Personal Statement - need clarification

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jdavis590

Marian College '10
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Forgive me if this has already been posted on the discussion board somewhere, but I would like some clarification on the personal statement.

What exactly is a personal statement? I've heard many things ranging from life story to accomplishments to why you want to be a veterinarian I was wondering if it is one of these or just a compilation of them all.

I'm a sophomore undergrad, and I'll be applying for the first time this summer, so I'm looking for a good way to begin. I have over 800 hours of actual vet clinic small animal experience (mainly surgical - I scrub into every surgery and am the lead surgical tech), and a GPA of a 3.8. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!! 🙂
 
What exactly is a personal statement? I've heard many things ranging from life story to accomplishments to why you want to be a veterinarian I was wondering if it is one of these or just a compilation of them all.

From the wonderful vet who did my file review:

Your personal statement should reflect why you want to be a veterinarian, your understanding of veterinary medicine, and how you see yourself fitting into to the profession. Use your experiences to support what you say. As for how to go about writing it--just do what works for you. Telling your life story works for some and detailing your accomplishments or explaining why you want to be a vet works for others. Here's an excellent reference.

I hope that helps! Good luck with your application (and kudos for thinking about the PS already), fellow c/o 2013 applicant 🙂!
 
It's pretty much a compilation of all of those. It is your chance to sell yourself to the admissions committee and put a story with your numbers.

I started with an anecdote that illustrated the root of my passion for the profession, then I incorporated other experiences I've had and what I've taken from those experiences that will contribute to me making a great doctor, and then discussed what I think makes a great doctor and how I am ready/excited to take on the challenge of becoming one.

I'd recommend sitting down and brainstorming a few key points that you want to incorporate. Questions to ask yourself might be: What is your motivation for going into this field? What sets you apart from the thousands of other applicants? What is unique that you will bring to the field? How have your experiences shaped who you are today and what the kind of doctor you will strive to become?

Good luck!
 
When I wrote mine, it was basically "What I've done, what I want to do, and why what I've done will help get me there".

Oh yeah, ETA: Why are you applying as a sophomore? Isn't that a bit early?
 
I think the most useful tidbit in the SDN PS link pupsforseeing provided (thanks, pups!) was this:

"Go beyond simply writing about your experiences to relating them either to your motivation or qualifications."

No idea about med school apps, but in VMCAS, there is a place to list your experiences. Highlighting the key ones again in your PS can be great (I did this, I thought it was important), but you have to do more than list them, as the quoted sentence points out.

Also, not directly on the OP's question, but I'm surprised the SDN piece on personal statements didn't mention getting people to proof read (for content and clarity as well as grammar and spelling). That, I think, is a big big thing everyone should do. You should have as many people you trust and respect read it as possible.
 
When I wrote mine, it was basically "What I've done, what I want to do, and why what I've done will help get me there".

Oh yeah, ETA: Why are you applying as a sophomore? Isn't that a bit early?
I'm applying this summer because I will have completed all of my pre-vet requirements by the end of my junior year. Also, I just thought it would give me an extra year of going through the application process and learning the ins and outs. Plus, if I don't make it this time around, I have another year to apply without having to sit out a year.
 
Also, I just thought it would give me an extra year of going through the application process and learning the ins and outs.

I don't know if the cost of applying is worth the application process... I applied to 5 schools and spent $600 on applications. Unless you're only applying to one school (which I don't really recommend if you're serious about wanting to go next year) I don't think the practice justifies the financial expense.
 
I'm applying this summer because I will have completed all of my pre-vet requirements by the end of my junior year. Also, I just thought it would give me an extra year of going through the application process and learning the ins and outs. Plus, if I don't make it this time around, I have another year to apply without having to sit out a year.

You may want to double check with your schools -- some vet schools reqire a 4 year degree. I know WSU requires a 4 year degree, or else you have to take gen ed classes and whatnot while you're still in vet school, which could be a pain, or they have some odd system where they grant you a 4 yr degree. Just be sure to check so if you do get in you're not disqualified later down the line.

Also I saw somewhere (I want to say school info on the AAVMC site, possibly a PDF) they show statistics on how many people with X years of college were accepted. That may be something you want to look into to check general trends at schools you're looking at.

Good Luck! 🙂
 
I'm applying this summer because I will have completed all of my pre-vet requirements by the end of my junior year. Also, I just thought it would give me an extra year of going through the application process and learning the ins and outs. Plus, if I don't make it this time around, I have another year to apply without having to sit out a year.

