Pre-vet requirements: Are they all important?

[ChicoShadow]

I know that may seem like a dumb question but I have noticed that a lot of the schools do not require inorganic chemistry, while some others do. I saw one that required oral communication. If a student is missing one class, does that really mean that they will not accept you. What if your school does not offer one of the requirements like nutrition?? Then what?

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[cowgirla]

I know that may seem like a dumb question but I have noticed that a lot of the schools do not require inorganic chemistry, while some others do. I saw one that required oral communication. If a student is missing one class, does that really mean that they will not accept you. What if your school does not offer one of the requirements like nutrition?? Then what?

Inorganic = general chem. As far as I know, all schools require it. Occasionally another, similar class that you've taken can meet a requirement that's not "exact" but you need to talk to the schools about that.

A requirement is just that-- a requirement. You have until the spring or summer before you start to have them all done, so you can apply without having them all done. You do need to complete them before admissions.

Some schools will waive the communication requirement if you have a bachelor's already.

Nutrition is available online, from at least a half dozen schools including Purdue, Oklahoma, Oregon, Kansas, North Carolina, and I think Florida. So all you need to do is take that.

 

[lazyjayn]

If a class is on a schools list of pre-req's, that means you've gotta have it to get in. Inorganic isn't "required" by some schools to get in, but it *is* required my most universities before you can take organic chem- so you're taking it anyway. likewise with communications- most schools seem to include some sort of public speaking or communications course in their undergrad degree requirements.

With classes you can't get at your school (the nutrition one seems to be the main stumbling block here wrt that), you can take it elsewhere, or online.

-j.

 

[chii chan]

One thing to consider: I know someone who applied to 9 schools this past term. She got interviews and acceptances to almost everywhere except for Western. She received her bachelors from UC Riverside and has been teaching high school for years. UCR didn't require a speech class to graduate, and Western requires it as part of the pre-requisites. She didn't get even get an interview because of the lack in that area.

It varies from school to school. Ohio wanted my AP test scores from College Boards to match up what I claimed I had credit in since I didn't retake Calculus in college.

 

[clouds815]

One thing to consider: I know someone who applied to 9 schools this past term. She got interviews and acceptances to almost everywhere except for Western. She received her bachelors from UC Riverside and has been teaching high school for years. UCR didn't require a speech class to graduate, and Western requires it as part of the pre-requisites. She didn't get even get an interview because of the lack in that area.

It varies from school to school. Ohio wanted my AP test scores from College Boards to match up what I claimed I had credit in since I didn't retake Calculus in college.

wow really? i took ap calculus too and that was my only math except stats, but they didn't ask for my scores...yet. the credit is on my transcript though

 

[chii chan]

My undergraduate didn't specifically put it on my transcripts. I had to tell them to add a paper with my transcripts that showed I got credit in that class based on my AP scores. Some "transfer classes" paper since no grade was earned in them. That's probably why.

 

[moosenanny]

A requirement is just that-- a requirement. You have until the spring or summer before you start to have them all done, so you can apply without having them all done. You do need to complete them before admissions.

I think this is good advice, but I'd like to add to be careful about outstanding pre-reqs during the time of application. I don't know any specifics, but I'm pretty sure some schools only allow two pre-reqs to be taken during the spring after submitting the application, and some may not allow summer work between undergrad and vet school.

The bottom line is to always double check everything via school websites, or by calling/emailing admissions to make sure you are getting the correct advice/info.

 

[sumstorm]

One thing to consider: I know someone who applied to 9 schools this past term. She got interviews and acceptances to almost everywhere except for Western. She received her bachelors from UC Riverside and has been teaching high school for years. UCR didn't require a speech class to graduate, and Western requires it as part of the pre-requisites. She didn't get even get an interview because of the lack in that area.

Was this what a file review turned up? I would think it wouldnt have been a hindrance as long as she was scheduled to take it. Something sounds 'off.'

Anyways, pre - requirements have 'requirement' in the name for a reason. Unless you get a written exception, you need to take it. Don't worry, there will be non-sensicle stuff to take in vet school too! 😉

 

[Tiktaalik]

I think this is good advice, but I'd like to add to be careful about outstanding pre-reqs during the time of application. I don't know any specifics, but I'm pretty sure some schools only allow two pre-reqs to be taken during the spring after submitting the application, and some may not allow summer work between undergrad and vet school.

The bottom line is to always double check everything via school websites, or by calling/emailing admissions to make sure you are getting the correct advice/info.

The summer thing can definitely be a problem. I know that Michigan State lets you use summer, while Minnesota does not.

The general rule of thumb that I was told was the 80% rule - if you're at least 80% done with prereqs, you should be ready to apply. Still, it's best to check with all schools about specifics. If you are missing anything, you will not get into that school - they have too many applicants to give slots to people with incomplete applications.

 

[StartingoverVet]

The bottom line is to always double check everything via school websites, or by calling/emailing admissions to make sure you are getting the correct advice/info.

Definitely! Highly recommend you get the VMCAR book or check the website (most prefer the book). It contains all that info in there.

 

[tuckervet]

To agree with everyone else - pre reqs are by definition requirements. they vary for different schools, so you don't need to have every pre req finished for every vet school...but you do not to be able to finish the ones for where you are applying, and by the deadline they set for you. here are a few examples of pre-req problems I had.
This was my first year applying, and I did a lot of the research into schools on my own, so I ended up making a few mistakes. I also was generally following the guidelines of pre-reqs for my IS school, which ended up having a lot less than other schools.
I sent in the general app and a supplemental to one school, and then received an e-mail that according to the courses I planned on taking in the spring, I would still be missing a pre req, and that school does not allow any pre reqs to be completed the summer before enrolling, so I had to withdraw my application.
For another school, they only allow one class to be taken over the summer, but I misunderstood and would need to be doing two for them, so I contacted the dean of admissions and he said that it would be fine to take two over the summer, that if i were admitted for Fall 2010 it would not be a problem. So thats an example of some flexibility, but the course does still need to be completed.
I also had one school that contacted me to say the BioChem course I took at UPenn did not meet their requirement, and so I will have to take a higher level course if I would be attending their school in the fall (I applied to 10 or 11 schools total, only one did not accept this class).

Sorry for the really long post, but I hope it helps answer your question

 

[ChicoShadow]

Thanks everybody. I think I was getting a little confused because at my school they actually offer General Chemistry and a course called Inorganic Chemistry: Principles of Structure, Reactivity, and Function so when I saw inorganic chemistry on the school prerequisite list, I thought that was what they were referring to. And I did not now I could take nutrition online! That helps out a lot.

 

[Tiktaalik]

Thanks everybody. I think I was getting a little confused because at my school they actually offer General Chemistry and a course called Inorganic Chemistry: Principles of Structure, Reactivity, and Function so when I saw inorganic chemistry on the school prerequisite list, I thought that was what they were referring to. And I did not now I could take nutrition online! That helps out a lot.

A lot of students at non-ag schools get stuck taking nutrition online.
Here's some older threads with info about different classes to help you pick one:
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=345166
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=643877
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=717113
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=708733

There's a zillion more of them in search, too, but these are the recent ones.