personal statement for vet med

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Successful Personal Statement For Veterinary Medicine At Cambridge

Last Updated: 6th April 2022

Author: Rohan Agarwal

Table of Contents

Welcome to our popular Personal Statement series where we present a successful Personal Statement, and our Oxbridge Tutors provide their feedback on it. 

Today, we are looking through a Veterinary Medicine applicant’s Personal Statement that helped secure a place at Cambridge University. The Veterinary Medicine Course at Cambridge offers a world-class opportunity to study the scientific basis of veterinary medicine and clinical veterinary science.

Read on to see how this candidate managed to secure an offer from a world-class department.  

Here’s a breakdown of the Personal Statement (the applicant uses most of the 4,000 characters available):

SUCCESSFUL?

The universities this candidate applied to were the following:

LONDON VET SCHOOL

INTERVIEW + REJECTED

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With our Cambridge Veterinary Medicine  Premium Programme, your tutor will give you regular actionable feedback with insider tips on how to improve and make your Personal Statement Oxbridge quality for the best chances of success.  

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Veterinary Medicine Personal Statement

Witnessing the birth of a calf was a wonderful experience and has helped to confirm my long-term ambition to be a vet. This desire has been a motivating force in all my decisions at school. Veterinary medicine is a challenging and worthwhile career that encapsulates my profound interest in animal welfare, scientific enquiry and problem solving.  It will satisfy my passion to work with people and animals as well as my love of science. It requires academic rigour, is scientifically-based and provides opportunities for further research either in laboratory or clinical settings. It involves considerable practical skills and the potential for great job satisfaction with the possibility of running my own practice.

My work experience has been thoroughly enjoyable and included working with a country vet, a farrier, at a private stables, a commercial reptile centre, a dairy farm and a small animal clinic. With the country vet I observed two successful treatments on cows to correct displacement of the abomasum by external manipulation and surgery. I helped with TB testing, learning the process, its importance and the wider context. Working with the farrier opened my mind to other people who interact with the veterinary profession. Whilst involved in cleaning and feeding at the private stables I developed a great respect for horses including an awareness of the danger they can pose for humans and other animals. At the reptile centre I handled a bearded dragon, monitor lizard and snakes whilst assisting in an educational talk and at Beaver World learnt to care for guinea pigs, rabbits, beavers, pheasants and fish. During my nine-day stay on a dairy farm I took part in the daily routine of milking, and as well as observing the birth of a calf, I saw the deterioration of a cow and the eventual decision to put her down. It was apparent that working in a small animal clinic involves many routine operations like the castration and spaying of cats and dogs. I learnt that diagnosis involves history-taking, examination and investigations such as blood tests and diagnostic imaging. To gain more experience I plan to work at a city farm, participate in the delivery of lambs and carry out placements at London Zoo and the London Aquarium.

I attended VetMedlink at Nottingham University, thirty six lectures on all aspects of veterinary care. As part of this course I voluntarily undertook my own research into potential new uses of stem cells and submitted a paper which was marked and for which I received a distinction. This is due to be published on-line sometime this year. My focus was how stem cells inserted into the brain could be used in the future to improve intelligence and treat neural problems such as Alzheimer’s disease. Furthermore, I will be attending a course in November to enable me to administer aid to stranded or injured marine mammals.

As well as good examination grades, my other school achievements include prize certificates in mathematics and biology; I was especially pleased to win Gold Certificates in the UK Maths Challenge. This year I was commended for the quality of my answers in the Chemistry Challenge set by my school which required logical reasoning skills. I have a special aptitude for mathematics and attended six maths lectures at Greenwich University on themes which included matrices and types of mathematical proof.

I aim to involve myself whole-heartedly in university life, using my musical skills by playing the keyboard and perhaps playing in or starting a sports team.

I truly believe I have the ability to work effectively with people and animals. I am excited about the veterinary course since it offers the opportunity to undertake research projects, understand the scientific basis of medicine, gain in-depth knowledge of veterinary practice and develop key practical skills. I am determined to become a vet and eager to begin the formal course of training in what I know will prove to be a fascinating field of study.

For more inspiration, take a look through our other successful Personal Statement a nalysis articles:

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Good Points Of The Personal Statement

A well written and well-structured statement that provides a good insight into the student’s character and development, both academically as well as personally. The student demonstrates a good scientific foundation, achieving various degrees of academic excellence and also demonstrates a wide range of different work-experience attachments giving insight into different specialities of veterinary medicine. This is particularly important due to the wide range of differences between different animal species. The broader the experience before starting the degree, the better. Furthermore, the work-experience placements will provide valuable contacts for when the student will be required to conduct care attachments during his/her studies at university.

Bad Points Of The Personal Statement

One of the central points of veterinary medicine not related to the academic side is the funding structure. Recognising the challenges that come in regard to the treatment of patients, as well as in regard to the interaction with owners, is an important component. Since the student experienced care in different practice settings, it is likely that he/she has come across this issue.

UniAdmissions Overall Score:

Good statement giving good detail about the student and his/her motivation as well as his/her individual development. It could be improved by additional reflection on the challenges of veterinary practice, for example, the existing funding structures.

This Personal Statement for Vet Med is a good example of demonstrating motivation and development which is vital to Admissions Tutors.

Remember, at Cambridge, these Admissions Tutors are often the people who will be teaching you for the next few years, so you need to appeal directly to them.

Go to our Free Personal Statement Resources page for even more successful personal statements and expert guides.

Our expert tutors are on hand to help you craft the perfect Personal Statement for your Cambridge Veterinary application.

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The University of Liverpool's veterinary science department gets straight to the point when it comes to making an application to its veterinary science department: 'the competition is fierce.'

This is where a good personal statement can be an asset. 'Most applicants will have good predicted grades and references, so your personal statement is your main opportunity to set yourself apart from the rest,’ the Royal Veterinary College adds.

Work experience: do your research

Normally, you will need to have a range of relevant work experience before you apply and to reflect on this in your statement. The quality of your insights into the profession is crucial.

You also need to be clear about what individual veterinary schools expect, because it varies. For instance, Liverpool requires a minimum of ten weeks’ experience, while most others require a minimum of four or six weeks. The range of experience typically needs to include:

• at least one veterinary practice
• working with large domestic animals on a livestock farm, especially dairy or lambing
• other animal experience such as stables, kennels, catteries, zoos, wildlife, or rescue centres, pig or poultry farms, or something more unusual

A day at an abattoir may be especially beneficial, and observing research in a veterinary or biomedical laboratory could be valuable too.

Do note that the University of Cambridge's requirements are slightly different, as they are more concerned about your interest in 'the scientific principles that underlie both the health and disease of animals.' They do require you to demonstrate a commitment to the profession and say that some experience will be useful, but they don't want you to give up on your other extra-curricular interests for the sake of gaining extensive work experience.

It's essential to research this in detail beforehand. Check out department websites and, where possible, attend open days or events.

Getting the balance and flow right

With the required experience under your belt, the next step is to achieve the right balance between brevity and detail in your statement, and to gear it to what your chosen universities are looking for. It will probably be a challenge to condense it all down to 47 lines, but here are some key points you could include:

• Motivation: show what has motivated you to follow this career path. Be specific, and make it current or recent. What aspects are of special interest to you? Where do you hope the degree will lead? Reflect on what it is that’s driving you now, not something out-of-date.
• Experience: provide some detailed evidence that shows you’re realistic and informed about the challenges you will face. Describe some of your experiences and observations, both of veterinary practice and from your wider animal experience. Get the balance right. They want you to show the breadth of your experience, but they want depth as well. Try to write briefly but reflectively about some of the highlights and what you learned from them. Also, try to include something that demonstrates your understanding of why interpersonal skills are crucial.
• Academic interests and wider reading: give them a glimpse of your current academic and scientific interests, whether it’s from your studies, a project or issues you’ve come across in journals, books, blogs, events you’ve attended, and so on. If Cambridge is amongst your choices, it’s especially important to demonstrate your intellectual curiosity and your passion for science.
• Extra-curricular activities: demonstrate your resilience, initiative, self-motivation, compassion, or other relevant transferable skills. This could be through the contribution you have made to school, college, or community activities, volunteering, your part-time work, or any wider interests, personal achievements, or responsibilities. Again, be specific!

Then consider the flow of your statement. Tell them enough to engage them and win yourself an interview, but leave enough unsaid that can be discussed in more depth at the interview itself. Remember that everything you write could be used as an interview starting point.

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Vet school personal statement examples

When you are putting together an application for vet school, vet school personal statement examples will be a great way to learn how to write your own. Samples statements are like templates, or a beaten path showing you the way forward.

You’ve consulted the vet school rankings , made your decision, and are getting set to apply to your top-choice schools. You need to ace the personal statement to go right along with your polished grad school resume and grad school letter of recommendation .

This article will give you a few veterinarian school personal statement examples to look over so you can perfect your own statement. We will also cover some helpful hints to make your statement as effective as possible, and some pointers on what writing mistakes you should avoid.

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Article Contents 10 min read

Vet personal statement example #1.

“Saddle up,” is my favorite phrase of all time and it conveys with it a sense of adventure that few other phrases ever can. I suppose a lot of this comes from my early years where I loved cowboy stories, but it continued on through my life once I started learning about horses. I think that’s why I loved stories of the wild west to begin with: the horses – majestic, powerful, and almost living embodiments of freedom and adventure.

I grew up with horses. My cousin, Brianne, had horses and I spent as much of my time at Brianne’s place as I could. I found that other girls my age liked the idea of owning a pony, but weren’t as interested in the care of the animal. I didn’t mind it. I made connections, and learned rudimentary caring techniques. As I grew, I became more invested, and I started learning about how to care for animals on a deeper level.

My favorite thing that I learned was about trimming horse hooves. There are different schools of thought about shoeing, but I have always favored trimming and caring for horse hooves in their natural state. It is a difficult skill to master, but one of many I learned while looking after horses.

With that in mind, I took up my next job working in an animal shelter, and we dealt with all kinds of different animals that came through, mostly dogs and cats, but one animal we wound up with for a time was a chameleon named Fred who had been abandoned and neglected by his owner.

Fred proved to be a challenge – a less familiar creature than typical housepets. I started to read up on the care of lizards, tropical animals, and other exotic pets. I had to keep his cage warm, but mist it with water, and I learned that if another chameleon came into the store I would have to keep them separate, since they prefer living alone. I became fascinated with this lizard for these unique care items, and for his strange feet and rotating eyes. I knew that this was an area of study I wanted to pursue.

