Personal Statement_Shyanne Miller Everyone gets lost sometimes.

That common crisis we have all faced in high school: what will I be when I grow up? Some are strategically planning their career from freshman year to the semester they earn their Ph. D. Others seem to wander about like a feather in the wind, letting life unfold as they figure their path to success. At times I felt stuck on the fence: I had some of it figured out, but the exact road to take was yet undecided. But life is unpredictable and new passions, interests, and talents emerge. Soon you find yourself in a field you loved all along, but never realized it before. My pivotal moment emerged during a summer gardening job while I was in high school. My supervisor introduced me to an employee of the Brandywine Zoo in Wilmington, DE. I always loved animals. My passion for wildlife-- discovering and exploring it, learning the ins and outs of it--seemed unparalleled at times. I took a tour through the tiny zoo, and a look at the captive wildlife. Various jobs were presented, from the veterinarian, to the tour guides. By the time I left I was sure of what I wanted to be: an advocate for wildlife. I am finally where I want to be: an undergraduate student at the University of Delaware studying Wildlife Conservation. It took me some time to get here. My skills in science and mathematics have been tested. My physical strength has been tested as I participated in my first field work for summer research as a new member of the Ronald E. McNair Post Baccalaureate Achievement Program. I became a McNair Scholar in the summer of my junior year and completed my first research project under Dr. Bowman, professor in Wildlife Conservation at University of Delaware. We looked at 21 managed forest sites in the Newark, DE area. Our question was whether or not Calvin Kleins Obsession mens cologne used in conjunction with predator lure and bait attracted more or less mesocarnivores, with special emphasis on domestic cats. A big part of the focus encompassed the presence of domestic cats in forest sites and the implications they have on surrounding bird and rodent populations. Some

future interests I have for research is a comparative study on different methods of reintroducing endangered species. I can proudly say that throughout my college career I have gained skills relevant to Wildlife Conservation both on and off campus. As an employee of Camp Bow Wow, I have gained leadership and management skills. There I worked as both a counselor and a manager of a team of 5-6 people daily. I conducted interviews with prospective employees, and learned to work as both a member of a team, as well as independently when the time called for it. Classes that I have taken as an undergraduate have allowed me a deeper understanding Wildlife Conservation. For example, Wildlife Management encompassed habitat management, research, and methods of data collection. One of my more challenging courses: General Ecology gave me an overall understanding of the connections between the environment, habitats, individual niches and individual populations and species. With such a broad understanding of and passion for Wildlife Conservation and research experience, I would be an asset to your graduate program. Though I am proud of my accomplishments I must admit that I am not satisfied. I want to attend graduate school. I am looking for a challenging program that will aid me in becoming a successful Wildlife Biologist. I know what path I am taking now, and I am setting my sites for your program to help me reach my destination.