MPVM degree requirements. Core MPVM courses can be taken during the senior clinical year or following completion of the DVM degree. For more information, visit the MPVM degree program Web site (www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/mpvm).
Master of Public Health
The Master of Public Health (MPH) degree program prepares health professionals for careers in preventive medicine and community health. Training includes coursework and field study with opportunities to explore regional health issues related to agriculture. The School of Veterinary Medicine and the School of Medicine jointly offer this program, which may be taken concurrently with the DVM curriculum. For more information, call (530) 7544992.
Working toward a PhD in epidemiology, a veterinarian who studies avian influenza in domestic and wild birds prepares samples for virus isolation.
Transmission electron microscopy is used to magnify a bovine virus at the California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory.
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Academic Preparation Tips

n Preparation for veterinary school must begin early. Be sure to keep your grades up throughout your academic career. The good habit of keeping your grade average as high as possible in high school will increase your chances of doing well in college. n High school students should take appropriate science, mathematics and English preparatory courses to build a strong background for college study. n Since academic factors count for 50 to 60 percent of an application, it is important that your first priority be in that area. It is relatively easy to acquire more work experience, if necessary, but it is very difficult to improve a poor grade point average. n Avoid the Pass/No Pass evaluation option to make sure that scholastic achievement in the required science courses, an important criterion for admission, can be effectively judged. n Preveterinary course work can be completed at many colleges and universities. For a list of California colleges that offer equivalent courses for the science prerequisites visit the Assist Web site (www.assist.org). n When you begin your college studies, consult your college adviser about your plans to meet the requirements for admission to the School of Veterinary Medicine. n Get as much experience with veterinarians as possible, preferably in a variety of practices. These experiences help you obtain a good understanding of the nature, duties and responsibilities of veterinary medicine. Working with different types of animals and in different settings helps you to grasp the broad scope of animal care. n Students are urged to work toward an alternative career goal while preparing for admission. Many qualified applicants are not admitted due to the limited number of available positions in each entering class. Admission to the School of Veterinary Medicine requires completion of specific prerequisite courses and a bachelors degree from a college or university accredited by an agency approved by the U.S. Department of Education. Students may apply to veterinary school after 75 percent of required courses have been completed. Remaining prerequisites must be completed, and a bachelors degree earned, by the end of the spring term prior to matriculation. Potential applicants should enroll at undergraduate institutions offering the prerequisite courses as part of an accredited baccalaureate program. Students may select majors and schools on the basis of interest and aptitude as long as prerequisites are fulfilled. A minimum of 180 hours of practical experience in veterinary or biomedical science is required, although admitted students have an average of 2,500 to 3,000 hours. More information on this requirement is found in the Criteria for Selection section of this booklet. The school does not offer a program for veterinary assistants or animal health technicians.
Required Preveterinary Medical Courses

