Why Should I Study at K-State?
Kansas State Vet School is a place that you need to be! It would be of help if you didn’t miss out because College Magazine ranked it amongst the top five veterinary colleges in the United States. The college is known to provide high standard care for patients. In addition to that, many scientific discoveries, especially in infectious diseases, happen in the university.
To be specific, College Magazine named the College of Veterinary Medicine’s Center of Excellence for Emerging and Zoonotic Animal Diseases, the Center for Epithelial Research, and the Rabies Laboratory as the ones that stand out.
With all these accolades, why should you miss an opportunity to study at Kansas State University Vet School? You will find the best methodologies that the instructors use. At the end of your course, you will be a great American Veterinary Health Practitioner.
It would be best to read deeper to find out more about Kansas State Vet School Tuition, how to get admissions, and other important facts.
The History of K-State Vet School
The College of Veterinary Medicine at K-State University was established in 1905. Since it began its operations, the college has seen more than 7000 women and men graduating with Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degrees. Some of the departments include clinical sciences, pathobiology/diagnostic medicine, anatomy, and physiology.
The year 1862 saw the university venture into the field of veterinary medicine. Students who enrolled in Agriculture were the ones that studied animal health courses beginning in 1886. The classes then were not for the veterinary degree credit.
In 1905, the School introduced the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree. The school was first referred to as the Department of Veterinary Medicine. In 1919, it became the Division of Veterinary Medicine after separating from the School of Agriculture. Twenty-four years later (1943), they changed the name Division to School.
In 1963 after Kansas State College became a University, the Veterinary Medicine Program became a college. So, when you compare it with other colleges of Veterinary Medicine in the United States, Kansas State College is one of the first ones to offer the DVM degree.
Previously, some of the Kansas State Vet School requirements for admission were 15 units of high school coursework. In 1932, applicants needed to have 32 hours of college work to join the professional program. This changed during the academic year of 1949-1950 where two years of pre-veterinary medical work were a requirement.
As years passed, pre-professional qualifications have been changing to meet the demands of the professional program. Many residents of the United States acknowledge the college for the high standards it puts in research and instructional programs.
The college’s surroundings include a city with a zoo and many pets and a rich agricultural program. All these are advantageous to the college since there is provision for clinical material for professional education in veterinary medicine.
Everything You Need to Know About Studying at K-State.
Before you embark on a journey to K-State, there are a few things you need to know. Below we look at very critical information that will serve as guidance on whether to choose K-State or not:
Location
The Kansas State Vet School is located in Manhattan and sits on 2,320 acres of research and agricultural facilities. It is adjacent to Fort Riley, which is a large army installation. In most instances, the school collaborates with the military on many projects.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is building a facility for National and Agro-defense next to the campus. This is going to have a significant impact on the professional education of the students.
How many students are accepted per year?
As stated before, Kansas State Vet School is one of the top vet schools in the United States. The fact that it has been in existence since time immemorial makes it trustworthy. It is for these reasons that it is very competitive. Many people seek admission at the School. However, the School only admits about 112 students into the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program annually.
Of the 112 students, half come from Kansas. The other half come from other states in the United States and other countries too. Since it is so competitive to gain admission, you need to know about personal, professional, and academic development.
Selection of applicants for admission is made according to experience in animal and veterinary experience, recommendation letters, academic grade point average (average GPA), and interviews.
To get a chance at the school for the first half of students, you must be a Kansas resident. However, applicants from other states and around the world can apply as well.
Admission criteria for U.S. students
To be admitted to the school, applicants can choose the Early Admission Program. The main objective of the program is to get exceptional applicants to the college of veterinary medicine. To get admission to this program, applicants must be high school graduates at Kansas State University. They must also have an interest in Veterinary Medicine.
They are also selected depending on their experiences in animal and veterinary studies, community service, on-campus interviews, high school GPA, and a letter of intent.
During the selection process, the concerned check on the college preparatory courses based on sciences and mathematics. They also ensure that the applicants are good at written and oral communication. To add to all these, they should also be social and compassionate because they will work with other people.
Applicants can gain such experiences by volunteering or working for or with local animal shelters and veterinarians.
When applying, applications should include:
- A personal statement of 500 words and not more
- Resume
- The biography section should be written in full
- References from a veterinarian, employer, or a high school counselor
- High school transcripts
Admission for the DVM Professional Program
To get admission for the DVM program, applicants need to have a minimum cumulative 3.3 GPA for the 35 hours of science pre-qualification coursework. In addition, the science prerequisite courses should be done at K-State.
The other pre-requisite courses can be completed at any other recognized university.
- For the early admission applicants, they are supposed to do the following:
- Complete the K-State Supplemental Application
- Pay the Supplemental Application fee
- They also need to complete the CASPER assessment.
Admission criteria for foreign students
Kansas State University Vet School gives opportunities for international students to study with them. The criteria for admitting international students are the same as the ones for resident students. There are only a few additional requirements:
English language
An applicant needs to upload or send Kansas State University the report on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). For those who completed their first degree from a United States College, the TOEFL score is not a must. What will happen is that they will sit for an English proficiency test when they arrive.
