Sample personal statements?

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Vet_Squared80

MSU CVM c/o 2022
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Is there somewhere that has sample personal statements that I can read? I ask because I have no idea where to start. I was talking to the Doc I work with today, and he had no clue because when he got in, there weren't personal statements, only interviews. I know there is a max. length, but I don't know how it is supposed to be structured, what should or shouldn't be in it, or anything. I tried searching this by the way, and didn't find a conclusive thread, so if someone already asked this I apologize. Feel free to post the link to that thread if that's the case.... 😉
 
Hey. Try googling "vet school personal statement examples"

I found a bunch that were really helpful when I was trying to get an idea of what should go in a personal statement. I think a lot of people wont share theirs because a personal statement is personal to a lot of people.

As far as I know there is no set "structure." Obviously it needs to be organized and it needs to flow, but other than that it seems like you are free to do what you want.

My advice is to write about something important to you:
Why vet med?
When did you know you wanted to be a vet?
What qualities would make you a good vet?

Incorporate stories that show instead of tell. For example, don't say "I am a driven person and this would make me a great vet." Instead find a story that shows that you are driven.

Also, don't take the approach of "I want to be a vet because I love animals"

Just start writing it. It'll be a jumbled mess at first, but trust me it'll turn into something great by the end...

Goodluck.
 
Also, don't take the approach of "I want to be a vet because I love animals"


DARN!!! I was going to put exactly that above as my personal statment this time around. I am running out of things to say/creative ways to say it. 😉 I figured maybe just putting I LOVE ANIMALS in 40 point font, bold and italics might do the trick this year. 😛
 
DARN!!! I was going to put exactly that above as my personal statment this time around. I am running out of things to say/creative ways to say it. 😉 I figured maybe just putting I LOVE ANIMALS in 40 point font, bold and italics might do the trick this year. 😛

"I want to become a doctor but I want patients that don't talk back"
 
DARN!!! I was going to put exactly that above as my personal statment this time around. I am running out of things to say/creative ways to say it. 😉 I figured maybe just putting I LOVE ANIMALS in 40 point font, bold and italics might do the trick this year. 😛

Actually I think you need one more word in your PS to make it perfect....

I ♥ CURING Animals


Your welcome.
 
Actually I think you need one more word in your PS to make it perfect....

I ♥ CURING Animals


Your welcome.

At a clinic where I used to work, we had a client who was rude to the entire staff and began harassing us (coming in every day, several phone calls, yelling at receptionists because the doctors didn't want to call her back). She called one day and the doctor who had been treating her pet decided to talk to her to tell her that the way she was acting was unacceptable. He started out very nice and calm but when the lady asked "why haven't you cured my cat?" he replied "because I'm not Jesus Christ, that's why," and then told her to not come back or we would call the police and that we would fax her records to the next clinic she went to.

It was hilarious. Sorry, that just made me think of it.
 
Amended PS based on Bearby's observation....

I ♥ DIAGNOSING, TREATING, and Occasionally CURING Animals
.

Just like a real PS, the editing process removes the beauty from the writing.
 
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http://www.vetschoolblog.com/2010/06/19/vet-school-personal-statement-round-2/
I found this one, and it kind of makes me want to cry.

First, because it's incredibly well written.

But most of all, because now I have no idea how I'm going to write something as good!

for me, the most difficult part is figuring out how to make myself look unique! i have nothing unique about me really...been wanting to be a vet forever, want to be a SA ER vet or surgeon, i have all the usual experiences under my belt, etc...so it's going to be difficult 🙁
 
http://www.vetschoolblog.com/2010/06/19/vet-school-personal-statement-round-2/
I found this one, and it kind of makes me want to cry.

First, because it's incredibly well written.

But most of all, because now I have no idea how I'm going to write something as good!

I'm hesitant to be critical of another person's PS in public, but.... it *was* posted in a blog, so I suppose it's fair. And she did get in, so she can laugh off any criticism if she happens to be an SDNer.

It is well-written in the sense of being readable. But really, if you step back from the narrative flow and ask "What did this person say about herself?" you'll realize it's not that highly substantive. It says she likes intellectual challenges, animals, and has an interest in the intersection between conventional medicine and alternative therapies.

... and that's about it.

So don't fear. You're right that it flows well and is interesting (which is more than I can say about my PS and my crappy writing style), but I didn't think it was particularly more impressive than many of the statements people have sent me to read.

You'll be fine. Keep working at it. 🙂

P.S. Did you read that person's first statement? I have to give her credit for that ending... that was gutsy. They should have let her in for that alone.
 
It is well-written in the sense of being readable. But really, if you step back from the narrative flow and ask "What did this person say about herself?" you'll realize it's not that highly substantive. It says she likes intellectual challenges, animals, and has an interest in the intersection between conventional medicine and alternative therapies.

... and that's about it.

