Pre-Veterinary Medicine
The Pre-Veterinary Medicine Class 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, diagnostic imaging, obstetrics, and wound management.
This course is offered at the UMass Amherst campus as a residential program. Local students may apply to attend as a commuter.
Field Trips:
Students will frequently visit UMass Amherst’s Hadley and South Deerfield Farms.
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.
The program consists of short lectures and discussions on the UMass Amherst main campus in addition to hands-on modules in laboratories on campus and 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.
Pre-Requisites
- The Pre-Veterinary Medicine Class is an immersion experience for rising junior and senior high school students. Completion of a year of high school Biology is strongly recommended prior to this class.
Materials
- In addition to the enrollment fee, there is a $75 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.
- Pencils/pens, and one spiral notebook for taking notes.
- The weather in Massachusetts is hot (80 to 90F) and humid in July, rain is possible, and the tick population in New England is high. Therefore, many changes of clothing, sunscreen, bug spray, a raincoat, and an umbrella are strongly recommended.
- A laptop is not required for this class. However, students are welcome to bring one for use at night after class, if desired.
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 received by 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 (dogs, cats, sheep, goats, cattle, and horses) and work in pastures and 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.
By the end of the course, students will 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.
- Develop a personalized plan of action (completion of academic requirements and animal experiences) for becoming a competitive veterinary school applicant.
Class time is Monday-Friday from 9 am - 4 pm.
|
Time |
Activity |
|
9:00 AM–9:30 AM |
Quiz #1 |
|
9:30–11:50 AM |
Veterinary Case Approach Body Condition Score Restraint Laboratory I |
|
12:00–1:15 PM |
Lunch Break |
|
1:15–3:50 PM |
Cardiovascular System Laboratory |
|
4:00 PM |
End of day |
In the evenings and on weekends resident counselors will run a series of social activities. Students are encouraged to join in, relax and have fun with new friends! With social events on campus and in the surrounding Amherst area, and access to the UMass Recreation & Wellness Center, there's something for everyone to enjoy.
Learn more about student life at UMass Amherst Summer Pre-College
Meet the Faculty
Dr. Katie Beltaire, Senior Lecturer II, Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences
Assistant Department Head
UMass Farms Clinical Veterinarian
Dr. Beltaire has spent more than twenty years working as a veterinarian across universities and private farms, building a career rooted in both clinical expertise and hands-on animal care. Alongside her veterinary work, she has devoted over fifteen years to teaching and mentoring students at every stage of their academic journey. Her experience ranges from guiding senior veterinary students and residents through clinical training to teaching introductory and advanced courses for undergraduates. She has also led summer programs for middle- and high-school students and facilitated workshops for 4-H and FFA youth. Her work reflects a long-standing commitment to education, animal health, and inspiring the next generation of veterinarians.
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