Is Michigan State a Good Vet School?
The Michigan State University Vet School ranks position eight globally. However, when you compare it to other veterinary schools in the United States, it is at position three on the list. The rankings speak a lot about what type of a vet school it is.
Also, when it comes to the six veterinary medicine colleges in the Big Ten Conference, MSU is at position number one. The Big Ten Conference comprises institutions with a joint mission of research, professional, graduate, and undergraduate teaching and public service. Amongst the 30 veterinary programs in the United States, six are in the Big Ten Conference.
Do you want to know more about Michigan State University Vet School? Then, read on to get very vital information.
The History of Michigan State’s Veterinary School
Michigan State University was established in 1855. Just when it began, it introduced veterinary medicine, and it became the first College of agriculture. The agricultural curriculum was a four-year program: animal physiology came in the third year while veterinary in the fourth year.
Surprisingly, it wasn’t until 1883 that the faculty got a veterinarian. There were only a few practitioners in the state who would offer training whenever they could.
In 1883, the university recruited DR. Edward A.A. Grange to teach a full-year course. The course aimed at helping the stockmen and not practitioners. It was during that time that the Veterinary Science Department became the Division of Agriculture.
The president of the university Edwin Willits was very optimistic about the future of the department. In 1885, he gave a report to the State Board of Agriculture stating that:
- The Veterinary Department promised to become of great importance to the significant interests engaged in stock raising. He also pointed out that the rising number of infectious diseases in animals needed many people to train in veterinary science. There was a lot of dependence on the “horse doctor,” which was old-fashioned.
- He went ahead to say that the last legislature had afforded the college with ways to erect a building for veterinary science. The building would have a museum, a lecture room with dissecting tables, operating rooms, mannequins, and skeletons to make learning easier.
- Edwin Willits thought it worthy of having a unique course lasting two years covering veterinary science and agriculture. The course would be beneficial to those that couldn’t afford the four-year study. The course would at least make sure there are no quacks out there! They could write prescriptions without misspelling and also communicate properly.
In the years that followed, there was a lot of pressure to develop a program for training veterinarians. The stockmen who got their training from the university were in the front line advocating for a veterinary school. Finally, the state legislature answered their prayers in 1907 by authorizing the establishment of the veterinary science department.
In 1910, the State Board of Agriculture organized the division of veterinary science by selecting its head to be Dr. Richard P. Lyman. He graduated from Massachusetts Agricultural College and Harvard Veterinary School. His practice took 17 years, and he taught for some years at Kansas City Veterinary College. Dr. Richard P. Lyman started his work at Michigan State Vet School in September 1910.
Throughout the years, the teaching force expanded to four, and the school purchased equipment too. Later on, with the recommendation of Dr. Lyman, the course was lengthened to include sophomore, junior, and senior years.
Information About Studying at Michigan State
Before starting your journey at Michigan State Vet School, get to learn a few things about it. Here are some facts about the vet school:
Location
The Michigan State University Vet School is located at 784 Wilson Road, Room G-100, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, USA.
How many students are accepted per year?
The Michigan State University Vet School is very competitive. Many applicants aspire to study there. However, there are rigorous criteria used to admit students. This reason makes them only accept a small number of students per academic year. They only allow an average of 116 students on an annual basis.
Admission criteria for US Students
The selection procedure is based on evaluation forms, applicant essays, GPA, and any experiences in any veterinary-related field for any US student.
Applicant Essays
The applicant essays are necessary: they show an applicant’s knowledge of the skills and qualities needed to be a member of a veterinary health team. The admission board evaluates the essays depending on how the applicants convey their thoughts.
Three Evaluation Forms
Applicants need to submit three evaluation forms:
- One from an academic reference- It could be a counselor, a professor, or an advisor.
- One from a veterinarian who the applicant worked with.
- One from a person who is not the applicant’s relative.
GPA
For an applicant to be considered for admission, they must have a cumulative GPA of 2.75: Science and Math GPA of 2.5, and 2.5 for the most recent 12 credits. The last three years have had an average of:
- Cumulative GPA= 3.26
- Math/Science= 3.22
- Most recent 12 credits= 3.52
Veterinary related experience
An applicant needs 80 hours of veterinary experience. These hours are the ones spent volunteering or working under the supervision of a veterinarian. The quality and number of hours are determined when the board reviews an applicant’s file.