ALL PREREQUISITE COURSES MUST BE COMPLETED BY THE END OF THE SPRING TERM PRIOR TO MATRICULATION. VISIT THE WEB SITE FOR CURRENT REQUIREMENTS. A. LOWER DIVISION REQUIRED SCIENCES Quarter Units (Course units may vary on the semester system.) CHEMISTRY (General Chemistry 2A) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Lecture 3 hours; laboratory/discussion 4 hours. Prerequisite: high school chemistry and physics strongly recommended; satisfactory score on diagnostic examinations. Periodic table, stoichiometry, chemical equations, physical properties and kinetic theory of gases, atomic and molecular structure and chemical bonding. Laboratory experiments in stoichiometric relations, properties and collection of gases, atomic spectroscopy, and introductory quantitative analysis. (On the Davis campus, Chemistry 2AH may satisfy this requirement.) CHEMISTRY (General Chemistry 2B). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Lecture 3 hours; laboratory/discussion 4 hours. Prerequisite: course 2A or 2AH. Continuation of course 2A. Condensed phases and intermolecular forces, chemical thermodynamics, chemical equilibria, acids and bases, solubility. Laboratory experiments in thermochemistry, equilibria, and quantitative analysis using volumetric methods. (On the Davis campus, Chemistry 2BH may satisfy this requirement.) CHEMISTRY (General Chemistry 2C) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Lecture 3 hours; laboratory/discussion 4 hours. Prerequisite: course 2B or 2BH. Continuation of course 2B. Kinetics, electrochemistry, spectroscopy, structure and bonding in transition metal compounds, application of principles to chemical reactions. Laboratory experiments in selected analytical methods and syntheses. (On the Davis campus, Chemistry 2CH may satisfy this requirement.) ORGANIC CHEMISTRY (Organic Chemistry 8A) Brief Course . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Lecture 2 hours. Prerequisite: course 2B with a grade of C- or higher. With course 8B, an introduction to the nomenclature, structure, chemistry, and reaction mechanisms of organic compounds. Intended for students majoring in areas other than organic chemistry. (On the Davis campus, course Chemistry 118A may satisfy this requirement.) ORGANIC CHEMISTRY (Organic Chemistry 8B) Brief Course. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Lecture 3 hours. Laboratory 3 hours. Prerequisite: course 8A or 118A. Continuation of course 8A. Laboratory concerned primarily with organic laboratory techniques and the chemistry of the common classes of organic compounds. (On the Davis campus, Chemistry 128ABC together with 129A or 118ABC may also be used to meet the Organic Chemistry requirement. A laboratory is required.) PHYSICS (Principles of Physics 1A) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Lecture 3 hours. Prerequisite: trigonometry or consent of instructor. Mechanics. Introduction to general principles and analytical methods used in physics with emphasis on applications in applied agricultural and biological sciences and in physical education. Not open for credit to students who have received credit for course 7B or 9A on the Davis campus. (A laboratory is not required.)
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PHYSICS (Principles of Physics 1B) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Lecture 3 hours. Prerequisite: course 1A or 9A. Continuation of course 1A. Heat, optics, electricity, modern physics. Not open for credit to students who have received credit for course 7A, 7B, 7C, 9B, 9C or 9D on the Davis campus. (A laboratory is not required.) BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES (Introduction to Biology 2A: Essentials of Life on Earth) . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Lecture 3 hours; discussion 1 hour. Essentials of life including sources and use of energy, information storage, responsiveness to natural selection and cellularity. Origin of life and influence of living things on the chemistry of Earth. Not open for credit to students who have completed Biological Sciences 1A with a grade of C- or better. BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES (Introduction to Biology 2B: Principles of Ecology and Evolution) . . . . 5 Lecture 3 hours; laboratory 3 hours; discussion 1 hour. Prerequisite: course 1A or 2A. Introduction to basic principles of ecology and evolutionary biology, focusing on the fundamental mechanisms that generate and maintain biological diversity across scales ranging from molecules and genes to global processes and patterns. Not open for credit to students who have completed Biological Sciences 1B with a grade of C- or better. (A laboratory is required.) BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES (Introduction to Biology 2C: Biodiversity and the Tree of Life). . . . . . . 5 Lecture 4 hours; laboratory 3 hours. Prerequisite: course 1B or 2B. Introduction to organismal diversity, using the phylogenetic tree of life as an organizing theme. Methods of phylogenetic reconstruction, current knowledge of the tree of life, and the evolution of lifes most important and interesting innovations. Not open for credit to students who have completed Biological Sciences 1C with a grade of C- or better. (A laboratory is required.) B. UPPER DIVISION REQUIRED SCIENCES (Must be completed at a four-year college; may not be completed at a community college.) GENETICS (Biological Sciences 101) Genes and Gene Expression . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Lecture 4 hours. Prerequisite: Biological Sciences 1A and 1B or 2A, 2B and 2C (which may be taken concurrently), and Chemistry 8B or 118B or 128B. Nucleic acid structure and function; gene expression and its regulation; replication; transcription and translation; transmission genetics; molecular evolution. (A laboratory is not required.) BIOCHEMISTRY (Animal Biology 102) Animal Biochemistry & Metabolism . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Lecture 4 hours; discussion 1 hour. Prerequisite: Chemistry 2A2B, 8A8B. Water and biological buffers; thermodynamics of metabolism; structure and function of biomolecules; enzyme kinetics and function; membrane biology; digestion and absorption; carbohydrate metabolism. (Biological Sciences 103, Bioenergetics & Metabolism, will meet this requirement. A laboratory is not required.) PHYSIOLOGY (NPB 101) Systemic Physiology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Lecture 5 hours. Prerequisite: Biological Sciences 1A or 2A, and Chemistry 2B; Physics 1B or 7C are strongly recommended. Systemic physiology with emphasis on aspects of human physiology. Functions of major organ systems, with the structure of those systems described as a basis for understanding the functions. (A laboratory is not required.) C. ADDITIONAL REQUIRED COURSES (Lower or Upper Division Courses) ENGLISH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 A total of 12 quarter units (or 8 semester units) must be taken to meet this requirement. One course must be in English composition. The composition requirement may also be met by the English Advanced Placement Exam, if your score is three or higher. Other courses may include lower- or upper-division composition, linguistics, communication, classics, English, rhetoric, speech or literature. The Entry-Level Writing Exam may not be used to satisfy this requirement. HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 This requirement may be met by selecting courses in a variety of areas. Some examples are history, sociology, languages, music, art, psychology, American and ethnic studies, anthropology and philosophy. STATISTICS (Elementary Statistics). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Statistics 13 or 100, or other acceptable UC Davis statistics courses in agricultural business, psychology, biology, etc., may be used to meet this requirement.
A student engaged in the Students Training in Advanced Research (STAR) program carries out a feline drug trial. Under the guidance of faculty mentors, veterinary students receive formal training and complete research studies in areas such as virology, molecular imaging or diagnostics.
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Admission to the School of Veterinary Medicine

Academic Requirements 1. Applicants must have completed a bachelors degree from a college or university accredited Each entering class is welcomed with an orientation and the White Coat Ceremony, which signifies dedication to the profession.
by an agency approved by the U.S. Department of Education by the end of the spring term prior to entering the School of Veterinary Medicine.
2. All applicants are required to take the General Aptitude Test of the Graduate Record
Examination (GRE). The deadline for the computer-based test administration is October 1. A GRE taken after this deadline for the year the application is filed will not be accepted for consideration. The GRE must be taken within a five-year period prior to applying for veterinary school. When the GRE has been taken more than once, the highest score will be used. GRE registration information may be obtained from the Educational Testing Service or by calling 1-800-GRE-CALL. You may also visit GRE online (www.gre.org).
3. The minimum acceptable grade point average (GPA) for both required sciences and
Submitting an Application
All applicants must apply through the online Veterinary Medical College Application Service (VMCAS) Web site (https://www. vmcas.org). This centralized application service allows you to apply to multiple schools with one application. UC Davis does not require a supplemental application. All college transcripts and GRE scores are mailed directly to the school, and letters of evaluation are submitted through VMCAS. The application service is available through VMCAS in June. The application deadline is October 1 every year. October 1 is also the last acceptable date to take the GRE. Please review all requirements prior to submitting the application.
cumulative college course work is 2.50 on a four-point scale (A=4). Computation of minimum grade point averages is based on all undergraduate and graduate course work completed at the time of application. Course work in progress during the fall term or later is not considered in calculating grade point averages. Any course for which a grade of C- or better was earned may not be repeated for the purpose of computing the required science GPA. When courses are repeated in the required sciences, the most recent grade will be used to compute the grade point average for no more than eight quarter units of required science work. In cases where repeated course work exceeds eight quarter units, or when calculating the cumulative and the last two years grade point average, both the original course grade and the repeated course grade will be used. All graded required science courses must be completed with a C- or higher before matriculation. Applicants not meeting the required minimum grade point average of 2.50 can qualify for consideration for admission by scoring in the upper 30th percentile on the GRE. In cases where transcripts do not carry letter grades, applicants qualify for admission either by scoring in the upper 30th percentile on the GRE or having received a bachelors degree with honors at graduation.
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Out-of-State and Foreign Applicants

