AAVMC releases updated cost comparison tool for future veterinary studentsMay 14, 2019The Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC) is now making it easier for prospective veterinary students to see how much it really costs to fund a veterinary education. To do that, the association has released an updated version of its Cost Comparison Tool (CCT). The interactive online database offers tuition costs, scholarship resources, and financing options on all 30 accredited U.S. schools, as well as 12 Canadian and international colleges. "Higher education is an expensive proposition in today's world, and educational debt has become a major national problem," says AAVMC chief executive officer, Andrew T. Maccabe, DVM, MPH, JD. "We're committed to providing our applicants and students with the data they need to make informed and intelligent decisions about financing their professional education. Our CCT program is a powerful tool for helping them do that." The CCT was updated to include the total costs of earning a DVM degree for 2019 graduates and median debt levels for 2018 graduates. A tab for a single-year view of tuition costs was also added. Students can now filter the data by tuition costs, total costs, and percentage of students receiving scholarship aid from the colleges. To view the updated CCT, click …
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WSU receives accreditation for veterinary simulation programMay 6, 2019Washington State University (WSU) College of Veterinary Medicine's (CVM's) veterinary-only simulation program is the first to be accredited by the Society for Simulation in Healthcare (SSH). The simulation-based education program offers hands-on simulated training, from administering anesthesia to performing surgery to client interaction. "We are delighted to see simulation-based education being practiced in veterinary medicine at WSU in an effort to improve the quality of care delivered to the patients we often consider family, our pets," says SSH's Kristyn Gadlage. "We applaud WSU for its dedication to educational excellence in its training of future veterinarians." WSU introduced integrated simulation into its curriculum through the clinical communication program 11 years ago. An elective course for anesthesia simulation was also created, allowing students to gain more experience and receive feedback from experts. "We understand simulation is a key component to training some of the most prepared and competent veterinary graduates in the country," says program director, Julie Cary. "We use simulation to enhance student exposure and experience while building their confidence, which adds to patient safety."
Four Kansas State University veterinary students receive $1,000 AVMA scholarshipsMarch 7, 2019Four Kansas State University veterinary students have each been awarded $1,000 by the Auxiliary to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Legacy Endowed Scholarship. The awards are given to students at 32 AVMA-accredited veterinary colleges in the U.S., the Atlantic Veterinary College in Canada, and St. George's University and Ross University in the Caribbean to support their education. This year, the scholarships went to third-year veterinary medicine students, Danielle Pickering and Katelyn Guill-Sanchez, and second-year veterinary medicine students, Rebecca Tomasek and Katya Luckenbach. "This scholarship will help me relieve some of the financial burden of veterinary school, as I pursue a career in small animal or mixed medicine, and eventually a doctorate," Pickering says. "As a veterinary student who is interested in public health and international veterinary medicine, I am always looking for educational opportunities to travel to other countries to experience what the field of veterinary medicine is like in them," Luckenbach says. "Being an out-of-state student, it is hard to justify borrowing extra money for electives involving international travel, so having the privilege of being awarded this scholarship will help to fund my upcoming international veterinary tours elective." "I am so excited to receive this award for the …
What veterinary students want mostJune 25, 2018When considering improvements in veterinary students' education, veterinary colleges invariably focus on the subject matter of the veterinary medical curriculum. Everyone possesses some expertise in it and therefore believes he or she knows (arguably) what it should contain. However, to be an effective teacher, other attributes are necessary. Colleges should be giving more attention to the human dimensions of education. Recently, I participated in a study that allowed me to meet a number of current veterinary students and recent graduates and discuss their college experiences. This was not a statistically validated population survey; it was simply a collection of opinions. The results were interesting. Perceptions of the material content of the DVM curriculum and the professional and academic qualifications of the teaching faculty were pleasingly positive. However, respondents expressed concerns about rigid lecture formats, information overload, and the impersonal atmosphere of the classroom. What students wanted was a less homogeneous education that respected and accommodated them as individuals with unique backgrounds, needs, and prior learning experiences. Too often, students are persuaded that medical science is a set of hard facts, every detail of which must be memorized and recalled. However, scientific facts are seldom perfect or permanent; many in …
Vet Set Go, Royal Canin ready to send aspiring veterinarians to campApril 9, 2018Royal Canin and Vet Set Go, the first and only community dedicated to aspiring teen and tween veterinarians, have announced the launch of the 2018 Become A Veterinarian Camp Contest. The contest offers students entering sixth through eighth grade the chance to win a spot at Auburn University's Junior Vet Camp from July 15-20. The prize package includes free tuition, meals, and housing. "The love of animals is often where the early passion is ignited for veterinarians," said Chris Carpenter, DVM, MBA, founder and president of Vet Set Go. "Our field is expected to grow in the coming years, and this time in adolescents' lives is critical to nurture and support these dreams and give a glimpse of what the future can hold. We couldn't do this without the support of Royal Canin and are grateful for the partnership." Three grand-prize winners will be chosen to attend the camp to learn about veterinary medicine first-hand in classrooms, laboratories, and outdoor facilities. Students will learn about public health, food, animals, wildlife, anatomy, X-rays, and first aid, as well as gain valuable mentoring about veterinary science careers while on the campus in Auburn, Ala. "Royal Canin believes veterinarians are at the …
Merck Animal Health, AAAP award $50K in scholarshipsApril 5, 2018 Ten second- and third-year veterinary students studying poultry health and wellness have been awarded $5,000 scholarships from Merck Animal Health in partnership with the American Association of Avian Pathologists Foundation (AAAP Foundation). "These recipients are already standout students at their respective universities, and as they prepare to enter the field of poultry production, we want to help provide support for their ongoing education as we know student debt can be a challenge," said Rick Sibbel, DVM, executive director of technical services at Merck. "We are confident that, in the years to come, these talented students will be making a mark on our industry, helping all of us advance the science of healthier animals." The 2018 Merck/AAAP scholarship recipients: Denise Apperson, Oregon State University Jacob Carlson, Kansas State University Dallas Clontz, North Carolina State University Valerie Marcano, University of Georgia Kaytee McCullough, North Carolina State University Sarah Morrissey, Cornell University Kayla Niel, Michigan State University Lisa Tenny, Kansas State University Linnea Tracy, University of Pennsylvania Katie Venters, North Carolina State University "These veterinary students will provide the expertise to nourish the 2050 projected world population of 9.7 billion people with safe and sustainable poultry …
