From the Summer 2010 issue of the School of Biological Sciences newsletter
Forty-four. That is the number of zoology majors advised by associate professor Patrick Carter who have been accepted into veterinary school since 2003, out of 58 who have applied.
“I am very pleased to be able to help so many of my advisees get into veterinary school,” said Carter, whose research area is evolutionary physiology.
He is one of two faculty pre-vet advisers in the School of Biological Sciences (SBS), each of whom advise pre-vet students on coursework, extracurricular activities and application procedures.
“The students ensure their own success,” Carter said. “We just help them along the way.”
All tenure-track faculty in SBS advise zoology and biology majors. The advising philosophy of SBS is that faculty are in a unique position to help students choose classes in the sciences generally and the life sciences specifically.
“In addition to the valuable perspective they can provide on course selection, our faculty also give the students excellent advice on career directions,” said Gary Thorgaard, director of SBS.
“Our advisers provide information to students regarding independent research opportunities, which is one of the best ways for students to learn and put what they learn into practice,” said Charlotte Omoto, former associate director for undergraduate programs in SBS. “The experience also helps them to decide on postgraduate direction.”
Faculty generally find the interactions with advisees to be very satisfying.
“Steering undergraduates through college and helping them to achieve their career goals is one of the most satisfying aspects of my job,” said plant pathologist and associate professor Andrew McCubbin. “Especially in this time of cutbacks, faculty advisers are more crucial than ever because we are more aware of what resources are still available.”
“Advising is a very rewarding part of my career,” said Carter, who received the College of Sciences Faculty Advising Excellence Award in 2010. “I’m always thrilled when one of my advisees gets into vet school. It’s really fun to see a student achieve such a challenging goal.”