The Internet-Based TOEFL score must be a minimum of 79. In addition, no applicant should score less than 20 on the writing, reading, and listening sections. On the other hand, the paper-based score must be a minimum of 550 with 55 and above on listening and reading sections. For the written English test, the score should be 5.0 or more.
There are those applicants that undertake an IELTS test. The score should be a minimum of 6.5. In addition, listening, reading, and writing sections should be 6.5 or higher in scores.
Applicants who may be unlucky and not meet the minimum scores will need to complete particular English courses at Kansas State University.
The courses are offered by the English Language Program (ELP). Together with the Executive Committee and various heads of departments, the director of the Graduate Program decides who to admit.
Educational Opportunities
DVM Degree Programs
One qualifies for the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree after completing 64 hours in pre-professional requirements. Another requirement is four years of the professional program.
At Kansas State College of Veterinary Medicine, the four-year degree program is broken into two: the first three years are pre-clinical classroom training. In contrast, the last year is clinical training in the Veterinary Health Center.
There are many openings like internships, mentorships, and externships for students to sharpen their skills, values, and behaviors in the Veterinary Medicine field.
Concurrent DVM/Master’s and DVM/Ph.D. Degree Programs
Here, opportunities are given to students to pursue other career alternatives other than the DVM degree. Some of the graduate training areas include infectious disease, clinical/production medicine, comparative medicine, and many more.
The participants have an opportunity to pursue graduate research training at K-State and other qualified institutions of higher learning.
Concurrent DVM Degree Certificate Programs
There are certificate programs for DVM students. The certificate programs are essential since they are an addition to the credentials during graduation. The programs here are elective courses, co-curricular experiences in particular areas, and proficiency in clinical skills.
Other Educational opportunities
Apart from the regular academics, the university offers other opportunities like:
- Internships– They are a one-year program that gives students opportunities to work under supervision with specialists. Some of these internship programs take place at the Veterinary Health Center.
- Resident Programs– Here, residents or House Officers who are veterinarians undergo training to become board-certified veterinary specialists. They focus on one particular area of veterinary medicine for two to three years.
- Externships– Through externships, visiting students or veterinarians bring diverse views to the college. Different experiences are shared hence impacting students hugely in a positive way.
- Mentorship– The university offers mentorship programs as well. Students can familiarize themselves with the veterinary practice and the practical approach. As the mentors and students interact, the result is rewarding.
What else do they offer other than education?
Veterinary Health Center
Other than education, the Kansas State Vet School has a Veterinary Health Center. It is a full-service veterinary hospital that provides emergency and specialty care to its patients. The hospital’s mission is to provide superior veterinary medical education, good customer service, and, most of all, quality patient care.
Kansas State Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory
The Diagnostic Laboratory serves clients in ways like disease diagnosis, health surveillance, regulatory testing, expert consultation, and field investigation. Testing can be done in microbiology, clinical pathology, virology, pathology, and many more. The rabies laboratory is the best in the United States, and it serves both human beings and animals.
Departments
There are various departments at Kansas State Vet School. They are:
Anatomy and Physiology
This is a multi-disciplinary department with various responsibilities in training, research, and continuing education. It focuses on cell and systemic physiology, pharmacology, gross- and microscopic anatomy, and neuroscience.
Clinical Sciences
The department of Clinical Sciences aims to provide quality veterinary medical education and post-graduate training. Its other objective is to offer therapeutic and diagnostic services and advance the science of veterinary medicine through applied and basic research.
Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology
This department trains veterinarians and offers diagnostic services to the state and nation too. It also conducts research on the disease in human beings and animals.
Centers
The following are centers at Kansas State Vet School:
- Center for Epithelial Research– It is an association of researchers at Kansas State University. It serves students, staff, and postdoctoral associates.
- Nanotechnology Innovation Center of Kansas State (NICKS)– Seeks to research major advances in nanotechnology.
- Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases (CEZID)– Focuses on research projects that seek to find virulence factors and interactions of various pathogens.
- Center for Outcomes Research and Epidemiology (CORE)– Aims to apply outcomes of various researches on epidemiology to benefit humans and animals.
- Center of Excellence for Vector-Borne Diseases (CEVBD)– Deals with research on vectors like mosquitoes and ticks and the diseases they cause on animals.
Institutes
The institutes include:
- The Institute of Computational Comparative Medicine– It is an interdisciplinary research-based center that develops methods for extrapolating chemical and drug reactions in different animal species and human beings.
- The Midwest Institute for Comparative Stem Cell Biology– It provides instruction in stem cell biology to undergraduates, graduates, and professional students. In addition, a lot of laboratory research is conducted.
- The Beef Cattle Institute– The institute aims at providing advanced solutions for success in the beef business.
Out and About in Kansas
Your stay at Kansas State Vet School doesn’t have to be a boring one. Once in a while, get some free time to go and unwind. There are many places that you can visit and have fun. Some places require you to pay, while others are free of charge.
For instance, the ones discussed below are free of charge:
K.C. Streetcar
Can you imagine traveling without paying any dime! This can only happen with the K.C. Streetcar. You are free to travel along the 2.2-mile K.C. Streetcar line. Throughout the journey, you will get to know some of Downtown K.C.’s vibrant districts.
