Competition is fierce for the 100 spots available annually at North Carolina State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine (NCSU CVM), but a new deal gives aspiring veterinarians from the University of North Carolina, Pembroke (UNCP), a leg up. The UNC System Veterinary Education Access Scholars Program (VEASP) reserves two seats annually at the prestigious Raleigh vet school for pre-vet undergraduates from UNCP. Chancellors from both schools signed the agreement in Raleigh in early February. “This is all about the students,” said Robin Gary Cummings, UNCP chancellor. “We wanted to establish a pathway to fulfill students’ dreams of becoming a veterinarian one day.” The VEASP agreement is for five years (in total, 10 qualified undergraduates will be admitted to NCSU CVM in the next five years), after which, the program may be renewed for successive five-year periods. Scholars in the UNCP Department of Biology selected to enter the program will be required to complete all academic requirements for a BS degree at UNCP, as well as meet all academic requirements for admission to NCSU CVM. “It is increasingly important to us that we provide pathways to success at NC State through partnerships with the universities in our system and with our community colleges,” said Randy Woodson, chancellor at NCSU. In the 2014, the NCSU CVM had 359 students enrolled, with an 8-2 ratio of females to males and an average age of 25. Originally published in the April 2017 issue of Veterinary Practice News. Did you enjoy this article? Then subscribe today!
