Sayjel Tan '24 Recruiting Profile

My name is Sayjel and I am a current student at Grace Church School. Swimming at the collegiate level has been a dream of mine since  I was a little kid. I first started swimming when my parents put me into a class at the young age of 2. They came from the Philippines, where drowning was a common cause of death, and they made sure that I would not be a victim of it. I have been swimming ever since, and I joined my first competitive team when I was five years old. Throughout the years of doing this sport, I have put my maximum effort to get to where I am today. 

In addition to swimming, I was also a competitive gymnast for 8 years, where I suffered an injury to my back that hindered me from reaching my full potential in swim. This started my curiosity of the human body. This summer, I attended a three week medical program at Georgetown University and I also interned at the Hospital of Special Surgery. This solidified my interest in science, and my goal is to be in the medical field one day. 

I also love to be involved in my community by sharing my passion of sports. My family and I created a community outreach program to help the people in the Philippines. This past year, I have collected swimsuits and gymnastics leotards in NY to send to the Philippines. This upcoming June, I will be traveling there to conduct a sports day and to teach people how to swim. I have gained this experience as I work as a part time lifeguard and swim instructor, so I will have the knowledge that I can pass to others. 

I have always loved challenging myself in order to reach the best of my abilities. At one point, I was managing a busy school schedule with four sports, but with my hard work and perseverance, I was able to come out successful in all areas. I believe because of my determination and commitment, a college that will challenge me both academically and athletically will be the best fit.