In order to gain admission to Lincoln Memorial University's Richard A. Gillespie College of Veterinary Medicine, prospective applicants must demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge base of professional, personal, and academic development in pursuit of an education and career in the field of veterinary medicine.
The Richard A. Gillespie College of Veterinary Medicine completes a holistic review of all applicants to its DVM program. In addition to academic performance, applicants are evaluated on their previous veterinary experience, experience with animals, research experience, personal characteristics, leadership and extracurricular experience, essays, letters of recommendation, and interview. Lincoln Memorial University is committed to serving the Appalachian region. Extra consideration is given to applicants from Appalachia Regional Commission defined counties. Applicants are also given additional consideration if they are from rural communities, are first generation college students, or have completed a graduate program.
Spring Cohort Application Timeline
All applicants may be considered for either cohort. Submission of application according to the below timeline allows early interviews and decisions for the spring cohort.
- January 22: First three quadrants of 2025-2026 VMCAS application open.
- May 8: Colleges available for applicants to select and submit applications in VMCAS
- June 30: VMCAS Application, LMU-CVM Supplemental Application, and CASPer submission deadline for applicants that prefer to begin studies in January. Applicants who have not submitted all information by this date may still be eligible for entry into the spring semester. Please note that failure to meet this deadline will result in acceptance offers/decisions that are later in the fall resulting in less time to prepare for classes to begin in January.
- July-October: Interviews conducted.
- August: Acceptance offers will begin to be extended. These offers will continue until the class is filled.
- December 31: Official fall transcripts submission deadline. All transcripts must be sent directly from the applicant’s learning institution to LMU-CVM.
Applicants should ensure all required documents (eLOR, transcripts, etc) are submitted by the LMU June 30th deadline. Applicants who have not submitted all information by this date may still be eligible for entry into the spring semester. Please note that failure to meet this deadline will result in acceptance offers/decisions that are later in the fall resulting in less time to prepare for classes to begin in January.
Fall Cohort Application Timeline
- January 22: First three quadrants of 2025-2026 VMCAS application opens.
- May 8: Colleges available for applicants to select and submit applications in VMCAS.
- August 15: Recommended VMCAS submission deadline.
- September 15 @11:59PM EST: VMCAS Application and LMU-CVM Supplemental Application submission deadline.
- September 16: Deadline for completing Casper assessment.
- Mid-September to January: Interviews conducted.
- December-April: Acceptance offers are extended. Acceptances offers will continue until all slots for the incoming class have filled.
- January 31: Official fall transcripts submission deadline.
- April 18: AAVMC decision deadline.
Veterinary Medical College Application Service (VMCAS)
The LMU-CVM utilizes VMCAS for the DVM application process.
Applicants are responsible for monitoring their VMCAS application status. Incomplete and unverified applications will not be considered for admission.
Visit the VMCAS website for additional cycle dates and details.
Requirements to Apply
All candidates considered for admission to Lincoln Memorial University-College of Veterinary Medicine must meet the following requirements.
Minimum Academic Requirements
At least 46 semester or 62 quarter units from a regionally accredited college or university.
*If a student intends to practice in the state of New York, they require at least 60 semester units. Minimum overall 2.8 GPA, or higher in all coursework as calculated by VMCAS.
*Students not meeting this criteria, with a GPA of < 2.8, who have demonstrated a commitment to academic excellence in the last 2 years of study (most recent 40 semester hours) may be considered on a case by case basis.
GRE scores are not required and will not be considered. Instead, LMU-CVM requires the Casper Assessment.
Pre-Requisite Coursework
In order to fulfill the prerequisite the coursework must meet the following criteria:
- Courses must be completed at a regionally accredited college or university
- Courses must be completed with a grade of a "C-" or higher. Final grades for all prerequisite courses must be verified by LMU-CVM.
- Courses for all science prerequisites must have been completed within the last 10 years of application. Science prerequisites include: Biology, Genetics, Biochemistry, Advanced Science Electives, Organic Chemistry, General Chemistry, Physics, and Anatomy and/or Physiology
In Progress or Planned Courses: Prerequisite courses can be "in progress" or "planned" at the time you submit your application, however official transcripts reflecting successful completion of those prerequisites must be submitted to LMU by the published deadlines.
