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College of Veterinary Medicine

Admissions

The Clemson College of Veterinary Medicine admissions team will uphold the CVM Mission by recruiting, recognizing, and selecting academically prepared candidates to thrive in the DVM program. We strive to enhance the Clemson community and contribute to animal and human health in the state of South Carolina. All factors and qualities contributing to a successful veterinary career are considered at the time of application.

The Clemson College of Veterinary Medicine is your next step to prepare you to be a transformative leader in this field. Our brand-new facilities, award-winning faculty and rigorous curriculum offer the education and experience needed for success.

Pending the completion of the American Veterinary Medicine Association Council on Education (AVMA COE) accreditation procedures and approval by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges and the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education, the Clemson University CVM plans to admit it to its first class in Fall 2026. Application to the program will require several steps outlined below.

Please note that due to the accreditation timeline, the CVM may not be able to use the Veterinary Medical Common Application Service (VMCAS) for its first admission cycle. Please check this page frequently for updates regarding admission procedures.

 

Female student in scrubs working alongside a veterinarian to perform an ultrasound.

Your Journey Begins Here

Admissions & Prospective Student Information

  • How to Apply

    The Veterinary Medical Common Application Service (VMCAS) is the clearinghouse for all vet school applications nationwide. Familiarize yourself with the content and deadlines provided on their website as this will be the main application service used by the Clemson College of Veterinary Medicine.

    Please note that due to the accreditation timeline, the CVM may not be able to use the VMCAS for its first admission cycle. Please check this page frequently for updates on admission procedures.

  • Supplemental Application Materials & Interviews

    In addition to the Veterinary Medical Common Application Service (VMCAS)applicants will submit a supplemental application to Clemson providing the opportunity for the applicant to express relevant background information and qualifications that are not included in the VMCAS application. There is no fee for this application.

    Applicants who meet minimum requirements will also be required to submit recorded interview questions for review by the Admissions Committee. Full instructions and details are provided two weeks prior to the due date. Administration of the interview is at no cost to the applicant.

  • Requirements for Admission

    Academic Factors

    GPA Requirements

    In-State: 3.0*
    Out-of-State: 3.4
    On a 4.0 scale

    *Alternate Eligibility Policy (SC Residents only)

    The CVM recognizes that some qualified applicants may not meet the minimum academic standards. Consideration under “Alternative Eligibility” applies only to SC residents and to GPA requirement (not to any other of the admissions requirements). A subcommittee of the Admissions Committee will review all SC residents that do not meet the minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA for further consideration. The subcommittee will perform a targeted candidate review to assess the academic performance in the context of their other application information (hardships, 1st generation college student, county of residence, etc). Applicants with <2.5 Cumulative GPA will not be considered for admissions and will be encouraged to meet with the admissions team for application counseling.  

    Prerequisites

    To be eligible, candidates must complete or be enrolled in the following pre-requisite courses. No more than two of the courses listed below can be “in progress” at the time of application. Please note that an undergraduate degree is not required for admission.

    Course Title 
    Clemson Course Number 

    General Biology I (3 hrs.) with Laboratory (1 hr.) OR 
    Principles of Biology (5 hrs.) 

    BIOL 1030 and 1050 OR BIOL 1100 

    General Biology II (3 hrs.) with Laboratory (1 hr.) OR Principal of Biology II (5 hrs.) 

    BIOL 1040 and 1060 OR BIOL 1110 

    General Chemistry I (4 hrs.) 

    CH 1010 

    General Chemistry II (4 hrs.) 

    CH 1020 

    Organic Chemistry I (3 hrs.) with Laboratory (1 hr.) 

    CH 2240 and 2280 

    Organic Chemistry II (3 hrs.) with Laboratory (1 hr.) 

    CH 2230 and 2270 

    Molecular Biochemistry (3 hrs.) OR Essential Elements of Biochemistry (3 hrs.) 

    BCHM 3010 OR 3050 

    General Physics I (3 hrs.) with Laboratory (1 hr.) 

    PHYS 2070 and 2090 

    General Physics II (3 hrs.) with Laboratory (1 hr.) 

    PHYS 2080 and 2100 

    Introduction to Human Communication (3 hrs.) OR Public Speaking (3 hrs.) 

    COMM 1500 OR 2500 

    Composition and Rhetoric (3 hrs.) 

    ENGL 1030 

    Business Calculus I (3 hrs.) OR Calculus of One Variable I (4 hrs.) 

    MATH 1020 or 1060 

    Statistical Methods I (3 hrs.) 

    STAT 2300 

    Standardized Test Requirement

    None

    Nonacademic Factors

    Experience Hours

    Candidates are required to have a minimum of 100 hours of clinical, agribusiness/farm, health science or research experience supervised by a DVM or PhD. In addition, candidates are required to have 100 hours of animal experience, and an additional 100 hours of community service.  

    Applicants are evaluated for duration, level of duties, and diversity of experiences. Pet ownership does not count towards this requirement. 

