ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA COLLEGE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE

All students must possess the capability to complete, with or without reasonable accommodation, the entire curriculum established by the College of Veterinary Medicine, which is required to achieve the D.V.M. degree. The veterinary medical curriculum requires demonstrated proficiency in a variety of cognitive, social, and behavioral skills. To achieve these proficiencies, the College of Veterinary Medicine requires that each student be able to meet the following:

Intellectual-Conceptual Abilities

Students must be able to assess, measure, calculate, reason, analyze, integrate, and synthesize subjective and objective information. In addition, students must be able to comprehend three-dimensional relationships and to understand the spatial relationships of structures. Problem-solving, a critical skill demanded of veterinarians, requires all these intellectual abilities. Students must be able to perform these problem-solving skills in a timely fashion.

Motor Skills

A student should have sufficient motor function to execute movements required to provide general care and treatment to patients in all health care settings. Specifically, students must be able to:

• Elicit independently information from patients by palpation, auscultation, percussion, and other diagnostic maneuvers, laboratory tests, and diagnostic procedures.
• Safely execute motor movements reasonably required to provide general care and emergency treatment to patients, such as, but not limited to, airway management, placement of intravenous catheters, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, application of pressure to control bleeding, suturing of wounds, other surgical procedures, and the performance of obstetrical maneuvers. Such actions require coordination of both gross and fine muscular movements, equilibrium and functional use of the senses of touch, hearing, and vision.
• Perform routine restraint procedures and to lift patients, tissues, or equipment with or without assistance.

Sensory/Observation Skills

A student must be able to acquire the information presented through demonstrations and experiences in the basic and clinical sciences, including but not limited to information conveyed through physiological and pharmacological demonstrations in animals and microscopic images of microorganisms, and gross and microscopic evaluation of normal or pathological tissues.

Specifically, the student must be able to:

• Observe a patient accurately, at a distance and close at hand, acquire information from written documents, and visualize information as presented in images from paper, films, slides, video and other media.
• Perceive and interpret signs of fear, aggression, and other potentially dangerous behaviors made by various animal species; sense and interpret warning sounds and signs in the veterinary health care environment.
• Interpret radiographs and other graphic images, and digital or analog representations of physiologic phenomenon (such as EKGs) with or without the use of assistive devices.

Such observation and information acquisition necessitate the functional use of visual, auditory, and somatic sensation while being enhanced by functional use of other sensory modalities including smell. In any case where a student's ability to observe or acquire information through these sensory modalities is compromised, the student must demonstrate alternative means and/or abilities to acquire and demonstrate observation skills.

Communication Skills

Students must be able to observe patients in order to elicit information, describe changes in behavior, activity and posture, and perceive non-vocal communications. Students must be able to communicate effectively orally and in writing with clients and colleagues. Students must be able to sense and respond to directions given in emergency situations and during clinical and surgical procedures. Such communication skills require the functional use of visual, auditory, and somatic senses, enhanced by the functional use of other sensory modalities. When a matriculant’s ability to communicate through sensory modalities is compromised, the matriculant must demonstrate alternative means and/or abilities to meet the communication skills. A student must communicate effectively, sensitively and rapidly with other students, faculty, staff, animal companions, and other healthcare professionals. A student must demonstrate a willingness and ability to give and receive feedback, and to communicate information on the patient’s status with accuracy and in a timely manner to members of the healthcare team. A student must be able to elicit information from patients, describe changes in mood, activity and posture, and perceive nonverbal communications.

Behavioral/Social Skills

A student must possess the ability to exercise good judgment, and to complete all responsibilities attendant to the diagnosis and care of patients in a wide variety of environmental contexts. In addition, the student must maintain mature, sensitive, and effective and harmonious relationships with patients, caretakers, owners, students, faculty, staff, and other professionals under highly stressful situations. The student must have the ability to function effectively under stress and to adapt to an environment that may change rapidly without warning and/or in unpredictable ways. The student must be able to exhibit empathy, integrity and concern for others.

Professional Conduct

The student must abide by professional standards of practice. The student must be able to engage in patient care delivery in diverse settings and be able to deliver care to all patient populations.

VMCAS requires at least three but up to six electronic recommendations (eLORs) submitted through VMCAS. At least one recommendation should be from an individual who can speak to your professional (not personal) interactions/experiences with animals. The reference could be a veterinarian, site coordinator, clinic manager, etc. VMCAS does not accept eLORs by email, express mail, or postal mail. 

For UACVM to consider your application, you must have three letters of recommendation submitted to VMCAS by the due date. Applicants must have three letters for their application to be considered complete.

VMCAS requires applicants to share their experiences (animal, research, veterinary, employment, and volunteer experiences) and achievements (awards, honors, scholarships). We do not specify the number of hours nor the type of experiences an applicant may offer. Each applicant will have something unique to share.

In addition to the personal statement needed by VMCAS, we require one supplemental essay about your fit with the University of Arizona College of Veterinary Medicine values. This essay is a part of the VMCAS application program materials under The University of Arizona application questions. Responses play a significant role in determining whom we select to interview. Therefore, we encourage you to be thoughtful and reflective and suggest you ask someone you trust to proofread your responses for clarity, syntax, grammar, and spelling.

We do not require a standardized test (i.e., GRE) for admission to the Arizona DVM program, nor will any standardized test be considered. However, international students may need to provide proof of English Proficiency.