Veterinary medicine is a global profession with career opportunities in multiple fields. As such, we seek the best and the brightest applicants with diverse career interests from the broad spectrum of cultural backgrounds. Being a California-based school, qualified California residents will make up the majority of our DVM classes. However, we will admit some highly qualified U.S. or international candidates who will enhance the profession through their career or cultural diversity. Admitted nonresidents have an average cumulative GPA of 3.8 and GRE scores ranking above the 80th percentile. Based on agreements with the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE) program, a small number of WICHE applicants may be admitted as nonresidents and pay out-of-state tuition. For further information on residence requirements for tuition purposes, visit the Web site (http://registrar.ucdavis.edu/UCDWebCatalog/appendix/residency.html). Applicants who have received part or all of their education in a country other than the United States or Canada must provide the following: official transcript(s) with an evaluation of the transcript(s) from an evaluation service and official scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) examination taken within a five-year period prior to application. This condition applies if English is not the native language of the prospective student or prerequisite course work has been undertaken at an institution where English was not the language of instruction.
Dates to Remember
October 1
n Deadline for filing completed application for admission and supporting documents. n Last date to take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Aptitude Test only. The GRE must be taken by October 1 of the year you submit your application. The Verbal, Quantitative and Analytical Writing sections of the GRE will be used in the admissions process. Visit GRE Online (www.gre.org) to download the GRE Bulletin, the GRE Practice General Test, registration, sample questions and updated lists of computer-based testing center locations. Send GRE scores to
Veterinary Medical Opportunity Program

The Veterinary Medical Opportunity Program (VMOP) identifies prospective students whose academic records alone may not reflect their ability to succeed in veterinary school. Applicants who face obstacles in higher education due to economic, cultural, social, educational, disability-related or other factors may submit a Veterinary Medical Opportunity Program application in addition to the general veterinary school application. The Program Committee recommends the most qualified applicants to the Admissions Committee. All VMOP applicants must meet the schools minimum academic requirements. They must also demonstrate potential for academic success. Relevant evidence includes transcripts and GRE scores showing improvement over time. Applicants must also meet the minimum academic requirement for admission. Applicants do not need to be disadvantaged in all areas to be eligible for this program. The following eligibility considerations may assist applicants: n To declare economic disadvantage, applicants must document a history of low income prior to college entrance. n Applicants may cite cultural or social factors that impede the transition from home to a university environment. Examples include the demands of learning English as a second language or stress caused when values and customs at home differ from those encountered in school. Other circumstances of family members that impact the family as a whole, such as single-parenthood, substance abuse or serious medical issues may also slow academic progress. n Educational barriers may include academically inferior preparation at the high school level, lack of educational role models, and other factors. n Prospective students may cite physical or learning disabilities. These applicants must submit documentation of their disabilities along with the VMOP application. VMOP applications will be available July 1 and must be returned directly to the School of Veterinary Medicine by October 1. For more information or to request this supplemental application, call the Office of Student Programs, (530) 7521383; speech/hearing impaired, 7526TTY; or visit our Web site (www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu).
UC Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine, Institution Code 4804.

Early January
n If enrolled fall term, arrange to have transcripts sent within 10 working days after the end of the term.
Late February
n Interviews begin in late February and continue until the end of March.
April 1
n April 1 is the approximate date notices of acceptance and nonacceptance are sent to all applicants.
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Criteria for Selection

The selection process is designed to admit the most qualified applicants who can both succeed academically in a rigorous, intensive four-year professional science program, and demonstrate dedication, commitment and an unquestionable understanding of the veterinary profession.
I. Academic Factors (50 to 60 percent)
GPA Categories Defined

