QUICK FACTS: VETERINARY MEDICINE

Description: Veterinarians are doctors for animals–pets and livestock. They also may work to ensure a safe and wholesome food supply, research diseases, treat wildlife and protect the ecosystem. Vets may be public health officials, track human diseases in other countries, or work to find a cure for cancer.

Salary and employment opportunities: Employment opportunities are good with much of the population owning pets and needing the services of a vet. Average starting salaries for 2007 grads in private clinical practice were $60,000 for small animal practices and $57,000 for large animal practices.

Education required:

Undergraduate: A bachelor’s degree is required for admission to vet school.

Professional: Veterinary programs are 4 years.

Admission requirements:

Required courses (UT-K): 8 hours of General Chemistry
  8 hours of Organic Chemistry
  4 hours of Biochemistry
(Lipscomb students must take Biochemistry and Advanced Biochemistry)
  8 hours of General Biology/Zoology
  Cell Biology
  Genetics
  8 hours of Physics
Grade Point Average: The average GPA for the class entering in Fall, 2007 was 3.59
Graduate Record Exam: The GRE general exam is required. The average total score on the GRE for the class entering Fall, 2007 was 1142.