college essay veterinarian

How to Write Great Personal Essays for Veterinary School

If you are getting ready to go to veterinary school, the first step in your formal acceptance process is preparing your application through the Veterinary Medical College Application Service (VMCAS). There are many sections to this application, from general demographic information to a list of your academic history and veterinary experience, and this application takes a lot of time to fill out. While most of the application is just about listing facts, one of the more daunting aspects for many hopeful applications is crafting the perfect personal statement for the VMCAS.

The VMCAS personal statement or essay portion has changed some over the years, from a one or two-page essay during my application cycle to the most recent three essay questions with specific prompts. The prompts from the 2020 application cycle were the following:

  • There are many career choices within the veterinary profession. What are your future career goals and why?
  • In what ways to veterinarians contribute to society and what do you hope to contribute?
  • Consider the breadth of society which veterinarians serve. What attributes do you believe are essential to be successful within the veterinary profession? Of these attributes, which do you possess and how have you demonstrated these in the past?

Regardless of the format of the essay portion when you apply to veterinary school, the following tips are sure to help you create a great essay portion for your own VMCAS application.

1. Read the Requirements and Stick to Them!

This is an obvious suggestion, but it is important to adhere to the following requirements that VMCAS lists.

  • Keep your topic general (not program-specific), as this application will be sent to multiple veterinary colleges.
  • Stay within the character limits! Last year it was 2,000 characters per essay.
  • Use your own words and DO NOT plagiarize.
  • Use simple formatting.

2. Don’t Try to Re-List Your Experience and Achievements

The admissions committee members can see the rest of your application, where you will have plenty of space to list all of the bullet points on your resume up to this date. So when it comes to the essay questions, don’t waste time trying to re-highlight your previous experiences within your answers. Focus on answering the prompts directly without feeling the need to list your qualifications.

Except for your answer to question three, you do not even need to list any specific past examples. And when you do get to essay number three, keep in mind that you can think outside the box and are not limited to instances where you demonstrated these qualities in a veterinary-related capacity. Your attributes and personality traits outside of school and veterinary clinics are just as reflective of who you are. And who you are outside of a veterinary clinic or formal education setting can have a big impact on your personality and future success as a veterinarian.

3. Don’t Be Vague

Come up with specific examples for your essay answers that really help the admissions committee get to know you. Telling the admissions committee that you want to help improve the lives of animals doesn’t really tell them anything. You want to demonstrate insight, maturity, and depth in your essay. Show that you put a lot of thought into your answers.

Instead of generally helping animals, maybe you want to contribute to society by donating your time at a local humane society providing veterinary care at lower cost to qualifying low-income households. Maybe you want to work in rural Iowa to help decrease the barriers to accessing veterinary care for those that live in underserved regions of the United States.

Being specific will help you demonstrate more of who you are and help you stand out from the crowded pool of applications.

4. Avoid the Cliches

Another way to stand out with unique answers is to avoid cliches. For example, you probably don’t need to mention that an essential attribute to becoming a successful veterinarian is to “love animals.” Instead, think about things that are less cliche but just as essential and more specific, such as being a great communicator, so that you can improve the lives of animals by clearly discussing the importance of preventative care with a dog’s caretaker.

In addition to loving animals, it can be cliche to discuss that you have wanted to work with animals since you were young or that you feel that veterinary medicine your passion or calling. When you craft your answers to these essays it can help to write down multiple ideas for answers and get rid of the obvious responses. The more obvious the response, the less likely it will be to stand out from other applications.

5. Match Your Future Goals with Your Experience

Make sure your future goals are in line with the experience that you have listed on your VMCAS application. If not, explain why. For example, if most of your veterinary experience has been obtained working with cats and dogs, it would be expected that you are interested in working a small animal veterinary clinic after graduation.

If your future goals do not match your experience, let the admissions committee know why. Maybe you had a recent experience assisting with a research project and found purpose in research as a way to improve the lives of cats and dogs.

By explaining any discrepancy between your future goals and your past experience, you create a cohesive application and don’t leave the admissions committee wondering about the differences.

6. Set a Confident and Positive Tone

When you discuss your future goals, write about the good things that you are going to do WHEN you graduate from veterinary school. Not the things you will do IF you graduate from veterinary school. This will help you come across as confident and capable. Other people are more likely to believe in you when you also believe in your success.

And don’t make any excuses or focus on any negatives in these 3 short essays. You want to leave the admissions committees with a positive overall impression after they finish reading your essay responses.

7. Pick 3-5 Main Points for Each Answer

Since you only have 2,000 characters in which to write a great essay answer to each question, it can be helpful to list out your ideas and main points before you begin writing. Then you can review your ideas and pick the 3-5 strongest ideas for each answer. Throw out any ideas that seem cliche or vague.

By focusing your thoughts ahead of time, you can write a more clear and concise essay that clearly answers the question.

8. Write Your Essay Answers without Focusing on the Character Count

Once you have picked your main 3-5 points, write without focusing the character count. After you have written what you want to convey, read the essay and then cut out information that you don’t need and work on shortening sentences.

No fluff is needed, get straight to the point. Any sentence that isn’t directly supporting your answer can be shortened or removed. And limit descriptive words to help get as much information as possible across in your 2000 character limit.

That being said, if you have the opposite problem and your essay is not close to the 2000 character limit, consider adding another point to that essay. You do want to try and fill most of the space allowed.

9. Proofread, Proofread, Proofread!

Type your answers out in a program like Microsoft Word or Google Docs so that you can easily proofread your essays. I recommend having at least 3 other people read through your essays to look for any spelling or grammar mistakes.

When you proofread the essays yourself, read them aloud so that it is easier to catch any errors.

If you don’t have anyone in your life to help you proofread your personal statement, then head over to The Student Doctor Network Pre-Veterinary Forum . There is a whole topic thread of people willing to help read personal statements for the prospective class of 2025!

Time to Get Writing

Good luck in your journey to veterinary school! I remember how stressful the application process can be, but remember to take a deep breath and leave plenty of time to fill out your application in as stress-free a manner as possible.

And if you are looking for more advice on writing your personal essays, check out this great guide for writing a personal statement from Loop Abroad . It is very thorough and helpful!

The writer of this blog, Dr. Kate, has been practicing veterinary medicine since 2014. She works at a small animal practice, focusing on dogs and cats. In her free time, she enjoys hiking with her two dogs. You can find out more about her adventures with her pups on PawsitivelyIntrepid.com

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Essay Sample on Why i Want to Be a Veterinarian

What makes me want to be a veterinarian.

I would like to be a veterinarian because I have been around animals my entire life and have always had a special bond with them. I feel that there is nothing more rewarding than helping animals in need. It is not just about providing them with food, shelter, and medical care; it is also about providing them with love and compassion. As a veterinarian, I would be able to do this for every animal that comes into my practice. By the way, a professional custom essay writing service can assist everyone in getting a better understanding of the importance of taking care of animals.  In this essay, I will share the reasons why I want to become a veterinarian.

Being a veterinarian is a fulfilling and rewarding career

I believe that being a veterinarian is something that will make me happy because it allows me to help others while also making a living doing something that I love. My experience with animals has led me to pursue a career in the field of veterinary medicine because there is nothing more rewarding than helping an animal who is sick or injured get better again, so it can enjoy its life once more without pain or discomfort.

Passion for Animals 

One of the main reasons I want to become a veterinarian is my deep passion for animals. I love spending time with them, learning about their behaviors, and caring for them. I feel a sense of fulfillment when I am around animals and have always felt drawn to working with them in some capacity. Becoming a veterinarian will allow me to combine my passion for animals with a career.

Life Filled with Learning 

In addition to helping animals, another reason why I want to become a veterinarian is because of the life-long learning opportunities it offers. Veterinary medicine is an ever-evolving field with new treatments being created almost daily. As such, being able to stay up-to-date with these changes can make all the difference when it comes to saving an animal’s life. This means that throughout my career as a veterinarian, I will have countless opportunities to learn something new and expand my knowledge base. 

Helping people who love their pets learn how to care for them

Another thing that drew me to veterinary medicine was the importance of education. I’ve always had a strong desire to help people and make a difference in the world, and I know from personal experience how important it is to have good communication skills. The ability to patiently explain things and answer questions can mean the difference between getting a dog or cat healthy again and losing them forever.

As much as I love animals, there are some things only veterinarians can do: perform surgery; prescribe medications; give shots; diagnose illnesses like cancer or heart disease with tests like blood work and X-rays (or ultrasounds). So if your pet needs one of these things done right away, it’s best if they go see their local vet instead!

The hours are long, but it will be worth it

One of the most important things I’ve learned about being a veterinarian is that it’s not going to be easy. It’s a lot of work and sometimes stressful, but there are also many rewards in helping sick or injured animals get well again.

I know how much time it takes for me to study for exams and do my homework every day after school, so I can only imagine how much more work goes into becoming a doctor! But if you want something badly enough, then there will always be sacrifices that need to be made along the way.

The Bond Between Animals and Humans 

Finally, one of the things that really fascinates me about veterinary medicine is the bond between humans and animals that can be seen through our interactions with them every day. Watching pet owners interact with their beloved pets has always inspired me; these relationships are often more robust than any other human one out there! Witnessing these interactions firsthand as a veterinarian would bring immense joy into my life each day and provide comfort and solace for both the animal and its owner during difficult times. 

To sum up, I’ve shared with you my reasons for wanting to become a veterinarian, including some of the personal experiences that have influenced my decision. I know that becoming a veterinarian won’t be easy, and I’m prepared to work hard in order to achieve my goal. As someone who has had pets all my life and has worked for veterinarians for several years, I believe this is a meaningful career path. The work that veterinarians do makes a difference in people’s lives and the lives of animals around the world.

Tips for writing an essay about Why I want to be a veterinarian

When you’re writing an essay on why you aim to be a veterinarian, consider looking at personal statements for colleges examples. This can help you highlight your own writing tips. But if you want easy ways to do it, here are some essential tips to keep in mind:

Be yourself

Becoming a veterinarian is your own choice, and it requires patience, hard work, and dedication. Nevertheless, during this journey, you will find every help that you need to achieve successful results. The fact that you wrote an essay about this experience shows your determination to become a vet.

Be specific

It’s important to be specific in your essay about why you want to be a veterinarian. Avoid general statements such as “I love animals.” Instead, provide specific examples of experiences you’ve had with animals that inspired you to pursue a career in veterinary medicine.

Explain your motivations

In addition to describing your love for animals, explain what motivates you to want to be a veterinarian. For example, you could discuss your desire to help animals, your interest in science and medicine, or your passion for working with people.

Discuss your experience

If you have any experience working with animals, be sure to mention it in your essay. This could include volunteering at an animal shelter, working as a veterinary assistant, or caring for your own pets.

Keep your writing clear and concise

Good writing is clear and concise and doesn’t confuse the reader with unnecessary jargon or complicated language. Keep your sentences short and to the point, and ensure each conveys only one idea.

Veterinarians play a vital role in ensuring the health and well-being of animals. Whether working with household pets or large farm animals, veterinarians have the opportunity to make a positive impact on the lives of animals and their owners. There are many reasons why someone might choose to become a veterinarian, from a deep love of animals to a desire to use their scientific knowledge to solve complex problems. In the following table, we’ve outlined some of the most common reasons why individuals might want to become a veterinarian, along with a brief description of each reason.

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college essay veterinarian

Reviewed by:

Rohan Jotwani

Former Chief Resident in Anesthesiology, Weill Cornell Medicine, & Admissions Officer, Columbia University

Reviewed: 6/16/23

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

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How to Write a Personal Statement for Vet School

Student writing a vet school personal statement on a laptop

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

Close up photo of someone writing on a notebook

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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It’s quite likely that your first encounter with a veterinarian happened when your pet was sick and needed a little extra care. That’s because a veterinarian’s primary job is to care for animals! Working with cute, cuddly critters is part of the appeal of the job--in fact, “ veterinarian” is one of the most common responses from kids when they’re asked what they want to do when they grow up! 

If you’re interested in becoming a vet, it’s a good idea to know quite a bit about the profession. In this article, we’ll talk about what vets do, what kinds of degrees and licenses they hold, how long it takes to become a vet, and what kinds of personal qualities it takes to succeed in the profession. We’ll also walk you through the process of becoming a vet step by step to help you prepare for your dream career. We’ll cover everything you need to know, including: 

  • How long does it take to become a vet 
  • How to decide whether becoming a veterinarian is right for you
  • What classes you should take in high school and college
  • How to pick a good undergraduate university and vet school 
  • What vet school is like

So let’s get started!

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What Is a Veterinarian and What Do They Do? 

