How do you start writing your personal statement?

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Germadirk123

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Hello everyone!

I want to start to write my personal statement, but I feel lost in writing it. I am not applying this year, but I wanted to get a head start in writing my personal statement. I have a couple of ideas, but I feel lost in how to start it.

Thank you for your help!
🙂🙂🙂
 
Well, at first I had no idea what I wanted to say. So for a few weeks, I would think about it in bed while I was trying to sleep. Then one day, I deciding just to go ahead and do it. I word dumped into a document. I wrote everything about my story working to become a veterinarian. And then I edited it like crazy.

So, my suggestion: word dump. Write a LOT. Don't worry about the limit. Just write and write until you've exhausted every idea in your head. Then edit. edit. edit. And get people to read it. And edit. edit. edit.
 
Since you have plenty of time, don't force yourself to write when you're not in the mood. Wait until you are in a creative, productive mindset, and it will be much easier for the words to flow.

There is not one right way to start a personal statement, but I believe it is always a good idea to begin with a story that captures the reader's attention. Maybe talk about the most interesting case you've seen/been a part of, and write it in a suspenseful, dramatic, artistic way.

Your goal should be to lure the reader in so he desires to read on and get to know you more.
 

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Germadirk123 said:
I want to start to write my personal statement, but I feel lost in writing it. I am not applying this year, but I wanted to get a head start in writing my personal statement. I have a couple of ideas, but I feel lost in how to start it.
Click to expand...

Start with some basic questions and write answers to them ... just a few sentences each. Like:
o Why do I want to be in vet med? Be specific. Think about times in your life when you were most drawn to it. What were the circumstances and why did they draw you to medicine?
o What are my professional goals? Where do I want to practice? What kind of medicine? Why school X, Y, and Z?
o What talents/character traits do I have that play into my future as a vet?
o What experiences/qualifications do I have .... ? Think big picture here! Don't just confine yourself to "medicine" or "biology" examples. I drew on my experience as a pilot and board member of a $1M+/yr organization.
o What obstacles did I have to overcome along the way? What obstacles do I foresee?

Then sit down and mull over those answers, flesh them out, add the ones that came into your mind later, and start looking for threads that tie everything together.

Then connect the dots just like any other essay you'd write, in the format that you can most competently produce.

I agree with whiskers - don't worry about the character count when you get going.... you can chop material later. If you did a good job initially, the chopping will be painful. 🙂

Best of luck!!


ETA:
moosenanny said:
write it in a suspenseful, dramatic, artistic way.
Click to expand...

Yes! Nothing wrong with being engaging, if you are an able writer (I'm not). Just be careful not to go too far into happy dappy prose territory and lose the sense of professionalism that ought to accompany the PS.
 
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cowgirla said:
Half of my PS was about the noises animals make. Oh, and chickens wearing diapers. Take that, Professionalism!
Click to expand...

umm..chickens wears diapers?


I second everything that has been said. The most interesting PS's that I hvae read have had a story that was woven through it. I also did a complete brain dump into the word document. I went thorugh and did a question and answer with myself similar to what LIS said. I wrote a MILLION different kinds. I think I had 3-4 different versions with different focuses and thoughts in them and then combined a bunch of them to make what I ended up with. I didn't work on it non-stop. It was a 7 month process with spurts of progress. The last 4 weeks were constant edits but that was at the end so it's expected.
 
just start writing. Everyone else had good tips...

I started writing the body first, and then intro and concl last (like when you write up a lab, or any sort of essay).

I strongly agree with LetItSnow by not getting to airy fairy. There's some old posts hiding where people have posted their PSs. Good and bad- some are excellent examples of what NOT to do lol.

Once you get your basic ideas down, you can start figuring out how you want to write it, like others have said- its good to weave a story into it, but don't get all sappy happy. Keep to the point of you want to be a vet.
 
I initially wrote a really horrible PS, but didn't know until I got to read someone else's. This past year I took what I consider to be my greatest strength and used difference scenerios in my experiences to show how that strength will serve me well in many different aspects of veterinary medicine. It took a while to put it all together, but remember not to just retype your VMCAS or resume, they want to see who YOU are.
 
twelvetigers said:
We had line-by-line statements in here. At least two. Hold please.

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=738449
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=584949
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=529897
Click to expand...

an inspiring quote from the last link:

"You might wonder how all this was possible since I was born without legs or arms. Only able to turn book pages with my tounge, I was still able to read significant volumes of genetic/stem cell research. As a pre-teen I sequenced my own genome and modified my genes so that I could grow back my limbs. I then went on to earn black belts in 3 different kinds of martial arts.

But over all, my greatest influence was the summer I spent with my Mother, Teresa. My committment to helping all of the animals of the world began as an infant. She would carry me on her back as we traveled from village to village blessing all those who were sickly - man or animal. With acceptance to your program, I will continue that legacy"


---> ROTFL
 
I found inspiration from a theme or a concept that allowed me to encompass my experiences in a neat little envelope. I just finished my 3rd draft, and when I was reading it to my mom, I starting crying (though it wasn't necessarily sad). So I know that I was emotionally connected to it, and that made the words flow easier.