In case you were worried, Fred the chameleon is fine; I adopted him and he says, “Hello,” in his lizard way.

As much as I loved my job at the shelter, I decided that my experience would best come from the zoo. We live fairly near the city zoo, and a short bus ride brought me to work every day. I got first-hand experience working with exotic animals, and at last, my career goals, my love of exotic animals, and my love of adventure came all together to form one, clear path forward.

Whenever the zoo’s vets would come by and make their rounds, I would ask them questions and offered to help them with their activities. Through this, I got to “assist” on several routine events, usually with helping to control the animals and keep them still while medicine was being administered or a checkup was happening.

One of those doctors, Dr. Martin Bellford, offered to help me out with my studies, and has proved to be as inexhaustible at answering questions as I am at asking them. He has let me come with him on all subsequent zoo visits and has explained a lot of exotic animal medicine to me. He taught me about how to stay on my toes. There are so many different kinds of animals that a vet needs to know about!

My extracurricular activities inspired my academic pursuits. I have been studying biology extensively, and my favorite classes are my biology labs. I was a bit uncomfortable dissecting frogs; I didn’t know how to feel as an animal-enthusiast. I was grateful for the ability to learn about animal anatomy, but I do believe strongly in ethically caring for animals and ensuring their health and wellbeing, as well as their rights and welfare.

Someday, I hope to be an exotic animals specialist who works with strange, wild species. I’d also like to continue to care for horses, and serve as an expert or volunteer for organizations, like the World Wildlife Fund, to continue to aid the cause for wildlife preservation. Lofty goals, but goals that are filled with adventure and animals.

Saddle up.

I was screaming at a birthday party, trying to fold in on myself so completely that I couldn’t be seen by the dog sniffing me. My best friend Jake had a dog and I was terribly afraid of dogs. I had been knocked over when I was little and I guess that memory stayed with me long enough to develop a Pavlovian reaction to seeing a canid.

But, here I am, all these years later, writing this letter with two dogs’ heads resting on my lap. I went from terrified to an enthusiast.

This change of outlook happened while pet-sitting for a family friend. I was forced to come up against dogs. At first, I was all nerves and anxiety, but one of the dogs, named Lion, really was insistent that I play fetch. At first I was throwing the ball to get Lion away from me; without realizing it, I began to throw it for fun. That evening, I found myself petting Lion while watching TV. I made friends, and started to love those dogs.

I wanted to know more about animals and work with them. My uncle Carl is a vet, and in early high school days I asked if I could work for him at his clinic. He agreed, and while I mostly did menial office tasks befitting a summer job, I also got to help out with the animals

Most of what I did there was feed the animals and look after any overnight patients, but sometimes Uncle Carl would show me about a particular procedure, and he always made time to answer my questions. One day he got me to help him with a dog’s hurt hindleg – how to settle the animal, hold it gently but firmly, and how to dress the wound so that it would heal.

Again, my thirst for knowledge took over, and eventually Uncle Carl couldn’t keep up with me questions. He told me which classes I should be taking in school to learn more. I took as many biology classes as I could, and I read up on extra material. I found that I learned best by re-wording what I learned, and wrote several extra essays just so I could understand the material better.

Through working at Uncle Carl’s practice, I have discovered that I gravitate towards domestic animals. Pets are so important to me, and I want to enter a field where I can provide care for the fuzziest of family members

Last year, Uncle Carl promoted me, and I have been more directly helping with the animals under his supervision. I have come to appreciate and understand the complexities of the vet profession, and have received many hours of direct experience with medicines, evaluations, care, and treatment options for household pets. Dogs, cats, rabbits, mice, and a few spiders and snakes have all come under my purview.

I also volunteer several days every month with an animal shelter, bringing in my knowledge of how to care for these animals and help them with their health

I don’t have lofty ambitions of changing the world on a global scale; I want to be a family vet, caring for pets. I think that’s plenty of world-changing for many people who need their family cared for and their pets looked after. I have seen the relationship that vets have with their patients, and it is rewarding and wonderful.

There was nothing I could do, because when you have a three-inch gash across the stomach of a seven-inch piglet, it’s almost guaranteed to die. But hopelessness is for other professions. I’m a farm boy, so I dosed the piglet with Stresnil, grabbed a needle and thread, and sewed the little guy up.

Life on a farm has taught me a lot of things. It’s taught me about how to be tackled repeatedly by my older brother, how to fall in creeks your parents didn’t even know were there, and how to care for animals. I have seen every aspect of animal care, and participated in most of them as well.

I was there to welcome in newly-farrowed piglets, to care for them as they grew, to administer medicines and vaccinations, to feed them, scratch their backs, and put them down as quickly and humanely as possible when all else failed. Never have I lost an animal I haven’t fought for, and never have I given up on them, even in the last hours.

There is no question that this life has given me an excellent skillset and a lifetime of experience in working with animals, caring for them, and coming to understand their needs. As much as I appreciate being a farmer, my favorite aspect of the job is the care for the animals, and I want to focus on that. That’s why I want to go into the veterinary profession instead of following in my family’s business. Don’t worry, my brothers will keep the legacy going.

Maybe I shouldn’t tell you about my failures, but I feel like they were an important part of my journey, so I will. In college, when I started to study subjects I would need to become a vet, I found I had to get over myself. My experiences were valuable, but I didn’t know nearly enough. I had brought an arrogance with me; because I had direct experience with animal care, I thought I would breeze through my coursework and studies. I was wrong.

My first test score I got back for my environmental science course took me down a peg or two and I found out the hard way that I needed a better attitude, better studying habits, and to move into the hard sciences with more determination.

The attitude was a fairly easy adjustment. I have three brothers, and between their teasing and besting me in wrestling matches, my ego isn’t so fragile that it can’t take another hit. I accepted the fact that I needed to learn even more than my peers – I had allowed myself to fall behind. Then I fixed my study habits by setting a regular routine – I would always study directly after doing chores in the barn.

Finally, I took a whole new approach to my studies: I went in ignoring my grade entirely and instead just asking one question after another, allowing my curiosity to fuel my search forward. I have found that a need to understand is a far better incentive than a grade. A grade-seeker gets nothing more than a number, but a curious mind receives knowledge.

I won’t say I’m pleased that my grades have greatly improved, although they have, because I am far more wary of becoming egocentric again, but I will tell you that my studies are fairing better. I put in the work and have done some extra credit work to make up for my slow start.

Between school and farming I don’t have a lot of spare time, but I have made space to volunteer with an animal rescue organization, and I have even been fortunate enough to join them when they go out to retrieve loose animals. I have helped out with countless animals now, of many different kinds, and I am starting to expand my knowledge of the animal kingdom beyond those found on farms.

With that said, I do want to specialize in farm animals and become a veterinarian for farms. I might not be taking over for my parents, but I still love that life and those animals. I can’t save every piglet with a heavy wound, but I can try. What’s more, with training, I have the best chance possible of making every animal’s life a little bit better.

Each personal statement needs to answer one crucial question: why do you want to be a veterinarian? Answering that question is the main point of your VMCAS essay , but it must be more than that, or that reason won’t be impactful. Anybody can say “I like animals,” you need to say and show why, and you need to tell the story of your journey to getting to where you are.

The reason is because your personal statement being good also hinges on whether or not your story is personal, unique, and shows your journey in the best light. You’re going to show the application committee why you are the perfect fit for the profession of veterinarian.

You have probably done more than one thing, focused on something other than just being a vet, have a hobby or multiple types of experiences in the professional or academic fields \u2013 highlight that diversity in your life. Just make sure you stick to 2-3 main experiences. You don\u2019t need to include every connection you have with animals, just a couple of your finest experiences. Showing the admissions committee a well-rounded individual with a variety of experiences and accomplishments will go a long way to being an impressive candidate. "}]">

Could your personal statement apply to any number of candidates? Then it isn\u2019t good. Your personal statement should be, first and foremost, personal to you. The more unique it is, the more it highlights your individual traits and experiences, the more valuable it is to you. "}]">

A personal statement is one of the best ways to stand out to the applications committee. This makes you more than a number or a list of accomplishments. It gives context to those accomplishments and shows your humanity and uniqueness – two very important factors in your acceptance and moving towards your future as an animal doctor.

Different schools process applications in their own way – including personal statements. With that said, most aren’t going to mark or grade the statement. That’s why it’s so imperative to make a statement that grabs your reader and makes you stand out. It needs to be a statement that makes the committee think, “I need to interview this person; I want to meet them.”

Again, it really depends on the institution; some will weight the statement more or less than others.

What you need to know is that your statement needs to grab the attention of the reader and that you should consider all aspects of your application to be of utmost importance.

All kinds are valid, and more types are better.

If you have cared for pets, volunteered at a shelter, or have more direct, medical experience with animals, anything is on the table and valid. Get as many different types as you can. More impressive candidates will demonstrate a rapport with animals – caring for them – as well as medical and scientific knowledge.

No, it isn’t. Obviously, if you have direct contact with the kind of animal you want to specialize in, that’s great, but wanting to be an elephant doctor or somebody who helps save pandas from extinction are great goals, and you won’t be penalized because you’re not one of the rare few people who have access to pandas.

Focus on the experiences you do have to get to the ones you don’t.

No, but you should be an animal lover, so to speak. Even if you aren’t 100% sold on creep-crawlies like millipedes, you can still love animals and want to care for them. Nobody’s asking you to give a shot to an arthropod, anyway.

Animal shelters, farms, pet stores, zoos, aquariums, and possibly even a vet’s clinic will all be places you can volunteer or work to gain experience working with animals.

Not at all. You just have to be interested in animals and their wellbeing, the skillset, and the requisite academic requirements and experiences. Pet owner can be part of that, but it’s not the only factor.

Brainstorm for a couple minutes. Just take a paper and pen and free-associate about vets and animals for two minutes. Time yourself and stop at the end of those two minutes; you’ll probably have a lot to work with.

If you’re still stuck, try thinking of the moment or series of events that led you to your decision to be a vet. Start telling that story, highlight your achievements and growth along the way, and you’ll mostly be done your statement right there.

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July 11, 2024

Vet School Personal Statement Examples to Guide You

You’ve done the work you needed to to prepare yourself for vet school. The academic work. The volunteer work. The clinical work. And now you must answer the VMCAS (Veterinary Medical College Application Service) essay prompt “Why do you want to pursue a career in veterinary medicine?”  You have just 3,000 characters with which to do so.  

