Meet James Cook: Medical Studies Major and Leadership Scholarship Winner

Point Pleasant, New Jersey 

1. Describe what your Leadership Scholarship essay was about.

My essay was about my Eagle Scout project and learning how to take leadership skills and apply them toward my project. I put an orienteering trail in at a local nonprofit farm that works with at-risk teens and adults. 

The trail is a very basic orienteering map-and-compass trail that allows children of all spectrums to be able to learn and enjoy the farm while learning a new skill. The project took me about two and a half years. We had to cut a trail through eight acres of woods on the farm. 

2. How did you prepare for the interview process? 

I was part of a club in high school called Future Business Leaders of America. As the president of that club, we had done a few different practice interviews. Our principal actually wrote a book about interviewing. I went and did a mock interview with him. That prepared me very well. I also love speaking with people. So, it’s easy for me to go in and just be myself. 

3. Tell us about orientation and the first-year experience here. 

I loved it. Being a very sociable person, I loved going and meeting new people. It was very welcoming. 

4. What’s your favorite thing about campus? 

The family feel. Everyone is super welcoming and friendly, and everyone says hi. It’s a fun place to be. 

5. Advice for future Leadership Scholarship applicants?

Go for it. You never know until you try. Even if you don’t get it, you can benefit from those essay writing skills and interview skills. There’s always something you can learn from each experience. 

The Leadership Scholarship is a full-tuition scholarship 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 Thursday, December 1, 2022.