What in the world is VMCAS?

VMCAS: Veterinary Medical College Application System

The VMCAS platform was designed so that each applicant has a central application with common information that will be requested by almost every program. This application will be distributed to the programs of your choice at the time of submission and payment of the application fees.

Disclaimer: I will be speaking on my application filled out for the 2021-2022 cycle. The format may change slightly between application cycles, but the general information required will remain the same.

The application service has four different sections that applicants will need to fill out: personal information, academic history, supporting information, and program materials. The platform also keeps track of an applicant's progress in each section. Today I will be talking more about the personal information section of the application.

Personal Information

There are several categories within the personal information section that are to be filled out. There are categories that can be self-explanatory and walk you through it very well such as: biographic information, contact information, citizenship information, parent/guardian, and race & ethnicity. The two sections that need further breaking down are release statement and other information.

Release Statement

First within the release statement is a code of conduct that verifies the applicant knows what is expected of them throughout the application process and that it is the responsibility of the applicant to review the requirements of each program they plan to apply to. You are going to want to read all of these statements and make sure you understand exactly what your responsibilities are before you agree to them. There is an application certification where you verify that everything you include in your application is accurate and honest.

The section continues to talk about Letters of Recommendation. It clearly outlines that it is the responsibility of the applicant to find individuals who will provide an online evaluation and letter of recommendation that will be uploaded into the application.

Other Information

The other information section involves the miscellaneous information within the application. This information includes military status, criminal record, academic infractions, and an explanation statement.

The explanation statement offers the applicant an opportunity to explain any deficiencies, missing personal information, or any other information that the applicant feels is essential to their application.

As always, the two most important things in an application are to be honest and to be yourself. As an applicant, it is important to highlight yourself and your experiences in a flattering light, but never embellish. A vital characteristic of a veterinarian is integrity. Honesty in your application can prove to these programs that you are honest and have values that align with the goals of the veterinary field.