Many vet school candidates find writing scientific lab reports or manuscripts easier than writing a narrative vet school personal statement. And there are so many suggestions of what you should and should not do when writing a personal statement that it’s easy to get overwhelmed.  

To help you better understand what a strong vet school personal statement looks like, in this post, we present the following example, which was written by an Accepted client who ultimately received several offers of acceptance.  

Titans. In Greek mythology, the Titans were the pre-Olympians, the elder gods. They ruled the Earth and had enormous amounts of strength. In my childhood, I had a titan too, a canine. At the age of nine my family adopted a healthy Leonberger puppy that we named Titan. Little did we know at the time that his name would not only represent his size but also his unwavering strength. At the age of one, he was diagnosed with a multitude of chronic health issues and was not expected to make it to two years of age. However, as a true titan, he proved everyone wrong. I watched his bravery and will to live as the veterinarians went above and beyond to help Titan with numerous treatment plans all while showing great kindness and empathy. This helped me realize I wanted to be a veterinarian to help other animals and foster strong relations between clients and veterinarians; Titan was my defining moment.

Growing up, I lacked self-confidence and avoided talking to people I did not know. With Titan as my constant companion, I had a plethora of strangers ask me questions about him, thus fostering my interpersonal communication skills. Being able to confidently answer questions about Titan, his breed, and his health helped to prepare me for similar conversations I currently have in my position as a veterinary assistant. I am able to handle both easy and difficult conversations with pet owners by being an engaged listener, an empathetic pet owner, and having confidence in my knowledge of animals and in myself. I also recognize that not all owners have the courage or understanding to ask the questions needed to best support their animals. With this in mind, one goal I have as a future veterinarian is to help bridge the gap of knowledge that exists between animal owners and those in the veterinary industry by providing more education for owners about their animals.

 Another aspect that I will bring to the veterinary profession is inclusivity. My older brother has special needs and I have seen the progress he has made through interactions with our dogs and cats. He has gained confidence, become more social, and is able to more freely express himself. My long-term goal to contribute to the field of veterinary medicine is to create a veterinary practice that employs people with disabilities. My future practice would offer a valuable and engaging place of employment by helping decrease the stigma surrounding the capabilities of those with special needs, and foster meaningful relationships between people and animals.

The connection and experiences I had with Titan started me on my path to becoming a veterinarian. I have persevered through every opposition I have faced, learning from my mistakes and successes while remaining dedicated to my goal of becoming a veterinarian. By being a strong communicator and working well with others I have shown my ability to lead by example. All of these attributes and more are why I will be a successful veterinarian. 

This vet school personal statement has three key strengths: 

#1: The initial narrative about the applicant’s childhood pet, Titan, coupled with the writer’s ability to be vulnerable (e.g., stating that they lacked self-confidence), allows an adcom reader to form an image of the candidate and want to learn more. Furthermore, the connection between the candidate and their dog clearly lays the foundation for their interest in the field of veterinary medicine.  

#2: This applicant not only refers to their position as a veterinary assistant but also notes very specific skills they’ve cultivated in that role, such as being an engaged listener and their ability to have difficult conversations. This demonstrates that the applicant is actively invested in the process of learning as much as possible while working.  

#3: The applicant does a great job of highlighting their vision of their future as a practitioner, both holistically (i.e., wanting to be a good educator) and specifically (i.e., wanting to employ staff with special needs). This lets the adcom know that the applicant is thinking not just about the point of matriculation but also about being a provider who will contribute to the growth and development of the field.  

As the former assistant dean of student affairs and career development at the William Beaumont School of Medicine, Dr. Valerie Wherley worked directly with the dean of the School of Medicine, the associate dean of student affairs, the associate dean of clinical curriculum, and the assistant dean of admissions, as well as with Year 4 students on both residency application reviews/critiques and mock interview preparation. Work with Valerie! Schedule a free consultation today!

Related Resources:

• Highlighting Your Leadership Experience in Your Application
• Four Tips for Displaying Teamwork in Your Application Essays
• How Personal Is Too Personal In Your Application Essays?

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Vet school personal statement: how to write + examples.

Reviewed by:

Jonathan Preminger

Former Admissions Committee Member, Hofstra-Northwell School of Medicine

Reviewed: 4/26/24

Writing your personal statement for vet school is no easy feat, but we’ve got you covered! Follow along for expert tips and successful examples of vet school personal statements.

When it comes to your vet school application, one of the main requirements is your personal statement, which can hold a lot of weight. This essay is your first opportunity to demonstrate your personality and why you would be an excellent candidate beyond your grades. 

For some, an excellent personal statement can even help make up for low grades or test scores, so it’s important to get it right.

Luckily, we’ve compiled our best tips and successful vet school personal statement examples to help you through the process. We’ll review tips from our experts on how to write a stand-out essay, examine each of our essay samples, and explain what made them successful. 

If you’re currently applying for vet school and are looking for assistance on any part of the application process, don’t hesitate to reach out to one of our experienced admissions advisors at any time. We know how hard it is to get into vet school ; we can help!

Let’s get started!

Get The Ultimate Guide on Writing an Unforgettable Personal Statement

How to Write a Personal Statement for Vet School

Here are some of our top tips when writing a personal statement for vet school.

Write Now, Edit Later

In most writing scenarios, getting started is the hardest part. The best way to relieve that stress is to start writing and keep going. It doesn’t have to be perfect; it can be longer or shorter than the word count initially. The purpose of this method is to pull out all the information and review it later on.

Try writing out your entire story, front to back, of how you grew up and developed an interest in vet school . Make sure to include two to three relevant work experiences. 

Once you have nothing left to say, look at what you’ve written and highlight the best, most relevant parts. Then, you can begin editing backward and pull out your best ideas. 

Consider Your Unique Perspective

Your story, no matter what it is, has value. Vet schools are competitive, and your admissions committee will see hundreds of applications. Finding a way to frame your unique perspective in your personal statement can help to create a memorable essay that will leave a lasting impression on readers. 

Consider your hometown, culture, family, passions, etc. Some students compare their passion for learning a challenging skill like playing the piano to the commitment and dedication required for vet school. 

There are no wrong answers here, as long as you can connect what makes you unique to your work experiences and why you would be an excellent vet school candidate. 

Revise, Revise, Revise!

It may sound obvious, but there has never been a more important time to revise an essay repeatedly. Remember, vet school is competitive. Something as small as a spelling or grammatical error could make the difference between getting in or not. 

Run your work by your teachers, family, and friends for revisions - not rewrites! Every word should sound like something you would authentically say. It would help if you had others help you edit, but ensure the paper still sounds like you. 

Vet School Personal Statement Examples

Here are three excellent examples of vet school personal statements. Below you’ll find veterinary school personal statement samples and our explanations of why the essay was successful. 

1. Example From the Veterinary School at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

“Living with my single mother, a nurse who often works over 60 hours a week to support my family, has taught me the value of hard work. From her, I have learned to be passionate and meticulous in all the work that I do. She instilled in me the need to constantly stay busy and involved.  I thrive in an environment that challenges me and requires quick thinking. Due to the influence of my mother, I have developed a strong perseverance and sense of determination. My parents’ divorce kept me in a changing environment growing up–I had to adapt to a variety of living situations with little finances to support us.  From this, I acquired the skills of being thrifty and knowing how to make sacrifices. The characteristics I have developed through my home environment growing up made me into an ideal candidate for vet school and a future veterinarian – a person who is passionate and dedicated to their work, but who also can cope with a fast-paced environment and problematic situations.  For the past seven years, I have applied these qualities to volunteering and caring for animals, developing my interest in veterinary medicine further. When I was thirteen, I volunteered at Birmingham Zoo in Alabama.  A large part of my role there included guest education about the animals on exhibit, usually using artifacts such as animal hides and skulls to explain various topics.  I worked mainly in the lorikeet exhibit, where I stayed in the exhibit with the birds while guests walked through. My jobs were to watch over the interactions between the birds and the guests, as well as to educate the guests about the birds.  From working there, I realized that I really liked getting to educate people about animals, a large portion of the job of a veterinarian. The most influential experience I’ve had on my decision to become a veterinarian was working at Elk Grove Pet Clinic.  I have been a kennel attendant there since 2007, where my job is to take care of all the in-house pets, care for the boarding animals, assist in appointments, give medications, and help with the cleaning of the clinic.  I have observed numerous surgeries, including routine spay and neuter surgeries, but also more unusual surgeries such as a 6 pound tumor removal from a dog and a surgery on the clinic’s ferret to remove tumors from his pancreas.  I have handled and cared for not only cats and dogs, but also macaws, cockatoos, snakes, ferrets, chinchillas, and tortoises.  Through working there, I had the opportunity to observe the duties of a private practice vet and see how they normally handle appointments, surgeries, and client communication in difficult situations. I have observed the doctor discussing with clients care options and the possibility of euthanasia, as well as assisted in euthanasia.  I have also assisted during emergencies, such as immediate care for a dog hit by a car. Through working at Elk Grove Pet Clinic, I have seen the responsibilities of a vet in caring for an animal in appointments and emergencies, as well as the importance of educating and discussing options with the pet owners.  I spent my junior year of college interning at the Champaign County Humane Society. I did an Animal Care Internship in the fall and a Medical/Lab Internship in the spring. The Medical/Lab Internship reaffirmed my decision of wanting to go to veterinary school.  While interning, I was able to gain experience performing physical exams, drawing blood, giving treatments and medications, restraining animals, microchipping animals, trimming nails, and learning what signs to look for in a sick animal.  I learned how to make and read an ear cytology slide, as well as how to tell if an animal has a bacterial ear infection or ear mites. The animals that I worked with were mainly cats and dogs, but also included guinea pigs, rabbits, ferrets, hamsters, chinchillas, and bearded dragons.  I was able to compare the duties of a shelter veterinarian and a private practice veterinarian, which varied due to the financial constraints of a shelter and the fact that the animals in the shelter do not have owners for the veterinarian to consult with.  Through my internships, I learned how much I enjoy doing physical exams, finding out what is wrong with an animal, and learning how to treat it. As a veterinarian, I would be able to apply all of these experiences by working in a science that is continually advancing, while contributing to the field through research and public education.  The skills that I have developed and the knowledge I have gained through working with animals have strengthened my interest in veterinary medicine.  Overall, my experiences with animals, my profound passion for science, and the characteristics I have developed through my home environment have shaped me into an excellent candidate for veterinary school.” 

Why this essay works:

In this example, the student begins by connecting their passion for vet school to her childhood experiences. The applicant then lists their valuable experience to demonstrate continued investment in their chosen career path.

