Contemplating on whether or not to do an explanation statement, and if so, what all to include. I was going to explain how I grew up with a single mom (who has suffered some health issues) , with no father, and that funds were tight. I have worked hard to put myself through college with no family assistance etc., but does saying you're poor look bad to schools?
Also, my grandfather on my fathers side is latino, I have always identified myself as white as I have never met that side, is that good or bad to put in? I know there are stereotypes sometimes.
I also suffered from a bit of test anxiety during orgo and it affected my grade (C), should I explain that?
I have read that anything you say can be used as evidence that you won't do well in vet school and I don't want my app to look negative at all. I don't want to look like I am making excuses, just that I have fought hard to get where I am.
So, should I do an explanation statement and if so, what should I include?
Thanks for any help!
Another comment on the financial situation: Funds are tight for EVERYONE. During an admissions appointment, I asked whether or not the fact I worked two jobs/30-40 hours a week while completing a full credit load would do me any favors if I listed it on my application. I got a smirk and a "No." It is
not a unique situation, and vet schools do not seek out students who struggled financially through college. Not to say they avoid them, but they do not prefer them by any means. My admissions counselor made it seem that if you took 1-2 prereqs a semester and worked several jobs (had kids, etc etc) then you MIGHT get some attention there. But that's only one school.
Test anxiety: Since you make it seem like your worst grade is one C, I wouldn't say you have test anxiety. Everyone gets nervous for tests, and I understand the extra stress you got during orgo. If you regularly needed special arrangements to cope with said "test anxiety," I'd say consider talking about it on your application. Otherwise, if you say "Oh, my C is just because I was nervous during this class" I think you'll get some eye-rolls. IMO, legit 'test anxiety' is so severe that you are physically ill before/during an exam. I don't have much tolerance for someone saying they have 'test anxiety,' so my apologies if that is offensive. I'm sure plenty of people disagree. But if you are nervous before an exam, you are just like everyone else. That's not something to explain.
Latino: Depends....I guess. Schools value diversity, but I cannot suggest you try to use that part of your heritage as an app-booster if you don't even identify as Latino. Just seems wrong to me. Even so, there is another spot on your application where you could identify yourself in that respect, so I don't see why you'd do in in either statements.
Usually, explanation statements are there to say "This happened, but look at what I did to improve myself." Or something. For my first application, I wrote an ES about how my father was in the hospital long-term for something serious. I was driving from school to home and back multiple times a week (and losing study time, while still having to maintain my work schedule so I could pay rent). I mentioned that and pointed out that that particular semester, my grades were not horrible, but the lowest I've ever had. And then I showed that my later semesters were great. All of my feedback on it was neutral, so I didn't bother with it this year.
I think ES's are more important if you have a legal record to explain or something along those lines.
