The University of Minnesota Crookston announced last week that 90.9 percent of its Animal Science Pre-Veterinary students were accepted into veterinary medical programs. This acceptance rate is nearly 10 times the national average of 11 percent, highlighting the program’s rigorous academic preparation and hands-on learning environment.
This year, 10 out of 11 UMN Crookston students who applied to veterinary programs received offers of admission. The success rate underscores the strength of the animal science program and its commitment to preparing the next generation of veterinary professionals through a combination of classroom excellence and practical experience with livestock and other animals.
“We are incredibly proud of our pre-vet students and their continued success in the veterinary school admissions process,” said Leslie Lekatz, associate professor of animal science at UMN Crookston. “I believe our consistently high acceptance rates are driven by several factors. First, our curriculum and small class sizes provide students with the hands-on learning experiences that veterinary schools value. Our program also includes a built-in internship experience, which helps students develop valuable clinical and animal-care hours before applying to veterinary school.”
The Animal Science program at UMN Crookston is known for its faculty mentorship and the unique opportunity for undergraduates to work directly with animals on campus. UMN Crookston students start working hands-on with animals as early as week two. This is different from larger institutions, where students may not get to have hands-on interaction with animals until their second, third, or even fourth year of undergraduate education. These factors create a competitive profile for vet school applicants that is clearly recognized by admissions committees across the country.
UMN Crookston graduates are making their mark nationally and will attend several prestigious institutions, including the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, Missouri State University, Arkansas State University, Ross University, and South Dakota State University.