UMass Amherst Summer Pre-College: Pre-Veterinary Medicine

Learn about Summer 2024 Pre-College opportunities at UMass Amherst. Our residential and online pre-college programs are designed to give you a preview of the UMass student experience, including college-level academics and being part of a learning community of high school students from all across the U.S. and the world. Our programs feature faculty-led courses, state-of-the-art facilities, and the #1 campus dining in the U.S., as ranked by the Princeton Review. Find out more!

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The Pre-Veterinary Medicine Program is an immersion experience for rising junior and senior high school students seeking to learn about (1) the field of veterinary medicine,  (2) the steps involved in successfully completing a pre-veterinary undergraduate program and becoming a competitive candidate for applying to veterinary school, and (3) the time and financial commitments involved in choosing this career path.

This two-week class includes an overview of the veterinary profession and the academic preparation and animal experience required for becoming a competitive applicant to veterinary school. Students will complete hands-on rotations in basic comparative anatomy and physiology, animal handling and restraint, and overviews of veterinary pharmacology, clinical pathology, parasitology, biosecurity, diagnostic imaging, obstetrics, and wound management.

The schedule for the program consists of short lectures and discussions on the UMass-Amherst main campus in addition to hands-on modules at the University’s Hadley and South Deerfield Farms. During hands-on modules, students will interact with sheep, goats, beef cattle, and horses. There will also be off-campus field trips, academic games, and team presentations.  

Class Objectives - Students completing this course successfully should be able to:

recognize and use some basic veterinary terminology. explain basic mammalian and avian cardiac, respiratory, digestive, skeletal, and reproductive anatomy and physiology.perform domestic animal handling, restraint, and basic physical assessments.describe some common veterinary therapeutics and the laws regarding their use.understand fundamentals of diagnostic imaging (radiography, ultrasonography, CT, and MRI) and perform a trans-abdominal reproductive ultrasound examination on a sheep.describe basic similarities and differences between zoo, wildlife, and exotic animal care and management.develop a personalized plan of action (completion of academic requirements and animal experiences) for becoming a competitive veterinary school applicant.

Important Safety Information

Due to the physical activities involved in this program and the interaction with large animals, students are required to sign a Liability Release Form prior to attending this program. Participants under the age of 18 years old will need a parent or a guardian signature on the Liability Release Form. The Liability Release Form must be notarized by a notary public and returned to UMass prior to arrival for the program.

Students should consult with their physician to determine whether or not they should participate in this program involving animals and work in barns with dust and pollen if they have allergies or a compromised immune system.

Work will often be outdoors or in barns. Therefore, appropriate attire is required, including coveralls and washable rubber boots. For compliance with biosecurity requirements, clean coveralls and boots are expected at the beginning of each class. When work is done, boots and coveralls must be disinfected on the farm.

Supplies

In addition to the enrollment fee, there is a $55 supply fee which includes coveralls for each student. Coveralls will be distributed on the first day of the program, and students will take them home at the end of the program. Students must bring their own washable rubber boots to the program. The boots should go up to at least the mid-calf.

Application

*In your letter of interest, please describe your animal-related experiences, your long-term career goals, and what you hope to gain from the Pre-Veterinary Medicine class.

*In the letter of recommendation, please ask your recommender to address your ability to handle the rigors of an intense 2-week academic course.

This course is offered at the UMass Amherst campus as a residential program. Local students may apply to attend as a commuter.

Dates: June 30 - July 13, 2024

Two-Week Residential Intensives: $3,711

*Program fees listed above include tuition and room & board as well as materials.
*All programs require submission of $35 application fee.