MWU-CVM Admission
Midwestern University College of Veterinary Medicine considers for admission students who possess the academic, professional, and personal qualities necessary for becoming exemplary veterinary professionals. To select these students, the College uses a rolling admissions process within a competitive admissions framework.
Admission Prerequisites
Prerequisite Course |
Sem Hrs |
Qtr Hrs |
Biochemistry |
3 |
4 |
Biology |
8 |
12 |
General Chemistry with lab |
8 |
12 |
Organic Chemistry with lab |
8 |
12 |
Mathematics* |
6 |
9 |
Physics with lab |
4 |
6 |
English Composition |
6 |
9 |
Science Electives |
8 |
12 |
*Mathematics courses should be College Algebra or higher
**Science electives include cell biology, physiology, microbiology, genetics, animal nutrition, etc.
Minimum of 64 total semester hours/96 quarter hours
Students seeking admission to the MWU-CVM must submit the following documented evidence:
- Completion of the prerequisite coursework or plans to complete the coursework prior to matriculation (confirmed by official transcripts). A minimum science and minimum total GPA of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale. No grade lower than a C in any course will be accepted for credit. (Pass/fail and satisfactory/unsatisfactory grading is not acceptable in prerequisite science courses).
- Completion of a minimum of 240 hours (6 weeks) of veterinary practice, health science field, or biomedical research. Students with additional hours of work experience will present stronger cases for admission.
- Three letters of recommendation. Letters of recommendation are submitted to the Veterinary Medical College Application Service (VMCAS). At least one of the letters should be from a veterinarian. The other letters should preferentially be from a pre-veterinary or science professor and from someone who can testify to the integrity and ethical standards of the applicant. Letters written by immediate family members are not acceptable.
- Although not required, a Bachelor's degree will make a candidate more competitive.
- A minimum of 64 total semester hours/96 quarter hours.
Students seeking admissions to MWU-CVM must:
- Demonstrate an understanding of the veterinary medical profession.
- Demonstrate service orientation through community service or extracurricular activities.
- Have proper motivation for and commitment to the veterinary profession as demonstrated by previous compensated work, volunteer work, or other life experiences.
- Possess the communication skills necessary to interact with patients, clients, and colleagues.
- Pass the Midwestern University criminal background check.
- Abide by the Midwestern University Drug-Free Workplace and Substance Abuse Policy.
- Meet the Technical Standards for the College.
International Applicants
Must complete a minimum of 30 semester hours of coursework from a regionally accredited college or university in the United States, or from a recognized post secondary Canadian institution that uses English as its primary language of instruction and documentation. Of the 30 semester hours, 15 hours must be in the sciences, six hours in non-remedial English composition, and three hours in speech/public speaking.
Applicants who wish to receive transfer credit for prerequisite coursework completed outside the US or at a Canadian institution that does not use English as its primary language of instruction and documentation must submit an official, detailed, course-by-course evaluation obtained from one of the following evaluation services:
- Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE): 414/289-3400 or Fax 414/289-3411; www.ece.org
- World Education Services (WES): 212/966-6311 or Fax 212/739-6100; www.wes.org
- Josef Silny & Associates International Education Consultants: 305/273-1616 or Fax 305/273-1338; www.jsilny.com
International applicants who do not provide documentation of acceptable US or Canadian course/degree equivalency will not receive credit, and will be required to complete all prerequisite courses at an accredited college or university in the United States, or at a recognized post-secondary institution in Canada that uses English as its primary language of instruction and documentation.
For clarification about recognized post-secondary institutions in Canada that use English as a primary language of instruction and documentation, international applicants should contact the Midwestern University Office of Admissions.
Click here for more information on International Student Financial Services
Technical Standards for Admission
A candidate must have abilities and skills in five areas: 1) observation; 2) communication; 3) motor; 4) conceptual, integrative, and quantitative; and 5) behavioral and social. Technological compensation can be made for some limitation in certain of these areas, but a candidate should be able to perform in a reasonably independent manner.
I. Observation: The candidate must be able to accurately make observations at a distance and close at hand. Observation necessitates the functional use of the sense of vision and sense of touch and is enhanced by the functional use of all of the other senses.
II. Communication: The candidate must be able to communicate effectively, efficiently, and sensitively in both oral and written form and be able to perceive nonverbal communication.
III. Motor: Candidates must be able to coordinate both gross and fine muscular movements, maintain equilibrium, and have functional use of the senses of touch and vision. The candidate must possess sufficient postural control, neuromuscular control, and eye-to-hand coordination to perform profession-specific skills and tasks.
IV. Conceptual, Integrative and Quantitative Abilities: The candidate must be able to problem solve, measure, calculate, reason, analyze, record, and synthesize large amounts of information in a timely manner. The candidate must be able to comprehend three-dimensional relationships and understand spatial relationships.
V. Behavioral and Social Attributes: The candidate must possess the emotional health required for full utilization of his/her intellectual abilities, the exercise of good judgment and the consistent, prompt completion of all responsibilities and the development of mature, sensitive, and effective relationships. The candidate must be able to tolerate physically, mentally, and emotionally taxing workloads and to function effectively under stress. The candidate must be able to adapt to changing environments, to display flexibility, and to learn to function in the face of uncertainties. Compassion, integrity, concern for others, effective interpersonal skills, willingness and ability to function as an effective team player, interest and motivation to learn, are all personal qualities required during the educational process.
Candidates are required to certify that they understand and meet these Technical Standards. Candidates must provide such certification prior to matriculation. Candidates who may not meet the Technical Standards must inform the Director of Admissions, who will then contact the Dean of Students. The Dean of Students, in consultation with the academic dean (and program director), will identify and discuss what accommodations, if any, the College(/Program) would need to make that would allow the candidate to complete the curriculum. The College(/Program) is not able to grant accommodations that alter the educational standards of the curriculum. Students must meet the Technical Standards for the duration of enrollment in their professional program.