How to apply

Application deadline

VMCAS will accept applications beginning January 2024 for the Class of 2029/program start fall 2025. Please refer to AAVMC/VMCAS for more details. The application deadline is September 16, 2024. This is a firm deadline and late applications are not considered. View our application checklist for a summary of materials to submit with your application.

Processing fee

The University of Minnesota does not utilize a supplemental application but does require an additional, non-refundable application processing fee of $85 payable online with a debit or credit card and is due on the same date as the application deadline.

• $85 for the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine
• $85 for SDSU - UMN (Rural Veterinarian Practitioners Program)
• $135 for both UMN and combined SDSU - UMN (Rural Veterinarian Practitioners Program)

Application Fee Assistance for Financially Disadvantaged Candidates 

The University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine is pleased to announce an application processing fee refund program for financially disadvantaged applicants. Applicants who qualify for and receive waivers through the VMCAS Fee Reimbursement Program are invited to apply.

Candidates may apply once they have successfully submitted their VMCAS application and paid the UMN CVM $85 application processing fee (both due by the September 16, 2024, deadline). Applications to this program will be available to complete online starting mid-May 2024, and accepted through October 1, 2024. A copy of the letter/email confirming the candidate’s participation in the VMCAS Fee Refund Program will be required as part of the application materials.

The UMN CVM will review and select a limited number of applicants to receive an $85 refund shortly after the October 1, 2024, deadline. All participants will be notified of their refund status shortly after the deadline.

Please contact Violeta Bonneville, Admissions and Scholarship Coordinator, at [email protected], for more details.

GRE general test

After careful consideration, the Admissions Committee discontinued the GRE requirement in 2021.

Official transcripts

Official copies of all transcripts from any college or university attended should be sent to VMCAS by September 16, 2024. The University of Minnesota will be unable to process or forward transcripts that are sent to us and not to VMCAS. More information on the transcript verification process can be found on the AAVMC website.

Letters of reference

The University of Minnesota requires three electronic Letters of Reference (eLOR) on behalf of each applicant. eLORs are submitted directly through VMCAS as part of the application. Applicants may submit up to six eLORs in total. It is strongly recommended that at least one eLOR is written by a DVM. Others may come from individuals known in a professional environment, such as employers, volunteer coordinators, instructors, advisors, etc.

Prerequisite coursework in progress

Fall semester/quarter grades in progress at the time the application is submitted will not be included in the evaluation of applicants. The academic record used in the evaluation of applicants will conclude as the applicant's academic record stands at the end of summer term prior to the mid-September application deadline. Those offered provisional admission to the class of 2029 will send a final transcript at the end of spring term 2025, which will reflect grades received fall 2024 and spring 2025, if applicable.

All required pre-veterinary coursework must be complete by the end of spring term prior to the start of the DVM program in the fall. All college coursework must be listed on the VMCAS application as either 1) complete, 2) in-progress, or 3) planned for the fall, winter, or spring terms during the application cycle.

Applicants who do not complete all prerequisite courses, by the end of the spring term prior to the fall term in which admission is being sought, will be ineligible for admission. Summer 2025 courses will not be permitted for applicants wishing to start during fall 2025.

After applications have been reviewed, the final step in our process is a behavioral interview. All applicants that meet the academic and subjective review standards set by the Admissions Committee will be invited to interview in late January or early February. Interview invitations are typically sent in early January. Students who are invited to interview but fail to appear will not be considered for admission. Learn more about our behavioral interview.

Offers of admission are typically extended in mid-February and must be accepted or declined by April 15. Wait list offers are also extended at this time. Applicants on the wait list are extended offers of admission as seats become available, until the first day of the term. Applicants who are offered admission and intend to enroll must make a non-refundable deposit of $500. This deposit is applied to the first semester's tuition.

Delayed admission deferments are granted in extenuating circumstances and must be approved by the Admissions Committee. Deferments are limited to one academic year. Requests to defer must be made in writing to the Director of Admissions, Karen Nelson at [email protected] no later than July 1st. Deferred students forfeit their admissions deposit of $500 and are asked to submit a second deposit the following spring. Students must accept their offers of admission before they can request a deferral.

Re-applicants have no priority in admission, nor are they at any disadvantage. Many applicants apply more than once. A new application and application materials must be submitted each cycle.