June 9, 2022

Acceptance to Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine continues Centenary’s near-perfect track record for placements at veterinary schools.

Hackettstown, N.J., June 3, 2022—Centenary University senior Abigail Reilly of Salisbury, MD, has chosen to pursue a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine. Her acceptance continues Centenary’s tradition of placing graduates at veterinary schools, including Cornell, the University of Pennsylvania, and North Carolina State. In fact, Centenary has a near-perfect track record for veterinary school acceptances over the past five years.

Attending veterinary school has always been a dream for Reilly, who has also been waitlisted at Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. Growing up in Maryland, she wanted to be a vet from an early age. Her parents recently reminded her, “You knew you wanted to be a vet since you could talk.” She rode horses from age nine until she started college, where she decided to specialize in equine medicine.

A survey of the top 30 colleges for animal lovers first introduced Reilly to Centenary, which was listed in the ranking. During a tour of the campus and Centenary’s Equestrian Center, she immediately fell in love with the University: “I loved the school itself. I felt like it was a very safe community and I liked that it was small. I felt at home.” Reilly was eager to attend and pursue her passion for veterinary studies.

A Dean’s List student, Reilly majored in equine science on the pre-vet track with a minor in biology. On campus, she was president of the Pre-Professional Club and part of the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA), assisting with home shows. As a sophomore, she began to conduct independent research in equine studies, an experience she says bolstered her vet school application. Working with Dr. Jesslyn Bryk-Lucy, Reilly studied the effects of turnout on soft tissue injuries. Her abstract has been published in the Journal of Equine Veterinary Science. Later in her Centenary career, Reilly helped teach other students to perform blood draws, give IM injections, and scrub for joint injections.

Additionally, Reilly worked back home in Salisbury at an animal hospital, as well as participating in work-study at the Centenary barn feeding the horses and administering medical treatments. “I just try to help out as much as I can,” said Reilly. She also worked two days a week at another private barn tending to animals, and despite her very demanding schedule, she also worked as a wildlife educator at Rizzo’s Wildlife World in Flanders, NJ.

Her love for Centenary is evident in her enthusiasm when describing the past four years: “I love Centenary. I don’t think I could have really gotten that experience anywhere else. It’s so hands-on—it’s just an incredible experience.”

ABOUT CENTENARY UNIVERSITY

Founded in 1867 by the Newark Conference of the United Methodist Church, Centenary University’s academic program integrates a solid liberal arts foundation with a strong career orientation. This mix provides an educational experience that prepares students to succeed in the increasingly global and interdependent world. The University’s main campus is located in Hackettstown, N.J., with its equestrian facility in Washington Township.