By definition, a veterinarian is a doctor who is qualified to practice the science of prevention, cure, and alleviation of disease and injury in animals. Veterinarians work to diagnose, treat, and research medical conditions of pets, livestock, and other animals. Put another way: if it has wings, a tail, or scales, there’s probably a vet whose job it is to keep it happy and healthy.  

How Long Does It Take to Become a Vet? 

At this point, you might be wondering how long it takes to become a vet. Generally speaking, it takes about 8-10 years from when you graduate high school to become a vet.  After completing an initial four-year bachelor degree program, it takes an additional four years of vet school to become a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) and obtain licensure to practice in your state. If you wish to concentrate on a specific niche, such as cardiology or neurology, you’ll need two or more years of specialized training on top of that. 

How long it takes to become a vet can vary, but if you really love animals and think caring for them is up your alley, then becoming a veterinarian may be the right choice for you.  

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The 4 Qualities You Need to Become a Veterinarian 

The process of becoming a veterinarian and practicing veterinary medicine requires some pretty serious dedication to the field. Veterinarians spend their entire lives improving their skill sets and contributing to the field, just like doctors who treat humans. That’s why it’s important to really think about whether you’re a good fit for the profession. 

Here are four personal qualities to consider when thinking about how to become a veterinarian and if the field is right for you.

#1: Ability to Handle Emotional and Physical Stress

Unfortunately, vets don’t always encounter the animals they love in the best condition. Depending on the specialty, vets will have to see animals in distress or in the last moments of their lives. There will be tough decisions to make and there will be heartbreak. If you are unable to put aside your love for animals enough to focus on treatment, becoming a veterinarian may be more emotionally challenging for you than you might expect. 

Additionally, while the critters you help are seriously cute, you’ll also encounter the less glamorous side of veterinary medicine. Vets definitely get their hands dirty! If you are unable to handle the sight of blood and bodily fluids, this profession might not be the best fit for you. 

#2: Ability to Work With People

Many people enter in the veterinary field because they love animals...sometimes even more than they love people. However, it’s a common misconception that practicing veterinary medicine will only require interaction with animals. 

The field of veterinary medicine requires dealing with people, too. You may not be treating humans, but you will be talking with them about their beloved pets, guiding them to become better owners, and teaching them how to enhance the quality of animals’ lives. Even if you aren’t going to be working with client-owned animals, you will still have to collaborate with peers and colleagues throughout your entire career journey. 

In other words, if you’re going into the vet field because you want to completely avoid working around people, you’re out of luck. 

#3 Sound Decision-Making Skills 

An animal’s quality of life is often in your hands when you’re a veterinarian. Owners will trust you to know what to do to help their animals. As a vet, you will have to have sound decision-making and problem-solving skills. You must also be able to perform well under pressure during critical-care cases. Just like medical doctors, vets have to be able to think on their feet and act quickly even when there’s a lot at stake . 

#4: Intellectual Curiosity and Dedication

The entire process of becoming a vet begins in high school and requires serious intellectual investment. In fact, you’ll have to be prepared for 8 to 10 years of additional schooling! Additionally, the field is both challenging and competitive, so you’ll need to be prepared for that as well. If you’re truly dedicated to becoming a vet, the time and effort will be worth it in the end! 

Whether you love caring for people’s pets, educating pet owners about their beloved animals, researching livestock behavior, rehabilitating wild birds, or some other type of animal care, your love for the profession will take you a long way. While there will be challenges to becoming a vet, you will probably  find the profession very rewarding and ultimately worth it. 

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How to Become a Veterinarian: High School

If you’re still here, congratulations—you might be a good fit for the veterinary profession. Now it’s time to start your journey. You can begin taking steps down this career path while you’re still in high school by planning your schedule around your goals, applying to the right colleges, and seeking hands-on volunteer opportunities. Here are some of the best ways you can start to make your dream of becoming a vet a reality before you ever step foot on a college campus. 

Planning Your Schedule

Math and science are key components when you think about how to become a vet. In fact, Purdue University recommends that you take at least four years of math (geometry, algebra, trigonometry, and calculus), four years of English, four years of lab science (physics, biology, and chemistry), and electives like animal science if you’re serious about vet school.

It’s important that you pay attention to your schedule to ensure you’re taking the right classes and making good grades in them! It’s also a good idea to take courses that will give you college credit. AP or IB classes are a great way to earn college credit, and they also prepare you for the more rigorous courses you will encounter beyond school. 

Choosing the Right College

Speaking of college, it’s also important to think about the best institution for you to attend as you prepare for veterinary school. Your choice of college will depend primarily on what best suits your needs, but you should also consider criteria such as GPA , SAT , and ACT requirements.  

Having a good GPA and excellent ACT or SAT scores are important for getting accepted into most universities, but standards will vary between institutions. The average high school GPA for college-bound students around a 3.0, and the most competitive colleges (such as Harvard , Yale , and Princeton ) closer to a 4.0 average. Ultimately, you will need to meet the requirements specified by your institution, but it’s a good idea to make sure you have a 3.5 GPA or higher so that your options are as open as possible . 

Another part of choosing the right college is looking for a degree program that will provide you with a strong education in physical and biological science —an important part of being prepared for vet school. Most universities have the option to major in chemistry, biology, zoology, physiology, microbiology, or anatomy, which are great choices for anyone looking to become a veterinarian. A few universities, such as Ohio State University , Texas A&M University , and University of California in Davis , offer a pre-vet major to give you specific disciplinary knowledge. Many pre-vet programs will help you meet all of the prerequisites for vet school and give you some pre-professional training, too. 

The most important thing to keep in mind is that vet school is incredibly competitive. (More on that later.) With that in mind, it’s a good idea to aim for good schools with strong degree programs. That will give you a little more of an edge when you submit your vet school applications later. 

Getting Hands-On Experience 

While your test scores and grades are important, it’s a good idea to get involved in extracurricular activities that give you a glimpse into the day to day life of working with animals. Get involved with high school organizations like the 4-H or FFA to give you hands-on experience, or seek out volunteer opportunities at the humane society, zoo, or even a livestock farm. You can also job shadow a real veterinarian at a local vet clinic. All of these options will give you valuable field experience and give you insight into how to become a vet. 

Another perk to volunteering is that colleges want to see that you have a record of community service. Some colleges may also ask you to explain why you’re a good fit for your college or program. Having specific volunteer experiences to draw from can help you stand out in comparison to other potential students, too. 

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How to Become A Veterinarian: College 

Once you’ve chosen the perfect college, it’s time to saddle up and get down to business. Your major, your academic performance, your relationships with your professors, and your experience with animals will ultimately determine whether you get into vet school —which is the last and most important step in how to become a vet.

Choosing a Major

Choosing the right major will help you structure your undergraduate degree to meet the right prerequisites for vet school. Schools will vary slightly in number of credits required, but according to Purdue, most U.S. vet schools require a list of the following prerequisite courses, regardless of your major:

  • General education (some of which you may complete in college through AP classes)
  • Two semesters of general chemistry with lab 
  • Two semesters of organic chemistry with lab 
  • One or two semesters of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology with lab (Cell Biology may also be required) 
  • Two semesters of general biology with lab
  • Two semesters of physics with lab 
  • Math, with the minimum requirement ranging from algebra and trigonometry to two semesters of calculus (most schools want students to take calculus) 

Some four-year universities also offer a pre-vet track, which includes on the same criteria but may also require additional coursework in animal science, genetics, or microbiology. You don’t need to be pre-vet to get into vet school, but it may be worth exploring if you know you’re interested in a specific discipline, such as equine science, zoological medicine, reptile and amphibian practice, or exotic companion mammal practice.  

Maintaining GPA, Getting Experience, and Building Relationships

It’s important to keep up the good academic work in college since getting into vet school is incredibly competitive. In fact, it’s as competitive as getting into med school ! The more competitive the program, the higher your cumulative GPA needs to be . Generally speaking, we recommend you aim for a GPA of 3.5 or higher to give yourself the best shot. 

Remember all the extracurricular activities, volunteer opportunities, and job shadowing sessions you pursued in high school? You should also keep that up in college. You’ll have to write a statement of purpose explaining why you’re a good fit for vet school, and you’re more likely to stand out amongst your peers during the admissions process if you have experience. Luckily, most universities offer students many opportunities to get involved. For example, you can join student organizations and club activities, volunteer initiatives, and even professional experience programs. Joining organizations (and sticking with them!) is a great way to beef up your vet school application . 

Along with participating in extracurriculars, it’s also important to build relationships with your advisors and professors, since they’ll be the ones writing your letters of recommendation . That means speaking up in class, asking questions, taking advantage of office hours, and showing a true interest in the subjects you encounter. Having a professional rapport with your advisors and professors is critical: the better they know you, the more specific and compelling their letters will be. 

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All students have to apply to vet school using the VMCAS. It's kind of like the Common App for vet school!

Applying for Vet School 

Vet school applications will be due around mid-September of your senior year of college , so start thinking about the application process at the beginning of your junior year. At that point, it’s time to choose the vet schools you want to apply to and begin your applications.

There are currently 30 accredited colleges of veterinary medicine in the United States . Jot down the names of your top choices on a list so you can start researching the schools and their programs. Broadly speaking, you should consider the following criteria while choosing your vet school: 

Areas of specialty : does the school have strengths and services in the specific areas you’d like to practice? Check out AVMA’s list of veterinary specialties to see all of your options.

Class size : How many students are enrolled in each class (on average)? Consider whether you prefer bigger or smaller classes. 

Expenses : How expensive is each school? Be sure to look at the total cost of attending each college, which includes room and board, program fees, and equipment cost. 

Teaching hospital : does the school have a hospital for clinical training, and is the caseload reflective of the work you want to do in your career? 

Off campus training : will you want to seek training at other sites through externship opportunities? Training will be a big part of getting a good job after graduation. 

Because vet school is very competitive, it’s important to apply to several different institutions in order to have a backup plan. 

For example, UC Davis Veterinary Medicine program received 979 applications for the class of 2023, and only 191 of those applicants were offered admission, while 478 students applied to the Texas A&M University Veterinary Medicine program , and only 158 were admitted. It’s a good idea to rank your list of universities from most preferred to least preferred institutions, and plan to apply to at least five to seven of your top-ranked schools. 

One way to make sure you get into the school of your dreams is acing your entrance exams. Make sure you leave yourself plenty of time to study for the GRE or MCAT, and take the exam more than once if necessary. During the 2013 application cycle, the average vet school applicant had an average GPA of 3.56 and GRE scores of 155 (66th percentile), 154 (57th percentile) and 3.9 (54th percentile) on the verbal, quantitative, and analytical tests, respectively. You should also make sure to give your professors a few months to write your letters of recommendation. 

The good news is that you only need to fill out one singular application for vet school, which will then be sent to each institution you select. This application—called the Veterinary Medical College Application Service (VCMAS)—is provided through the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC). You’ll have to submit:

  • General candidate information
  • Proof of requisite completion 
  • A reflection on experiences (i.e. a statement of purpose)
  • Copies of transcripts
  • Your GRE or MCAT test scores
  • Letters of recommendation (sometimes referred to as letters of evaluation)
  • School-specific requirements (be sure to check with each school about this) 

Luckily, the AAVMC provides a detailed application checklist to help keep you on track. Once you have submitted your application, you will be waiting a little while to hear back from the schools. If a school is interested in you, they will most likely contact you about doing an interview to proceed to the next stage of the admissions process. All students receive final decisions from schools around mid-April.

Having a Backup Plan 

Admission to vet school can be very competitive, with about 50% of applicants accepted each year. It’s important to have a backup plan in case you change your mind miss the cut. 

The good news is that the majors that prepare you for vet school also open up other excellent career opportunities. Many people who don’t want to go to vet school (but still want to work with animals!) become veterinary technicians. Vet techs provide veterinarians with technical support in all aspects of patient care and perform tasks such as taking blood samples, weighing animals, and sterilizing surgical instruments. 

Additionally, becoming a certified vet tech requires less education than becoming a vet. It requires a two-year associates degree from an accredited program in veterinary technology and practical experience in a vet hospital. If you find that you would like to work with animals but that you are not interested in attending an extensive vet program, exploring how to become a vet tech is a great idea. 

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Dr. Nina Griffin gives an adorable dog an exam, which is a normal part of a veterinarian's day! (Brittany E. N. Murphy / Joint Base Langley-Eustis)  

How to Become a Veterinarian: Vet School 

Vet school is an exciting time where you will professionalize by diving into specific content knowledge and gaining more experience with clinical practice.

What Vet School Is Like

So what is vet school generally like? First and foremost, it’s usually an all-day commitment. According to Dr. Schott, a veterinarian at SGU , a typical day can last from 8 AM to 5 PM (much like a full-time job), and you’ll most likely spend that time jumping from lectures to labs . It might be tough for you to shoehorn in other responsibilities during school hours. 