Educational Opportunities
Being one of the top colleges in the nation, the Michigan State University Vet School integrates clinical and academic training. The school offers a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program, graduate programs, and many others. Discussed below are some of the educational opportunities provided:
Post-Graduate Education
The degree program offered here is Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. It entails widening the veterinary medicine field education. Students get to develop analytic skills and a lot of clinical experience.
Residency Program: Here, graduates get in-depth training in specific areas of veterinary medicine. The training prepares them for the specialty board examinations.
Online Master of Science in Food Safety: the students undertaking the Master of Science in Food Safety get training in animal science, quality control, field epidemiology, disease control, risk communication, animal welfare, food safety, and biosecurity.
Dual Degrees: The school offers dual degree opportunities. They include a DVM-MS degree, DVM-PhD Degree, and the Online MS in Food Safety.
Undergraduate Education
Veterinary Scholars: Here, The Veterinary Scholars Admissions Pathway allows an admission avenue for MSU Honors College students to join the veterinary program.
Veterinary Nursing Program: Under this program, there are degree and certificate programs. There is the Bachelor of Science in Veterinary Nursing, and a Certificate offered after completing Veterinary Nursing.
Pre-veterinary Medicine: This course is done by students who are interested in a career in veterinary medicine.
Enrichment Summer Program: The Michigan State University Vet School presents this summer program for students interested in veterinary medicine careers.
Other Educational Opportunities
Equine Fellows Program
The College of Veterinary Medicine provides chances for five students every year. This happens when the DVM curriculum begins in the first year.
The Training Center for Dairy Professionals (TCDP)
Here, veterinarians and professionals in dairy management are trained in cow and calf disease management. Other areas that the center teaches them are obstetrical management and reproductive examinations.
Food System Fellowship Program
The college partners with industries with a supply of well-trained veterinarians to work within the food and animal industry.
Internships
The Michigan Vet School offers internship opportunities as well. The program allows students to undergo clinical training in medicine and surgery. The program rotates for one year, and it is set to prepare graduate veterinarians for residency programs.
The internship programs depend on availability and are hence limited. Students need to keep checking the college’s website for available chances.
What else do they offer other than education?
Other than education, the Michigan State University Vet School also offers medical services. There is the Veterinary Medical Center that has the Small Animal Clinic and the Large Animal Clinic.
Small Animal Clinic
The small animal clinic offers special animal services. There are more than 20 services that the hospital provides. Veterinarians refer patients for the following services at the hospital:
- Cardiology
- Dermatology
- Behavior
- Animal emergency and critical care
- Internal medicine
- Oncology
- Ophthalmology
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Primary care
- Interventional Radiology
- Neurology
- Radiation oncology
- Rehabilitation service
- Soft tissue surgery
- Zoo band wildlife services.
Large Animal Clinic
The Large Animal Clinic specializes in therapeutic and diagnostic care in the treatment of surgical and medical issues. They deal with animals like cows, horses, goats, sheep, llamas, alpacas, pigs, and other animals.
Endoscopy, arthroscopy, scintigraphy, ultrasound, and others are done with the help of specialists. MSU has state-of-the-art surgical suites and an MRI that help in the provision of these services. In addition, large animal care is MSU’s area of expertise.
Departments
Michigan State University Vet School has the following departments:
Large Animal Clinical Sciences
The Large Animal Clinical Sciences educates veterinary professionals to conduct research that improves animals’ lives. The faculty deals with areas like food, animal, dairy, and equine services. Students pursuing DVM degrees, those on internships and residency programs, Ph.D. and MS, work with the faculty in the most advanced facilities.
The educational facilities in the faculty include the Large Animal Clinic in the Veterinary Medical Center. It is at the medical center that students provide surgical treatment and emergency care. Other services are therapeutic for cows, horses, and other zoo and wildlife animals.
The department organizes the Summer Food Systems Fellowship Program that ensures well-trained veterinarians are produced. The three core research areas that direct the department are inflammation and metabolic disorders, preharvest food safety, and equine sports medicine and rehabilitation.
Small Animal Clinical Sciences
This department offers graduate programs through the Comparative Medicine and Integrative Biology program, veterinary technician program, and residency program. There is also a particular program for veterinarians to continue education.
