New Jersey does not have a college of veterinary medicine. New
Jersey residents who wish to become doctors of veterinary medicine
obtain their professional education in out-of-state universities.
To prepare for admission to a veterinary college, the student must have
acquired a strong scientific and liberal arts background, as might be
obtained from the following undergraduate subjects: biochemistry,
biology, English, genetics, general chemistry, microbiology, and
physics. The undergraduate program should provide not only the
technical information and skills necessary to complete the study of
veterinary medicine, but also a broad background of experience and
interest enabling the student to achieve full potential as an
individual and a member of society. Experience with a veterinary
practice is required by all schools. Special examinations must be taken
prior to the submission of applications to veterinary colleges. For
example, Graduate Record Examinations are required by most colleges of
veterinary medicine. Veterinary Aptitude Tests are, however, required
by a few schools. Applicants must check with the individual schools
regarding course and test requirements.
Most colleges of
veterinary medicine require a minimum of three years of
university-level study prior to admission. Most successful candidates
for admission have completed a B.S. degree in biological, animal, or
agricultural science programs. Colleges of veterinary medicine do not
dictate where or in what degree program applicants should be enrolled
for preprofessional study. Most veterinary colleges recommend, however,
that applicants pursue a baccalaureate degree in the area of their
second choice of vocation. If the candidate is not admitted to a
college of veterinary medicine, the time spent in preparatory studies
may be applied to careers in related sciences, such as animal science,
biology, biotechnology, medical technology, or laboratory animal
science.
The Veterinary Medical Education Act of 1971
The Veterinary Medical Education Act of 1971 provides for contractual
agreements between the New Jersey Department of Higher Education and
out-of-state schools of veterinary medicine for the acceptance of New
Jersey residents who are and have been residents of the state of New
Jersey for 12 consecutive months. Under the terms of the act, the
schools receive a substantial subsidy toward educational costs in
return for a number of guaranteed reserved seats, at in-state tuition
and/or reduced fees, for New Jersey residents.
At present, New
Jersey has contractual agreements with the following schools: New York
State College of Veterinary Medicine of Cornell University, University
of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Tufts University, Iowa
State University, Kansas State University, Oklahoma State University,
and Tuskegee University School of Veterinary Medicine, all of which
reserve seats for New Jersey residents. As of 2003, 24 spaces were
available. Students are encouraged to apply to all of these
institutions in order to increase their chances of acceptance. Most
schools of veterinary medicine also admit a few out-of-state residents
without specific contracts. Noncontract schools such as Purdue,
Michigan State, Colorado State, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio State, and
Tennessee have admitted students from Cook College.
Further information on application procedures is available in the Department of Animal Sciences, Bartlett Hall.
