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Production Animal – Veterinary Early Acceptance Program (PA – VEAP)

Large Animal hospital student with cow

Addressing Food Security: Iowa State’s PA-VEAP Program Aims to Boost Food Animal Veterinarian Numbers in Underserved Areas

A recent American Veterinary Medical Association study found that less than 4% of veterinarians across the nation practice predominantly food animal medicine. The declining number of veterinarians supporting the food animal industry poses a significant food security threat.

The primary goal of Production Animal – Veterinary Early Acceptance Program (PA – VEAP) is to recruit and retain future veterinarians practicing food animal medicine, primarily in underserved areas. Eligible students are undergraduate entrants to ISU directly from high school, identified after completing their second semester. Successful completion of the program will result in admission to the Iowa State’s College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM), following review and approval by the CVM admissions committee.

PA – VEAP allows students with a demonstrated food animal interest the opportunity to:

  • Apply for guaranteed admission into Iowa State’s College of Veterinary Medicine upon successful completion of the program
  • Gain additional food animal production experience through mentorships, internships, and additional industry opportunities

Key Information

Applicants to the program must:

  • Be currently enrolled at Iowa State University majoring in Animal or Dairy Science through the Department of Animal Science.
  • Be actively pursuing one of the following undergraduate certificates (completion required prior to admission to ISU CVM).
    • Beef Cattle Production Management
    • Dairy Cattle Production Management
    • Poultry Production Management
    • Swine Production Management
  • Have completed or be currently enrolled in at least two of the following courses through Iowa State University:
    • Chemistry: CHEM 1770/1770L, CHEM 1780/1780L, CHEM 3310/3310L
    • Biology: BIOL 2110/2110L, BIOL 2120/2120L, BIOL 3130, BIOL 3350, BIOL 3510
    • Microbiology: MICRO 3020/3020L
    • Physics: PHYS 1310/1310L, PHYS 2310/2310L
    • Animal Science & Genetics: AnS 2140/2140L, AnS 3510, GEN 3200
  • Have earned a minimum GPA of 3.4 in classes completed at ISU

 

Application Requirements:

  1. Cover Letter
    • Express interest in production animal medicine and PA-VEAP
    • Highlight relevant experience, industry involvement, and career goals
  2. Letters of Reference
    • Submit 3–6 letters from individuals who can speak to your interest in food animal production, academic and professional potential
    • At least one (preferably two) must be from practicing veterinarians
    • References must not be related to you by blood, marriage, or partnership
  3. Transcripts
    • Include your current ISU transcript and any transfer institution transcripts
  4. Current Resume

The application period for qualified candidates opens in May. Candidates will be notified via email if they are chosen for an in-person interview.

Up to 10 applicants will be offered acceptance into the program.

Once enrolled in the program, students will be assigned a program mentor from the Department of Animal Science and a program advisor from the Department of Veterinary Diagnostic and Production Animal Medicine (VDPAM).

Qualifying Criteria for ISU CVM Admission via PA – VEAP:

  • Complete all prerequisite courses for admission to the ISU CVM.
    • Complete a minimum of 30 credits/year with no lapse in enrollment (summer semester not included) while at ISU.
    • Earn a grade of C or higher in all courses required for ISU CVM admission (pre-vet requirements).
  • Maintain a 3.4 cumulative GPA throughout the program.
    • If cumulative GPA falls below 3.4, student will have one semester to raise GPA to 3.4.
    • Student will be dismissed from the program if cumulative GPA falls below 3.0 at any time.
  • Complete a 300 level or higher anatomy and physiology course or a similar course pre-approved by PA – VEAP mentor
    • Students are also highly encouraged to serve as a teaching assistant in ANS 214L (Domestic Animal Physiology Lab).
  • Complete a minimum of 300 hours of approved food animal experiences selected with the assistance of your program advisors.

Students are strongly encouraged to complete the requirements for a bachelor’s degree in Animal Science prior to enrolling in the ISU CVM; however, if a student is accepted into ISU CVM and begins their veterinary education prior to finishing a bachelor’s degree, they will work with the Associate Department Chair of Teaching in Animal Science to complete their bachelor’s degree in Animal Science/CALS while enrolled in the ISU CVM.

*Requirements subject to change

Herd of young cows

Interested in the Program?