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1.  NAVLE Preparation

Veterinary students take the NAVLE during their final (clinical) year of studies. The NAVLE is notoriously long with candidates required to answer 360 multiple-choice questions during 6 blocks of 65 minutes. As with any exam, you should create a study plan that helps you to focus on the areas you’re not confident on.

In order to be successful on the NAVLE, you should review the study guides online and complete as many practice questions as possible. The exam is computerized and to help you prepare, there is an online mock exam. Prior to sitting the exam, St. Matthew’s University recommends you sit a full mock exam to get a real understanding of what the exam is like and how to pace yourself throughout it.

2.  Where do students do their clinical rotations?  

We have been supporting U.S. students for many years in securing the best clinical rotations across Canada and North America. St. Matthew's University School of Veterinary Medicine students do all their core clinical rotations at credentialed teaching hospitals and are eligible to participate in both the U.S. National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) and the Canadian Residency Matching Service (CaRMS).  

3.  What kind of learning facilities will I find at SMU? 

St. Matthew's University School of Veterinary Medicine offers a modern gross anatomy lab and a full complement of well-equipped classrooms and auditoriums with the latest multimedia technologies. A fully equipped Clinical Skills Training Center provides an ideal environment for the teaching, assessment, and improvement of clinical and patient communication skills. The entire campus is wireless. First semester students live in comfortable dorms just minutes away from the classrooms. 

4.  What is Grand Cayman Island like to live on? 

Grand Cayman is a beautiful, safe and easy country with white sand beaches, historic inns and world-class restaurants. Housing and living costs in Grand Cayman are very reasonable. Local grocery stores stock food items to meet the full range of dietary needs. The school enjoys good relations with the local population. When not studying, there is always plenty to do, from hiking to deep-sea diving. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

Clinical Medicine Rotations

St Matthew's University School of Veterinary Medicine students, mixing in with the US and Canadian-based 4th-year vet students, will have direct contact with patients of a variety of species, working with state-of-the-art technology in the diagnosis and treatment of life-threatening medical conditions. Through a series of clinical rotations in the schools' mixed track programs, providing wide-ranging small-animal and large-animal hospital experiences, clinical students will be called on to integrate their knowledge acquired during the preclinical years of studies.

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​Key areas of focus include professional judgment, teamwork, problem-solving expertise, and communication skills. Students will have St. Matthew's University oversight during their clinical rotations to ensure a great transition from the Grand Cayman campus and success in the clinical programs.

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Clinical students will be required to devote considerable time to rigorous case analysis, providing a comprehensive and appropriate rationale for their conclusions. During this one-year period, opportunities for closely-monitored externships with practicing veterinarians will be available in many geographic locations, offering the student first-hand exposure to a veterinary practice in the field and a potential springboard to career-building opportunities.

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​Regardless of which affiliate school attended, successful completion of the clinical program will culminate in the granting of Veterinary Medical degree granted by St. Matthew's University.

First semester

• Veterinary Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Physiology, Immunology and Development

Second semester

• Anatomy II, Physiology II, Parasitology and Bacteriology and Mycology

• Pharmacology, Pathology, Virology, Public Health/Epidemiology, Clinical Skills, Animal Welfare
• Professional development

Third semester

The Basic Sciences Curriculum