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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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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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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

Why I Want to Be a Veterinarian

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Science , Life

Zoology , Profession , Family

Animals , Career , Pets

Words: 769 (2 pages)

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

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InterviewPenguin.com – Your best job interview coach since 2011

Interview questions answered: Why do you want to be a Veterinarian?

Whether you interview for a place at a vet school , or try to get a job of a veterinarian , you will almost always face this question. The right answer seems simple and obvious: because you love animals , you want to work for them, and help them thrive (within the limitations of their life in captivity, of course). Just as it is a case with many other interview questions, however, things are not as simple as it may seem …

First of all, you want to stand out in your interview. Saying that same thing every other student or job applicants will say isn’t going to take you anywhere. And secondly, if you apply for a place at a prestigious school with low acceptance rate , the admission committee members really expect a bit more from you . Let’s have a look at 7 sample answers to the question. Do not forget to read also my notes below the answers, for some additional hints on how to come up with a perfect answer in your interviews.

7 sample answers to “Why do you want to be a veterinarian?” interview question

I would like to run my own veterinary clinic one day in our city. I know it is an ambitious goal, and I have a lot of work to do until it can materialize. But I’ve been a regular to several clinics with our pets, and from what I saw I can clearly tell that I would love to work in such a place , let alone run it one day. I believe that people should have dreams, and enjoy doing what they do for a living . For me, it is working with animals, and running my own vet clinic one day. That’s why I am here today, and hope to get a chance to study at this great university , moving one step closer to realizing my dream.
I’ve been around horses all my life . Riding them since I was a child, taking care of them as a volunteer in local stables, later participating in competitions as a jockey. But you cannot be a kid all your life , and the day comes when you have to take responsibility and earn your living. I spent my years at a vet school, and now I am trying to get the job with you at this ranch , so I can continue my “love affair” with horses. Working with animals I’ve been working with all my life, and helping your place to prosper, would really be a dream come true.
My parents have a small farm, a place where I grew up running around, helping with all sorts of duties. They have forty cows and fifty sheep , and produce cheese and yogurt. I would love to become a lead veterinarian on the farm , helping our family business to thrive, and to bring high quality local produce to the community in the area . What’s more, I believe to have what it takes to succeed in this profession—dedication, compassion, excellent communication skills, and of course passion for this type of work. Before anything else, however, I have to earn my degree. And I want to earn it at one of the best schools in the country. That’s why I am here.
I’ve been working as a veterinarian for seven years already . But now I consider changing my job, because I do not like the practices promoted in the company, the big meat producer. The amounts of antibiotics they inject into the animals, and the growth hormones and everything, it is just terrible to witness it . And I can do nothing about it from my position. What’s more, it is just a complete slavery from birth to death for the animals. Not really my cup of coffee anymore. That’s why I am looking for a job of a veterinarian on an organic farm , so I can follow more sustainable principles in my work , and at the same time animals have at least some life…
I believe that we are what we eat , and I would like to specialize in veterinary research in the future. I’ve been a vegetarian for almost a decade, and I have observed profound changes in my metabolism and overall well-being with my diet. What’s more, I realize the impact intensive agriculture has on the ecosystems and climate change. With that being said, I’d love to play my role in the process of raising awareness of these issues, with scientific evidence. Before I can do that, however, I need to earn my degree and some reputation , and that’s exactly the plan for the next years. I know that you put emphasis on research work here, and it is one of the reasons why I applied for a study program at your school.
I would love to run my own veterinary practice back home , in Bristol, especially for dogs and cats . I’ve been dreaming about this for some time. You may laugh at me, but I already have a location in my sight , and I have also drawn a logo and designed a website for my future practice. Having said that, I realize that the goal is far away now , and that I have to study a lot, and pass many exams, and practice for thousands of hours to make this dream come true. At the same time, this vision definitely helps me to stay motivated and to work hard , and I think it’s not a bad thing to have a vision as a future vet.
I follow a role model from my family–my father . He’s been working as a veterinarian for twenty years now, and I can really see that his career pays off in more ways than one . First of all, he still has a passion for his job, after twenty years . In my opinion, it isn’t a common thing to see across any profession. Secondly, he earns well , and as a result we can have a decent lifestyle as a family. Which is, of course, also important, because one day I would also love to start a family. Last but not least, I can see the impact he has on lives of animals , and since I share the love for other living creatures it is highly motivating for me, and I’d love to follow the same career path. That’s why I want to be a veterinarian.