They conclude by summarizing their writing - mentioning their passions for animals, science, and experience, all as reasons to accept them into the program. 

This essay is strong overall; however, it lacks a bit of reading flow. While it’s good to remind the admissions committee of your achievements and how they helped you grow, keep in mind that they’ve already seen these accomplishments on your CV. 

Your personal statement should be focused on telling your story rather than simply listing your achievements. Still, this student wrote a successful essay. 

2. Example from the University College Dublin’s Veterinary Medicine Program (Graduate)  

“From an early age, it was clear to me that my career path would involve working with animals in a clinical context, as I have always had a passion for science, animal health, and welfare.  My first exposure to the veterinary clinical environment was through a high school program, which provided me with the insight into how rewarding and fulfilling it was to be able to use scientific knowledge in order to diagnose, treat, prevent and ideally cure diseases.  This has led me to study Biochemistry for my undergraduate degree, as I wanted to have a solid basis for a comprehensive understanding of the metabolism and function of animals in health and disease. During my postgraduate studies, I had conducted a one-year research project working with Trypanosoma brucei, the causative agents for African Trypanosomiasis, an infectious disease of wild and domestic animals and humans of sub-Saharan Africa.  As African Trypanosomiasis is a zoonotic disease, this research experience had introduced me to the ‘One Health’ transdisciplinary approach and increased my awareness of the intricate relationship between human and animal health.  I have developed a strong appreciation on the importance of both veterinarians and human health professionals working together in order to detect, prevent and control disease outbreaks, as well as the key role that veterinarians play in the bigger picture of society. My latest internship at a companion animal veterinary clinic has taught me the importance of high-quality animal care and optimal health maintenance by providing routine treatments and the appropriate vaccinations.  I thoroughly enjoyed working in a veterinary clinical setting, from communicating with the clients to determine the animal’s medical history, aiding during the clinical examinations, using the various laboratory equipment for diagnostics, to the hands-on component of the job such as dental cleaning and assisting during surgical procedures. I want to become a veterinarian because I am dedicated to improving public health goals and outcomes by assessing, investigating and managing animal health and zoonotic disease risks.  I will enjoy collaborating with other veterinarians and various health professionals, such as epidemiologists and pathologists, to understand and identify new and emerging diseases and control them, reducing the time they circulate in the animal population.  Working as a public health veterinarian would also involve protecting the welfare of animals by ensuring that the standards of animal-keeping are met.  This would ensure that the animals, especially livestock, would be healthy, and diseases that could have repercussions on human health will be reduced as much as possible.  In this regard, I would also like to foster better collaboration with human health professionals so that future interdisciplinary public health issues can be tackled more efficiently. I believe that my educational background and experience have prepared me well for a veterinary medicine program and I would be honoured to be able to attend the University College Dublin’s Veterinary Medicine (Graduate Entry) program to pursue my career as a veterinarian.”

This applicant displays a passion for veterinary medicine through their unique initiatives and career experiences. Something unique that this student focuses on in their personal statement is how they intend to improve the world of veterinary medicine. 

This is an excellent perspective to present in your personal statement! Consider the specific shortcomings you’ve noticed in veterinary medicine and how you intend to improve upon those areas. It’s not essential if you don’t have any ideas, but it looks great on an application. 

3. Example from the University of Scranton  

“Ever since I can remember I have always had a passion for animals. Their beauty and ability to comfort me are only outmatched by their honesty, loyalty and faithfulness. My path to realizing that my true calling lies in veterinary medicine began when I took a life biology course in high school.  In this course I realized my intrigue with animals went far beyond their cute and cuddly parts. I was interested in how they worked from the inside and realized that I should be their doctor. Ever since that first high school class I have focused my educational path in pursuit of becoming a veterinarian.  I have volunteered at animal shelters, worked in clinics, shadowed veterinarians and participated in basic science research. Now that I stand at the doorstep of college graduation I cannot imagine my life if I do not attend veterinary school.  I shadowed my veterinarian Dr. Henry Nebzydoski and was amazed by his precision, immense knowledge and skill. I learned that in medicine many things can go wrong in a situation, but there are also many ways to solve problems.  I loved being able to meet clients whose love for their pets was apparent. That love between an animal and its owner drew me further into the love of veterinary medicine. This shared compassion and love for animals helped me relate to clients.  Volunteering at local shelters, I gained more perspective on a career as a veterinarian. I learned how to care for abused and homeless animals and to let go of the animals I had grown to love when it was in their best interest. While shadowing Dr. Michelle Falzone, I observed that each veterinary practice was different.  Doctors bring their own personality to make each experience unique; it is never just a routine doctor's visit. I believe that I, too, will bring individuality to the field of veterinary medicine that will benefit my clients. I obtained a job at an emergency animal hospital where the number of patients and the variety of problems presented was vastly different from daytime practices.  Veterinarians have to work under time constraints and I learned about the hard choices a family often makes. At first, I thought the patient-doctor bond was absent in these cases, but the doctors make sure the connection is still present by spending time talking to clients and personally calling them to disclose test results.  I learn a great deal everyday at the emergency clinic, such as filling medications, diagnosing symptoms and caring for patients and animals in difficult situations. Seeing many prognoses, I learned that there is hope for even the worst one and that a doctor's optimism is important.  Most importantly this experience taught me the value of communication skills in veterinary medicine. I have to explain procedures and calm down many patients in order to be able to understand the problems involved with their pets. I will never forget the first time I watched a pet euthanized.  Distraught, I thought for a time I would refuse to perform euthanasia in my practice. As I took in more of the doctor-patient interactions, I realized this would not be fair. The bond between a veterinarian and a pet owner becomes very important and is needed throughout the animal's life.  The doctor, who has been there throughout the good and difficult times, needs to be there for the owner and the pet when the only choice left is to end the suffering of the animal. For more than a year I have been interning at The Commonwealth Medical College.  I am conducting a research study with Dr. John Arnott on the expression of connective tissue growth factor in osteoblasts. This experience provided me with new insights into the importance of the basic sciences and I have developed great respect for their study and place in clinical medicine.  More than anything scientific research has taught me humility and that success requires tenacity. This experience has helped me grow as an individual and to find that I am capable of doing things I never dreamed.  With my help, we are one step closer to figuring out the steps in the cellular pathway to bone growth and thus are closer to potentially identifying molecules that will enhance bone growth. Veterinary medicine is a love of the science used to care and treat animals.  This coincides with the compassion for and communication with pet owners. As these animals are unable to communicate as a human might, veterinarians become dependent on the owner's ability to detect and describe problems. This challenge continues to fascinate me and I look forward to devoting my life to the field of veterinary science.  Becoming a veterinarian began as a dream many years ago for me, and is now close to a reality. My dream has always been a simple one - to pursue a love I have harbored since a youth, carrying it from a fascination and love of animals, to creating a successful veterinary practice. I am ready for the next step to fulfill this dream.”

Why this essay works:  

This essay is the most successful example we’ve shown due to its readability. Notice how the applicant includes descriptive language when they mention their previous experiences. 

They present their personal statement as a cohesive, flowing story from when they first became interested in veterinary medicine to now. It’s simple, compelling, honest, and - perhaps most importantly - easy to read. 

These examples of personal statements for vet school should guide you in the right direction when creating yours.

FAQs: Personal Statement for Vet School

Here are our answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about personal statements for vet school.

1. What Should A Vet School Personal Statement Include?

Your vet school personal statement should describe how your passion for veterinary medicine began, and two to three experiences you’ve had that demonstrate how you’ve improved upon that passion. It should flow nicely, be easy to read, and conclude by reinstating your passion for the profession and how you intend to improve the field. 

2. How Long Is A Personal Statement For Vet School?

Personal statements for vet school are typically one page or 3,000 words long. However, schools will often give you specific parameters for your essay. Pay close attention to the prompts given to you throughout your application process. 

3. How Do You End a Vet School Personal Statement?

There are several ways to end a vet school personal statement successfully. You should always reinstate your passion for veterinary medicine and end on a high note. Suppose you have a specific way you intend to improve veterinary medicine. In that case, the end of your personal statement is an excellent place to state your intentions. 

4. What Makes a Good Personal Statement for Vet School?

A good veterinary medicine personal statement must include your passion for the field, showcases unique experiences and qualities, exhibits a strong connection to animals, and utilizes effective storytelling and structure. 

It must also exhibit strong and concise writing and attention to detail. It should authentically convey your motivation and leave a lasting impression on the admissions committee.

5. How Important Are Personal Statements for Veterinary Schools?

A personal statement for veterinary school is extremely important. It provides applicants a platform to showcase their individuality, express their motivation, and demonstrate their suitability for the veterinary profession. 

Personal statements offer insights into applicants' personal and professional qualities that may not be apparent from other application components. 

Final Thoughts

Your vet school personal statement should be thoughtful, heartfelt, and informative. You should ensure that your story is easy to read by using descriptive language and lining up the highlights of your work experience in order. 

Consider your unique perspective. Remember, these programs are competitive. Putting your unique twist on your essay will help you stand out from the pack and remain in the minds of the admissions committee. 

Good luck! 

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If you would like to apply to study Veterinary Medicine , you’ll be required to make an application via UCAS . The application will have to include a Veterinary Medicine personal statement – which could make a big difference for vet schools looking to screen applicants prior to interviews!

How to Write a Veterinary Medicine Personal Statement

Aspiring veterinarians will all have to meet specific grade requirements and provide suitable references. This means that one of the few chances to really stand out from the crowd is your personal statement.

It is your opportunity to showcase your interest and motivations in the field, as well as experiences, skills and attributes.

Personal statements need to be submitted before the UCAS deadline, which is typically in October for Veterinary Medicine.

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Structuring Your Personal Statement

The structure of a veterinary medicine personal statement consists of three key elements: the introduction, body, and conclusion. Each section serves a specific purpose in conveying your motivation, experiences, and goals.

Introduction

The first section is your introduction. This is your opening pitch, which should grab the reader’s attention. It is your opportunity to make a strong first impression. 

Avoid clichés like “I have always wanted to be a veterinarian” and instead focus on stating your motivation for pursuing veterinary medicine. Highlight any personal experiences or events that sparked your interest in the field. This section should demonstrate your genuine passion and commitment to veterinary medicine.

The next element is the body of your personal statement. Discuss any work experience, volunteering, or extracurricular activities that have contributed to your understanding of veterinary medicine. 

Showcase transferable skills such as effective communication, problem-solving, and empathy. Provide specific examples to illustrate how these experiences have shaped your desire to become a veterinarian. 

