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Okay, I'm really very doubtful of how personal statements fit into the whole review process (and if they're even looked at). Maybe one of you can tell me different. But if they are, I'd like to offer some tips for writing 'good' personal statements. I worked in the writing lab at Purdue, and students were often coming in with personal statements for med/vet/pharm school, and completely lacking core elements of an essay:
1. Tell a story. Begin and end with it. Tie all of your integral moments together with that story. Make sure the story shows not only your compassion but your committment and intellectual capability. Do not just state that you have wanted to be a vet since you were a kid. Give your reasoning. I had a pre-pharm student write that she wanted to practice pharmacology because her mother had cancer, and she felt helpless and wanted to help others. I thought that was great. While doing so, be sure to make the tone of your language POSITIVE! Do not sound negative/self-pitying/angry. The story should also convey your leadership abilities (and in cases such as Western, your ability to be both leader and team-player--but the supp. application for schools such as this require multiple other essays to showcase this aspect of your personality).
2. Be certain to discuss ALL of your animal experience, as most vet schools do not accept CVs/resumes. From your 4-H at twelve up to your current experiences, including clinical (internships, etc), some casual (volunteer work unrelated to strictly clinical), and professional (conferences attended, professional memberships) (When students come into the lab, I ask them to write out their animal/vet experiences, and nine times out of ten, they aren't all included. Make a list of your experiences chronologically, and perhaps weave them into the story. Also, if you have a specific research focus, SHARE IT! It shows you have initiative and knowledge in the field. I had a girl come into the lab who wanted to work with the artificial insemination of sheep. She highlighted that in her essay; it showcased her previous experience AND showed the direction in which she wanted to go.
3. Do NOT include things that the committee should not know (previously mentioned, I had a pre-vet student come in telling me her vet in GA allowed her to perform spays/neuters on shelter animals--she included this in the essay as 'vital experience,' but it could cost her her app. and the vet his license, depending on state law).
4. Sometimes, if you can personalize the application (as at Tufts and Western through the supps.), it's a good idea to invoke current faculty and state the reasons you're choosing to attend that school in regard to that faculty. Investigate the research of that faculty, and suggest how it corresponds to your own future work/goals. You cannot do this on the main VMCAS app., unless you are only applying to one school.
5. If you have any reason that the committee might reject you based on prior 'bad' grades or time differentials or other reasons, write an 'explanatory' essay suggesting why this was the case (however, I'm not sure this is effective at all because I did it for each school, and this did not stop the initial computer-GPA process from chucking my app.).
6. If you are really concerned about the clarity/flow/overall success of your essay, and you do not have a writing lab on campus, you might want to consider professional editing services, which are rampant.
7. Good luck! If you have questions, feel free to PM me.
Other help:
http://www.sci.sdsu.edu/preprof/essay.html
http://advisingservices.ucdavis.edu...ent_application_health_profession_school.html
1. Tell a story. Begin and end with it. Tie all of your integral moments together with that story. Make sure the story shows not only your compassion but your committment and intellectual capability. Do not just state that you have wanted to be a vet since you were a kid. Give your reasoning. I had a pre-pharm student write that she wanted to practice pharmacology because her mother had cancer, and she felt helpless and wanted to help others. I thought that was great. While doing so, be sure to make the tone of your language POSITIVE! Do not sound negative/self-pitying/angry. The story should also convey your leadership abilities (and in cases such as Western, your ability to be both leader and team-player--but the supp. application for schools such as this require multiple other essays to showcase this aspect of your personality).
2. Be certain to discuss ALL of your animal experience, as most vet schools do not accept CVs/resumes. From your 4-H at twelve up to your current experiences, including clinical (internships, etc), some casual (volunteer work unrelated to strictly clinical), and professional (conferences attended, professional memberships) (When students come into the lab, I ask them to write out their animal/vet experiences, and nine times out of ten, they aren't all included. Make a list of your experiences chronologically, and perhaps weave them into the story. Also, if you have a specific research focus, SHARE IT! It shows you have initiative and knowledge in the field. I had a girl come into the lab who wanted to work with the artificial insemination of sheep. She highlighted that in her essay; it showcased her previous experience AND showed the direction in which she wanted to go.
3. Do NOT include things that the committee should not know (previously mentioned, I had a pre-vet student come in telling me her vet in GA allowed her to perform spays/neuters on shelter animals--she included this in the essay as 'vital experience,' but it could cost her her app. and the vet his license, depending on state law).
4. Sometimes, if you can personalize the application (as at Tufts and Western through the supps.), it's a good idea to invoke current faculty and state the reasons you're choosing to attend that school in regard to that faculty. Investigate the research of that faculty, and suggest how it corresponds to your own future work/goals. You cannot do this on the main VMCAS app., unless you are only applying to one school.
5. If you have any reason that the committee might reject you based on prior 'bad' grades or time differentials or other reasons, write an 'explanatory' essay suggesting why this was the case (however, I'm not sure this is effective at all because I did it for each school, and this did not stop the initial computer-GPA process from chucking my app.).
6. If you are really concerned about the clarity/flow/overall success of your essay, and you do not have a writing lab on campus, you might want to consider professional editing services, which are rampant.
7. Good luck! If you have questions, feel free to PM me.
Other help:
http://www.sci.sdsu.edu/preprof/essay.html
http://advisingservices.ucdavis.edu...ent_application_health_profession_school.html