Admission to the Veterinary Technology program will be granted to students who complete the eligibility requirements below, with priority given to students who complete the requirements by the priority deadline; however, if space allows, students will be accepted after the priority deadline until the program is full. If there are more eligible students than space available at the priority deadline, all eligible students will be awarded points based on the point system on the last page, and students with the highest point totals will be accepted. If a tie breaker is needed, preference will be given to students with the earliest admission file completion dates. 32 students are accepted each Fall.

Fall Term (August) - Priority deadline is January 31

Eligibility Requirements

• Meet with an Admissions Advisor in the Student Welcome Center located in Clark Hall.
• Complete an Application to Iowa Western Community College.
• Submit all official transcripts (high school and college).
• Complete 24 hours of observation with a Veterinary Technician or Veterinarian and submit completed Veterinary Technology Program Observation Form to the Office of Admissions.
• * Take a Placement test and meet minimum Reading, Writing, and Math score requirements:
  • COMPASS Writing Score of 65 or higher
  • COMPASS Reading Score of 71 or higher
  • COMPASS Pre-Algebra Score of 51 or higher
  •  
  • ASSET Writing Score of 37 or higher
  • ASSET Reading Score of 38 or higher
  • ASSET Elementary Algebra score of 30 or higher
  • ACT English Score of 18 or higher
  • ACT Reading Score of 16 or higher
  • ACT Math Score of 15 or higher

* Scores expire after two years. In order to be valid, scores cannot be more than two years old at the start of the term for which you have applied. Students who do not have valid test scores may schedule a time to take the COMPASS test by e-mailing testing@iwcc.edu or by calling Enrollment Services at 800.432.5852 extension 3277 or 712.325.3277 (select option 5).



• Complete the following pre-requisite course with a grade of “C” or higher:
  • * BIO-112 General Biology I

* This course has prerequisites. Please check with an advisor for more information.

Note: In addition to the prerequisite course listed above, students must complete the chemistry requirement of either a high school-level chemistry course of at least one semester or a college-level chemistry course of at least three semester hours before they are eligible to begin Veterinary Technology classes.

It is the responsibility of the student to ensure that all admissions requirements are documented in the Office of Admissions.

Updated 06/13/2011:  Admissions requirements are subject to change.

Please contact the Office of Admissions with any questions:
Office Hours: Monday - Thursday 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Friday 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
admissions@iwcc.edu  |  800.432.5852 or 712.325.3277  |  www.iwcc.edu

 

Student name (print or type): _________________________________________ Date of Birth: _________________________

 

The purpose of the observation is to expose applicants to a wide-variety of veterinary procedures performed on small and large animals by a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM), Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT), Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT), and/or Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT). Applicants are required to complete a minimum of 24 hours of observation in a small animal practice or large animal setting, or a combination of both. Although applicants are encouraged to observe a variety of procedures, they are required to observe eight specific procedures, which are detailed below.

In order to successfully complete this requirement for admission, applicants must:

1. Complete a minimum of 24 hours of observation in a small animal practice or a large animal setting, or a combination of both.

2. Complete the Required Procedures for Observation detailed below, and ensure that the supervising DVM, LVT, RVT, and/or CVT initials and dates each Required Procedure for Observation.

4. Complete the Observation Log by documenting the times and dates for each observation.

5. Complete the Observation Details by indicating which procedures they observed and in what setting they observed those procedures in by placing check marks in the appropriate boxes.

6. Ensure that the supervising DVM, LVT, RVT, and/or CVT completes the DVM, LVT, RVT, and/or CVT Certification section .

7. Sign and date the Applicant Certification section and submit it to the Office of Admissions.

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Required Procedures for Observation

The following procedures are required for observation. Applicants may observe these specific procedures in a small animal practice or a large animal setting, or a combination of both. The supervising DVM, LVT, RVT, or CVT must initial and date next to each observed procedure.

Procedure Required for Observation	Supervising DVM, LVT, RVT, or CVT Initials	Date of observation
Prepare fecal specimens/floats
Urinalysis
Restraint techniques
Anesthesia machine operation
Euthanasia
Surgical Procedure
Post-operative care
Cleaning cages, equipment & clinic

Applicants are required to document each procedure they observed by placing check marks next to each of the procedures they observed during their 24 hours of observation. It is not required to observe all of the items listed below, however, applicants are encouraged to observe a wide-variety of procedures.