This section should highlight your dedication, knowledge, and readiness for the challenges of veterinary medicine

The third and final element is your conclusion. The conclusion is your opportunity to summarize the main points of your personal statement and leave a lasting impression on the reader. 

Reinforce your passion, commitment, and future goals in veterinary medicine. Emphasize how your experiences have solidified your decision to pursue this career path. End with a strong and memorable statement that reflects your enthusiasm and readiness for the challenges and rewards of being a veterinarian. 

This section should leave the reader with a sense of your determination and excitement for your future career.

Personal Statement Help

Focus on one-to-one help with an admissions tutor for your Veterinary School application

Veterinary Medicine Personal Statement Tips

Use our tips for writing your Veterinary Medicine personal statement!

Showcase Your Passion and Motivation

You should demonstrate your genuine passion for animal welfare and explain how your motivation aligns with Veterinary Medicine’s values.

You might be motivated by family members or friends who are in the Veterinary Medicine field. Or you might have developed a passion for animal welfare from a work experience placement at your local veterinarian’s. Whatever your motivation is, you should write about it in your personal statement and explain why it is relevant.

Highlight Relevant Experiences

Veterinary schools are looking for breadth and depth of experience, which typically needs to include:

• At least one veterinary practice
• Working with large domestic animals on a livestock farm, especially dairy or lambing
• Other animal experience, such as in stables, kennels, catteries, zoos, wildlife, or rescue centres, pig or poultry farms, or something more unusual
• At least one veterinary practice, working with large domestic animals on a livestock farm, especially dairy or lambing and other animal experience like stables, kennels, catteries, zoos, wildlife, or rescue centres, pig or poultry farms or something more unusual.

You should reflect on any lessons learnt, as well as how these experiences helped you to grow. Don’t forget to specify how many weeks of experience you have obtained!

Demonstrate Suitability for Veterinary Medicine

You should demonstrate that you understand the challenges and responsibilities of the Veterinary Medicine profession and highlight your ability to work in a team, handle stress and make ethical decisions.

You should also demonstrate your commitment to ongoing learning throughout your Veterinary Medicine career and staying up-to-date with veterinary science developments.

However, you should not just consider experiences. You should also discuss key skills and attributes and provide examples of how you have demonstrated these in academic and personal settings.

Other writing tips

After writing your personal statement, you should review it carefully to ensure it is clear and coherent. You should also review it for any spelling or grammatical errors.

You should tailor your personal statement to each veterinary school you apply to. Veterinary schools have unique curricula, research opportunities, and values, and they want to admit students who align with their mission and can contribute to their community.

By tailoring your personal statement, you can highlight how your experiences, skills, and goals align with the specific strengths and values of each school, showing your genuine interest and dedication. 

You might also want to get feedback on your personal statement! You could ask a relative to read it and give you their thoughts or ask a friend or a teacher to comment on what impression it made on them.

You might also like to get professional help with your personal statement, 

• Get a Personal Statement Review by an Admissions Tutor
• Focus on one-to-one help with Personal Statement Tutoring for your Veterinary School application

Things to avoid

Some common personal statement mistakes include:

• Lack of focus: A common mistake is not having a clear focus or central theme in the personal statement. It is important to have a central idea or message that ties your experiences, skills, and goals together. Without a clear focus, the personal statement may come across as disjointed or lacking direction.
• Generic statements: Using generic statements or clichés, such as “I love animals” or “I have always wanted to be a veterinarian,” can weaken the personal statement. Admissions committees are looking for unique and genuine perspectives, so it is important to provide specific examples and personal anecdotes that demonstrate your passion and commitment to veterinary medicine.
• Lack of self-reflection: A personal statement should not just be a list of experiences or achievements. It should also include self-reflection and insight into how these experiences have shaped your desire to pursue veterinary medicine. Failing to reflect on the impact of your experiences can make the personal statement appear superficial or lacking depth.
• Poor organization and structure: A disorganized or poorly structured personal statement can make it difficult for the reader to follow your narrative. It is important to have a clear introduction, body, and conclusion, with each section flowing logically into the next. Use paragraphs and transitions effectively to ensure a smooth and coherent flow of ideas.
• Grammatical and spelling errors: Neglecting to proofread your personal statement can lead to grammatical and spelling errors, which can detract from the overall quality of your writing. It is important to carefully review your personal statement for any mistakes and consider seeking feedback from others to ensure it is error-free.
• Overemphasis on grades and test scores: While academic achievements are important, focusing solely on grades and test scores can give the impression that you are only interested in the academic aspect of veterinary medicine. It is important to showcase a well-rounded profile that includes experiences, skills, and qualities beyond academic performance.

A well-written, persuasive and stand-out personal statement is your key to a potential veterinary school interview . 

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How To Write a Vet School Personal Statement

Personal statements are one of the first big steps towards becoming a vet, but how do you write one? Find out in our detailed guide.

How to write a vet school personal statement

Getting into a great veterinary school can be tough. Vet course admissions are very competitive, so you need to do everything you can to prove that you are an exceptional candidate. This includes writing a great veterinary personal statement. We look at how to write a personal statement for vet school, key items to include, and why nailing your personal statement is important.

Why we have to write personal statements

Your personal statement is an important part of your application process, as veterinary school is highly competitive. This is the chance to add a personal touch to your application and make you stand out from the crowd. While your resume will list all of your accomplishments, educational background, and experience, your personal statement allows you to tie all of this together and let your passion, personality, and enthusiasm for veterinary medicine shine through. Your personal statement is also where you can mention anything that doesn’t fit into the other sections of your application, and it’s an ideal place to reinforce how you meet the admission requirements .

Here, you’ll introduce yourself and explain why you’ll be a great fit for the program, touch on what has inspired you to further your studies, and why you think you are good candidate to become a veterinarian. You might also want to include what you like about this particular program and how you think it will enrich your knowledge and understanding of veterinary medicine. 

This means that when you get an interview for admission, the admissions officer should already know a bit about you and allows you to jump straight into answering their questions.

Demonstrate your passion for animals 

Since you only have limited space on your personal statement, it’s important to use this space to convince the admissions team that your passion for animals would make you an excellent veterinarian.

In order to uniquely demonstrate your passion for animals, try to think outside of the box. Don’t just talk about family pets. Mention times you’ve been proactive, hands-on, and gained experience with animals. This might include helping with the birthing season on a local farm, volunteering in kennels, or helping strays find foster homes in animal shelters.

It’s also important to specify what type of animals you have interacted with. Did you grow up riding horses and love tending to large mammals? Or did your family raise small animals? Whatever your particular interest in the veterinary world, be sure to add it. Schools like to see students who have a plan of where to specialize and continue their education.

Of course, don’t forget that most vets have to work with people too, so it’s a good idea to include something that shows you can work as part of a team or with clients.

Highlight all relevant experience

Whatever you’ve done for animals outside your normal household, include it, especially if it’s something related to wellbeing and health. Even better, if you can remember a particular interaction that made you want to be a veterinarian, be sure to include it. 

Your resume will list your experience and qualifications, but your vet school application personal statement is where you can say why your experience is relevant to the program. When you’re planning your statement, you can make notes of what experience you have, and what transferable skills you have gained. Then you can find ways to tie this into veterinary medicine. For example, if you’re an empathetic person who has worked in customer service, you can relate this to dealing with clients at a standard vet practice. If you have experience running a social group, this ties into leadership skills and motivation to go above and beyond for something you’re interested in.

Remember, you’ll have gained invaluable experience from almost everything you do, whether that’s education, work, voluntary roles, or hobbies. You just need to think about how it is relevant to what you want to do next.

Set yourself apart from the crowd  

First, you should try to think about what makes you unique. Try to think about the things you’ve done that other people haven’t, or experiences you’ve had. Remember that you’ll be competing for a seat against people all over the country and potentially all over the world, so even the most basic things might be unusual compared to other applicants.

Just like in the previous section, think about how your background gives you a different perspective or relevant skills. Try to tie it into the topics you’ll be learning in vet school, and the challenges you would face in your daily life as a veterinarian.

While you might want a large portion of your statement to be positive, you can also bring up any difficulties you’ve had and how you’ve used problem-solving skills and resourcefulness to overcome them. It shows that you’re willing to do a lot to reach your dream, which suggests you’ll be a focused and dedicated student.

You should also be sure to be personable in your personal statement. Vet school committees will expect you to remain professional and precise in what you say with word limitations in mind. However, you should aim for a conversational, friendly tone. Your personal statement is about you, so it should give the admissions committee an insight into your personality. Try to find a happy medium where you don’t sound too stiff and formal, but also don’t use slang too much.

Preparation is key

There are a lot of different things you will want to cover in your personal statement for vet school, and it’s more than simply a ‘why I want to be a veterinarian’ essay. That’s why it’s vital to prepare and plan your statement before you write it.

Just like any other assignment, you should break the statement down into sections. Make sure you highlight the goal of each section – one section might be talking about your background, and one might be about your experience. Then plan out each section with some key points to include, such as the skills your experience has provided. Then you can write the actual contents without wavering too much – and you definitely don’t want to waste words.

Afterward, be sure to proofread it thoroughly. If you can, you should ask someone else to read it too. Ask them if it makes sense, as well as get them to note any errors they find.

If you’re ready to take the next step and start studying at a leading vet school, contact us to speak to one of our expert advisors. St. Matthew’s University School of Veterinary Medicine provides graduates with new knowledge, skills, and methods necessary to become caring, competent veterinarians.

Check out webinar events at St. Matthew’s School of Veterinary Medicine for more information about the application process, including your personal statement.

Get in touch for more information

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Veterinary Science Personal Statement Examples

What is a veterinary medicine personal statement?

Your veterinary medicine personal statement is an opportunity to sell yourself to admissions tutors, and tell them why you would make a great candidate on their course.

Your statement should include how you meet all the entry requirements for a veterinary science degree and demands of the course. For example, your love of animals, patience, empathy, and your academic and practical skills.

How do I write a veterinary medicine personal statement?

Most veterinary medicine candidates open their personal statement with why they want to become a vet. Motivations for wanting to study any course at university are always important.

We recommend you write a series a notes about your skills, experience, hobbies, extracurricular activities, career plans and anything else that is relevant to your application.

When you have put an initial draft together, proofread it and leave yourself plenty of time to amend your statement.

Ask family, friends and tutors to read your veterinary medicine personal statement, and invite them to make suggestions, comments and any other feedback to help you improve it.

