The College Admissions Process Podcast 339. College Student Mini-Series - Katelyn, Columbia University - Student Athlete
🎙️ Episode: From Long Island to the Ivy League – A Student-Athlete’s Journey at Columbia University
In this special episode of The College Admissions Process Podcast, I had the honor of speaking with Katelyn, a sophomore at Columbia University 🦁 and a member of the women’s lacrosse team 🥍.
Katelyn takes us inside her journey as both a student and an athlete, sharing her path from Syosset, NY to the Ivy League, and the lessons she learned along the way.
Here’s what you’ll learn in this episode:
✨ Recruitment insights – how she navigated prospect camps, coach communication, and the September 1st timeline 📅.
✨ Sacrifices & rewards – what it really takes to balance summer training, missed social events, and the grind of being a Division I athlete 💪.
✨ Finding the right fit – why Columbia stood out not just athletically, but academically (hello, neuroscience + pre-med 🔬).
✨ Campus life revealed – how Columbia offers the best of both worlds: a serene campus 🌳 and the energy of New York City 🌆.
✨ Academic support for athletes – tutoring, wellness programs, and resources that set students up for success 📚.
✨ Biggest surprises – what she didn’t expect about balancing athletics and academics in college 🎓.
✨ Real talk advice – why you shouldn’t rush your commitment, how to block out comparison, and why being your authentic self matters most 🧭.
💡 Whether you’re a student-athlete (or a parent of one), or simply curious about the Ivy League experience, this episode is full of actionable advice and honest perspective from someone living it right now.
🎧 Tune in to hear Katelyn’s inspiring story and her guidance for students starting their own college journey!
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👉 This episode is brought to you by Prep Expert, a proud sponsor of The College Admissions Process Podcast. Prep Expert offers award-winning test prep courses and strategies that have helped thousands of students improve their scores. For full details on their programs and guarantees, visit www.PrepExpert.com 🎯📚
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