After the graduate programs lead to a master of science degree from small animal clinical sciences and MS and Ph.D. degrees through the Comparative Medicine and Integrative Biology Program. Graduate veterinarians can combine MS or Ph.D. programs with residency training.
Pathobiology and Diagnostic Investigation
This department deals with emerging and contemporary issues in animal and human health. The aims of the department are to:
- Develop the future generation of scientists through innovative graduate programs that will lead to a Doctor of Philosophy in Pathology.
- Support MSU’s mission and develop new solutions to health challenges in the world.
- Create an environment where researchers and students carry out innovative research that comes up with new knowledge.
It is through the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory that the department provides diagnostic services to clients in the nation.
Pharmacology and Toxicology
The pharmacology and toxicology department offers the following programs:
- Online programs- Master of Science in Integrative Pharmacology, Master of Science in Pharmacology and Toxicology, and Graduate Certificate in Safety Pharmacology.
- Undergraduate programs- Minor in Pharmacology and Toxicology.
- Doctor of Philosophy programs.
Centers
The MSU has dedicated centers that provide advanced services in advanced facilities. Here are some of them:
- The Center for Comparative Epidemiology– uses different disciplinary approaches to conduct research. It aims to control diseases and implement preventive measures that will promote human and animal health.
- The Training Center for Dairy Professionals (TCDP) – trains dairy professionals and veterinarians to manage cow and calf diseases, reproductive examinations, and obstetrical management.
- The Molecular Respiratory and Equine Genetics Laboratory aim to understand the genetic predisposition to respiratory tract infections and determine the molecular mechanisms of inherited diseases in horses.
- Meadow Brook Immunology Laboratory– researches the causes of bovine mastitis and how to control it.
- The Gastrointestinal Stress Biology Laboratory- the lab aims at finding out how stress leads to Gastrointestinal disease.
- The Enterics Research Investigational Network (ERIN) Cooperative Research Center- center focuses on discovering how the enteric microbiome affects disease and health vulnerability. The main aim is to come up with new treatments for food- and- water-borne diseases.
Out and About in Michigan
Studying at Michigan State University Vet Clinic and VetMed doesn’t have to be a dull affair. There are different places that you can go to and have fun. In addition, Michigan has several great attractions that you won’t find anywhere else. Below are several ways you can have fun:
Ride in a carriage
Go to Mackinac Island and ride with the Mackinac Island Carriage Tours, home to the most prominent Horse and Buggy Livery. You will get one hour and 45 minutes of riding on the scenic and historic horse carriage through the island.
Ski a Ski Slide
The giant artificial ski slide in the United States is the Pine Mountain Ski Jump in Iron Mountain. It was built in the 1930s and holds the North American distance record of 459 feet on 140 meters. So if you love skiing, this is the place to be.
Play Indoor Sports
There is the Superior Dome in Marquette. It is the world’s largest wooden dome with three basketball courts, tennis courts, volleyball courts, and retractable turf. Another role it plays is hosting banquets, athletic events, trade shows, and conferences. So, you can visit the dome and enjoy playing the indoor games that they offer.
Get Spooked in a Haunted House
The world’s largest haunted house is the Erebus Haunted Attraction in Pontiac. It is a four-story house that entered into the Guinness Book of World Records as the largest Walk-Through Haunted Attraction in 2005. Visit the house and enjoy the adventure!
See the World’s Largest Weathervane
The world’s largest weathervane is in Montague. Employees of the Whitehall factory built it. It is a sight to behold since it is 48 feet tall with a 26 feet long arrow. Visit the site to see it.
Listen to Jazz
Do you love Jazz music? There is a Jazz club in Detroit. It is called Baker’s Keyboard Lounge, and it is the largest and oldest in the world. The great ambiance and atmosphere in the club will make you enjoy your time there.
Enjoy a Musical Fountain Performance
The largest musical fountain is the Grand Haven Musical Fountain, found in Grand Haven. You will enjoy the synchronization of lights and water. This is offered at the start of Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Stop at a Memorabilia Collection
There is a museum in Michigan that has over 10,000 pieces of memorabilia. It is called Dawson and Steven’s Classic 50’s Diner. It is in Grayling, and it has the most extensive private collection of Coca-Cola memorabilia.
