Michigan State Vet School Interview: Who Is Invited and How It Works
What we know about the Michigan State vet school interview, how you get one, and how offers are decided.
Michigan State interviews a selected group of DVM applicants after an academic check and a holistic file review. For the Class of 2030, it interviewed 100 of 329 Michigan applicants and 194 of 1,580 non-residents, and made 222 offers for a class of 115. MSU's admissions pages do not publish the interview's format, length or dates.
Key facts (2027 entry)
- Interview
- Yes, for selected applicants. For the Class of 2030, 294 applicants were interviewed.
- Format and length
- Not published. MSU's admissions pages do not describe the format, the number of interviewers or how long it lasts.
- Who is interviewed
- Class of 2030: 100 of 329 Michigan applicants and 194 of 1,580 non-resident applicants. In-state and out-of-state applicants are in separate pools.
- How applicants are judged
- An academic check first, then a holistic review of experiences, letters, achievements, essay responses and academic metrics.
- Minimum GPAs
- 3.0 science prerequisite GPA and 3.0 most recent three semesters GPA. MSU does not use your cumulative GPA.
- Offers
- Early spring. Accept, pay a $500 (in-state) or $1,000 (out-of-state) seat deposit and a $75 fee by April 15.
- Tests
- No GRE or MCAT. They are neither required nor considered.
What we know about the interview
Michigan State does interview DVM applicants, but its admissions pages do not describe the day. Here is what its own pages do say.
- About 15% are interviewed. For the Class of 2030, 294 applicants were interviewed out of 1,909 applications.
- Format not published. MSU does not say on its admissions pages whether it uses an MMI or a panel, how long it lasts, or whether it is online or in person.
- It opens the DVM/PhD door. Applicants invited to a DVM interview become eligible to apply to the CMIB graduate program for the DVM/PhD, with materials due by February 7.
Read your invitation closely. Since MSU does not publish the format, your invitation is the only reliable guide to timing, setting and what to bring.
How you get an interview
Your application must pass an academic check before anyone reads the rest of it.
Step 1: the academic review
- All science prerequisites done. MSU requires 100% of the science prerequisites completed, with grades on your transcripts, by the application deadline.
- Two GPAs of 3.0. A science prerequisite GPA of at least 3.0 and a most recent three semesters GPA of at least 3.0. For undergraduates, the recent GPA uses your last 36 graded credits.
- Three letters. Through VMCAS, with one from a veterinarian you shadowed, assisted or worked with. A second vet letter gives no advantage, and family members cannot write one.
Step 2: the holistic review
MSU then reviews your experiences, letters, achievements, essay responses and academic metrics. Research is one of six categories in the file review.
- Four short answers. MSU's own VMCAS questions ask about your experiences or hardships, what you learned, how that fits the college's values, and what will make you a good vet student and vet.
- The why behind each experience. MSU wants to know what you learned, why you did it and what it means to you. Small animal, large animal or exotics all count equally.
- 150 hours suggested. MSU faculty recommend at least 150 hours with a veterinarian, but it is not required.
Two pools. In-state and out-of-state applicants compete in separate pools. The in-state pool is much smaller.
How offers are decided
MSU's FAQ says final selection is based on a holistic review of the application. It does not publish a weight for the interview.
- Class of 2030 offers. 75 of the 100 Michigan interviewees and 148 of the 194 non-resident interviewees got offers. 60 Michigan and 55 non-resident students enrolled.
- Admitted GPAs. The Class of 2030 averaged 3.74 for the last three semesters and 3.58 in science.
- Early spring. Offers go to selected applicants in early spring.
- April 15. Deadline to accept, pay the seat deposit ($500 in-state, $1,000 out-of-state) and the $75 administrative fee. A criminal background check follows, but it is not used in selection.
Requirements and dates
There is no separate MSU fee and no separate supplemental application. MSU's questions sit inside VMCAS.
Key requirements
- Science prerequisites. Math, two semesters of biology, general chemistry I, two semesters of organic chemistry, biochemistry, two semesters of physics, physiology, and one upper-level biology course. Minimum C in each.