Depending on the term, you’ll either go directly to class for morning lectures or to one of your labs. If you go to class first, you will most likely have several lectures in a row with ten to fifteen minute breaks in between.

When you have breaks in between classes and labs, you may use the time to look over assigned readings, prepare for your next class session, or study for quizzes (which will be given regularly in addition to scheduled midterms and final exams). Also keep an eye out for clubs and organizations and find yourself attending some of those meetings throughout your week. 

Vet School Course Curriculum

Lectures will be a good time to take notes and ask questions, while labs give you hands-on experience. While every curriculum is different, your two biggest classes your first year will likely be anatomy and physiology, and you may also have a small-animal anatomy lab. This may include dissection to learn about muscles, organs, and all the inner workings of animals. You may also be working in small groups, so labs can be a good time to get to know your classmates, form outside study groups, and discover how you best collaborate and learn with potential colleagues. 

Other classes you can expect to take include neuroanatomy, general pathology, parasitology, and more. For example, at Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine program, students are required to take “Foundation” courses. These include the animal body; neuroanatomy; general pathology; cell biology and genetics; function and dysfunction; host, agent, and disease; clinical rotations; and veterinary practice. Students in Cornell’s program can also take “Distribution Courses” that represent opportunities for students to pursue areas of interest in great depth or explore other professionalization aspects such as research and off campus clinical experience. 

Along with your core requirements, you’ll also take classes in your specialty. For example, if you specialize in veterinary internal medicine, you’ll probably take classes like cardiology, neurology, and oncology. If you’re specializing in animal surgery, you may take orthopedics or soft tissue surgery courses. 

Remember: the classes you take will all depend on your school, program, and specialization ...so be sure to research those thoroughly before you apply. 

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You'll learn many new skills in vet school, including how to perform surgery. 

Succeeding in Vet School 

Classes and labs will become more advanced and rigorous each year, building off of previous course knowledge, so it’s important to really engage with the information you’re learning. It’s not just about memorizing definitions—it’s also about really understanding the material. Seek out tutoring if you need extra help, and make sure you meet with your professors if you’re struggling. 

And because you’re going to be very busy and consumed with vet school, it’s important to also give yourself breaks to avoid burning out. Depending on the school, you’ll need to maintain a certain minimum GPA, so make sure you are living a balanced lifestyle to help you stay on top of your coursework. Get involved with something outside of school that helps you decompress.

Graduating From Vet School 

While the early years of vet school are mostly spent in the classroom and laboratory, you’ll get additional experience during clinical rotations , where you’ll treat patients under the supervision of a more experienced mentor. Clinicals are a chance for you to practice what you’ve learned. 

In the last year of your program, you will need to focus on studying for your North American Veterinary Licensing Exam (NAVLE). Administered by the International Council for Veterinary Assessment (ICVA) since 2000 , NAVLE s a requirement for licensure to practice veterinary medicine in all licensing jurisdictions in the US and Canada. The NAVLE consists of 360 clinically relevant multiple-choice questions. While you can retake the NAVLE if you don’t pass it the first time, the AAVME limits the number of times you can take the licensing exam . That’s why it’s important that you study early and often for the test. 

Once you graduate, you will have a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) or Veterinary Medical Doctor (VMD) degree and will be qualified to perform the duties of the profession . A number of veterinarians may go on to become board certified in a specialty area or may seek additional training in internship or residency programs. For example, a number of veterinarians also seek additional training in the form of an internship (usually one year) and/or residency (approximately 2-3 years) so they can become board certified in a specialty area.

Anyone who wants to practice veterinary medicine must be licensed in the state where they wish to practice. Some states may also require you to pass a state-specification exam to test your knowledge of state laws and regulations governing veterinary medicine. To maintain your license, you must also obtain continuing education, such as attending seminars, writing for vet publications, or pursuing further research. That means that even once you’ve graduated, you aren’t quite done with school! 

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Takeaways 

Practicing veterinary medicine is an exciting career choice. You’ll help better the lives of animals every day. If you’re wondering how to become a vet or if the career is right for you, keep these things in mind: 

There are many specialties you can pursue within veterinary medicine, including pet care, equine science, zoological medicine, reptile and amphibian practice, exotic companion mammal practice, and many more. 

Becoming a vet isn’t for everyone. You have to be resilient and decisive in the face of emotional and physical challenges. You also have to be patient with those you work around, whether that’s vet techs, other vets, or pet owners. 

Understand that it takes 8 to 10 years to become a vet. 

If you think the career is right for you, the path starts in high school. Volunteer with animals, and take advanced biological science classes. Also, apply to colleges that will help you meet the required prerequisites for vet school and pursue hands-on opportunities.

Once in college, keep focusing on making good grades and staying involved. Give yourself enough time to complete the application for vet school and choose the best institution for your desired specialty. 

Through high school, college, and vet school, remember to utilize the resources and mentors around you for support and guidance at every step. 

While in vet school, be sure to stay on top of your work. You’ll need to pass the licensure exam (NAVLE) in order to practice veterinary medicine, and you’ll also need licensure in your state. 

Veterinary medicine is a life-long commitment to helping other creatures. Even though becoming a vet takes work, you’ll be devoting your life to a noble and rewarding cause.

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What's Next? 

You’ll need to write essays for both your college and vet school applications. Application essays are one of the most important aspects of your application because they give committees the chance to get to know you, your passions, and your interests . Learn what it takes to write a great application essay here.

We have guides that can help you ace all of your entrance exams. Check out this one for the SAT , this one for the ACT , and this one for the GRE . Remember: making great test grades will help you get into your dream school!

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Ashley Sufflé Robinson has a Ph.D. in 19th Century English Literature. As a content writer for PrepScholar, Ashley is passionate about giving college-bound students the in-depth information they need to get into the school of their dreams.

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VMCAS Essay Examples

VMCAS Essay Examples

VMCAS essay examples are a great place to start when you're preparing to apply to veterinary school. After researching vet school rankings and looking into the best vet schools in your chosen area, you’ve finally decided on the schools you would like to apply to. One of the items you’ll need to include in your VMCAS application is a personal essay. We’re here to show you how to highlight your personal story and provide you with some VMCAS essay examples to make the process easier.

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Personal essay example 1.

I grew up in a family with no pets. An experimental goldfish or two, but there is no family dog I can look back on fondly. My parents were both immigrants who left their homes young and understandably focused on providing for their kids and ensuring we did well in school.

But like a lot of young kids, I developed a love and fascination for horses. My parents thought it was a phase, but when my requests for horseback riding lessons continued year after year, they finally relented and took me to a local farm for lessons. I remember my first connection with the pony. I felt like it could understand, hear, and accept me, without being able to say a word. That’s when I started to understand the relationship that people have with the animals in their lives, and I wanted nothing more than to experience it again.

Want to know how to answer the hardest MMI Questions? Watch this video:

Several years later, I jumped at the opportunity to help out at the riding camp during the summer break. I didn’t realize until then how different it is to participate in the care of the animals, instead of just passively riding them. Every chore was to make sure the horses were comfortable, healthy, and happy. I felt like they relied on me, and they, in turn, provided peace and enjoyment to the people around them.

Since then, I’ve volunteered at the Second Chances Animal Sanctuary for several years, developing and applying the knowledge I’ve gained from my biology and zoology classes. My proudest moments were when we were able to help a family’s beloved pony walk again after a leg fracture that might have otherwise resulted in euthanasia. Being able to give the family hope when they thought there was nothing we could do was amazing, and giving the animal a chance at a full life was incredibly fulfilling.

I developed a special interest in animal orthopedics while completing an internship at the Main Street Animal Hospital. What I want more than anything is to be a vet who works within the field of orthopedics for large animals, developing therapies and treatment programs to help regain mobility. These animals are often essential to rural businesses or farms and should get the care a partner deserves. The sense of responsibility I feel toward them and their quality of life continues to drive me to pursue the skills and knowledge I need to care for them as a practitioner of veterinary medicine.

My parents didn’t believe in going to conventional places when it came to vacations. They wanted to see places that were unusual and immerse themselves in everything the locals did while they were there.

This meant that my brother and I were regularly exposed to places that were very culturally different from ours, but also climates that were totally new to us. As I got older, what struck me wasn’t always the exotic animals and plants, but the relationship a lot of people had with wildlife, and how it was different from what I experienced at home. At home in the urban setting where I lived, “wildlife” was what got into your garbage if you didn’t secure the lid properly. It was what dug through your flower pots at night. But in a lot of countries I visited, wildlife was an inseparable part of everyday life, and vital to the local economies. The animals there were valued as pollinators, decomposers, and yes, food. It made me curious about how people could value and experience wildlife back in the city where I lived.

At the beginning of high school, a friend and I decided to volunteer at the city’s wildlife center. As untrained volunteers we would mostly be cleaning cages and measuring feed for the animals, but I had never been so excited. The vets and vet technicians were so dedicated and resourceful. They relied on local donations, and the center survived on a shoestring budget, but they made it work. To them, even the common sparrows deserved kindness and care. Witnessing that level of empathy from vets and vet techs is humbling and inspiring.

Since that experience, I’ve taken as many opportunities as possible to work with wildlife organizations as possible. I volunteered at a summer program that was specifically created to help and preserve local turtle species, treating and tracking injured animals to ensure their survival. I’ve also participated in local songbird data collection, aiding in gathering information about migration patterns and population decline.

What I want is to be one of those veterinarians who cares for animals that don’t have anyone to care for them, or are treated like nuisances. Dogs and cats are loved and cared for, but so many city-dwelling animals are displaced or trapped or impacted negatively by humans. Working at a wildlife organization has taught me to be creative and resourceful, making the most out of the materials and equipment we had. I want to show people that even the plainest city wildlife deserves respect and help when they need it.

The VMCAS essay is one of the application components required by the Veterinary Medical College Application Service when you use their process to apply to vet schools. This essay is intended to provide admissions committees with “a clear picture of who you are and, most importantly, why you want to pursue a career in veterinary medicine.” While they may have your credentials on paper through your vet school resume , they might not have a good idea of what your personality is like, or what your goals are. Even your veterinary school letters of recommendation only represent who you are through someone else’s eyes, not your own.

Different from your vet school letter of intent , which must make a clear connection between your background, training, areas of interest, and the objectives and mission of your chosen veterinary school program, the VMCAS essay is more personal. It’s your chance to show the admissions committee why you love veterinary medicine and why you think you will make a good veterinarian.

Requirements

The VMCAS essay or vet school personal statement can be a maximum of 3,000 characters (including spaces). This comes out to about one page of writing. It’s important to make sure your essay falls within the character count and contains all the listed requirements .

Note that the application site doesn’t have spell-check, and you can’t edit your work once you’ve submitted it. Making sure your punctuation and spelling is correct is the most basic way to show you’ve paid attention to the details in your essay. If you aren’t sure about a word or grammar choice, look it up so you know you’ve used it properly.

For help writing your essay, you could consider medical school personal statement editing services, which can easily be modified by an advisor to suit veterinary school requirements. Engaging an expert, such as those at BeMo Academic Consulting, is well worth it to improve your application documents and stand out from the crowd.

Is the VMCAS Essay Important?

The personal essay might not seem as formal or intensive as other parts of your application, but it’s still very important and can help or hurt your chances of being accepted into a program. A great essay showcases your personality traits, your sense of responsibility, as well as your motivations for going into veterinary medicine. A middling essay may be acceptable but fail to separate you from the pack, while a poor essay can show a want of attention to detail. One of the easiest ways to figure out what should be in yours is to look up VMCAS essay examples and see what you should aim for.

Want to learn more about vet school rankings? Check out this infographic:

What Should I Include in My Essay?

You may immediately think of a hundred things you want to tell the admissions committee, from your first pet hamster to your experience as an intern at the city zoo. However, keep in mind that you only have about 500 words, and you need to make them count. Here are some ideas of what you’ll want to include in your VMCAS essay.

  • Career goals. Where do you ultimately want to be, and what is your dream job? Don’t just list a title – explain what appeals to you about it, or why you want this specific position over any others.
  • What you want to contribute. You don’t need to make up a grand, world-altering contribution here, unless that is what you sincerely want to do. Your goal can be to simply bring joy and comfort to families by taking care of their pets. It can also be to make significant advancements to the field of veterinary science. Make sure you’re authentic.
  • Characteristics that make you a good vet. Yes, you need good marks to get into vet school, but the admissions committee also wants to know that you have the right personality traits. For example, you may be a very motivated self-learner. This is a great attribute to have, but you need to highlight how being an excellent self-learner would help you in vet school and ultimately, as a vet.
  • Always give examples. Remember that the committee doesn’t know you, so they will be wary of applicants who make claims without backing them up. It’s important to give examples so that the committee can see how you’ve used your skills and individual attributes in real-life situations: “show, don’t tell.” If you write that you’re an empathetic and caring person, write about a time when you demonstrated that empathy. This shows that you aren’t just listing what you think they want to hear.
  • Set yourself apart. Any special experiences, personal revelations, or big life events that affected your desire to be in veterinary medicine are worth noting. You have a limited amount of space, so stick to the most important ones. These unique experiences are what will help the admissions committee remember you and set you apart from the crowd.