Cumulative GPA includes grades for all college courses taken between high school graduation and the time you submit your VMCAS application. Required Science GPA is the average of all of the science prerequisites listed in our Guide for Prospective Students, but does not include English, humanities/social sciences or statistics courses. Last 45 semester units GPA includes grades for approximately 45 semester (68 quarter) units of course work taken prior to submission of the VMCAS application from the time of the October application deadline and going back in your transcript 45 semester units. This will be approximately two years of full-time course work.
Academic performance is the major factor in selection for admission. Currently, 50 percent of our decision to accept an applicant to the DVM program is based on academics consisting of grade point averages (GPAs) and Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores. Combined, GPAs and GRE scores are the best predictors of successful completion of the veterinary curriculum. The majority of admitted students have earned GPAs of 3.4 to 3.6 in cumulative college course work, required science courses and their last 68 quarter units (45 semester units). A. College course work grade point averages (GPAs) 1. Cumulative GPA in undergraduate/graduate course work 2. GPA of required preveterinary medical science courses 3. GPA of last two years of undergraduate/graduate work (minimum of 68 quarter units or 45 semester units) B. Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores 1. General Test (Verbal, Quantitative and Analytical Writing) Average GRE scores for admitted students are in the 70th to 80th percentile. A statistical profile of admitted students is available on our Web site. Because GPAs and GRE scores are weighted equally in the admissions process, a below-average GPA may be balanced by above-average GRE scores (greater than 70 percent). Conversely, GRE scores that are below average may be balanced by higher-than-average GPAs.
II. Nonacademic Factors (40 to 50 percent)
In addition to academic achievement, 40 to 50 percent of the selection process is based on your veterinary experience, understanding of the veterinary profession, motivation and dedication to a career in veterinary medicine, maturity, potential to be an outstanding veterinary professional, extracurricular activities, career diversity and educational quality. The Admissions Committee evaluates these attributes by carefully considering the following: A. Personal statement Your personal statement indicates your motivation, understanding of the veterinary profession and the responsibilities of being a veterinarian, demonstrated interest in serving the public through the profession of veterinary medicine, and other qualities needed for successful academic and professional work. B. Veterinary and animal experience Substantial experience with animals is required, and applicants must demonstrate knowledge of animal health care needs. Experience should be broad and deep, and should entail more than having provided routine rearing and feeding of companion animals or family pets. Applicants should engage in an array of activities that show an appreciation for and understanding of the duties and responsibilities of a veterinarian and the scope of the veterinary medical profession. The requirement for animal, veterinary and biomedical science experience is a minimum of 180 hours (4.5 weeks) at the time of application. Admitted students have an average of 2,500 to 3,000 hours of veterinary-related experience, which includes working with veterinarians. C. Letters of evaluation Three letters of evaluation are required. Letters should be requested from individuals who understand academic and professional demands, know the applicant well (have observed the applicant in a clinical or academic setting), and can evaluate the applicants personal qualities and potential as a veterinary professional. D. Interview During the selection process, the Admissions Committee may request personal interviews and require, in some cases, submission of additional applicant materials for further evaluation. Interview scores are approximately 20 percent of the application evaluation.
While a dog is being spayed at the Gourley Clinical Teaching Center, a second-year student monitors patient anesthesia.
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Admission Statistics
Applicants 2007 2008 2009
Female Male Total

Acceptances
924 196 1120 106 25 131 2 24 49 32 23 3.5 3.3 3.6
986 192 1178 104 27 131 6 20 53 29 23 3.6 3.4 3.6
930 205 1135 110 23 133 3 27 55 21 27 3.5 3.3 3.6
Female Male Total

Years in School at Admission
Two years Three years Four years Five years More than five years
Mean Grade Point Averages
A student and veterinarian examine a pet corn snake in the Ophthalmology Service as part of a research project to find out more about the structure of the reptilian eye.
Cumulative undergraduate course work Required science course work Last 45 semester/quarter units of undergraduate/graduate course work
Mean Score on the Graduate Record Examination General Aptitude Test
Verbal Quantitative Analytical writing

Average Age at Admission Previous Degrees
75% 70% 67% 25 127 22 1 86 30 15
79% 75% 67% 24 123 14 5 87 36 8
77% 75% 65% 24 124 14 2 87 34 12
Bachelors Masters PhD

Reapplication Statistics
Admitted first application Admitted second application Admitted third application or more
Students Admitted with Majority of Undergraduate Work at:
UC Davis Other University of California campuses California State University campuses Other California colleges William R. Pritchard Veterinary Medical Out-of-state colleges
Teaching Hospital...
39 29 20 10 33
42 33 19 9 28
39 26 30 14 24
A veterinary student examines a client animal during fourth-year clinical rotation in small animal medicine.
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Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