    Geographic Diversity Focused on Underserved Rural Areas of SC 

    The CVM will focus on recruiting talented students from underserved rural areas of SC where there is a shortage of veterinary professionals. 

    Professional Diversity with Emphasis on Agricultural Animals 

    The CVM will focus on recruiting individuals who wish to serve the animal agricultural industry and farms in SC. 

    Recommendation Letters 

    Three recommendations are required. Two must be from veterinarians or PhD scientists with whom the applicant has worked. Some exceptions may be considered for strong applicants from underserved communities with limited opportunities. 

    The Admissions Committee may contact a reference directly if further information or clarification is required. 

    Please also note that accepted students will be required to undergo a criminal background check and follow the CDC guidelines for vaccination to prevent rabies.

  • Additional Admissions Criteria

    In addition to the application materials and minimum requirements listed above, all applicants will be evaluated holistically, considering all aspects of an applicant’s background including unique employment and life experiences, as well as personal hardship perseverance.  

    The criteria below are a set of objectives and characteristics, each of which have implications for the selection of entering students to uphold the mission of the program.  The “weight” assigned to each criteria as well as the method of assessment is included.

    Candidate Traits and Attributes 
    Applicant Data  
    Assessment Tool
    Scoring Weight  

    Academic Ability 

    Cumulative GPA/Last 45 credit hours GPA/Science GPA  

    Calculated 

    30% 

    Critical Thinking, Communication, Empathy, Teamwork, Ethical Judgment, and Self-Awareness 

    Interview videos 

    Video Review Scores  

    30% 

    Geographic/Professional Diversity 

    SC County of residence, 1st generation college student, Pell grant recipient, Rural/agricultural veterinary experience 

    Application Review 

    15% 

    Commitment to Service/Servant Leadership 

    Demonstrated engagement, experience & volunteer hours; Essays 

    Application Review 

    10% 

    Strength of Character, Resiliency 

    Essays & Letters of Recommendation 

    Application Review 

    10% 

    Accomplishments/Talents 

    Honors/Awards 

    Application Review 

    5% 

  • Admissions Timeline

    An accurate timeline will be provided upon completion of the American Veterinary Medicine Association Council on Education (AVMA COE) accreditation procedures. Please check this page for updates.

    Students intending to start in the DVM program in Fall of 2026 will apply in Fall of 2025. 

    Offer letters will be sent in February of 2026. Applicants must confirm their acceptance by April 15, 2026. 

  • Tuition and Fees

    In-State

    Category Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Total
    Tuition
    (in-state)
    $21,000.00 $21,000.00 $21,000.00 $31,500.00 $94,500.00
    Fees $4,460.00 $4,460.00 $4,460.00 $1,888.00 $15,268.00
    Estimated living expenses $21,992.00 $20,192.00 $20,192.00 $30,288.00 $92,664.00
    TOTAL $47,452.00 $45,652.00 $45,652.00 $63,676.00 $202,432.00

    Out-of-State

    Category Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Total
    Tuition
    (out-of-state)
    $50,000.00 $50,000.00 $50,000.00 $75,000.00 $225,000.00
    Fees $4,460.00 $4,460.00 $4,460.00 $1,888.00 $15,268.00
    Estimated living expenses $21,992.00 $20,192.00 $20,192.00 $30,288.00 $92,664.00
    TOTAL $76,452.00 $74,652.00 $74,652.00 $107,176.00 $332,932.00

    Note: Tuition has been proposed, pending Clemson Board of Trustees approval, at $10,500.00/term for in-state tuition and $25,000.00/term for out-of-state tuition, with a total of nine terms for the degree program (two in 1st, 2nd, and 3rd years, and three in the 4th clinical year).

    Students are required to carry health insurance during the duration of the program; this amount is not included in the costs above.

  • Financial Aid and Debt Management

    For information regarding financial aid, please visit Clemson's Graduate Student Financial Aid and The American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC) Scholarship Opportunities.

    The American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC) and the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) offer tools for prospective students to develop a plan for attending veterinary school. View the AAVMC Cost Comparison Tool to compare financial data across veterinary schools. View the AVMA Personal Financial Planning Tool to create a budget.

  • Requirements for Licensure

    Upon graduating from the DVM program, graduates will follow these steps to be licensed to practice:

    See further information regarding licensing in the state of South Carolina.

    *In SC, this is the Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners’ Jurisprudence Examination.
    **The license fee is $300 biennially.

Additional Links

Statement on Community Engagement, Belonging and Access

The College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM) is committed to the University's core values of honesty, integrity and respect leading to community, belonging and access. We aspire to create a community that welcomes all students, staff and faculty working as a team towards common goals. Furthermore, the CVM aspires to foster a community of belonging where all members thrive and will do so by building positive relationships, broadening collective understanding, providing experiential learning opportunities and engaging in innovation and collaborative research.

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College of Veterinary Medicine
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