PAVE/Evaluated Clinical Experience – Apply

Update

The selection process for 2025-26 is now complete. Congratulations to those who have joined us in May 2025. To those who have not been called for interview, please do not be too disheartened: with an unprecedented number of applicants this year, disappointment is inevitable. We hope you will remain on our list for 2026-27, and that you will have an experience-packed and inspirational intervening year. Thank you for your participation.

Eligibility

Before embarking on the ECE year, candidates should check AAVSB stipulations: must have graduated from an AVMA-listed school of veterinary medicine, be fluent in spoken and written English, and have passed or be signed up for the PAVE Qualifying Science Examination (QSE).

The North American Licensing Examination (NAVLE) is not a prerequisite, it may be taken before or after the ECE year.

Your application for the 2026-27 academic year should reach us by August 31, 2025. We will ask you to submit the following (with English translations), by email to suejenks@vet.upenn.edu.

  • Letter of intent (to include an overview of your education, your veterinary experience thus far, and your future goals)
  • Curriculum vitae
  • Veterinary education credentials (official transcript, diploma, grades)
  • QSE result, or date on which examination will be taken
  • English language test result (TOEFL or IELTS), or other official confirmation of fluency
  • Form of identification: passport photograph page copy or screenshot
  • Three reference letters – these may be from your veterinary school tutors, veterinary professionals and others who can attest to your character, abilities and work ethic (you may either collect and include in your application, or have them send directly to us)

Your application will be acknowledged, and will then be reviewed by Penn Vet’s ECE Admissions Committee. We will conduct interviews by video-conference with short-listed candidates in October. Your referees may be contacted during the selection process.

Preparation

Candidates often ask what they can do to increase their chance of success – in being selected for interview, getting accepted, and for the year itself. Aside from your solid academic performance, it will be helpful to demonstrate a breadth of knowledge of different species (if you are mainly a small animal veterinarian, seek out opportunities to gain familiarity and comfort with handling horses, for example). Also, show how you have learned from and developed through your experiences; and what you have done that goes beyond what has been required of you – such as volunteer work, extra research, etc. In addition, practising your English language skills, in order to be able to demonstrate ready understanding and effective communication, will really help.

Acceptance

If we offer you a place, and you choose to accept it, you will be required to pay a $4,000 deposit to secure it by the date specified in your offer letter. This amount will be subtracted from your total fees for the year. Withdrawal after accepting an offer will mean the $4,000 is forfeited.

Fees

Please read the advice under Cost of Attendance: Tuition, Fees & Expenses for cost of attendance and budgeting, and specifically the ‘4th Year’ and ‘Total (non-PA resident)’ figures. Invoices are sent out before each trimester begins.

Note that grants and scholarships are not available for this program. Students typically use personal funds and arrange private loans.

Upon acceptance, the visa process can begin.

Visa

Penn’s International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS) is a resource for advice on the F-1 student visa and obtaining Form I-20. Candidates are enrolled as full-time, out-of-state students. All visa expenses are the responsibility of the candidate.

Health

Penn’s Student Health Services page sets out the immunization process for uploading proof of vaccinations, including COVID and flu shots. Rabies immunization is a Penn Vet-specific requirement; you will need to insert rabies information on the vaccination form, under ‘Other’. Students will need to provide proof of health insurance cover.

Performance Expectations and Evaluation

Candidates will follow the same curriculum as final year veterinary students, rotating through the specialties (small and large animal), and completing a set of core competencies. Read more about this here. Performance is also evaluated in the same way as for an enrolled full-time student. Confirmation of satisfactory completion of the ECE is submitted to the AAVSB on each candidate’s behalf.

Failure to comply with attendance regulations could result in dismissal from the program, with loss of visa status and no recourse for reimbursement of fees. Unauthorized absences of longer than three days must be reported to Penn Vet and to the Department of Homeland Security. Candidates are entitled to two weeks of vacation (to be taken consecutively).

Orientation and Probationary Period

Successful candidates are expected to arrive and be present for orientation two weeks prior to the first day of the program. There is a four-week probationary period. Each student is allocated a mentor from the peer group. Penn Vet does not guarantee that participants will pass the year; program requirements may change from year to year.

Contact

The What You Need to Get Started page is a useful resource for all Penn Vet students; these FAQs are specific to the ECE; and there are some general FAQs here. Please email any additional questions to the Program Coordinator at suejenks@vet.upenn.edu.