The more specific you are, the better

Try to come up with something more specific. Perhaps a specialty field of veterinary medicine that caught your eye, and you’d love to practice it one day. Or your parents happen to run a small farm , and your goal is to become the lead veterinarian there. Or you have your own business plan , a certain clinic or practice you’d like to start in the future, in the location of your choice. You can find plenty of example on my list of sample answers.

As long as they see that you actually have some plan for your future, and know what you want to do with your degree , they will immediately consider you a great candidate for the study program. Having a goal and a sort of vision definitely helps with motivation when the workload is heavy , and you struggle to prepare for the exams. Needless to say, your priorities may shift over the years and your plans may change until you earn your degree. But it is still better to have some plan than having none.

Your non-verbal communication is extremely important

They know that you will prepare for your interview, and especially for this question , because you will get it in 95 out of 100 vet school interviews. It doesn’t mean that it is a mistake to prepare–on the contrary, they like applicants who care , and spend enough time preparing for the big day. But they may sometimes doubt the authenticity of your answer, especially if your verbal and non-verbal communication do not correspond .

They should hear some enthusiasm in your words . It doesn’t mean that you have to be pumped up, or shout from pure excitement while narrating your plans, and explaining your career choice. But there should definitely be a trace of joy in your voice, and a spark in your eye . If it is there, they won’t have a reason to doubt the authenticity of your words…

Ready to answer this one? Great! But it isn’t the only tricky question you will face in your vet school interview, or while interview for a job of a vet. Check the following pages to continue your preparation for the big day:

Vet school interview questions – Full list of 30 most common questions and answers to some of them.
Vet technician interview questions – Typically a superbly competitive interview with many applicants. Learn how to stand out with your words.
How to overcome interview nerves – Simple guide that will help you beat interview anxiety, and show your very best when it matters the most.
Why do you want to be a doctor?
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Sat / act prep online guides and tips, how to become a veterinarian: key steps and qualities.

General Education

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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!

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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Home — Essay Samples — Science — Animals — My Dream of Becoming a Veterinarian

My Ambition to Become a Veterinary Doctor

Categories: Animals

About this sample

Words: 564 |

Published: Nov 15, 2018

Words: 564 | Page: 1 | 3 min read

Works Cited

American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). (n.d.). Becoming a veterinarian. Retrieved from https://www.avma.org/resources/becoming-veterinarian
Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS). (n.d.). Become a veterinary surgeon. Retrieved from https://www.rcvs.org.uk/becoming-vet/
American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA). (n.d.). Careers in veterinary medicine. Retrieved from https://www.aaha.org/globalassets/02-publications/vets4pets/2021-2022/15-vets4pets-careers.pdf
Utrecht University. (n.d.). Bachelor's program in Veterinary Medicine. Retrieved from https://www.uu.nl/en/bachelor/veterinary-medicine
University of Sydney. (n.d.). Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM). Retrieved from https://sydney.edu.au/courses/courses/pc/doctor-of-veterinary-medicine.html
Australian Veterinary Association (AVA). (n.d.). Working as a veterinarian in Australia. Retrieved from https://www.ava.com.au/working-as-a-veterinarian-in-australia/
Marsden, S. (2015). Career as a veterinarian. Peterson's.
National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA). (n.d.). Veterinary technology careers. Retrieved from https://www.navta.net/page/career
The Guardian. (2018). Vet career guide: Working as a vet. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/education/2018/jun/20/vet-career-guide-working-as-a-vet
The Balance Careers. (2021). How to become a veterinarian: Career path guide. Retrieved from

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Vet school personal statement: how to write + examples.

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

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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FOR STUDENTS : ALL THE INGREDIENTS OF A GOOD ESSAY

