There are no specific high school requirements for the DVM program. University The pre-veterinary course requirements are usually met in a College of Arts and Sciences or a College of Agriculture. The pre-veterinary coursework may be taken at any accredited college or university, but most applicants attend the major universities in their respective provinces. Therefore, the choice of electives should be based either upon the requirements of the program in which the student is enrolled or the general interests of the student. Students are also encouraged to select electives which will liberalize or broaden their perspective.
Most applicants have more than two years of university work.
Usually courses taken as part of vocational programs, such as animal health technician programs, may not be used to meet the pre-veterinary course requirements. There may be a few courses in some programs that may be used if the applicant has completed the vocational program. The Western College of Veterinary Medicine admits 70 students to its first year class. Since there are usually in excess of 350 applications every year, it is obvious that completion of the pre-veterinary requirements does not guarantee admission to the College. Selection Criteria Selection is based upon assessment of a number of factors including mental aptitude, academic performance, motivation, maturity, experience with animals, leadership qualities, social awareness, deportment, verbal facility and ability to communicate, and an understanding and knowledge of the veterinary profession.