After a total of three afternoons dedicated to conducting in-person interviews with 226 prospective veterinary students, the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine is close to completing the process of admitting 84 members of the incoming first-year DVM class – the Class of 2030. The students invited for the interview days were selected from a total pool of 1,930 applicants from across the country as well as countries abroad.
Held in November and January, the interview days gave each visiting student and parent or other guest a chance to see the college first-hand, meet faculty and staff, and interact with current veterinary students. At the same time, the college’s Admissions Committee members benefitted from the opportunity to meet and talk with applicants in person.
Each interview day agenda included a welcome from Dean Bret Marsh, opportunities to learn about student clubs and study abroad programs, meet the college’s popular Canine Educators, take tours of the college, and hear from a student panel. The day concluded with a reception in the Veterinary Medical Library where the prospective students and guests were able to visit in a casual setting with faculty and current DVM students.
During the first interview day Friday, November 21, 90 invited Indiana resident students visited the college. On the other two interview days, Friday, January 23, and the following Friday, January 30, a total of 136 non-residents visited Lynn Hall.
Lori Stout, the college’s senior director of admissions and student success, praised PVM student ambassadors Jenna Boha, Lilly Shockley, and Stephanie Dijak, of the DVM Class of 2027, for their work to plan, organize, and lead the interviewee experience. “They did a great job of creating an awesome experience for our guests,” Stout said. “We received many sincere thanks from the students and guests who shared how much the experience meant to them and helped them get to know the college, its personnel, and current students, and how valuable that personal experience is in deciding between colleges.”
In all, some 60 DVM students volunteered to help with the interview days. “We had fabulous participation by our veterinary students who really made a difference as excellent representatives of our college,” Stout said. “Their positive impact was reflected in the many words of appreciation we heard from our visitors. A big thank you to all of our veterinary student volunteers!”
With the prospective student interviews completed, and offers of admission being extended, the college will finalize the Class of 2030 enrollment and prepare to welcome the new students in August for orientation and onboarding, which begins a week before the official start of the fall semester on August 24.