Essay: Veterinary Medicine

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Being a veterinarian is a great career choice because of the great interactions with varied types of animals, the amount of aid you can supply them, and the great feeling after helping the injured or sickly animals to their health. Some of the top vet schools are Cornell University (#1 in Ithaca, NY), UC Davis (#2 Davis, CA), and Colorado State University (#3 in Fort Collins, CO). To become a vet the requirements are four years of undergraduate education with course requirements. The profession requires doctoral or professional degree you can get in vet schools. Training includes the extensive study of biomedical sciences, chemistry, pharmacy, and basic animal husbandry. Veterinarians need a well-developed powers of observation, good memory, logical thinking, patience, and positive attitude to animals. According to vbs.psu.edu, the official Penn State website and article Steps To Becoming A Veterinarian, vet schools and programs are very competitive to get into. The key step is to start preparing ahead and always have a back-up plan. Veterinarians uses medicine to diagnose, treat diseases and dysfunction of animals. Medicine used such as antibiotics and vaccines. A vet’s role in their career is to help and serve also trying to find a new treatment to disorders for humans and animals. Some vets teach other people or other vets how to do something. The history of being a veterinarian has been around since human beings have interacted with animals. For a long time, ever since man tamed animals, there is a need to monitor their health. Just like humans, they suffer the same type of diseases like a cold, sore throat, and stomach ulcer. Veterinary Medicine is a branch of medical science that deals with the prevention, cure, and alleviation of diseases or injuries of animals. There are about 55,000 veterinarians in the United states and out of that only 15,000 more or less are women. Many veterinarians work for federal, state or local governments and they inspect food, supervising laws that protect human and animal health, also dealing with environmental problems. Statistics show that more women are graduating with bachelor’s degrees and more female graduates are seeking furthar education as men graduates do not. Women have represented about 57 percent of the enrollment at U.S. colleges since 2000, according to the American Council on Education. Council researchers cite the tendency of women to outperform men in high school and college and men leaving college in disproportionate numbers. Veterinarian is a medical specialist, whose responsibility includes the diagnostic and treatment of animal diseases, as well as veterinary and sanitary control of the manufacture and sale of animal products. The specialty implies the use of medical instruments, pharmaceuticals, and chemicals. These professionals work in a specialized veterinary clinics and pharmacies, organizations that process and sell animal products, farms, zoos, circuses, official Kennel clubs, and other places where there are animals. In addition, veterinarians work in supervisory bodies exercising control of animal products. The major goals of veterinary vaccines are to improve the health and welfare of companion animals, increase production of livestock in a cost-effective manner, and prevent animal to human transmission from both domestic animals and wildlife. Successful veterinary vaccines have been produced against viral, bacterial, protozoal, and multicellular pathogens. Which in many ways have led the field in the application and adaptation of novel technologies. These veterinary vaccines have had, and continue to have, a major impact not only on animal health and production but also on human health through increasing safe food supplies and preventing animal-to-human transmission of infectious diseases. At a time when many Americans are struggling to get basic health care, some privileged pets are getting gold-plated care – and surviving life-threatening medical problems. Veterinarians are here to make miracles happen and an example could be a cockapoo dog whose name is Bailey. Bailey was nine when vets diagnosed heart blockage, a problem that slowed her heart rate and made her extremely lethargic. But the docs gave Bailey a pacemaker, and she’s now as energetic as a pup. Another example is about a dog named Hope, who was considered the thinnest dog alive, she was found neglected and malnourished near Somerset, England. The RSPCA center in Weston-super-Mare came to her rescue and found her in a cardboard box near the side of the road. She was believed to be 1 to 2 years old and weighed just 17 pounds (half her expected, healthy weight). Hope was too weak to walk or eat when she was found. Thanks to the constant care of vet Anna Parry at Bridge Veterinary Practice, Hope survived. Hope first arrived wrapped in blankets and bubble wrap to keep warm. Slowly, but surely, Hope was taken off the IV, became more responsive and was able to eat again. Some people think Veterinarians just do it for the money, a real true veterinarian will do the job for just the satisfaction of saving a life. The feeling of helping a member of someones family has to be the most amazing feeling in the world, a vet is someones hero. They’re just as important as a regular doctor, they’re just as smart and talented. I see many folks get upset because of how much they owe from their animal getting a checkup, surgery or any type of help from an animal doctor but they have to understand that it’s just as expensive for a human being to get medicine or checked up on. It’s all about love, nothing matters to when it comes to helping or saving a life of a child and feeling the great satisfaction of helping the helpless. Believe it or not but there are animal laws that are enforced in california and have been enforced for many decades. Most laws are involved with business and professions all protecting the rights of animals to make sure they’re protected and well taken care of. These laws aren’t just covering the typical animals it’s including all household pets, zoo animals as well as free animals. The Animal Welfare Act was signed into law in 1966. It is the only Federal law in the United States that regulates the treatment of animals in research, exhibition, transport, and by dealers. Other laws, policies, and guidelines may include additional species coverage or specifications for animal care and use, but all refer to the Animal Welfare Act as the minimum acceptable standard. Animals have a big role in our human society, they help in variety of ways such as therapy! According to a wide range of health professionals and practitioners animals are good for our health and well being. Companion animals are being introduced all over to therapeutic regimens such as nursing homes, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and behavioral health centers. Animals in nursing homes helps the elders maintain an independent style of living, rehabilitation centers help juveniles learn empathy and compassion while behavioral centers help patients cope with ADHD. Humans are similar with animals in various ways: humans have complex ears to translate sound waves into mechanical vibrations our brains can process. According to research published Nov. 16, 2012 in the journal Science, katydid bird’s ears too are arranged very similarly to human ears, with eardrums, lever systems to amplify vibrations, and a fluid-filled vesicle where sensory cells wait to convey information to the nervous system. Elephants in the south korean zoo (aka Asian elephants) learned to mimic phrases in Korean simply by using its trunk and throat. In 2010, researchers at McGill University and the University of British Columbia in Canada discovered that mice subjected to moderate pain “grimace,” just like humans. Marine biologist in a french zoo, studied dolphins at night and discovered they sleep talk in their sleep just like we do! Nutritional Therapy provides anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant support. It also supplies the nutrients necessary to assist the animal’s body to heal. Any animal’s body needs to be able to fight-off infections, neutralise toxins and cope with weakened immune systems that are often hypersensitive to the environment in which they live and they should be given the appropriate treatment when symptoms arise just as you would for yourself or a family member. Nutritional Therapy by means of providing additional nutritional supplementation to your pet’s diet is a relatively inexpensive, practical and useful method of health support that a pet owner can easily administer at home. Herbal medicine is great for humans because it’s all natural, well herbal medicine is just as effective on animals. Some vets use herbals such as Astragalus, Barley Grass Powder, Catnip, Chamomile, Glucosamine, Kava Kava, Lemon Balm, Licorice Root, Oregon Grape Root, Slippery Elm Bark, Stevia, and Yellow Dock Root. All of these herbal remedies cure various types of infections, helps with pain or helps with diseases. The career choice of becoming a veterinarian is a great because of helping all these different types of animals, and the great feeling after helping the injured or sickly animals to their health.

