If you’re planning to apply to Middlesex Community College for veterinary studies, you probably have so many questions!
We’re sure you’re following the Middlesex Community College Twitter or Instagram accounts. However, you probably haven’t found specific information regarding veterinary programs on social media. That’s why we’re here – to tell you everything there is to know on the topic!
The Middlesex Community College Schedule
The Veterinary Technology Program at Middlesex Community College, CT, is a two-year, full-time program that provides you with Associates of Science Degree in Veterinary Technology. Once you graduate, you can work as a veterinarian’s nurse, a radiography technician, an anesthetist, a laboratory technician, a surgical nurse, and a client educator.
If you’re applying for the Veterinary Assistant Program, you’ll finish it in 20 weeks. The program consists of four hours of lectures and four hours of clinical experience per week.
What Are Veterinary Technicians and Assistants?
Veterinary technicians help veterinarians with routine and emergency medical care. Here’s what a vet technician does:
- Collects blood, urine, or feces for tests
- Performs diagnostic tests
- Observes the animal’s condition and behavior
- Prepares the animal for surgery
- Administers treatment
- Educates pet owners
- Holds the animal while the veterinarian examines it
- Assists veterinarians and scientists in veterinary research
- Baths and grooms animals
- Compiles medical histories.
Once veterinary technicians finish the two-year program, they can continue their studies in a more specialized field.
The National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America lists 16 academies that can provide certifications. You can specialize in animal behavior, dental treatment, clinical pathology, dermatology, ophthalmology, nutrition, and many others.
At first thought, veterinary assistants’ duties might seem roughly the same as those of veterinary technicians. However, the truth is that veterinary assistants do not have the certification to provide regular or emergency care, take X-rays, collect and perform tests, and prepare animals for surgery.
Instead, they help feed and bathe the animals, monitor them after surgery, administer the medication veterinarians prescribe, and clean and disinfect cages.
Moreover, veterinary assistants finish their courses much faster than veterinary technicians and do not have to pass the credentialing exam.
Middlesex Community College Library Hours and Other Info
Suppose you’re planning to apply to Middlesex Community College for one of the two veterinary programs. In that case, you’re probably wondering what you should do first, how to apply, what the admission requirements are, where you’ll be studying, what courses you’ll be taking, and what other opportunities the college offers!
And, most importantly, is there a library where you can spend hours discovering the numerous veterinary textbooks?! Let’s find out!
Location
Middlesex Community College has two primary locations where students attend courses. You can find the “Middletown” location at 100 Training Hill Rd., Middletown, CT 06457. If you want to contact this campus, try 860-343-5719 or 866-526-6008.
Another campus is “Meriden,” which you can find at Orville H. Platt High School, 220 Coe Avenue, Meriden, CT 06451. To contact the administration, try 860-343-5808.
You can visit the institution’s website for further details on the Middlesex County Community College campus map.
Since Covid-19, this institution has provided a large variety of online courses, too, so you may only visit the campus occasionally. You’ll probably get all the details about the locations once you receive a confirmation of admission and the schedule. In any case, you can check out the online Middlesex County Community College course catalog.
Besides the campus and the online courses, Middlesex Community College has partnerships with Pieper Olson Veterinary Memorial Hospital and Yale University for the Veterinary Assistant and the Veterinary Technology programs.
You’ll likely spend much time at Pieper Veterinary Hospital and Yale University. The veterinary hospital has centers in Middletown, Madison, Marlborough, Essex, and East Haddam and provides primary care, as well as emergency, urgent, and specialty care.
Library Hours
One of the most important things for students is the institution’s library they will be studying at! Middlesex Community College provides its students with access to materials from twelve community college campuses and four universities.
The library has enough space to enjoy a quiet afternoon-studying session. It has computers, study spaces, and other studying amenities like scanners. There’s even an Ask a Librarian chat service!
During fall and winter (from the 29th of August until the 19th of December), the library works from Monday to Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. On Friday, it closes at 4 p.m. You won’t be able to study on the 5th of September and the 24th and 25th of November, as the library is closed.
Please check the institution’s website for spring and summer library hours, as the college hasn’t published the schedule yet.
Students Accepted per Year
Unfortunately, Middlesex Community College doesn’t offer any official number regarding how many students they accept per year for the Veterinary Technology and Veterinary Assistance programs.
However, what we can confirm is that the Middlesex Community College admissions include specific requirements, and the admission committee strictly follows the guidelines during the admission process.
They’ll likely accept the soon-to-be students who have “checked” every requirement on the list and passed the interview. The college guidelines also mention that the admission committee may not contact all eligible students.