I do agree that it could have said a bit more about the person's professional dev't (in the veterinary sense) and understanding of the profession and whatnot, but I think the writer says quite a bit more than you interpreted above. I think it convincingly demonstrate why this person wants to go into vet med, which is like the big glaring thing missing in a lot of people's PS's. There's a unique sense of purpose. And at least I think it answers many questions that adcoms may ask about a non-trad wanting to go to vet school. Yes, it does have a couple of cliches here and there, but I don't think the writer said anything that was offensive or ignorant. No obvious red flags, and if it were to have any effect on adcom readers, I think it would have left an impression and made the writer memorable. You also get a whole lot of the writer's personality coming through. I'm 99% sure I know this person (had a strong feeling just from the writing style and confirmed after reading other blog entries), and I can say that the personality portrayed in the PS is very genuine, and I'd imagine this person isn't one to mask that bubbly and almost child-like-honest personality in practice either. So though I think it's kind of ballsy for this person to take an extremely personal rather than a professional tone (I wouldn't recommend it for everyone), I think it works for this particular person.

Or I dunno, maybe it is lacking info and adcoms may have thought it was lukewarm too... 'cause who knows how important these PS's really are in making the final decision.
 
I think it convincingly demonstrate why this person wants to go into vet med, which is like the big glaring thing missing in a lot of people's PS's.[...]
Or I dunno, maybe it is lacking info and adcoms may have thought it was lukewarm too... 'cause who knows how important these PS's really are in making the final decision.

No, I think you have a pretty fair assessment, too. I think you and I see the desirable content a little differently: I'd lean more towards "tell me why you'll succeed" and you might lean more to "give me your personality and why you want to be here." (Not trying to put words in your mouth, though.)

I did *like* the "person" that I imagined when I read the letter, and I agree it was memorable. If for no other reason than I'm sorta partial to people with winding, interesting paths in life.

In the end, I'm not on an AdComm and it'd be ludicrous for me to say "I'm right." But a recurring theme for me in giving people advice has been to tell them to give me more information about why they'll succeed - more concrete information - and a little less of the unsubstantiated "why I want to be there" stuff.

I hope that hasn't been bad advice. And that's one reason I always encourage people to get a variety of opinions.
 
No, I think you have a pretty fair assessment, too. I think you and I see the desirable content a little differently: I'd lean more towards "tell me why you'll succeed" and you might lean more to "give me your personality and why you want to be here." (Not trying to put words in your mouth, though.)

I totally agree with you about the content (which is what I meant by "professional" vs. "personal" and how risky it was to go with the latter). I think the PS should ideally address both "who are you and why do you want to be here" AND "tell me why you'll succeed." However, it's surprising how many people adequately address neither. If I were helping someone redirect their PS, I don't think I would ever advise anyone to go this route. I usually tell anyone who wants my opinion to stick to the explicit prompt and not stray from it since there's so much to cover. But I guess my point was that despite that, I thought the PS was successful in its own way. Maybe not the best PS I've read, but it's far from the worst.

I hope that hasn't been bad advice. And that's one reason I always encourage people to get a variety of opinions.
Word. Which is why if I work on multiple drafts with someone, I start feeling guilty about possibly steering them in the wrong direction, and so I pawn them off to other editors who I know are good after I'm happy with the PS. Lol, I've recently told someone to beg you to take them on (after you stopped accepting new ones) since she worked so hard on it and deserved a more educated opinion.
 
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for me, the most difficult part is figuring out how to make myself look unique! i have nothing unique about me really...been wanting to be a vet forever, want to be a SA ER vet or surgeon, i have all the usual experiences under my belt, etc...so it's going to be difficult 🙁

Are you my twin? That's exactly how I feel. I want to make myself stand out but that's one of the hardest parts for me...almost as hard as writing the PS itself 😳
 
Are you my twin? That's exactly how I feel. I want to make myself stand out but that's one of the hardest parts for me...almost as hard as writing the PS itself 😳

I think everyone feels that way when they are first getting started. There is something unique about you, though, you just have to find it. Maybe you have an interest that is different than most prevets (like exotics or parasites or something). For me it was my love of wildlife rehab and I worked that in quite a bit. I am hoping that will make me stand out even though I do not intend to become a wildlife vet.


Minnerbelle and let it snow- you guys are both awesome reviewers!
 
I would suggest Barron's "Essays that will get you into Medical School." While this book is more tailored towards pre-med students it has several chapters on brainstorming and different approaches towards writing your paper. It pretty much goes from the basics of having nothing down to showing you different formatting options, transitions, and finally questions to ask yourself as you read your paper that admission counselors may be asking as well. It also contains 38 model essays. I found this book extremely helpful as I prepared my essay.
 
Hello all! I am new here and I'm applying very soon. I have written a couple drafts of my personal statement, and they all seem very short. I have always been short spoken when it comes to writing, but the max is 5000, and I am at 2668 words. Should I make it about 4000, or closer to the max word count?
 
Hello all! I am new here and I'm applying very soon. I have written a couple drafts of my personal statement, and they all seem very short. I have always been short spoken when it comes to writing, but the max is 5000, and I am at 2668 words. Should I make it about 4000, or closer to the max word count?

The max is 5000 CHARACTERS not words, so you are probably over already 🙁. It has to be pretty short.
 
The max is 5000 CHARACTERS not words, so you are probably over already 🙁. It has to be pretty short.

If, by chance, you (person who asked the original question) meant 'characters' and just had a brain fart and typed 'words', then yes, you probably want to expand it. I'm hard-pressed to see a convincing 2668-character statement. But, I haven't read your PS. Maybe you've got a genius approach. 🙂

Otherwise...... 👍 to what squirrelsrule said.
 
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