Help needed for personal statement

[cjayfour]

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Hi all,

I'm a second year medical student trying to help my brother write his personal statement for vet school (I know, it's late, he's a procrastinator). The problem I'm having is that the draft he sent to me is full of generalities about why he wants to be a vet (likes animals, animals need care, etc),

When I was applying to medical school I remember it was suicide to say anywhere in the statement you want to be a doctor because you want to "help people," basically any interviewer worth thier salt wouold say go be a social worker then. Thus, I imagine that the vet equivalent of I want to help animals would be equally as bad. However as someone who never worked with animals (except peds patients!) I have no idea why someone would want to be a vet!

My brother is great with animals has some great research experience, great grades and leadership experience, I just don't know how to articulate why he wants to be a vet without a lot of generalities.

I'm trying to help him write this in the middle of respiratory physiology, so if any of you guys can give me any help it would be greatly appreciated!

 

[AuburnPreVet]

I think the key thing would be, duh - WHY does he want to be a vet? Is it truely just b/c he "likes animals" or is that one of many things that lead him in that direction? Did he have a particular experience or group of experiences that sparked his interest in the prof of vet med? etc. If he has worked in a vet clinic etc, he should be able to draw on those experiences to imply why he has gone the v.m. route. Personally, I would want to avoid list "liking animals" as the sole reason for choosing the profession - but mentioning that he does like animals is fine.. in my opinion.. just be sure there is more to it (Not just for the personal statement, but for his sanity).

Some of the others who have gotten in to vet school already will probably write back & be of more help to you. Also, your brother may benefit from reading some of these forums himself too.... many good "pre-vet" topics discussed.

Nick

 

[cjayfour]

Thanks Nick for the reply!

I tried to ask him why he wants to be a vet, but all he gives me backs is a bunch of generalities like liking animals, animals are defenseless, they need love, etc. I imagine he wants to go to vet school for the right reasons, but I just don't know what they are.

Thanks again all who read and those who replied, I'm really trying to be a supportive sister.

 

[kate_g]

I don't advocate doing this if it's a lie, but if the research experience has been central in his decision to pursue vet school, and if he wants to continue in research as a vet, he should play that up because it seems to be an area that vet schools perceive as underserved.

I'm just taking a wild guess here, but if he's saying "animals are defenseless" there might be some psychology there worth exploring. Maybe he *didn't* like what he saw in his research experience and is now motivated to become a vet to alleviate suffering. (This is a risky angle to take, given the importance of research to the veterinary profession - admission committees seem to be very edgy about applicants knowing the difference between "animal rights" vs. "animal welfare".) Maybe he witnessed an abusive situation and wants to go into shelter medicine or animal law enforcement...

I agree, from all the advice I've gotten, that having *specific* reasons is pretty much necessary. You could try asking him if he remembers the exact moment he decided he would definitely apply to veterinary school, or the moment he first became interested...