This fall we will matriculate our fourth cohort of veterinary students at the Texas Tech University School of Veterinary Medicine. They then graduate in May, 2028.
Getting into veterinary school is competitive. With only 33 accredited veterinary schools across the United States, it can create a challenge for those pursuing a degree in veterinary medicine. In Texas, we are lucky in that we are the only state in the nation with two public veterinary schools.
One of many attributes that sets our school apart from other veterinary schools is our admissions process. We only admit Texas residents and up to 10% of the student body from New Mexico. Our admissions process is holistic meaning that we look at the whole person, not just grades, and select those who best align with our purpose of serving the needs of rural and regional communities. In fact, once an applicant achieves a minimum 2.9 overall grade point average (GPA) and a 2.9 science GPA, their grades are not seen again in the admissions process. Applicants are evaluated on their life experiences and personal attributes relative to our purpose.
This past admissions cycle for the class of 2028, we had almost 1,000 completed applicants for the 100 seats on offer. That is a 10:1 ratio! We initially narrowed the pool down to around 450 students through a review process by trained admissions committee members who are looking for applicants who meet our rural and regional purpose. From the approximately 450 students who made that first cut, we performed an in-depth review then invited slightly more than 200 for in-person interviews in Amarillo at the beginning of January.
In-person interviews are a chance for the candidate to meet us, take a deep dive into what our program offers, tour our facilities and visit with faculty, staff, and current students. Interviews last a full day with candidates participating in three 20-minute interviews: one with veterinary students and two that are a combination of faculty and practicing veterinarians who are part of our community-based clinical year program. Once interviews are completed, the admissions committee critically evaluates each candidate at great length to identify the 100 who will be offered a spot in the next incoming class.
Then in mid- to late February, we make phone calls to these 100 students. This is always an amazing experience. The tears, joy, and excitement for the successful candidates is palpable on the calls. Many candidates have dreamed of becoming a veterinarian for most of their life and some have applied multiple times.
The whole admissions process includes many volunteers, including current veterinary students, faculty, staff, and clinical practice veterinarians. The school has affiliation with close to 100 private practices throughout Texas and New Mexico that are excited about the innovative educational program we have implemented. Our goal is to admit students whose life experiences and personal attributes tells us they will most likely serve rural and regional communities.
While the admissions process is a rigorous one, it has resulted in some of the best veterinary students in the nation. Together we are proud and honored to represent Texas Tech University and to be RaiderVets!