What Is a Letter of Recommendation for Vet School?
A letter of recommendation (LoR) for vet school summarizes an applicant’s skills and experiences related to vet medicine. An applicant can ask a veterinarian, volunteer supervisor, academic advisor, or professor to write the letter.
The author should know the applicant well. This way, they can speak about their academic accomplishments and work ethic. They should also be able to provide specific examples and explain why the applicant is suitable for a career as a vet.
A vet reference letter supports an applicant’s entry into a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) program. Most reference letters for vet school must be submitted online via the Veterinary Medical College Application Service (VMCAS). Applicants must adhere to specific deadlines and guidelines. For example, it’s often required to have three to six letters, with at least one from a vet.
Letter of Recommendation Requirements for Popular Programs
Explore some of the requirements for LoRs for popular vet school programs across the US:
- Texas Tech University: Three recommendations, with one from a vet (note that they use TMDSAS instead of VMCAS)
- The Ohio State University: Three letters, with one from a vet
- Cornell University: Three letters, with one from a vet and one from a faculty member who has taught the applicant
- Virginia Tech: Three letters, with one from a vet and one from an academic advisor (recommended)
- Purdue University: Three letters, with one from a vet
How to Write a Vet School Recommendation Letter
A vet school recommendation letter only needs to be about a page long to communicate the applicant’s requirements. It should also support the evaluations you provided on the VMCAS evaluation form (if applicable). Learn the steps involved in writing your reference letter for vet school below.
Step 1 – Introduce Yourself
Date the letter and begin with a formal, generic salutation, such as “Dear Members of the Admissions Committee.” Introduce yourself, including your name, title, and the organization you’re affiliated with. Give some details about your background in veterinary medicine to establish your credibility.
Declare your reason for writing the letter. In most cases, it will be to support a candidate’s entry into vet school. Provide the candidate’s name and specify the name of the program and institution, if known.
Clarify your relationship with the candidate. Explain how you know them and how you’ve collaborated over the months or years you’ve known them.
Step 2 – Highlight Two Key Strengths
In your letter of recommendation for veterinary school, you should touch on the Likert criteria. The Likert criteria for vet school help the admissions committee assess a candidate’s ability to meet academic and performance standards. Here are some Likert criteria you can discuss:
- Ability to handle animals
- Emotional stability
- Empathy
- Ethics
- Interpersonal relations
- Judgment
- Leadership
- Oral communication
- Professionalism
- Reaction to criticism
- Understanding of the veterinary profession
- Reliability
- Self-awareness
- Time management
- Written communication
To keep your letter succinct, elaborate on two of the applicant’s most significant strengths from the Likert Criteria. For instance, if the applicant excels in empathy and oral communication, describe specific cases in which these traits were evident. You might mention how their empathetic nature and effective communication eased a pet owner’s stress when their animal came in for an emergency.
Tailor Your Vet School Recommendation Letter
Tailor the content of your letter based on your relationship with the applicant.
If you are an academic reference, highlight the applicant’s critical thinking skills and learning aptitude. If you are a practicing veterinarian, you should focus on the applicant’s competence in handling animals and attentiveness during practical experiences.
Step 3 – Address Areas for Improvement
Mention how the applicant is working to overcome challenges in their veterinary skills or experiences. Discuss any areas where the applicant could improve, along with their awareness of these areas. This shows a balanced perspective and highlights the applicant’s willingness to grow.
Step 4 – Reaffirm Your Recommendation
Finish your vet reference letter by restating your endorsement of the candidate. Affirm their passion and commitment, declaring your confidence that they will succeed in the veterinary field.
Encourage the reader to reach out if they have any questions or would like to discuss the applicant’s qualifications further. Conclude the letter with your name and signature.
Review the VMCAS Guidelines
Review the VMCAS guidelines for recommendation letters for official guidance on writing your vet reference letter.
Vet School Letter of Recommendation Example
Here’s an example of a letter of recommendation for veterinary school. In this example, a veterinarian is referring an undergraduate student who interned with them.
Dr. Hannah Reed, DVM
Senior Veterinarian, Green Meadow Animal Hospital
1234 Pinebrook Road
Lubbock, TX 79401
October 24, 2025
Dear Members of the Admission Committee,
I am writing to enthusiastically recommend Alyssa Morales for admission to the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) program at Texas Tech University. Having had the pleasure of supervising Alyssa as her intern at Green Meadow Animal Hospital for two years, I have been impressed by her remarkable academic abilities and dedication to the field of veterinary medicine. This positions me well to attest to her suitability for this application.
During her tenure, Alyssa has consistently demonstrated exceptional reliability. A notable achievement was her commitment to implementing a new patient intake system that improved efficiency in handling appointments. As a result, the clinic reduced wait times by nearly half, benefiting clients and staff.
Moreover, Alyssa has shown remarkable empathy through her involvement in recovery cases involving injured animals. Because of this, clients frequently expressed gratitude for Alyssa’s compassion and steady presence during emotionally difficult situations.
In terms of areas for improvement, Alyssa has shown a remarkable ability to address weaknesses. Despite initially struggling with time management during high-volume clinic hours, she has made significant strides by using prioritization checklists to stay organized. Alyssa’s ability to resolve challenges underscores her strong commitment to continuous improvement.
To conclude, I am confident in recommending Alyssa for the DVM program at Texas Tech University. I have no doubt that she will continue to excel and become a well-rounded professional in the veterinary field.
I am happy to provide any additional information or discuss Alyssa’s journey further. I can be reached at [email protected] or (806) 555-3274.
Sincerely,
Dr. Hannah Reed, DVM
Senior Veterinarian, Green Meadow Animal Hospital
Veterinary Letter of Recommendation Sample
If you’re wondering what a vet reference looks like, you can view our free sample below. Create your own using our guided form, customizing it to the applicant’s information and qualifications. Once you’re done, it will be ready to download as a PDF or Word document for sharing.
