Personal Statement:Veterinary medicine 19

Why do you want to study this course or subject?

The work of a vet is challenging but vital in today's society. Vets work to both maintain the strong bond between animal and owner and to control disease in a way that is essential for animal and human health. After completing an array of placements with animals in various settings, it has become clear to me that veterinary medicine is the right vocation for me.

The work of vets is unique and has always fascinated me. As Dr Nick Trout said in 'Tell Me Where It Hurts', "pets are our seatbelts on the emotional rollercoaster of life". There is no denying that veterinary careers are stressful and challenging but from the experience I have gained I know that it is the right path for me.

How have your qualifications and studies helped you to prepare for this course or subject?

During eight weeks spent in small animal veterinary clinics, I shadowed vets in both consultations and procedures, giving me an insight into the precision and dexterity required of veterinary surgeons. It was apparent to me that the aptitudes of vets stretch far beyond this; I witnessed vets working in very difficult situations where they must consider a number of factors before making decisions. I was particularly interested by the way vets approached the euthanasia of pets, ensuring they showed compassion while remaining professional.

I travelled to Ipswich to gain a week's experience at the Suffolk Punch Trust, which breeds the rare Suffolk Punch horse. Through this experience I gained crucial horse handling skills which gave me great insight into the lives of working horses as I was responsible for tacking up the horses. This required high levels of concentration as the horses were young and still in training and we had to ensure the safety of the public.

Spending a week in a dog crèche, I observed the way dogs interact with each other when their owners are not around, sparking my interest in animal behaviour. Working with up to forty dogs a day at the crèche, I was able to develop my teamwork skills while working under pressure in unfamiliar situations. This is something I saw vets do while on work experience at vet clinics.

Spending two weeks in a children's zoo, I was able to build my confidence when handling exotic species. Here, I appreciated the different diets and levels of care required by various species of animals, such as primates requiring high levels of enrichment. I also hosted public feeds, where I would prepare food and help children give it to the animals whilst answering any questions or queries they had.

What else have you done to prepare outside of education, and why are these experiences useful?

By volunteering on a city farm for the past eighteen months, I have been able to observe long-term care for larger animals. At the farm, I mainly work with cattle, sheep, pigs and goats, feeding and caring for them. I have learned an array of skills such as halter training and milking. I attend fairs and festivals with the farm, that require showing the animals in public settings. I am required to provide information about the animals, whilst ensuring safe interaction with the public.

Outside of the classroom I enjoy giving back to my local community. Aside from volunteering on the farm, I have volunteered at a local charity shop for the last two years and have developed my interpersonal skills when dealing with customers. I have had a part time job as an English and Maths tutor where I was required to plan lessons and activities, which allowed me to develop my organisational skills.

I have a keen interest in music that has lead me to not only regularly attending music festivals and concerts, but also taking guitar lessons. Learning the guitar has helped me to improve my manual dexterity. In my gap year I will continue with my volunteer work at the farm and I am hoping to complete some new work experience, including a lambing placement in March.

Universities applied to:

• University of Surrey
• Royal Veterinary College
• University of Liverpool
• University of Edinburgh
• University of Manchester (Zoology)

Grades achieved:

• Biology (A2) - A
• Chemistry (A2) - A
• Maths (A2) - A*
• History (AS) - A

How personal statements have changed?

The current personal statement format, with three 'scaffolding' questions, was introduced by Ucas in September 2025. This personal statement was submitted before then, using the old essay-style format. It has been carefully edited into the three-question format, with all of the original wording kept.

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