Once the administration selects the eligible applicants and finishes the admission process, the students will receive an invitation to join the CT State Community College at Middlesex Veterinary Technology Program.
As for the Veterinary Assistance Program, any applicant can likely follow the course as long as they have the Covid-19 vaccine scheme completed, present the Continuing Education Health Form, and can pay for the program. The website provides a registration form that contains all the data you need to apply for this program.
However, we strongly recommend confirming these details with the administration, as there’s no official information regarding how many applicants the institution accepts per year. You can contact the college at 860-343-5864 or MX-WorkforceDevelopment@mxcc.edu.
Admission Criteria for US Students
If you plan to apply to one of the two veterinary programs at Middlesex Community College, check out below what you’ll need to submit the application form.
Aside from the documents and criteria, we’ve listed below, remember that the admission committee highly appreciates applicants with previous veterinary or animal care experience.
Moreover, if you have a full-time job, you may not be eligible for this program because the course schedule changes often.
Veterinary Technology Program
To apply for the Veterinary Technology Program at Middlesex Community College, CT, you have to present the following:
- CT State College Application, which you receive once you set up the application account
- Immunization documentation, which must verify immunity to Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Varicella, Covid, Tetanus, and Rabies; students born before the 1st of January, 1980, do not need to provide proof of Varicella vaccination; students born before the 31st of December, 1956, do not need to provide MMRV proof.
- Proof of high school completion that includes a copy of your high school diploma or GED, or a high school transcript.
- Prerequisite completion, which includes:
- Official college transcripts – copies of all university or college transcripts; the Veterinary Technology Program courses require a minimum of 2.7 GPA; students who’ve previously studied at a CT State Community College do not need any transcripts.
- Mid-term grade report – for the students who are currently taking college courses during the 2023 spring semester.
- A personal essay, which basically consists of answers to questions you’ll receive when you submit your online application; they may be about your goals or reasons for applying for the Veterinary Technology Program, and they may also address what animal experience you have.
- Letters of recommendation – you’ll need two letters from an academic teacher and a professional supervisor.
The admission committee will consider the following courses for GPA:
- English Composition – 3 credits
- General Biology – 4 credits
- Concepts of Chemistry – 4 credits
- Intermediate Algebra/Placement test/SAT/ACT scores – no graduation credits
- College Career Success – 3 credits.
Veterinary Assistance Program
When it comes to the Veterinary Assistance Program, things are a bit easier, as the program is much shorter. Here’s your checklist:
- English language competency
- Full Covid-19 vaccination schemes
- Ability to pay the course fee
- Continuing Education Health Form, which is a form you need to ask your health care provider to complete; your doctor will need to confirm that you’re free of any communicable diseases, that you can lift 50 pounds (22.7 kilograms), and that you have no other deficits that would make it difficult for you to participate in clinical settings
- Gray scrub top and pants
- You must provide your own transportation to clinical sites.
- Online registration form.
Please note that the administration/admission committee will confirm your registration only when they receive the payment or confirm the third-party payment.
Admission Criteria for Foreign Students
Regardless of the program they want to apply to at Middlesex Community College, CT, international students have to follow these guidelines:
- Applicants must submit their application at https://www.mxcc.edu/apply, where they can select a degree program.
- Applicants must submit the International Student Personal Information Form.
- Applicants must submit proof of high school completion; this may be an English version of a transcript or a diploma.
- If the applicants have university studies, they must equate their academic records to the US academic standard; they can do this at the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services.
- Applicants must submit proof of vaccination against Measles, Mumps, Rubella, and Varicella.
- If English is not their mother tongue, applicants must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language or, simply, TOEFL, and include the results in the application form.
- Previously, applicants had to take the Accuplacer in English, reading, and mathematics; however, since Covid-19, the institution suspended the Accuplacer testing and is doing its best to ensure a smooth Middlesex Community College placement test process.
- Applicants must include in their application form an affidavit of support (DHS form I134), which is a Declaration of Financial Support, and a notarized bank statement.
- Applicants must have proof that they have a place to stay since the university doesn’t provide on-campus housing.
- Applicants must attach to their applications a passport copy and a copy of their student visa credentials if they have any.
After completing this process, the university may require further documentation depending on what degree the applicants choose. The documents for the Veterinary Technology Program are likely similar to those needed for US students.
Unfortunately, international students will have to pay out-of-state tuition rates, as there’s no federal or state financial aid.
Middlesex Community College Transfer
If you’re currently studying at a different United States college or university and want to transfer to Middlesex Community College, you’ll have to follow the admission guidelines.