You may want to think about some overlying themes you've experienced in vet med and try to find inspiration from there, ie. difficult decisions, connecting with people through their pets, knowing when to let go or to refer out (knowing your own limitations), or the differences between two practices that you've seen that have made an impact on you.

I personally found that I wrote best without any distractions (beyond a purring cat on my lap), ie no TV, other internet, or family/friends. I sat down for an hour and banged it out, and I was fully committed to it. I think if you just sit down to write and commit to writing, the words will flow.

Good luck 🙂
 
Sorry to hijack- but just a quickie on "formalities" of the PS....

Did you guys put in a title/date just to be complete:

June 2011

Personal Statement: Amanda Hugnkiss

I love animals and have wanted to be a vet since I was a zygote. I owned 4 dogs and bred lions for my backyard zoo.... etc

🙂
 
LetItSnow said:
No way. You wasted 45 characters with that, and you don't have 45 to waste. 🙂

(But I wish I had worked 'zygote' into my PS....)
Click to expand...

Thanks LetItSnow!! 🙂

It just seems so... naked out there on its own. But I guess they will figure its the PS. 🙂
 
Oh boy.
So I have been working on mine for a while, but I'm concerned that I am just telling one big personal statement story mess. Do any of you feel like your PS is too much of a story? :scared:

And I just read through some of those threads and they are hilarious!!!! 👍 👍 👍 👍 👍 😀
 
Howister said:
Oh boy.
So I have been working on mine for a while, but I'm concerned that I am just telling one big personal statement story mess. Do any of you feel like your PS is too much of a story? :scared:

And I just read through some of those threads and they are hilarious!!!! 👍 👍 👍 👍 👍 😀
Click to expand...

Mine was waaay to airy fairy la la la once upon a time.. in the beginning. My sisters ripped it apart and were adamant about the being professional thing... because after all, veterinary medicine is a professional school.

So I re-wrote mine about 12 or 13 times, and incorporated the use of sort of background story, but kept it professional and to the point. My first version is nothing like my last version.

The beginning of mine is like the intro to a story, but then it gets to the point of "I want to be a vet, I would be an amazing student, let me in!"

I think there's a fine balance between being really creative with your writing, and being too informal, but the same goes for being too professional and robotic. You want to sound unique and interesting, but you don't want to sway too far from the point of the actual essay and what its for.
 
Prompt: Discuss briefly the development of your interest in veterinary medicine. Discuss those activities and unique experiences that have contributed to your preparation for a professional program. Discuss your understanding of the veterinary medical profession, and discuss your career goals and objectives.


I am trying to be as professional as possible while telling my "story" so that it shows my positive characteristics, understanding of vet med, etc. I am having trouble with the "well, I wan't to be a small animal vet. I understand what it takes to be a vet, I'd be awesome." I mean how can you write this personal statement with out making it sound like a story about yourself?
Ahhhhhh:scared:

lostbunny said:
Mine was waaay to airy fairy la la la once upon a time.. in the beginning. My sisters ripped it apart and were adamant about the being professional thing... because after all, veterinary medicine is a professional school.

So I re-wrote mine about 12 or 13 times, and incorporated the use of sort of background story, but kept it professional and to the point. My first version is nothing like my last version.

I think there's a fine balance between being really creative with your writing, and being too informal, but the same goes for being too professional and robotic. You want to sound unique and interesting, but you don't want to sway too far from the point of the actual essay and what its for.

The beginning of mine is like the intro to a story, but then it gets to the point of "I want to be a vet, I would be an amazing student, let me in!".
Click to expand...
 
Howister said:
Prompt: Discuss briefly the development of your interest in veterinary medicine. Discuss those activities and unique experiences that have contributed to your preparation for a professional program. Discuss your understanding of the veterinary medical profession, and discuss your career goals and objectives.


I am trying to be as professional as possible while telling my "story" so that it shows my positive characteristics, understanding of vet med, etc. I am having trouble with the "well, I wan't to be a small animal vet. I understand what it takes to be a vet, I'd be awesome." I mean how can you write this personal statement with out making it sound like a story about yourself?
Ahhhhhh:scared:
Click to expand...


It is a story about yourself, but keep it professional, and to the point. You're not talking to your friend, you're talking to these people who are going to either give you a chance at your dream job or not!

Here its like this:

"We got to do an emergency c section on this dog last night, she had a pup stuck in the birth canal. We rushed it into surgery, and blood was gushing everywhere! Her oxygen was low, she was going pale, but soon enough we were able to stabilize her and get all the pups out safely. I got to revive the pups and check they were all breathing. The next morning the owner came to visit the dogs and she was ecstatic"

I just wrote this really rough and put little thought to it... lol but basically that paragraph is an example of me wasting alot of space on making it story-ish, when I could be using that info to show off about ME. Know what I mean? But I dunno I haven't read yours- so yours might sound perfect the way it is. And in the end, I mean if you like the way it sounds, and you really feel that it shows your strengths, then do it up!
 
