veterinarian career goals essay

How to Write Great Personal Essays for Veterinary School

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

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

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

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

1. Read the Requirements and Stick to Them!

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

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

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

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

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

3. Don’t Be Vague

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

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

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

4. Avoid the Cliches

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

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

5. Match Your Future Goals with Your Experience

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

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

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

6. Set a Confident and Positive Tone

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

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

7. Pick 3-5 Main Points for Each Answer

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

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

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

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

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

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

9. Proofread, Proofread, Proofread!

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

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

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

Time to Get Writing

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

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

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

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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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Vet school personal statement: how to write + examples.

Reviewed by:

Jonathan Preminger

Former Admissions Committee Member, Hofstra-Northwell School of Medicine

Reviewed: 4/26/24

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

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

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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Vet school personal statement examples

When you are putting together an application for vet school, vet school personal statement examples will be a great way to learn how to write your own. Samples statements are like templates, or a beaten path showing you the way forward.

You’ve consulted the vet school rankings , made your decision, and are getting set to apply to your top-choice schools. You need to ace the personal statement to go right along with your polished grad school resume and grad school letter of recommendation .

This article will give you a few veterinarian school personal statement examples to look over so you can perfect your own statement. We will also cover some helpful hints to make your statement as effective as possible, and some pointers on what writing mistakes you should avoid.

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Article Contents 10 min read

Vet personal statement example #1.

“Saddle up,” is my favorite phrase of all time and it conveys with it a sense of adventure that few other phrases ever can. I suppose a lot of this comes from my early years where I loved cowboy stories, but it continued on through my life once I started learning about horses. I think that’s why I loved stories of the wild west to begin with: the horses – majestic, powerful, and almost living embodiments of freedom and adventure.

I grew up with horses. My cousin, Brianne, had horses and I spent as much of my time at Brianne’s place as I could. I found that other girls my age liked the idea of owning a pony, but weren’t as interested in the care of the animal. I didn’t mind it. I made connections, and learned rudimentary caring techniques. As I grew, I became more invested, and I started learning about how to care for animals on a deeper level.

My favorite thing that I learned was about trimming horse hooves. There are different schools of thought about shoeing, but I have always favored trimming and caring for horse hooves in their natural state. It is a difficult skill to master, but one of many I learned while looking after horses.

With that in mind, I took up my next job working in an animal shelter, and we dealt with all kinds of different animals that came through, mostly dogs and cats, but one animal we wound up with for a time was a chameleon named Fred who had been abandoned and neglected by his owner.

Fred proved to be a challenge – a less familiar creature than typical housepets. I started to read up on the care of lizards, tropical animals, and other exotic pets. I had to keep his cage warm, but mist it with water, and I learned that if another chameleon came into the store I would have to keep them separate, since they prefer living alone. I became fascinated with this lizard for these unique care items, and for his strange feet and rotating eyes. I knew that this was an area of study I wanted to pursue.

In case you were worried, Fred the chameleon is fine; I adopted him and he says, “Hello,” in his lizard way.

As much as I loved my job at the shelter, I decided that my experience would best come from the zoo. We live fairly near the city zoo, and a short bus ride brought me to work every day. I got first-hand experience working with exotic animals, and at last, my career goals, my love of exotic animals, and my love of adventure came all together to form one, clear path forward.

Whenever the zoo’s vets would come by and make their rounds, I would ask them questions and offered to help them with their activities. Through this, I got to “assist” on several routine events, usually with helping to control the animals and keep them still while medicine was being administered or a checkup was happening.

One of those doctors, Dr. Martin Bellford, offered to help me out with my studies, and has proved to be as inexhaustible at answering questions as I am at asking them. He has let me come with him on all subsequent zoo visits and has explained a lot of exotic animal medicine to me. He taught me about how to stay on my toes. There are so many different kinds of animals that a vet needs to know about!

My extracurricular activities inspired my academic pursuits. I have been studying biology extensively, and my favorite classes are my biology labs. I was a bit uncomfortable dissecting frogs; I didn’t know how to feel as an animal-enthusiast. I was grateful for the ability to learn about animal anatomy, but I do believe strongly in ethically caring for animals and ensuring their health and wellbeing, as well as their rights and welfare.

Someday, I hope to be an exotic animals specialist who works with strange, wild species. I’d also like to continue to care for horses, and serve as an expert or volunteer for organizations, like the World Wildlife Fund, to continue to aid the cause for wildlife preservation. Lofty goals, but goals that are filled with adventure and animals.

Saddle up.

I was screaming at a birthday party, trying to fold in on myself so completely that I couldn’t be seen by the dog sniffing me. My best friend Jake had a dog and I was terribly afraid of dogs. I had been knocked over when I was little and I guess that memory stayed with me long enough to develop a Pavlovian reaction to seeing a canid.

But, here I am, all these years later, writing this letter with two dogs’ heads resting on my lap. I went from terrified to an enthusiast.

This change of outlook happened while pet-sitting for a family friend. I was forced to come up against dogs. At first, I was all nerves and anxiety, but one of the dogs, named Lion, really was insistent that I play fetch. At first I was throwing the ball to get Lion away from me; without realizing it, I began to throw it for fun. That evening, I found myself petting Lion while watching TV. I made friends, and started to love those dogs.

I wanted to know more about animals and work with them. My uncle Carl is a vet, and in early high school days I asked if I could work for him at his clinic. He agreed, and while I mostly did menial office tasks befitting a summer job, I also got to help out with the animals

Most of what I did there was feed the animals and look after any overnight patients, but sometimes Uncle Carl would show me about a particular procedure, and he always made time to answer my questions. One day he got me to help him with a dog’s hurt hindleg – how to settle the animal, hold it gently but firmly, and how to dress the wound so that it would heal.

Again, my thirst for knowledge took over, and eventually Uncle Carl couldn’t keep up with me questions. He told me which classes I should be taking in school to learn more. I took as many biology classes as I could, and I read up on extra material. I found that I learned best by re-wording what I learned, and wrote several extra essays just so I could understand the material better.

Through working at Uncle Carl’s practice, I have discovered that I gravitate towards domestic animals. Pets are so important to me, and I want to enter a field where I can provide care for the fuzziest of family members

Last year, Uncle Carl promoted me, and I have been more directly helping with the animals under his supervision. I have come to appreciate and understand the complexities of the vet profession, and have received many hours of direct experience with medicines, evaluations, care, and treatment options for household pets. Dogs, cats, rabbits, mice, and a few spiders and snakes have all come under my purview.

