For several years Dean Susan Tornquist has a goal of increasing diversity in the college to better represent the national population. Several programs were created to meet that goal, including the OSU Summer Veterinary Experience, where academically talented high school students from under-represented backgrounds receive scholarships to attend a one-week, intensive introduction to veterinary medicine.
The college also participated in JUNTOS, an OSU program where 50 hispanic high school students and their families attended a full day of veterinary workshops led by Dr. Jorge Vanegas, and hosted by current students who speak fluent Spanish.
In addition, the college now uses a wholistic application process, which allows the Application Committee to focus on factors other than GPA and GRE, which can sometimes be biased against those from underrepresented, low-income, or first-generation college students. “For example, the committee considers challenges that each applicant might have faced, and how they handle difficult situations,” says admissions coordinator Tess Collins.
Collins also reaches out to under-represented groups through recruiting events and meetings with pre-vet clubs at other universities.
This year, 28% of students from the incoming Class of 2022 are from under-represented groups, and 22% are first-generation college students.
The Class of 2022 includes 40 Oregon residents and 32 non-residents. Sixteen students are older than 25 years, and 83% are female.
