In an effort to build a successful lever for myself，I have searched for these experiences and opportunities all of my life.I have always had a passion for learning and a natural drive to succeed.At the beginning of my sophomore year in high school，I began to volunteer at a local，family owned zoo.This idea came from an innate passion for animals and an ongoing interest in science.At first，it was simply to complete a community service graduation requirement，but soon thereafter，I realized it was so much more.Work there was not like what most zoo volunteers experience.When other volunteers were following zookeepers and watching animals through cages at larger commercial zoos，I was spending nights"monkey sitting"my supervisor's newborn Japanese snow macaque.However，calling it work solely alludes to labor.It was more of a life-altering，unique opportunity and provided me with the experience that clenched my decision to major in animal science.
Along with my passion for animals，I am also always looking for ways to challenge myself intellectually.I am an active member of my school's Envirothon and Math teams and a Science Olympiad competitor.After high school，it has always been a goal of mine to attend an academically competitive university.A few years of researching brought me to Cornell’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences（CALS）.After attending the CALS open house and information lecture on the animal science department，I knew it was the perfect ft.One of the reoccurring themes of my conversations with students and professors alike was CALS dedication to shaping students into leaders.