To increase representation of Native American individuals, promote University-Tribal healing, and enrich the veterinary profession, the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine has established an admissions pathway program called:
Native American Talent in Veterinary Education (NATIVet)
This program invites eligible veterinary school applicants to submit a supplemental application for program consideration. Students accepted through this program will receive priority admission to the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program.
NATIVet allows you to:
Basic Program Eligibility
Applicants must meet one of the following requirements:
- An enrolled member, or eligible for enrollment, in a federally recognized Tribal Nation within Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, or Wisconsin.
- A legal resident of Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, or Wisconsin, and an enrolled member, or eligible for enrollment, in a federally recognized Tribal Nation within the United States.
Academic Requirements
Eligible candidates meet the minimum academic requirements for traditional applicants or have a minimum overall GPA of 3.0.
Prerequisite courses will need to be completed by the end of the spring term prior to the fall start of the DVM program.
How to apply:
- Submit a standard VMCAS application to the general admissions program.
- Complete a supplemental application specific to NATIVet. This application includes two brief NATIVet program-specific essay questions and a place to upload a Tribal ID card. The supplemental application will become available shortly after the application deadline. The UMN CVM will share application instructions with candidates at that time.
Optionally, eligible candidates may have up to two additional personal letters of reference submitted on their behalf. These references should come from Tribal community members, elders, officials, or someone who can speak to your commitment and connection to a Tribal community.
Candidates who are not accepted through NATIVet will continue to be evaluated through the standard admissions process (VMCAS). Final decisions regarding both NATIVet and the traditional admissions program will be communicated via email by mid-February.
There is no additional cost to apply through the NATIVet program. Candidates who submit complete supplemental applications and meet the minimum eligibility requirements will receive an application fee reimbursement of $85.
How candidates are selected:
NATIVet applicants meeting the eligibility and academic requirements will be selected based on their academic standing, background, relevant experience, and interview performance. The selection process will take a holistic approach and consider the following factors:
- Veterinary and animal experience
- Extracurricular activities, employment, and personal responsibilities
- Custom essay response on competencies
- Support for Native American communities
- Personal statement
- Support of communities in need
- Quality of writing
- Letters of reference, with the option to include additional NATIVet program-specific references
- Behavioral interview
The program-specific supplemental application encourages NATIVet applicants to describe their past support for and future goals of integrating traditional ways of knowing and serving Tribal communities. This supplemental application also provides an opportunity to submit up to two additional personal letters of reference.
The final step in the review process includes a behavioral interview. This is facilitated via Zoom and conducted by two members of the College of Veterinary Medicine selection team.