SVM Bulletin - School of Veterinary Medicine - Louisiana State ...

professiona2008–09 Bulletin 15The Professional ProgramAdmission RequirementsIf you are contemplating a career in veterinarymedicine, you should acquire a sound foundationin the biological and physical sciences and a generalknowledge of the arts and humanities in bothhigh school and college. In addition, you shouldbe motivated by a respect for animals, a sinceredesire to serve the public, a propensity for the biologicaland medical sciences, and a deep interestin promotion of the health of animal and humanpopulations. You must have a high aptitude forscientific study and must possess an excellentmoral and ethical character.Candidates for the DVM degree must completea minimum of six years of college education. Thisincludes two or more years of pre-veterinary educationand four years of professional education.The pre-veterinary requirements may be completedat LSU or at any other accredited collegeor university offering courses of the quality andcontent of those prescribed in the LSU GeneralCatalog.The minimum requirement of 66 semesterhours, including 20 hours of elective courses,may be completed in two years. Successfulcompletion of a pre-veterinary program does notensure admission to the school for professionaltraining. Typically, there are more qualified applicantseach year than there are spaces available tothe entering class. Instruction in the four-year programis available only through the School of VeterinaryMedicine at LSU. Scholastic achievementis measured by performance in the prescribedpre-professional courses. A minimum grade-pointaverage of 3.0 (“A” = 4.00) in these courses isrequired for consideration for admission. A gradeof less than “C” in a required course is unacceptable.Physical education activity courses may notbe used as electives for meeting pre-professionalrequirements. Requirements are not waived in lieuof work experience.Credit earned through advanced standing isacceptable, but is not used in the computationof the grade-point average. Evaluation of theapplicant’s record in the pre-professional programis made in accordance with LSU procedures.Credit is not granted for College Level ExaminationProgram (CLEP) general examinations. Grantingof credit for CLEP subject examinations may beconsidered in those subjects recommended byvarious departments of the University upon receiptof test scores indicating the student meets theminimum acceptable scores required by thosedepartments.Residence ClassificationThe LSU School of Veterinary Medicine determineseligibility for classification as a Louisianaresident based on LSU System regulations andevidence provided on the application for admissionand related documents. Regulations relateprimarily to location of the home and place ofemployment. Louisiana applicants must meet allresidence requirements, as stated in Universityregulations.A resident student is defined as one who hasabandoned all prior domiciles and lived in the stateof Louisiana continuously for at least one full year(365 days) immediately preceding the first day ofclasses of the term for which classification as aresident is sought.Individuals living within this state for one yearmust be able to prove there was intent to maintaina residence in Louisiana. Residing in Louisianasolely for educational purposes without evidenceof the intent to remain in Louisiana will not be sufficientfor classification as a resident, regardless ofthe length of time within the state.Factors considered in establishing residency,although not necessarily conclusive, include:• Financial independence from parents residing inanother state or country;• Reliance on Louisiana resources for financialsupport;• Continuous presence in Louisiana during periodswhen not enrolled as a student;• Commitments indicating the intent to stay inLouisiana permanently;