UC-Davis aids disadvantaged vet-school applicants

Davis, Calif.

-- A selected group of 10 students who face greater challenges than their peers in applying to veterinary school are participating in the University of California-Davis veterinary school’s annual five-week summer enrichment program.

Each participant faces a challenge on the way to applying to veterinary school, such as an educational or cultural disadvantage, financial hardship, language barrier or physical disability. School officials, faculty and current veterinary students offer them guidance toward strengthening their applications and gaining some early veterinary experience.

The students learn how veterinary specialists diagnose and treat patients, and in weekly rotations at the William R. Pritchard Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital they shadow fourth-year veterinary students in various animal clinics and observe radiology, dentistry, dermatology, behavior, cardiology and other specialties.

The students also receive guidance on interviewing, test-taking, writing and communication and hear presentations on career options.

The program is free to these students, and they receive a $500 stipend to defray expenses. Since the enrichment program began in 1978, about half the participants have entered a DVM degree program, the university reports.