July 28, 2020
Applications open for Early Admission Program at College of Veterinary Medicine
The dream of being a veterinarian may be easier to reach than one might think, especially when students prepare early. A special program in the College of Veterinary Medicine, the Early Admissions Program, is designed to help undergraduate students get on track.
"Early Admission helped with my academic objectives by providing me with a grade-point-average guideline to keep myself above in order to qualify for the program," said Bailey Wright, a fourth-year veterinary student at K-State. "It allowed me to maintain myself within the program while completing my undergraduate coursework."
Wright said the Early Admission Program made her a more focused student while she was taking classes that would form the academic foundation for her veterinary school career.
Interested students will have an opportunity to apply for the Early Admission Program beginning on Aug. 1 and running through Feb. 1, 2021, after which interviews occur and selections will be announced.
"The goal of the Early Admission Program is to recruit exceptional candidates for admission to the College of Veterinary Medicine and provide unique experiences that guide students towards advanced clinical and research training to produce future leaders in veterinary medicine," said Caroline Rost, assistant dean for admissions. "Bailey is a great example of a student who made the most of the opportunities within the program.
"The Early Admission Program allowed me to branch out and try new activities while in undergraduate studies here at K-State," Wright said. "I was able to explore activities other than only things related to veterinary medicine; for example, Wildcat Warm-up, sorority life, pre-health ambassadors, Mortar Board senior honor society, volunteer opportunities both locally and internationally, and leadership positions within each of those areas. I firmly believe that being able to branch out into other activities allowed me to develop skills in communication, leadership and team development that have been extremely advantageous during veterinary school and will continue to be utilized once I graduate and begin to practice."
Rost said the program is open to high school seniors who have been admitted as an undergraduate student to K-State with an interest in veterinary medicine and a 29 or above composite ACT score — or SAT equivalent. Students must currently be enrolled in high school and plan to attend Kansas State University in the fall semester following their high school graduation.
"Another advantage is that the Early Admission Program keeps you connected with the veterinary college directly throughout your undergraduate studies," Wright said. "Program members are paired with a veterinary student mentor and are invited to attend meetings at the vet school. This allowed me to feel involved and learn more about the vet school before I began my education there."
More information about the program and how to apply is posted online at vet.k-state.edu/admissions/early-admit/.
"Ultimately, veterinary medicine is a wonderful career field with countless opportunities that I feel lucky to be part of," Wright said. "And I could not recommend the Early Admission Program more as a crucial stepping stone in my path to achieving these future career goals."