At Ontario Veterinary College (OVC), you can gain experience with large and small animals, intensive care as well as oncology. You’ll have endless hands on experience, learning and opportunities for research.

Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM)

The Ontario Veterinary College has four academic departments: Biomedical Sciences, Clinical Studies, Pathobiology, and Population Medicine. The institution has a very strong focus on research. According to their official website, “Researchers at OVC conduct innovative, collaborative research aimed at improving the health and well-being of animals, humans and ecosystems. This work covers a broad range of disciplines ranging from basic laboratory investigation to epidemiological field studies to applied clinical research on companion and food animals as well as wildlife. Our research strength stems from our collective expertise, collaborative partnerships, research infrastructure, patients, clients and supportive donors that enable us to sustain and grow a world-class research enterprise.” 

With a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the University of Guelph, your opportunities are endless. The Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Guelph is recognized and respected by veterinarians thorughout the world. By having faculty and collaborations that extend outside the University of Guelph, the college remains at the forefront of veterinary medicine.

Contact

Office of Student Affairs
Phone: (519) 824-4120 ext 54430
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.ovc.uoguelph.ca

University of Guelph
Ontario Veterinary College
50 Stone Road
Guelph, Ontario, Canada N1G 2W1

 

Quick Facts

1. Application Deadline
Applications are due January 1st for Canadians applicants and October 1st for Non-Canadian applicants.

2. GRE or MCAT
The GRE is required for International and US applicants in lieu of MCAT. The results must be reported by November 1.

The MCAT is required for Canadian applicants. MCAT scores must be taken no later than September.

3. Students
Approximately 460 students are currently enrolled in the four year DVM program.

4. Four-year Total Tuition Cost 
Based on 2014 tuition rates for the DVM degree. Take note that you only have to attend school in the fall and winter semesters.

In State Tuition:   $34,339.76 ($4,292.47/semester)
Out of State Tuition:   $216,336.80   ($27,042.10/semester)

5. Accreditation
Ontario Veterinary College was given full accreditation status by the American Veterinary Medical Association.

6. School Rank
OVC Veterinary School was not ranked by US News and World Reports in 2011.

7. School History
University of Guelph Ontario Veterinary College was established in 1862 and is the oldest veterinary college in Canada and the US. The college began in Toronto and moved to Guelph in 1922. Aside from DVM degrees, the school awards Master degrees and Doctor of Philosophy degrees. 

8. Transfer Students
Ontario Veterinary College accepts transfer students.

 

Admissions Information

The admission to Ontario Veterinary College’s DVM program is very competitive. You may have heard already that the Ontario Veterinary College is where innovators in veterinary medicine get started. You will need to complete at least 2 years or 4 semesters of an undergraduate degree including 8 required courses. The typical size of the first-year class at Ontario Veterinary College is 120 students. They accept up 150 Canadian students and 15 Non-Canadian students every year. Students in the DVM program must possess the cognitive, communication, sensory, motor, and social skills necessary to examine patients, and to interview and counsel clients, and to competently complete certain technical procedures in a reasonable time, while ensuring patient and personal safety.

Selection Process

1. Calculation of Admission Average- OVC uses the 40:40:20 ratio to conclude your admission average, which will be used to select the top candidates to move on in the selection process. 

• 40 percent – the average of the courses completed in your last two acceptable full-time semesters
• 40 percent – the average of your eight required prerequisite courses taken during acceptable full-time semesters
• 20 percent – your Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) score (from the individual MCAT with the highest scores)

2. Review of Applications – The OVC admissions committee will review the applications of the top applicants to verify that they are suitable for interviews.

3. Interview Multiple Mini Interview format) – The Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) is modeled after the Objective Standardized Clinical Examination (OSCE). The interview score will become 35% of the final ranking and will be combined with the admissions average calculated in step 1 above (which is now 65%). The top 200 applicants are re-ranked with the combined score.

4. Final review of interviewed applicants – The top 100 students are reviewed by the OVC Admissions Committee, and the applicants who will be offered acceptance into the program are chosen.

5. Communication of decision – Admission status is posted on the applicant’s WebAdvisor account and an email ‘offer’ is sent to accepted candidates in June. Offers of admission must be accepted in writing.

Letters of Recommendation/Evaluations (a total of 3)

• 2 Veterinarian
• 1 Professional

Letter of Recommendation should be submitted on October 1st or closest Monday.

 

Timetable

Canadians:

• Pre-application (prerequisites and experiences) – December 31 the year prior to anticipated fall entry
• Application and MCAT Score Deadline – January 1
• 3 Letters of Recommendation – March 1
• Calculation of Admission Average – March
• Review of Applications – March-April
• Interview (Multiple Mini Interview format) – May
• Final review of interviewed applicants – early June

Non-Canadians:

• Pre-application (prerequisites and experiences) – August 31 the year prior to anticipated fall entry
• VMCAS Application including 3 Letters of Recommendation deadline – October 1
• GRE Scores – November 1
• Review of Applications – October to February
• Interview – November to April

 

Pre-requisite Course Requirements
All pre-requisite courses should be completed by Canadian applicants by December 31st the year prior to application and by Non-Canadian applicants by August 31st the year prior to anticipated fall entry.

Prerequisite Courses (minimum semester credits)

• 2 Biological Sciences (1 credit with recommended emphasis on animal biology)
• Cell Biology (0.5 credit)
• Genetics (0.5 credit)
• Biochemistry (0.5 credit)
• Statistics (0.5 credit)
• *2 Humanities/Social Sciences (1.0 credit)

*Consider topics such as ethics, logic, critical thinking, determinants of human behaviour and human social interaction.

 

Required Experience

Veterinary, Animal and Extracurricular Experience

A specific amount of veterinary medical experience is not required but strongly encouraged to log as many hours as possible.

 

Degrees Offered

Graduate 

• Public Health

• Biomedical Sciences

PhD

• Biomedical Sciences

• Veterinary Science