Bruce R. Watkins Cultural Heritage Center
The Bruce R. Watkins Cultural Center recognizes the many contributions made by the African-Americans to the development of Kansas City. There are exhibits, classes, stage performances, and displays that educate and entertain those visiting.
The City Market
With the City Market, you will need to have some amount of money to make purchases. It is a farmers’ market that is the largest in the region. It boasts more than 1.3 million visits every year. There are a lot of distinctive restaurants and gift shops in this market. You will enjoy shopping here.
Crown Center
This is an entertainment joint with beautiful attractions and outstanding dining in excellent restaurants. You will also enjoy the beautiful scenery that the fountains create. Look out for free movies and live music that is offered during summer. Also, they are provided at the Mayor’s Christmas Tree event in December.
Lakeside Nature Center
Find the Lakeside Nature Center in Swope Park. You will explore local wildlife and also make your contribution to conservation projects in the locale. The center is also one of the largest rehabilitation centers for wildlife in Missouri. Look out for special events like hikes, educational programs, and nature storytime.
21C Museum Hotel
If you love History and modern-day issues, then the 21C Museum Hotel is the place to be. Previously, it was the oldest operating hotel in Mississippi. It was then restored to a house of contemporary art. It also houses the 21C restaurant.
Overland Park Arboretum and Botanical Gardens
Are you a nature lover? You shouldn’t miss out on this breathtaking and magnificent nature sanctuary! It is a 300-acre land that features eight natural ecosystems. The arboretum is a sight to behold with paved and woodchip pathways!
Midwest Genealogy Center
Do you ever wonder how your family came into being? Who are your great-grandparents or ancestors? You will receive the answers to these questions at the Midwest Genealogy Center. The center has research databases. Interestingly, you can also book appointments with genealogists who can tell you everything you desire to know about your family’s history.
The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
Do you love art? This is the place to visit. There are more than 40,000 pieces from ancient Chinese ceramics to modern art in the Bloch Building. It is a unique art gallery because there are new collections of art throughout. When you visit the museum, ensure you visit the Sculpture Park on the South lawn, where you will find shuttlecocks.
Public Cuppings at the Roasterie
Do you love coffee? This is all about sampling coffees from all over the world. The coffee tastings happen every first and third Thursday of the month at The Roasterie Factory Café. A group of dedicated staff will guide you through the process. They allow a maximum of eight people per cupping.
Popular Annual Events
Most of the famous annual events in Kansas are free to attend. However, there are many fun activities that you wouldn’t want to miss out on. Check out Kansas City’s calendar of events so that you get to enjoy unforgettable adventures.
Walking and Biking Tours
Tom’s Town Distillery Tour and Tasting
Previously, each tour included spots for a total of 20 people. However, due to the Covid19 pandemic, they reduced the capacity to a maximum of ten. As a result, the tours last for only an hour.
This includes looking at the distilling process and a short overview of the History of Kansas City. The history is based on the time when Boss Tom was in rulership.
Downtown Walking History Tour
Forbes Magazine selected Downtown Walking History Tour as one of America’s best downtowns in 2012. It is known for its great culture in arts, local cuisines, numerous fountains, and upscale shopping.
Adventurous Scavenger Hunt in Kansas City by Zombie Scavengers
Zombie Scavengers will take you on an adventurous walk around the city. For you to play Zombie Scavengers, you need to have an app on your phone that will help you gather points by finding survival items in town. You can also gain points by performing challenges that are zombie-themed.
The Best of Kansas City Walking Tour
With this, you will visit the fascinating areas in the city. A professional guide is available to take you around the city while narrating great facts and legends. On tour, you will notice that Kansas City is home to barbecue competitions. There are many barbecue restaurants compared to any other place in the world.
Romantic tour in Kansas City
The romantic tour is an interesting one. It is highly recommended during the Saint Valentine period. A professional guide will take you to the most romantic places in the city, the places for lovely photoshoots, where to have your dates, and many more.
You will also get to know all love stories of all time; those that were tragic, the hilarious ones, and the heartbreaking ones too. The guide will also mention the number of love locks on the famous Old Red Bridge.
The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures
If you love toys, there is a place for you to view an extensive collection of them. The museum preserves toys and miniatures that were collected many years ago. In addition, it is one of the museums with a large group of historical replicas and toys on public display.
Kansas City Zoo
Kansas City Zoo hosts more than 1,700 animals. All this is on 202 acres of land. It is also very affordable when it comes to charges. You can visit the place with your friends and family too, especially kids. Visit their website to get more information on the events and weekend activities.
The Final Say On Kansas
Do you aspire to be a veterinary practitioner? Do you have any interest in college veterinary medicine? If Yes, then Kansas State Vet School is the place to be. In this review, it is clear that the School is one of the best vet colleges in the world.
Since it has existed since time immemorial, it has the best professional staff members and also the best facilities. Research is carried out easily because of the available facilities. In addition, externships and internships allow students to come out with what it takes to be the best vets.
If you would love to study any of the vet courses, why not choose Kansas State Vet School?