Contact: Anissa L. Riley, Director, Office of External Affairs, College of Veterinary Medicine
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VET STEP participants get hands-on experience
High school students with a passion for veterinary medicine will soon have the opportunity to get first-hand knowledge as to what it takes to become a veterinarian. Applications are being accepted now until March 31 for high school students interested in the Veterinary Science Training, Education, and Preparation Institute (VET STEP I and II) summer program at the Tuskegee University College of Veterinary Medicine. The VET STEP program is coordinated by the college’s Office of Veterinary Admissions and Recruitment.
“Our goal in the College of Veterinary Medicine is to encourage high school students with a desire to enter the veterinary medical profession to start preparing early for the rigorous curriculum,” said Dr. Ruby L. Perry, dean of the college. “It is especially important for the students to have a strong foundation and excel in science and math courses. The VET STEP program gives the students an opportunity to understand how these courses become relevant with enhancing their learning experience.”
VET STEP is a residential program designed to introduce underrepresented minority high school students to exciting careers in veterinary medicine. Students spend a week on Tuskegee’s campus, where they learn about the profession while attending stimulating academic classes. Rising 9th and 10th grade high school students are given the chance to be introduced to the veterinary profession in the VET STEP I program during the week of June 10-16. Rising 11th and 12th graders will also get the opportunity to be exposed to the veterinary profession during the week of July 22-28 in VET STEP II.
The all-inclusive tuition is $500, and a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher is required for all applicants. VET STEP I and II applicants must also submit letters of recommendation, an official transcript (not a grade report), and a 200-word essay entitled, “Why I Want to Be a Veterinarian.”
VET STEP I and II include honor students representing many areas in the United States. In addition to attending lectures on clinical veterinary medical concerns as well as environmental and public health issues, the students also take field trips to get an inside look at career options for veterinarians. Activities include classroom instruction, guest lectures, demonstrations, and numerous hands-on activities to familiarize students with career options and career opportunities in the veterinary medical profession. Veterinary profession field trips include visits to zoos, large and small animal hospitals, and animal farms, to name a few, as well as the opportunity to visit various historical sites in the state.
“Early exposure to the veterinary skills needed to be a veterinarian builds confidence and helps the students realize they can do this and that a career in veterinary medicine is worth pursuing,” said LaTia McCurdy, coordinator of veterinary recruitment. “However, the first step is to apply for admittance into the program before the March 31 deadline and early applications are encouraged.”
Applications for the 2018 summer program can be obtained by contacting the TUCVM Office of Veterinary Admissions and Recruitment. For questions about VET STEP 2018 enrollment, please contact LaTia McCurdy at (334) 727-8309 or lmccurdy@tuskegee.edu.
To get more information on VET STEP and learn more about the Tuskegee University College of Veterinary Medicine, visit
www.tuskegee.edu/vetmed. https://www.tuskegee.edu/
Posted By: Cheer Leader
Monday, February 19th 2018 at 11:13PM
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