Welcome, VMD Class of 2029!

Penn Vet’s newest cadre of veterinarians-to-be began classes this week, all breaking in with “Foundational Toolkit,” a course meant to provide some of the fundamentals of what is to come. That includes some of the challenges ahead for a class with many interests and ambitions. 

A select group, these 135 students came from a hefty pool of 1,653 applicants. About 80% hail from out of state, and a little over three-quarters of them are female. They are young; the average age of this new class is about 22. They are also very bright. Their average GPA is nearly 3.8. 

Dean Andrew Hoffman, in a welcome address during last week’s Orientation Week festivities, told the new students they had come to Penn Vet and the veterinary profession at an interesting, promising time. 

“I’m optimistic about your future, and I really look forward to being able to work together to shape your generation and for you to reshape the whole world,” he said. 

In addition to the opportunities that await them after graduation, Hoffman told the students about some of the exciting things happening around them. 

“We aim to do a primary care community health center on the Philadelphia campus,” he said, and, in addition to that, an advanced imaging and diagnostic center at the New Bolton Center.  On top of those, he mentioned recent projects like a new dental and oral surgery suite and a recently completed emergency room and ambulatory unit, where the dean promised “you’re going to get a lot of surgery experience.” 

For a lot of the students, becoming a veterinarian has been a long-held ambition. 

“It’s been my dream my whole life,” said Sophia Daly, 23, of Blue Bell. “I’ve always had a fascination with animals. I was always glued to Animal Planet.”

Daly, a Notre Dame graduate, took a gap year after to work in a small animal practice. Her hope at Penn Vet is to include wildlife science in her studies. 

Outside of class, she’ll have extra support. Her brother, Mason, 22, just started his sophomore year as a fashion design major at Thomas Jefferson University, and they’re sharing an apartment. 

“I’m very lucky to be able to consider my brother one of my best friends so I’m excited that we get to start this new chapter of our lives together!” Daly said. 

The Class of 2029 is one of many interests. Coming out of the gate, 36% of the newcomers said they want to be small animal veterinarian, while 21% said they wanted to do a mixed major – small and large. Ten percent said they plan to be equine veterinarians. Seven percent said they will focus on research. Four percent want to be large animal veterinarians, and two percent to specialize in food animals. 

Whatever their anticipated career track, a passion for animals is something these students share. 

“I choose to study veterinary medicine because I want to be able to help those who can’t help themselves,” said Nannette Cruz Lopez of Puerto Rico. 

“I saw those ASPCA ads with the sad animals, and ever since then, I wanted to become a veterinarian,” said Elijah Ellsworth, a student from Johnstown. 

Orientation Week was also a time to put out the welcome mat for all these students, and the event did not disappoint when it came to vet swag – tee shirts, shopping bags, fridge magnets, teddy bear key chains, tension balls (not that they’ll need them, cough, cough), Penn Vet lanyards, and more.  

The food gave the largely out-of-towner class a taste of things to look forward to – cheesesteaks and tomato pie bites. There were also nods to Philly’s tonier foodie side: tarragon chicken salad, nicoise tuna, and grilled vegetables. 

In between all this noshing was the excited buzz of tours, students meeting other students, the seeds of friendships being sown, and parents and partners looking on with pride. 

There were speakers, too, and a lot of sage advice.  

Veterinary school isn’t going to be easy, some of the speakers said, so the students need to learn to network, seek support when it’s needed, and practice self-care. 

“I always tell students, ‘Be kind to yourself, give yourself some grace,’” said Claire Bruno, Assistant Dean of Admissions and Student Life. 

Amy Durham, Associate Dean of Education, told them to be prepared for big changes. 

“This is unlike anything you have done,” she said. “This is your full-time job. You will be learning 9 to 5, most likely longer.” 

She also told her student audience that some of them may experience failure, perhaps for the first time.  

“It is okay to fail at something,” Durham said. “It is not okay to let that spiral you. We want you to grow from that.”  

The inimitable Stephen Cole, an assistant professor of microbiology and Penn Vet graduate who does stand-up comedy, offered the students his own survival guide — “The 13 People You’ll Meet in Vet School.” 

Cole’s message was about having an open heart and keeping an open mind – form real friendships, including with people that first seem very different from you, learn to love big-head pit bull mixes or “Philadelphia terriers,” and live larger than campus boundaries. 

“Philadelphia is a really rad and rocking city, so explore Philly while you’re here,” Cole said.  

In addition to all the classroom learning they will do, Cole encouraged the students to discover each other. 

“Just think about the power of having people that you love and care about in your life,” he said. “You’ll find those people here in this room.” 

Anyone who attends Penn needs to know their Franklin facts. Dean Hoffman provided the Class of 2029 with Ben basics in his talk. He also gave them a crash course on the essentials of Phillyspeak. On that one, the Dean got some back up from Harrison Lennertz, a first-year student who hails from Rancho Palos Verdes, California. Despite his west coast origin, Lennertz, a Haverford College grad, knew his Philly stuff. Such as: 

In South Philly, gravy on your pasta is tomato sauce; wooder means water; fiddy cents is half a buck; Wawa is the convenience store across the street from school, and they’re a regional institution. If you order a cheesesteak wid wiz, you’re going to get Cheese Whiz on your sandwich. And a hoagie is what you call a hero or sub everywhere else. 

For those feeling first year jitters, Hoffman had this nugget of experience: as a student, he applied to Penn Vet twice, and didn’t get in. 

“I honestly could not get into Penn Vet until I was brought in here as dean,” Hoffman said. 

One could say the man did okay anyway. So on what he called “my favorite day of the year,” Dean Hoffman offered the newcomers a take-away message for the more challenging times ahead.  

“If you remember anything from today, remember you’ve earned your place in vet school,” he said. “You’ve earned your place at Penn Vet, and we thank you for having chosen this school to attend vet school. No imposter syndrome ever, okay?”