The Lincoln Memorial University-Richard A. Gillespie College of Veterinary Medicine (LMU-CVM) is committed to the education of confident, competent, career-ready veterinarians through the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) program. We are dedicated to serving the needs of rural communities throughout the United States, especially the Appalachian region. It is our firm belief that our graduates will be lifelong learners, committed to a “One Health” philosophy for humans, animals, and the environment, and will become leaders in their communities and in the veterinary medical profession.
At the LMU-CVM, students will receive the knowledge, caseload, skill set, and hands-on experience necessary to ensure their success upon graduation. Students matriculating into the program will undergo a rigorous, demanding, and rewarding veterinary medical education in a state-of-the-art facility, guided by faculty who are national leaders in the profession. All students participate in distributed clinical education and training through a network of community practice partners, public and corporate organizations, and federal and state agencies. Graduates of the LMU-CVM program benefit from focused, real-world, community-based clinical education and are career-ready from day one following graduation.
In order to gain admission to LMU's DVM program, 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. LMU 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.
The Richard A. Gillespie College of Veterinary Medicine offers two start dates for accepted DVM students:
Both cohorts have identical coursework, though the sequence of those courses varies. When completing your application through VMCAS, you will be asked to select your preferred start term:
Your selection determines which start dates you will be considered for during the admissions process. If you receive an offer of admission, you may choose to accept, decline, or defer your seat based on whether you received an offer for the Spring or Fall start.
If you have extenuating circumstances that require changing your preferred start term during the application cycle, please contact VeterinaryAdmissions@LMUnet.edu.
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.
All candidates considered for admission to the LMU-CVM Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program must meet the following requirements.
In order to fulfill the prerequisite, the coursework must meet the following criteria:
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. Failure to complete any prerequisite courses marked as in progress or planned may result in forfeiture of a seat in the program.
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.
| 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 higher. Examples 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 | 3 | 4 | Lecture and Lab |
| Physiology | 3 | 4 | Lecture |
| 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 | 46 | 66 |
*To verify if an Animal Breeding/Reproduction course satisfies the Genetics prerequisite, send an email with the course description to VeterinaryAdmissions@LMUnet.edu.
Applicants must complete the LMU-CVM Supplemental Application using LMU's online application site. In the supplemental application, applicants must agree that they meet the technical standards and essential functions in order to enter the DVM program.
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
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 15 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
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:
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 the VMCAS application. Letters sent directly to LMU-CVM will not be accepted.
Curious to know what happens with an application after it has been submitted? The process below describes how applicants are reviewed and considered for admission into LMU-CVM.
Applications are processed by the Admissions Office following application verification by VMCAS. Please note that unverified applications will not be considered for admissions into the LMU-CVM.
The LMU-CVM conducts thorough, holistic reviews of verified applications. These reviews specifically include, but are not limited to, evaluation of the items listed below:
The LMU-CVM hosts virtual multiple-mini-interviews (MMI). Applicants who are selected for an interview will be notified via email. Interviews will occur throughout the year based partially upon the applicant’s preferred semester of entry into the program. Qualitative holistic application reviews will be conducted following completion of the interview.
Admissions decisions are made following careful evaluation of the comprehensive application package. Decisions will be conveyed electronically and may include offers of acceptance, placement on the applicant waitlist, or denial. Please note that decisions are made and conveyed on a rolling basis throughout the year based on deadlines and starting semesters.
Important: An offer of admission is contingent upon the applicant’s ability to secure and maintain adequate financial arrangements to cover all educational and associated costs for the duration of the program. For additional financial aid resources, visit LMU's Student Financial Services page.
Applicants are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the licensing requirements that are applicable to the states or commonwealths in which they may opt to practice veterinary medicine. The requirements for Tennessee and Virginia can be browsed using the following links:
Tennessee Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners
Virginia Board of Veterinary Medicine
Kentucky Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners
For information on LMU DVM graduate data (average starting salary, debt, number of job offers, etc.), visit our CVM Career Services page. For data on NAVLE pass rates, visit our Accreditation page.
For additional resources and information about becoming a veterinarian, visit the AAVMC Pre-Vet Resources and AVMA's My Veterinary Life webpages.