1. How many applicants are accepted each year?
Currently, we offer admission to approximately 133 applicants from a pool of 1,100 to 1,200. The majority (95 percent) of admitted applicants are California residents. A very limited number (5 percent, or 7 to 10 applicants) of highly qualified nonresidents are accepted each year.
2. How can I become a competitive applicant?
Have the highest possible grades and GRE scores, be as deeply and broadly experienced as possible, and be able to demonstrate your understanding of and commitment to a veterinary career through evaluations by professionals who know you.
3. What criteria does the Admissions Committee use to select applicants admitted to the DVM program?
The Admissions Committee is dedicated to selecting the most qualified students from the applicant pool. Evaluation is based on three criteria: 1) Academic factors (50 percent): Objective evaluation of grade point averages and Graduate Record Examination scores. 2) Non-academic factors (approximately 30 percent): Subjective reviewusing your personal statement, letters of evaluation and interviewof your veterinary or other related experience, understanding and dedication to the veterinary profession, motivation to become a veterinarian, personal attributes, extracurricular activities and educational quality. 3) Interview (0 to 20 percent). See the section Criteria for Selection for a detailed explanation.
4. What should I do to increase my chances of being accepted?
Earn high grades and perform well academically. Obtain high (70th percentile or higher) scores on the GRE. Gain as much veterinary experience as you can, especially in your area of interest in veterinary medicine, so that you can show a clear understanding of the veterinary profession. In addition, give your potential evaluator(s) ample opportunity to observe you in a clinical setting in order to be able to write a thorough letter of evaluation. Acquire diverse veterinary experience working with a variety of animal species (small and large) to broaden your knowledge of the many aspects of veterinary medicine and to gain a comprehensive understanding of the veterinary profession.
5. What are the academic course requirements for admission to veterinary school? First-, second- and third-year students learn pathology, microbiology and other fundamentals in the laboratories of the multipurpose teaching building, opened in 2007.
You must have a bachelors degree from an accredited college or university and specific prerequisite courses must be completed by the end of the spring term prior to matriculation in the DVM program. This course work must include 12 quarter units of required English; 12 quarter units of required humanities/social sciences; 4 quarter units of required statistics; and all required science courses. A listing of basic requirements is available on our Web site (www.vetmed. ucdavis.edu). Required courses do not have the same unit values at every college; therefore, be sure to check the ASSIST.org Web site (www.assist.org) for a listing of equivalent courses if taken at a Jr. college, CSU college and/or UC colleges in California .
6. How do I know if the college courses Im taking will satisfy the prerequisites for veterinary school?
If you are taking science courses at California public colleges, refer to the ASSIST Web site (www.assist.org) to review a listing of science courses equivalent to our requirements. To produce an articulation agreement, select UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, then select your college. The courses named under your college will satisfy our required science courses. If you are taking the required science courses at a private college or school outside California and you are unsure if they meet our requirements, you may send us copies of the course descriptions and we
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UC Davis Information
will review them for you. These courses must closely match the course descriptions listed in the UC Davis General Catalog. We do not have articulation agreements for statistics, English or humanities/social science courses. We will accept ANY course in statistics (business, medical, psychology, etc.) and ANY courses considered humanities/social sciences. The English requirement must be met by taking at least one quarter/semester of English composition and ANY additional courses in English, speech, classics, rhetoric, linguistics, etc. You do not need to request an articulation evaluation for nonscience courses.
7. I took courses on the semester system, but UC Davis is on the quarter system. How do I convert the units? Campus Web Sites
n General Information: www.ucdavis.edu/ n Costs of attendance: www.pbo.ucdavis.edu/studentfees n Academic programs: http://registrar.ucdavis.edu/ UCDWebCatalog/Programs.html n Special services for disabled students: http://drc.ucdavis.edu n Financial Aid Office phone contacts: http://faoman.ucdavis.edu/phone.htm n Accreditation: http://registrar.ucdavis.edu/ UCDWebCatalog/appendix/accredit.html
Campus Visits
Unit value may not match exactly from college to college; therefore, course content must be evaluated. If you are attending a California public college, always refer to the ASSIST Web site (www.assist.org) to produce a listing of courses at your school so you can be sure that you are taking the correct courses. To convert semester units to quarter units, multiply the number of semester units by 1.5.
8. Does it matter how long ago the required course work was taken?
No, we do not have an expiration date on course work. There is no specific time limit on acceptance of required courses; they count regardless of how long ago they were completed. You may elect to take a course again to refresh yourself on the course content if many years have passed since taking it originally. Grades for courses that have been retaken will be averaged in your cumulative GPA.
9. I received a C or lower grade in one of the required science courses. Can I repeat the course for a higher grade?
Arrange tours of the general campus by calling Visitor Services, (530) 7528111. Tours of the William R. Pritchard Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital are available by reservation, (530) 7521507.
Student Housing
Required science courses may be repeated only when the original grade was below a C-. The repeated grades will replace the original grades up to a maximum of 8 quarter units. Repeated required science courses in excess of 8 quarter units will be averaged with the original graded units. Repeated courses where the original grade received was a C- or better will not be calculated in the required science GPA but will be averaged with the original grade in the cumulative GPA.
10. Are my chances of admission better if I attend UC Davis as an undergraduate and/or take required science courses there?
No. Your chances of being admitted to our DVM program are not better if you attend college at UC Davis. You may attend any accredited college or university. We do not select applicants based on the college they attend. We do not have a list of preferred colleges. However, we do consider the overall educational quality of your college experience, challenge of the curriculum, length of time it took for you to complete a degree program, your course load (full time vs. part time), continuity of program, employment during education, and so forth.
11. Does it matter where I attend college as an undergraduate?
On-campus housing and child care information/referral services are available for graduate students and students with families. For more information or an application contact: Student Housing Office, University of California, One Shields Avenue, Davis CA 956168712; (530) 7522033; hearing/ speech-impaired: (530) 7526TTY; housing@ ucdavis.edu; www.housing.ucdavis.edu. Davis offers a variety of off-campus housing options. Apartments are the most plentiful source of student housing, followed by houses, rooms in private homes, condominiums and mobile homes. The ASUCD Community Housing Listing Service (www.chl.ucdavis. edu) maintains a listing of rentals in Davis and surrounding communities as well as selected referral sources for students wishing to live in the community. The Davis Conference & Visitors Center Web site (www.yolocvb.org) has valuable information about the City of Davis and community services for new members of the Davis community.