With only 500 or so words to make your case, what you don’t include can be just as vital as what you do include. The admissions committee likely doesn’t want an entire essay on your childhood pet, so be careful about getting stuck on one aspect. In fact, the VMCAS guide explains that while many applicants “have had meaningful experiences with animals or veterinarians as children … these should only be mentioned briefly.”

Here are some other things you’ll want to make sure you avoid when writing your VMCAS essay.

  • Information they already have. At this point, the admissions committee already knows about your academic achievements. They may be familiar with the jobs you’ve had, based on your letter of intent or high school resume . They may have a list of any vet school extracurriculars in which you participated. In your essay, don’t repeat what they already know. Instead, tell them something they don’t have on paper, expand on one or two of those experiences, or explain how an event impacted your motivation to go into veterinary medicine.
  • Vague, generalized information. Telling them that “you’ve always liked animals” is nice, but vague, and likely a trait that many applicants share. Make it more specific: What is it that draws you to animals? When, exactly, did you start taking a special interest in animals?
  • Jargon, unless it’s necessary. The admissions committee is unfortunately not going to be impressed if you throw terms around or use 5-syllable words in every sentence. You aren’t a vet yet, and one of the more embarrassing things you can do is attempt to use a term and use it wrong. Stick with language that is used in everyday conversation.
  • Make unnecessary explanations. The members of the admissions committee don’t need you to explain the process of getting into vet school or how medical procedures work. Explain something if it is very specific to you, like the type of club you were in at school, or an event that occurred in your year of study. Giving an example is a better way of showing the committee what you mean, instead of getting bogged down in explanations.
  • Irrelevant things. If the event isn’t relevant to why you want to be a vet or what you are looking for in a school/program, you probably don’t need to write it here. Take note of the various parts of the application process that would allow you to go into more detail. For example, should you be invited to answer vet school interview questions , you will have such an opportunity. The “tell me about yourself” vet school interview question would be the perfect moment to discuss your personal background further. It’s a good idea to go back and examine each piece of information you’ve provided in your essay and make sure it ties into the main topic: why you want to have a career in veterinary medicine.

Language and Tone

Ideally, the tone in which you write your VMCAS essay is similar to the way you would talk with someone in person. Keep your word choice conversational. Writing in a way that is overly formal doesn’t give the admissions committee members a clear sense of your own voice, and doesn’t humanize you. You’re writing your story, so it helps to read the essay aloud and see if it sounds like an accurate representation of yourself. Having a friend or family member read it can also be beneficial.

Admission to vet school is challenging, as shown by veterinary school acceptance rates ; some schools are more difficult to get into than others. Applying is a long process with a lot of pieces to consider. Your VMCAS essay is perhaps one of the least restrictive parts, where you’re given the freedom to tell the admissions committee why you’re there and what you want to do. Being authentic and specific is your best approach to being accepted into the school of your choice.

It won’t make as much of an impact as your grades or your resume, but it can make you more memorable and more likeable to the committee members. An average essay likely won’t hurt you too much, but a bad one can.

The American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges is a good place to start. There you’ll find all the pieces you’ll need to submit for the application as well as contacts if you need more help. You can also have a look at our list of the best vet schools, along with tips for getting in.

A letter of intent shows how serious you are about your application and emphasizes what sort of experience and education you have related to veterinary medicine. The personal essay is more about your personality, motivation, and goals.

You don’t need to list everything you’ve ever done that is related to the field. That is already outlined in other parts of the application. Highlight the personal impact certain experiences have had on you – be specific about how they made you feel, how they changed your perspective, and how they moved you in the direction of veterinary studies. 

Admissions committee members aren’t expecting fine literature when you submit your personal essay. They know that not all candidates are natural writers. What they’re interested in is your ability to express yourself in a short piece of writing. Don’t worry about using fancy terms – write in a way that sounds natural and authentic to you. 

The committee will want to know about your experiences if they’re specific to you and have impacted you in a tangible way. You don’t have to tell them about every interaction you’ve had with animals, just the ones that were special to you.

Use the language you would use in a normal conversation in your essay. Very few people speak in a formal tone, and it can end up sounding stilted and unnatural. Be expressive but stick to the requirements. 

There is no editing once your VMCAS essay has been submitted. However, if there is a serious mistake in the essay, you can contact the admissions committee and forward them a corrected copy as soon as possible. 

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college essay veterinarian

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How to Become a Veterinarian: Your 8-Step Guide

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For those who want to make a living by providing medical care for animals, it’s important to start making a plan for how to become a veterinarian. Most people know they need to attend veterinary school , but what does the full process entail? You’re wondering what steps you need to take in order to achieve your career goal.

The best way to successfully become a veterinarian is to understand the path ahead.

Outlining 8 steps to become a veterinarian

Everyone has a different journey, but we have identified the common steps you will need. You can use the list of eight steps below as your guide to help you plan your path to becoming a veterinarian.

1. Optimize your undergraduate experience

Most veterinary schools expect students to complete a bachelor’s degree, which needs to include specific courses. You can research prerequisite requirements using the Veterinary Medical School Admission Requirements (VMSAR) and ask a counselor for guidance.

2. Gain as much experience as possible

The Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC) 2019–2020 data report shows most applicants have spent hundreds of hours working with animals, and many schools emphasize work performed under the supervision of a veterinarian. Internships and job shadowing are a few good options. According to Dr. Lori Pasternak, a veterinarian and cofounder of  Helping Hands Affordable Veterinary Surgery & Dental Care , the more variety the better.

Gathering a diverse range of experiences is also a good way to find out if veterinary medicine is the right path for you. “You must love animals, of course, but a love of science, service, teamwork, and compassionate care are equally required,” Dr. Pasternak says.

Also consider getting involved in extracurricular activities. “Students should also look into joining a pre-vet club or organization at their undergraduate university,” says Dr. Danel Grimmett, a veterinarian at  Sunset Veterinary Clinic . “These types of clubs offer support and education regarding preparing for veterinary school.” Some colleges even offer internships based at animal hospitals and zoos.

college essay veterinarian

3. Apply to veterinary programs

It’s critical to focus on performing well in your course prerequisites in addition to gaining plenty of animal and veterinary experience before applying to DVM programs . “Another benefit to getting hands-on experience is working with veterinarians who can write you a glowing recommendation for veterinary school,” Dr. Pasternak says.

Additionally, set aside plenty of time to work on writing your vet school essay, obtaining letters of recommendation, and completing program-specific requirements before submitting applications through the Veterinary Medical College Application Service (VMCAS). This service allows you to easily distribute your application to multiple schools at the same time.

If you’re lucky enough to gain acceptance to more than one program, you’ll need to think carefully about which one best fits your needs. Dr. Pasternak notes that you should pay particular attention to schools that focus on clinical and communication skills. You may want to get in touch with current students at schools you’re considering to gather some of this information.

4. Obtain your DVM

A typical doctor of veterinary medicine (DVM) program curriculum spans four years. You’ll likely spend your first two years completing coursework in classes and labs. Programs usually start with basic science classes, then move toward focusing more on biological systems like neurology.

School curriculums vary, but it’s common to start gaining practical experience outside of labs and lecture halls during your third year. This was the case for Dr. Grimmett. “The third year was more clinically focused, still with significant classroom time,” she explains. You’ll spend your final year of veterinary medical school completing clinical rotations to gain practical, hands-on experience working with patients.

college essay veterinarian

5. Study for and pass the NAVLE

The North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE) is the most important test you’ll take on the road to becoming a veterinarian, because you must earn a passing score in order to practice. You’ll want to devise a study strategy to ensure you’re prepared because cramming won’t cut it.

“Use the four years to actually learn and understand,” Dr. Grimmett advises. “Don’t just study for the test.”

You might also consider bolstering your regular study habits with programs designed for NAVLE preparation. There are resources that include practice questions, mock tests, and more.

You can sit the exam in the fall or spring of your senior year. Though some students like to wait until the spring to allow more time for preparation, many prefer to take the NAVLE during the fall so they have the option to retake it if necessary. That said, students who have spent their time absorbing material and building their skills stand a good chance of performing well.

6. Complete any additional requirements

You may need to complete additional steps depending on where you want to practice. Make sure to contact the correct provincial regulatory body in Canada or state regulatory board in the US to find out which specific requirements you need to meet. For instance, US students who attended an international school may need to obtain certification through the Educational Commission for Foreign Veterinary Graduates (ECFVG).

7. Pursue further training if desired

Veterinary school graduates are able to begin practicing immediately after graduating and obtaining their licenses. Some prefer to pursue internships or complete a residency that will provide additional mentorship, training, and enable them to receive board certification in a specialty field. Other graduates may find they gain more confidence by starting to practice right away.

“I believe there is more value to learning by simply jumping in and doing,” Dr. Pasternak says. “It takes guts and a certain amount of confidence, but it advances learning.”

college essay veterinarian

8. Begin your veterinary career

You’re free to begin practicing at this point, but make sure you’ve planned to start your career search well in advance. “Don’t wait until the last month of your senior year to begin your job hunt,” Dr. Grimmett warns.

You can  start your search  by utilizing veterinary specific job boards, reaching out to the veterinarians you know personally, or even seeking help from a recruiter. It’s also a good idea to keep an open mind.

“One of the great things about being a veterinarian is the ability to be able to practice in such a wide-ranging field,” Dr. Grimmett notes.

Start your veterinary journey

Having a better sense of how to become a veterinarian can help you determine whether it’s the right career for you. If you’re interested in continuing your education, helping your community, and the animals that live there, you might want to start thinking more seriously about applying to veterinary medicine programs.

Learn more about all the necessary application materials by heading to our article, “ The Vet School Requirements Aspiring Animal Doctors Need to Know About .”

*This article was originally published in December 2018. It has since been updated to include information relevant to 2021.

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Becoming A Veterinarian Essay Example

To reach my career goal of becoming a veterinarian, I need to attend a college that would allow me to get the degrees needed in that field. To become a veterinarian, I need to get degrees in Veterinary Practice, Animal Health and Disease, and/or Veterinary psychology. In the United States, the top-ranked schools with veterinary programs are Cornell University, Texas A&M University, Ohio State University, and Michigan State, according to The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). Out of those, I was able to narrow down the options to Ohio State University and Cornell University. I chose these because they both had hands-on programs, which would be a better fit for me. Using the universities official websites and descriptions of the course and reading about how prior students have done since graduating there. These two schools would also allow me to have great opportunities after graduating and they will help me get a job straight out of college.

To decide what program would be the best for me, I looked at what the course would be like and what going to that school would be like for me. After this research, I decided that Cornell University would be the best option for me. They have a very hands-on program, which will help me reach my goals and learn better overall. According to Cornell's website, “Cornell students work with animals from day one of our programs, building their clinical skills while fostering critical thinking and communication.” The website also says, “Most Cornell veterinary students accept offers of employment before graduating, with graduates going on to careers in private practice, conservation, academia, and beyond.” (Doctor of Veterinary Medicine: Cornell's Website). These two factors were what persuaded me into choosing Cornell. The fact that I can get job opportunities before I graduate and be able to leave college and go straight into a job in the veterinary field. The hands-on programs would help me learn well and help me to reach my career goals better than the other universities.

By choosing Cornell, I had to give up the opportunities to go to Ohio State University. While researching, I learned a lot of positive things about Ohio State's program and the school in general that made my decision harder. One positive thing about it was that the “school has been given full accreditation from the Council on Education of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), the accrediting body for colleges of veterinary medicine and is ranked #4 out of the U.S.’s 32 veterinary schools.” (Doctor of Veterinary Medicine section of the Ohio State University website). This was a super positive aspect and an important factor in my decision because I know that the program is highly ranked and would help me to reach my career goals in the future. However, there were some negatives that swayed my decision towards going to Cornell University. The major con of going to Ohio State was the out of state tuition. The tuition cost($253,312) was a lot more expensive than Cornell University($186,600), which was a big detail that would be very influential in my decision (Veterinarian Colleges Listed by Tuition Cost). This makes the program my second choice because the higher tuition will make it harder for debt to be paid off over time and that makes it harder for my career goals to be met when I have to pay off my tuition when I am out of college.

Overall, these factors, good and bad, led me to decide that going to Cornell University was the best decision for me. The program and the opportunities out of college were huge pros for the school and what ultimately led to my decision. Ohio State had a positive program as well, but the tuition made me choose Cornell University instead.

