3.1 Faculty of Veterinary Medicine - Admissions
The Faculty of Veterinary Medicine considers applicants from a variety of educational backgrounds. No preference is given to any particular program, college, or university. However, UCVM does not normally accept applications from students who have withdrawn, who have been required to withdraw, or who have been expelled from any school or college of veterinary medicine.
In assessing applicants, the Admissions Committee considers several factors including,
proof of residency in Alberta,
academic and non-academic requirements,
performance on the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) and
demonstration of English language proficiency.
In selecting students, UCVM is committed to an equitable, diverse, and inclusive admissions process free from discrimination and bias. UCVM is committed to removing barriers to admission for Indigenous peoples or barriers based on sex and gender (LGBTQ2S+), race/ethnicity/culture/religion (including but not limited to, visible/racialized minorities), persons with disabilities, socioeconomic status and age.
Physical and learning disabilities must not prevent the applicant, upon graduation, from demonstrating competency in the skills and procedures expected of an individual who has completed a DVM degree in an accredited institution.
Indigenous Students
For Indigenous applicants (First Nations, Métis, or Inuit), Alberta residency requirements do not apply. UCVM will consider all Indigenous applicants from across Canada who meet our academic requirements. Proof of Indigenous identity will need to be provided..
Details on documentation is available at:
ucalgary.ca/futurestudents/undergraduate/indigenous/admissions_process_documents
In recognition that academic barriers may have been encountered by Indigenous applicants, an opportunity is provided in the Program Specific Questions section of the application to expand on these circumstances.
Requirements for Admission
Admission to the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine is competitive and meeting the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee admission.
Alberta Residency Requirement
Students must be Alberta residents1, as defined by the Province of Alberta. To be eligible for admission, you must be an Alberta resident, as defined by the Province of Alberta at the time of application. As such, you must be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or have protected person status under Canada’s Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. Criteria are outlined in the Alberta Government Guidelines (within the Student Financial Assistance Regulation) and are used to determine residency status. The Alberta Government’s Guidelines for residency requirements are detailed on the Alberta Government website (studentaid.alberta.ca/policy/student-aid-policy-manual/eligibility-for-student-loans-and-grants/residency/).
Proof of Alberta residency (two currently valid government-issued documents) will be required with your application. If you have any questions regarding your residency status, please contact the UCVM Admissions Office at vet.admissions@ucalgary.ca.
Academic Requirements
To be considered academically qualified, students must obtain the following three pieces:
1. Receive a passing grade in each of our ten (10) required courses.
2. Receive a minimum cumulative GPA of a 3.0 across your four (4) most recent full-time terms, (Fall and Winter).
3. Receive a minimum MCAT score of >495.
Passing grade in each of our ten (10) required courses.
A passing grade in each of the following required courses*. Once this requirement has been met courses will not be used further in the admissions process.
Two Introductory Biology courses
Two Introductory Chemistry courses
One Introductory English course
One Introductory Organic Chemistry course
One Introductory Statistics course
One Introductory Biochemistry course
One Introductory Genetics course
One Introductory Ecology course
* A percentage or letter grade must be showing for each full-term course on the official transcript. In the event that one or all courses are showing as, ‘completed requirements’ (CR); the admissions office will still recognize the term; however, a grade will not be used in the GPA calculation, and credit will be given towards the term as one of the most recent full-time semesters, providing all of the other criteria are met.
Online or distance-learning courses may be used.
A required course may not be repeated more than once for consideration. No more than four (4) of the required courses may be repeated.
Applicants must have completed or be in the process of completing the required courses, with at least seven (7) of the ten (10) required courses being completed before December 31 in the year preceding admission. In-progress courses must be completed by April 30 of the year of admission. Repeat courses may not be used towards meeting the definition of a full-time term. A grade that is achieved from a repeat attempt on a required course cannot be used towards the four-term GPA.
Applicants are advised to monitor the UCVM website for any exceptions or changes to these requirements. Students requesting an exception to any aspect of not meeting the minimum academic requirements must do so at the time of application by completing the necessary section of the application form (Q2 of the Program Specific Question Section). Such requests will normally only be considered on submission of a complete application.
GPA of a 3.0 across four (4) most recent full-time terms, (Fall and Winter)
A minimum, cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 ("B" or its equivalent) over the last four full-time terms of undergraduate academic years, as defined below.
The applicant must have completed or be in the process of completing four or more terms of full-time post-secondary undergraduate education at a recognized university or at a college providing university-equivalency in coursework. UCVM defines a “full-time” term as a minimum of FOUR (4) ‘first-attempt’ courses per term, taken between the months of September–December (Fall Term) and January–April (Winter Term. The third and/or fourth term(s) may be in progress at the time of application, but at least four terms of undergraduate education must be completed by the end of the Winter Term preceding admission.
A full-time term could be made up of five courses, with FOUR ‘first-attempt’ courses and ONE repeat of one of the ten required courses. In this situation, the grades for the four ‘new’ courses would be used for calculation of the 4-term GPA and the repeat attempt on the required course would be used towards of the 10-course eligibility.
For applicants currently enrolled in full-time studies, the combined GPA of the most recent THREE (3) full-time undergraduate terms as of December in the year of application will be used to calculate GPA for interview eligibility and selection.
For applicants currently enrolled in full-time studies, the combined GPA of the most recent FOUR (4) full-time undergraduate terms as of April 30th of the year of application will be used to calculate GPA for admission purposes.
For applicants who have already completed all their studies (i.e., an undergraduate degree has been completed and the applicant is no longer a full-time student), the most recent FOUR (4) full-time undergraduate terms will be used to calculate GPA for both interview and admission purposes.