No. It is impossible to fairly compare the academic programs of all colleges; therefore, we do not rank colleges or have a preference. Choosing a college is an important personal decision. Attend a college that provides a challenging curriculum in an environment where you will succeed academically. Consider schools that offer strong science programs with majors that interest you and opportunities for extracurricular activities, and decide which school suits your needs best.
12. May I complete some of my courses at a community college?
Yes. The lower-division required science courses (general biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry and general physics), statistics, humanities/social sciences and required English courses may be completed at a community college. ALL upper-division course work (biochemistry, genetics and physiology) MUST BE TAKEN at a four-year university at the junior/senior level. If you plan to transfer from a community college to UC Davis as an undergraduate student to complete the remaining preveterinary requirements, contact the UC Davis Undergraduate Admissions Office or speak with a counselor at your current college to inquire about the transfer process.
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13. What should I choose as an undergraduate major? Do I have to major in preveterinary medicine or animal science?
UC Davis Principles of Community
The University of California, Davis, is first and foremost an institution of learning and teaching committed to serving the needs of society. Our campus community reflects and is a part of a society comprising all races, creeds and social circumstances. The successful conduct of the universitys affairs requires that every member of the university community acknowledge and practice the following basic principles: We affirm the inherent dignity in all of us, and we strive to maintain a climate of justice marked by respect for each other. We acknowledge that our society carries within it historical and deep-rooted misunderstandings and biases, and therefore we will endeavor to foster mutual understanding among the many parts of our whole. We affirm the right of freedom of expression within our community and affirm our commitment to the highest standards of civility and decency towards all. We recognize the right of every individual to think and speak as dictated by personal belief, to express any idea, and to disagree with or counter anothers point of view, limited only by university regulations governing time, place and manner. We promote open expression of our individuality and our diversity within the bounds of courtesy, sensitivity and respect. We confront and reject all manifestations of discrimination, including those based on race, ethnicity, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, religious or political beliefs, status within or outside the university, or any of the other differences among people which have been excuses for misunderstanding, dissension or hatred. We recognize and cherish the richness contributed to our lives by our diversity. We take pride in our various achievements, and we celebrate our differences. We recognize that each of us has an obligation to the community of which we have chosen to be a part. We will strive to build a true community of spirit and purpose based on mutual respect and caring.
You may study or possess a degree in any major you like. You must, however, take the prerequisites courses listed in our Guide for Prospective Students regardless of the courses required in your major. A major in the sciences may better prepare you for the veterinary curriculum. Since many students will not be accepted to veterinary school due to limited available space, students should be prepared to pursue an alternate career goal. The majority of students accepted to our program pursue studies in the life or health sciences. Biology, animal science, zoology, and chemistry are the most common majors.
14. Do all of the prerequisite courses need to be complete before I submit the VMCAS application?
No. However, the majority of your required science course work must be completed by the time you submit your VMCAS application so that we can appropriately evaluate your required-science GPA. If you are accepted to our DVM program, you must complete all required course work before you begin the program in late August. The grades you receive for courses that are pending when you submit your application (i.e., fall term grades) will not be used in your GPA calculations that are used for consideration of admission.
15. Is it advantageous to take science courses beyond the required course work?
Taking additional courses will not increase your chances of being accepted to the DVM program. However, having a background in the sciences and taking extra science courses may be beneficial in the veterinary curriculum should you be admitted to the program.
16. May I use Advanced Placement (AP) credit to fulfill the prerequisite courses?
If you have taken the Advanced Placement examination, and the number of units awarded and subject title appear on your college transcript for that course, AP credit may fulfill lower-division course work: general biology, general chemistry, general physics, organic chemistry, English, statistics and humanities/social sciences. If the AP units do not appear on your college transcript, we will accept an official copy of your AP score report.
17. May I take courses pass/fail?
We do not encourage taking courses pass/no pass. Grade point averages are very important in the evaluation process; therefore, the pass-fail grading option should be avoided, particularly in the required sciences.
18. Are courses taken online or through extension programs acceptable?
Yes, as long as the courses are taken through an accredited college program and are equivalent in content to our required courses.
19. Do I need to have a bachelors degree to be accepted to veterinary school?
Yes, you must have a bachelors degree by the end of the spring term prior to matriculation in the DVM program.
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20. Im a nontraditional and/or older student, and veterinary medicine is a second career. What steps should I take to pursue my new career choice?
Start by making sure veterinary medicine is right for you. Read our Guide for Prospective Students and review our admission statistics to take note of competitive GPAs, GRE scores and experience hours. Get experience working/volunteering with a veterinarian to gain hands-on experience and confirm that veterinary medicine is the appropriate career change for you. This can be done part time or full time based on your individual circumstances. If prerequisite course work needs to be complete, locate colleges where the required courses are offered. Visit the ASSIST.org Web site for current articulation agreements to find out what courses you need to take at your selected college. Courses may be taken during regular college sessions or summer sessions, or as evening classes, or Extension/Open Campus classes. Obtain your bachelors degree if you do not already have one and complete all prerequisites by the end of the spring term prior to matriculation in the DVM program. You must meet all preprofessional requirements regardless of the undergraduate or graduate degrees you may already possess. Take the Graduate Record Examination and review our Web site for information about the application process.
21. Is there a minimum or maximum age to be admitted?
No, we do not have age limits. The average age of applicants accepted is 24 to 26. The age range is typically 20 to 42.
22. What is the deadline to take the GRE?
The GRE must be taken by October 1 of the year you submit your application. Tests taken after this date will not be evaluated with the current years application. Information regarding the GRE is available at www.ets.org.
23. My GRE scores are more than 5 years old. Do I need to retake the exam?
Yes. The GRE must be taken within a five-year period prior to applying to veterinary school and must include the Verbal, Quantitative and Analytical Writing sections.
24. My GRE scores are not competitive (below 70 percent). Should I retake the exam to improve my scores?
Yes, you should retake the examination to improve your scores if they are not competitive (typically in the 70th percentile for all three sections). When you take the GRE multiple times, we consider the highest scores in each section for examinations taken within the five-year period. You should allow yourself plenty of time to study between taking exams to improve your scores. You may be able to make improvements by simply studying on your own or it may be beneficial to take a GRE-preparation course.
25. May I take the VCAT or MCAT instead of the GRE?
No. We do not accept any substitutions for the GRE.

