Student Life at Oklahoma State University of Veterinary Medicine
The Oklahoma State University Veterinary Medicine College prepares qualified veterinarians for a lifetime of animal health research, innovation, care, and protection. The College of Veterinary Medicine tops the OSU system regarding National Institutes of Health funding.
The College is the best value for your money when it comes to the expense of veterinary medicine education. As veterinary care and human medicine merge, veterinarians play an increasingly important role.
The History of Okstate CVHS
Oklahoma State University’s veterinary college is the university’s newest college. Despite early attempts by Dr. Lowery L. Lewis to establish a veterinary institution failing, the Oklahoma Agricultural and Mechanical College -School of Veterinary Medicine officially opened its doors in 1948. The first dean of the college was Dr. Clarence H. McElroy.
Dr. Duane R. Peterson gave the inaugural class on March 1, 1948. He gave a lesson on gross anatomy to a group of 31 males. He spent the next 38 years instructing veterinary students on anatomy.
The Duane R. Peterson Anatomy Learning Center had a dedication in his honor during the college’s 60th-anniversary celebrations in 2008. In May 1951, the first class of 26 Oklahoma A&M veterinarians graduated.
Dr. June Iben was the first female to graduate from Oklahoma A&M College with a DVM degree in 1955. After that, females gradually became increasingly interested in pursuing a DVM degree. With the class of 1990, female students outnumbered male students for the first time in the college’s history—34 girls to 31 males.
The School of Veterinary Medicine became the College of Veterinary Medicine when Oklahoma A&M College changed its name to Oklahoma State University in 1957.
The groundbreaking for the Oklahoma Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory was in 1974, and the dedication of the new structure was in 1975. The laboratory aims to provide diagnostic test findings to veterinarians and animal owners.
The lab uses these tests to help prevent animal and human sickness caused by animals. The lab also serves as a teaching and research facility for the next generation of veterinarians.
The finishing of Boren Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital was in 1981. Companion animals, horses, cows, camelids, and exotic pets seek treatment at the facility.
The college was renamed Oklahoma State University Center for Veterinary Health Sciences in 2004. The renaming of The College of Veterinary Medicine was in 2019.
The College of Veterinary Medicine, the Oklahoma Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, the Boren Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, the CVM Ranch, the Equine Research Park, and other laboratories are all part of the College of Veterinary Medicine.
Oklahoma State University Veterinary Medicine Prerequisites and Info
Location
The Oklahoma State University campus in Stillwater, Oklahoma, is located on the southwest corner of the junction of W Farm Road and McFarland Ave.
Parking is on the east side of their building; there are visitor parking places along the adjacent sidewalk. Make sure you’re not parking in a staff place by looking for signs for guest parking.
Outside Stillwater Directions: All visitors must enter through McElroy Hall’s east entrance into the lobby. If you have a GPS device, the coordinates for McElroy Hall are 36.124305, – 97.081579.
From I-35, go to McElroy Hall. Take the Stillwater exit and go east for approximately 15 miles until Stillwater. Turn left (north) onto Western Street at the fourth stoplight. After about a quarter-mile, turn right onto Farm Road at the traffic light.
Turn right on McFarland St. after continuing east on Farm Road. McElroy Hall is on the right, while visitor parking is on the building’s east side.
Highway 51 East to McElroy Hall (Tulsa): Highway 51 W runs the whole length of Stillwater virtually. Continue on Highway 51 (also known as 6th Street) until you reach Western Street, where you should turn right (north).
After about a quarter-mile, turn right onto Farm Road at the traffic light. Continue east on McFarland St. and turn right. McElroy Hall is on the right, while visitor parking is on the building’s east side.
Cimarron Turnpike to McElroy Hall: Stay on the exit road after the last toll booth (do not exit Perkins Road.). On Washington Street, the roadway will come to an end. Continue on Washington south.
The route veers left and gets you to Boomer Road just after the first stoplight (at Lakeview and Washington). Keep right, and you’ll be on N. Washington Street, heading straight for the OSU campus.
Continue south until you reach the second traffic signal. Turn right onto Hall of Fame Avenue and follow it west around the curve. Turn left at the traffic light into Farm Road. Turn right on McFarland St. after continuing east on Farm Road. McElroy Hall is on the right, while visitor parking is on the building’s east side.
How Many Students are Accepted Per Year
The university enrollment program allows 416 students in the DVM degree program. For the graduate program, they enroll 43 students.
Admission Criteria For US Students (Who Can Apply)
College Requirements for First-Time Students
A first-time student has attempted no more than seven semester credit hours of college-level work, excluding credit hours acquired while still in high school. In addition, each applicant must submit the following information:
- Submission of Application.
