OVC DVM Domestic Admissions Guide 2026-2027

The Ontario Veterinary College at the University of Guelph offers a four-year DVM program through Domestic Undergraduate, Northern Ontario Undergraduate and Domestic Graduate cohorts. Applicants need qualifying Ontario residency, undergraduate study and prerequisites, Casper, relevant experiences and referee assessments. OVC ranks applicants using academics and Casper, reviews top-ranked files, and interviews shortlisted applicants virtually.

Program

Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM)

Credential

DVM

Location

Guelph, Ontario, Canada

Casper

Required · CSP-10211

Next deadline

December 1, 2026 (Domestic application and fees (11:59 p.m. EST))

Interview

Interview

Seats

Approximately 100 Domestic Undergraduate, 20 Northern Ontario Undergraduate and 5 Domestic Graduate seats per year.

Length

four years

Casper Requirement for University of Guelph Veterinary Medicine

University of Guelph Veterinary Medicine requires Casper for the 2026-2027 cycle.

Test to book

Casper 2 - English · CSP-10211

Languages

English

Score distribution deadline

February 1, 2027

Check available Casper test dates in your Acuity Insights account at takecasper.com.

OVC must receive the score directly from Acuity Insights by 4:30 p.m. EST. Check Acuity Insights for available sittings.

Casper format

Casper is an online, open-response situational judgment test run by Acuity Insights. The current format has 11 scenarios (4 video-response and 7 typed-response) with 2 questions each and takes about 65 to 85 minutes, including optional breaks. Typed-response scenarios allow 3.5 minutes to answer both questions.

Practice with Bright Doctor's Casper Question Bank, featuring 100+ scenarios and 300+ expert responses.

University of Guelph Veterinary Medicine Application Deadlines 2026-2027

Apply through

OUAC undergraduate application for domestic applicants from other institutions; University of Guelph Internal Transfer/Readmission application for current or former Guelph students

Application fee

External OUAC applicants: $159 CAD base fee plus $150 CAD Guelph DVM document-evaluation fee; additional choices or transcript requests may cost extra. Guelph internal-transfer applicants: $80 CAD application fee plus $150 CAD DVM supplemental fee.

After applying, complete the Background Information Form through WebAdvisor. Domestic applicants do not apply through VMCAS.

University of Guelph Veterinary Medicine Admissions Statistics

Period: Current annual seat allocations

• Seats / class size: Approximately 100 Domestic Undergraduate, 20 Northern Ontario Undergraduate and 5 Domestic Graduate seats per year.

OVC describes its applicant academic averages as highly competitive but does not state an interview GPA cutoff on its admissions page.

Eligibility Requirements for University of Guelph Veterinary Medicine

Degree / credits

A completed bachelor's degree is not required: applicants need at least four acceptable full-time undergraduate semesters and all eight prerequisites by the domestic completion deadline.

Residency

Domestic applicants must have at least 12 consecutive months of Ontario residency, excluding time enrolled in post-secondary school; Northern Ontario applicants must meet that requirement in an eligible northern district. Permanent-resident applicants cannot establish qualifying residency before obtaining PR status.

Citizenship

Domestic applicants may be Canadian citizens, permanent residents or protected persons, subject to Ontario residency rules.

Admission pathways

• Domestic Undergraduate: Ontario residents meeting domestic citizenship or status and undergraduate-study requirements.
• Northern Ontario Undergraduate: Eligible residents of the specified Northern Ontario districts.
• Domestic Graduate: Eligible Ontario residents who have completed a graduate degree or are enrolled in a graduate program.

Confirm cohort fit before submitting transcripts and fees. Visit ovc.uoguelph.ca/Learn for cohort-specific residency proofs. International paths have separate MMIs.

Other requirements

• Three referee assessments: One referee must be a veterinarian who directly supervised the applicant. Graduate applicants also need a research supervisor; undergraduate applicants' other two referees must have directly supervised them professionally.
• Rabies immunization: Admitted students must agree to immunization and provide documentation of an adequate antibody titre before Phase 1.
• Use of live animals: Admitted students must accept their use in some courses.

Selection Factors University of Guelph Considers

Prerequisites

GPA

How it is calculated

Academic Average: 50% the most recent four acceptable full-time undergraduate semesters and 50% the eight prerequisites.

