So… I have a pretty specific academic interest (ornithology), that i’ve loved throughout my childhood, but i really don’t have a lot to show for it.
i took a college class on it first chance i could get, im doing my ib ee on them, but other than that… i read books as a kid, i infrequently bird watched, mostly i just liked watching them at my feeder. considering cornell is the top ornithology school… idk if ive actually shown enough passion for it in my essay. i described how much i liked it and what ive done but i just feel like its not enough.
am i just insecure? any tips?
What grade are you in? Is there time to start looking around for opportunities? Can you volunteer at a local zoo? A wildlife museum? Is there an aviary near you? Is there a local ornithologist you could job shadow?
Universities like Cornell like to see their prospective students showing initiative. Showing passion in your essay is great, but it’ll be important to show that you have experience.
I hope it works out for you! Ornithology is quite an exciting field!
I’m a senior, in a small town far away from any cities or aviares, anything like that 
I think i might just cross my fingers but not expect anything. thanks!
You have access to a computer-- what sites do you frequent, and what have you learned from them?
They’re not looking for proof, just a genuine look into who you are.
Is there an Audobon Society club anywhere near you? Check online to see if there are any “citizen science” activities you can do (through them or elsewhere). Cornell used to have an online activity called NestWatch where you could enter info on nesting birds in it. One of my kids entered her bluebird trail info into it. The Christmas birdcount (in Dec) is done all over the country.
Not sure where your small town is, but there are a few areas around the country where midratory birds funnel/travel through in large numbers. Hawk Ridge in MN, or North Platte NE, for example. Hawk migration is just coming up in Ict – here is a website with info:
Maybe an angle to take is that going from that “citizen scientist” mode to a program to systematically study and research birds is really exciting to you.
thank you! i have done feederwatch, but i didn’t do it frequently, so maybe I’ll mention it in my essay to them.
im in ohio, so we do get large numbers of some migratory birds, especially in the northwest marsh.
thanks for the input again. it really helps!!
Yes, definitely mention Feederwatch. We did a local crane count around this time of year once in Wisconsin. Doesn’t look like it extends to Ohio, though:
http://www.birds.cornell.edu/citscitoolkit/projects/icf/midwestcranecount/
But this is part of Cornell’s website dedicated to citizen science projects – you could poke around for more ideas (nothing wrong with mentioning projects in progress if you want to sign up for or start something new).