Citations: 

Alder, Jeremy. “What Degree Do You Need to Be a Veterinarian.” College Consensus: School Rankings & Student Reviews Aggregator, College Consensus, 4 Jan. 2021, www.collegeconsensus.com/degrees/what-degree-do-you-need-to-be-a-vet/.

“Doctor of Veterinary Medicine.” Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, 19 Dec. 2019, www.vet.cornell.edu/education/doctor-veterinary-medicine.

“Doctor of Veterinary Medicine.” Doctor of Veterinary Medicine | College of Veterinary Medicine, vet.osu.edu/education/dvm.

“Take Online Courses. Earn College Credit. Research Schools, DEGREES & Careers.” Study.com | Take Online Courses. Earn College Credit. Research Schools, Degrees & Careers, study.com/veterinarian_colleges.html.

“Veterinarian Colleges Listed by Tuition Cost.” Veterinarian Colleges Listed by Tuition Cost |, all-veterinary-schools.com/veterinarian-colleges-tuition/. 

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Veterinary Science Personal Statement Examples

Our veterinary science personal statement examples, as well as our top rated statements , will inspire you to write your own unique statement, and help you understand how students have successfully applied for a veterinary science course in the past.

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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
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  • 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 .

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How to write a personal statement for veterinary science

Focus on your experience and motivation – and show you understand the challenges of the job

I f you're applying to study veterinary science, a personal statement will be just one part of your application. Chances are you will also have to fill out a work experience questionnaire, do a test and possibly go to an interview as well.

"The work experience questionnaire is there to check that the student meets our minimum work experience requirements," says Vikki Cannon, head of admissions and recruitment at the Royal Veterinary College.

Some courses don't even look at the personal statement. Dr Kieron Salmon, director of admissions at the University of Liverpool, says: "In our experience, very few personal statements are 'personal'. They read very similarly and have hints of having being written under the guidance of a teacher or parent. So we focus more on face-to-face interviews."

But for the courses that do ask for one, the personal statement can play a really important role.

"If you get it wrong, then it can be the difference between you getting an interview and not getting an interview," says Cannon.

So here are some tips to help you when it comes to writing yours.

What to include

Why do you want to be a vet?

"What we're looking for from a personal statement is to get a feel for why they want to be a vet and an understanding of what they've done about it," says Cannon.

It's also worth thinking about your long-term career aims and what kind of vet you want to be.

Sam Hillage, assistant faculty registrar at the University of Surrey, says: "Showing your motivation and talking about some of your career aspirations would be good. Also acknowledging the diversity of roles in the field."

Work experience

"Sometimes people forget to actually mention the four weeks of work experience they've done," says Hillage. "As that's a mandatory requirement, it's important they get that in."

It might be that a particular moment from your work experience has stuck with you, and if you link that to why you want to be a vet and what you've learned, it can impress tutors.

Claire Phillips, director of admissions at Edinburgh University's Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies says: "Sometimes it can be something quite minor that they have seen on work experience that has made an impression and shown them what it is all about."

Relevant hobbies

Use your statement to show your wider interests as well as your interest in veterinary medicine. Phillips says: "We're looking for a holistic, rounded student. It's not just about academic ability, we want to see people who have other things outside work and academics."

Try to link your hobbies back to your interest in veterinary medicine, but don't worry if not everything is relevant.

"It could be sport, music, voluntary work – it doesn't have to be animal-related," says Phillips.

"Being academically very good is not everything. They need an outlet to cope with the veterinary profession when they qualify. It's a tough job, especially if they go into a practice, so the fact they have something outside of academia is important."

Don't forget to mention people

A vet should understand that a big part of their job is dealing with people, say tutors.

"Some people just explain conditions or talk about animals, but it is important to talk about the sensitivity of the profession," says Phillips.

"You need to be aware that it's not just theory but about the overall sensitivity to people."

You could get this across by talking about some of the human interactions you encountered on your work experience, perhaps how you observed a vet dealing with a client.

Things to avoid

Spelling mistakes

You might not be applying to study English, but good spelling is still important.

Phillips says: "It's a professional degree and communication skills are very important."

And if you're going to refer to particular medical terms, it's really important that you spell them correctly.

"The number of people who write that they've witnessed caesareans in their personal statement but can't spell caesarean is amazing," says Cannon.

"One bad spelling isn't going to lose you a place, but you are marked on the quality of your writing, so if it was littered with spelling mistakes then it might be a problem."

"I've wanted to be a vet since I was..."

"We're not interested in the fact that you've wanted to be a vet for the last 16 years," says Cannon.

"You could have been interested in being a vet for the last 16 months, it's what you do about it that is the interesting thing."

That's not to say you should avoid the phrase altogether. Just make sure you link it back to why you would be good on the course.

Cannon says: "Lots of them will start their personal statement with: 'I've known I wanted to be a vet since I was 3, 4, 5, 6'. But then a lot of them do go on and say why. That's what we're looking for."

Too much technical detail

You might want to include some reference to a strand of veterinary medicine or a type of technology that interests you, but don't go overboard.

Sam Hillage, assistant faculty registrar at the University of Surrey, says: "I'd avoid getting bogged down in a lot of technical detail.

"While it's good to show you have some technical knowledge, it's not necessarily what we look for in a personal statement."

Mentioning the most up-to-date technology won't always win brownie points. "It's the more grounded things that make an impression," says Phillips.

Don't forget to mention animals

It might sound really obvious that a personal statement for veterinary science should include animals. But not everyone remembers. "Sometimes we get people who focus very much on the science side of things, without ever really mentioning animals," Cannon says.

Equally, make sure not to go too far in the other direction.

Cannon says: "Saying 'I want to be a vet because I like cats' doesn't really tell us anything."

If you're looking for more help in getting to vet school, why not apply for a place on a summer school? This year, the Royal Veterinary College is offering 50 places on a summer course with the Sutton Trust that will teach you what it's like to be a vet and give you tips on applying to study veterinary medicine at uni.

The scheme, sponsored by Barclays, is free to students from low and middle income backgrounds. If you're interested in applying for a place, take a look at the Sutton Trust's website .

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The Reasons Why I Want to Be a Veterinarian

Table of contents, a love for animals, contribution to animal welfare, pursuit of knowledge in veterinary medicine, fulfilling the human-animal bond.

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Home / Essay Samples / Science / Zoology / Animals

Why I Want to Be a Veterinarian

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Science , Life

Zoology , Profession , Family

Animals , Career , Pets

  • Words: 769 (2 pages)

Why I Want to Be a Veterinarian 

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Table of Contents

Introduction, my journey to be a veterinarian, connection with animals and owners as part of veterinarian job.

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How to Go to Vet School and Become a Veterinarian

Compassion, resilience, good communication and self-care go a long way in veterinary education and the profession, experts say.

How to Get Into Vet School, Become a Vet

Young French Bulldog on the visit to the vet.

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Vets need to be adept at interacting with both humans and animals.

For those who love animals and enjoy science, a career as a veterinarian might be a good fit. These health care providers have doctorates in veterinary medicine, and their doctoral education includes lessons on how to care for a variety of nonhuman creatures ranging from household pets and farm animals to aquatic creatures and zoo animals.

"You get to learn about the large and small animals," says Dr. Jim Carlson, a veterinarian outside Chicago who provides conventional and alternative therapies to animals.

"That's unique to our profession, because we come out (of vet school) having a basic knowledge of all animals, from ants to elephants," says Carlson, adding that most of his patients are small animals like dogs and cats.

Dr. Tony DeMarco – a veterinarian who owns the Lee's Summit, Missouri, branch of GoodVets, a national network of animal hospitals – says one of the best aspects of being a vet is the broad variety of patients. "I might see a cute new family puppy first thing in the morning and then evaluate a sick cat for surgery," he wrote in an email.

Communication can be a challenge in the veterinary field, DeMarco notes.

"Veterinarians are often compared to pediatricians because our patients aren't able to talk to us," he says. "We often have to perform some detective work in collaboration with the owner to deduce a pet's problem from medical history, behavior, and symptoms."

Vets need to be adept at interacting with both humans and animals, says Dr. Becky Krull, a Wisconsin-based veterinarian and co-owner of a veterinary practice.

"I think loving animals is a given but what is often overlooked is that you must be a people person," Krull wrote in an email. "There is a person affiliated with every patient I have and that person is paying the bill! You need to be able to communicate effectively to educate and provide value to your services."

How to Get Into Vet School

To become a competitive veterinary school applicant, it is essential to take all of the prerequisite courses for your target school, experts say, and it's important to understand that different vet schools have different prerequisite requirements.

Dr. Robin Solomon, a licensed and practicing veterinarian in New York who wrote a chapter about the profession for the book, "Healthcare Heroes: The Medical Careers Guide," notes that to qualify for vet school, it's typically necessary to take undergraduate courses in advanced math, basic sciences like biology and chemistry, plus animal science.

The American Veterinary Medical Association notes in its admissions 101 guide for aspiring veterinarians that there is no particular college major that someone needs to pursue in order to qualify for vet school. The association suggests that vet school applicants highlight their experience with animals, as well as leadership and communication skills.

Solid grades are essential in order to be a competitive applicant, the association adds, with the caveat that vet schools don't expect a perfect GPA. "Although a 4.0 will certainly help you, it's not an absolute necessity," the association states.

Participation in 4-H, the National FFA Organization – formerly Future Farmers of America – and other similar organizations is "great experience" for vet school hopefuls, according to the association. So is volunteering at animal shelters or animal rescues, the association notes, adding that it's "very important" to either volunteer or work for a veterinarian.

"Not only does it expose you to your potential career (so you know what you're getting into, so to speak), but it also might provide a good recommendation for you from the veterinarian," the association states on its website. If you gain research lab experience or work with veterinarians who treat different species of animals, "that's a bonus that can make you more appealing to a veterinary school admissions committee," the association explains.

Dr. Brian Collins, a veterinarian on the faculty of the highly ranked Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine in New York, says Cornell looks for a variety of traits when assessing applicants.

"Half of our admissions review is dedicated to making sure the applicant has the academic background to succeed in our curriculum," he wrote in an email, noting that the rest of the admissions process is designed to assess the applicant as an individual. "Scientific curiosity, compassion, empathy, resilience, demonstrated problem-solving skills and people-skills are additional characteristics we value and look for in an applicant."

Krull suggests that showcasing positive personality traits is one way to improve the odds of vet school acceptance.

"Some schools do personal interviews as well, so you must be charismatic and present yourself in a way that convinces them you are a good fit," she says. "Since burnout, compassion fatigue and suicide rates are rampantly on the rise in this profession, schools may also now be looking at students who have resilience, grit and the self-care needed to survive school and the profession."

Most vet schools require applicants to submit GRE General Test scores, and some also require a GRE Subject Test in biology. It is occasionally possible to submit scores from the MCAT medical school entrance exam instead of the GRE General Test, but that depends on a vet school's admissions policies.

The Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges provides a free " Profile of Admitted Students " online tool that prospective vet students can use to find out what credentials are typical among accepted students at individual vet schools.

What to Expect in Vet School

Students enrolled in vet school will take an array of classes relevant to animal health, experts say.

"Within the veterinary school curriculum," Solomon wrote in an email, "classes include the anatomy and physiology of many species (cats, dogs, horses, cows and exotic species), nutrition, microbiology, infectious diseases, internal medicine and surgery. Elective courses are also offered in areas of aquatic and zoo animal medicine, conservation of endangered species, rehabilitation medicine and Eastern medicine such as acupuncture."

Krull describes the amount of material that vet students need to absorb as "astronomical," since students must gain an understanding of multiple species and learn about both male and female animals. "Being a veterinary student is extremely difficult but rewarding," she says.

Vet school involves not only science classes but also clinical skills training, experts say.

"Throughout, students must learn to diagnose and treat diseases in a wide range of species that go beyond dogs, cats, cows and horses, including birds and exotic pets such as reptiles and amphibians," Collins says.

Collins describes veterinary education as "a full-time job" and says students can expect to spend significant time in classes, labs and study sessions.

"Having said that, our students are involved in many extracurricular activities, most of which are clubs related to the veterinary profession," he says.

Steps to Take to Become a Vet

Experts on veterinary medical education emphasize that it is highly rigorous, but they say the vet school workload is manageable for hardworking, bright students.

Dr. Carmen Fuentealba, dean of the Long Island University College of Veterinary Medicine in New York, says students who have done well in college and high school should not fear vet school since they have already proven themselves academically.

"There is not going to be any reason why you shouldn't succeed when you go to vet school," she says.

Veterinary school typically lasts for four years and veterinary students usually have a bachelor's degree, which means that the journey into the veterinary profession is a long one. Aspiring vets can expect to devote about eight years to their higher education if they spend four years in college and four years in vet school earning a doctor of veterinary medicine, or D.V.M., degree.

