Personal Statement:Veterinary science 27 - The Student Room

Why do you want to study this course or subject?

I have loved animals as long as I can remember. Early evidence was my trying to talk to birds rather like Cinderella, calmly observing lizards while all my friends shrieked and ran away or begging for a pet when I was six. My two Dalmatians are now my most precious companions and while I've stopped trying to talk to birds, I have learnt to understand some of their chirping.

Eighth grade came around and so did conviction about what I wanted to become in the future. I couldn't yet spell veterinary doctor but I was sure I wanted to be one. I took every opportunity to learn more about animals and nature. When I had to make a project about an NGO in 8th grade, it had to be on Friendicoes (an animal shelter). Later, I volunteered there during my summer vacations.

The central dogma of life, the way everything links to everything else, the diversity of living things and how they evolve, and even the thought of all we have yet to discover has kept me fascinated with Biology. My favourite is a pocket book on animal diseases with which I used to try and diagnose every animal I came across. My adventures have led me to white water rafting and cliff jumping on the Ganges, paragliding in the Himalayas, and a scuba diving license from PADI in Maldives.

I believe studying veterinary medicine in the United Kingdom, in addition to making me a better human being, will help focus my passion to serve animals even further and help me become the animal kingdom's Mother Teresa my younger self wanted to be.

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

Last summer, I participated in a workshop on Stem Cells in Dr. Shroff's laboratory where I learnt about embryonic stem cell culture and met a lot of patients benefiting from it. I attended a medical expo in All India Institute of Medical Sciences where I got to touch real samples of organs and learn about common diseases.

I hold the title of Chief Editor of the biotechnology newsletter and am credited as one of the founders of the school's biotechnology club and the annual Young Editor's Summit. In the two years that I have been associated with the club, I have visited the Genetics Department of the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, and the Delhi Base of the Indian Space Research Organization. I also recently received the Sardar Bhagwant Singh Award for a project on Neuroscience.

Riding on this wave of determination, I was delighted to find a vet who allowed me to observe at his clinic. I'm now familiar with most of the common afflictions and have witnessed a few rarer conditions. I've been delighted by the pregnant females, the puppies coming in for their first vaccinations, and seeing the improvement in the patients. I've had the privilege of observing some radiology techniques and minor surgeries. The experience that stands out the most however was on my first day there, when a stray dog badly injured in a road accident was brought in. The vet and the dog's rescuer decided it would be kindest to have the dog put down and while I felt sad, I agreed with their decision. I watched as the dog went limp even before the syringe was empty and I realized how difficult are the decisions that vets sometimes have to make.

Grades Predicted (on UCAS):

• Biology (CBSE Class 12) - 94%
• Chemistry (CBSE Class 12) - 90%
• Physics (CBSE Class 12) - 87%
• Biotechnology (CBSE Class 12) - 94%
• English (CBSE Class 12) - 90%

Grades Achieved:

• Biology (CBSE Class 12) - 91%
• Chemistry (CBSE Class 12) - 94%
• Physics (CBSE Class 12) - 88%
• Biotechnology (CBSE Class 12) - 100%
• English (CBSE Class 12) - 95%

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

I recently restarted volunteering at Friendicoes, an NGO, where my work ranges from taking the dogs for their walks, helping in feeding and cleaning the animals, to playing with them. I have learnt the importance of neutering animals to control stray populations. My interaction with the different dogs, cats, and monkeys has taught me how each animal is unique and the importance of finding them loving homes. Above all, the personal fulfilment I receive has strengthened my resolve to become a vet.

In the two years that I have been associated with the biotechnology club, I have visited the Delhi Base of the Indian Space Research Organization. One of my greatest strengths is getting along with everybody and hence last year I signed up for the Community Development Leadership Summit (a large scale exchange program) to meet new people from around the globe. I was on the organizing committee and also housed delegates from Russia and Thailand in our home for ten days.

My adventures have also led me to white water rafting and cliff jumping on the Ganges, paragliding in the Himalayas, and a scuba diving license from PADI in Maldives.

Work Experience:

• 2 weeks at an animal shelter
• 2 weeks at a clinic
• 1 week at a lab
• 1 day at a medical expo
• 1 day at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute

Universities Applied To:

• Edinburgh (Veterinary Medicine) - Offer (85% average in 5 subjects with 85% in Physics, Chemistry and Biology) - Firm
• Bristol (Veterinary Medicine) - Offer (85% average in top 4 subjects with 85% in Chemistry and Biology) - Insurance
• Glasgow (Veterinary Medicine) - Offer (85% average in 5 subjects with 85% in Chemistry, Biology and either Physics or Biotechnology) - Declined
• Nottingham (Veterinary Medicine) - Rejection pre interview.
• Imperial (Biology) - Offer (90% average in 5 subjects with 90% in Biology and either Physics or Chemistry) - Declined

Universities applied to:

• Edinburgh (Veterinary Medicine)
• Bristol (Veterinary Medicine)
• Glasgow (Veterinary Medicine)
• Nottingham (Veterinary Medicine)
• Imperial (Biology)

Grades achieved:

• Biology (CBSE Class 12) - 91%
• Chemistry (CBSE Class 12) - 94%
• Physics (CBSE Class 12) - 88%
• Biotechnology (CBSE Class 12) - 100%
• English (CBSE Class 12) - 95%

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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