A partnership between the College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM) at the University of Minnesota and the Agriculture and Natural Resources Department on the Crookston campus will expand the Veterinary Food Animal Scholars Track (VetFAST) program. Beginning in fall 2010, U of M Crookston students meeting program requirements will be considered for admission into the VetFAST program.

The VetFAST program was designed to meet the demand for veterinarians across the country, and address the shortage of veterinarians for food animals. Rural areas find it difficult to fill vacant positions or add new staff quickly enough. A need also exists in the food industry as well as in state and federal agencies to protect the livestock industry from new diseases and to help ensure food safety. The CVM expects to admit from 10 to 20 students to VetFAST each year.

U of M, Crookston students will be encouraged to submit an initial application to the VetFAST program if they are enrolled full time in the pre-veterinary emphasis of the Animal Science degree program, are ranked in the top 25% of their high school graduating class or have an ACT score of at least 25, have previous working or volunteering in an animal related setting, and a specific interest in food animal medicine.

After fall term grades are posted, the Crookston campus will forward all eligible candidates to the CVM for review. The CVM will review applicants in greater detail and students meeting those criteria will gain provisional admission contingent on the successful completion of the remaining prerequisite courses.

Ron Del Vecchio, Ph.D., head of the Agriculture and Natural Resources Department at the U of M, Crookston is excited about what this means for students who are interested in becoming veterinarians. "The VetFAST program is a great opportunity for our students in the pre-veterinary medicine program at the U of M, Crookston," says Del Vecchio. "We are keenly aware of the need for more large animal practitioners. The majority of U of M Crookston students are interested in food animal veterinary medicine and we will encourage them to submit an application to become a part of this early decision program."

The U of M, Crookston pre-veterinary medicine emphasis meets the course entry requirements for admission to the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine, which provides high-quality education, conducts leading-edge research, and delivers innovative veterinary services. To learn more about the pre-veterinary degree program on the Crookston campus, visit www.umcrookston.edu/academics

Today the University of Minnesota, Crookston delivers more than 25 bachelor's degree programs and 50 concentrations, including several online degrees, in agriculture and natural resources; arts, humanities and social sciences; business; and math, science and technology.  With an enrollment of about 1,300 undergraduates, the Crookston campus offers a supportive, close-knit atmosphere that leads to a prestigious University of Minnesota degree.  "Small Campus. Big Degree."  To learn more, visit www.umcrookston.edu.