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Enrolment in the DVM program in the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine is currently limited to 30 students who are Alberta residents. The Admissions Committee selects students for the program on the basis of academic and non-academic factors. Students are assessed academically on performance in their best 2 full undergraduate years, their final undergraduate year, and in the required courses. Selected applicants are invited for an interview day where non-academic factors are assessed. At interview day, applicants are required to complete an on-site essay and participate in a series of interviews and other activities. Applicants must attend interview day at their own expense. There is no entrance exam or requirement to complete the MCAT or GRE exams. Three personal references are required. 

The admissions process identifies applicants who will flourish in a DVM program that prepares students for all aspects of veterinary medicine. Consistent with the UCVM mandate, preference will be given to applicants who demonstrate an interest in pursuing careers in general veterinary practice that support rural development and sustainability, and careers in the areas of emphasis. There is no specific animal or veterinary-related experience required; however, demonstration and understanding of the veterinary profession and animal industries relevant to the applicant's career interests is expected.

The application deadline is normally January 10.  Interviews are held in late March in Calgary.  Applicants will be notified of the Admissions Committee's decision in June.

At present, applicants must be Alberta residents, as defined by the following rules.

(a) The Residence of an applicant remains that of his/her parent(s) unless a new Residence has been established in accordance with clause (b);

(b) The Residence of an applicant shall be considered to be Alberta, if the applicant has last resided in Alberta for a period of twelve consecutive months (without including any period during which the applicant was attending a college or university) prior to enrolment on the first day of classes;

(c) A Canadian citizen who is resident outside Canada and intends to re-establish residence in Canada shall be considered a resident of the province or territory of Canada where he/she last resided for a period of twelve consecutive months before leaving Canada; and,

(d) A person who is a permanent resident as defined in the Immigration Act (Canada) shall be considered to be a resident of the province or territory where he or she first landed unless the person is considered to be a resident of another province or territory of Canada pursuant to clause (b).

The Faculty of Veterinary Medicine does not normally accept applications from students who have withdrawn, who have been required to withdraw, or who have been expelled from any school or college of veterinary medicine.

In selecting veterinary medicine students, no consideration shall be given to factors irrelevant to performance such as gender, race, or religion. Nor will the vocation of an applicant's parent, guardian, or spouse be a consideration in the selection process.

Physical and learning disabilities must not prevent the applicant, upon graduation, from demonstrating competency in the skills and procedures expected of an individual who has completed a DVM degree in an accredited institution.

Normally, the minimum academic requirements for an applicant to receive consideration for an admissions interview are:

(a) Completion of at least two years of full time post-secondary undergraduate instruction at a recognized university or at a college providing university-equivalency in coursework. A full academic year is defined as a minimum of 4 courses per semester and 2 complete semesters, September - May (16 half-course equivalents).

(b) Completion of the following ten required courses, with a minimum combined average of 2.70 (B- or its equivalent):

Biology: Two introductory Biology courses

Genetics: One introductory Genetics course

Ecology: One introductory Ecology course

Chemistry: Two introductory Chemistry courses

Organic Chemistry: One introductory Organic Chemistry course

Biochemistry: One introductory Biochemistry course

Mathematics: One introductory Statistics course

English: One introductory English course

(c) A minimum average of 3.00 (B, or its equivalent) over the best two full undergraduate years.

(d) A minimum average of 3.00 (B, or its equivalent) within the most recent full year of undergraduate study.

(e) Applicants who present required courses that have been taken greater than 10 years prior to the application date will not normally be considered for admission. Exceptions may be made for applicants who have continued to work or study in a health-sciences related field following completion of an undergraduate degree.

Applicants are advised to monitor the UCVM website for any exceptions or changes to these requirements.

English language proficiency must be demonstrated for all applicants for whom English is not their first language. English language proficiency can be demonstrated in one of the following ways:

(a) Completion of at least two full years within a degree program offered by an accredited university in a country which the University of Calgary recognizes as English language proficiency exempt.

(b) A minimum score of 92 on the internet based TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) and a minimum score of 50 on the Test of Spoken English (TSE); or a minimum score of 237 on the computer based TOEFL and a minimum score of 50 on the TSE; or a minimum score of 580 on the paper based TOEFL and a minimum score of 50 on the TSE.

Application forms for the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine are available on the website (http://vet.ucalgary.ca/students/admission.html). Applications will be considered from those students meeting the residency, English and academic admission requirements. Applications are to be submitted to the UCVM Office of Admissions by January 10th. Two sets of official transcripts are required, one sent at the time of application (students should delay submission of the first transcript until final marks from their first semester are available) and the second should be sent as soon as final marks are available in the spring. Transcripts should be sent directly to the UCVM Admissions Office.

Completed application forms include the following: complete personal information; a signed statement verifying Alberta residency status and verifying completion of the academic requirements; the names and contact information of three referees; post-secondary transcripts submitted by the appropriate academic institution; a statement of work experience; and a statement of major extra-curricular activities.