Applicants are encouraged to review detailed admission requirements on the OVC website: Doctor Veterinary Medicine (DVM) | University of Guelph

Checklist for non-Canadians applying to the University of Guelph DVM program
NOTE: if you hold dual Canadian citizenship or permanent resident status, you MUST apply as a Canadian.

Admission Requirements

Academic
All applicants must have completed a minimum of two years of full-time studies in an undergraduate (e.g. Bachelor’s) degree program. Applicants can study any program and major at an accredited university or college. In addition, all applicants must present eight prerequisite courses:
□ 2 biological sciences

□ cell biology

□ genetics

□ biochemistry

□ statistics

□ 2 humanities/social sciences

Date pre-reqs must be completed: August 31st, the year prior to anticipated Fall entry.
Required minimum average of the last two full-time semesters GPA: 3.2 or higher
8 Prerequisite courses average 3.2 or higher
We do not allow repeats of previously passed courses. In order to improve a mark in a prerequisite course, you must take a higher-level course.

Course Evaluation Requests:

Course evaluation requests allow prospective applicants to confirm whether or not they have the required acceptable prerequisites for DVM admission. Detailed instructions can be found at DVM Program Application | University of Guelph (uoguelph.ca). Please contact admdvm@uoguelph.ca with any questions.

Test Requirements
- TOEFL English Proficiency Test Deadline: November 1 (for those whose first language is not English and who have not completed post-secondary studies of four years in English). University of Guelph English Proficiency requirements can be found here.

Non-academic Requirements:

Veterinary experience. Veterinary experience is essential for developing a holistic understanding of the veterinary profession as a whole, not just one sector. Applicants are encouraged to explore a broad range of quality experiences in order to demonstrate sufficient knowledge of the profession, its dimensions and the industries it serves. The decision to pursue a career in the profession should informed by experiences beyond pet ownership and introductory opportunities.
We value quality of experience over quantity. The decision to apply to veterinary school should be an informed one and hence, it is important for applicants to explore the profession holistically prior to application.

Veterinary experience may be voluntary or paid, but must be done working directly with a supervising veterinarian in placements such as clinical practice, research laboratories, animal shelters, animal rehabilitation facilities, public health settings or another related industry where a veterinarian is employed.

It is expected that veterinary experience will involve working directly with a supervising veterinarian during job shadowing/assisting, not just attending a course taught by a veterinarian, acting as a receptionist or other administrative duties.

Applicants are not expected to have mastered veterinary technical skills, but should pursue opportunities that encourage the practice of manual dexterity, problem solving and critical thinking.

Some experience within the North American veterinary context is recommended.

In preparation for their application, applicants are encouraged to keep a log of experiences, including supervisor(s) names, total number of hours accumulated, roles and responsibilities.
Animal experience. It is expected that this category of experience will enable the applicant to develop an appreciation for the wide role that animals play in our society, become familiar with different species, as well as to better understand animal industry sectors. We value quality of experience over quantity.
Animals are defined as vertebrates for this purpose. Animal experience could include volunteering or working with livestock, breeding or showing various species, working in a pet store, equestrian activities and any other animal-related hobby or experience where a veterinarian is not always present or does not supervise the applicant.

Animal experience submitted in this category does not include experience solely gained from pet ownership or enrolment in college/university courses that involve animals (experience under the Received Academic Credit category).
Extracurricular/work/community experience. Success in the DVM program and as a future professional requires a balanced attitude, mature outlook, strong interpersonal, communication, team and organizational skills, and commitment to serving society and local communities.
Veterinary medicine is just as much about working with human clients and colleagues as it is with animals. Engagement in activities outside of the profession also helps veterinarians to manage life balance. It is similarly important that student veterinarians have developed and evolved well-being strategies and balance to prepare for the rigor of the veterinary curriculum.

There is no minimum requirement for the number of extracurricular experience hours to apply to the OVC-DVM program.

Applicants should consider engaging in extracurricular experiences outside of animal and veterinary-related activities in which the applicant is actively involved and plays a role (organizing, volunteering in, etc.), unlike conferences or activities that are simply attended.

Consider activities that develop coping, time-management, and stress-management skills, as well as opportunities outside of animal and veterinary experiences for leadership, teamwork, or that build connections and contribute to society and local communities. Examples of extracurricular experience could include but are not limited to: volunteering for a non-animal charity, with a local school, or at a long-term care facility; learning a new skill or developing a new hobby; or participation in a team sport.
3 Letters of Recommendation (eLORs):
- Number required: 3
- Veterinarian Required: Yes, 1

Applicants are required to provide three references in support of their application. One reference must be from a veterinarian who has supervised the applicant while obtaining veterinary experience. The two other references do not need to be from a veterinarian, but must be someone who has supervised, mentored, or coached the candidate in a professional setting. Academic references are not considered appropriate unless you worked for or with the individual.

All referees must be able to provide an unbiased, informed and critical assessment of the applicant, and be able to speak to their suitability for the profession.

It is important that each referee has sufficient first-hand knowledge from working directly with the applicant to provide a meaningful assessment of an applicant’s integrity, reliability, maturity and determination, communication and leadership skills, and ability to work effectively with others, based on observations made during direct supervision.

It is important that all referees understand what is required of veterinarians in a Canadian/US context.

All referees must be qualified to give an unbiased, informed and critical assessment of the applicant and not have a conflict of interest. Referees cannot be family members, or long-standing friends of the applicant or applicant’s family, or be employed by the applicant or applicant’s family, even if they are veterinarians.

For example:

A veterinarian who owns a clinic but did not work with the candidate directly is not an appropriate referee
Any instructors or professors must have also worked with the candidate in a supervisory capacity beyond teaching a class or as an academic advisor, to be considered an appropriate referee
References from an experience that the applicant paid to receive are considered to have a conflict of interest and are not an appropriate referee
References from a committee are not appropriate

NOTE: The opinions and observations provided to the DVM program Admissions Sub-Committee by referees are highly valued and impact consideration of applicants. Applications with references which the DVM Admissions Sub-Committee does not consider to be appropriate, or those with referees that are considered as having a conflict of interest, will not be further considered in the application process.

Casper Score from Altus Assessments

All applicants applying to the OVC-DVM program are required to complete the Casper 2 (CSP-10211) – English test version of the Casper test during the current Altus test cycle.

The Casper test is an online situational judgment test designed to assess the applicant’s non-cognitive personal and professional characteristics as viewed important to the DVM program at OVC. No studying is required for Casper, although applicants are encouraged to become familiar with the test structure. Applicants are strongly recommended to take advantage of the 12-section practice test, which provides an opportunity to ensure that the technical requirements to access and complete the test are met. For more information please visit About Casper – Take Casper.

Casper test results are valid for one admissions cycle. Applicants who have already taken the test in previous years will therefore be expected to re-take it.

International applicants who have previously completed an alternate version of Casper must complete the English Casper 2 (CSP-10211) version, in order to be considered for admission to the DVM Program at the Ontario Veterinary College.

Applicants to the DVM program must request for Altus Assessments to distribute their Casper score to the Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, by the posted distribution deadline. The deadline for non-Canadian applicants is November 1st.

University of Guelph

QUICK LINKS