OK to cite references in personal statement?

[KittyRex]

Hey all,

What do you think? Is it ok to cite references in your personal statement? (i.e. outcomes of studies, statistics etc)

And if so, what format would one use?

Also, in the interest of saving precious personal statement space, could one list references in explanation statement area?

Thanks

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[david594]

Hey all,

What do you think? Is it ok to cite references in your personal statement? (i.e. outcomes of studies, statistics etc)

And if so, what format would one use?

Also, in the interest of saving precious personal statement space, could one list references in explanation statement area?

Thanks

Are the results of the studying really going to help indicate you understanding of the veterinary field or how you came to your adult decision to pursue veterinary medicine?

I'm not really seeing how the results of a study could tie into ones personal statement? 😕

 

[KittyRex]

Are the results of the studying really going to help indicate you understanding of the veterinary field or how you came to your adult decision to pursue veterinary medicine?

I'm not really seeing how the results of a study could tie into ones personal statement? 😕

There are a number of ways that listing a statistic or the results of a study could help ellaborate one's decision to pursue veterinary medicine. Just as an example, one could list a statistic relating to a public health issue that drives the applicant to pursue a specific area of veterinary medicine.

 

[charismarl]

I would not quote a reference. It would make it sound too much like a research paper and less of a personal statement- you can use generalizations. You can do whatever you want on your personal statement but keep in mind that the tone is important.

 

[BrumleyVet]

They really want your statement to be "personal". I agree with the others, this would make you sound more like a research paper than someone who has a heart and soul.

 

[catlover]

I would not advise putting statistics, etc. in a personal statement (it's not *personal*).

 

[Truth74]

I agree. The use of a citation would put the adcomm at a distance and not directly have anything to do with you.

If you were involved with a study, you could state that you helped to publish, or worked on a certain study. To cite statistics just to be doing it is off putting.

 

[KittyRex]

Ok. Lots of good points. Thanks for all the feedback. 🙂

 

[dpcdoc]

I think it would be more advantageous to present some facet of the experience that got you excited about vet. med. or peaked your interest in a cetain field. Even writing about your interactions with a certain researcher or Vet. and how you gained a better understanding of your chosen path, would be more appropriate for the tone of the PS. I wish you luck.