What should I include in my veterinary medicine personal statement?

• Your passion for animals should be obvious from the outset. Think about what made you want to pursue a career in veterinary medicine in the first place - was it a childhood experience or something you read or encountered? Were you inspired by a family member or friend who is already a qualified vet?
• Talk about any work experience (paid or unpaid) or voluntary roles that have helped you gain experience in the veterinary science field. This will help demonstrate your skills, commitment and ambition to the university admissions tutors.
• If you're applying to Oxbridge, your personal statement will need to be exemplary. Veterinary medicine is a highly competitive course, so you have to show that you are a talented, dedicated and enthusiastic student that meets all the academic and vocational requirements.

For more help and advice on what to write in your veterinary medicine personal statement, please see:

• Personal Statement Editing Services
• Personal Statement Tips From A Teacher
• Analysis Of A Personal Statement
• The 15th January UCAS Deadline: 4 Ways To Avoid Missing It
• Personal Statement FAQs
• Personal Statement Timeline
• 10 Top Personal Statement Writing Tips
• What To Do If You Miss The 15th January UCAS Deadline.

What can I do with a veterinary medicine degree?

There are many career options available to those wanting to study veterinary medicine, including:

• Animal nutritionist
• Veterinary surgeon
• Animal physiotherapist

However, there are other job roles where your veterinary science degree could be useful, such as:

• Animal technician
• Veterinary nurse
• Environmental consultant
• Nature conservation officer.

For more information about careers with a veterianary science degree, please see Prospects and The Times .

What are the best UK universities for veterinary medicine?

Currently the best UK universities for veterinary medicine are:

For more information about UK university rankings for veterinary science, please see The Complete University Guide and The Guardian .

Related resources

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UCAS Personal Statement FAQs

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How To Write A Personal Statement

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How To Apply To University

Applying to Veterinary School in 2024: Veterinary Personal Statement Top Tips From Cambridge & RVC Graduates

Applying to vet school can seem intimidating. In this article, we hope to demystify the process for you, discussing top tips for writing your personal statement, exploring the subject prior to interviews and preparing you to follow your veterinary dreams!

Preparing a Veterinary Personal Statement

When writing your personal statement, it is important to ensure breadth and depth, discussing topics in detail and ensuring you can mention a range of different topics/ experience to show a wider knowledge of the subject area. Make sure you mention people as well as animals, and choose topics you would be comfortable discussing further at interview.

Why are you applying?

Before you begin preparing for your veterinary application, it is worth taking a few minutes to think about the reasons why you wish to study veterinary medicine. This will be crucial for personal statement writing and you may be asked about your motivations for applying at interview. Your reasons for application should be well-thought out and specific. When you have some work experience of volunteering done, you can incorporate these experiences in your answers.

Begin by planning how you will structure your response. You could split your answer into three sections: 

1. Why the university?

Extensively research the university, societies you might want to join etc. and know the style of veterinary school. N.B. Most veterinary schools will have a page dedicated to what they want from applicants - take your cue from them!

2. Why veterinary?

Think about what YOU will gain from the degree itself

Think about what the degree will allow you to do once you are done e.g. The different routes you could take: Veterinary surgeon, zoo industry, scientific research, higher education lecturer, conservation work, charity sector (RSPCA) etc.

Ideas: You could think about how veterinary scientists benefit our community, maintaining animal welfare standards, improving food security, informing policy changes, the lifelong learning experience…

What are your ambitions? What interests you about veterinary medicine?

Consider the top 6 qualities you think it will be most important to evidence in your personal statement – consider practical and non practical skills

3. Why are you a suitable candidate?

When answering "Why me?" style questions at interview, or brainstorming when writing your personal statement, you must be able to demonstrate your quality and relate back to veterinary.

What makes YOU suitable for this subject? What relevant skills do you have? What relevant experiences or achievements can evidence these skills?

Which qualities would your chosen university most admire? e.g. practical skills, communication skills, problem solving, empathy and sensitivity

Work experience is great to mention as the stimulus that led you to apply for veterinary medicine, rather than just "helping animals", which is the formulaic answer a surprising number of students give! Work experience placements also make perfect examples for questions on your skills/ attributes and veterinary as a career.

Example skills

How to ensure breadth and depth in your Vet personal statement

Those who are going to review your personal statement for university admissions, or interview you, live the subject. They have decided to dedicate their lives to studying this discipline. Therefore, it is important to show that you are closely involved with the subject, even though it is not a subject studied at school. How to do this?

Background Reading/ Research for Vet Science

Evidence of off-curriculum exploration and outside reading is crucial to success in entry to the top veterinary schools . Research some relevant topics in veterinary medicine such as one health, bovine tB, animal welfare, pet obesity and nutrition (80% of horses are obese!), euthanasia and equine notifiable diseases.

Also think about current "“hot topics” in veterinary e.g. equine herpes virus is a hot topic in the UK after a recent outbreak. Students may also like to mention Covid-19 on their personal statement and the questions/ issues the pandemic has thrown up e.g.

Zoonotic diseases (diseases spread between animals and people): The origins of the pandemic are unclear

Coronavirus in pets e.g. dogs: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/animals.html - Concerns over animals/ pets with reported SARS-CoV-2 infection resulted in vets being pooled into the research

The effectiveness of tele-consultations/ whether this accelerated the possible digitalisation of some elements of veterinary practice

The importance of non-emergency treatments: Vets encourage dog owners to come for vaccinations each year, but these were classes as non-emergency during the pandemic. Does this mean vaccinations are not essential for dogs?

Are vets key workers? (They were not classes ad key workers originally)

Puppy farming/ ethics of imported rescues

Pet travel/ passports

You could keep a reading chart with a page dedicated to each veterinary related topic. This will be useful for personal statement writing and prospective interviews too. To practise for interview, why not try presenting the topic out loud and pre-empting questions?

New Scientist: Great for articles on current affairs in veterinary science: https://www.newscientist.com/search/?q=veterinary

BBC Radio 4 In Our Time : You’ll find a number of veterinary-related episodes e.g. “The Evolution of Horses” or “Echolocation”

Linking research/ work experience to skills

Mention a range of different topics to show a wider knowledge of the subject area

Pick a topic or experience to discuss in more detail in your personal statement, but use this to show off a quality of yours

Example: Communication skills are central to being a successful vet – you could mention how you used communication skills during work experience or watched a vet demonstrate communication skills in a challenging scenario such as an angry or upset client

Work experience:

Consider which of these placements you have enjoyed the most, and why

Consider a time during your work experience placements when you have learnt something about the practical aspect of working in veterinary science, and also a non-practical aspect

You could also refer to examples of cases seen during work experience

Extracurricular

These may or may not be relevant to veterinary science. If unrelated e.g. a sport, public speaking, music, ensure you link back to why undertaking the extracurricular activity stands you in good stead for a veterinary degree i.e. what skill has it honed? Mention of non-veterinary related extracurriculars should be c.4 lines at the end of the statement.

Example Activities:

Write, write, write! For other subjects, essay competitions are a great way of delving into a topic area in depth and trying your hand at high level academic writing. Whilst veterinary competitions are slightly harder to come by, there are some opportunities for students to get involved in/ mention on their personal statement. Even if the deadline is passed, why not practise brainstorming an answer to, essay planning, or writing a full essay in response to the questions? Questions such as these could also be asked at interview. Even if you don’t mention the competition, you could mention an interest in the field on your personal statement or even turn it into an independent research project

The Society for Veterinary Medical Ethics Competition : Example Question - “ Even when animal euthanasia is ethically indicated, many veterinarians and vet staff become stressed because they feel like executioners. What might change their paradigm?”

Lucy Cavendish College Veterinary Competition : Example Question - ”’Brachycephalic dogs spend their entire lives struggling to breathe. Their popularity is regrettable and their breeding should be strictly regulated.’ Discuss.”

Newnham College, Cambridge Biological Sciences Competition : Example Question - “Replace, reduce, refine: Why do we still need to experiment on animals?”

Research Projects

Zooniverse allows you to take part in science research projects from home. For example, the project “Whooping Cranes” involves virtually looking for large white birds (Whooping Cranes) in Northern Canada to monitor the population of the endangered species, or the “Monkey Health Explorer” project allows you to learn more about monkey health by identifying white blood cell types

We also offer specialised research projects through our co-curricular division, Minds Underground™ . The projects are great to mention on personal statements, and make impressive talking points at interview, particularly for top UK universities such as Cambridge, who favour applicants with an interest in scientific research

These are typically taken over a 4-week duration, involving weekly hour-long project tutorials and a final review session. The aim is to combine teaching of high-level subject-specific content with exposure to real-world applications of these concepts, giving you the opportunity to undertake a project that is both useful for a university application and future career

We have a selection of projects available on the website, but further veterinary projects can also be customised around your interests with a mentor who has a specialism in the field

Veterinary Courses/ Masterclasses

We run an online Veterinary Summer School (June - August), with two hosts from the Royal Veterinary College

If you have missed the summer course, we also host all of the masterclasses as 1-1 sessions, price on application. Example masterclasses: https://www.mindsunderground.com/stem/veterinary

Online Veterinary Summer School

12 interactive masterclasses on topics such as “Immune Response and Vaccines”, “Basic Life Support and First Aid in the Emergency Patient” and “Veterinary Case Studies: The Vomiting Dog, The Cat Losing Weight, and the Horse with Colic”

Designed to support content building for personal statements, and prepare for veterinary interviews

Hopefully this article has given you more of an idea as to how you should go about content building, writing and structuring a standout vet personal statement. Be concise (you only have 4000 characters!), be honest and speak in detail about specific interests within the veterinary course, emphasising a few in-depth discussions of experience and topics of interest to convey your passion for the subject.

Looking for a Personal Statement Tutor or Support For Your Wider Veterinary School Application?

Veterinary science personal statement.

U2’s Oxbridge-educated mentors have a close insight into what admissions tutors like to see in a veterinary personal statement, and can help students to convey their skills, motivations, and long term goals, in order to stand out from other applicants. The statement should be the candidates own work, but our mentors will provide direction and guide you through the process of content building and writing. We offer offline drafting as well as tuition sessions.

Veterinary Mentoring (Cambridge, RVC and More)

U2 offers both ad hoc tuition and wider Medical School / Oxbridge Mentoring programmes ( book a free consultation to discuss options ). We have a great team of Cambridge-educated and RVC Veterinary mentors, with experience supporting students in application to the UK’s top veterinary schools.

