2013/2014 Course Catalog - University of Missouri - College of ...

Admission to the CollegeFor the most up-to-dateinformation about theCollege’s admission process,refer to the Admission Guideor the College’s website.Preparation for applying to theMU College of Veterinary Medicine isbest begun while in high school. Theselection process for entrance evaluatesacademic and non-academic criteria.Admissions criteria may change on ayearly basis.Academic PreparationNo fixed requirements exist for therecommended high school curriculum.However, a high school student isgenerally advised to take four yearsof mathematics, four years of English(grammar and composition), two yearsof biology, and as much chemistry andphysics as possible. Basic computerskills such as keyboarding and wordprocessing will be useful. Speech,debate and drama will also help preparethe student for communication skillsexpected of veterinarians.Nonacademic PreparationInvolvement in extracurricularactivities, such as school clubs,athletics, band, FFA, 4-H, Boy Scouts,Girl Scouts, church activities and anyother organized activity requiring thedevelopment of teamwork, interpersonalskills and diversity are encouraged andscored for selection purposes. Applicantsare expected to have had experiencesobserving a variety of animals. Someof this experience must be whileobserving actual veterinary medicinepracticed. High school studentsconsidering veterinary medicine as acareer are encouraged to seek out suchopportunities to see the actual practiceof veterinary medicine. Agricultural,biomedical, research and public healthexperience is also highly regarded.Requirement for Observationof the ProfessionApplicants are required to spend aminimum of 40 hours observing oneor more veterinarians actively engagedin their normal work environment.Observation must be as a third person,not as a client (i.e., small or large animalpractice, public health, laboratoryanimalmedicine or research). Theveterinarians observed by the applicantshould be among the four invitedexternal reviewers; however, theexternal reviewers may not be relatedto the applicant by birth or marriage.Personal Attributes andExperience DesiredThe Admissions Committee expectsapplicants to demonstrate certainabilities and personal traits:• Experience working with avariety of animal species;• Familiarity with the veterinarymedical profession;• Community-minded withdemonstrated leadership abilities;• Effective communicator;• Possess time and stressmanagement skills;• Sincerely motivated;• Have realistically evaluated plansfor financing their education.Standardized TestingApplicants must submit scoresattained within the last three yearsfrom the Medical College AdmissionsTest (MCAT) or the general GRE.A minimum acceptable score on the22TEACHING. HEALING. DISCOVERY. SERVICE.