College of Veterinary Medicine

Overview

The College of Veterinary Medicine educates leaders in veterinary medicine and biomedical research in its D.V.M., post-D.V.M., and Ph.D. programs, who in turn advance knowledge at the interface of discovery and application. As the only medical college on Cornell's Ithaca campus, the College of Veterinary Medicine is the center of biomedical research and teaching within a world-renowned research university, enhancing the scientific training and broad exposure of our students.

The College takes pride in its rich tradition as an innovator in veterinary education, animal disease discovery, clinical medicine, and biomedical research. Ongoing curricular evaluation and modification have produced a balanced D.V.M. teaching program that includes didactic and problem-based elements, promotes the early exposure of students to animals and the development of clinical skills, provides the opportunity for specialization within a framework of core knowledge expectations, promotes significant research exposure, and integrates preclinical and clinical information. The Cornell University Hospital for Animals combines large animal, companion animal, and exotics training in one location, treating approximately 19,000 animals per year, primarily complex medical cases referred by veterinarians throughout the United States. The Section of Ambulatory Medicine treats an additional 38,000 animals in Central New York over the course of 3,000 annual farm visits. Students benefit from exposure to outstanding Centers and Institutes, such as the Animal Health Diagnostic Center, the Baker Institute for Animal Health, the Vertebrate Genomics Center, the Companion Animal Health Resource Center, and the Feline Health Center, and can take advantage of summer opportunities including the Expanding Horizons Program, and the Leadership and Veterinary Investigator research programs. Finally, the College's D.V.M./Ph.D., GRA, and Clinical Fellowship programs seek to foster the development of future leaders of academic medicine.

Through its broad programmatic strengths in education, research, and clinical and diagnostic medicine, the College of Veterinary Medicine produces highly competent D.V.M. graduates and post-D.V.M. trainees, while inspiring many to advance and shape the profession's future.

Website: vet.cornell.edu

General Information

The College

The College of Veterinary Medicine offers an in-person professional program that requires four years of full-time academic and clinical study of the normal and abnormal structure and function of the animal body and the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of animal disease at the Ithaca Campus.

Graduates of the college receive the doctor of veterinary medicine (D.V.M.) degree, which is recognized by licensing boards throughout the world. Graduates generally enter private practice or academia, or become engaged in one of an increasing number of biomedical activities.

Graduate programs in veterinary research and postdoctoral training in clinical specialties are open to doctors of veterinary medicine and some highly qualified holders of baccalaureate degrees and lead to the degree of master of science or doctor of philosophy.

More detailed information is available at the College of Veterinary Medicine website.

Note: 5000- and 6000-level courses are open only to veterinary students except by written permission from the instructor.

The College of Veterinary Medicine's professional curriculum comprises courses in two categories: Core (Foundation) and Elective Courses.

Courses contributing to the D.V.M. degree begin with VTMED.

Admissions

Every year our faculty have the distinct privilege of reviewing a strong pool of applicants who demonstrate solid academic backgrounds, great promise for a future in veterinary medicine and evidence of outstanding performance in past endeavors. We look for individuals with integrity and maturity who have concern for others, leadership potential, a dedication to service, and an aptitude for working with people. Our Holistic Admissions Formula provides insight in how we review applications. In addition to an extensive application that includes a personal statement, short answer questions, and veterinary & animal experiences, we review letters of evaluation (from minimally a veterinarian, college professor, and one other person) and college transcript information. The prerequisites required for the program can be found on the College of Veterinary Medicine website.

Administration

  • Lorin D. Warnick, Dean
  • Susan Ruland, Interim Associate Dean for Hospital Operations
  • Alexander Travis, Director of Public Health Program
  • Julia Felippe, Executive Director of the Cornell Veterinary Educators Academy
  • Caroline Yancey, Associate Dean for International Programs
  • David Howe, Associate Dean for Finance and Administration
  • Matt Braun, Assistant Dean for Alumni Affairs and Development
  • Susan L. Fubini, Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs
  • Jodi Korich, Associate Dean for Education
  • Bruce Kornreich, Director of Feline Health Center
  • Rory Todhunter, Director of the Cornell Richard P. Riney Canine Health Center
  • Steven Osofsky, Director of the Cornell K. Lisa Yang Center for Wildlife Health
  • Mandi de Mestre, Director James A. Baker Institute for Animal Health
  • Marnie FitzMaurice, Assistant Dean for Veterinary Curriculum
  • Francois Elvinger, Associate Dean for Diagnostic Operations and Government Relations and Executive Director of the Animal Health Diagnostic Center
  • Kristen Pennock, Director of Student Financial Planning
  • Paige Frey, College Registrar
  • Mary Beth Jordan, Assistant Dean and Director of Human Resources
  • John Parker, Director of Baker Institute Leadership and Training Initiatives
  • Jennifer A. Mailey, Director of Admissions
  • Jai Sweet, Assistant Dean for Veterinary Student Services and Admissions
  • David Lee, Associate Dean for External Programs
  • Paula Cohen, Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Education
  • Melanie Ragin, Assistant Dean for Inclusion and Academic Excellence
  • Len Johnson, Assistant Dean for Marketing and Communications

Department Chairs

  • Biomedical Sciences: P. Sethupathy
  • Clinical Sciences: T. Hackett
  • Microbiology and Immunology: D. Fowell
  • Molecular Medicine: T. Kawate
  • Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences: J. McArt
  • Public and Ecosystem Health: A. Travis