The Process:

1) We suggest a Veterinary mentor and send their full CV for review. Our mentors are deeply familiar with the admissions process and are well-placed to guide you through personal statement curation, test preparation (if applicable) and the interview process. We may suggest a range of application tutors to choose from with slightly differing rates depending on qualifications and level of experience.

2) We typically suggest beginning with a 1.5 hour informal assessment/ taster session , where the mentor will informally assess the student’s current performance level for application. Following this, we issue a report with feedback, and structure a plan to best prepare.

3) U2’s approach for regular veterinary application sessions: The main focus of tutorial sessions will be to explore material that can be discussed in the personal statement and at interview. Mentors ensure each student refines their interests within veterinary, and is exposed to a range of key themes and topics. Together, we build a case for the student, solidifying the stance and direction they will take during interview.

Frequency of sessions can be decided between student and mentor. Students can take either ad hoc sessions, or we structure a full programme for preparation, which may include further co-curricular opportunities such as our research projects , Veterinary summer school and mock interview days.

Sessions from £70/h.

Applying for Linguistics at University in 2024: Reading, Personal Statement and Interview Tips From an Oxford Linguistics Graduate

How to approach the ucat test in 2024: tips for the best ucat preparation.

Personal Statements

Your personal statement is a one-page essay that gives veterinary admissions committees a clear picture of who you are and, most importantly, why you want to pursue a career in veterinary medicine

UGA Supplemental Application questions for 2024-2025 application cycle:

• Veterinarians contribute to society in many different ways. Describe several roles they play in society and how you hope to contribute, including the qualities or traits you would bring to the profession. (3500 character limit)
• Describe a significant experience or challenge in your life that was unrelated to veterinary medicine, what you learned from that experience, and how you have grown from it. (3500 character limit)
• Personal Statement

What should be included?

Although there is no set of rules mandating what a strong personal statement should include, here are a few tips to help you successfully craft an effective personal statement:

• Explain a defining moment that helped steer you toward a career in veterinary medicine. Consider using that moment as the focal point of your essay.
• Be original and thoughtful: Discuss how you would contribute to the profession and patient care, all of which will help you stand out from other applicants.
• As you are telling us why you want to pursue a career in veterinary medicine , explain why you are good candidate for veterinary school. Ask yourself—in a pile of 100 applications, would I enjoy reading my statement? Be sure to convey your passion for veterinary medicine in your statement.
• Many of you have had meaningful experiences with animals or veterinarians as children and these are important but should only be mentioned briefly.
• Your application materials already contain a summary of your accomplishments, so avoid repeating information from your transcripts or reference letters.
• Give yourself time to organize your thoughts, write well and edit as necessary.
• Ask yourself if this essay is a good representation of your character, ideals and aspirations.
• Don’t forget to proofread!

What should NOT be included?

• Avoid cliches: How many times do you think admissions committees have read the phrase, “I love animals”?
• Avoid being vague: "[Insert experience] was challenging and rewarding." What does that mean? Be specific about what was impactful and how it affected you.
• Avoid brash decision-making:   Your decision to become a veterinarian should be the result of a series of thoughtful, conscious, and reflective decisions. NOT an instantaneous realization. Similarly, you have not “always known” that you want to be a vet. No one is "born to be a vet." Nothing is innate, you have to work for it.
• Avoid excuses:   In general, there are better uses for your essays than explaining away and justifying poor grades, incidents of misconduct, etc.  However, if you choose to address these subjects, be sure to focus on what you have learned from those incidents and how your experiences have made you a stronger person.  Never, ever blame anyone else for your mistakes.
• Avoid restating resume:   Choose ONE or TWO significant and distinguishing experiences to elaborate upon.
• Avoid grandiosity:   For example, claiming that you “know what it is like to be a vet from [shadowing/clinical volunteer experience].”  No, you do not.  That is precisely why you are hoping to go to vet school.
• Avoid inflammatory or controversial topics:   You do not know the values, beliefs, and background of the person who is reading your essay.  For these reasons, it is advisable to avoid making any strong statements regarding politics, religion, and other polarizing topics.  Be extremely cautious to avoid expressing any views that could be construed as derogatory to any group.  Additionally, your beliefs are not the only “correct” beliefs.
• Do not lie: Honesty and ethical behavior are the hallmarks of being a veterinarian. Do not include details that you are not prepared to talk about or are simply untrue.

When should I start writing?

You need to begin working on your essays early in the fall semester prior to the application opening in January.  Remember that the people who are helping you with your essays will need time to review them and you will need time to work through multiple drafts. You should have several different people objectively read your personal essays and provide constructive feedback. There are also resources on campus that can assist you, such as the Career Center and UGA Writing Center .  Consider the feedback you get carefully, but be sure that the essays are still written in your voice. In addition, some of your letter writers will want to see a copy of your essays before they write your letter, so you should strive to have competent drafts on hand by October or November. Your letter-writers are often a great option to help review your essays.

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Writing A Personal Statement For Veterinary Medicine

Start writing your personal statement early as many people will get through a huge number of drafts before they are happy with their PS. This is the general format for a PS and some good advice (you don't have to use this format, just make sure you include all the sections).

If you know where you want to apply, make sure you have a look on the websites for any specific advice on what they want to see in your personal statement as different universities may have different things they want you to include. For example, most places want the time spend at each placement mentioned somewhere in the personal statement although this is by no means set in stone as most places ask for the volume of work experience during the work experience stage. Remember, everything you put in your personal statement can be asked about at interviews. So the surgery name you wrote that looks fancy may actually be the main topic at one of your interviews so make sure you know your personal statement inside out and back to front and able to talk about it to a frenzy. A good starting point I found was to underline every part of my personal statement that could be expanded on in interview and then finding everything out I could about that topic within reason that I could understand with having no previous degree training.

Introduction

Your introduction needs to be interesting to the reader. Don't overuse words such as passion, and other clichés. The admissions department want to know why vet med interests you, and why no other career would do. Although you can state that this is a long-held ambition, remember that you have not 'always wanted to be a Vet' - no-one emerges from the womb shouting 'I want to be a Vet!'. You must explain early on, and very clearly, why you want to be a Vet. It might sound obvious, but many people don't do this as they assume that the fact they are applying for this degree course is enough proof - it isn't. Do not get 'clever' and try to make this part 'grab' the reader. The admissions tutors will have read plenty of personal statements that say the same thing. This isn't an entertaining short-story, its an explanation for why you are applying for Vet Med and why you want this as a career. Keep it straightforward and factual.

Work experience paragraph

This section should be around 70% of your whole personal statement. It is vital that you get this bit right as it can be a deciding factor in whether to interview you or not

The most important thing here is not to waste space listing names of places you've been to. It wastes valuable word space! So instead of 'I went to The Mill Equine Veterinary Centre', say 'I went to an equine veterinary centre'.

Don't mention an operation or treatment you observed, without explaining why you are mentioning it! Throughout this section, you should be commenting on how this has helped you reflect on life as a vet, the reality of farming and animal rescue work etc. So don't just list what you saw or did!

Explain clearly what you learnt or anything you realised about yourself - 'Whilst spending a week lambing, I realised I work well under pressure in a fast paced environment and despite being tired and cold can still make good decisions'.

Your work experience should include a mix of veterinary/clinical work, farm work, RSPCA/cattery, equine, kennels, abattoirs/food production and any others you can think off. Make sure you get a good mix of vet experience, ie. not just farming/big animal or not just companion animals. You MUST get experience in more that one Vet's practice and this MUST be longer than 4 weeks in total, with at least another 4 weeks of 'other experience'. If you live in a big city and getting big animal/rural experience is difficult mention this, but take full advantage of other opportunities you have like Zoos, pet shops etc.

Voluntary work paragraph

Whilst being a Head Boy etc might sound good, its pointless mentioning this unless you explain what you did and why this is relevant. It doesn't have to be a 'named job' btw. If you help out with the Year 7s, run parent tours at Open Days or sing solos in the school choir, mention it. You should also be able to talk about any voluntary stuff you do outside school - church, helping out at Brownies, working in an Oxfam shop, doing Race for Life etc. If you play sport regularly, are a member of a team of any sort, have won any academic or social prizes (preferably outside school) mention it. Being good at science is not enough - all rounders make better vets.

Extracurricular paragraph

In this section you need to tell the admissions department what you do in your spare time. Remember it has to relate to your application. You may enjoy going to the cinema but what does that actually bring to your personal statement? This paragraph is very important. It shows the reader that you can balance an academic life with extracurricular activities. If you mention a hobby that doesn't relate to veterinary medicine, don't try to relate it. It'll be obvious to the reader your clutching at straws. Its up to you if you want to relate everything to vet medicine. Some things will have an obvious link so your wasting words explaining everything.

Gap Year Plans

If you have any gap years plans, mention them and what you hope to learn from them. Whilst some structure is preferable, it doesn't have to be 'all about animals'. It is fine to say 'I'm taking a year out to travel to Australia in order to gain some independence and get some experience life beyond school' etc. The more 'I organised' the better - if it looks like something you bought off the shelf (exotic volunteering etc) then it won't teach you much at all.

Sum up your application up in a sentence. Again try to avoid clichés. Don't introduce anything new. Don't tell the Admissions Tutor you will make an excellent student.

Optional Extras

Don't add 'padding'. Only mentions things that are relevant. If you did an EPQ and it relates to Vet work or science in general, explain it briefly. If there are any important details about your family life or a medical condition that have affected your grades, again mention this very briefly. If you are from overseas, why do you want to study in Britain? If you are a mature applicant, what else have you done with your life?

