VIN Foundation offers vet student scholarships in exchange for solutions

Photo Courtesy of VIN Foundation

The VIN Foundation has announced its third annual Solutions for the Profession Competition. The essay competition this year asks veterinary students to share their views on the impact of practice consolidation, both positive and negative, on the profession, according to a release from the foundation.

The first competition contest challenged students to provide innovative solutions to problems they see facing the veterinary profession. The majority of submissions addressed student debt, gender inequality and mental health, the release states. Last year's competition asked students to share what they wish they had known before they applied to attend veterinary school.

This year, students who enter the contest are being asked to describe:

• The current state of practice consolidation (mergers and acquisitions) in the veterinary profession.
• The positive and negative aspects of this consolidation
• How this affects them and the profession, now and in the future.

Three entrants will win cash scholarships to help support tuition and education-related expenses:

• First place: $3,000
• Second place: $1,500
• Third place: $1,000 

Judging will be based on how well the essay describes the problem, along with the originality and practicality of the solutions offered, according to the VIN Foundation website. The judging will take place in three rounds. Each essay will be read by at least three evaluators in each round. The panel for round one is composed of the VIN Foundation Solutions for the Profession Committee made up of both veterinarians and related professional readers. The second round will be judged by veterinarians with insight into the relevant issues. The third round will be judged by leaders in the veterinary profession.

Deadline for the competition is Jan. 27, 2019. Winners will be announced April 30. To learn more, visit vinfoundation.org/resources.