Do you think the admissions counselors would look negatively on the fact that I have animal allergies? I wanted to mention it in my essay as a reason I got deterred from the pre-vet path and switched to pre-med. But I just didn't like pre-med and decided to manage my allergies with shots/meds and have improved drastically. I thought it might show them that I am dedicated to the vet field, but I"m wondering if it will just be a silly addition to the essay and also raise a big warning flag to them that I will not be a capable vet.
Personal statement advice
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I have two thoughts... First, if you need to explain why you were pre-vet then pre-med then pre-vet again, I guess it would be tough to do without mentioning the actual reason (allergies). But it will take a substantial chunk of your word limit to explain that coherently. So my second thought, if I put on my hypothetical adcom member hat, is that if you use a substantial chunk of your word limit to describe your allergies, well I guess I'd figure that was the most interesting thing you could think of using that space for...snoopy69 said:
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Not to mention, you'll most likely be given the opportunity to explain all that during your interview... so why not use your personal statement for something else? Just an idea... 🙂
is it obvious by your transcripts that you made that switch and then the switch back? my school didn't have "pre-med science class" vs "pre-vet science class," everybody took the same things for the most part.. so i'm wondering if they would even notice if you didn't tell them that you switched.. Of course, honesty is always the best policy, but if it isn't necessary... anyways, if it is obvious, then i agree with the previous poster that it would take up too much precious PS space, you can address it in the interview. Good luck!
Boxsterluv said:
I'm mesmerized by your avatar. handshake. handshake. handshake. hehe 🙂
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To snoopy69,
I think you could absolutely mention your allergy issue in your PS. Last year I centered my entire PS on my struggle with allergies and how I was told I couldn't be a vet. Trying out other professions only reaffirmed how badly I wanted to be a vet. I decided to center my PS on this subject b/c it was the hugest obstacle I had to face in wanting to go to vet school.
My PS was brought up in both my interviews and they had positive responses to what I had written about (although they wanted to make sure my allergies were definitely under control!) 🙂
If you're struggling about how to fit the subject into your PS, I'd be glad to read it and give you another opinion. I could also email my PS to you if you like. My parents offered big tips for me when I was writing mine, making sure I emphasized how my allergies were completely under control and I could handle animal exposure. Best of luck with your applications!
Natalie
Auburn CVM '10
I think you could absolutely mention your allergy issue in your PS. Last year I centered my entire PS on my struggle with allergies and how I was told I couldn't be a vet. Trying out other professions only reaffirmed how badly I wanted to be a vet. I decided to center my PS on this subject b/c it was the hugest obstacle I had to face in wanting to go to vet school.
My PS was brought up in both my interviews and they had positive responses to what I had written about (although they wanted to make sure my allergies were definitely under control!) 🙂
If you're struggling about how to fit the subject into your PS, I'd be glad to read it and give you another opinion. I could also email my PS to you if you like. My parents offered big tips for me when I was writing mine, making sure I emphasized how my allergies were completely under control and I could handle animal exposure. Best of luck with your applications!
Natalie
Auburn CVM '10
my main concern is that I took out a big chunk of my college time (about 2 years) to dedicate myself to the pre-med thing. Even though the pre-reqs are pretty much the same, I took an easier course load and didn't work for a while while I was preparing to take the mcat. I got as far as filling out the application to go to med school but something in my gut was just telling me I couldn't follow that path, so I decided to switch back to pre-vet and somehow control my allergies. I just didnt want the admissions people to think I really slacked off during this time, so I thought explaining my reasoning for switching might be a good idea. I'm not so sure though, ahh!
