VMCAS Explanation Statement

[Lion20]

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I wanted to ask other opinions about the explanation statement on the VMCAS. At the beginning of this past spring semester, I was sexually assaulted in my home and had to stay in the hospital for a few weeks after. I had to withdraw from classes and moved back home with my family. This is not necessarily a topic I would like to bring up, however, I have W's on my transcript as a result of it. I am very close to the veterinarian I worked for at college and she suggested that I explain my situation to show vet schools that I did not receive the W's on my transcript from being lazy. However, when I explain what happened, I also want to discuss how I handled it afterwards. After I moved home, I became a volunteer coordinator at the local humane society, started volunteering at a local horse rescue and started working a full-time job while I waited for the summer semester to begin. I later enrolled in the local university and have started a free self-defense class for students. I am currently taking 20 credit hours between the local university and technical college to make sure that I stay on track.
I would like to know other thoughts and opinions and if this is something I should discuss in my explanation statement or my personal essay.

 

[BeamingLight]

I wanted to ask other opinions about the explanation statement on the VMCAS. At the beginning of this past spring semester, I was sexually assaulted in my home and had to stay in the hospital for a few weeks after. I had to withdraw from classes and moved back home with my family. This is not necessarily a topic I would like to bring up, however, I have W's on my transcript as a result of it. I am very close to the veterinarian I worked for at college and she suggested that I explain my situation to show vet schools that I did not receive the W's on my transcript from being lazy. However, when I explain what happened, I also want to discuss how I handled it afterwards. After I moved home, I became a volunteer coordinator at the local humane society, started volunteering at a local horse rescue and started working a full-time job while I waited for the summer semester to begin. I later enrolled in the local university and have started a free self-defense class for students. I am currently taking 20 credit hours between the local university and technical college to make sure that I stay on track.
I would like to know other thoughts and opinions and if this is something I should discuss in my explanation statement or my personal essay.

Wow. Sending you much love from Wisconsin. Nobody should EVER experience what you went through.

Now, I think you will have to formally address your Ws HOWEVER, you should play with wording. I don't think you need to explicitly say 'sexually assaulted' in your explanation statement. Maybe say 'assaulted' or use 'violent encounter.' Play with wording and be discreet. Perhaps you should have the admissions committees refer to your college for a more elaborate story.

My two sense.

 

[PrincessButterCup]

What happened was not your fault, and in a fair world no school would let it color their judgement of you, whether or not you specify 'sexual assault' versus 'assault.' Honestly, I don't have the experience to give any advice, other than if you're concerned about it, you should contact the schools' admissions people (most schools have really wonderful people who help answer application questions) and follow whatever advice they give you. I don't even think that's necessary, though. I don't see anything wrong with simply briefly describing the situation just as you did here, and what steps you have taken to catch up with school, volunteer, etc.

 

[pp9]

I wanted to ask other opinions about the explanation statement on the VMCAS. At the beginning of this past spring semester, I was sexually assaulted in my home and had to stay in the hospital for a few weeks after. I had to withdraw from classes and moved back home with my family. This is not necessarily a topic I would like to bring up, however, I have W's on my transcript as a result of it. I am very close to the veterinarian I worked for at college and she suggested that I explain my situation to show vet schools that I did not receive the W's on my transcript from being lazy. However, when I explain what happened, I also want to discuss how I handled it afterwards. After I moved home, I became a volunteer coordinator at the local humane society, started volunteering at a local horse rescue and started working a full-time job while I waited for the summer semester to begin. I later enrolled in the local university and have started a free self-defense class for students. I am currently taking 20 credit hours between the local university and technical college to make sure that I stay on track.
I would like to know other thoughts and opinions and if this is something I should discuss in my explanation statement or my personal essay.

I am so incredibly sorry that this happened to you. Please know that there is support for you not only on this forum, but via many other sources as well.

It is entirely up to you whether you bring up the specifics of your troubles or not. There are many applicants that have W's, so it's not like you will be automatically rejected. If you are doing well after these, you may consider not explaining at all. I would think that if you didn't have any red flags (bad grades, for example) prior to the W's, this is another reason not to fret so much too.

I don't know if I agree with hiding a sexual assault since as a society we really need to stop silencing the women and men affected by such crimes. Being that most of the veterinary profession/applicants are women, I guarantee that you aren't alone. However, others would say that a veterinary school application isn't a place to make a political stand, and I also agree with that. It is entirely dependent on what you are comfortable with. I can tell you that people may not be comfortable reading about it (although I wouldn't recommend going into detail of the even, simply so you don't have to relive it), but I would never expect it to be any sort of hindrance to your success in the application cycle. There are plenty of proofreaders on this forum that are willing to help you with any wording concerns you have as well. If you aren't able to put together a statement that you are completely comfortable with, that could be a reason to forego it altogether (this is advice I give to anyone writing an explanation statement, regardless of what they need to explain).

 

[that redhead]

I wanted to ask other opinions about the explanation statement on the VMCAS. At the beginning of this past spring semester, I was sexually assaulted in my home and had to stay in the hospital for a few weeks after. I had to withdraw from classes and moved back home with my family. This is not necessarily a topic I would like to bring up, however, I have W's on my transcript as a result of it. I am very close to the veterinarian I worked for at college and she suggested that I explain my situation to show vet schools that I did not receive the W's on my transcript from being lazy. However, when I explain what happened, I also want to discuss how I handled it afterwards. After I moved home, I became a volunteer coordinator at the local humane society, started volunteering at a local horse rescue and started working a full-time job while I waited for the summer semester to begin. I later enrolled in the local university and have started a free self-defense class for students. I am currently taking 20 credit hours between the local university and technical college to make sure that I stay on track.
I would like to know other thoughts and opinions and if this is something I should discuss in my explanation statement or my personal essay.

I think it's important to address the Ws in your explanation statement but how far you want to go is entirely up to you. For what it's worth, I think it's fine to say "sexually assaulted" in the explanation statement if you want to do so and yes, I would emphasize what you've been doing in the interim. I would make your PS as positive and goal-oriented as possible.

 

[LetItSnow]

I would leave it out of the PS unless it somehow plays a role in the formation of your veterinary goals/desires.

I agree with the others regarding inclusion in the Explanation Statement. I think it is valid and probably a good idea to explain the W's in <this> case. I think people often explain them unnecessarily when they have 1 or 2 on their transcript, but this is different. How deep you go into it is up to you. I wouldn't go very deep - I agree with @that redhead in the sense that just a very brief explanation is appropriate and that you should focus on describing positive progress afterwards.

Horrible situation.

 

[Lion20]

I appreciate the kind and encouraging responses. While it has been difficult getting back on track, I have never been more motivated to pursue my dreams. I have decided to briefly explain my situation regarding the Ws in my explanation statement by mainly focusing on the positive things in my life that have happened since then.

 

[Shreddr22]

.....However, after weeks of working with him and building a relationship, I was able to start riding him. It may not seem like much but it was a huge step for him. The relationship between Ty and I has not only showed me how to trust again, it has made me realize that there is nothing I wanted more than to dedicate my life to helping animals like him. I am just worried that this would make my application look like all the other basic ones who say they love animals and what not. ....

Quite the contrary, it's a great story! Don't worry about having a basic application, I highly doubt you are going in that direction.

 

[Lion20]

So I am getting ready to submit my application and I was wondering if there was anyone willing to read over my explanation statement and give feedback. Thank you!