I also volunteer several days every month with an animal shelter, bringing in my knowledge of how to care for these animals and help them with their health

I don’t have lofty ambitions of changing the world on a global scale; I want to be a family vet, caring for pets. I think that’s plenty of world-changing for many people who need their family cared for and their pets looked after. I have seen the relationship that vets have with their patients, and it is rewarding and wonderful.

There was nothing I could do, because when you have a three-inch gash across the stomach of a seven-inch piglet, it’s almost guaranteed to die. But hopelessness is for other professions. I’m a farm boy, so I dosed the piglet with Stresnil, grabbed a needle and thread, and sewed the little guy up.

Life on a farm has taught me a lot of things. It’s taught me about how to be tackled repeatedly by my older brother, how to fall in creeks your parents didn’t even know were there, and how to care for animals. I have seen every aspect of animal care, and participated in most of them as well.

I was there to welcome in newly-farrowed piglets, to care for them as they grew, to administer medicines and vaccinations, to feed them, scratch their backs, and put them down as quickly and humanely as possible when all else failed. Never have I lost an animal I haven’t fought for, and never have I given up on them, even in the last hours.

There is no question that this life has given me an excellent skillset and a lifetime of experience in working with animals, caring for them, and coming to understand their needs. As much as I appreciate being a farmer, my favorite aspect of the job is the care for the animals, and I want to focus on that. That’s why I want to go into the veterinary profession instead of following in my family’s business. Don’t worry, my brothers will keep the legacy going.

Maybe I shouldn’t tell you about my failures, but I feel like they were an important part of my journey, so I will. In college, when I started to study subjects I would need to become a vet, I found I had to get over myself. My experiences were valuable, but I didn’t know nearly enough. I had brought an arrogance with me; because I had direct experience with animal care, I thought I would breeze through my coursework and studies. I was wrong.

My first test score I got back for my environmental science course took me down a peg or two and I found out the hard way that I needed a better attitude, better studying habits, and to move into the hard sciences with more determination.

The attitude was a fairly easy adjustment. I have three brothers, and between their teasing and besting me in wrestling matches, my ego isn’t so fragile that it can’t take another hit. I accepted the fact that I needed to learn even more than my peers – I had allowed myself to fall behind. Then I fixed my study habits by setting a regular routine – I would always study directly after doing chores in the barn.

Finally, I took a whole new approach to my studies: I went in ignoring my grade entirely and instead just asking one question after another, allowing my curiosity to fuel my search forward. I have found that a need to understand is a far better incentive than a grade. A grade-seeker gets nothing more than a number, but a curious mind receives knowledge.

I won’t say I’m pleased that my grades have greatly improved, although they have, because I am far more wary of becoming egocentric again, but I will tell you that my studies are fairing better. I put in the work and have done some extra credit work to make up for my slow start.

Between school and farming I don’t have a lot of spare time, but I have made space to volunteer with an animal rescue organization, and I have even been fortunate enough to join them when they go out to retrieve loose animals. I have helped out with countless animals now, of many different kinds, and I am starting to expand my knowledge of the animal kingdom beyond those found on farms.

With that said, I do want to specialize in farm animals and become a veterinarian for farms. I might not be taking over for my parents, but I still love that life and those animals. I can’t save every piglet with a heavy wound, but I can try. What’s more, with training, I have the best chance possible of making every animal’s life a little bit better.

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, and you need to tell the story of your journey to getting to where you are.

The reason is because your personal statement being good also hinges on whether or not your story is personal, unique, and shows your journey in the best light. You’re going to show the application committee why you are the perfect fit for the profession of veterinarian.

You have probably done more than one thing, focused on something other than just being a vet, have a hobby or multiple types of experiences in the professional or academic fields \u2013 highlight that diversity in your life. Just make sure you stick to 2-3 main experiences. You don\u2019t need to include every connection you have with animals, just a couple of your finest experiences. Showing the admissions committee a well-rounded individual with a variety of experiences and accomplishments will go a long way to being an impressive candidate. "}]">

Could your personal statement apply to any number of candidates? Then it isn\u2019t good. Your personal statement should be, first and foremost, personal to you. The more unique it is, the more it highlights your individual traits and experiences, the more valuable it is to you. "}]">

A personal statement is one of the best ways to stand out to the applications committee. This makes you more than a number or a list of accomplishments. It gives context to those accomplishments and shows your humanity and uniqueness – two very important factors in your acceptance and moving towards your future as an animal doctor.

Different schools process applications in their own way – including personal statements. With that said, most aren’t going to mark or grade the statement. That’s why it’s so imperative to make a statement that grabs your reader and makes you stand out. It needs to be a statement that makes the committee think, “I need to interview this person; I want to meet them.”

Again, it really depends on the institution; some will weight the statement more or less than others.

What you need to know is that your statement needs to grab the attention of the reader and that you should consider all aspects of your application to be of utmost importance.

All kinds are valid, and more types are better.

If you have cared for pets, volunteered at a shelter, or have more direct, medical experience with animals, anything is on the table and valid. Get as many different types as you can. More impressive candidates will demonstrate a rapport with animals – caring for them – as well as medical and scientific knowledge.

No, it isn’t. Obviously, if you have direct contact with the kind of animal you want to specialize in, that’s great, but wanting to be an elephant doctor or somebody who helps save pandas from extinction are great goals, and you won’t be penalized because you’re not one of the rare few people who have access to pandas.

Focus on the experiences you do have to get to the ones you don’t.

No, but you should be an animal lover, so to speak. Even if you aren’t 100% sold on creep-crawlies like millipedes, you can still love animals and want to care for them. Nobody’s asking you to give a shot to an arthropod, anyway.

Animal shelters, farms, pet stores, zoos, aquariums, and possibly even a vet’s clinic will all be places you can volunteer or work to gain experience working with animals.

Not at all. You just have to be interested in animals and their wellbeing, the skillset, and the requisite academic requirements and experiences. Pet owner can be part of that, but it’s not the only factor.

Brainstorm for a couple minutes. Just take a paper and pen and free-associate about vets and animals for two minutes. Time yourself and stop at the end of those two minutes; you’ll probably have a lot to work with.

If you’re still stuck, try thinking of the moment or series of events that led you to your decision to be a vet. Start telling that story, highlight your achievements and growth along the way, and you’ll mostly be done your statement right there.

