A lifelong dream to become a doctor just got a little bit closer for Drumheller’s Sam Brown. He has been offered a prestigious scholarship to study at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario.
Sam, who is in Grade 12 at DVSS, was accepted to Queen’s shortly before Christmas and has decided to complete his Bachelor of Science in kinesiology. Last week he learned he has been selected for the Chernoff Family Award.
“It was shocking, I was shaking when I won,” Sam tells inSide Drumheller. “Queen’s is really famous for its scholarships, and this is one of the biggest.”
The award is designed to attract and encourage students from across Canada to come to Queen’s, students who otherwise would be unable to study at the school. According to a description on the Queen’s University website it is based on academic ability, creative and original thinking, proven leadership qualities and financial need. Preference will be given to students from rural and remote areas.
The award is granted to eight students a year with an annual value of $12,000 - $15,000 per student. The scholarship is renewable for three subsequent years, provided the student maintains a 3.5 GPA with a full course load, and financial need remains evident.
Sam explains that when he applied for the school he also filled out an application for major admission awards. He said the process was rigorous.
“They pretty much want to know who you are and everything you do,” he said.
Along with maintaining exceptional grades, Sam is a student athlete, and dedicated volunteer. He has made previous efforts to explore this career path. Last summer he was in Bolivia participating in a special medical program for high school students through ‘Projects Abroad’. This Spring Break he has been selected to participate in ‘Gene Researcher for a Week’ through the Canadian Gene Cure Foundation.
This is just the first step for Brown. After he completes his undergraduate degree, he will begin to apply to medical schools. He knows the competition is stiff.
“Queen’s is one of the top medical schools in Canada, but it is very hard to get in to. Of course, I would love to go to the medical school at Queen’s but I will apply everywhere when the time comes,” he said.
At 17, he has not picked his specialization, but he is interested in orthopedics.
“I want to work with Doctors Without Borders - that is my eventual goal,” Sam tells inSide Drumheller.
Sam’s mother Audrey Debona says this is the culmination of a dream that stretches back years.
“We have always known. He told us in Grade 6 he wanted to be a doctor,” said Debona.
