Veterinary Science Personal Statement
The vet plays a key role in today's society. Working to maintain and enhance valuable bonds that exist between animal and owner, whilst helping to prevent outbreaks of disease throughout animal populations. In turn, preventing harm to human health. Based on the combination of my flare for science, my passion for animals, and my excellent communication skills, I am certain that veterinary science is my true vocation. This belief has been continually reinforced whilst working with an array of animals, in many different settings and contexts.
In recent years, my confidence in the handling and care of animals has grown considerably. I first recognised the importance of the relationship between vet and client when attending my initial veterinary placement, and how this must be established for the most effective animal care. During a week spent at a busy equine clinic, I was given the opportunity to go out on call with each of the vets. I worked closely with them during lameness clinics and this further instructed me on its many causes and the treatments available. In order to gain experience in a mixed practice, I travelled to Cumbria where I spent a week on call with the large animal vets. Here I helped with routine bTB testing, which underlined the importance of controlling it. I also had the opportunity to visit a suspected Bluetongue case and witnessed firsthand the stringent procedures in place when dealing with notifiable diseases. One of my most enjoyable experiences was during a two-week placement on a dairy farm, getting up at dawn to milk a herd of 200 cows. I spent two days at a nearby abattoir where I worked alongside the meat inspector, identifying parasites and conditions including lungworm and fluke. I was able to gain an in-depth insight into the importance of recording all conditions, in order to maintain both animal and human well-being, and so to prevent harmful diseases from entering the food chain. Once a week I work in a small animal practice, and have also spent two weeks as a staff member at a riding school. I have regularly helped at a kennels and cattery, which acted as an overflow unit for the RSPCA, allowing me to see the consequences and repercussions of unjust treatment on vulnerable animals.
Throughout my present gap year I am planning to continue my regular placements at the Veterinary Surgery and the Riding School whilst completing my A-level in Chemistry, which I began in September 2008. During October half-term I will be working at a mixed practice and will be spending more time lambing in March 2010, to further expand my knowledge and experience of the extensive world of veterinary science. I am hoping to take part in the Great North Run and volunteer for Camp America, as well as enhance my PADI qualification in scuba-diving. Whilst attending sixth form, I was committed and motivated, always striving to make a positive contribution to the school. I was given considerable responsibility when I was elected a student governor by my peers and senior staff. This role involved representing the views of a large number of students, to the headteacher and governors. This helped expand my communication skills, allowing me to express myself to people at all levels, which I believe is a vital skill for a vet. I was the sole organiser of the Sixth Form Leavers' Ball which exercised my organisational skills. Outside school, I am the Young Leader of a local Brownie unit and work part-time at the fashion store River Island. I enjoy both of these as I can assist in the development of young people, practise my leadership skills and my ability to work as part of a team. I also play weekly squash games at my local sports hall.
Since realising that my interests lie very much in the field of veterinary science my ambition, passion, and determination have not wavered, throughout my detailed discovery of what being a vet really demands.
Universities Applied to:
- Bristol - Interview, AAB offer
- Liverpool - Interview offer (declined)
- Nottingham - Interview offer (declined)
- RVC - Rejected without interview
