LCSVM Admissions

The Four-Year Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) Program at the Lyon College School of Veterinary Medicine offers a comprehensive, hands-on curriculum designed to prepare future veterinarians for successful, compassionate clinical practice. This page provides essential admissions information, including prerequisites, application requirements, deadlines, and selection criteria, alongside a clear overview of the program structure, learning outcomes, and experiential training opportunities. Prospective students will gain insight into our innovative teaching model, state-of-the-art facilities, and commitment to advancing animal health and community well-being. Whether you’re beginning your veterinary journey or seeking detailed guidance on applying, this resource serves as your central hub for understanding what makes Lyon College's DVM program exceptional.

LCSVM Admissions

Program Overview

Please note: The Lyon College School of Veterinary Medicine (LCSVM) is currently in the process of accreditation with the Council on Education, the accrediting body of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Students may not be admitted to LCSVM until the College has received a Letter of Reasonable Assurance from the AVMA Council on Education.

Program Structure

Lyon College’s DVM program is delivered over four academic years, designed to provide a balanced foundation in biomedical sciences, clinical reasoning, hands-on skills, and immersive clinical rotations. Students progress through nine academic semesters and integrated summer experiences.

Years 1–2: Foundational sciences, normal and abnormal anatomy, histology and physiology, along with business and communication skills–all taught with immersive technology, simulation models, and early animal-contact experiences.

Year 3: Advanced medicine and surgery, diagnostics, applied clinical skills, professional readiness, and elective courses for individualized training pathways.

Year 4: Full-time clinical rotations, externships, and capstone scholarly or clinical projects.

Rationale for the Four-Year Model

The transition to a four-year format was based on concerns for student well-being in an accelerated 3-year program and to allow deeper academic and professional preparation, greater flexibility for summer employment, internships, and research, and improved alignment with AVMA COE accreditation standards and national program benchmarks.

Semester Calendar

Semester 1 – Fall Year 1

Semester 2 – Spring Year 1

Semester 3 – Fall Year 2

Semester 4 – Spring Year 2

Semester 5 – Fall Year 3

Semester 6 – Spring Year 3

Semesters 7, 8, 9 – Year 4 clinical rotations (small animal, large animal, food animal, equine, public health, community medicine, specialty electives)

Application Process

To be eligible for admission, applicants must meet the following minimum requirements:

Minimum GPA of 2.9 overall

Minimum GPA of 3.1 for the last 45 semester hours

Minimum GPA of 2.9 in science and math courses

Only coursework from accredited U.S. colleges and universities will be used to compute grade point averages. All prerequisite courses must be completed with a grade of “C” or better by the end of the spring semester in the year the applicant plans to enter the program.

Applicants are encouraged to provide evidence of relevant experience and an understanding of the breadth of veterinary medicine and One Health. A statement of interest and goals and two letters of reference (excluding family members or friends) will also be considered.

Once the College receives a Letter of Reasonable Assurance from the AVMA Council on Education, the Lyon College School of Veterinary Medicine will accept applications in-house for its inaugural cohort of students, and then will begin utilizing the AAVMC’s Veterinary Medical College Application Service (VMCAS) in January of the following year. Applicants will be directed to review the VMCAS website for additional application instructions.

The LCSVM’s admissions process is holistic, in line with the College’s commitment to innovative approaches in veterinary medicine and education. The admissions process will select and admit students based on their academic capabilities, diverse life experiences, and dedication to veterinary medicine. The goal is to admit a diverse group of students who will contribute meaningfully to the veterinary profession.

The LCSVM is committed to fostering a collaborative and inclusive learning environment and seeks applicants who will contribute to the College’s mission of advancing animal healthcare and shaping the future of veterinary education.

 

 

Science Prerequisites

Applicants to the Lyon College School of Veterinary Medicine must fulfill the following science prerequisites from a regionally accredited institution of higher education:

General Biology with lab (4 credit hours)

General Microbiology with lab (4 credit hours)

Genetics (3 credit hours)

Animal Nutrition or Feeds and Feeding (3 credit hours, not required but preferred)

General Chemistry with lab (8 credit hours)

Organic Chemistry with lab (8 credit hours)

Biophysics or Physics (8 credit hours)

Biochemistry (3 credit hours)

Statistics (3 credit hours)

General Education Prerequisites

The following general education courses are required:

Speech Communication (3 credit hours)

English Composition (6 credit hours)

Tuition and Fees

Tuition and fees are the same for all students, regardless of residency. The program includes immersive technology, small-group learning, and simulation-based instruction integrated throughout the curriculum.

Projected Annual Student Budget

  • Tuition and Educational Support Fee ~$65,000 per academic year
  • Books and Supplies ~$2,000
  • Room and Board ~$13,000
  • Total Estimated Annual Cost ~$73,000

*Figures are estimates and subject to annual review by the Lyon College Board of Trustees.

Financial Aid Information

Financial aid eligibility is determined using standard federal guidelines. Students may access educational loans, scholarships when available, and financial planning resources to help support their studies.

Admission Notes

LCSVM is actively progressing through the AVMA Council on Education’s accreditation process. One important milestone in this journey is the Letter of Reasonable Assurance — a designation that allows the school to open the application cycle and welcome its first class of students. Updates will be shared as each step is completed. As LCSVM prepares to welcome the first class, the admissions process will focus on applicants who will thrive in the program, with selection emphasizing academic readiness, relevant experience, and alignment with the school’s mission.