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CHARLESTON, SC – The average cadet student-athlete at The Citadel is anything but average. They're members of the South Carolina Corps of Cadets. They go to class. They compete against the best the Southern Conference has to offer.

And for some, that's not enough. Many cadet student-athletes take an even less traveled path by majoring in unique or tough fields of study. Some come from unique backgrounds that make the already difficult even more so. And still others contract into the armed forces and have to prepare for their careers in the military after college.

The Citadel Department of Athletics wants to recognize some of those cadet student-athletes who are not just succeeding in competition, but are doing so at a high level while overcoming some of the toughest obstacles.

Ellie Burgess (Jr., Woodland, Calif.)
Sport: Women's Soccer
Major: Biology (3.84 GPA)

What is your major and why did you choose to study this?
EB – "I chose to study biology because I ultimately plan on going to medical school, so it was the best fit for me in preparing me for that next step. Science has also always been one of my favorite subjects so it all fell together nicely."

What do you hope to do after graduation from undergrad? What would you like to do once you have exhausted your eligibility and finished grad school/the next step?
EB – "I am currently enrolled in the accelerated master's program which means I'm already working on my master's degree (also in biology) while finishing up my bachelor's degree. So, I will be returning to The Citadel next year to complete my master's program and to play my fourth year of soccer. I'm also in the process of preparing my med school applications, so hoping that all goes well, I'll finish my master's next May and then begin medical school the following August. My ultimate goal is to go into orthopedic surgery which would entail a five-year residency after the four years of medical school, so if everything stays on track, I will hopefully be a board-certified orthopedic surgeon 10 years from now!"

What made you decide to work towards graduating from undergrad in just three years? What kinds of unique challenges has this brought up?
EB – "I knew that I wanted to get a master's degree, but I also wanted to stay on track time wise with medical school, so I decided to make both my bachelor's and master's fit into four years. It wasn't too crazy my freshman or sophomore year. The summer after my freshman year, I took a full load of classes in the summer and I've taken at least two classes every summer since. I also have at least 21 units every semester, if not more. It definitely got more challenging these last two years because all of my classes were upper-level courses, so they were more demanding and I had to balance that with soccer. Once I added my master's classes into the mix, things got really busy because I would have class from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., then practice from 3 – 4:30 p.m., and then I'd have to take a shower, go eat quickly, and then go to class again from 6 – 9 p.m." 

What are you doing to prepare for your career outside of your studies?
EB – "Preparing for medical school definitely has a lot to it. Obviously, academics are important and doing good on the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is a big deal, so a lot of time is allocated to studying for that. I also became a volunteer at MUSC, so once we all return I'll be working in the Emergency Department and the Neurology Department to gain more hands-on experience with patients. This summer, I'm hoping I'll still be able to shadow my doctors back home, and for next year, I have applied for an internship as a medical assistant at a spinal institute, so I'm still waiting to hear back from that as well!"

Do you hold rank in the Corps, and what are those responsibilities like on a daily basis?
EB – "I'm currently the Academic NCO (Non-Commissioned Officer) for my company. It primarily consists of keeping track of grades for everyone in my company and helping everyone improve study habits, find tutors, and keep their grades in a good place."

Talk a little about juggling your life in the Corps, as a cadet student-athlete and within your major.
EB – "I've touched on my schedule a bit in answering the other questions, but a normal day consists of class usually from about 8 a.m. until around noon or 1 p.m., sometimes later if I have lab, and then practice and lift in the afternoon. Then, I have either graduate classes at night or I spend the time after dinner to do homework or study. Most times during season I'm doing homework on the bus to away games and in the hotel rooms. If I'm not in class or at soccer workouts, I'm typically still doing some sort of schoolwork."

What would you say has been the most difficult part of being a cadet student-athlete in your major?
EB – "I think that the most difficult part about being a cadet student-athlete and a biology major is balancing the additional hours of coursework. Biology is usually acknowledged as being one of the most demanding majors because there are so many labs attached, which can be four-hours long at a time. When you add multiple labs in a week on top of soccer and military duties, it can get pretty hectic. I would say that's probably the most challenging thing about it."

What is something that you will always look back fondly on here at The Citadel?
EB – "I think it's really challenging to pick just one thing that I'll miss because this is such a unique place and with that came some of the most amazing experiences of my life. It truly has been a transformative three years for me here. I came in as this little knob with no idea what the school would hold for me and now I am so ready and excited to tackle my future because of the courage and belief in myself that The Citadel instilled in me. The friendships I've made here, especially with my teammates, are some of the best and deepest connections I have because we truly have endured so many ups and downs together. At the end of the day I don't think there really is one thing I can say I'll miss more than another because this has been the experience of a lifetime and I'm going to miss all of it!"


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