26. How many veterinary experience hours do I need?
A minimum of 180 hours of experience with a veterinarian are required to have your application considered for admission; however, admitted applicants have an average of 3,000 hours of quality hands-on experience in the veterinary field. You are expected to have a realistic and appropriate perspective regarding the responsibilities of the veterinary profession. You must have experience in your area of interest in veterinary medicine. Its beneficial to have exposure to both large and small animal species. Your experience may come from a job or volunteer service. You may acquire experience by working with veterinarians in private practice, farms, ranches, animal shelters, zoos, aquaria, laboratories, etc.
27. Do I need a letter of verification from every veterinary practice where I have worked or volunteered? A five-story laboratory building houses several research programs. Its design fosters collaboration between faculty researchers, graduate students and professional students.
No. You must record on your application the name, contact information, approximate number of experience hours and duties performed for all veterinarians. We do not require letters of verifica-
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tion from these individuals.

28. What information should I include in the personal statement on the VMCAS application? UC Nondiscrimination Policy
The University of California, in accordance with applicable federal and state law and university policy, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, age, medical condition (cancer-related), ancestry, marital status, citizenship, sexual orientation, or status as a Vietnam-era veteran or special disabled veteran. The university also prohibits sexual harassment. This nondiscrimination policy covers admission, access and treatment in university programs and activities. Inquiries regarding the universitys student-related nondiscrimination policies may be directed to Margaret Heisel, (510) 9879572.
Notice of Availability of the UC Davis Campus Security Report
The personal statement should help the admissions committee(s) learn something personal about you as an applicant, your background and interest in veterinary medicine, your understanding of the veterinary profession and your career goals and objectives.
29. How many letters of evaluation do I need?
Three letters of evaluation are required for your application to be considered for admission. It is not necessary or beneficial to submit more than three letters. One to two evaluations should be from veterinarians with whom you have worked and who can evaluate your potential as a veterinary professional. Of these letters, one should be from a veterinarian in your area of veterinary interest (small animal, large animal, equine, etc.). Other letters may be written by veterinarians, professors, college instructors, research supervisors, or your academic adviser. You do not need to have a letter written by a veterinarian from UC Davis. Letters are submitted to VMCAS electronically. Make sure you read the VMCAS application instructions thoroughly for directions on electronic submission.
30. Are interviews required?
As provided by the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act of 1998, you are entitled to request and receive a copy of the Security Report for the University of California, Davis, campus. The report includes statistics for the past three years concerning crimes and incidents reported to campus security authorities (whether the crime occurred on campus, in off-campus buildings or property owned or controlled by the university, or on public property adjacent to campus). The report also provides campus policies and practices concerning securityhow to report sexual assault and other crimes, crime prevention efforts, policies/laws governing alcohol and drugs, victims assistance programs, student discipline, campus resources and other matters. You may obtain a copy of this report online by accessing the following Internet address (http://police. ucdavis.edu/clery/index.htm) or by submitting a request to the UC Davis information practices officer.
Yes. All applicants being seriously considered for admission will be invited for an interview. Interviewees are selected based on academic achievement and subjective information provided in their application. Interview notifications are typically e-mailed in February. Interviews are conducted in person on the UC Davis campus in late February through March. Candidates are interviewed individually by three to five members of the Admissions Committee and take 20 to 30 minutes.
31. Where do I get an application for admission?
Applicants to UC Davis apply through the Veterinary Medical Colleges Application Service (VMCAS). The online application is available at www.vmcas.org beginning in June. Follow the VMCAS application instructions very carefully. In addition, review the application information available on the UC Davis Web site for specific instructions regarding our requirements.
32. When is the deadline to submit an application?
The application deadline is October 1 for matriculation the following September. We accept applications only during the application period available through VMCAS which is typically June through October 1. Your chances of admission are not increased by submitting your application
Experts from the Wildlife Health Center and Oiled Wildlife Care Network repair the wing of an injured night heron. UC Davis veterinarians are often called upon to respond to cases that require rescue experience or special skills.
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earlier than the deadline.