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12 SMART Goals Examples for Veterinarians

As a veterinarian, your job is to ensure the well-being and health of all animals in your care. But how do you go about doing so? To boost your chances of success, you must establish SMART goals.

The SMART goal-setting method can allow you to stay motivated and productive while encouraging lifelong learning. This post will cover SMART goals examples for veterinarians of all levels of experience to help them succeed in their roles.

Table of Contents

What is a SMART Goal?

Veterinarians can develop practical goals using the SMART technique . In case you weren’t aware, SMART is a goal-setting method that stands for specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-based.

Still trying to understand? SMART goals are:

• Specific: Veterinarians must know precisely what needs to be done and how much time is needed to reach the goal—leaving no room for unanticipated tasks along the way.
• Measurable: You should ensure your goals are quantifiable; there must be a tangible way to track the outcome over time .
• Attainable: Try to be as realistic as possible when establishing goals. Find the balance between challenging and achievable goals to avoid setting unrealistic expectations .
• Relevant: Pursue goals that align with your interests and personal core values. When it comes time to accomplish them, you will remain inspired and energized throughout the journey.
• Time-based : Having deadlines helps you steadily progress toward your larger goals. It also urges you to celebrate each milestone and accomplishment.

Follow the 5 SMART components above to increase your chances of success as a veterinarian. You will take the necessary steps to boost productivity levels and knock down your objectives one by one.

Types of SMART Goals for Veterinarians

Establishing SMART goals can greatly enhance the performance, efficiency, and overall satisfaction of veterinarians. By setting specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound goals, veterinarians can ensure they provide the best care for their animal patients while also fostering professional growth.

Let’s explore different types of SMART goals tailored to veterinarians:

Clinical Proficiency Goals

Enhancing expertise is crucial for veterinarians to deliver top-notch care. Objectives in this area could include becoming proficient in diagnostic methods or surgical practices. For example, a veterinarian might set a goal to finish a program in orthopedic surgery within half a year, thereby improving their capacity to address various conditions more effectively.

Client Communication Goals

Effective communication with pet owners is crucial for successful treatment outcomes. Veterinarians can set goals to improve their client interaction skills, like explaining treatment plans clearly and ensuring that all client questions are answered. An example could be to achieve a 90% satisfaction rating in client feedback surveys this quarter through better communication.

Continuing Education Goals

Veterinary medicine is a constantly evolving field, requiring professionals to stay updated with the latest advancements. A veterinarian might set a goal to attend at least two industry conferences or complete four online courses annually. This continuous learning ensures they remain knowledgeable about the latest treatments and technologies.

Preventative Care Goals

Promoting preventative care can lead to healthier pets and reduce the need for emergency treatments. Veterinarians might set goals to increase the number of preventative care visits, such as vaccinations and wellness exams, by 20% over the next year. This can involve educating pet owners about the benefits of regular check-ups and preventative treatments.

Efficiency and Productivity Goals

Improving operational efficiency can enhance a veterinarian’s ability to see more patients and reduce waiting times. Goals here might include optimizing appointment scheduling or reducing the time taken for routine procedures.

For example, a veterinarian might aim to reduce the average appointment duration by 10% over 6 months without compromising care quality.

Work-Life Balance Goals

Maintaining a healthy work-life balance is essential for preventing burnout and ensuring long-term career satisfaction. Veterinarians can set goals to manage their time better, such as ensuring they take regular breaks and do not work more than a certain number of hours per week.

An example could be to schedule at least one full day off per week and use that time for relaxation or personal activities.

Community Outreach Goals

Engaging with the community can enhance a veterinarian’s reputation and build stronger relationships with pet owners. Goals here might include organizing free pet health workshops or participating in local animal welfare events. A specific goal could be to host a monthly community outreach event for the next year to educate the public about pet health and wellness.

12 SMART Goals for Veterinarians

Veterinarians should strive to succeed in their roles and responsibilities. To improve your performance, here are 12 examples of SMART goals to grow as a veterinarian:

1. Increase Client Satisfaction

“I’ll increase client satisfaction by 5% within the next 6 months by providing more personalized and timely care for each client. I plan to use feedback surveys, interviews, and other methods to measure the impact of my efforts.”

Specific: This is specific because the veterinarian will aim to increase client satisfaction by 5%.

Measurable: The use of feedback surveys, interviews, and other methods will help determine progress.

Attainable: This goal is realistic if the veterinarian puts in the necessary time and effort to provide personalized and timely care.

Relevant: Increasing client satisfaction is essential for the success of any veterinary clinic.

Time-based: You should anticipate success within 6 months.

2. Enhance Veterinary Care Quality

“I will research, analyze and implement new ways to improve the quality of care for our animal patients within three months. That includes reviewing our existing protocols and finding ways to better utilize technology in the veterinary space.”

Specific: The SMART goal is concise and clear, outlining what needs to be done and how it will be attained.

Measurable: The quality of care can be measured by researching and analyzing new protocols.

Attainable: The goal is feasible if the proper research and analysis are done.

Relevant: This is relevant to providing the best care possible for animals.

Time-based: There is a three-month window to reach this particular goal.

3. Invest in New Equipment

“Within four months, I want to invest in new equipment that can help us increase our efficiency and the quality of treatments we provide. This new equipment should improve the speed and accuracy of diagnoses and help us administer treatments more accurately.”

Specific: You’ve outlined what you need to do (invest in new equipment) and the improvements this new equipment should bring (increased efficiency and accuracy).

Measurable: You can measure the investments you’ve made in terms of time and money.

Attainable: Buying brand-new equipment can be accomplished in four months.

Relevant: Acquiring new equipment will assist with the accuracy and speed of treatments.

Time-based: You have set a goal completion time of four months.

4. Strengthen Community Outreach

“I’ll strive to expand the community outreach program to include three new shelters, rescues, or pet-serving organizations by the end of one year. I want our practice to reach more pet owners who may not have access to quality veterinary care.”

Specific: The goal is clear because it outlines how many new organizations will be included in the program.

Measurable: The individual can check progress by counting the number of new organizations included.

Attainable: Strengthening community outreach is a realistic goal for veterinary practices.

Relevant: The goal is relevant to extending the reach of the practice’s services.

Time-based: This goal statement should ideally be achieved within a year.

