After completing Year 12 at Narrabundah College, Donald gained entrance to the University of Sydney in 1985, where she resided in Wesley College, University of Sydney[REF] and the Women's College, University of Sydney[REF] and earned a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in History and Pre-Clinical Medical Studies, in 1989 [REF].
Donald later won the 1989 Rhodes Scholarship for New South Wales,[REF][REF] becoming the second woman from the state to win the award.