<p>My aspiration is to work towards positive environmental change through coursework in science, volunteer advocacy, research, and communication with policy makers and the general public. I had such opportunities when I studied at The Cape Eleuthera Island School Program during my junior year of high school. I was part of a team that researched the effects of climate change on Bahamian flats ecosystems. I experienced the greatest sense of pride when my team was able to share the results of our experiment with local people and Bahamian government officials, raising awareness about the marine environment and influencing environmental protection laws. This is the kind of work that I wish to continue during college and afterwards. In order to do pursue this path, I need a school that provides the freedom to integrate science with disciplines like law and public policy; a school where a special emphasis is put on independent research and service in settings both locally and abroad. Duke University provides exactly these types of research opportunities and the innovative, rigorous learning environment that I am looking for. </p>
<p>I plan to pursue Dukes Environmental Sciences and Policy major and to carry out environmental advocacy through civic service on a local and eventually global level. Since I want to integrate field research with classroom studies, I hope to utilize work and study opportunities at Dukes Phytotron, a facility operated by the National Science Foundation that provides greenhouses with access to controlled environmental space, as well as at the Duke Lemur Center, which allows for the study of endangered primates. I also plan to become involved at The Duke Marine Lab, allowing me to integrate my interest in marine conservation with environmental research. Service through environmental advocacy is very important to me, so I hope to spend summers in the Duke Engage abroad program, helping with projects such as building energy-conserving houses in a developing country, or producing an environmental education documentary. I hope my proposed major and plan of study will prepare me for a career in public policy law, environmental management, or conservation biology research. Ideally it will be a career that integrates all three of these disciplines. </p>
<p>In addition to the exceptional resources and research opportunities that Duke provides for my intended major, there is another factor that attracts me to Duke. My visit to campus and my interactions with Duke Alumni have shown me that the Duke community is a proud one, in the most positive sense of the word. Duke students are thrilled to represent their school, whether on campus or in a foreign country working through a Duke Engage program. I want to be a part of the unity that I believe makes the Duke experience so unique and so productive. I want my college to be a family of people who are eager to collaborate because of the desire to learn and to aid others, and because they are proud to work alongside their fellow Dukies. </p>
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