5. Optimize Workflows

“I want to make life easier for everyone at the clinic. I’ll assess current workflows and processes, research better methods, and implement an optimized workflow system that cuts costs and saves time by the end of 5 months.”

Specific: You have precise actions available—assess, research, and implement an optimized workflow.

Measurable: You can monitor your progress in implementing the workflow.

Attainable: Assuming you plan it correctly, this goal is possible.

Relevant: This goal relates to making life easier for everyone at the clinic.

Time-based: You should expect to have the workflow system implemented after 5 months.

6. Reduce Expenses

“My goal is to reduce expenses by 10% in the following year. I will assess our current purchasing processes and implement cost-saving measures such as bulk buying and creating a budget for our purchases.”

Specific: This goal outlines the amount of money to be saved and actionable steps to take.

Measurable: Track spending and measure progress towards the 10% reduction goal.

Attainable: A 10% reduction in expenses is achievable with the proper cost-saving measures.

Relevant: The goal is relevant to the person’s veterinary career.

Time-based: A one-year timeline is given to ensure success.

7. Deepen Knowledge Base

“I will enroll in a course to deepen my knowledge of veterinary medicine and techniques by the end of 9 months. Through this, I hope to increase my effectiveness as a veterinarian and provide better patient care.”

Specific: You plan to enroll in a course to deepen your knowledge of veterinary medicine and techniques.

Measurable: The goal statement is measurable because it specifies that the course should be completed within 9 months.

Attainable: This is achievable because the person can access courses and resources to increase their knowledge base.

Relevant: The goal is appropriate because it will help them become a more effective veterinarian and provide better animal care.

Time-based: Nine months is required to accomplish the SMART goal.

8. Promote Animal Wellness

“Within 7 months, I’ll implement a comprehensive animal wellness plan focusing on early detection of health issues, preventative maintenance, and education of pet owners. This plan will include regular physical check-ups and appropriate nutrition, supplements, and medications to ensure the animals have the best care possible.”

Specific: The goal outlines the objective, timeline, and what needs to be done.

Measurable: You can look at the number of animals prescribed appropriate nutrition, supplements, and medication.

Attainable: This is feasible because it is possible to implement a comprehensive wellness plan within 7 months.

Relevant: This goal is pertinent to the overall health of animals.

Time-based: There is a 7-month timeline for completing this target.

9. Improve Communication

“I will cultivate better communication between myself and clients to ensure optimal animal care by the end of 5 months. I want to ensure that clients know all available options and any risks or benefits associated with certain treatments.”

Specific: This is specific as it focuses on a particular task that needs to be accomplished.

Measurable: Evaluate your progress by tracking improvement in client communication.

Attainable: The statement is realistic and achievable within the given time frame.

Relevant: Improving communication with clients is essential for any veterinary practice.

Time-based: You must reach the communication goal in 5 months.

10. Manage Time Effectively

“I will use time management tools and techniques to better manage my professional and personal schedule. After three months, I want to be able to write a weekly schedule that respects my working hours and allows me to use the remaining time for personal pursuits.”

Specific: This goal concerns using tools and techniques to create an effective weekly schedule.

Measurable: This will be evaluated after three months by the ability to create a schedule that respects working hours.

Attainable: Time management tools and techniques are widely available and easily implemented, making it an achievable goal.

Relevant: Time management helps balance workloads, leaving time for other activities.

Time-based: The goal should be met after three months of implementation.

11. Build Your Network

“I will build a strong network of professional contacts in the veterinary industry, including online groups and forums. I’ll attend conferences, workshops, and other events to connect with like-minded professionals and establish a strong support system by the end of the year.”

Specific: The goal is easy to understand. The person knows they must build a strong network of professional contacts in the veterinary industry.

Measurable: The veterinarian will attend conferences, workshops, and other events annually to connect with other professionals.

Attainable: This is achievable if the individual is consistent in their efforts.

Relevant: The statement is appropriate for your desire to grow your network in the veterinary industry.

Time-based: Goal completion will be met by the end of the year.

12. Foster Teamwork Environment

“To promote collaboration and teamwork in the workplace , I will create team-building activities that everyone can participate in at least once a month. I want to ensure that all of us have a sense of camaraderie and enjoy coming to work each day.”

Specific: You will aim to create team-building activities for the workplace.

Measurable: Team-building activities should be created at least once a month.

Attainable: This is absolutely doable if given the necessary resources and time.

Relevant: This is appropriate for the individual’s goal of fostering teamwork in the workplace.

Time-based: It’s implied this goal is reoccurring, so you’ll pursue it monthly.

Final Thoughts

SMART goal setting is a valuable tool for veterinarians. It provides structure, clarity, and direction to any given situation. By having a specific plan for the future, veterinarians can better focus their efforts and maximize their potential.

SMART goals assist in keeping everyone involved on track and inspired toward a successful outcome. With these goals in mind, veterinarians can start attaining their ideal dreams.

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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?
• Recent Posts

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Personal Statements

Your personal statement is a one-page essay that gives veterinary admissions committees a clear picture of who you are and, most importantly, why you want to pursue a career in veterinary medicine

UGA Supplemental Application questions for 2024-2025 application cycle:

• Veterinarians contribute to society in many different ways. Describe several roles they play in society and how you hope to contribute, including the qualities or traits you would bring to the profession. (3500 character limit)
• Describe a significant experience or challenge in your life that was unrelated to veterinary medicine, what you learned from that experience, and how you have grown from it. (3500 character limit)
• Personal Statement

What should be included?

Although there is no set of rules mandating what a strong personal statement should include, here are a few tips to help you successfully craft an effective personal statement:

• Explain a defining moment that helped steer you toward a career in veterinary medicine. Consider using that moment as the focal point of your essay.
• Be original and thoughtful: Discuss how you would contribute to the profession and patient care, all of which will help you stand out from other applicants.
• As you are telling us why you want to pursue a career in veterinary medicine , explain why you are good candidate for veterinary school. Ask yourself—in a pile of 100 applications, would I enjoy reading my statement? Be sure to convey your passion for veterinary medicine in your statement.
• Many of you have had meaningful experiences with animals or veterinarians as children and these are important but should only be mentioned briefly.
• Your application materials already contain a summary of your accomplishments, so avoid repeating information from your transcripts or reference letters.
• Give yourself time to organize your thoughts, write well and edit as necessary.
• Ask yourself if this essay is a good representation of your character, ideals and aspirations.
• Don’t forget to proofread!

What should NOT be included?

