While in high school, Sadie Shelly spent a lot of time researching universities online. 
 
“I’m from a rural part of Ontario and didn’t know very many people who had gone to university or college,” says Shelly. “I made charts comparing various programs at various universities.”  
 
When Shelly discovered Mount Allison’s Frank McKenna School of Philosophy, Politics, and Economics she was excited at the opportunity to be part of a program that combined many of her interests and that is modelled after the renowned Philosophy, Politics, and Economics degree at Oxford University. She also saw it as an opportunity to leave her home province for the first time and see new horizons.  

Shelly’s journey to Mount Allison was confirmed when she received a $25,000 McKenna School Scholarship. This scholarship awards $10,000 to entering students intending to major in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE) and is renewable for three years ($5,000/year). Donors helped create the prestigious scholarship in 2021.     
 
“Being awarded a scholarship like this, especially in first year, is phenomenal,” says Shelly. “I can’t express enough gratitude. The McKenna Scholarship really changed whether I could come to university or not.” 
 
One academic term in, Shelly has no regrets about her decision. She is enjoying her classes, life in residence, and is an active member of the University and Sackville communities. Shelly is the first-year representative for the Mount Allison Students’ Union (MASU), the wellness representative for Bennett House, participates in the occasional intramural match, works part-time at the R.P. Bell Library, and volunteers with the Sackville Legion.  
 
Shelly is also part of the University’s First Gen Program, which provides peer-mentorship and other supports to students first in their family to attend university.  
 
Academically, Shelly has been taking foundational PPE courses that keep her options open to eventually honouring in either philosophy or politics and minoring in Commerce. She is particularly looking forward to enrolling in the second-year philosophy courses Introductory Logic and the Philosophy of Science, both of which first caught her attention back when she was researching potential universities.  
 
Shelly is interested in becoming a lawyer, an aspiration she has had since Grade 6, and in the meantime is looking forward to taking advantage of all Mount Allison has to offer. 
 
“I have met so many nice people since coming here and have quickly become part of the university and Sackville communities,” says Shelly. 
 
March 1 is the deadline to apply for the McKenna School Scholarship and other Mount Allison Entrance Scholarships. For more information visit Scholarships and awards for first-year students