Kansas State University

MANHATTAN -- Twenty-one undergraduate students have been formally accepted into the 2013 class of the early admission scholars program for the College of Veterinary Medicine at Kansas State University.

Since it was established in 1999, the program has recruited more than 250 academically qualified undergraduate students who want to study veterinary medicine. After acceptance into the program, completion of 64 hours of preprofessional requirements, and completion of three years of undergraduate work or completion of a bachelor's degree, the scholars are admitted into the College of Veterinary Medicine.

"This is the top 5 percent of K-State students according to their college acceptance test scores," said Ronnie Elmore, associate dean for academic programs, admissions and diversity programs. "Qualifying for this program is valuable because there are hundreds of applicants each year for a limited number of positions. This program allows these students to know early in their undergraduate programs that they have a place in the veterinary college. Each veterinary class is only 112 students, but more than 1,200 apply each academic year."

Successful candidates in the early admission scholars program must maintain at least a 3.4 grade point average during completion of the preprofessional requirements. By their third year of undergraduate studies, the scholars may petition for enrollment in the first year of the D.V.M. degree program.

The College of Veterinary Medicine assigns each scholar a student mentor to stimulate career and academic development and to provide orientation and access to college activities. The pre-veterinary students, all freshmen, attend regular meetings during the academic year to develop a sense of community and share their progress.

Members of the 2013 class of early admission scholars are:

From Greater Kansas City: Rebekah Raetzel, Kathryn Ryan and Hannah Seger, all from Olathe; Rachel Chall, Sydney Rathjen and Eleanor Selanders, all from Overland Park; and Jason Gregory, Prairie Village.

Joseph Waisner, Lawrence; Viola Folsom, Tonganoxie; Erika Hrenchir, Topeka; Braxton Butler, Virgil; and Michaela Sievers, Wamego.

From Wichita: Oliver Kindel, Lauren Minter, Alexis Sherwood and Bailey Wright.

From out of state:

Alaina Littlejohn, Crystal Lake, Ill.; Katelyn Eike, Glenarm, Ill.; Jessica Hayes, Parkville, Mo.; Izabella Carmona, Glen Gardner, N.J.; and Elizabeth Stietzle, Shoreham, N.Y.