The VMCAS tells you what to write in your personal statement. But it needs to be only a page, 100% literate, and proof-read a million times. Also, there are services out there that will proof-read and make good changes to your personal statement if you pay them. From $100 to $400, but it's worth it. I had this done. It didn' help me much. I re-wrote my personal statement from the years before. But it turned out well at the end and I got multiple acceptances.
 
Coquette22 said:
Maybe I'm wrong, but don't most universities have something like a writing centre? People that proof read essays (and presumably personal statements) for free? Or is it only the schools I've been to that offer this? 😕
Click to expand...

Maybe she was talking about the companies in other countries that essentially write essays for people. I know some people use them in China. A friend of a friend who is Chinese sent me a personal statement that a company in China had essentially done for her. It cost a lot of money and it was horrible! It made no sense at all. I had to essentially scrap it and tell her to do it herself. I would help with the grammar but there needs to be substance! I know my undergrad and grad school had writing centers that people could go to for free.
 
i haven't started writing mine yet and i'm applying now! 🙁
starting to freak out...first i had graduation/senior stuff, then i had the GREs, and here we are now...and i've been switching btw days and overnights shifts whih is screwing with my sleep.

i'm planning on starting some time in mid july..is this still sufficient time? i've been thinking about some stuff in my head and have a couple ideas...but knowing me i'll porbably still be working on it up to the last minute!

ahh!
 
sunnex3 said:
i'm planning on starting some time in mid july..is this still sufficient time? i've been thinking about some stuff in my head and have a couple ideas...but knowing me i'll porbably still be working on it up to the last minute!

ahh!
Click to expand...

don't worry about it. i got my very first draft going i think on 8/31 or 9/1. had pleeenty of time for re-edits and had feedback from like 15 people. was pretty happy with it in the end.

now... for the supplemental essays, i ended up writing them like the day or two before they were due. sucked hard core - talk about stress. i'd suggest starting a bit earlier on those than i did.
 
Would anyone be willing to share their personal statement with me? I am getting ready to apply to vet schools and would really like a sample of what a personal statement should look like. My e-mail address is [email protected]. Thanks so much!
 
I didn't read everyone responses, but in regards to the OP... Just start writing, about anything.

It is easier for most people to edit a work then to start from scratch.

So...

Start writing about your dog, what you did the other day, some girl/guy you like... give it a paragraph, and then it will slowly transform into a more relevant piece that you can edit and rework. That's what I do whenever I have trouble starting something.

(Just make sure you remove the intro, especially if its about some guy/girl 🙂
 
I wrote on a piece of paper:

What would I do with my degree
Why do I want to do it
How would I do these things

Then I opened a word document and answered my questions in one 3-hr, heavily distracted shot. It's a first draft, but I doubt I'll edit it much except to expand the section on epidemiology research...
 
I more or less went chronologically through my experiences. At first, I didn't see where it was going, but once started writing, I realized that my experiences really did change my perspectives about being a vet and taught me so much about where I think I want to take my career. Once I saw the bigger picture, I was able to add an introduction and conclusion that really tied it all together.
 
how many characters can the personal statement be again?
 
Hey everyone! So, when I was in undergrad, I suffered from anxiety/panic disorder and I know that my grades suffered from this. I wrote about this in my PS because I see it as an obstacle that I've overcome and have been successful after. A lot of people are saying to only talk about your positives in your essay, but I really think this might help paint a better picture of me and my abilities, and also the reason why I screwed up in undergrad. What do you guys think??
Also, if anyone is willing to share any successful PSs, that would be great too!
My email is [email protected]

Thanks!
 
There is an explanation statement area where you can talk about that; you have so little room in your PS that you need to use that to focus on answering the prompt.
 
bunnity said:
There is an explanation statement area where you can talk about that; you have so little room in your PS that you need to use that to focus on answering the prompt.
Click to expand...

+1

The VMCAS prompt (unless they've changed it for the first time in a long time) says to explain:

  1. the development of your interest in vet med
  2. activities and unique experiences that have contributed to your preparation for a professional program.
  3. Understanding of the vet med profession
  4. career goals and objectives
(not in the prompt, but also professional maturity and personal characteristics that make you an ideal vet candidate I think is good to add)

So I think you'd be doing yourself a disservice if you take up precious space in your PS to just talk about personal issues that led to poor academic performance, since it really doesn't address the prompt. IMHO the PS should be about why you'll be a great vet, and what you've done to prove that. Not so much about personal obstacles that explain why you look less competitive. There are always exceptions to the rule, and there are times and places in particular PS's where it's beneficial to talk about these things of course... but I'd make sure that you're absolutely certain that you have good reasons for including it.

(Plus, there's such limited space in the application to get across just how awesome you are... that if you can take advantage of the explanation statement and make it work for you, I'd say do it!)
 
Thanks so much for the feedback! I hope there is enough room in my explanation statement to talk about this. Where is this on the VMCAS anyway??? I can't find it anywhere...
 
jemappellejane said:
Thanks so much for the feedback! I hope there is enough room in my explanation statement to talk about this. Where is this on the VMCAS anyway??? I can't find it anywhere...
Click to expand...

It is under the "background information" section. You will find the explanation statement at the bottom of this section 🙂.
 
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