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Veterinary School

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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Article Contents 10 min read

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.

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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.

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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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The Reasons Why I Want to Be a Veterinarian
The prospect of playing a pivotal role in their well-being, health, and happiness ignites a passion within me that drives my career aspirations. This essay delves into the reasons why I want to be a veterinarian, exploring my love for animals, the desire to contribute to animal welfare, the pursuit of knowledge in veterinary medicine, and the ...
Why i Want to Be a Veterinarian, Free Essay Example
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 ...
Why I Want to Be a Veterinarian (Free Essay Samples)
Veterinarians are front-liners for animals. They diagnose and treat sick or injured animals and make sure they are well taken care of by their families. They understand the unique needs of each one and love animals with a passion. Whether small animals or large animals, their goal is to save lives through medicine.
Veterinarian Essay
Veterinarian Essay. Sort By: Page 1 of 50 - About 500 essays. Decent Essays. The Career Of A Veterinarian. 1134 Words; 5 Pages; The Career Of A Veterinarian. grateful she and her mother were to not lose a member of our family. The career of a veterinarian is a rewarding career, because one has the opportunity to care for beings who can't for ...
A Career as a Veterinarian Essay
In general, vets can earn between $52,000 and $161,000 a year. The median salary for all vets is around $89,000 a year. Most vets receive benefits as well as a salary, theses often include health, dental plans, paid vacations and sick. 367 Words.
My Love for Animals: Why I want to be a Veterinarian
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 ...
How to Write Great Personal Essays for Veterinary School
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.
PDF Veterinary School Personal Statements
Veterinary school admission committees generally judge a candidate's merit based upon. undergraduate grade-point averages (GPA), Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores, interviews, veterinary related experiences, letters of recommendation, and the personal. statements (Roush et al., 2014).
Why I Want to Be a Veterinarian
Like many others in the veterinary field, I expressed my affinity for animals early and often. My first memories are alive with curiosity about the animal world. From rescuing caterpillars off of busy sidewalks, to bringing home stray cats, I was constantly looking for ways to help animals in need. And like many young animal lovers, my first ...
Vet school personal statement examples
What Makes a Vet Personal Statement Good or Bad. Each personal statement needs to answer one crucial question: why do you want to be a veterinarian? Answering that question is the main point of your VMCAS essay, but it must be more than that, or that reason won't be impactful. Anybody can say "I like animals," you need to say and show why ...
Why do you want to be a veterinarian? 7 sample answers + more
The right answer seems simple and obvious: because you love animals, you want to work for them, and help them thrive (within the limitations of their life in captivity, of course). Just as it is a case with many other interview questions, however, things are not as simple as it may seem …. First of all, you want to stand out in your interview.
Why I Want to Be a Veterinarian: Essay
One teaching which stood out to me was the concept of 'one health' meaning that the well-being of both animals and humans is interdependent and protected by vets, for example by the development of antibiotics for zoonotic diseases. What motivates me the most to become a veterinarian is that, unlike humans, animals are unable to describe ...
How to Become a Veterinarian: Key Steps and Qualities
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 ...
My Dream of Becoming a Veterinarian: [Essay Example], 564 words
My Ambition to Become a Veterinary Doctor. In this essay I am going to talk about my ambition to be a veterinary doctor and why this is living my fantasy. I have 3 main points for this, which l will explain. Those points are: animals getting better, becoming a doctor and my relationship with Sydney.
Essays About Veterinarian ️ Free Examples & Essay Topic Ideas
