Why study Pre-Vet at MC?
Overview
The B.S. in Biology and B.A. or B.S. in Biochemistry provide excellent preparation for veterinary school. Maryville College students have stellar placement into veterinary schools due to the rigorous academic program, the emphasis on undergraduate research, and the personal reference letters made by their faculty. During their tenure at MC, students are advised to work at a local veterinary clinic.
This hands-on experience combined with the rigorous academic coursework and undergraduate research provides Maryville College students ideal preparation for vet school.
Maryville College faculty members work closely with MC students, both in courses and conducting research. As a result, Maryville College faculty members are able to write excellent letters of reference and recommendation for MC students because faculty and students truly know one another.
Meet a Current Scot
Mackenzie Pope
Hometown: Maryville, Tennessee
Mackenzie knew she wanted to pursue veterinary medicine as a career and said that MC’s three-year accelerated pre-vet program proved too enticing to pass up. “The opportunity to reach grad school quickly and efficiently was very appealing.” Also appealing was the opportunity to continue the extracurriculars she loves: equestrian sports and playing cello.
Between lab work and courses that meet veterinary school requirements, Mackenzie feels confident that she’s building a strong foundation for the D.V.M. program. Over the past two summers she has worked at Blackford Veterinary Surgery Referral in Knoxville under the supervision of alumna Dr. Callie Blackford-Winders ’19. “I assisted in both soft tissue and orthopedic surgeries, which gave me invaluable hands-on experience and confirmed my passion for veterinary medicine.”
Meet a Recent Grad
Kelsey Birchfield ’21
Currently: Veterinarian with Tri-County Veterinary Clinic in Sevierville, Tennessee
Wanting to be a veterinarian her entire life, Kelsey majored in Biology and worked in veterinary clinics while a student at MC. Over time, she became passionate about helping people gain knowledge about their pets’ proper healthcare and disease prevention. She graduated from UTCVM in May 2025.
MC, through its rigorous science program, prepared Kelsey for vet school. “I was taught critical thinking and independent learning in labs, which sculpted my ability to think for myself and work through difficult situations under a time crunch,” she said. “The various courses I took trained not only my practical laboratory skill set, but also my molecular knowledge to better understand how and why certain medications and procedures are prescribed.”
