VETERINARY SCHOOL PREP PROGRAM
We want you to succeed, and to help you do that, we offer a one-semester Veterinary Preparatory (Vet Prep) program that teaches foundational knowledge, skills, and terminology to set you up for success (and even give you a head start) in the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) program.
Vet Prep is a bridge program designed to better prepare students for the rigors of vet school and provide additional assistance in one or more academic areas needed to excel in our DVM program. You may be wondering the specifics of how to prepare for veterinary school. This is your time to brush up on areas like anatomy, chemistry, and biochemistry. Practical labs on microscopy, parasitology, and bacteriology can better prepare you for your DVM degree while you acclimate to island life in St. Kitts.
The Vet Prep program is a valuable way to help make your dream of becoming a veterinarian come true. Students who are offered the program and pass are guaranteed a spot in the next first-semester class.
ROSS UNIVERSITY VET PREP PROGRAM
Advice to Incoming Vet Prep Students
Hear what former Vet Prep students have to say.
VET PREP COURSES
Total Credits: 16
Provides the student with a clinical setting to integrate material that is taught in other Vet Prep courses. Within this clinical setting, the concepts of anatomy and physical examination will be demonstrated and then practiced by the student. This course integrates with the Case-based learning course. Clinical skills will be focused on small animals, however, other species will be introduced to emphasize comparative anatomy of common domestic species. Students will begin learning the process of acquiring information from a physical exam and applying it in order to formulate a clinical profile for an animal. Animal handling, restraint, and physical exam techniques will be demonstrated and practiced. Students are also introduced to the concepts of veterinary medical record-keeping, problem-based medical record, and the SOAP format.
Reviews basic mathematics and teaches abbreviations common to medication administration, and methods of solving problems related to drug dosage and intravenous infusions, toxicology calculations, ionization of drug calculations, pharmacokinetic calculations and basic statistics, as well as learning the general principles of pharmacology.
The main goal of this course is to provide Vet Prep students an overview of basic concepts in microbiology and infectious diseases. Students will gain fundamental knowledge in bacteriology, virology, parasitology and immunology. In addition, students will be given a brief overview of special topics in microbiology such as pathogens involved in emerging diseases, food safety microbiology, zoonotic diseases, antimicrobial resistance, high consequence and economically important animal and human diseases.
A survey course focusing on properties of enzymes, carbohydrate, lipid and amino acid metabolism; water and water balance, membrane physiology and intercellular communication (transporters and receptors), acid-base fundamentals, endocrine system and an introduction to micro-anatomical identification of cells.
Designed to help students adjust to island life and professional school while promoting mindfulness practice, and overall wellness, including developing study and organizational skills necessary to attain success at Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine. The course also serves as an introduction to veterinary medicine and required core competencies, as well as gives the opportunity for students to learn more about the various disciplines within the profession from a variety of experts. The course is Pass/Fail based on class participation and attendance.
Introduces students both to veterinary, medical and lay terminology that encompasses basic gross anatomy and physiology, and to describe the integration of structural and functional relationships of major body systems in a manner to comprehend clinically relevant cases that may be encountered in veterinary medicine. The depth and scope of the course is to inspire and prepare students for entry into the RUSVM veterinary program.
This course will use clinical cases and One Health scenarios to emphasize basic and important biomedical/biological content that is either being covered in other Vet Prep courses (horizontal integration) or that will be covered in courses within the curriculum including anatomy, physiology, microbiology, immunology, etc. This course is facilitated by several faculty from diverse disciplines giving you a comprehensive overview of veterinary medicine. In this course, you can expect group or individual assignments and in-class quizzes. Active participation and attendance are mandatory. The more effort you put into this class, the more you will benefit!
** Statistically representative of the September 2021, January 2022, and May 2022 incoming Vet Prep classes.
SUCCEEDING DURING AND AFTER VET PREP
Vet Prep does more than prepare you for vet school and the DVM program. It can also jump-start your involvement in research and student organizations. Several former SAVMA presidents are proud Vet Prep alums! Read Shaye Antal’s experience in the Vet Prep program and how it not only built her confidence but also allowed her to become involved in research opportunities even before starting her DVM.
PREPARE FOR STUDENT LIFE
Required Materials and Supplies:
- Stethoscope (a master cardiology stethoscope isn’t required)
- White lab coat
- Waterproof rubber no-slip work boots
- Scrubs (not green)
- Postman Blue Twill Coverall
Recommended Text:
- Lippincott’s Illustrated Reviews: Biochemistry, 6th ed.; Champe, P. C.& R. A. Harvey; ISBN# 9781451175622.
- Physiology, 6th ed.; Costanzo, L.S.; WB Saunders, Philadelphia, PA; ISBN# 9780323478816
Recommendations by former students (optional):
- Short-sleeved Coverall
- Rain poncho
- Clipboard
Visit the bookstore to purchase medical and school supplies or the spirit store. For a full list of what to bring and what not to bring read Preparing to Move to St. Kitts.
Bring your favorite study materials with you to St. Kitts and don’t forget to pack your:
- Laptop and charger
(iPads are provided in the DVM first semester) - Phone and charger
- Back up chargers
For a full list of what to bring and what not to bring read Preparing to Move to St. Kitts.
Develop successful strategies for managing course loads, test-taking, and proper study habits. Reach out to our Student Success Center (SSC) for academic support programs and services to set you up for success.
You Can:
- Schedule an individual study-strategy appointment
- Access Interactive learning workshops
- Get academic coaching
- Utilize teaching assistants
- Get a tutor
Block exams are every 3 weeks using ExamSoft®. These exams can be taken in any order: anatomy, cellular biology, microbiology, and pharmacology.
Still have questions about the Vet Prep program? We’d be happy to connect you to a student who has gone through it so you can hear firsthand the program’s benefits and how it can help you succeed.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Prospective students cannot apply directly to the Vet Prep program. The Admissions Committee makes the decision on who is offered this program based upon the academic requirements of the DVM program.
Vet Prep is a 14-week program designed to provide aspiring veterinary medical students with a strong foundation in the basic sciences and math. Courses include introductions to medical mathematics and pharmacology, microbiology, animal structural biology, and cellular biology and homeostasis. Case based learning is a separate course, though its principles are used throughout the Vet Prep program. You may also benefit from a transitional course that introduces you to the academic veterinary medicine program and promotes mindfulness and study skills.
Vet Prep instructors hold either a DVM, PhD or both in their field and have experience teaching medical, undergraduate or graduate-level students.
Vet Prep mimics a similar structure to the DVM program. Each week, you will participate in a combination of lectures and labs.
Individual instructors will determine the requirements and consequences for attendance, which will be approved by Curriculum Committee and described, in writing, at the beginning of each course in the course syllabi.
RUSVM is non-sectarian and does not close for the religious holidays of any specific denomination or group. Students who miss classes or laboratories without an approved excused absence will be responsible for the content of all missed course work. Examinations scheduled to occur on religious holidays will not be rescheduled.
As specified in the course syllabus at the beginning of a course, attending examinations and other required exercises is mandatory, except in the case an approved excused absence.
Students who do not successfully complete the Vet Prep program will not be admitted to the Ross Vet DVM program.
Vet Prep is offered in-person on our St. Kitts campus in the Caribbean.
Based on availability, you may be able to live in on-campus housing. Housing fees may be found by visiting: http://veterinary.rossu.edu/admissions/dvm-admissions/financial-aid/tuition-fees.html. Off-campus housing is also available.