• Avoid cliches: How many times do you think admissions committees have read the phrase, “I love animals”?
• Avoid being vague: "[Insert experience] was challenging and rewarding." What does that mean? Be specific about what was impactful and how it affected you.
• Avoid brash decision-making:   Your decision to become a veterinarian should be the result of a series of thoughtful, conscious, and reflective decisions. NOT an instantaneous realization. Similarly, you have not “always known” that you want to be a vet. No one is "born to be a vet." Nothing is innate, you have to work for it.
• Avoid excuses:   In general, there are better uses for your essays than explaining away and justifying poor grades, incidents of misconduct, etc.  However, if you choose to address these subjects, be sure to focus on what you have learned from those incidents and how your experiences have made you a stronger person.  Never, ever blame anyone else for your mistakes.
• Avoid restating resume:   Choose ONE or TWO significant and distinguishing experiences to elaborate upon.
• Avoid grandiosity:   For example, claiming that you “know what it is like to be a vet from [shadowing/clinical volunteer experience].”  No, you do not.  That is precisely why you are hoping to go to vet school.
• Avoid inflammatory or controversial topics:   You do not know the values, beliefs, and background of the person who is reading your essay.  For these reasons, it is advisable to avoid making any strong statements regarding politics, religion, and other polarizing topics.  Be extremely cautious to avoid expressing any views that could be construed as derogatory to any group.  Additionally, your beliefs are not the only “correct” beliefs.
• Do not lie: Honesty and ethical behavior are the hallmarks of being a veterinarian. Do not include details that you are not prepared to talk about or are simply untrue.

When should I start writing?

You need to begin working on your essays early in the fall semester prior to the application opening in January.  Remember that the people who are helping you with your essays will need time to review them and you will need time to work through multiple drafts. You should have several different people objectively read your personal essays and provide constructive feedback. There are also resources on campus that can assist you, such as the Career Center and UGA Writing Center .  Consider the feedback you get carefully, but be sure that the essays are still written in your voice. In addition, some of your letter writers will want to see a copy of your essays before they write your letter, so you should strive to have competent drafts on hand by October or November. Your letter-writers are often a great option to help review your essays.

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I Want to Be a Veterinarian

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Published: Mar 16, 2024

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Passion for animals, education and training, impact on society.

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Marketing yourself.

Learn how to market your unique set of skills and experience with this personal branding toolkit.

You’ve found a great opportunity—and you want to be recognized as the best candidate for it. These resources help you land the perfect job with resume, cover letter, and interview tips.

Creating a resume

Well-composed and easy-to-read resumes easily convey the value that you would add to the organization and catch an employer's attention. Given that employers generally review resumes for less than 30 seconds to decide whether to interview you, you’ll want to put your best effort into its preparation.

The best resumes aren't chronological lists of every job you’ve ever had—they are outlines of the specific skills or competencies that you can bring to the new position you are seeking.

The competency-based resume takes the focus off your job titles and puts it on your skills, abilities, and accomplishments that are more universally understood. Instead of focusing on responsibilities, think more accomplishment-based statements that showcase the outcomes or results you achieved. Validate the statements using numbers or percentages when possible. If you improved a process at your company, take it to the next step and describe the impact. Did it improve sales by a certain percent? Reduce costs? Earn money? If so, include those amounts. This  sample competency-based resume    illustrates the concept and can help you develop your own.

Competency-based resume example

What to leave off your resume

• Objective statements— There is no need to include an objective statement, unless you are posting your resume on a general job search website.
• References— You should not list references in your resume unless specifically requested by the employer. Include them in a separate document. It is also not necessary to state, “References available upon request.”

Formatting your resume

Appearance is the key to a good resume. If it appears wordy, cluttered, and hard to read, chances are it will not be read. To enhance readability:

• Select a resume type that highlights important content, and use a layout that makes the resume easy to read.
• Avoid using a resume template as they can be difficult to edit, and the design may hinder a professional appearance.
• Limit to one page if possible, two pages if necessary. If you must go to a third page to cover pertinent information, be sure that you can justify each entry.
• Consistent formatting throughout all sections of the document is key—this pertains to margins, fonts, heading styles, etc. 
• Use italics, boldface, capitalization, and underlining for emphasis, but do so sparingly and consistently.  
• Use bulleted phrases instead of sentences to separate job tasks and responsibilities. When describing responsibilities, be specific and detailed, yet concise.
• For achievements and accomplishments earned, use sentence fragments with no subjects. Maintain the correct tense: present tense for current jobs and past tense for prior jobs.

More resume tips

• Check your spelling, and have someone proofread your resume to catch mistakes that spellcheck does not pick up.
• Resumes should be tailored for different purposes. You might have one version for clinical practice and another version for a position within industry. Each should highlight skills and experiences important to those different roles.
• Update your resume on a regular basis to keep track of employment and accomplishments. As the years pass, when you acquire an additional responsibility, award, or achievement, take a moment or two to add it to your resume so all the details are accessible when the time comes to send out your resume for a new stage of your career.

Resume vs. CV

It is important to know when to use a resume or a curriculum vitae (CV). Although the terms “CV” and “resume” are often used interchangeably, a CV is typically used when applying to academic or research-related positions, whereas a resume is appropriate to use in most other situations.  The primary differences are the length, the purpose, and the layout. A resume is a one-to- two-page snapshot of your skills, experience, and education. It is brief and concise— a marketing document that highlights skills relevant to the position you are seeking.  A CV is typically longer in length and is a more comprehensive review of your work and academic history.

Drafting a cover letter

A cover letter accompanies a resume when submitting your application for a particular position and serves as an introduction. It is intended to highlight your experience, training, and specific skills that you may have as it relates to the position to which you are applying. Thoughtful, well-written and succinct documents tailored specifically to the particular job and/or employer will catch an employer's attention and place you above the rest of the applicants.

We’ve all written cover letters before. But it’s important not to take this piece of your job application for granted. This is often your prospective employer’s first introduction to you. Follow these guidelines to make a good first impression:

• Make your cover letter specific to the job you’re applying for. Don’t send the same letter to all employers, switching out only the name of the position and employer. Look through the specific job description and tailor your cover letter to show how exactly you would be the best candidate for that particular position.
• Focus on specific transferable skills important to the job. Include any type of technology, problem solving, organization,  project management , or  finance  skills and experience that would be pertinent to the job you’re seeking. Show how you bring a unique value. Be brief but to the point.
• Help the employer envision how you can apply your experience and skills to deliver results for the business.
• Be short, brief and specific!