Further, people who wish to specialize within a particular field of veterinary medicine such as surgery or pathology often seek extra training after vet school through veterinary internship and residency programs. For those individuals, over a decade of education after high school is typical.

"Advanced training programs such as internships and residencies are not required," Collins explains. "Residency programs allow veterinarians to receive advanced training and certification in a clinical discipline."

Successful completion of an internship is a prerequisite for most residency programs, Collins adds.

Although someone can become a vet without completing a veterinary internship or residency, he or she must have a license.

"Graduates of accredited U.S. veterinary colleges must be licensed in the state(s) in which they intend to practice, through an application process determined by that state," Collins says. "The most important requirements for licensure are successful completion of the veterinary degree and a passing score on the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination," or NAVLE, he adds.

Is Vet School Worth It?

The educational pathway to a veterinary career is not only lengthy and strenuous, it's also pricey.

According to the AVMA, the average educational debt among 2019 graduates of U.S. veterinary schools who found full-time employment prior to graduation was about $150,000. Their average entry-level starting salary was significantly less, slightly under $85,000.

Experts on the veterinary profession say that money is not typically the primary motivation for entering this field. "Money can be a touchy subject, especially since we work in a caring profession and generally prefer to tackle medical rather than financial challenges," DeMarco says.

"Honestly, the salary-to-debt ratio is poor," DeMarco says, but veterinarians "don’t usually enter the field because they expect it to be lucrative."

It's important for vet school hopefuls to understand that veterinarians typically earn far less than physicians. According to the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for U.S veterinarians was $93,830 in May 2018 while it was $208,000 or more for physicians and surgeons within human medicine.

The BLS predicts that the number of U.S. veterinary jobs by 2028 will be 18% higher than in 2018. That is much better than the norm among U.S. professions, since the average projected growth rate across all fields is only 5%.

Dr. Katie Woodley, a Colorado-based general practice veterinarian who incorporates holistic treatment methods into her practice, says one of the advantages of the veterinary profession is that there are many types of jobs within the veterinary field. Vets, then, can choose the path that suits them.

The career path that most people imagine when they think of veterinarians is the role of a general practitioner who takes care of personal pets, Solomon says, but vets may treat small animals, food animals or exotic animals.

Additionally, although a majority of vets work in private practice, that isn't true for all vets. "Veterinarians can also be found in research, public health, the military and regulatory medicine (such as the CDC, EPA and FDA)," Solomon wrote in an email, referring to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Environmental Protection Agency and Food and Drug Administration, respectively.

DeMarco says the job outlook for vets is positive. "There are many potential career paths, from small animal doctor to state health inspector, and from researcher to relief vet."

Plus, according to the AVMA, there are 22 types of veterinary specialists , vets who have pursued veterinary training beyond vet school, developed expertise within a particular area of veterinary medicine and passed an exam in that field.

For example, poultry veterinarians are experts on caring for turkeys, chickens and ducks, and theriogenologists concentrate on animal reproduction.

Though the veterinary field is diverse and includes many types of jobs, one thing that nearly every veterinary specialty shares in common is an abundance of intellectually demanding work. Krull notes that the veterinary field is a challenging one "with long hours, tough cases, lots to know."

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college essay veterinarian

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My Love for Animals: Why I want to be a Veterinarian

Samantha | future veterinarian.

I have always loved animals. My desire to help them has led to a possible career path: becoming a veterinarian. Veterinarians all have one thing in common, they like animals. When I was little, I just loved to go inside a pet store and look at all the amazing animals. The one animal I wanted to look at the most was the dogs. Even today, I have stuffed animal dogs, dog t-shirts, and pretty much anything that has a dog on it. I enjoy reading dog books at my local library. I learn about their anatomy, how to care and train them, and the different breeds. My other favorite animals are horses, cats, rabbits, and frogs. I have begun taking horseback riding lessons to learn more about horses and how to care for them. I know that to become a vet, I will need to study hard and go to a university such as Texas A&M to earn my Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine. I will then need to pass the North American Veterinary Licensing Exam in order to practice as a Veterinarian. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics says that this job has fast job growth by 2020. I was excited to learn that there should be many opportunities for me with this career path. I've learned about this career through the books that I have read and by searching the internet. I know that I should become a veterinarian when I grow up because it's the perfect job for me.

Samantha's essay appears here as written, to preserve the young author’s unique voice and individual writing style. However, we have deleted personally identifiable information to protect the student’s privacy.

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Veterinary College Essays Samples For Students

13 samples of this type

While studying in college, you will certainly have to craft a lot of College Essays on Veterinary. Lucky you if linking words together and organizing them into meaningful text comes easy to you; if it's not the case, you can save the day by finding an already written Veterinary College Essay example and using it as a template to follow.

This is when you will certainly find WowEssays' free samples collection extremely useful as it contains numerous expertly written works on most various Veterinary College Essays topics. Ideally, you should be able to find a piece that meets your requirements and use it as a template to build your own College Essay. Alternatively, our skilled essay writers can deliver you a unique Veterinary College Essay model crafted from scratch according to your individual instructions.

Resource Based View Analysis Essay Sample

Internal analysis of petsmart inc, biology discussion questions essay, the strategic implementation of petsmart inc. essay, introduction.

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A Case Analysis Of Biopure Cooperation Essays Examples

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Please Stop Your Aid in Enabling Others to Harm and be Cruel to Animals

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Inspiring essay about roy blunt.

U.S. Senator, Missouri

2011-Present

Personal Background Martial Status: Married to Abigail Blunt Education: B.A. History, Southwest Baptist University (1970) https://ballotpedia.org/Roy_Blunt M.A. History, Missouri State University (1972) https://ballotpedia.org/Roy_Blunt Previous Experience: Clerk of Greene County, Missouri (1972-1984) https://ballotpedia.org/Roy_Blunt Missouri Secretary of State (1985-1992) https://ballotpedia.org/Roy_Blunt President, Southwest Baptist University (1993-1996) https://ballotpedia.org/Roy_Blunt U.S. House of Representatives (1996-2010) https://ballotpedia.org/Roy_Blunt

Committee Assignments:

Appropriations Committee 2011- present https://ballotpedia.org/Roy_Blunt Commerce. Science, and Transportation Committee 2011-2016 https://ballotpedia.org/Roy_Blunt Rules and Administration Committee 2011- present (became chairman 2015) https://ballotpedia.org/Roy_Blunt Joint Committee on the Library 2015- present https://ballotpedia.org/Roy_Blunt Joint Committee on Printing 2015-present (vice chairman) https://ballotpedia.org/Roy_Blunt Committee on Armed Services 2013-2014 https://ballotpedia.org/Roy_Blunt

Sponsored Legislation

Example of e-research incorporation in research essay, free general purpose: provide information essay sample, specific purpose: to inform the audience about the myriad ways to ensure the health dogs of our dogs.

Introduction Attention Getter: to many they are just animals but to most dogs are more than what we may think. They are our pets, friends, family and loved ones. What a better way to take care of such an important aspect of your life than through ensuring it lives. Thesis: In order to keep your dog healthy, feed it a balanced diet, exercise it and have the veterinarian take a look at it several times a year to prevent diseases.

Credibility statement:

Essay on agriculture bacteriology, regulation of veterinary biologics (question 2), good essay on biology.

I. Google Search A. http://www.mymsaa.org/about-ms/overview/ This is a website of Multiple Sclerosis Association of America. Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease wherein the myelin sheath sof the nerves are damaged causing symptoms such as numbness, fatigue, mobility problems and more (Mymsaa.org). 5 Facts

A steroid (Cortisone) was first to treat Multiple Sclerosis relapses in the year 1951.

Health, narrative paragraph, and job skills, example paragraph essay example, health, narrative paragraph, the early warning system of rinderpest disease essay examples, the early warning system of rinderpest disease.

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Veterinary Medicine College Essay

“Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine has been working for over 150 years to keep animals and people healthy. This history of teaching veterinary medicine at Cornell predates the college establishment in 1894.” (1) Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine was founded in 1865 when Ezra Cornell insisted that a chair of veterinary medicine should be at the school. In 1868, Andrew D. White is the first president of Cornell University and searches for a top notch doctor of veterinary medicine. He eventually found Dr. James Law. “Later that year Cornell University opens and Dr. James Law is appointed first professor of veterinary medicine.” (1) “The academic department at Cornell consists of biomedical sciences, clinical sciences, …show more content…

Four years later, Salmon earned the DVM degree and identified Salmonella. “In 1896, the first building dedicated entirely to veterinary medicine opened and was named James Law hall. At the time there were six professors, two instructors, and eleven students.” (1) The requirement for entry was a high school diploma, which was a big deal back then. “In 1910, Florence Kimball was the first woman to receive the DVM degree and graduates from Cornell.” (1) Two years later, Dr. Kirksey L. Curd is the first African-American at Cornell to graduate with a DVM degree.In 1980 is where everything takes a U-turn. The gender shift in veterinary professions grows with more women enrolling than men. “In 2001, the first gene therapy to restore sight in congenitally blind dog at Baker Institute.” (1) Congenitally meaning since birth. “Later in 2016, the first litter of puppies were born by In Vitro Fertilization.” (1) “In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) is a complex series of procedures used to treat fertility or genetic problems and help with the conception of a child.” (3) Or in this case puppies. “Finally, in 2017, the Master of Professional Studies in Veterinary Medical Sciences is a new degree at Cornell.”

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Veterinary Medicine Personal Statement

As an undergraduate at Iowa State University and growing up with a father who is a veterinarian, I have become increasingly aware of the complex convolution of problems that veterinarians face on a daily basis. It is my desire to participate in the resolution of these problems. This led me to pursue an undergraduate degree in Animal Science, in hopes of entrance into Veterinary School. I intend to finish Veterinary School and continue specialization in food animal production. However, I know that the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree is unique, and opens many potential career possibilities. There are many paths that a degree in veterinary medicine could lead me, and I very much want to explore those possibilities through further education.

The Career Of A Veterinarian

The Veterinary practice began long ago, around 3000 BC. The veterinarians were mostly used for treating livestock, instead of pets. The practice had been mainly focused on horses as well, and in 1761, the first veterinary school was open, and that is when the practice actually started. Animals such as dogs and horses were used during World War 1, and so veterinarians had to be there to help tend to injured animals. Today, veterinarians are still as important and there is a variety of different types of veterinarians. Animals

Veterinary Career Research Paper

Although this statement is completely true, the treatment of dogs is not all that vets do. Cats, cows, parrots, and horses are just a few of the many other animals that veterinarians help. As you could probably guess, the profession of being a vet requires many years of education, being that the job requires you to have a good background knowledge of issues that animals may have. In this essay, I’m going to walk you through my educational path to accomplish my goal of becoming a Veterinarian.

Animal Assisted Therapy Essay

method of therapy Thrive horticultural therapists build a set of activities for each gardener to improve their particular health needs, this type of therapy benefits people by helping them recover and find their way again, learn new skills, and slow down degenerative illness of the mind to some degree, Nature arts and crafts, art activities using natural materials such as wood, glass, and clay. Clay and wood being the two most commonly used due to their easy workability, Animal assisted therapy (AAT), Animal assisted interventions (AAI), and Care Farming are three types of animal assisted therapy. This type of therapy is usually for children who have been diagnosed with physical, emotional, social or learning disabilities. “Therapy provided through tasks and activities necessary to run farms, gardens, landscapes or ranches is not by any means new to this millennium's repertoire of interventions for children.”(occupational-therapy.advanceweb.com), Wilderness therapy, is “cognitive behavioral therapy to combat negative thinking, journaling to help shed light on depression and anxiety, and group activities to overcome social phobia and develop greater self-confidence, to name a few.”(apa.org) this type of therapy has been around since 1886 but it wasn’t considered therapy

The Career Of A Veterinary Technician

Veterinary technicians first started out just being people being taken out of the street and trained to help vets do anything they needed help with. But in 1908 The Canine Nurses Institute in England made an organized effort to train veterinary assistants. it took the next 53 years for any university or college to set up a program just for animal technician. The first animal technician education program was established at the State University of New York Agricultural and Technical school in Delhi.The man that set up the program was Ralston Purina, he developed the very first animal technician training correspondence course for training laboratory animal technicians in the U.S. In 1965 the first British Veterinary Nurses Association was established, Also during this time Walter Collins, DVM receives federal funding to develop a modern curriculum for training Veterinary technicians. In

Essay On Australia Export Live Cattle For Slaughter

As a student of the veterinary science program at CSU will undergo specialist training in veterinary science and its associated disciplines, I can

Veterinary Technicians

As stated before, the field of veterinary medicine is in great need of RVT's. This has opened the door to a whole new career field for RVT's. RVT's can be expected to find

Case Study: Pennvet

PennVet incorporates and embodies my aspirations for the future. The groundbreaking research in veterinarian medicine and human medicine makes PennVet a great match for me. My interest in public health can be fostered at PennVet with their certificate in public health. PenVet being a big component of the One Health Initiative, and the biomedical establishments in the Delaware valley help PennVet be a front runner in the research of veterinarian medicine. The discussions with my uncle about his time conducted at PennVet portrayed how PennVet fostered his research interest. These discussions helped me realize that PennVet would be a great school for me to fulfill my career aspirations. My interest in the one health initiative especially in zoonotic

Becoming A Licensed Veterinari Degrees, Courses, Certifications, Testing, Veterinary

To become a licensed Veterinarian, a student must seek a Bachelor’s Degree in a major science area. As a personal reference, I am considering majoring in molecular biology/pre-veterinary medicine. On average, a student will take about four to five years studying, before they graduate with their Bachelor’s Degree. During the course of the students’ undergraduate studies, the student is recommended that he or she should maintain a grade point average of a 3.5 or higher. This grade point average is one of the requirements, used in the process for consideration into one of the limited veterinary medical schools.