- Official high school transcript with a graduation date on it.
- Scores on the ACT (or a similar test).
- The application cost for non-residents (if applicable).
- Immunization records or a signed certificate of exemption.
You may require the OSU-OKC assessment test (ACCUPLACER). Admission to OSU-OKC does not need a minimum score on either of these tests.
Curricular Requirements for High School
- English grammar, literature, and composition- 4 units.
- Three mathematics units (Algebra I and higher)- two units.
- History – one unit must be about American history- two units
- Biology, chemistry, physics, or any other lab science approved by the school district. One unit of citizenship skills (Economics, Geography, Government, and Non-Western Culture) -three units
- Other- Extra units from the disciplines listed above and from computer science and a foreign language.
Performance Expectations
You must meet the following prerequisites to qualify for college-level classes:
- Achieve a minimum of 19 on the ACT subject test in the particular subject area, or
- The ACCUPLACER placement test will place you in the appropriate college-level course.
Students who do not achieve the required test results will be admitted to the institution but must undergo developmental coursework before enrolling in college-level courses.
Requirements for Adult Students (Under the Age of 21)
Any kid who participated in the ACT program or a similar series of tests that is not a high school graduate but whose high school class has graduated is eligible for admission.
Each applicant must submit the following information:
- Application for Admission.
- A certified copy of your academic records indicating your ability to benefit.
- Scores on the ACT (or a similar series of tests).
- The application cost for non-residents (if applicable).
- Immunization records or a signed certificate of exemption.
- must be 21 years old or serving in the military
An adult candidate who does not match the usual admission standards may interview with an admissions officer to see if their circumstances meet the criteria for adult admission. Each applicant must submit the following information:
- Application for Admission.
- Official transcripts, GED, standardized admission examinations, placement tests, and appropriate work/career experiences (high school transcripts, GED, standardized admission examinations, placement tests, and proper work/career experiences).
- The application cost for non-residents (if applicable).
- Immunization records or a signed certificate of exemption.
Requirements for Transfer Students
Before enrolling at OSU-Oklahoma City, a transfer student must have tried a minimum of seven semester hours of college-level credit (not including credit hours accumulated by a concurrently enrolled high school student) at another approved college or university.
All curricular shortcomings must be remedied within the first 12 collegiate hours tried on the OSU-Oklahoma City Campus. Each applicant must submit the following information:
- Application for Admission in its entirety.
- Official college transcripts from each institution attended.
- The application cost for non-residents (if applicable).
- Immunization records or a signed certificate of exemption are required.
- Requirements for home study or unaccredited high school students.
A graduate of a private, parochial, or other non-public high schools whose accreditation is not by a recognized accrediting agency, who has taken the ACT or SAT, and whose high school class has graduated is eligible for admission. Each applicant must submit the following information:
- Application for Admission in its entirety.
- Official high school transcript with a graduation date on it.
- Scores on the ACT or SAT.
- Immunization records or a signed certificate of exemption are required.
- Requirements for concurrently enrolled high school students.
To be admitted as a concurrently enrolled student, you must be able to complete all 15 curricular and graduation requirements for high school by the spring of your senior year and meet the performance requirements given below.
Requirements for performance:
- Seniors must have an ACT score of 19 or an SAT score of 900 and a 3.0 high school GPA (on a 4.0 scale).
- Juniors must have an ACT score of 21 or an SAT score of 980, or a high school GPA of 3.5. (on a 4.0 scale)
Unaccredited High School or Home Study
Concurrent students who receive education at home or from an unaccredited high school must be at least 17 years old as a Senior and 16 years old as a Junior.
Requirements for performance:
- Seniors should aim for an ACT score of 19 or an SAT score of 900.
- ACT 21 or SAT 980 for juniors
Each applicant must submit the following information:
- Application for Admission in its entirety.
- You must complete the concurrent enrollment form.
- An official transcript from high school.
- Scores from the ACT or SAT.
- Immunization records or a signed certificate of exemption.
Admission Criteria for Foreign Students
Procedures and Standards for Admission:
- Full-time international students must complete the OSU-OKC international student application for admission.
- Current financial assurance of support demonstrating the ability to fund the anticipated educational objectives. The cost of education expectation is $19,387 each academic year.
- Sponsor’s official bank statement from the last six months.
- If the candidate has no prior college experience, they require officially verified high school records with an official English translation.
- I-94 and I-20 identification cards must be valid (which may be presented on arrival if the student is entering the U.S. from abroad)
You can use one of the following to demonstrate English proficiency:
- A score of 500 on the paper version of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), 173 on the computer version, or 61 on the Internet version.
