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 at 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, general chemistry, genetics, 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 his or her 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, laboratory animal science, or medical technology.
The Veterinary Medical Education Act of 1971
The Veterinary Medical Education Act of 1971 provided for contractual agreements between the New Jersey Higher Education Student Assistance Authority (HESAA) and out-of-state colleges 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 colleges receive a substantial subsidy toward educational costs in return for a number of guaranteed reserved seats for New Jersey residents. However, the level of funding for the program is determined annually in the state budget and the number of seats available has fluctuated over the years.
As of fall 2006, New Jersey has contractual agreements with the following colleges: New York State College of Veterinary Medicine of Cornell University, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Tufts University, Iowa State University, Oklahoma State University, and Tuskegee University School of Veterinary Medicine. Students are encouraged to apply to all of these institutions but they should check with HESAA to determine the status of the contract seats. Most colleges 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, Tennessee, Prince Edward Island (Canada), University of Edinburgh (Scotland), and Ross University (St. Kitts Island) also have admitted students from the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences.
Further information on application procedures and the Veterinary Medical Education Contract Program are available in the Department of Animal Sciences, Bartlett Hall.
