Pre-Veterinary Program at Wesleyan

Program Advisor: Dr. Holly Boettger-Tong
Contact: hboettger-tong@wesleyancollege.edu

Passionate about animal health and welfare? At Wesleyan, we'll prepare you for one of the most competitive professional programs while you pursue any major that interests you. Our pre-veterinary concentration ensures you complete required coursework and gain the diverse animal experiences that make you a standout applicant.

⚠️ The Reality of Veterinary School Admission

Important to Know: Veterinary programs are extremely competitive—there are only about 27 veterinary schools in the United States. Many schools give significant preference to in-state residents, so applying to your home state school (if available) is your best strategy.

What Do Veterinarians Do?

Veterinarians play a vital role in healthcare for pets, livestock, zoo animals, and laboratory animals. They protect humans against animal-carried diseases and conduct research into animal health problems. Veterinarians take health histories, perform and interpret tests, diagnose problems, prescribe medications, develop treatment plans, and perform surgeries. They specialize in large animal, small animal, and exotic animal care.

Closest Schools to Georgia

University of Georgia: Athens, GA
Auburn University: Auburn, AL
Tuskegee University: Tuskegee, AL
University of Florida: Gainesville, FL

🎯 Competitive Standards (Very High!)

• Minimum GPA: 2.5 required, but NOT competitive
• Typical Competitive GPA: 3.6+ (national average for accepted students)
• GRE Scores: Competitive scores required by most schools
• Animal Experience: 400+ hours across four different areas

Academic Requirements

Required Coursework

• General Biology (8 hours)
• Upper-level Biology with labs (8 hours)
• General Chemistry (8 hours)
• Organic Chemistry (8 hours)
• Physics (8 hours)
• Biochemistry (3 hours)
• English (6 hours)
• Humanities and Social Sciences (14 hours)
• Mathematics/Statistics (6 hours)

Strongly Recommended

• Genetics
• Microbiology
• Developmental Biology
• Histology
• Physiology
• Vertebrate Zoology
• Cell & Molecular Biology
• Marketing, Management, Psychology

🐾 Essential Animal Experience Requirements

You must gain 400+ hours of experience across four different areas:
Small Animal: Dogs, cats, small mammals
Large Animal: Horses, cattle, farm animals
Exotic Animal: Zoo animals, wildlife, reptiles, birds
Research: Laboratory animal work, veterinary research

Keep detailed records of all experiences for your application!

Your Four-Year Journey

Year 1: Build Your Foundation
Meet with Dr. Boettger-Tong, begin prerequisites, start animal volunteer opportunities

Year 2: Gain Experience
Continue prerequisites with high GPA, begin working with local veterinarians

Year 3: Prepare for Applications
Complete PDE experiences, begin GRE prep, contact references, obtain applications

Year 4: Apply and Interview
Submit applications by early September, prepare for interviews, finish strong

What Veterinary Schools Look For

Most Important Factors (in order):

1. Academic Performance - Overall GPA and Science GPA
2. GRE Scores - Competitive standardized test performance
3. Animal/Veterinary Experience - Extensive, diverse hands-on experience
4. Personal Interview/References - Professional recommendations and communication skills
5. Personal Essay - Compelling statement about motivation and goals
6. Extracurricular Activities - Leadership and community involvement

🏥 Local Opportunities

Veterinary Clinics: Northside Wesleyan Animal Hospital and other local practices

• Zoo Atlanta: Excellent internship program (apply early spring for summer)
• Animal Shelters: Kitty City, Heart of Georgia Humane Society, Macon-Bibb County Animal Control
• Your Home Veterinarian: Often more willing to host students they know
• Georgia 4-H Centers: Animal care and camp counseling
• Georgia Department of Natural Resources: Wildlife internships

📅 Application Timeline

• May/June: Applications become available
• Early September: Application deadlines (submit well in advance!)
• January-May: Notification of acceptance decisions

VMCAS Application: Most schools use the centralized Veterinary Medical College Application Service

Ready to Get Started?

Remember: Veterinary school admission is highly competitive, but with excellent grades, diverse animal experiences, and strong preparation, you can be a successful applicant. Start building your animal experiences early—the 400+ hour requirement takes time to accumulate across all four required areas.

Download the complete Pre-Professional Guide for more information