Hook your viewer. Rather than beginning with your name, begin with a short sentence that captures your viewer’s attention.

For example, "I was helping out on a neighbour’s farm when one of the cows got sick...” Set the scene so the viewer wants to find out what happened next. Then you can describe the vet arriving and your interest in their work. After that you can relate this to your application for veterinary medicine.

Explain why you chose this university or college. How will this school help you achieve your goals? Why is it on your short list? What do you hope to do during your time as a student, beyond simply earning a degree?

For example, “I especially like the way your degree programme involves a one-year work placement.”

Share your passion for the subject. Do you want to help people? Or understand why some businesses succeed while others fail? Or find sustainable solutions to the world’s energy demands?

For example, “I am excited by new discoveries in the field of molecular biology and would like to play a part in these developments.”