Moreover, you may want to transfer some of the courses you’ve already studied. To do this, you’ll have to present official transcripts.
To facilitate the process, Middlesex Community College has developed a Transfer Course Tool where you can check whether or how you can transfer the courses you’ve taken at your current college or university. Usually, the college accepts courses finished with a “C” or better.
Here’s what you should consider if you want to start the transfer process:
- Checking the application deadline
- Checking the Financial Aid deadline (if you plan to apply for Financial Aid)
- Completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid Financial aid (if you plan to apply for Financial Aid)
- Completing additional financial aid forms (if you plan to apply for Financial Aid)
- Submitting high school transcripts
- Submitting college transcripts
- Checking housing application
- Submitting an application essay
- Submitting faculty recommendations
- Submitting SAT or ACT scores.
If you’re an international student attending a United States university or college, you’ll need a valid F-1 visa for a transfer.
You’ll also have to submit the SEVIS I-20 Transfer Form, which consists of two parts: you will complete the first, and a designated school official will finish the second.
Middlesex also asks for an official college transcript from international students planning to transfer.
Educational Opportunities
The Veterinary Technology and Veterinary Assistance programs at Middlesex Community College are undoubtedly good choices for aspiring veterinarians. Check out below what you’ll learn if you choose either of the two!
Veterinary Technology Program
If you plan to apply to the Veterinary Technology Program, you should know what you’ll study. Here are the courses you’ll be taking:
- Introduction to Veterinary Technology
- Veterinary Terminology and Medical Math
- Veterinary Office Management & Communication
- Animal Care and Handling
- Veterinary Anatomy & Physiology
- Small Animal Clinical Nursing
- Large Animal Clinical Nursing
- Principles of Pharmacology for Veterinary Technicians
- Veterinary Externship
- Veterinary Laboratory Procedures
- Principles of Veterinary Imaging
- Veterinary Anesthesia & Surgical Nursing
- Combined Clinical Course for Surgical nursing, Lab Procedures, and Imaging
- Veterinary Microbiology and Immunology
- Veterinary Parasitology
- Periodontology and Oral Radiography.
Once you graduate, you can work in veterinary practices, zoo or wildlife medicine, biomedical research, and pharmaceutical sales, as well as in industry, military, and livestock health management.
Veterinary Assistance Program
The Veterinary Assistance Program at Middlesex Community College trains students to work safely with small, large, and exotic animals. If you apply, you’ll learn physical care and nursing procedures. Moreover, you will outline and strengthen your skills in taking vital signs and weights, administering medications, reconstituting vaccines, and even trimming nails!
This program’s students will also learn about various specialized laboratory, pharmaceutical, radiological, and surgical procedures.
You’ll have a total of 150 program hours and will earn 15 CEUs.
Other Education Opportunities
Besides having a great studying program, Middlesex Community College has partnerships with clinics where students can practice what they learn.
Veterinary Technology and Veterinary Assistance students will have the opportunity to practice at Pieper Memorial Veterinary Hospital and Yale University. The latter provides laboratory animal rotation, while the former provides clinical small animal procedures, laboratory procedures, and radiology rotations.
Moreover, a licensed veterinarian, an animal research technician, or a certified technician will supervise students over externship experiences.
Once the students graduate, they can take the Veterinary Technology National Examination.
Here’s another surprise! Did you know that Veterinary Technology students at Middlesex are the first in the United States to practice on a realistic synthetic canine educational device?!
The SynDaver device is a truthful copy of a living dog, featuring every anatomical component like fat, bones, ligaments, joints, muscles, and bodily systems.
This is a huge step forward because students usually learn faster with well-behaved animals and specialists often have difficulty finding such patients!
What Else Do They Offer Other Than Education?
Whether you’re a soon-to-be veterinarian technician or a student at a different Middlesex Community College degree, you’ll definitely enjoy what the institution offers in terms of leisure activities.
For example, the college owns the Pegasus Gallery and the Niche spaces, which host artistic exhibits.
Moreover, there are numerous meetings and events, such as those for the computer club, photography club, dance and theater club, gaming club, car club, chess club, math club, or radio-podcast club. In short, you won’t have time to get bored at Middlesex Community College!
The institution also provides financial help to students in need. Students who cannot pay their tuition fees must apply through the FAFSA program and may receive grants covering tuition, textbooks, fees, and other expenses, such as transportation.
Departments, Centers, Institutes
Another major advantage is that the college provides Free Counseling and Connection Coaching supportive services to all students aged 18 or more.
