The N.C. State College of Veterinary Medicine was recently ranked third in the nation by the U.S. News and World Report magazine. This advances N.C. State up from its previous ranking of fifth place.
The top two schools are now Cornell University and University of California-Davis, respectively. However, placing third does not bother Interim Dean of the CVM David Bristol.
“Both are very high quality programs,” Bristol said. “We are going to keep continuing up the ladder.”
According to David Kleisch, a second-year doctor of veterinary medicine student, the ranking is so high because of the CVM’s teaching system. Kleisch said during the first year, students are taught what is considered normal in the species of animals they work with. During the second year, students are taught to spot and treat abnormalities.
“That system is why [the college] is ranked what it is,” Kleisch said. “We are one of the only schools who do surgery their second year.”
A popular adage about the CVM says a student must have a 4.0 GPA to be accepted. While students in the college generally agree, Sarah Little, a second-year CVM student, says it’s more about the students’ experience.
“It’s so much more than just good grades,” Little said. “It’s hard, but I’m glad I’m here.”
The school gets over 20,000 patients per year, most commonly dogs. With over 300 students and about 170 veterinarians, this means a lot of work for both students and faculty.
Since animals can’t tell the veterinarian what is wrong with them, the veterinarian has to communicate with the owner, according to Kleisch.
“It’s really the problem solving that is attractive,” Kleisch said. “You have to figure out what is wrong with the patient …they won’t tell you they have a broken leg.”
The CVM employs about 80 interns and residents, all of whom are training to become skilled veterinarians.
However, the CVM has been constrained in terms of growth. Its campus is designed for an average class size of 70 students – classes actually average about 80 students per class.
“The state budget has been shrinking when we need to have been expanding,” Bristol said. “Continuing to grow would help to improve our overall standing.”
Bristol said he hopes being ranked so highly will attract a lot of new graduate students, as well as new faculty.
In addition to the CVM’s new ranking, more good news comes to the college in the form of a new small-animal hospital. The Randall B. Terry, Jr. Companion Animal Veterinary Medical Center is expected to open to the public May 8, 2011. Bristol said this hospital will help improve the quality of care given to animals due to new technology.
The Terry Center will also increase the number of patients the college can treat. Bristol said it will triple the size of the current small-animal hospital – much needed space to house the thousands of patients each year.
“It will help with the clinical trials program…and allow us to improve the educational programs,” Bristol said.
In order to rise in the ranking, Bristol said he thinks the CVM needs to continue to strengthen its research program and grow its enrollment; something like being in third place will certainly help.
Kleisch said he thinks the college deserves the ranking based on the quality of the professors at the CVM.
“They are experts in their field and we get to see them on a daily basis,” Kleisch said.
Students seem both excited and proud of their school’s accomplishment.
“To be recognized nationally is kind of nice,” Little said with a smile. “I think it’s a pretty big deal.”
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Vet School Fast facts:
313 Doctor of Vet Medicine students
78 grad students
79 intern and residents
20,000 small animals treated per year
A few thousand large (farm) animals helped per year
Source: CVM Website and Dr. David Bristol