33. May I have my application reviewed by an adviser prior to submitting it?
Unfortunately, we are unable to review applications prior to submission. Our Guide for Prospective Students and the VMCAS Web site are very comprehensive. Thoroughly reading both will assist you in preparing an application.
34. May I apply again if I am not accepted after my first application?
Other Important Information You Should Know
Yes. We expect you to make improvements in your application and re-apply. Review the statistics of the students previously admitted to the DVM program and compare your application. Retake the GRE if your scores are lower than the average of those admitted. Acquire additional veterinary experience if yours is limited. (The average admitted applicant works/volunteers approximately 3,000 hours to gain experience.) Review and rewrite your personal statement if necessary to clearly describe your knowledge and dedication to the veterinary profession. Make sure you get high grades in all continuing college course work
35. Do I need to submit a new application the next year I wish to apply?
STUDENT PRIVACY RIGHTS under the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), including procedures for inspection, correction, and disclosure of information in student records; a description of what constitutes directory information and the consequences of blocking release of directory information; and procedures for imposing/removing such a block: http://registrar.ucdavis.edu/ html/rightsrecords.html#Disclosure. STUDENT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE, including the availability of scholarships and financial aid programshow to apply, eligibility criteria, award criteria, and rights/responsibilities of aid recipients: http://faoman.ucdavis.edu/. STUDENT GRADUATION/TRANSFER RATES, including the percentage of students entering as freshmen who either graduate or transfer to another educational institution: http://registrar.ucdavis. edu/UCDWebCatalog/appendix/ retention.html. ATHLETIC PROGRAM PARTICIPATION AND FINANCIAL SUPPORT, including undergraduate population by gender; varsity team data including participant numbers, operating expenses, coaches (gender, average salaries, job status); student aid; and recruiting expenses: http://athletics.ucdavis.edu/. See links to specific information. If you do not have access to the Internet, you may obtain the above information by submitting a written request to the UC Davis Information Practices Officer; Office of Administration; University of California, Davis; One Shields Avenue; Davis CA 95616; and labeling the outside of the envelope Campus Security Report Request.
Yes. You must submit a current online application, official college transcripts, GRE reports, and three letters of evaluation for each year that you wish to be considered for admission.
36. What does it cost to attend veterinary school?
The current annual enrollment and registration fees are available on our Web site (www.vetmed. ucdavis.edu).
37. Do you accept applicants who are not residents of California?
A small number (7 to 10) of uniquely qualified nonresidents may be offered admission annually. Nonresidents accepted have an average cumulative GPA of 3.80 and GRE scores ranking above the 80th percentile. In addition, they possess excellent veterinary experience and letters of evaluation.
38. How can I establish California residency?
Rules and regulations for establishing residency in California are explained on the UC Davis Web site (http://registrar.ucdavis.edu).
39. Do you accept transfer students from other veterinary schools?
No, we do not accept transfer students.

40. Does UC Davis have the only veterinary school in California?
The UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine is the only public veterinary college in California. A private college of veterinary medicine is located at Western University in Pomona, Calif.
We hope this answers many of your questions regarding admission to the DVM program. Please remember to periodically visit our Web site (www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu) for updated information.
Llamas, raptors and fish are among the many species whose health needs are addressed by the faculty.
23
Guide for Prospective Students
Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage PAID UC Davis
Office of the Dean (1409) School of Veterinary Medicine University of California One Shields Avenue Davis CA 95616-8734 ADDRESS SERVICES REQUESTED
For more information about the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine:

www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu
The University of California does not discriminate in any of its policies, procedures or practices. The university is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer. No state or federal funds were used for production of this brochure, 2009 Regents of the University of California. For additional copies, contact the School of Veterinary Medicine, Office of the DeanStudent Programs, (530) 7521383.

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Guide for

A Message from the Dean

Bennie I. Osburn Dean

Guide for Prospective Veterinary Students, UC Davis, 2010

Guide for Prospective Veterinary Students, UC Davis, 2010

Career Opportunities in Veterinary Medicine

Guide for Prospective Veterinary Students, UC Davis, 2010

Expected Salary Level

The mechanical strength of an equine bone is tested using biomedical engineering.

Guide for Prospective Veterinary Students, UC Davis, 2010

School Resources and Facilities

The UC Davis Setting

Guide for Prospective Veterinary Students, UC Davis, 2010

Guide for Prospective Veterinary Students, UC Davis, 2010

Guide for Prospective Veterinary Students, UC Davis

Guide for Prospective Veterinary Students, UC Davis, 2010

Costs and Financial Aid

Guide for Prospective Veterinary Students, UC Davis, 2010

Advanced Degree Programs

Guide for Prospective Veterinary Students, UC Davis, 2010

Academic Preparation Tips

Required Preveterinary Medical Courses

Guide for Prospective Veterinary Students, UC Davis, 2010

Guide for Prospective Veterinary Students, UC Davis, 2010

Admission to the School of Veterinary Medicine

Guide for Prospective Veterinary Students, UC Davis, 2010

Out-of-State and Foreign Applicants

Veterinary Medical Opportunity Program

UC Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine, Institution Code 4804.

Guide for Prospective Veterinary Students, UC Davis, 2010

Criteria for Selection

GPA Categories Defined

Guide for Prospective Veterinary Students, UC Davis, 2010

Female Male Total

924 196 1120 106 25 131 2 24 49 32 23 3.5 3.3 3.6

986 192 1178 104 27 131 6 20 53 29 23 3.6 3.4 3.6

930 205 1135 110 23 133 3 27 55 21 27 3.5 3.3 3.6

Female Male Total

Verbal Quantitative Analytical writing

75% 70% 67% 25 127 22 1 86 30 15

79% 75% 67% 24 123 14 5 87 36 8

77% 75% 65% 24 124 14 2 87 34 12

Bachelors Masters PhD

Guide for Prospective Veterinary Students, UC Davis, 2010

Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

Guide for Prospective Veterinary Students, UC Davis, 2010

Guide for Prospective Veterinary Students, UC Davis, 2010

UC Davis Principles of Community

Guide for Prospective Veterinary Students, UC Davis, 2010

No. We do not accept any substitutions for the GRE.

Guide for Prospective Veterinary Students, UC Davis, 2010

tion from these individuals.

Guide for Prospective Veterinary Students, UC Davis, 2010

earlier than the deadline.

Other Important Information You Should Know

No, we do not accept transfer students.

Guide for Prospective Veterinary Students, UC Davis, 2010

Guide for Prospective Students

Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage PAID UC Davis

For more information about the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine:

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