Advice from an Admissions Tutor

• Starting your PS with any reference to a family pet, anything that happened to said pet when you were 6 and/or your admiration for the vet that saved its life. In fact, don't mention this anywhere in your PS if you want to be taken seriously. You are no longer 6. Your desire to be a vet must be based on something far more profound than this.
• Avoid anything that sounds like 'I have always loved animals' or 'I want to combine my love for animals with my interest in science'.
• Don't use silly words/phrases like 'zeal', 'plethora', 'I relish' and 'it piqued my interest'. If your best friend would laugh at you using the word or phrase to their face, don't put in your PS.
• Do not list experiences at your Vet work experience without explaining what it made you think/feel/realise. ie. 'I watched a c-section, dissected a cow's testicle and intubated a cat' is meaningless on its own. Far better is pick one event/moment that made you step back and think about what had just happened and why you felt differently about being vet because of it. Explain your reflection/realisation not just the event.
• Don't show off. 'I spent 3 weeks working on a turtle conservation project in Belize'. Do not kid yourself that this is 'relevant work experience'. This is an exotic holiday with 1 day of 'pretending to be a volunteer'. We would be far more impressed if you'd spent 2 weeks lambing in a freezing shed with no sleep.
• Do not mention James Herriot, Steve Irwin or David Attenborough.
• Do not tell us that your mother is a doctor or your big sister is a vet. They aren't applying for University - you are.
• Make the precise number of weeks you have spent on work experience crystal clear, and differentiate clearly between Vet/clinical experience and 'other' animal experience. Make it clear how many Vets you've worked in and how many 'other situations'.
• Explain clearly WHY you want to be a Vet. Just loving animals is NOT enough. Nor is 'wanting to make them better'.You must show that you are thinking about this as an adult not a child. Think bigger than this. How would a VET explain this?
• Include what else you do with your time apart from animals! Universities are interested in people with a sense of civic and social responsibility. We want to see long-term voluntary work, team sport, personal achievements etc. PS. DoE is very boring - so is World Challenge. PLEASE find something that the school did NOT organise for you!
• Check your spelling, punctuation and grammar carefully. It matters.  

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Personal Statement

Admission committees look for applicants who capture the compassion as well as the passion for the field to which they wish to apply. The personal statement is your primary opportunity to distinguish yourself from the thousands of other applicants. Make a lasting impression by showing the admission committee who you are as a person and making the case that you possess the personality traits and characteristics to become a successful health care provider. 

The Veterinary Medical College Application Service (VMCAS) prompt is: 

Discuss briefly the development of your interest in veterinary medicine. Discuss those activities and unique experiences that have contributed to your preparation for a professional program. Discuss your understanding of the veterinary medical profession, and discuss your career goals and objectives. 

Here are some tips specific to veterinary school personal statement: 

• Do not regurgitate experiences and other data already existing on other parts of the application.
• Write about your knowledge of the veterinary profession.
• Include information about who you are as a person and what diversity you might bring to the institution.
• Include information about why you'd be a good candidate.

1. Brainstorm

Questions to ask yourself before you write.

• Who are the most influential people in your life? What did they do for you?
• What have been the pivotal moments in your life? 
• What accomplishments are you most proud of?
• What obstacles have you overcome?
• What makes you different?
• How will your skills and personality traits add diversity to the class?
• Do you feel a passion for medicine? What is the source of that passion?
• What do you want medical schools to know about you that hasn't been disclosed in other sections of the application? 
• How would your family and friends describe you?
• What are your goals and dreams?

Compile an inventory of all the activities, experiences, and relationships/influences that have helped to define the person you are today. Looking back, what can you recall having changed you? How were you affected? What lessons did you learn? What personality traits do they reflect in you? These notes will help you identify the topics or themes on which to focus your statement. As you are brainstorming, you may identify experiences that stir strong emotions. These experiences are likely to be meaningful to you and therefore may be good material for your personal statement. Speak from your heart. 

2. Start Writing

Identify your word limit.

Word/character limits for personal statements vary across professions so it is important that you identify your word or character limit before you start writing. The limit for the veterinary school application (VMCAS) is 5000 characters. Generally speaking, this is roughly one page single-spaced. Character limits for common health professions' application services (all include spaces): Allopathic medicine (AMCAS): 5300 characters. For Texas schools (TMDSAS): 5000 characters Osteopathic medicine (AACOMAS): 4500 characters Dentistry (AADSAS): 4500 characters Veterinary (VMCAS): 5000 characters Physician Assistant (CASPA): 5000 characters Accelerated Nursing programs: varies by school; for schools using NursingCAS, the limit is 5000 characters Physical Therapy (PTCAS): 4500 characters Public Health (SOPHAS): 1500 words

Get It on the Page For your first draft, don't get hung up on your beginning or ending. Instead, just start writing. You may feel the urge to write a lot about your personal journey; if so, run with it. This may provide you with good material and you can edit it later. 

• Identify the most significant aspects from your notes that will enable you to address one or more of the following standard topics:
• Your motivation for this career
• Influence of your family and early experiences on your life
• Influence of your extracurriculars, volunteer activities, and/or jobs on your life (what have you learned, how have you demonstrated leadership, and how have you matured?)
• Your qualifications (unique attributes, personal qualities, and/or skills that set you apart) 
• Long term goals 

Use your experiences to provide personal insight into your personal attributes. Weave a story that helps the reader understand who you are as a person rather than simply listing your achievements. Avoid repeating information that is included elsewhere on your application unless you are elaborating on how an experience has shaped you and your motivation for a career as a health professional. 

Address Academic Irregularities If Necessary

You may wish to use a section of your personal statement to address academic irregularities such as withdrawals, incompletes, repeated courses, or significant fluctuations in your academic record. If applicable, you may mention special hardships, challenges, or obstacles that may have influenced your academic performance. Instead of making excuses, acknowledge and explain the situation, and if applicable, what you are doing differently and what you have learned. 

Take Your Time and Take Breaks

• Take breaks from writing instead of trying to write everything in one sitting. Picking up your draft later can test whether your writing flows. 
• Read your writing aloud and listen to what you hear to check for grammatical errors, flow, and clarity. 

3. Organize Your Writing

Overall shape of the essay.

There is no one correct format for a personal statement. Strong personal statements often begin with a brief background that will serve as the foundation for the message you wish to convey. The bulk of the essay will illustrate the impression you wish to make on the reader, and will flow into a succinct conclusion. Always keep in mind that your essay must be interesting enough to immediately grab the reader's attention and compelling enough to hold it whether your essay is the first or fiftieth one the reader has seen that day. Though you are not limited to these examples, some people find it helpful to use one of the following approaches:

• I've always wanted to be a doctor/dentist/veterinarian
• My parents are health care providers
• Being a patient/having a sick family member made me want to become a health care provider
• My experiences in a clinical environment piqued/confirmed my interest in the health professions
• Through my [non-health care] experiences, I have developed the skills and personal qualities to be an effective health care provider.

Organizational Strategy 

You may find it helpful to use one of the following  types of organizational strategies with your outline:

Standard structure: This type of organization is one you are probably very familiar with from your academic writing. In your first paragraph, you introduce the main points of your essay. In the following paragraphs, you provide evidence to support each of your main points (usually defending one point per paragraph). In your final paragraph, you reiterate your main points in the context of the evidence you presented, possibly leaving the reader with some "big idea" that takes your message one step further.

Comparison: This organizational structure attempts to draw a comparison or analogy between two seemingly unrelated things. In the case of medical school applicants, these essays usually compare a non-medical life experience/talent/interest/famous quote with the field of medicine or the applicant's desire to pursue medicine. It is common for applicants to begin with a story, personal anecdote, quote as a lead and then spend the rest of the essay describing how the lead relates to or sheds light on medicine or their goal of becoming a physician.

If you use this structure, make sure that you provide adequate reflection on how your two disparate ideas connect (or don't connect) to each other. Make your arguments explicit; don't leave it up to the audience to figure out your points. Also, don't get too abstract or philosophical in your comparisons. You don't need to say something profound; rather, just be yourself. Remember, your discussion should always lead back to you and your motivations to enter your health profession of choice.   

Chronology: In this type of outline, the writer takes the reader through the various steps in his/her life that led him/her to medicine. The introduction is usually the initial event that started the writer on his/her journey toward becoming a doctor. The writer then generally recounts the subsequent events in which he/she further explored and/or was further drawn into the medical profession before concluding with how all these events brought him/her to where he/she is today.

The advantage of this approach is that it allows for a more personal approach and helps the admissions committee to know you by turning the focus of the essay to you throughout the various stages of your life. The drawback is that the points you are trying to make can get lost in the narration of your life. To avoid this potential danger, make sure you clearly state how each of these events shaped you and your decision to pursue a health profession as well as the important lessons you learned along the way.

Opening Sentence

Your opening sentence can simultaneously set the theme of your essay and engage the reader. Here are some different types of leads you may wish to try out:

Standard:  State what you will be talking about in the paper. This can take on the form of a "thesis" in many ways (i.e. "My interest in medicine began with my trip to Honduras"). This lead sets up the reader for a focused, well-structured essay and helps you to get the point quickly (infinitely useful in a short essay like the personal statement). Creative:  Add interest by making the reader wonder what will come next (i.e. "I was awoken by the beating of African drums that filled the air"). Action:  Take the reader into the middle of the action. This is useful if you're trying to conserve space or if your essay begins with a story (i.e. "Our car breaks screeched as the truck came hurtling toward us"). Personal:  Reveal something about you (i.e. "My grandmother's words touched my soul like nothing else"). Quotation:  Begin with a direct quotation or paraphrase whose meaning pertains to the main points you are trying to convey in your essay (i.e. "FDR once proclaimed that 'the only thing we have to fear is fear itself,' and I have frequently tried to follow his advice"). Avoid using clichés. 

Dialogue:  Put the reader into the middle of a conversation, whether it be an actual talk between two people or your own internal thoughts (i.e. "'I don't want to die,' cried the little girl"). Informative:  State a fact that is relevant to the topic of your essay (i.e. "Every doctor remembers her first patient"). 

Ask yourself if your essay can stand without an introduction. It may be appropriate to simply begin with the action of the story (in media res as they say) and then move on to discussing how that story ties into the points you will be making throughout the rest of the essay. 

Tie together the most important points you've made in your essay to bring the reader full-circle. The final sentence or two of your essay can be enough for a conclusion, especially if you're running low on space. The important thing is to make sure you bring your thoughts to their logical end and create a positive, memorable image in the reader's mind. Endings are the last experience the admissions committee will have with your essay, so your goal should be to leave them thinking that it was a satisfying read and wishing that there was more.

4. Get Feedback

Find someone to give you critical feedback who isn't afraid to hurt your feelings. Give your draft to multiple sources to get different perspectives. Ideally you should ask someone who is a good writer to help you with your writing, someone who knows you well enough to verify if your writing sounds like you, and someone who doesn't know you as well who can provide perspective on the impression you are making. Clarity in your writing will reflect good communication skills. By the end of the statement, the reader should be able to see the world through your eyes.   

5. Refine Your Writing

The most important part of the personal statement is the impression of yourself that you are creating. After reading your personal statement, readers may ask themselves if you would be interesting to interview. 

Quality of Writing

It is expected that your personal statement be error-free. Grammatical errors may reflect carelessness. 

Further resources

For further advice on writing personal statements in general, visit the Writing Center Resources page.

Contact Name

Courtney Hance

Director of Health Professions Advising

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