Minimum

At least 75% (3.2/4.0) in the eight prerequisites and at least 75% (3.2/4.0) across the most recent four acceptable full-time undergraduate semesters.

Competitive

Academic averages among applicants are highly competitive; OVC does not publish a fixed competitive GPA on its admissions page.

Each full-time semester must meet OVC's course-load and course-level rules. The Academic Average contributes 75% of the first-stage Admissions Average; Casper contributes 25%.

Experience and volunteer hours

Recommended.

There is no minimum hour requirement for veterinary, animal-related or extracurricular experience. Applicants should gain enough directly supervised veterinary experience to understand and defend their career choice, and document relevant animal-related and non-animal activities.

Supplementary application

Complete the Background Information Form with veterinary, animal, extracurricular and employment experiences, reflections, personal essay responses, prerequisite choices and three referee contacts. Referees submit confidential assessments directly; Graduate Cohort applicants also submit the Graduate Cohort Additional Information Form.

How applicants are ranked

Within each cohort, the first-stage Admissions Average is 75% Academic Average and 25% Casper. Top applicants undergo file review, then virtual interviews. Offers follow re-ranking using 65% Admissions Average and 35% Interview Score, subject to committee approval.

Interview Format at University of Guelph

Format: Interview

OVC describes a virtual interview, assessing attributes including verbal communication, maturity and motivation for veterinary medicine. Applicants should be ready to elaborate on their Background Information Form.

Who is invited

Top-ranked applicants who pass the file review following first-stage ranking.

When

Domestic invitations are sent in early May for interviews in May.

Practice under timed, realistic conditions with Bright Doctor's AI Interview Simulator.

Curriculum at University of Guelph Veterinary Medicine

Program length

four years

Structure

Years 1-2 emphasize preclinical foundations; later years shift to hands-on practice at OVC's clinics and affiliates.

Campuses

University of Guelph

The four-year DVM combines veterinary sciences, professional skills, hands-on learning and clinical training. First-year subjects include anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, histology, pathology and clinical medicine.

Campus and facilities

OVC is based in Guelph and trains students in its on-site Health Sciences Centre, with companion- and large-animal facilities.

What Applicants Are Saying

How to Prepare Your University of Guelph Veterinary Medicine Application

1. Check the eligibility and residency rules for your domestic cohort.
2. Plan four acceptable full-time semesters and eight prerequisites; meet both 75% academic minimums.
3. Book Casper 2 - English early enough for OVC to receive your score by its deadline.
4. Gain directly supervised veterinary experience and record your activities and reflections; OVC sets no minimum experience hours.
5. Arrange three eligible supervisors as referees and prepare to discuss your experiences in a virtual interview.

More About University of Guelph Veterinary Medicine

Founding

Canada's oldest veterinary school

Frequently Asked Questions About University of Guelph Veterinary Medicine

What is the minimum GPA for OVC DVM domestic applicants?

At least 75% (3.2/4.0) is required in both the eight prerequisites and the most recent four acceptable full-time undergraduate semesters.

Is Casper required for Ontario Veterinary College DVM?

Yes. Domestic applicants must complete Casper 2 - English (CSP-10211) in the applicable test cycle.

What is the interview format at OVC DVM?

OVC describes a virtual interview for shortlisted applicants.

How competitive is OVC DVM for domestic applicants?

OVC describes admission and applicant academic averages as highly competitive. First-stage ranking combines academics and Casper before file review and interviews.

Does OVC DVM require animal experience?

OVC sets no minimum animal-experience hours. Applicants should gain directly supervised veterinary experience sufficient to understand the profession.

What are OVC DVM application deadlines?

Deadlines cover the domestic application and fees, prerequisite completion, Background Information Form, Casper score, referee assessments and transcripts. Check the dated deadlines above for exact days and times.

Can international students apply to OVC DVM domestic cohort?

No. Domestic cohorts require qualifying Ontario residency and Canadian citizenship, permanent residency or protected-person status; other applicants use the International Cohort.

Where is Ontario Veterinary College located?

OVC is at the University of Guelph in Guelph, Ontario, with on-site companion- and large-animal facilities.

Sources

• OVC DVM Program Application
• Acceptable U of G Prerequisite Courses
• Acuity Insights Assessments
• OUAC Undergraduate Fees
• Guelph Internal Transfer & Readmission
• Guelph DVM Program

Last updated: September 26, 2026