FYI, depending on where you decide to go, the vet school might not give you a bachelor's degree if you get accepted--so you'll be without a degree until you get your DVM. I know you're probably thinking, 'Who cares? I can survive vet school.' And indeed, you probably can--it seems like you're more than alive with that 3.8 GPA of yours! But there's always a chance that something might happen somewhere down the lines once you're in vet school--like a family emergency or whatever. I have heard of people having to take an emergency leave, and then having to finish their B.S. in order to tend to that emergency. It's better that you have that degree to fall back upon, in case anything does happen. You never know.

Also, I know that it's difficult to think this way, but the admissions committee might not consider you as much as other applicants, since you will be a junior when you're applying. I had the same exact thought process as you a year ago. I didn't see any harm in applying early, so I did. I got all the way to the interview stage, which was when word slipped out that I was a junior, not a senior. Long story short, I ended up waitlisted, and probably indefinitely, since they assumed that, unlike everyone else, I still have another year. The application process is very stressful and can be very emotional at times--it's a rollercoaster ride. I know that you think this might be the right thing to do, but it might be better to go through this just once, you know? Try to enjoy your senior year; take fun classes, let loose, explore new things... because you might not have that opportunity once you open that 1st year anatomy textbook...
 
http://www.aavmc.org/students_admissions/documents/Table31.pdf is the link to the stats I was talking about. As a sophomore you'll have 2 years of prep done when your app goes in? You can see on the chart that getting in with 2 years is tougher to do and many schools do not take any students with 2 yrs prep. (though certainly not impossible! Some people do get in, so by all means go for it if you want!)

I just want to warn you that the app process can be expensive -- it cost me well over $1200, flying out to interviews racks up the bill. And I didn't even apply to that many schools.

So if money is an issue you may want to wait a year. If you would just like the experience of applying, VMCAS has a beta test for the app, so you can fill out the entire app for free! And if you want to apply, that's great too! You just may want to check the stats and see that the school has a history of taking people with 2 years of prep.
 
What I did:
I bought a couple of personal statement books, and glanced over FORMATS of different letters. Then, I outlined what I wanted my letter to convey. I specifically wanted several aspects to be included (such as the fact that I'm Russian (for diversity points😳😛), and that I had a combination of unique veterinary experences. I started with a very vivid story from my work at the emergency clinic, then went on how all of my experiences contributed to my decision (with some description of the experiences). Basically, it's very personal. I showed my first draft to Joyce at VMRCVM admissions (I scheduled an appointment just for that) and she recommended to include my future plans in the last paragraph. That's exactly what I did.
I would highly recommend buying a book and reading over several (10 or so) personal statements to get a feel of how you want to structure yours. I read all kinds of statements including law and business school ones. There are no books (to my knowledge) that focus on vet. school personal statements, but medical school personal statements can be similar. And write an outline of what you DEFINITELY want adcoms to know.
 
Thanks to you all for your insight and concern.

I have talked to my advisor at my current school, and they have agreed to waive all of my other degree requirements (if I make it into vet school) and give me my degrees in both Biology and Chemistry. Also, the only school I'm really interested in at this point is Purdue, and they take applicants early as long as they have all the pre-reqs done. I will definitely apply to others, but Purdue is my main focus.

I'm not too worried about cost - I've been saving up for quite a while, and (if reality stays in line with my calculations), I should have just over half of the vet school tuition saved up by next year.

Like I said above, I'm applying to get the experience of the whole thing. If I don't get accepted the first round - which I realize will probably happen - I will be able to approach the second application process differently and (hopefully) better.

Again, thank you very much for your thoughts and opinions. I really appreciate them, and I will take them to heart during this process. I will be sure to look into it even more and see if applying at this time is what is best for me.
 
Sounds like you've got it pretty well figured out, jdavis. From your last post I'd say you sound more prepared than most. Good luck!!
 
Yeah, if you're really sure about this, I think you should go for it. Talk about having your metaphorical ducks is a row! I wish I had planned things out even half as well. I can't add much to the PS advice already given. Just let a little of your personality show through and give it your best shot. Good luck, and let us know how it goes! (Or, you know, stick around. 🙂 )
 
What degree requirements are they willing to waive? I'm just curious. I can understand the odd humanities or seminar courses, but I don't think it's right if they are willing to waive upper division requirements- especially for a dual degree in Biology and Chemistry.
 
What degree requirements are they willing to waive? I'm just curious. I can understand the odd humanities or seminar courses, but I don't think it's right if they are willing to waive upper division requirements- especially for a dual degree in Biology and Chemistry.


