Southern Miss Students Receive Advice from Veterinary Administrator
Thu, 11/29/2012 - 10:56am | By: Tara Burcham
Dr. Richard W. Meiring, assistant dean for Admissions and Student Affairs at the College of Veterinary Medicine at Mississippi State University recently visited The University of Southern Mississippi campus to speak with healthcare preprofessional students interested in veterinary medicine.
Meiring, a clinical professor, discussed application processes, admission procedures, and expectations of students who apply to the program.
Meiriing emphasized to the interested students that as early as their freshman year they should start shadowing a vet, which will help them when they apply to veterinary school. Students can apply in the spring of their junior year.
Maylisa Smith, a biological sciences major from Petal, Miss., finds it “amazing” that the Preprofessional Office is so dedicated to helping out students. “They coordinated a visit with Dr. Meiring that, for me, was a tremendous advantage,” she said. “I already knew that I wanted to go to vet school at MSU, but I wasn't aware of some of the opportunities they offer their students - like how the last two years students are actually involved in clinical experience instead of only one year.”
Smith further noted that Meiring also gave students insight as to what the competition
for entry is like and how to become more desirable applicants. “He explained the need
for clinical and animal experience, the importance of an altruistic nature, and having
mature and realistic career goals,” said Smith.
Dr. Patricia Biesiot, associate dean of the College of Science and Technology and
Healthcare Preprofessional adviser, welcomed Meiring to campus. “We are thrilled
to have Dr. Meiring visit Southern Miss,” said Biesiot. “Our students benefit from
these visits with admissions personnel who demystify the application process and address
any concerns the students may have.”
The visit was coordinated by the College of Science and Technology through the Healthcare Preprofessional Office, which advises more than 500 Southern Miss students in health care preprofessional fields.
The office offers assistance with course selection, schedule planning and application processes for post-baccalaureate programs. These programs include medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, physical therapy, occupational therapy, physician assistant, optometry, and veterinary medicine. Help is also available for the preprofessional areas of cytotechnology, dental hygiene, health informatics and information management, and radiologic sciences.
For information about the healthcare preprofessional office, visit www.usm.edu/preprofessional.