- A TOEFL paper version score of 460-499, a computer version score of 140-172, or an Internet version score of 48-60, and the completion of twelve or more weeks of English study at an approved Intensive English Program (IEP).
- Completing at least 24 college hours at an approved institution or university in the United States. On a 4.0 scale, your cumulative grade point average must be at least 2.0.
- Graduation from a high school in the United States (must complete all four years of English).
Students from Australia, the Bahamas, the British Isles (England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales), Canada, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, Liberia, New Zealand, South Africa, Tobago, Trinidad, and the West Indies do not need proof of proficiency.
International students who intend to enroll in more than one course at the same time must submit the following documents:
- Application for admission to Oklahoma State University in Oklahoma City.
- Official letter from the parent institution stating that you are in good standing. This letter must detail any previous attendance during the autumn and spring semesters and the number of hours you can enroll.
- Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended.
Educational Opportunities
Veterinary Clinical Sciences
The Okstate CVHS has four academic departments, one of which is the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences. In addition, the Boren Veterinary Medical Hospital is home to the Veterinary Clinical Sciences faculty. The faculty provide hands-on training to veterinary students and deliver the most outstanding quality of care to clients and patients.
In addition to veterinary students, the VCS staff supervises several residents and interns in several hospital departments.
Physiological Sciences
Members of the Department of Physiological Sciences undertake thorough veterinary and human health research.
They demonstrate the One-Health concept and teach the structural sciences (gross, developmental, and comparative anatomy, and histology), systems physiology, and the influence and actions of xenobiotic chemicals on the body (pharmacology and toxicology).
Research strengths and broad influences are innovative cancer treatments, interdisciplinary toxicology, metabolic disease, aging, comparative exercise physiology, infectious respiratory disease, regenerative medicine, and neurotoxicology.
For bacteriology, immunology, parasitology, pathology, virology, epidemiology, and public health, the Department of Veterinary Pathobiology provides in-depth training and research.
The National Center for Veterinary Parasitology, the Director of the University’s Animal Resource Unit, and faculty affiliated with the Oklahoma Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory are all under the Department.
Veterinary Pathobiology
Departmental faculty participate in research funded by the National Institutes of Health, the USDA, and the private sector that focuses on infectious diseases that affect animals and humans.
The department actively educates future veterinarians, scientists, diagnostic pathologists, and parasitologists. We also publish basic and applied research and present our findings at international scientific and educational conferences.
Other Educational Opportunities
Oklahoma State University, veterinary medicine offers research opportunities apart from the class schedule.
They target 2nd – 4th-year students. It takes one year in residence at NIH Student Research Opportunities.
This training opportunity, part of the NIH Summer Internship Program, is supposed to provide pre-doctoral veterinary medical students interested in biomedical research with 8+ weeks of hands-on lab research experience.
What Else Do They Offer Other Than Education
Hospital
Boren Veterinary Medical Hospital at Oklahoma State University is open to the public for your animal’s healthcare needs. OSU veterinarians are accessible for routine and referral appointments for your cherished family pet or the livestock you rely on for your family’s income.
The veterinarians undergo special training to care for agricultural animals and equine athletes. The doctors assist you and your animals live happy, healthy, and productive lives, whether providing production medication suggestions for a healthy herd or regaining your horse’s competitive edge.
Services for Large Animals:
- Services for anesthesia
- Imaging for diagnostic purposes
- Internal Medicine and Surgery for Horses
- Surgery and Medicine for Food Animals
- Ophthalmology
- Reproduction in Large Animals (Theriogenology)
The veterinarians are available to look after your pets. Its mission is to offer your dogs and other animals veterinarian medical care that leads to happy, healthy lives, whether it’s delivering routine wellness care or treating critically ill patients.
Services for Small Animals:
- Anesthesia services.
- Dentistry.
- Imaging for diagnostic purposes.
- Internal Medicine.
- Intensive and Emergency Care.
- Ophthalmology.
- Practice in the Community.
- Surgery.
- Procedures that are as minimally invasive as possible.
- Reproduction in Companion Animals (Theriogenology).
- Zoological Medicine is the study of animals.
Research center
Their goal is to create a nationally recognized animal health and biomedical research program.
The amount and quality of a faculty’s research productivity tend to be closely associated with the quality of the educational and professional service program at Oklahoma State University School of veterinary medicine.
The college gains prominence in the veterinary profession and the biomedical world by publishing and presenting research findings.
The college’s capacity to recruit and maintain highly motivated and productive faculty and candidates for its veterinary, graduate, internship, and residency training programs is possible by its visibility and strong reputation.
A highly productive and respected research faculty generates outside money for equipment, graduate trainees, and indirect costs, which directly helps the instructional and service goals.