Applicants may use the average GPA of all courses from the most recent graduate program as their most recent full-time term of the 4 required terms, provided that the graduate degree will be completed in the year of application prior to registration in the DVM program. English Language Proficiency
English language proficiency must be demonstrated for all applicants for whom English is not their first language. English language proficiency can be demonstrated in one of the following ways:
(a) Completion of at least two full years within a degree program offered by an accredited university in a country which the University of Calgary recognizes as English language proficiency exempt.
(b) A score of 100 with a minimum score of 27 in each sub-score on the TOEFL iBT (Test of English as a Foreign Language); OR
(c) A minimum score of 8.0 with no bands below a 7.0 on the IELTS Academic (International English Language Testing System).
Medical College Admission Test (MCAT)
All applicants must write the Medical College Admission Test in sufficient time to ensure that their MCAT scores will be available to the Admissions Committee by the application deadline. This usually means that writing the test by end of August of the year of application. To find specific MCAT testing dates and times, please visit the AAMC website here: Canadian MCAT Calendar. It is the applicant’s responsibility to take the MCAT and have their score released in time before the UCVM DVM application deadline. It is imperative that applicants contact the MCAT Program Office (www.aamc.org/mcat) for details about the test and must instruct the AAMC to release their MCAT results to the University of Calgary Faculty of Veterinary Medicine.
Applicants to the DVM program should also be aware that all applicants must complete the MCAT within the three (3) years prior to the submission date of their application. A minimum MCAT score of >495 is required.
MCAT Fee Assistance Program for Canadian Examinees: https://students-residents.aamc.org/fee-assistance-program/fee-assistance-program-canadian-examinees.
Non-Academic Requirements
The files of academically qualified applicants will be reviewed and selected applicants will be invited for an interview at which time non-academic factors are assessed. In addition to the interview, applicants are required to compose an invigilated essay. Selected applicants will also be asked to complete a CASPer test.
Understanding of the veterinary profession and animal industries relevant to the applicant's career interests is expected. Demonstrating attributes compatible with successful careers in veterinary practice that support rural development and sustainability is considered an asset, as is animal or veterinary-related experience, though is not required. This can be obtained through practical experiences or through other means.
English Language Proficiency
English is the official language of instruction at the University of Calgary. All applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency to be considered for admission. For all applicants for whom English is not their first language, English language proficiency can be demonstrated in one of the following ways:
(a) Completion of at least two full years within a degree program offered by an accredited university in a country which the University of Calgary recognizes as English language proficiency exempt.
(b) A score of 100 with a minimum score of 27 in each sub-score on the TOEFL iBT (Test of English as a Foreign Language); OR
(c) A minimum score of 8.0 with no bands below a 7.0 on the IELTS Academic (International English Language Testing System).
Applications
Online application forms and the current-year application manual for UCVM are available on the UCVM website (vet.ucalgary.ca/dvmapplication). Applicants to the University of Calgary Faculty of Veterinary Medicine should ensure they have read the application manual and are familiar with the latest requirements and processes regarding the admissions process. Application deadlines are strictly followed.
Applications will be considered from those applicants who meet the stated residency, English and Minimum Academic Requirements. Application packages are to be submitted by the established deadlines along with the application fee. A current set of official transcripts must be submitted directly to the UCVM Admissions office. Applicants should delay submission of the first transcript until final marks from their Fall Term are available; the final submission deadline for Fall transcripts will be established each year but will normally be in the last week of January. Applicants are also required to provide official transcripts for the Winter Term as soon as they are available; the final submission deadline for Winter transcripts will be established each year but will normally be in the last week of May. Please consult the current year application manual for details.
Transcripts should be sent directly to the UCVM Admissions Office:
UCVM Admissions
CWPH 2D03, 3280 Hospital Drive NW
Calgary, AB T2N 4Z6
Application Deadline
The application deadline will normally be in November for admission in the next fall term, with interviews held in the spring. The exact dates will be published each fall on the UCVM website and be included in the application manual. Applicants will typically be notified of the Admissions Committee's decision no later than mid-June in the year of admission.
Applicants to the UCVM should ensure they have read the application manual which can be found on the Faculty website vet.ucalgary.ca/dvmapplication. The application manual details the latest requirements, processes and timelines for admissions.
Application Assessment
Interviews
Selected applicants will be invited to take part in multiple mini-interviews (MMI) at which time non-academic factors are assessed. Selected applicants will also complete a CASPer test and compose an invigilated essay.
Offer of Enrolment in the Class
Each interviewed applicant is assigned an MMI score based on performance in the MMI and a separate score from the essay. The final admission offer decisions are made based on the final score, which is a compilation of the MMI, essay and CASPer scores.
Accepting Offers
Offers of Admission will be sent by email, typically during the first two weeks of June. You will have five working days to reply either by email (vet.admissions@ucalgary.ca) or telephone (403.220.8699) to this offer. You will have five working days from the date of your email or telephone call to submit (hand delivery, regular mail, or courier) the signed acceptance page. You must also submit a deposit of $500.00 electronically to your Student Centre. Such deposits will be applied to the first year's fees. Failure to do so may result in the position being assigned to another applicant. An applicant who accepts a position but later rescinds the acceptance will forfeit the entire $500.00 deposit.
Official acceptance letters will be mailed upon receipt of the signed acceptance page and deposit. Letters to waitlisted students and students not admitted will be sent in the second week of June. If and when additional spaces become available, waitlisted students will be notified immediately. Please note that placements may be available well into the summer.