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Pre-Veterinary Medicine

Veterinarian with pet

Did you know

The term veterinarian comes from the Latin world veterinae which means ‘working animals’.

Students planning on gaining admission to veterinary school must successfully combine an academic major with the specific prerequisite requirements. Most veterinary schools are not selective in your degree. A student should select the best degree for them. Factors to consider:

  • How efficient is the degree?
  • What are your passions?
  • What would you do if you did not become a veterinarian?
  • Where do you feel most confident academically?

If students are deciding which major is best for them, we can help! Meet with a pre-health advisor through our College of Health Science Student Services and Academic Advising Office.

The Pre-Veterinary Pathway is a non-degree program available at Boise State University. You will not earn a degree in Pre-Veterinary*.

The states of Washington, Idaho, Montana, and Utah (WIMU) have an agreement under which 11 seats in the Washington State University (WSU) College of Veterinary Medicine are guaranteed each year to qualified Idaho residents. Given that veterinary school admission is highly competitive, students should ensure they meet the entrance requirements not only for WSU but for other programs as well to increase their chances of admission.

*with the exception of those who attended Boise State before August 2018.

Pre-Health Advising Team

Contact an advisor by emailing HSAdvising@mblayst.com.

Suggested Academic Plan

Year One

Steps you should be taking in your first year at Boise State:

  1. Attend Orientation
  2. Required Advising Appointment
  3. Start Major Exploration
  4. Start Exploring Schools
  5. Consider taking the courses listed to the right in your first year

Veterinary Year 1 Courses

The courses listed on the tables are meant as a guide for students to start completing the requirements to apply to Veterinarian schools in the U.S. Students should meet regularly with their academic and pre-health advisors to ensure progress.

*For a complete list of University Foundation Courses please see the catalog on the Registrar’s Office website.

Semester 1 Semester 2
(FW) ENGL 101 Writing and Rhetoric I (3)*
(FM) MATH 143 College Algebra (3)*
(FA) Foundation of Arts (3)*
(FN) BIOL 191 Biology I: Introduction to Cell and Molecular Biology (4)*
(UF) UF 100 University Foundations: Foundations of Intellectual Life (3)*

(FW) ENGL 102 Writing and Rhetoric II (3)*
(FS) PSYC 101 Introduction to Psychology (3)*
MATH 144 Precalculus II: Trigonometric Functions (2)
BIOL 192 Biology II: Introduction to the Diversity of Life (4)
Major Requirements (3)