Laboratories
To fulfill its purpose of service to companion animals, livestock, and human health and well-being, the College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM) has invested in cutting-edge laboratory facilities. These labs are of the highest standards for infectious disease and toxicological research, and they comply with all federal and state regulations.
Alumni Association,
All graduates, students, fans, and friends are welcome to join the OSU Alumni Association, the most visible way to show your support for the Oklahoma State University Veterinary Medicine.
Furthermore, membership allows you to contribute your thoughts and potentially influence the university’s future through the contacts you make. Your membership also connects you to the CVM and events related to the Veterinary College of Medicine and Oklahoma State University.
All OSU College of Veterinary Medicine alumni is eligible for free membership in the CVM Alumni Society.
Through promotional activities that advance the educational goals of the CVM, increase student enrollment and retention, establish scholarships, strengthen relationships, and enhance professional opportunities for CVM graduates, the Society fosters cooperation and communication among all CVHS alumni.
Benefits of Membership:
- Make contact with vet schools in Oklahoma, alumni, and friends.
- Share your thoughts and maybe affect OSU’s future.
- Make contact with the Oklahoma Vet Med.
- Keep informed about happenings at the College of Veterinary Medicine.
- Keep up with what’s going on at OSU.
- Discounts both locally and nationally, as well as other benefits.
By joining the OSU Vet Alumni Association, you will get a portion of your annual membership costs back to CVM. These rebates can help fund CVM alumni events.
When you donate to Oklahoma Vet Med, you’re helping to bring state-of-the-art veterinary medical resources to Oklahomans, the nation, and the world.
Out and About in Oklahoma
OSU veterinary School incorporates other recreational programs for their students. Some of the activities include;
Flatwater Kayaking
Discover Flatwater Kayaking is a fantastic way to get started with recreational paddling. This easy-to-learn water activity will teach you fundamental strokes, maneuvering methods, and general safety regulations in this 90-minute session. Join one of the coached programs or paddle on your own once you master the fundamentals.
One Wheel
Have you ever wondered if you could ride a one-wheeled vehicle? This Discover activity will allow you to try the One Wheel electric balancing board, which feels similar to snowboarding or surfing.
You’ll learn about fundamental safety and how to start, stop, slow down, and speed up. Once you master the fundamentals, you can rent One Wheel at an affordable fee.
Rowing
In just one afternoon, you’ll learn the fundamentals of sculling. In addition, you’ll learn basic rowing techniques and safety information to get you started in rowing. Consider enrolling in a Learn to Row or a private rowing lesson for additional in-depth instruction if you like Discover Rowing.
Skiing
On RIVERSPORT’s Ski OKC alpine ski simulator, you can learn to ski. On the hill, first-time skiers will master the fundamentals of turning, slowing down, and stopping. Then, experienced skiers can brush up on their skills before traveling to the mountains.
All of the necessary equipment is available. You can tilt the slope between 10 and 18 degrees, and the customizable surface mimics the real snow experience. Ski OKC is the ideal place to go year-round to enjoy skiing or prepare for your next ski trip.
Stand Up Paddle Boarding
The lower pond of the whitewater center is ideal for learning to stand up paddleboard (SUP) in the Discover SUP experience on Saturday mornings. You’ll learn how to choose the correct paddle for your needs, maneuver your paddle through the water to go forward, stop, and reverse, and get on and off the board in various water situations.
SUP is a terrific method to improve core strength and balance and give you a different viewpoint on the local waterways.
Surfing
The Discover Surfing experience from Riversport takes you surfing in under two hours. You will begin by bodyboarding, first on your stomach, then on your knees. You can then try standing on a Flowrider surfboard with the help of an instructor once you master that.
You will learn how to get on and off both boards and turn, stay balanced, and wipe out in style. Are you ready for more? Inquire with your surf teacher about how to learn to shred.
Whitewater Kayaking
Join Riversport for a Discover Whitewater Kayaking trip if whitewater kayaking is on your bucket list. You’ll master the fundamental strokes and maneuvering methods and the fundamentals of whitewater kayaking safety.
By the end of the program, you’ll be comfortable in a kayak on flat water, and you can introduce yourself to moving water.
Key Takeaways
The Oklahoma Vet School is the state’s and region’s leading animal health care supplier. In comparison to other U.S. colleges of veterinary medicine, the college provides quality educational opportunities.
This is to prepare their graduates for various careers in the veterinary profession, and it continues to rank near the top in terms of return on investment for obtaining a doctor of veterinary medicine degree.
Their curriculum is based on a scholarship culture, which has earned the college a stellar reputation for preparing students to enter practice and be successful veterinarians. Oklahoma vet school is a school that students aspire to attend because of its reputation.