Meet Mairin MacDougall: 2021 Leadership Scholarship Winner

New Hampton, New York
Medical Studies 

1. Describe your reaction when you found out you won the Leadership Scholarship.  

When I found out that I won the scholarship, I was so excited because it was truly life changing for me and my family. College is expensive and paying for an education is really a sacrifice. This scholarship was such a blessing and a gift. 

2. Which leadership trait did you write about and why? 

I talked about the leadership trait of courage. I really based my essay off of my father, who works in the fire department of New York City. I talked about how I saw him as a great example of courage and how I was able to take his leadership examples and apply them to smaller, micro situations in my life. 

3. How will you continue your leadership skills at DeSales?

I’ve been trying to get involved in as many things as possible. I participated in a program called Outreach DeSales before all the other [first-year] students came to school. It was a very community service-oriented program. We did work in the local community. I plan on participating in that again, but this time as a leader. Also, I plan on continuing to participate in Character U events.

4. Any advice for future Leadership Scholarship applicants? 

My advice is to definitely apply and just be yourself. Don’t try to make up something big and extravagant. The big DeSales motto is ‘Be who you are and be that well.’ Focus on that, be yourself, and just go for it. 

5. What made you feel connected to DeSales? 

I first heard about DeSales because I was looking at schools that have specific direct-entry physician assistant programs. DeSales just felt different than every other campus I had visited. Something about this school just resonated with me. The second I stepped on campus, I loved the environment and I felt at home. Everybody was so nice; everybody opens the doors for you. It really is like a big family.

The Leadership Scholarship is offered to six students who have shown outstanding leadership in their high school careers and who plan to continue to develop those skills at DeSales. The deadline to apply is December 1, 2021.