To decide to transfer to Maryland at this time is a wiser decision, which contributes to broadening my horizons in the field of biology and greatly making up my deficiency in further exploration of biology. Although my academic performance in these foundation courses at McMurry University, such as ,General Biology, College Algebra, Calculus, cultivated my strong logical thinking and good computing ability and my General Biology GPA is 3.83/4.00, I still felt that the set of professional course at McMurry was not challenging enough.
All that I have learned in the previous study were about general biology without any classification;while if I had a chance to access to the Department of Biology at Maryland, one of the best integrative biology departments in the United States with an emphasis upon the application of the modern biology using a diversity of organisms and modern approach, I can gain more professional guidance and master the widest possible perspective on biological organizations, which will benefit for my academic accumulation.
Meanwhile, my research ability, analytical ability as well as team work skills have been greatly improved through a series of biological experiments, like anatomy of small suckling pig, extraction of chloroplast, the reaction rate of carbon dioxide under photosynthesis, etc. Teaming with several classmates and conducing these biological experiments, team work activities made felt the ground-breaking happiness that I had never felt before.
However, the more experiments I have made, the more urgency that I have felt to make an in-depth exploration of the biological experiments. At Maryland, with use of the advanced equipment and experimental labs, through communicating with the talented peers and skillful biological experts, I believe I can realize more self-breakthrough in biophysics, sensory neuroscience, developmental biology, evolutionary genetics, behavioral ecology and conservation biology and so on.
In addition, my previous study at McMurry College is not an easy thing, during which I once encountered the biggest academic challenges that was to adapt myself in English-speaking teaching environment. Dragging my luggage, I was so excited to come to the United States and pursue a further study. However, as a high school student who could not speak English well, especially in my mathematics and biology courses, I hardly understood the main ideas of contents and my GPA was not ideal enough. The long-term inadaptation further influenced my class performance, which made me feel very disappointed.
However, instead of giving it up easily, I decided to initiate conversation with classmates and learn how to improve my English proficiency. I also frequently participated in various academic activities, students’ organization, seminars, and some volunteer work. For example, I took an active part in chemistry club to give some guidance for the lower-grade students to conduct biochemistry experiment, ensure the safe operation of the experiment and prevent any accident, which extremely enhanced hands-on ability and communication ability. Now, as a mathematical teacher assistant, I am working in the school library to help the peers solve their confusion in mathematical problems. Thanks to all the practices I experienced that they made me become an out-going, independent person with creativity, flexibility, ingenuity and passion, which will help me smoothly access to your Department of Biology and make a further study in some specialization ares, like Physiology and Neurobiology (PHNB) and Ecology and Evolution (ECEV).
As for my career goal, upon graduation, I wish to apply for a biological researcher position in some famous biological technology companies and put what I have learned into practice. The National Institute of Health and the Smithsonian Institution is a good ideal place where I can gain a wealth of research opportunities and devote myself to the holy career in medicines, conservation biology, and public policy. Within three years or five, I will go back to China, make more biological achievements in some national labs all of which will deepen people’s understanding of organism and decode human impacts on global ecological process.
The University of Maryland, as a premier public research university and land grant institution with an emphasis upon academic excellence and innovation is no doubt the best place for me to make an in-depth exploration upon biology field. After making deep considerations upon my personal interest, deficiency in biology as well as career goals, I sincerely hope that you can consider my application and give me a favorable reply.