Small Animal Procedures

ITEM	√	ITEM	√
Obtain patient history		Heartworm tests
Check temperature/pulse/heart/lungs		Cystocentesis
Communicate with client		Gram stain
Collect/prepare fecal specimens/floats		Diff-quick stain
Analyze fecal specimen for parasites		Taking radiographs
Express anal glands		Developing radiographs
IV catheter		Restraint techniques (feline/canine)
Urinary catheter		Restraint techniques (other animal)
IV or IM anesthetic		Administer pills
Anesthesia machine operation		Force-feeding
Mask animal for anesthetic		Administer subcutaneous fluids
Intubation		Euthanasia
Cephalic blood draw		Operate & maintain autoclave
Jugular blood draw		Apply/remove bandages & splints
Blood draw-inner/outer rear legs		Therapeutic bathing/basic grooming
Lab analysis of blood - PCV/TP		Cleaning cages, equipment & clinic
Blood chemistry machines		Use of clinic software (access records/set app’ts)
Blood smears		Access client/patient files
Urinalysis		Misc. paper work, filing & records
Surgical preparation		Trim nails
Post-operative care		Spay/neuter
Routine dental prophylaxis		De-claw

Large Animal Procedures

ITEM	√	ITEM	√
Mobile ambulance inventory/cleanup		Collect/examine blood specimens
Prepare squeeze chutes/head gates		Collect/examine urine specimens
Restraint techniques		Collect/examine fecal specimens
Tagging, tattooing, identification		Take/develop radiographs
External parasite examination		Surgical preparation
Use of b alling gun		Anesthesia
Gastric tubing		Embryo transplant
Drenching		Caesarian section
Dipping		Post-operative care
Injections		Euthanasia
Implanting		Necropsy
Dehorning		Artificial insemination
Castration		Pregnancy check
Dock tails		Semen collection
Trim hooves

Applicants are required to document the times and dates of their observation hours using the log below.

Date	Time In	Time Out	Hours
		Total Observation Hours

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DVM, LVT, RVT and/or CVT Certification

This section must be completed by the supervising DVM, LVT, RVT, and/or CVT

By signing below, I hereby certify that the information provided on this form is true and accurate.

Signature(s) of DVM, LVT, RVT, and/or CVT: _______________________________________, __________________________________

Printed Name(s) of DVM, LVT, RVT, and/or CVT: ____________________________________, __________________________________

Name of Clinic or Facility:

Address of Clinic or Facility:

Phone Number of Clinic or Facility:

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Applicant Certification

By signing below, I hereby certify that all information on this form is true and correct.

Signature of Student: ______________________________________ Date: ____________________

 

This form can be found online at www.iwcc.edu/es/admissions/information

Points will be awarded to students based on the following criteria. To be calculated in the point total, all documentation must be on file by the priority deadline.	Possible Points
Grade in General Biology I	4 - 10 pts
Points will be awarded based on the grade the student earns in BIO-112 General Biology I, which is required for admission to the Veterinary Technology program.
The following scale will be used to determine the number of points the student will be awarded:
Grade of "A".......10 pts
Grade of "B".......7 pts
Grade of "C".......4 pts
Grade in Microbiology	0 - 10 pts
Points will be awarded based on the grade the student earns in BIO-186 Microbiology, which is not required for admission to the Veterinary Technology program but is part of the recommended course sequence.
The following scale will be used to determine the number of points the student will be awarded:
Grade of "A".......7 pts
Grade of "B".......5 pts
Grade of "C".......3 pts
Completion of IWCC General Education Courses	0 - 3 pts
Points will be awarded to students who successfully complete with a grade of "C" or higher general education courses at Iowa Western to satisfy the following Veterinary Technology program requirements:
ENG-105 English Composition I
Social Science/Humanities Elective
BIO-186 Microbiology
The following scale will be used to determine the number of points the student will be awarded:
Three classes .........3 pts
Two classes............2 pts
One class ..............1 pt
Work or Volunteer Experience	0 - 4 pts
Points will be awarded to students who submit proof of paid or unpaid work experience at an agriculture operation or in an animal care setting. Work experience must be documented using the Verification Form, which is available in the Office of Admissions. The following criteria will be used to determine the number of points awarded, and students may not earn points for more than one criteria:
Minimum of 120 hours work experience under a licensed veterinarian........4 pts
Minimum of 120 hours work experience at an agricultural operation...........4 pts
Minimum of 120 hours volunteer experience in an animal care setting........2 pts