Admissions Information
Admissions Information
Admissions Information
Last Updated on 1/25/23
Welcome to the Admissions Website for the School of Veterinary Medicine of Rowan University.
Please note: the DVM program is still under development, as such these admissions standards are subject to change.
Both our School and our website are still under development so please check back often. We hope you are as excited as we are about the future of Veterinary Medicine in New Jersey.
Eligibility Requirements
- To be eligible for admissions, RowanSVM requires all candidates to have completed 60 college credit hours from an accredited institution with a minimum overall GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. All course grades will be used in the calculation of the overall GPA including any repeated courses and graduate courses.
- A baccalaureate degree is not required for admission, but most successful candidates will have an undergraduate degree prior to matriculation.
- No specific number of hours of documented animal experience are required. However, it is strongly recommended that applicants have a demonstrated understanding of the veterinary profession.
- Neither the Graduate Record Exam (GRE), Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), nor the CASPer test is required for admissions and will not be evaluated during admission decisions.
- Prospective international students must show proof of English language proficiency according to the Rowan University English Language Policy http://sites.rowan.edu/international/englishlanguagepolicy.html
Prerequisities
- The following courses must be completed prior to matriculation. Two courses may be in progress at the time of application but must be completed and transcripts submitted prior to July 31st on the year of planned matriculation.
- Applicants must have received a minimum of C or equivalent grade in all prerequisite courses to fulfill these requirements.
- Science prerequisites* must have been taken within the last 6 years. This requirement may be waived but only by approval of the admissions committee.
- Math (3 semester credit hours)
- The math requirement is met with 3 credits of calculus I or higher-level math course, or statistics, or physics.
- The math requirement is met with 3 credits of calculus I or higher-level math course, or statistics, or physics.
- General Biology* (8 semester credit hours)
- Two semester courses in biology with a laboratory component is required. Upper-level biology courses may be substituted but the same courses cannot be cross-listed with the upper-level biology requirement below.
- Two semester courses in biology with a laboratory component is required. Upper-level biology courses may be substituted but the same courses cannot be cross-listed with the upper-level biology requirement below.
- Upper-Level Biology* (6 semester credit hours)
- Two upper-level biology (200-level or above) courses are required. These courses must be in the areas of anatomy, cell biology, immunology, microbiology, neuroscience, physiology, virology, or zoology. If uncertain, use the following database https://sites.rowan.edu/registrar/transferring-credits/transfer-credit-evaluation-database.html. Please ensure that the course is eligible to transfer to Rowan University at the 200 level or above.
- Two upper-level biology (200-level or above) courses are required. These courses must be in the areas of anatomy, cell biology, immunology, microbiology, neuroscience, physiology, virology, or zoology. If uncertain, use the following database https://sites.rowan.edu/registrar/transferring-credits/transfer-credit-evaluation-database.html. Please ensure that the course is eligible to transfer to Rowan University at the 200 level or above.
- Genetics* (3 semester credit hours)
- This course must include both Mendelian and molecular genetics.
- This course must include both Mendelian and molecular genetics.
- Organic Chemistry* (4 semester credit hours)
- One-semester sequence of organic chemistry with laboratory is required.
- One-semester sequence of organic chemistry with laboratory is required.
- Biochemistry* (3 semester credit hours)
- A one-semester course without a laboratory will meet the minimum requirement.
- English (6 semester credit hours)
- Advanced placement credit maybe accepted for up to 3 credit hours, but one college level course on composition or technical writing is required.
- Social Science or Humanities (6 semester credit hours)
Selection Process
RowanSVM is committed to providing accessible, affordable, high-quality veterinary education. In keeping with institutional diversity efforts, RowanSVM will foster an inclusive climate that wholly embraces diversity, including but not limited to race, religion, ethnicity, age, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, cultural and socioeconomic background, national origin, and disability consistent with applicable laws.
Application review will follow a four-step process.
Step 1: Verification of Application Information
For our inaugural year we will be accepting applications through an online portal.
In subsequent years, all applications must go through the Veterinary Medical College Application Service (VMCAS) http://www.aavmc.org/becoming-a-veterinarian/how-to-apply/
Applicants are strongly encouraged to start their application early as the closing dates will be adhered to without exception.
In this step, all information in the application including all transcripts, letters of reference, and prerequisite coursework will be verified. All applicants that meet the prerequisite requirements will advance to the next step.
Step 2: Pre-interview Ranking
Applicants will be evaluated and scored based on academic performance and non-academic achievements.
Academic Performance – 35 points
Evidence of academic ability to succeed in the demanding 4-year program will be gathered from academic transcripts. All grades including those courses repeated will be factored into the Overall GPA and last 45-hour GPA. The highest grade in a course that satisfies the prerequisite requirement will be used to calculate prerequisite GPA.
- Overall GPA
- Prerequisite GPA
- Last 45-hour GPA
Non-Academic performance – 65 points
A holistic approach is used to identify individuals who have the attributes necessary to meet the RowanSVM mission to develop skillful, confident, and compassionate veterinary professionals in a diverse, inclusive, and collaborative environment that values trust, respect, empathy, and public service. Criteria reviewed include, but are not limited to the following:
- Essay review
- Letters of reference
- Understanding of the profession including breadth of animal experiences
- Awards and achievements
- Community service
- Experiences outside veterinary medicine
Step 3: Interview
The top candidates from Step 2 will be invited to interview.
Interview - 25 points
Interviews are conducted virtually on a web-based platform and consist of a Multiple Mini Interview (MMI).
MMI’s are short, structured interviews used to assess personal attributes and behaviors considered important to being a veterinarian.
Attributes evaluated in the MMI include communication, teamwork, and problem-solving abilities as well as important characteristics including empathy, honesty, and reliability.
Step 4: Final Ranking
The final ranking of candidates will be based on the sum of the scores from the pre-interview ranking and the interview.
- Academic Factors – 35 points
- Non-Academic Factors – 65 points
- Interview – 25 points
- Total possible points = 125 points
The Dean of the School approves the recommendations by the Committee on Admissions and extends invitations for admissions.