Advanced Placement (AP) credits: AP credits will be accepted for pre-requisite courses if they appear on an official college transcript with the subject and number of credits received and are equivalent to the appropriate college-level coursework. A generic listing of "AP credit" or "transfer credit" without the specific subject and number of credits will not be accepted.
Prerequisites required to apply to the DVM program at LMU-CVM.
| LMU-CVM Prerequisite |
Semester Units |
Quarter Units |
Description |
| Biology |
8 |
12 |
General biology series; Lecture & lab |
| Genetics |
3 |
4 |
Lecture; Animal Breeding/Reproduction courses must be approved on a case-by-case basis* |
| Biochemistry |
3 |
4 |
Lecture |
| Advanced Science Electives |
8 |
12 |
Lecture
Courses must be 300 level or higherExamples may include Anatomy, Cell Biology, Immunology, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Physiology, or Virology, depending on your school's course numbering. |
| Organic Chemistry |
3 |
5 |
Lecture & lab |
| General Chemistry |
6 |
9 |
2-course sequential series of lecture & lab |
| Physics |
3 |
4 |
Lecture (Algebra or calculus based acceptable) |
| Anatomy and/or Physiology** |
3 |
4 |
Lecture and Lab |
| English |
3 |
4 |
|
| Social Sciences |
3 |
4 |
Potential courses include but are not limited to: Anthropology, Economics, Geography, Philosophy, Political Science or Sociology. Also included: Ethics, Critical Thinking, Social Responsibility, One Health, & Human-Animal Bond |
| Minimum |
43 |
62 |
|
*To verify if an Animal Breeding/Reproduction course satisfies the Genetics prerequisite, send an email with the course description to VeterinaryAdmissions@LMUnet.edu.
**Starting 2027, 3 credits of Anatomy and 3 credits of Physiology will be required.
LMU Supplemental Application
Applicants must complete the LMU-CVM Supplemental Application using LMU's online application site.
CASPer
All applicants applying to the LMU-CVM are required to complete the CASPer exam facilitated by Altus Assessments.
CASPer is a 65-85 minute online, open-response situational judgment test. This online assessment measures different competencies and attributes that we believe are important for successful students and graduates of our program. The CASPer exam will complement the other tools that we use for applicant review and evaluation. In implementing CASPer, we are trying to further enhance fairness and objectivity in our selection process.
Learn more about CASPer and testing dates
Please note that Snapshot and Duet ARE NOT required by the LMU-CVM.
Other Materials
Transcripts
Official transcripts for all courses completed through summer must be submitted directly to VMCAS. If you need additional information, read more about the VMCAS transcript verification process. Coursework completed after the September 16 deadline must be reported via official transcript submission to the LMU-CVM by the dates noted above.
Updated official electronic transcripts can be sent to CVMTranscripts@LMUnet.edu.
Official updated transcripts can be physically mailed to the following address:
LMU-CVM Office of Admissions
6965 Cumberland Gap Parkway
Harrogate, TN 37752
Letters of Recommendation
Applicants to the LMU-CVM are required to submit three letters of recommendation through VMCAS. A letter must be submitted from each of the three parties noted below:
- 1 letter from a college professor
- 1 letter from a veterinarian
- 1 letter from a previous or current employer/supervisor
Letters of recommendation must be completed by individuals other than family members and articulately attest to an applicant’s capacities. Specific details on the (electronic letters of recommendation) process can be found on the VMCAS website. Letters of recommendation must be submitted through your VMCAS application. Letters sent directly to LMU-CVM will be not accepted.
Technical Standards & Essential Functions
The technical standards and essential functions established by the faculty require that all candidates possess the physical, cognitive, and behavioral abilities necessary to complete all required aspects of the curriculum and are, therefore, requirements for admission, promotion, and graduation.
Click here to view the LMU-CVM Technical Standards & Essential Functions
