Vet program accepts first students
USU’s new veterinary medicine program needs a few more developments before it opens next semester, but finding students to attend is no longer one of them.
Applications for the program have been received, interviews conducted and offers made as 20 resident and 10 non-resident students prepare to attend the program during the fall 2012 semester.
“It looks like we’re in good shape as far as students arriving on campus in the fall,” said Ken White, associate dean of the School of Veterinary Medicine. “We had 43 resident students that applied for the 20 positions, and we have selected those down and have sent out letters accepting them.”
Utah legislators approved USU’s doctor of veterinary medicine program March 9, 2011.
The university received 43 on Oct. 3; however, only 29 students were given interviews between Jan. 27 and 29, said Chris Davies, director of Admissions.
“That’s 29 students that we thought were well-qualified based on their applications,” Davies said.
Jace Hill, a senior studying bio-veterinary sciences, was one of the applicants.
“I was scared out of my mind, because I’ve always been self-employed,” Hill said. “I didn’t know what to expect. But once I actually got into the interview … they were actually very personable.”
Emily Ozmun, a junior majoring in bio-veterinary sciences, agreed and said, “It was tough and nerve racking, but they did a really good job at making me feel comfortable,” Ozmun said.
Department Professor Aaron Olsen said the bar for applicants is high, and, in order to get an interview, students must first impress faculty members with their applications, Olsen said.
The criteria for applicants include a high GRE score, approximately 500 hours of experience with animals or veterinary medicine and a 3.5 GPA or better, he said. Applicants also must have good temperament, he added.
“We want to see that they are going to be good colleagues,” Olsen said.
Hill and Ozmun, along with 18 other resident students, were accepted into the program via email notification sent Feb. 6 and then more formally through a letter sent Feb. 8.
“It was extremely successful,” White said. “We were very pleased with the quality of students that will be admitted in this first year.”
Olsen said a few things must be done before the grand opening of the school.
“We need to finish out the process of hiring new instructors, though we feel very well positioned for the fall,” Olsen said. “We also need to complete (building) renovations. Beyond that, we just need to make sure the processes are in place for students.”
Briedi Gillespie has been hired as an anatomy professor for the new department, and the search for more faculty members and staff is under way, White said. Because of the way the program is set up, more faculty won’t be needed until a little later on, and all faculty needed will be in place by the fall, he said.
Buildings in which classes will be held are also being prepared.
“We don’t have a specific facility for the vet school, so classes will be held in several different facilities,” Davies said.
Some courses will be held in the new College of Agriculture building, Davies said.
Renovations are also planned for an anatomy lab and a lecture hall in the Veterinary Science Building, Davies said. The Hilliard Building located off campus on the South Farm Agricultural complex will also be utilized, he said.
“People might say that the opportunities will be cut because its a new program,” said Audrey Rabey, a senior majoring in animal and veterinary sciences. “Many people think that because it’s a new program, people won’t be looking at us and think we won’t be competitive. But why wouldn’t we?”
“The thing about this program that I really like is how personable the professors have been,” Hill said. “The doctors up here are amazing the way they relate to the students. They want you to succeed.”
Davies said he agrees and also feels the program will not only be beneficial to the students, but to the university as a whole.
“Medical schools and vet schools are typically some of the premiere colleges or schools on any university campus,” Davies said. “They tend to be the hub for biomedical sciences and we envision that the school of veterinary medicine will evolve into playing that role.
– allie.jeppson3@gmail.com
Vet program accepts first students