Structure of a Cover Letter

Every cover letter should be customized to the employer and contain the following:

• Opening salutation (e.g., Dear Dr. Pierce)

Introduction

• Closing paragraph
• Closing salutation (e.g., Sincerely, Respectfully, Best Regards)

State the position for which you are applying and why it specifically interests you. Indicate your knowledge about the employer by including what interested you about the employer’s practice.

You can also acknowledge any previous contact with the employer, with one of their colleagues, or why a mentor or colleague encouraged you to contact to the employer. If you are applying for a position outside of your current residence, the opening paragraph is a great place to connect yourself to the employer geographically.

Your cover letter’s middle paragraph(s) are the opportunity to really distinguish yourself from other applicants. You should demonstrate that you have the skills the employer is seeking, using language from the job posting. Think about the value you bring to the table beyond your clinical and medical training. The body can sell your strengths by emphasizing your educational credentials, experience, skills, and abilities using concrete examples. For example, instead of simply indicating that you meet a particular ability, provide an example from work or school that demonstrates that ability in action. Every sentence counts.

Sum up by reiterating your interest in the position by mentioning something unique to that practice and your unique qualifications for the position. Thank the reader for their consideration of your application and indicate that you look forward to hearing from them regarding next steps. This should not be a long paragraph.

More cover letter tips

• Be short, brief, and specific.
• Make sure to always have someone review your cover letter before you send.
• When sending your application via email, best practices suggest attaching it as a separate document, just as you would your resume.

Once finished, put your cover letter to use and apply to positions using the AVMA’s Veterinary Career Center.

Interviewing

Interviewing is one of the most important steps in the job search process. It is your chance to show the employer that you have the skills, personality, and ability to do the job, while also assessing if it is the right fit for you. Preparation is the key to an interview that goes well. Below are tips on what to do and what not to do during an interview.

Prior to the interview

• Reread your resume and cover letter to remind yourself of your experience, qualifications, and skills. 
• Review the job description to recall the qualities the employer is seeking for the position.  
• Research the company by reviewing their website thoroughly.
• Write down a list of questions you would like to ask during the interview.
• Consider the type of interview it will be and plan for the corresponding logistics. Is it an in-person working interview, or will it be conducted virtually? Will you be interviewing one-on-one, or will it take place in a group setting? If you are unsure about specific details, such as what type of apparel is expected, you can ask the interviewer for clarification ahead of time.    
• If it is an in-person interview, plan to arrive 15 minutes early. You may want to test drive the route before the interview at the same time of day your interview will occur to account for potential traffic issues. If it is a virtual interview, you will want to test your equipment and connection a few days beforehand so that you have time to fix any issues.   
• Verbally practice giving succinct answers to interview questions, such as telling something about yourself, why you want to work for a particular business, what your strengths are, what you want to improve, and where you want to be in 3-5 years. Practice will make you less nervous about what you want to say so you can concentrate on making a connection with the interviewer.

During the interview

• Dress appropriately for the type of interview it will be.
• Be on time for your interview.
• From the moment you enter the building, smile and be positive, confident, and enthusiastic. Warmly greet each person you encounter whether they are a part of the formal interview or not.   
• Turn off your cell phone during the interview or leave it in your car.
• Answer questions thoroughly. Make sure the interviewer knows that you are enthusiastic about what you do and will make a great employee for them. Use examples of your skills when you are talking.
• Avoid negative comments about previous employers or jobs.
• Ask detailed questions about the organization, the duties of the position, performance expectations, and the culture of the organization. Show that you have done your homework.
• While you want to be sure to get information on the salary and benefits offered for the position, that should not be the first and only thing you ask about. Ideally, wait for the interviewer to bring up those topics for discussion. Employers want to hire candidates who show passion and interest in the position and the organization.
• Ask the interviewer some questions about working there—what they like about the organization, what the typical work day is like, and what the business's long term plans are. Listen to the answers and wait until they are finished speaking before asking another question.
• Try to keep your body language relaxed and friendly. Breathe deeply and talk slowly to help calm down and think about what you want to say. Make good eye contact throughout the interview.

After the interview

• Thank the interviewer, express interest in the position, and succinctly restate why you have the skills for it.
• Send the interviewer a thank you note or e-mail for the time they spent talking to you. Use their name and spell it correctly on any correspondence.

Tips for answering interview questions

The point of an interview is to see if you are the right candidate for the job. You landed the interview because you met the employer’s needs on paper, and the interview is your chance to provide more information to the interviewer about your ability to do the job.

Interview questions give the interviewer an opportunity to see how you think on your feet, how you handle stress, and whether you have the experience and skill to perform the job. An interview will often have a set of standard questions asked of every interviewee, plus other questions that arise based on your responses or your resume.

In general, interviewers ask open-ended questions:

• Tell me about yourself.
• Why are you interested in this opportunity?
• What skills from your previous position can be transferred to this position?

Challenges and perceived areas of improvements

Interviewers also ask questions regarding your challenges or perceived areas of improvement:

• What are your weaknesses?
• If you could change one thing about yourself professionally, what would it be and why?

In answering these questions, try to always end on a positive or constructive note by describing how you are working to improve. For example, you might say, “I find giving constructive feedback to be my weakness, but I have been working with my supervisor to practice this skill and look forward to developing this competency further in this position."

Behavior-based questions

Behavior-based questions are designed to find out how you would perform or behave. You might be asked to reference previous experiences and training to demonstrate a particular skill or characteristic:

• Describe your most rewarding experience.
• Give me an example of a time in which you worked with a difficult client. How did you handle the situation?

When answering behavior-based questions, it's helpful to use the STAR method to guide your response:

• S: Describe the specific situation (set the scene)
• T: Task (what was the goal/objective)
• A: What action did you take to meet these goals or resolve this challenge?
• R: What was the result?

Next: Negotiate and accept

A job offer is only the beginning. Before you accept, learn more about comparing your salary and negotiating your contract. 

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A Veterinarian's Guide to Professional and Personal Goal Setting for 2023

For many, ringing in a new year inspires hope and a sense of renewal. Unfortunately, that motivation is usually short-lived. Most New Year's resolutions are abandoned by the second Friday in January, unofficially dubbed " Quitter's Day ."

