VetFAST

Early Decision Program for Students interested in a career in Food-Animal Veterinary Medicine 

All over the nation, a shortage of veterinarians for food animals has emerged. Not enough veterinary students are training to work with dairy cows, beef cattle, swine, poultry, sheep, and goats. Rural areas can't fill vacant positions or add new staff quickly enough. Food industry positions are hard to fill. And more staff with veterinary training are needed in state and federal agencies to protect the livestock industry from new diseases and help to ensure food safety.

To meet this demand, the University of Minnesota has introduced the Veterinary Food Animal Scholars Program, or VetFAST.

If you are thinking about a career in veterinary medicine, consider VetFAST. VetFAST can allow you to:

• get an "admissions decision" by the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine at the end of your first year in college instead of during your junior or senior year
• complete both your bachelor of science (B.S.) and doctor of veterinary medicine (D.V.M.) degrees in seven years instead of eight
• waive the requirement to take the Graduate Record Exam (G.R.E.) as part of the admission process for the D.V.M. program
• benefit from mentorships with veterinary faculty and other D.V.M. students
• pursue summer veterinary and industry work opportunities
• get scholarships and financial support through summer internships

How the Program Works 
As a freshman, enroll at the University of Minnesota with a Animal Science / Pre-Veterinary major in the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences (CFANS). During your first year of college, you must meet minimum academic and coursework requirements. When you complete your freshman year, you:

• submit your "VetFAST" application for admission to the doctor of veterinary medicine program
• continue your pre-veterinary coursework in the Animal Science major after acceptance in VetFAST
• begin your veterinary studies during your fourth year of college instead of waiting to receive your B.S. degree

Who is Eligible? 
To qualify for admission to the VetFAST program, high school students must:

• have a strong interest in food animal medicine-dairy, beef, swine, poultry, and small ruminants including sheep, goats
• rank in the top 25 percent of your high school graduating class
• score 25 or higher (composite score) on the ACT
• provide a letter of support from a practicing veterinarian

To qualify for VetFAST at the end of your freshman year, students in the Pre-Veterinary major must:

• enroll full time (15 credits or more)
• pursue coursework consistent with admissions requirements for the doctor of veterinary medicine program-chemistry, biology, rhetoric, math, and introductory courses in science in agriculture and veterinary medicine
• complete a food animal practicum

At the end of your freshman year, you will apply to the VetFAST program. You must have:

• experience related to food animal medicine. This can include experience on a farm, participation in 4-H or FFA, or involvement in relevant activities during your first year at the university.
• a letter of support from your adviser or a faculty member in the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences
• a letter of support from a veterinarian
• a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.40 at the end of your first year

The College of Veterinary Medicine expects to admit from ten to twenty students to VetFAST each year. Participants will be selected based on interviews with the College of Veterinary Medicine admissions committee.

Completing the VetFAST program 
To remain a VetFAST participant and automatically gain admission to the doctor of veterinary medicine program in your fourth year of college, you must:

• continue to take animal production courses; at least two of these are required during the last two years of your pre-veterinary program
• complete all required pre-veterinary coursework with a minimum GPA of 3.40 for your first three years

For more information 
Find out more about the VetFAST program. Contact us in either college. Ask for information about VetFAST.

College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences
Admissions Office
190 Coffey Hall, 1420 Eckles Ave.
St. Paul, MN 55108-6074
E-mail agadmit@umn.edu
612-624-6768

College of Veterinary Medicine
Academic and Student Affairs Office
108 Pomeroy Center, 1964 Fitch Ave.
St. Paul MN 55108
E-mail dvminfo@umn.edu
612-624-4747