Pathology Personal Statement

My initial interest in veterinary medicine began during my childhood when I developed responsibility in providing care for all animals. I had hands on experiences when exercising proper herd health techniques with our veterinarian for our cow/calf operation. I learned how to vaccinate, create a balanced nutritional diet, and prepare for each calving season. I also became fascinated with the human-animal bond when training a Leader Dog for the Blind and showing livestock around the state of Indiana. My experiences with having a connection with animals and taking care of them encouraged me to further investigate the veterinary profession.

Vet Tech Essay

One thing that is important to the veterinary technician that is taking the radiographs is the personal protective equipment to the tech. Being able to use all of the proper personal protective equipment (ppe) when taking x-rays will decrease the exposure of radiation to the veterinary technician. The things that a vet tech needs to wear when taking an x-ray are: lead-lined aprons, lead-lined gloves, thyroid shield, and lead glasses. I chose personal protective equipment because I feel that the ppe is the most important to the vet tech than anything else.

Veterinary Technician Essay

Growing up, animals have played a very substantial role in my life, and remain to today. These animals include dogs, cats, horses, pigs, chickens, turtles, and more. My initial interest in veterinary sciences was evoked at the young age of nine years old, when my horse was in labor. I recall the veterinarian arriving and asking me if I would like to assist him in delivering my horses foal. He walked me through the steps in which he was taking, and with every explanation, I became exceedingly more intrigued.

Veterinarian Research Paper

Veterinarians are people who care for the health of animals and work to improve public health. Veterinarians can go into different kinds of veterinary practices. They can go into specific animal categories and take care of huge animals like elephants or they can take care of small animals like hamsters. It all depends on what they like best and feel comfortable with. All of them have at least one thing in common and that is their love for animals. Veterinarians are a lot like doctors only they do various things with animals, not people. Veterinarians diagnose and treat diseases and dysfunctions of animals. Specifically, they care for the health of pets, livestock, and animals in zoos, racetracks, and laboratories. Some veterinarians use their

Veterinary Medicine Essay

Veterinary medicine is the branch of medicine that deals with the diseases of animals. Treating pets is one of the most profitable fields in veterinary medicine. The proper vaccination of animals and the diagnosis of diseases are part of a veterinarian’s duties.

Animal Testing Essay

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“Beauty without cruelty” is the outcry that can be heard from animal right activists around the world. The FDA does not require companies to perform tests on animals but if the cosmetic product contains chemicals that can be seen as toxins, testing becomes a necessity. There are currently thirteen safety tests that are performed on animals.

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Historically Black college hopes to be second to train veterinarians. Why it matters.

The university of maryland eastern shore is hoping to become just the second historically black college to have a veterinary school in the u.s. with classes projected to start by 2026..

college essay veterinarian

When Kaila Tyree-Castro was 13, her pet geckos got sick. The closest veterinarian was an hour away from her Bowie, Maryland, home and an appointment was not available for two weeks.

Tyree-Castro, now 19, felt helpless as she watched her lizards get sicker and then die.

That episode left her wanting to become a veterinarian herself ‒ and now, as a first-generation college student at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, she is hoping to join the inaugural class at her university's planned new veterinary school.

Last month, UMES received state approval to create a school of veterinary medicine that will become just the second among the nation's more than 100 historically Black colleges and universities . Tuskegee University in Alabama has the only other veterinary school in the country's historically Black universities and there are fewer than three dozen veterinary programs in the entire U.S.

“I have big dreams and if I get accepted and can continue my studies right here, my head would be so big…” Tyree-Castro said, her voice rising.

In a best-case scenario UMES' new veterinary school will be accredited by 2025 and will have as many as 100 graduate students taking classes a year later, said Moses Kairo , the university's agricultural and natural sciences dean.

UMES' vet school will "change the landscape," Kairo said, and fill multiple needs in a profession where Black people make up only 3% of the workforce .

"We are hoping that our new school will open the door and create plenty of opportunities in an underserved field," Kairo said.

A study from Mars Veterinary Health in August 2023 found that about 55,000 more veterinarians will be needed by 2030 to meet pet health care needs in the U.S. The study also said there is a need to build a bigger talent pipeline and strengthen career pathways.

"The bottom line is we need more veterinarians of all races, from all backgrounds," said Stacy Pursell , a recruiter in the animal health industry and CEO of the VET Recruiter . "It's a much bigger picture than just race. There are very limited spots at veterinary schools and they turn away more students than they can accept."

Proximity to population centers is a plus

UMES' location in Princess Anne, Maryland, about 90 miles south of Washington, D.C., should attract prospective vet students from nearby diverse cities, including Baltimore, Philadelphia, several major cities in Virginia, and even New York City, said Dr. Niccole Bruno , the founder of BLEND , a Houston-area veterinary hospital certification program that specializes in bringing inclusivity to the industry.  

Bruno, a native of the borough of Queens in New York, said a vet school located not too far from a major urban area increases the visibility and chances of having more students of color attend.

"This can be a great pathway to nurture that interest," Bruno said.

Former HBCU students now debt-free These Morehouse College students owed their school nearly $10 million. Their debt was just erased

Pursell, whose Tulsa, Oklahoma-based search firm has placed "thousands of vets" in jobs nationwide for more than 25 years, said she's been noticing "a decadelong trend" of more veterinarians coming from urban areas in addition to the more traditional rural locations.

"Therefore, we likely will see more veterinarians of color," Pursell said. "I certainly hope so."

Pet ownership climbed during the pandemic

The need for more vets also comes as more Americans have pets.

According to the  American Pet Products Association , a trade group, about 70% of American households own a pet, up from 56% in 1988. About 23 million American households ‒ roughly 1 in 5 ‒ adopted a pet during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a survey by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals .

Those statistics coincide with a recent Pew Research Center survey that said more than half of Americans own a pet, including about a third who have more than one. The Pew survey also found that an overwhelming majority of U.S. pet owners consider their pets part of their family. About 68% of white adults and 66% of Hispanic adults own a pet, the Pew survey said, compared to just 37% of Asian and 34% of Black adults.

Americans consider pets as vital family members , with some considering pets "as the most important factor when making homebuying decisions," said Jessica Lautz , the vice president of demographics and behavioral insights for the National Association of Realtors.

"Proximity to the vet and plenty of outdoor space" for pets to run and play are keys for homebuyers with pets, Lautz said.

There are roughly 124,000 licensed vets across the U.S. , but only about 95,000 of them are still practicing , as many "Baby Boomer" vets have retired. The Mars study projected pet health care services spending would spike 3% to 4% a year beyond inflation over the next 8 to 10 years.

"More millennials and Gen Z(ers) own pets and they want the same scale of health care for them as they want for themselves," said Mark Cushing, author of the 2020 book "Pet Nation: The Inside Story of How Companion Animals Are Transforming Our Homes, Culture, and Economy."

"Unfortunately, the supply (of veterinarians) hasn't caught up with the demand," he said.

'Our timing is just right'

The increase in pet ownership, plus the projected 19% growth in the veterinary field over the next six years validate UMES' decision to launch a veterinary school now, Kairo said.

"There are very few vet schools being established, so there's room for growth," Kairo said. "We feel our timing is just right."

UMES' Department of Agriculture, Food and Resource Sciences already has a pre-veterinary program that graduates about an average of  five to seven students per academic year .

Pre-vet major Donovan Grady, Jr. 20, a junior, from Mardela Springs, Maryland, is eager to enroll in the graduate program, though he'll have to wait for a year once he completes his college degree.

Grady, who loves nurturing the goats and other small animals on the school's seven-pasture farm, said after he becomes an established licensed vet, he hopes to return to his alma mater to teach. "I want to pay it forward and help streamline the path for others," he said.

News of Maryland Eastern Shore's upcoming vet school comes about three months after the university announced a $60-million fundraising plan . The financial campaign − the largest in the school's nearly 140-year history – will hopefully lead to the construction of a dedicated building for the veterinary school, said Dr. Kimberly Braxton , an associate professor at UMES.

In addition to the new building, the funding would be used to upgrade UMES' vet facilities, especially the farm that features small ruminant animals including sheep, goats, and a chicken coop.

UMES hopes it can get funds similar to fellow HBCU institution Spelman College in Atlanta, which just received its largest donation ever of $100 million from businesswoman and philanthropist Ronda Stryker and her husband,  William Johnston, the chairman of Greenleaf Trust .

"It's a huge task," said Braxton about UMES' financial endeavor. "But a good task to have."

Shooting for the stars

A UMES alum and a licensed veterinarian, Braxton was recently named the veterinary school's interim founding dean. She said discussions around a new veterinary school have been ongoing for at least six years.

At first, Braxton said she was thinking of simply adding a vet technology program. But the school's president, Heidi Anderson told her to aim higher. "She said, 'Let’s shoot for the stars and see if we can get a super-big goal for Maryland and historically Black colleges and universities,'" Braxton said.

Many of UMES' current pre-vet students had never seen a Black veterinarian until they met her, Braxton said. Some students were even more surprised when they met another Black vet in the form of Dr. Vernard Hodges , star of Nat Geo TV's " Critter Fixers: Country Vets ," last year.

"That pulled at my heartstrings," Braxton said. "That’s why I’m ready to put in the work to make this an even greater program

Anderson " is a clear indication that the UMES School of Veterinary Medicine will help us fulfill a clear need in our communities, Maryland and beyond."

The timelines are important to help UMES try to cut into the overall vet shortage nationally, said Cushing, a Scottsdale, Arizona-based attorney whose lobbying firm, Animal Policy Group , is helping UMES with its vet school accreditation process.

The UMES school will adopt a hands-on, accelerated three-year program similar to one at the University of Arizona , Kairo said. "We will not be sacrificing our curriculum as we will offer courses similar to four-year schools, but our students will be in session throughout the year to complete their requirements."

UMES pre-vet student Olivia Ludolph, a junior, said she is so adamant about attending UMES for graduate school that she would delay her studies if necessary. The 20-year-old from Baltimore wants to stay closer to home and near her "real family and my UMES family."

"I definitely have a family here on campus that is so caring and supportive," Ludolph said. "I want to specialize in livestock and large animals and that's what the (vet) school hopes to bring. I just want to be a part of something special."

CSU's vet school expansion, UNC's new medical school may be funded by state: What we know

college essay veterinarian

A portion of the cost of expanding Colorado State University’s veterinary school and constructing a new medical school at the University of Northern Colorado would be funded by the state under a plan pitched Monday by Gov. Jared Polis.

Polis’ plan, designed to address workforce shortages in human and animal health care in Colorado, would provide $50 million in funding toward CSU's new Veterinary Health and Education Complex and $128 million for a new medical school at UNC in Greeley, spokespersons for each school said Monday.

The bill would also help fund new facilities at Metropolitan State University of Denver and Trinidad State College for training and certification programs for nurses and nursing and dental assistants.

The funding plan, through $247 million in state-authorized certificates of participation, is being introduced with bipartisan support, the governor’s office said, but still needs legislative approval.

“It’s going to be a big deal for the whole state,” Polis told the Coloradoan in a video interview a few hours before formally announcing the plan. “With our growing population and with many health care professionals retiring early or burning out during the (COVID-19) pandemic, we have a shortage that’s projected to grow even stronger with an aging population. So, it’s absolutely critical that we train more nurses, doctors, nurse assistants, veterinarians right here in Colorado.”

Here's a closer look:

Colorado State University veterinary hospital expansion

The CSU System Board of Governors has already approved a $230 million upgrade and expansion of the James L. Voss Veterinary Teaching Hospital, allowing the university to increase the size of its veterinary classes as early as fall 2026. Construction of the Veterinary Health and Education Complex began in September with an approved funding plan that included private donations, requests for state funding, university bonds and other sources, CSU officials said in Source , an online publication of the university’s marketing and communications team.