Ensure your good intentions have measurable outcomes—or, at least survive until spring—and turn wishful thinking into positive change with this guide for effective professional and personal goal setting.

Are You Setting Goals or Making Resolutions?

With both professional and personal goal setting, specificity matters. Resolutions are proclamations generally related to behavior change that you intend to keep indefinitely. "I will stop smoking" and "I want to eat healthier" are examples. Resolutions also tend to be all or nothing, which is why a single slip can trigger a feeling of failure.

A goal, however, is action-oriented and focused on achieving the desired result. Additionally, goals can be broken down into mini-goals that create a sense of achievement and build confidence with each step.

For true growth, strategic goal setting can more effectively focus your efforts, change behavior, and generate real results. But unlike resolutions, which are typically off-the-cuff or inspired by long-harbored guilt, goal success requires thoughtful consideration and planning.

Professional and Personal Goal-Setting Tips

Goal-setting techniques and methods are everywhere, but the most notable have easy-to-remember acronyms, such as SMART goals. SMART stands for "smart, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound."

Although these acronyms vary in their language and approach (e.g., some are objective whereas others require emotional involvement, such as wishing and goal visualization), most effective strategies incorporate the same key ideas. Let's explore how to set professional goals (and personal ones) and actually achieve them with a few helpful steps.

Define Your Goal

Defining a detailed goal helps you measure your progress, make necessary adjustments when you're off course, and recognize completion. Precise goals include a crystal-clear vision of the final outcome, a predetermined time frame, and the specific actions you'll take along the way.

Evaluate Its Achievability

The best goals are challenging but achievable. Consider your current abilities, resources, and time frame when determining whether your goal will challenge and motivate you. Then, ask yourself: Is it realistic to achieve?

Identify Challenges or Costs

Identify your barriers, which can include skill-based challenges (e.g., your closure technique is slow or you don't know how to cook) or emotional ones (e.g., you feel guilty turning away a last-minute appointment so you stay late almost every shift). Costs are what you'll give up—or have to endure—to reach the desired goal, such as working weekends, studying while on vacation, or putting your hobbies on hold to pursue a new interest.

Weighing these issues early can help you anticipate bumps in the road and acquire the necessary skills to overcome them. It can also help you decide if the ultimate payoff is worth the immediate sacrifice.

Break It Down

If your goal is to reach the top of a staircase, with each stair building toward that goal, what are the smaller goals on each stair? Depending on your goal, there may be three stairs or 30. Mini goals can help you measure your progress, maintain motivation, and enjoy success as you work toward the top stair.

Arrange Your Environment

Your surroundings can have a powerful influence on your success, and some aspects can be major obstacles. Author and goal-setting expert James Clear describes these challenges as environmental defaults. He suggests you eliminate options (e.g., replace your candy stash with healthy snacks), give yourself strong visual cues (e.g., hang a sign on the exam room door that prompts you to smile or take a deep breath), and create friction for opting out of a goal-based behavior (e.g., losing money for backing out of a non-refundable continuing education event).

Assess Your Progress

Schedule monthly or bimonthly appointments with yourself to review your progress. If your goal—or the system you're using—is no longer serving you or its original purpose, it's OK to modify or replace that method. However, be honest with yourself and ensure you can define your reason for quitting, so you will set better future goals.

Here are some questions you can ask to assess your goal progress:

• Did you need a better support system? Sharing your goal with someone you trust can improve your accountability.
• Did other goals or habits interfere with your success? Try to focus all your energy on one goal at a time.
• Did your goal have an unrealistic time frame? Slow progress is still progress—keep going.

Make a Plan Now to Build Toward Tomorrow

Many things may be beyond your control at home and at your practice, but self-improvement is always within reach . Replacing half-hearted and guilt-laden New Year's resolutions with definable, actionable, and measurable goals will ensure you sail past "Quitter's Day" toward the best year of your life.

Angela Beal is a veterinarian in Columbus, Ohio who loves using her writing to help veterinarians live more fulfilling lives by helping make practice life more efficient and less stressful. Angela has a background in private practice and academia, and since 2020, she has worked full-time with Rumpus Writing and Editing, a veterinary-specific writing and editing company. Rumpus’ clients include veterinary practices and industry partners, including marketing companies, national corporations, consultants, and several international businesses. Learn more at rumpuswriting.com.  The views and opinions in this piece are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect the views of either The Vetiverse or IDEXX.

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Examples of Goal Statements for Veterinary Technicians

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What Are the Qualification For Being a Vet Tech?

How to become a veterinary nurse, what do veterinary pathologists make per year.

• The Average Experience Level of a Veterinary Technician
• The Advantages of Being an Animal Caretaker

Articulating career goals is a powerful first step toward defining the specific job objectives that keep a professional path on track. Veterinary technicians combine their love of animals with an interest in medicine to pursue their career paths. Because of the diverse specialties that comprise veterinary medicine, technicians can fine-tune their career goals for veterinarian assistant statements to reflect their individual strengths and passions.

Veterinary Paraprofessionals

Veterinary paraprofessionals work in varied settings to provide medical care to animals. Technicians are paraprofessionals who fulfill a certain niche in veterinary medicine because of their training and specific responsibilities, which vary according to state laws. Effective goal statements reflect the opportunities within this niche, such as: “To develop my skills as a veterinary paraprofessional by providing well-care or assisting in emergency situations to improve the quality of life for the animal patients in my care.”

Positive Image

Goal statements take a positive slant, which means that they don’t include the negatives about a job or career. Veterinary technicians perform many tasks that are not for squeamish people. For example, although “to overcome my fear of blood,” may sound positive, it’s better relegated as a personal goal for a veterinary technician instead of a career goal to present to a prospective employer. Draw on your personal strengths, such as: “To provide excellent medical care to animals and maintain my demonstrated professional demeanor while working in a critical-care environment" or "To improve my office scheduling skills."

Team Player

In an animal-care environment, such as a clinic, hospital or zoo, paraprofessionals comprise the support team that is subordinate to a veterinarian. Although there are many tasks that veterinary technicians perform alone, they must be able to work effectively as a team player with the supervising veterinarian, other paraprofessionals and the office staff, according to Indeed Career Guide .

Busy veterinarians do not have time to mediate drama-laden episodes among their team. Instill confidence in a prospective employer with a goal statement such as: “To integrate my skills as a veterinary technician with my facility to work as part of a professional team that provides superior care to the feline patients at the Cat Care Hospital.”

