I choose Delaware Valley University for many reasons, but the main one was it had a major I never saw in other colleges. I applied to be a member of the Zoo Science program. I had little hope I would get in since only 25 people got into it. My supportive family said for me to apply anyway and, to my surprise, I got in.

I know many that didn’t get in, and I use that to be thankful for this opportunity. It is such a small number of people you get to know them very quickly. It is not an easy major, and in the first year we have dropped to 18 people. There are many required courses and specific courses only zoo science majors can take.

I would be lying if I say I didn’t doubt if I could continue this major a couple of times. However, everywhere I turned I found inspiration to keep going. I kept seeing more animals being put on the endangered list. All over the world animals were being abused and dying out. I went to zoos to see all the animals I wanted to work with one day. My family and friends supported me through the hard times. I knew I couldn’t let my family down and those animals down by giving up.

I never imagined how much this major could have impacted my life. It challenges me in ways I never thought of. I am constantly learning and growing through my experience as a Zoo Science major at DelVal.