Hillary Schartz, freshman in animal sciences and industry, Claflin, was one of seventeen pre-veterinary students to have been selected as Early Admission Scholars by the College of Veterinary Medicine at Kansas State University.

Since it was established in 1999, the college’s Early Admission Scholars program has recruited undergraduate students who excelled on the ACT or SAT and who want to study veterinary medicine, according to Ronnie Elmore, associate dean for admissions and diversity. The scholars are guaranteed admission into the College of Veterinary Medicine after completing three of four years of undergraduate college courses at K-State, including the college’s 64 hours of pre-professional requirements. Successful candidates must maintain a 3.4 grade point average while taking the pre-professional requirements.

The college assigns each scholar a veterinary student mentor for career and academic development. The mentors also provide orientation and access to college activities. The scholars attend regular meetings during the academic year to develop a sense of community and to share their progress.