The goal, Polis told the Coloradoan, is to allow CSU to increase the number of graduates in its veterinary program by 20% or more annually while also expanding its research programs. CSU has the only public veterinary school in Colorado.

“There’s a veterinary shortage, both on the agricultural side and the pet side,” Polis told the Coloradoan. “Many animals are not getting the care that they need. We’re working with the legislature on a number of different ways to help, including expanding what veterinary assistants can do, looking at mid-level veterinary professionals.

“But, at the end of the day, we need more veterinarians, and we also want to make sure Colorado’s veterinary school is positioned to be the best in the nation.”

The new state-of-the-art veterinary teaching hospital with an expanded primary care clinic will be nearly double the size of the current facility that was built in 1978, school officials said. It will allow CSU to add 30 new students to its incoming class in the fall of 2026, increasing the class size from 138 to 168. That will increase the program’s four-year capacity from 620 students to 720 while also opening up space for more than 275 undergraduate students in biomedical sciences and other programs on the university’s main campus.

Students currently in the veterinary program take classes and participate in laboratory work and research at CSU’s south campus that includes the veterinary hospital and its main campus about 1 1/2 miles away.

CSU’s veterinary school sees more than 47,000 patient visits and performs nearly 300,000 diagnostic tests annually and has outgrown its current facility, school officials said.

“With the new center, we will be able to bring excellent education, ground-breaking research and accessible patient care together into state-of-the-art facilities,” CSU President Amy Parsons told the Coloradoan through a school spokesperson. “CSU will increase veterinary student enrollment, enhance the experiential education we deliver and provide top quality care to a growing number of patients from across the state.”

'She is famous': CSU's Amy Parsons is a new kind of university president

The expansion project also includes the construction of a new $13 million Livestock Veterinary Hospital adjacent to the existing Johnson Family Equine Hospital, according to Source. That facility, scheduled to open in early 2025, will provide medical, surgical and ambulatory facilities for livestock.

“I think the state’s vision to package this along with all these other health care activities really speaks to the growing importance of that One Health concept,” said CSU System Chancellor Tony Frank, a former professor of veterinary science at CSU and practicing veterinarian. “The health of humans, the health of animals — whether it’s zoonotic diseases, environmental factors, the health of our planet — these things are all linked together, and we’re really proud to be part of this. We’ll put it to good use.”

New medical school at University of Northern Colorado

UNC plans to launch a medical school that will produce 150 graduates a year, beginning as early as 2030, school officials said in a link dedicated to the project on the university’s website , unco.edu . The College of Osteopathic Medicine will provide students with Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degrees (D.O.) the scientific foundations they need to become licensed physicians and require the same residency training after medical school as those who earn Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) degrees through allopathic medical schools.

“Allopathic medicine focuses on diagnosing and treating medical conditions, while osteopathic medicine takes a more holistic, patient-centered approach and focuses heavily on prevention,” reads a “frequently asked questions” page about the new medical school on the UNC website.

Primary care is the focus of 57% of DOs and only 28% of MDs, UNC officials said in a news release from the governor’s office following the formal announcement. Fifty-nine of Colorado’s 64 counties currently are experiencing a shortage of primary care health professionals, the governor’s office said.

The medical school at UNC would be just the second public medical school in the state, joining the University of Colorado’s program that includes a branch at CSU that admits 12 new students each year, and only the third overall.

The total cost of the new medical school is expected to be about $200 million, a school spokesperson said, including physical construction costs of $127.5 million. Startup costs are estimated to be $30 million through three planning years and the first two years of operation until tuition revenues are projected to match expenditures, according to the website’s FAQ.

The university has already raised $31 million in philanthropic funding for the project, spokesperson Deanna Herbert said.

“I am thankful for and thrilled by the support of the governor and our legislators for their efforts to help make this important vision a reality,” UNC President Andy Feinstein told the Coloradoan in an emailed statement. “Our proposed College of Osteopathic Medicine will have an impact across each corner of the state by strengthening the health care workforce, particularly the growing demand for doctors. I’m especially proud that UNC is in partnership with other institutions of higher education to address what is a critical issue for our state. This investment in our health care workforce will help meet the needs of Coloradans everywhere.”

How would the funding work?

Funding for the capital construction of the expanded veterinary hospital at CSU, medical school at UNC, and facilities to support expanded certification and training of other health care professionals at MSU Denver and Trinidad State College would come from a certificate of participation, Polis said.

Certificates of participation are a funding mechanism the state has used since 1979 to build or maintain capital assets, according to a 2018 legislative issue brief . Once authorized by the Colorado General Assembly, they allow the state to enter into a lease-purchase agreement for a proposed facility.

The state typically transfers its interests in the property to a lessor, in this case CSU, then leases the property back through annual payments. The lessor assigns its interests to a trustee, usually a commercial bank, who holds the title to the property, collects lease payments from the state and makes payments to the investors.

“These are all ideas that have been on the books — there’s many good ideas across the state — but what we’re announcing today is the funding to actually make them a reality,” Polis said.

What are the other projects in this plan?

The Health Institute Tower project at MSU Denver will increase the capacity by 25% in its programs in nursing, behavioral health, psychology and other areas, according to the governor’s office.

Trinidad State plans to expand the student capacity of its allied health programs by 50% through an addition to its San Luis Valley campus in Alamosa. That program provides training and professional certification for nurses, emergency medical technicians, medical and dental assistants, Trinidad State President Rhonda Eppers said in the news release from the governor’s office.

The addition in Alamosa will also provide “much-needed space for student wrap around services as we work to reduce long-standing education inequities across the rural San Luis Valley,” Eppers said in the news release.

Reporter Kelly Lyell covers education, breaking news, some sports and other topics of interest for the Coloradoan. Contact him at  [email protected] , twitter.com/KellyLyell or  facebook.com/KellyLyell.news . 

college essay veterinarian

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Home » Home » Eastern Florida State College Veterinary Program to Host Open House March 7

Eastern Florida State College Veterinary Program to Host Open House March 7

By Space Coast Daily  //  February 21, 2024

open house will be held at Easter Florida Cocoa Campus on Clearlake Road

college essay veterinarian

BREVARD COUNTY • COCOA, FLORIDA – Eastern Florida State College will host an Open House for its Veterinary Technology and Veterinary Assisting Programs on March 7.

The event will take place from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Eastern Florida State College’s Cocoa Campus, located at 1519 Clearlake Road in Bldg. 21.

Attendees will gain valuable information about the benefits of a career in Veterinary Technology and how the programs at EFSC prepare graduates to be successful.

This in-person event also allows networking with faculty and current students.

REGISTER HERE , and if you’d like more information, please contact Maryann Vanciel at 321-433-7575 or [email protected].

Eastern Florida State College to Host Medical Coder, Biller Program Open House Feb. 28

CLICK HERE FOR BREVARD COUNTY NEWS

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College well represented at annual surgery meeting

Faculty, residents and students active in the Veterinary Orthopedic Society play key roles, garner recognition at recent meeting.

UF faculty, residents and students at Veterinary Orthopedic Surgery meeting at Lake Tahoe.

Faculty member honored by national surgery group

Dr. Dan Lewis has received the 2024 Steve Fox Lifetime Achievement Award from the Veterinary Orthopedic Society.

In this photo from the recent Veterinary Orthopedic Society meeting, held in Lake Tahoe, Dr. Lewis is surrounded by several current and former UF small animal surgery residents.

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University Extension Positioned to Advise on Tick-borne Disease

college essay veterinarian

Springfield Herald News (Feb. 20) – “By assessing the perceptions of Extension staff in Illinois, we identified gaps in their knowledge and then provided continuing education on ticks that empowers them to engage confidently with their communities on this critical issue,” said Sulagna Chakraborty, a postdoctoral research associate in the Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and lead researcher for the project.

https://springfieldherald.news/new-study-finds-extension-offices-have-vital-role-in-fight-against-growing-p24714-103.htm

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Taxus spp Toxicosis

Accidental ingestion of Japanese yew ( Taxus cuspidata ) led to the sudden death of four New England beef cattle in late January 2024. These four cows were noted to be apparently healthy until being found dead over a 3-day period, and there was a herd history of pasture escape. The producer described the first cow to have been seen eating and behaving normally, then moments later collapsed and died. The three other cows were found dead in the pasture. No abnormal gross lesions were noted during field necropsies. Pieces of pine tree branches and berries were found in the rumen contents of two cows (Figure 1), a photo of which was shared by the herd veterinarian with Veterinary Support Services at the Animal Health Diagnostic Center (AHDC). Dr Karyn Bischoff, director of the AHDC Toxicology Laboratory, identified these branches as Japanese yew. Upon investigation of the area surrounding the pasture, several Japanese yew bushes were identified with signs of grazing and were presumed to be the cause of toxicosis and sudden deaths in the herd.

Japanese yew found in rumen contents

Figure 1: Japanese yew found in rumen contents

Taxus spp., or Japanese yew, are evergreen plants that are commonly used for decorative landscaping throughout the United States and the world. They contain taxine alkaloids that primarily cause toxicity through antagonism of calcium channels in cardiac myocytes, resulting in electrical conduction disturbances in the heart muscle, often resulting in acute death. Clinical signs vary depending on the amount of toxin ingested, and include ataxia, bradycardia, dyspnea, muscle tremors, and seizures leading to collapse and death. In most cases, animals are found dead within twenty-four hours of ingestion without showing any premonitory clinical signs. Domestic livestock, including cattle, horses, and small ruminants, are among the species susceptible to Taxus spp toxicosis 1 . While postmortem cardiac lesions have been sporadically reported, there are no common pathognomonic lesions of Taxus spp toxicosis in livestock. 2,3 Diagnosis of Taxus spp toxicosis is often made based on history of exposure and unexpected death, followed by identification of the plant in the digestive tract. Many case reports describe accidental exposure to Taxus spp through ingestion of clippings inadvertently discarded in the pasture resulting in high herd mortality. 1-3 Taxus spp. toxicosis may occur more frequently during winter months, when concentrations of alkaloids are highest, and the evergreen leaves become more appealing. 2 This case exemplifies how the submission of stomach/rumen/abomasal contents for gross or microscopic evaluation by a board-certified veterinary toxicologist can assist in making a diagnosis of toxicosis.

  • Wilson, Christina R., and Stephen B. Hooser. Veterinary Toxicology: Basic and Clinical Principles , edited by Ramesh C. Gupta, Elsevier/Academic Press, London, 2018, pp. 929–935. 
  • Sula MJM, Morgan S, Bailey KL, Schumpert M, Njaa BL. Characterization of cardiac lesions in calves after ingestion of Japanese yew ( Taxus cuspidata ). Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation. 2013;25(4):522-526. doi:10.1177/1040638713489981
  • Burcham GN, Becker KJ, Tahara JM, Wilson CR, Hooser SB. Myocardial fibrosis associated with previous ingestion of yew (Taxus sp.) in a Holstein heifer: evidence for chronic yew toxicity in cattle. Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation. 2013;25(1):147-152. doi:10.1177/1040638712466729

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    Faculty member honored by national surgery group. February 21, 2024. Dr. Dan Lewis has received the 2024 Steve Fox Lifetime Achievement Award from the Veterinary Orthopedic Society. Faculty, residents and students active in the Veterinary Orthopedic Society play key roles, garner recognition at recent meeting.

  26. Moscow Metro: Atlantic photo essay

    A visit to Russia is my to-do list. Great people & culture. [ Reply To This Message ] [ Share Thread on Facebook ] [ Start a New Thread ] [ Back to Thread List ]

  27. University Extension Positioned to Advise on Tick-borne Disease

    Springfield Herald News (Feb. 20) - "By assessing the perceptions of Extension staff in Illinois, we identified gaps in their knowledge and then provided continuing education on ticks that empowers them to engage confidently with their communities on this critical issue," said Sulagna Chakraborty, a postdoctoral research associate in the Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine at ...

  28. Taxus spp Toxicosis

    Taxus spp Toxicosis. Tuesday, February 20, 2024. Accidental ingestion of Japanese yew ( Taxus cuspidata) led to the sudden death of four New England beef cattle in late January 2024. These four cows were noted to be apparently healthy until being found dead over a 3-day period, and there was a herd history of pasture escape.

  29. The War, Russia's Infrastructure, And The Lesson Of History

    Nearly one-third of Russia's 2024 budget was allocated towards defense spending. Social expenditures, covering salaries, pensions, and benefits, constituted only about one-fifth of the budget. Russia's economy does not create much that is in demand. Its manufacturing sector is small, and its business sector is non-existent.