Pre-Veterinary Excellence: Paving your Path forward
If your dream is to care for animals as a veterinarian, USC Upstate’s Pre-Veterinary program provides the academic preparation and personalized advising you need to be a competitive applicant for veterinary school. Offered as an advisement track within the Biology degree, this program gives you the science foundation, hands-on experience, and application guidance to succeed.
You will:
- Build a strong science foundation.
- Plan your path to vet school.
- Gain valuable animal experience.
- Navigate the vet school application process.
- Graduate career-ready.
Let’s Talk about Pre Veterinary.
Connect with a Pre-Health advisor in the Division of Natural Sciences and Engineering to discuss how USC Upstate is a great fit for you and your healthcare career plans.
Let’s explore your options and create a step-by-step plan to earn your veterinary degree.
Kimberly Shorter, Ph.D.
Professor
864-503-5716
Courses
Preparing for Veterinary School
Requirements vary by school, but most recommend:
| Biology | BIOL 101 + 102, BIOL 301 (Genetics), BIOL 330 (Microbiology), and upper-level electives in physiology, zoology, and animal biology |
| Chemistry | CHEM 111 + 112 (General Chemistry), CHEM 331 + 332 (Organic Chemistry), and Biochemistry (CHEM 581) |
| Physics | PHYS 201 + 202 or PHYS 211 + 212 |
| Math | MATH 126 + 127 (Precalculus I & II) |
| English | ENGL 101 + 102 |
| Animal Science | Additional coursework in animal behavior, nutrition, or physiology is encouraged |
Tip: Some veterinary schools require additional courses beyond the list above. Always review each school’s admission requirements to ensure you meet their minimums. To avoid surprises—particularly for schools USC Upstate doesn’t work with often—verify their requirements early in your planning process.
Best in show
For Luke Bagwell ’25, the path to veterinary school began with finding a program that was accredited, reputable, and affordable. USC Upstate met all those criteria and prepared him for the next step in his educational journey.
“It didn’t cover everything for every school but it gave me exactly what I needed to be competitive for some of the best programs in the nation,” he says…
Why USC Upstate
Here are just a few reasons USC Upstate is a great option for PRE-VET
- Personalized Advising: Faculty guide you through prerequisites, testing, and application steps.
- Relevant Coursework: Biology degree with electives tailored to veterinary school requirements.
- Hands-On Experience: Opportunities for animal-related volunteering, internships, and shadowing in the Upstate’s veterinary and agricultural communities.
- Proven Pathways: Graduates have been accepted to regional and national veterinary schools, including the University of Georgia, Purdue University, and Tuskegee University.
More on Pathways
- University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine – Largest number of contract seats reserved for SC residents; GRE with Advanced Biology section required.
- Tuskegee University College of Veterinary Medicine – SC residents may apply directly.
- North Carolina State University or other such programs, may accept SC residents but do not reserve contract seats.
Tip: If you plan to apply to the University of Georgia contact the SC Pre-Veterinary Advisory Committee at Clemson University.
Vet school App Tips
- Apply through VMCAS by October of the year before you intend to enroll (earlier submission is strongly recommended).
- Most programs require the GRE; some accept the MCAT.
- Begin science and math coursework early to be ready for advanced classes and admission testing by your junior year.