Tinker with Mechanics
The Marvin’s Marvelous Mechanical Museum in Farmington is the place to visit if you love: ceiling fans, robots, slot machines, airplanes, memorabilia, neon, magic posters, advertisements, antiques, and animation. In addition, the museum has games that are operated by coins. They include the oldest fortune-telling machines and hologram video games.
Visit the Giant Pie Pan
The world’s largest cherry pie pan is located at the Sara Lee Bakery Group near Traverse City. The purpose of the plan was to hold the World’s Largest Cherry Pie between 1987 and 1992. It weighed 28,350 pounds, and it was 6 inches in diameter and 17 feet tall.
Visit Dinosaur Gardens
Do you want to take a trip down memory lane? Then, you should visit the Dinosaur Gardens in Ossineke. The gardens are at a 40-acre tract of land where dinosaurs and 25 prehistoric birds are reproduced. In the Dinosaur Gardens, you will also find the brontosaurus that weighs over 60,000 pounds and is over 80 feet long. If you love history, this is the place to be.
Take a trip to Hell
Hell is a word that may sound scary to some people. But, in this context, it is a place for adventure. At Hell, you will experience haunted effects; you will buy Halloween decorations and fantastic masks. In addition, most people who frequently visit Hell say it is sinfully delicious! So why don’t you taste it?
Taste some Jerky
Do you love jerky? If you want to enjoy jerky, visit The Jerky Outlet in Dundee. It is one of the most prominent jerky outlets. You will find various types of jerky; beef jerky, venison, turkey jerky, buffalo jerky, alligator jerky, or even kangaroo jerky! In addition, you can pick a mixture of pre-packaged jerkies or bag your own.
Observe some Taxidermy
There is the Taxidermy Restaurant in Sault St. Marie. You will have a great and unique dining experience. Can you imagine having a view of over 200 mounted animals while waiting for your meal to be served! Visit the restaurant, which is in northern Michigan.
Witness the World’s Largest Piece of Float Copper
If you visit Presque Isle Park, you will see the most significant piece of float copper in the world. It measures 14 by 15 feet and weighs 28.2 tons. Residents of Marquette are working towards ensuring that this copper specimen remains in Marquette where residents and tourists can enjoy it.
Feel the Holiday Spirit
Who doesn’t enjoy the Christmas feeling? It is a feeling that you want to have all the time. You can have it when you visit Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland in Frankenmuth. Having over 90,000 square feet of shopper’s dreams, it is the largest in the world. It is bigger than one and a half fields of football. It also has a variety of gifts and collectibles.
With all these fun places to visit, your stay at Michigan State University Vet School will also be filled with fun!
Final Thoughts
Are you looking for a vet college to study at? Why not try Michigan State University Vet School?
It is one of the oldest and the best vet colleges in the world. From the review, we see that it is amongst the top-ranked veterinary medical colleges in the world.
With all the advanced facilities it boasts of, it produces the best veterinarians and professionals. There are opportunities for internships and other residency programs that the school offers. In addition, the large and small animal clinics allow students to conduct practical training, ensuring they are knowledgeable in all areas.
Who wouldn’t want to learn in such an institution! So get your admission and study in the best of the best!
Admission criteria for foreign students
The College of Veterinary Medicine admits not only US students but also international students. The criterion for accepting them is similar to what is required for US students. However, international students need to submit their academic transcripts for translation through the World Education Services (WES).
Non-native speakers of English who did not undertake their Bachelor’s degree at any US Institute need to take a Test of English as a Second Language. It is good to note that students from Puerto Rico are US citizens. They, therefore, don’t need to send results for the English Language tests.
There are different options for the English Language tests that applicants can take. Here are some of them:
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL): Applicants must ensure they take every section of the TOEFL. The minimum scores are 25 in listening, 22 in speaking, 23 in reading, and 22 in writing. Fortunately, the university doesn’t need the overall score. Applicants should also note that the test results should not be older than two years.
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS): Here, applicants should take the academic IELTS. The minimum score is 6.5 overall, with at least 6.0 in writing, 6.5 in listening, and 7.0 in speaking. No minimum reading results are needed. Just like the TOEFL, the IELTS must not be older than two years.
- Canadian Academic English Language (CAEL): Applicants should take all the sections of the CAEL. The minimum overall score is 60. This includes an average of 60 in listening, 60 in speaking, and 60 in writing. All applicants must meet the minimum score.