PPVM Applicant Evaluations
The evaluation of applicants includes a three-stage process: academic measures, nonacademic measures and an interview. Applicants not meeting a specific score on the academic measures, as set by the Admissions Committee, are not considered further. Applicants meeting the academic requirements and subjective review criteria, as set by the Admissions Committee, are invited to campus for an interview. Final decisions are based on academic measures, nonacademic measures and the behavioral interview. Prospective students may apply to SDSU, UMN CVM or both programs, through the Veterinary Medical College Application Service (VMCAS). The UMN CVM will initiate the application evaluation by completing an academic review. Eligible applicants will then be forwarded to SDSU, who will independently conduct the remainder of the review using evaluation criteria similar to the UMN CVM.
Please note that changes to how we evaluate applicants may be made up until the first day on which the application cycle opens. The opening date is typically mid-January for admission to the fall term of the following year. Please check this page often for updates.
Step 1: Academic Measures
Academic measures include the GPA in required pre-veterinary classes, and the GPA on most recent 45 semester credits of coursework.
- Grade point average - required pre-veterinary courses
Based on the completed required courses for admission at the application submission time (summer 2024 for 2024-2025 applicants). Neither fall 2024 nor spring 2025 grades are used in the GPA calculations. All math and science prerequisite courses must be recent within 10 years of the application deadline. Applicants with a GPA of 2.75 or below on required courses do not receive any points in this area. - Grade point average - most recent 45 semester credits
Based on the last 45 semester hour credits (or 60 quarter hour credits, whichever is most relevant) of graded coursework, counting back from and including when the application is due (if enrolled that term). To calculate the most recent GPA, count back 45 semester or 60 quarter credits of graded coursework, and include the entire term in which the 45th/60th credit falls. Applicants with a GPA of 2.75 or below on required courses do not receive any points in this area.
Please note that the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is no longer considered in the application evaluation process.
Step 2: Nonacademic Measures
Nonacademic measures include knowledge of the veterinary profession and experience with animals. Personal characteristics, maturity and reliability, work experience, community involvement, extracurricular activities and three to six personal references are also considered.
Knowledge of the veterinary profession, knowledge of and interest in animals and professional goals: experiences with veterinarians, experience in a research setting, experiences with and responsibility for the care and management of animals, and goals in the profession.
Maturity and reliability: employment experiences and responsibilities, ability to communicate with others, experiences suggesting leadership, extracurricular activities and the amount of time devoted to employment and other activities while enrolled in college and after.
Faculty members of the Admissions Committee evaluate the nonacademic portion of the applicant鈥檚 VMCAS application file. The subjective review score is added to the academic score, creating a new overall score. Applicants must meet the minimum overall score requirements set by the Admissions Committee to be granted an interview.
Step 3: Interview
Students meeting the minimum criteria on the academic and nonacademic sections of the evaluation are invited to a one-hour online video (Zoom) interview. Interview invitations are typically extended in January. The behavioral interview is intended to objectively collect and evaluate information, using a series of questions that focus on the competencies required for success in the veterinary profession. A typical question in the interview is 鈥渢ell me about a time when鈥︹ This allows the applicant to illustrate knowledge, skills and abilities by giving specific examples from past experiences.
Final Decisions
Scores from the academic review, nonacademic review and interview determine admission to the program. Offers of admission are typically extended in mid-February. Wait lists are also kept and utilized. Vacated seats are filled from the wait list until the first day of the term.
Offers of Admissions
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-fundable deposit of $500. This deposit is applied to the first semester's tuition.
Requests to Defer
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 the PPVM no later than July 15. 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.
Reapplying
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.
The Professional Program in Veterinary Medicine conducts a behavioral interview as part of the evaluation process for applicants seeking admission to the PPVM. The interview reflects a growing trend in candidate evaluation and a response to changes in the veterinary profession, where success depends on the ability to handle more than just animal issues. Interviews are typically conducted in late January and early February.
Why does 葫芦影业 interview applicants?
- In response to a trend of falling incomes and growing disparities between veterinary skill and employer demands, the University of Minnesota partnered with a small group of veterinary colleges to conduct a nationwide study of success in the veterinary medical profession. The study examined the professional success of practicing veterinarians as a combination of factors, with a focus on competencies gained through veterinary medical schooling.
- Research results revealed a set of non-technical competencies developed over time, consisting of personality traits, abilities, interests and values, which have a very important role in determining the success of a veterinarian. Yet unlike technical competencies, many non-technical competencies cannot be acquired during the short period of veterinary training. Participants agreed that veterinary students who do not possess certain non-technical competencies may not be adequately prepared for the profession.
What is a behavioral interview?
- In the past, traditional interviews used to select veterinary candidates have focused on experience, largely ignoring the more enduring non-technical competencies.
- The behavioral interviewer is trained to objectively collect and evaluate information, using a series of questions that focus on the competencies required for success in the profession. A typical question in a behavioral interview would be, 鈥淭ell me about a time when鈥︹ This allows the candidate to illustrate knowledge, skills and abilities by giving specific examples from past experiences, thus revealing the non-technical competencies a candidate has demonstrated in previous similar situations. Behavioral interviews have become quite popular in industry and business, as they have shown to be a much more effective indication of future performance than traditional interviews that ask a candidate to describe what he or she would do.
What can I expect during my interview?
- Interviews will last approximately 60 minutes and consist of approximately 10 interview questions. Interviewees will be meeting with two individuals selected from a team of veterinary faculty, professional staff, alumni and external veterinarians that have been trained in conducting a behavioral interview. The flow will be conversational in nature and members of the interview team may ask follow-up questions. The interview team will not have had access to applicant files in advance.
How to prepare
- Behavioral interviews questions are unique and applicants may be caught off guard if unprepared. A great place to start is by researching the concept of a behavioral interview. There are great resources available online, many which provide practice questions within the context of a professional workplace environment. Beware of websites that claim to list the exact interview questions asked here at the SDSU PPVM -- they are inaccurate. Instead, developing a strong understanding of the interview concept will better prepare you for any question asked! Many colleges and universities offer practice or "mock" interview sessions through career services and/or alumni relations. We recommend applicants wear business professional attire.