- Physiology is new. A standalone physiology course of 3 or more credits has been required since 2024. Single-system physiology does not count.
- Eight-year limit. It applies to biology courses only, and is met if any one biology prerequisite falls within eight years.
- Personal statement. The VMCAS personal statement, up to 3,000 characters.
The application year
- May 7, 2026. Programs become available to select in VMCAS.
- September 15, 2026. VMCAS deadline, 11:59 pm Eastern. MSU strongly recommends submitting at least two weeks early, though early submission gives no selection advantage.
- Early spring 2027. Offers sent.
- April 15, 2027. Accept and pay your deposit.
Other routes
- DVM/PhD. Flag your interest on VMCAS, then apply to the CMIB graduate program once invited to interview.
How to prepare
Because MSU does not publish the format, prepare for both personal and scenario questions.
- Know your four short answers. Your interviewers may have read them, so be ready to expand on each story with more detail.
- Practice the why. MSU cares about what each experience meant to you. For each one, practice saying what you did, what changed in your thinking and why it matters for the job.
- Use non-animal experience. MSU says non-animal jobs, like customer service, can only help. Have one story ready about handling a difficult person.
- Rehearse out loud. Time yourself on two-minute answers and record one or two to check your pace and filler words.
Not admitted this year? MSU's admissions team runs re-applicant workshops on Zoom and suggests you keep gaining experience during the cycle.
Practice questions
Questions in the style of a Interview station, written for applicants to Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine. They are practice questions, not the school's own. Open one for what a strong answer does.
Why veterinary medicine, and which part of a veterinarian's work do you expect to find most rewarding?
Name one specific part of the work you have actually seen, and explain why it matters to you with a real example.
Tell us about a time you misread an animal's body language. What were the consequences, and how has it changed your approach?
Own the mistake plainly, keep the story short, and spend most of your answer on what you now do differently.
Often, treating animals means treating their owners. If you are drawn to this field partly because you prefer animals to people, how will you manage the client-facing side of the job?
Be honest, then show with a real example that you can listen to and work with people, including difficult ones.
A sheep farmer facing severe drought can no longer feed his flock and plans to open the gates and let the sheep fend for themselves. How do you respond?
Show empathy for the farmer's crisis, be clear about the welfare problem, and offer practical options and resources.
A family brings in a newly adopted stray kitten that tests positive for ringworm. They have young children at home. How do you balance treating the kitten with keeping the family safe?
Explain the zoonotic risk calmly, give practical steps for the home, and keep the family's bond with the kitten in mind.
What doubts did you have before you decided to pursue veterinary medicine, and how did you work through them?
Name a real doubt, show how you tested it with experience, and explain why your decision is now stronger.
Frequently asked questions
Does Michigan State vet school interview applicants?
Yes. For the Class of 2030, MSU interviewed 100 Michigan applicants and 194 non-resident applicants.
What is the Michigan State vet interview format?
MSU's admissions pages do not publish the format, length or whether it is online or in person. Your invitation will give the details.
What GPA do I need for Michigan State vet school?
At least 3.0 for your science prerequisites and 3.0 for your most recent three semesters. MSU does not use your cumulative GPA. The Class of 2030 averaged 3.74 recent and 3.58 science.
Does Michigan State vet school require the GRE?
No. The GRE and MCAT are neither required nor considered.
How many veterinary hours does Michigan State want?
There is no required number. MSU faculty recommend at least 150 hours with a veterinarian, and all kinds of animal experience count equally.
Sources
Official pages only, read on the date shown. Schools change their process every year, so check the school's own page before you apply.
- Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine: Application Process and Applicant Selection · read October 24, 2026
- Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine: Admissions FAQs · read October 24, 2026
- Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine: Academic Requirements · read October 24, 2026
- Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine: Matriculated Class of 2030 (PDF) · read October 24, 2026
- Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine: DVM Class Composition · read October 24, 2026
- Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine: DVM/PhD Dual-degree Program · read October 24, 2026
- AAVMC: VMCAS Applicant Guide 2027 · read October 24, 2026