Specialized Niches

Career goals for veterinarians and veterinary technicians alike can include developing a specialization such as large and exotic animals, dental care, urgent care, anesthesia and nutrition, according to the American Veterinary Medicine Association . Goal statements can be narrowly tailored to reflect the intricacies of a particular specialty.

For example, you might state, “To apply my specialized training and certification in veterinary anesthesia to the patients at Ambassador Animal Hospital.” To fine-tune even more, you can say: “To use my certification as a canine rehabilitation practitioner to help the patients at The Doggy Rehabilitation Center with their underwater treadmill therapy.”

• AVMA: Utilizing Veterinary Technicians to Improve Practice Success
• Indeed Career Guide: Examples of Goal Statements for Veterinary Technicians

Victoria Lee Blackstone is a horticulturist and a professional writer who has authored research-based scientific/technical papers, horticultural articles, and magazine and newspaper articles. After studying botany and microbiology at Clemson University, Blackstone was hired as a University of Georgia Master Gardener Coordinator. She is also a former mortgage acquisition specialist for Freddie Mac in Atlanta, GA.

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I'm not paying for my kids' college tuition unless they want to be doctors or lawyers. Money isn't the issue — the ROI has to be worth it.

• Bobby Kittleberger won't pay for his children's college unless it's for a career requiring it.
• Kittleberger believes college isn't always a good return on investment for financial stability.
• He encourages his kids to explore alternative education paths and learn financial responsibility.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Bobby Kittleberger, a 37-year-old father and business owner in Staunton, Virginia. Business Insider has verified his income with documentation. The following has been edited for length and clarity.

I have six children between the ages of 5 and 11, and I've told them I won't pay for college except in very limited circumstances.

I graduated with a computer science degree, but it's irrelevant to my work.

I'm actively encouraging my kids to consider other options and how much ROI they'll get from college.

For me to pay for their tuition, they'd need to pursue a career that actually requires higher education

I'll pay for their tuition if they want to be something like a doctor or a lawyer . I'll decide on a case-by-case basis. One of my daughters has expressed interest in being a veterinarian , which I'd want to support financially and otherwise.

If I paid for tuition, it would be a gift without strings attached. I've actively discussed this with my four older kids in the past year, and they've responded positively.

One of the most interesting responses I've gotten from my kids is asking how they can make money now. They're also more interested in my work and curious about what career paths require a degree.

My decision isn't based on how much money we make

Our household income — which includes the income from my business , my wife's income from her job in education, as well as investments and other sources — totals in the six figures, which is good money for where we live in middle Virginia.

My reasoning also doesn't involve trying to make them more financially responsible. Not paying for college might force them to be more financially responsible, but only if they choose — or try — to pay for college themselves.

I want them to learn to be financially responsible and viable by earning money, with or without college.

My reasoning for considering other options is primarily ROI

If the goal of college is to set you up to earn a living and be financially stable, it's not guaranteed to accomplish that goal. You might want to go to college for the experience, but I don't see much value in that.

I think it's important for children to move away from their parents, but the college environment's ability to teach this is overrated. Only interacting with your peers and having a pared-down schedule with large chunks of free time and meals constantly provided, without everyday bills like utilities and insurance, doesn't provide a realistic picture of what life in the real world is like.

I will encourage my kids to pursue an independent living situation when they're able, college or otherwise.

Colleges and universities no longer have a monopoly on information

Nearly all the information we could ever need is now free and accessible online, and the pool of careers that require a degree is shrinking. Some millionaires may teach business classes at a university, but they also share information online for free or at the cost of a subscription.

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If my kids wanted to become software developers, I'd sit them down in front of YouTube and ChatGPT and have them just start learning.

My wife's dad got a degree in music and went on to be a very successful salesman. I had another friend who got a communications degree and started a construction business. My degree is in math and computer programming, neither of which I'm good at. My career path has focused on web design, SEO, copywriting, IT, market trading, and finance.

I've learned everything that supports my family financially outside any formal classroom. Writing is the one exception, but I learned that in high school.

My wife is more bullish on college, but we're mostly aligned

My wife generally has a more positive view of higher education than I do and is more concerned about the life skills aspect than I am. We've had many discussions about this.

She has a degree in public health administration and intended to go to nursing school, but once we got married, we started our family instead. She now works as a full-time teacher's aide at our kids' school.

My wife learns better in a more formal learning environment. I'm the opposite and learn better working on my own. We'll also consider how our kids learn and what kind of environment makes it easy for them to absorb information to decide whether we think they should pursue a college degree.

I never see someone driving around in a super nice car and associate that with attending a university or having a degree

I just want my kids to understand that college doesn't necessarily equal wealth, especially if you have to go into a ton of debt.

They should think critically and analyze the decision, not just blindly think, "Well, I'm out of high school. I guess it's time to go to college."

The choice to go is up to them — our decision as parents will be how much financial assistance we provide. It'll always be my goal to support and encourage them.

Want to share your story? Email Lauryn Haas at [email protected].

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Where Tim Walz Stands on the Issues

As governor of Minnesota, he has enacted policies to secure abortion protections, provide free meals for schoolchildren, allow recreational marijuana and set renewable energy goals.

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By Maggie Astor

• Aug. 6, 2024

Gov. Tim Walz of Minnesota, the newly announced running mate to Vice President Kamala Harris, has worked with his state’s Democratic-controlled Legislature to enact an ambitious agenda of liberal policies: free college tuition for low-income students, free meals for schoolchildren, legal recreational marijuana and protections for transgender people.

“You don’t win elections to bank political capital,” Mr. Walz wrote last year about his approach to governing. “You win elections to burn political capital and improve lives.”

Republicans have slammed these policies as big-government liberalism and accused Mr. Walz of taking a hard left turn since he represented a politically divided district in Congress years ago.

Here is an overview of where Mr. Walz stands on some key issues.

Mr. Walz signed a bill last year that guaranteed Minnesotans a “fundamental right to make autonomous decisions” about reproductive health care on issues such as abortion, contraception and fertility treatments.

Abortion was already protected by a Minnesota Supreme Court decision, but the new law guarded against a future court reversing that precedent as the U.S. Supreme Court did with Roe v. Wade, and Mr. Walz said this year that he was also open to an amendment to the state’s Constitution that would codify abortion rights.

Another bill he signed legally shields patients, and their medical providers, if they receive an abortion in Minnesota after traveling from a state where abortion is banned.

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