To many, the term "student-athlete" is something of a misnomer, believing that a commitment to athletic success comes at the expense of a commitment to academics. Brandon Leon, however, is the ultimate example of the true life of a successful student-athlete and the rewards possible for those willing to put in the work.

Leon is a senior defenseman for the Molloy men's lacrosse team, and has been a three-year starter for the maroon and white. Despite the rigorous scheduling demands of being a full-time student, taking up to 19 credits each semester, and being a contributing factor of a prominent lacrosse program, the Glen Cove product has put up a 4.0 grade-point average in three consecutive semesters, entering his final undergraduate semester with a 3.88 cumulative GPA.

This past spring, Leon added another undertaking to his schedule – preparation for the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). Leon  would attend his classes from 9:00 a.m. through 3:00 p.m. before heading to lacrosse practice from 3:30 -6:30 p.m., put in a solid three hours of MCAT prep work before tackling his regular coursework as a biology major with a chemistry minor.

After receiving his results, Leon began the application process, eventually interviewing with 11 medical schools across the country, all while managing his coursework and commitment to the lacrosse team.

"Juggling school and sports has been a challenge that I have had to deal with since my first semester on campus, taking 18 or 19 credits all six semesters before applying to medical school," explained Leon. "I have developed time management and a strict schedule. When I allocate exact periods of time where I know I need to get a task done, I get it done. That also allows me to decide what the most important thing that needs to be done is and prioritize that first."

Leon recently received acceptance to Stony Brook University SUNY Medical School, New York Medical College, and the University of Maryland School Of Medicine, which he will attend next year on a $100,000 scholarship offer. 

"I'm currently leaning towards a career in either anesthesiology or orthopedic medicine," said Leon. "My career as a lacrosse player and the injuries I have had over the years has put me close to these fields on several occasions and it has fascinated me for years."