Veterinary Student Bridge Program
Summer Program for Admitted Students
Enrollment for the Summer of 2024 has ended.
View the recording of the May 22 info session HERE.
Illinois Veterinary Student Bridge Program
June 10, 2024 – July 19, 2024
Class of 2028, Welcome to the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine!
Our college invites you and your classmates to join us online this summer for a 6-week program to get a sneak peek of what to expect in veterinary school. You will experience the volume and rigor of veterinary school, without grades, while getting to know classmates and faculty.
This program is free to you as an incoming student and completely voluntary.
The Veterinary Student Bridge Program is designed to ease your transition into veterinary school. You will experience the pace, volume, intensity, and expectations that characterize the U.S. veterinary school curriculum. Course content will involve foundational concepts of animal structure, function, and host defense in a case-driven, problem-based learning format. Using a team-based learning approach, instructors help students develop their professional identity while encouraging them to maintain personal wellness.
Veterinary school can be challenging, but we’re here to help you prepare, feel confident and succeed! If you want to speak with a student who participated in this program last year, please contact us at ilearningvetmed@illinois.edu. We’ll connect you with a past student.
The Learning Experience:
- Time Commitment:
- 6 hours/week for 6 weeks. June 10th-July 19th
- 2 hours of synchronized live sessions per week
- 4 hours of asynchronized independent study per week
- 6 hours/week for 6 weeks. June 10th-July 19th
- You will be assigned to a learning pod (small group) upon your enrollment in the program. Each pod will consist of:
- 8-10 Class of 2028 Veterinary Students
- 1-2 Class of 2027 or 2026 Veterinary Students serving as pod leaders
- 1 Instructor serving as the pod director
Program Objectives:
- Experience the rigor of veterinary school without the stress of grades
- Build study skills for academic success
- Connect with classmates and others at the College of Veterinary Medicine
- Benefit from personal and professional mentorship
Gain confidence for your first semester
Develop the study skills necessary to succeed
Establish a support network
Strengthen your foundation for critical thinking
Program Details
Who is this program for?
The bridge program is available only to admitted University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine students. We’re currently enrolling the Class of 2028.
What’s the cost?
The bridge program is free for the admitted College of Veterinary Medicine Class of 2028.
Is the program facilitated online or in person?
The program is fully online!
What’s the time requirement?
Student time commitment expectation: 6 hours per week
Includes: 2 hours of live sessions + 4 hours of asynchronized independent study, micro-lectures, and assignments per week
Are live sessions required?
Yes, the live sessions are a vital part of the program. They are currently scheduled on Wednesday evenings from 5:30-7:30 PM CST.
I want to participate, but I don’t think I can make Wednesday evenings work in my schedule. What should I do?
Attend the first live session or reach out to us! We anticipate that there may be at least one other time available for students to participate in the live session. That will be based on the pod leaders availability and the students schedules. If that time also does not work for you, let the program administration know at that time.
Do I receive a grade for completing the program?
No. While students do complete activities and a final exam, the program and assessments are not posted to the student’s academic record.
Who leads the program?
- The program director is Dr. Brian Aldridge.
- There are 4 academic pod directors, current instructors at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine:
- Dr. Russhawn Aldridge
- Additionally, 20 current Illinois veterinary students serve as pod leaders.
I have additional questions, who should I reach out to?
Contact ilearningvetmed@illinois.edu and someone will be happy to get back to you!