UMES Opens Applications for Veterinary School
The University of Maryland Eastern Shore is accepting applications for its inaugural Doctor of Veterinary Medicine class, set to begin in summer 2027.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Veterinary Medicine
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The University of Maryland Eastern Shore has opened applications for its inaugural Doctor of Veterinary Medicine class, a three-year program beginning in summer 2027. The American Veterinary Medical Association's Council on Education has affirmed the program is on track to achieve accreditation and allowed the school to begin admitting students.
Why it matters
UMES is the first in-state veterinary school in Maryland and the first at a public historically Black college or university, addressing a shortage of Black veterinarians in the state. The public institution aims to offer more affordable tuition than private and out-of-state options, which can leave new veterinarians with heavy debt.
Federal labor figures show 1.6 percent of U.S. veterinarians were Black in 2025, roughly 1,500 of about 91,000 employed, compared with 12.7 percent of all employed workers. The program's full accreditation status remains pending as the inaugural class has not yet begun.
The players
University of Maryland Eastern Shore
A public historically Black university on Maryland's Eastern Shore that is opening the state's first in-state veterinary school.
American Veterinary Medical Association
The national professional organization whose Council on Education oversees accreditation of U.S. veterinary schools.
The details
Applicants must apply through the secure online application administered directly by the UMES School of Veterinary Medicine rather than VMCAS, and submit at least three confidential letters of recommendation, one from a licensed veterinarian. The application deadline is January 15, 2027, and selected applicants will be invited to a structured interview.
Timeline
2025: Federal data measures the diversity figure for U.S. veterinarians.
January 15, 2027: Application deadline for the inaugural class.
Summer 2027: Inaugural class begins the three-year DVM program.
Industry Context
The school's progress follows the AVMA Council on Education's prescribed accreditation process for new veterinary programs, which the UMES program is currently moving through. Its opening adds a new pathway into a profession where Black veterinarians remain a small share of the workforce.
Prospective students should note the January 15, 2027 deadline and the requirement for three confidential recommendation letters, including one from a licensed veterinarian. Applicants should apply directly through the UMES School of Veterinary Medicine's online system rather than VMCAS.
The takeaway
Prospective applicants interested in veterinary medicine should begin preparing recommendation letters and reviewing the direct application process well before the January 15, 2027 deadline. Students from Maryland and the Eastern Shore now have a public, in-state option to pursue the DVM degree.
What happens next
The UMES program will continue through the Council on Education's accreditation process as the inaugural class moves through the curriculum, with applications due January 15, 2027.
Further reading
Explore more on Veterinary Medicine to see how new programs are reshaping the field.
More information
Review the UMES veterinary school application instructions and fees directly from the School of Veterinary Medicine.
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