Well, by the end of my junior year, I will have finished all the class requirements for both my Bio and Chem degrees, so the only class they would have to waive would be the senior seminar. They might have to waive a couple of gen ed classes, but I'm hoping to test out of those anyway. Any other Bio or Chem class I would take senior year would be an elective. I was planning on taking Human Anatomy & Physiology (in case vet school falls through - then I can apply to medical school), Animal Behavior, an evolution course, and some other odds and ends.
 
Well it sounds like you've got yourself a great deal there. I say go for it, although I am a huge proponent of extraordinary experiences...what else could you do with that extra year? Travel? Work enough to pay for another year of vet school? Start a volunteer organization? Become a groupie for your favorite band? You may never have another chance to do these things!

You sound like you have a good head on your shoulders, though...you probably can't make a wrong decision at this point.
 
I was planning on taking Human Anatomy & Physiology (in case vet school falls through - then I can apply to medical school), Animal Behavior, an evolution course, and some other odds and ends.

😱!

Medical school!?!

Tsk tsk.

I guess that's okay, it just took me by surprise. I can't imagine it though. I know that I would NEVER in a MILLION YEARS be happy doing human medicine. Just wouldn't.

So vet school is your first choice, though? Honestly, I think you have a good chance of getting in if you apply to say, five places or so.
 
😱!
Honestly, I think you have a good chance of getting in if you apply to say, five places or so.

I don't really understand this logic. First, her chances of getting in to any particular school are independent of the number of schools she applies to. Second, she says she wants to go to Purdue, and has already talked to them about her plans. given that she'll be a junior and if it falls through that's OK, it actually seems silly to apply to more schools if she's not sure she wants to go to them. She'd just have to turn them down... which looks bad on VMCAS.

So, JDavis, I say go for it! There are lots of good resources on this forum about personal statements, so do some searches. and be yourself. and don't worry too much!
 
Just thought I'd chime in since I was in pretty much the same boat as you. My college waived my senior year courses contingent on my passing the first year of vet school. I didn't having any major courses left though other than some humanities and an animal disease class -which was pretty easy to talk them into course substituting. Now I'm going to get my bachelors after our fourth block finals are over - just one week away! I don't regret it at all and I'm glad it worked out they way it did...if anything crazy happens it probably wouldn't be a big deal for you to go back and finish your bachelors anyway.
 
I don't really understand this logic. First, her chances of getting in to any particular school are independent of the number of schools she applies to. Second, she says she wants to go to Purdue, and has already talked to them about her plans. given that she'll be a junior and if it falls through that's OK, it actually seems silly to apply to more schools if she's not sure she wants to go to them. She'd just have to turn them down... which looks bad on VMCAS.

So, JDavis, I say go for it! There are lots of good resources on this forum about personal statements, so do some searches. and be yourself. and don't worry too much!

Well I just meant... hmm. I meant like, if she really wanted to start vet school, her stats seem nice and applying to a number of schools would give her decent odds of being accepted at one of them - some schools will be put off by her age or status, but some would probably get over that, so I would apply to morethan one place if I were her. Also, if she only wants Purdue then she should definitely only apply there! No doubt about that.

So really, I was just trying to say that some schools will care and some won't, so she should try and decide which she'd like to try for, evaluate her chances, and apply accordingly... probably to about five places. That was just my estimate and shouldn't really be looked on as any sort of.. solid number... or something like that.

Somtimes I sound more like I know what I'm talking about or I'm giving a really decisive opinion than I realize... 🙄

Another thing I just thought of to point out: don't forget about the GRE! Probably won't be a problem, but be sure to plan a bit of time to study and take it this summer. 🙂
 
I also applied at the end of my sophomore year and ending up being a "graduating junior" with my BS and two minors. I could have done a lot of things with my "extra year" - finish another bachelors or two, work, travel, etc., but I got into several vet schools and am quite happy in vet school and don't regret my decision to forgo that 4th year. At least one of my classmates is does not have their bachelors (or at least they didn't when we started, i suppose they could have finished).

Good for you for being on top of your game!
 
😱!

Medical school!?!

Tsk tsk.

I guess that's okay, it just took me by surprise. I can't imagine it though. I know that I would NEVER in a MILLION YEARS be happy doing human medicine. Just wouldn't.

So vet school is your first choice, though? Honestly, I think you have a good chance of getting in if you apply to say, five places or so.

lol. I KNEW someone would say that. Yes, vet school is my first choice. However, I need to have a backup plan, and medical school is it. If I were to go into human medicine, I would be a surgeon, though. That's my favorite part of vet med, too.😍
 
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