Students will benefit from the Academic Success Center, which offers academic coaching, free tutoring, workshops, and even paper reviews!
If you are unsure what Middlesex Community College classes you should take, you can ask an academic advisor to help you, or you can address your problem with the Career Services department.
The college also has a Student Retention Services department, which aims to help students struggling in their courses.
The Technology Center provides free computer and technology assistance.
Besides these, students have access to TimelyCare, a service that provides them with 24/7 medical and mental health assistance.
There’s also a library full of books, copiers, scanners, and quiet study areas!
Students with disabilities and veterans will love their experience at Middlesex Community College! A Disability Support Services department and a Veterans Oasis Center facilitate school and society integration.
Recreational Activities in Middletown, Connecticut
If we’ve convinced you to apply to Middlesex Community College, we’ll convince you to visit some of the top attractions in Middletown, too!
Since you can’t spend all your free time studying, we’ve decided to provide you with a list of things to do when you want to get away from the campus!
Some are nearby, while others imply a longer trip. However, we’re sure you won’t mind a 3-hour car trip to make some nice memories that will remind you of your stay in Connecticut!
Middletown Nature Gardens
Middletown established the Middletown Nature Gardens in 1995 to serve as a recreational space for its citizens and natural habitat for plants and animals.
Nature enthusiasts will certainly enjoy spending a quiet afternoon walking on the available trails. They will admire the red cedar, highbush blueberries, white pine, and flowering dogwood shrubs.
Moreover, they’ll be able to check the natural habitat for salamanders and wood frogs, namely vernal pools.
One of the most notable attractions in Middletown Nature Gardens is the sugar maple called the “bee tree,” which is 200 years old.
Smith Park
You can find Smith Park on the north side of Country Club Road in Middletown. It measures 50 acres of land (20.2 hectares) and is one of the town’s most popular recreational destinations.
You’ll have a playground, hiking trails, ball fields, shuffleboards, horseshoe pits, and a pavilion at your disposal. If you’re a plant enthusiast, you’ll be able to admire various types of shrubs, including winterberry, buttonbush, silky dogwood, and Northern highbush blueberry.
Wadsworth Falls State Park
Wadsworth Falls State Park is one of Middletown’s most beautiful places! It’s a 285-acre (115.3 hectares) state park located on the Coginchaug River in Middletown and Middlefield. Here are some activities you’ll enjoy while in this state park:
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Swimming
- Picnicking
- Mountain biking
- Sightseeing.
Let’s not forget about the park’s stunning waterfalls! One is the Big Falls on the Coginchaug River, and the other is the Little Falls on Wadsworth Brook. The former “falls” 30 feet (9.14 meters) from the river’s 52-foot (15.84 meters) breadth, while the latter falls 40 feet (12.2 meters) over a sandstone outcrop.
Stubborn Beauty Brewing
If you want to have some fun with your friends, you should check out the Stubborn Beauty Brewery to taste some of the best beers and ciders in town!
They feature inside and outside seating, as well as games their guests can enjoy. Moreover, the brewery is pet-friendly, so you can bring your furry friend, too!
The brewery hosts events, so if you’re looking for a fun gathering place, this is it!
Mystic Seaport Museum
If you have extra time and don’t mind a short road trip, you should definitely check out the United States’ largest maritime museum – Mystic Seaport Museum!
It will take you around three hours by car to get there. The museum is now a National Historic Landmark, which indicates your trip will turn into a truly unique experience!
The museum has a collection of boats and sailing ships. It also recreates the 19th-century seafaring village, which features more than 60 buildings.
Kidcity Museum
If you have kids, you can visit the Kidcity Museum. The museum is primarily for kids up to seven years old, but we’re sure adults have fun, too, while supervising the young ones!
You can visit it from Monday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; the fee is around $10 per person, including kids. Ensure to make a reservation beforehand.
Dinosaurs, fish, boats, a medieval room, and puppet shows – what a combination of fun things your kids can enjoy! Moreover, they can run a train or make their own ice cream at the soda fountain counter!
The atmosphere is nice and calm, and there’s also a quiet area where you and your children can take a break or have lunch.
Recap
Have we convinced you to apply to one of the two veterinary programs at Middlesex Community College? Excellent! We hope we’ve covered every bit of information on the topic! We’re sure you’ll have a great time studying there, and you’ll enjoy the recreational activities Middletown offers!
If you have any questions regarding the admission process, we recommend contacting Middlesex Community College administration to avoid any unwanted surprises. Good luck, and enjoy your stay in Connecticut! Read our article and find out The TRUTH About Studying VetMed at Foothill College.