Veterinary Medical Technology, A.A.S. (A45780)

Admissions Requirements

(Must complete Gaston College general admission requirements and the Veterinary Technology Admission requirements to be considered for the Vet. Tech. Program.)

Applicants to the Veterinary Medical Technology Program must meet the following criteria for consideration for admission into the program: All applications, test scores, and volunteer/shadowing verification forms are due the third Friday in April.

Gaston College General Admissions

1. Must be a high school or GED graduate.
2. Must be at least 18 years old by first day of class freshman year.
3. Must meet all requirements for general admission to Gaston College (ALL OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS MUST BE ON FILE IN THE ADMISSIONS OFFICE).
   
   • Complete Gaston College application at www.gaston.edu:
   • Transcripts: Submit an official high school transcript. (Refer to www.gaston.edu or the Gaston College Academic catalog for other documentation required in place of an official high school transcript.) Request that your high school mail an official high school transcript to:
     
     Gaston College
     Office of Admissions
     201 Highway 321 South
     Dallas, NC 28034-1499
     
     • Note: Request that all colleges/universities previously attended submit official transcripts to above address.
        
   • Take the COMPASS Placement Test. (See #3 below for required scores.)
     
     • If you have taken the HOBET, COMPASS Placement Test, and/or ASSET within the past five years at another college or university, please request that the scores be submitted to the Admissions Office. For information call 704.922.6214.
   • Apply for financial assistance (if applicable). FAFSA forms are available in January. Scholarship forms are due by March 31st.
   • Complete new student orientation
   • Applicants whose primary spoken language is not English will be required to demonstrate proficiency in the English language via the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). (See Admissions  of the Gaston College Catalog).

Veterinary Medical Technology Admissions

1. Complete application form for Veterinary Medical Technology Program. (These forms may be obtained by calling 704.922.6469 the Vet Tech Department extension.) Applications will be accepted from the first Monday in October through the third Friday in April for the fall semester.
2. College entrance exam: Student must take the following and meet the minimum scores to be considered for the Vet tech program.
   
   • TEAS
     
     • See the Veterinary Medical Technology website or contact the department at 704.922.6524 for specific score requirements.
     • The TEAS may only be taken two times during an application period to achieve admission requirements.
3. College Placement Exam: COMPASS Placement Test and completion of any identified developmental courses are *required prior to acceptance into the Veterinary Medical Technology Program.
   
   The following minimum COMPASS Placement Test scores are required for admission into the Vet Tech Program:

*If COMPASS Placement Test scores require MAT 070, the student may be accepted on a contingency basis. If accepted, the student must successfully complete the required class with a “C” or higher by the end of the first semester in the program. If this is not completed, the student will be dismissed from the program.

4. Submit a “Work Experience Verification Form” for the required 40 hours minimum of volunteer/shadowing experience in a veterinary setting (a licensed veterinarian must be employeed at the facility). This form should be mailed directly to the Vet Tech Department by the person filling out the form. This form is available on the Vet tech website www.gaston.edu.
5. College level courses will be considered for transfer credit upon receipt of an applicant’s transcript. Chemistry courses must be current within 10 years to be considered for transfer credit. Computer courses must be current within 5 years to be considered for transfer credit.
6. Once the application, all test scores, transcripts, work verification forms have been received by the college, qualified applicants will be contacted for a personal interview with the admissions committee of the Veterinary Medical Technology Program.
7. Applicants will be notified by mail of their admission status by the Veterinary Technology Department Chairman. Those students who are not admitted to the Vet Tech Program may reapply at a later date. Students reapplying for admission must meet the admission requirements current at the time of their most recent application.
8. The following are special health requirements that are to be met by all students accepted into the Veterinary Medical Technology program:
   
   1. Upon admission physical and dental exam within the last six (6) months is due on the date stated in the applicant’s acceptance letter.
   2. Prospective students with known or suspected communicable or other serious illnesses are ethically and legally obligated to evaluate their health status in light of student safety. In addition, a physician’s statement documenting that the disease state is cured or adequately controlled must be provided.
   3. If psychiatric treatment has been utilized, a statement from the psychiatrist, relative to suitability for veterinary technology may be requested.
   4. Proof of a tetanus injection within the last ten (10) years.
   5. Proof of a tuberculin skin test (PPD) within the last year.
   6. Rabies vaccination (required) must be completed by the end of Fall Semester of the first year. If already vaccinated, proof of adequate blood titer (within previous two (2) years) must be provided. If a student elects not to receive rabies immunization, a waiver must be signed.
   7. Students are responsible for obtaining their own health insurance policy and/or paying for any medical expenses incurred as a result of illness or injury sustained during class, lab, or clinical experiences (i.e. strained back, needle stick). Neither Gaston College nor the affiliating institutions/agencies are responsible for medical expenses incurred as part of the educational process.

All necessary application forms may be obtained by calling 704.922.6469.

Enrollment in the Vet Tech Program is limited to 40 students each fall semester.

NOTE: If you feel that you will need financial assistance (scholarship, Pell Grant, JTPA, or loan), you may apply for financial assistance through the Financial Aid Office on campus in the Myers Center. Plan to do this during the spring semester (January–March) before you begin classes in the fall so that your funding will be available when you begin classes (if you qualify).

First Year

Second Year

Total Semester Hour Credits: 73