Hockey player headed for med school
Andrea Dolan’s time at Concordia proved she’s suited to helping others.
courtesy andrea dolan
Hockey is Andrea Dolan’s passion. “It’s a way of life for me,” she said. “It always has been and always will be.”
But to define the Stingers captain simply as an athlete would be to ignore what she calls “the multi-faceted nature of people,” something Dolan proves you should never do.
Dolan applied to political science with what she would describe as an underwhelming CEGEP record. A first-semester psychology course nurtured her desire to help others. Now she’s completed a BA Specialization in Psychology with Distinction (GPA 3.98), and she’ll be starting medical school at McMaster University next fall.
Along the way, the Stingers centre spent four years on the dean’s list and as an Academic All-Canadian, and three as Female Academic Athlete of the year. As team captain this year, Dolan was named MVP for women’s hockey, received an Award of Distinction for her career contribution to the Stingers, and was named to the QSSF All-Star team by rival teams.
“I’ll remember the way people at Concordia believed in me — my profs, my coach, my teammates, [Mature Students advisor] Brigeen Badour. I’m touched by that.
“I have huge respect for Concordia for looking beyond my CEGEP record to my potential as a person. They gave me a chance to prove myself to myself.”
Dolan admires McMaster’s program for the same reasons.
“They believe it takes people from a range of backgrounds to make for a good program and good doctors. They look at the person as a whole.”
Hockey has provided her a model for life.
“It’s a commitment to something above and beyond your self,” Dolan said. “It’s about pushing others and being pushed by others beyond what you think are your limits. There are 19 girls behind you, and the day you’re down, they’ll be there to push you forward.”
“Anyone who’s been on a team knows it’s about more than sports, it’s a family.”
Dolan intends to practice family medicine.