Essays on Veterinarian. Free essays on veterinarians typically cover a range of topics related to animal care and medicine. Some essays may focus on the education and training required to become a veterinarian, while others may explore specialized areas of veterinary medicine such as surgery, dentistry, or emergency care.
How to Write a Vet School Personal Statement
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.
Veterinarian
Pages • 2. Paper Type: 500 Word Essay Examples. Since a young age, I always knew I wanted to become a veterinarian. I always had a love for animals, and having pets during my childhood just added to it. A veterinarian is a person that has compassion for animals, perseveres through school, and treats injured animals.
Being A Veterinarian Essay
Being A Veterinarian Essay. 672 Words3 Pages. I would like to become a veterinarian. Many shorten this to vet. But, some people call them veterinary surgeons. I would like to be a veterinarian because I had a cat that got stuck in my dad's truck fan blade. He had to be put down. I loved that cat.
Veterinary Medicine
Just like humans, they suffer the same type of diseases like a cold, sore throat, and stomach ulcer. Veterinary Medicine is a branch of medical science that deals with the prevention, cure, and alleviation of diseases or injuries of animals. There are about 55,000 veterinarians in the United states and out of that only 15,000 more or less are ...
Veterinary School Essay
1. This essay sample was donated by a student to help the academic community. Papers provided by EduBirdie writers usually outdo students' samples. Cite This Essay. Download. My fascination with animals, their biology, and their welfare has always been my main passion. With all the experience I have gained as a veterinary nurse, I am committed ...
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.
Interview Question: "Why Do You Want To Be a Vet?"
You can answer "why do you want to be a vet" by following the steps below: 1. Describe what inspired you to become a vet. To emphasize what motivated you to choose your career as a vet, consider describing your unique experiences and showing how they align with the job requirements. For example, you might tell a story about your experience with ...
Essay On Veterinarian
Well veterinarians have to help animal with important injuries. Some veterinarians help animals all over the world. Veterinarians help animals with injuries, illnesses, diseases broken bones and any important accidents. Veterinarians are very helpful to animals and the animals owners. They treat animals with respect and care about them.

The Reasons Why I Want to Be a Veterinarian

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Essay Sample on Why i Want to Be a Veterinarian

Being a veterinarian is a fulfilling and rewarding career

Passion for Animals

Life Filled with Learning

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

The hours are long, but it will be worth it

The Bond Between Animals and Humans

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How to Write Great Personal Essays for Veterinary School

1. Read the Requirements and Stick to Them!

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

3. Don’t Be Vague

4. Avoid the Cliches

5. Match Your Future Goals with Your Experience

6. Set a Confident and Positive Tone

7. Pick 3-5 Main Points for Each Answer

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

9. Proofread, Proofread, Proofread!

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Why I Want to Be a Veterinarian

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Interview questions answered: Why do you want to be a Veterinarian?

7 sample answers to “Why do you want to be a veterinarian?” interview question

The more specific you are, the better

Your non-verbal communication is extremely important

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What Is a Veterinarian and What Do They Do?

How Long Does It Take to Become a Vet?

The 4 Qualities You Need to Become a Veterinarian

#1: Ability to Handle Emotional and Physical Stress

#2: Ability to Work With People

#3 Sound Decision-Making Skills

#4: Intellectual Curiosity and Dedication

How to Become a Veterinarian: High School

Planning Your Schedule

Choosing the Right College

Getting Hands-On Experience

How to Become A Veterinarian: College

Choosing a Major

Maintaining GPA, Getting Experience, and Building Relationships

Applying for Vet School

Having a Backup Plan

How to Become a Veterinarian: Vet School

What Vet School Is Like

Vet School Course Curriculum

Succeeding in Vet School

Graduating From Vet School

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My Ambition to Become a Veterinary Doctor

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