Admissions
Selection Process Overview
A holistic, mission-driven approach
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Admissions
A Broad, Holistic Approach
UMES SVM will employ a comprehensive admissions process to identify applicants who demonstrate the academic preparation, experiences, attributes, competencies, and professional potential needed to succeed in the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program and contribute meaningfully to the veterinary profession.
Holistic review considers the applicant’s complete record. No single factor, other than satisfaction of required eligibility standards, independently determines an admissions decision.
Applications will be reviewed by trained Admissions Committee members using established criteria and standardized rubrics. Reviewers will receive training in the holistic review process, confidentiality, nondiscrimination, implicit bias, and the management of actual or perceived conflicts of interest.
Application Review Process
Application Submission
The inaugural class will apply through a secure online application portal administered directly by UMES SVM. The application will open only after the School receives the required action from the American Veterinary Medical Association Council on Education.
Application dates, deadlines, fees, and detailed submission instructions will be published before the application opens. All required materials must be received by the applicable deadlines for an application to be considered complete.
UMES SVM plans to use the Veterinary Medical College Application Service for subsequent admissions cycles.
Completeness and Eligibility Verification
Each application will first be reviewed to determine whether it is complete and whether the applicant satisfies the published minimum eligibility requirements.
Applicants ordinarily must:
- Have an overall GPA of at least 2.8 on a 4.0 scale
- Complete the prerequisite requirement of a minimum 65 semester hours at an accredited college or university
- Complete all required prerequisite courses with a grade of C or better by the published deadline
- Submit all required application materials
Applicants whose overall GPA is below 2.8 may receive individual consideration when they demonstrate a substantial and sustained upward academic trend in their most recent 45 semester hours, as described in the Academic Requirements.
Satisfaction of minimum eligibility requirements does not guarantee further review, an interview, or admission.
Holistic Application Review
Qualified applications will be evaluated using the applicant’s complete record, which may include:
- Overall, prerequisite, and recent academic performance
- Academic rigor and patterns of academic progress
- Veterinary and animal-related experiences
- Employment, research, service, leadership, and community engagement
- Personal statement
- UMES SVM supplemental responses
- Letters of recommendation
- Achievements and other meaningful experiences
- Communication, professionalism, judgment, adaptability, and readiness for veterinary education
- Alignment with the mission and educational goals of UMES SVM
Veterinary and animal-related experiences are evaluated based on their quality, depth, relevance, level of engagement, and the applicant’s reflection on what was learned. Applicants are considered in the context of the opportunities reasonably available to them. Experience across multiple species or veterinary settings is valued but is not required.
Structured Interview
Applicants whose complete records warrant further consideration may be invited to participate in a structured interview.
The interview is designed to assess competencies such as:
- Communication
- Professionalism and ethical reasoning
- Critical thinking and judgment
- Adaptability
- Interpersonal effectiveness
- Understanding of the veterinary profession
- Readiness for the demands of veterinary education
Interviews will be conducted by trained interviewers using standardized questions and scoring criteria. UMES SVM may conduct interviews virtually, in person, or through a combination of formats. Applicants will receive information about the format and scheduling if invited.
An interview invitation does not guarantee admission.
Admissions Committee Review
Standardized application and interview scores inform the Admissions Committee’s deliberations but do not independently determine the outcome.
The Committee considers the complete application, interview findings, satisfaction of eligibility requirements, applicable enrollment categories, and information relevant to the applicant’s professional readiness. The Committee then submits admissions recommendations in accordance with approved School and university policies.
The Dean provides final authorization of admissions decisions, and official offers are issued by UMES SVM.
Admissions Decisions
Following completion of the applicable review stages, applicants may receive one of the following decisions:
- Offer of admission
- Placement on an alternate list
- Denial of admission
- Notice that the application is incomplete or ineligible
- Withdrawal from consideration
Admission offers may be conditional upon successful completion of outstanding prerequisite courses, receipt of final official transcripts, verification of application information, and satisfaction of all other enrollment requirements.
Enrollment Categories
UMES SVM plans to enroll an inaugural class of 100 students. Enrollment goals among Maryland residents, qualifying Eastern Shore regional applicants, and other nonresident applicants will be administered in accordance with approved university policies and applicable law.
All applicants, regardless of residency or enrollment category, must satisfy the published academic, non-academic, and professional admissions requirements.
Applicant Integrity
Applicants must provide complete, accurate, and truthful information throughout the admissions process. UMES SVM may verify academic records, experiences, recommendations, residency information, and other submitted materials.
Material omissions, falsification, plagiarism, misrepresentation, or submission of work that does not authentically represent the applicant may result in removal from consideration, withdrawal of an admission offer, or other action under university policy.
Important Notice
Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee an interview or admission. Admissions decisions are based on a competitive review of the applicant pool and the complete information available to the Admissions Committee.
