New Paths, New Perspectives: Meet the Students Joining Columbia GS This Fall

From professional ballet and military service to music, health, and public service, meet a few members of the incoming GS class and learn about the paths that brought them to Columbia, what they hope to pursue here, and the lessons they’re carrying with them into this next chapter.

Postbac Premed

Alexa Poplawski

Where are you from?:

Long Island, NY

Tell us about your path to GS:

My path to Columbia GS has been anything but linear, and I think that is what makes it meaningful to me. I graduated from the University of Michigan with a degree in applied exercise science and a minor in nutrition, where I became fascinated by the connection between movement, nutrition, prevention, and overall health. Throughout college, I was also a teaching assistant, peer advisor, and involved in clinical and athletic settings, which taught me that I loved not only learning about health, but also working directly with people.

Since graduating, I have continued to build experience in different areas of health and performance. I have worked in sports medicine and strength and conditioning, including with athletes returning to sport, and I have gained experience with exercise testing and performance technology. I have also explored cardiac rehabilitation and exercise physiology, which has helped me understand how powerful exercise can be as an intervention in clinical care.

Outside of academics and healthcare, modeling has been a huge part of my life. I have had the opportunity to work in New York, Milan, Hong Kong, and other places internationally. Modeling has pushed me far outside my comfort zone and taught me resilience, confidence, professionalism, and how to adapt quickly to completely different environments. Balancing that career with my academic and professional goals has not always been easy, but it has made me much more disciplined.

I think the biggest theme of my journey has been curiosity. I have never wanted to put myself into one box. Whether I was working with an athlete, teaching anatomy, traveling, modeling, or exploring medicine, I kept finding myself drawn back to one question: How can I use science to help people live healthier, stronger, and longer lives? That question ultimately led me to Columbia and toward medicine.

Why did you apply to GS?:

I applied to GS because I wanted an environment that recognized the value of a nontraditional path. My undergraduate education gave me a strong foundation in exercise science, but I realized that I wanted to take that knowledge further and explore medicine at a deeper level.

What excites me about medicine is the opportunity to combine everything I have already studied like exercise, nutrition, physiology, behavior, and prevention, with rigorous scientific training and direct patient care. I am particularly interested in the role of exercise-based interventions and preventive medicine, and I want to understand how we can use these tools alongside traditional medical care to improve long-term health.

GS felt like the right place for me because I am not starting from scratch. I am bringing years of education, work experience, teaching, travel, and personal growth with me, while also beginning a new academic chapter. I wanted a community where that background would be seen as an asset rather than something that needed to be explained.

What's the best advice you've received and how will you carry that with you throughout your GS journey?:

The best advice I have received is to stay open to the possibility that your path can change without meaning that you have failed or lost direction.

For a long time, I thought I had to know exactly what my career would look like. As I explored exercise science, sports medicine, physical therapy, exercise physiology, research, and ultimately medicine, I realized that each experience was giving me information about what I truly value.

I want to carry that mindset with me throughout my GS journey. Columbia will undoubtedly challenge me academically, and there may be moments when I question whether I am on the right path. Instead of seeing those moments as setbacks, I want to see them as opportunities to learn more about myself and the kind of physician I ultimately want to become.

I also want to remember that being a nontraditional student is an advantage. My experiences outside of a traditional pre-med path have given me perspectives that I would not trade for a more straightforward journey.

Undergraduate

Louis Relisieux

Where are you from?:

France/Austria

Tell us about your path to GS:

I have been studying music intensively since childhood, and becoming a professional trumpet player was so obvious that I never thought seriously about any other option. During my studies in Paris and Vienna, I worked as a professional musician in classical and baroque orchestras. After a few years, working and practicing constantly for auditions, I lost my passion. I missed the spark and energy that drove my childhood dream but over the years, I met amazing people that inspired me to question my path and guide me towards Columbia GS.

Why did you apply to GS?:

I have always sought excellence, and at 25 years old, searching for new studies far away from my domain of expertise, I couldn't find any better solution. I want to study mathematics and economics very diligently but developing a wide cultural knowledge has always been important to me and the Core curriculum fits this desire perfectly.

What's the best advice you've received and how will you carry that with you throughout your GS journey?:

The best advice comes from my parents and my sister: slowly but surely.

I think it matches the GS spirit: we come here with very different expertise and we have the courage to embark on a new journey, often far removed from what has been familiar to us. The shift may not come quickly or easily, but choosing to forge a new path is worth the time. I look forward to taking advantage of all Columbia has to offer, perhaps slowly, but with sure confidence that I have made a great choice.

Fletcher Griffin

Where are you from?:

Maine

What is your intended major?:

Political Science

Tell us about your path to GS (what jobs you’ve held, things in your personal life, anecdotes, hobbies, etc):

I grew up on a farm in Maine, I worked in the construction industry while volunteering for the fire department for 12 years before joining the Army. While in the Army, I spent 10 years working with and training foreign soldiers. I enjoy time with friends, being outside, hiking, skiing, and politics.

Why did you apply to GS?:

Having been afforded the opportunity to travel the world with the Army, I saw that I could make a difference if I was working in a different, more holistic capacity. I heard about GS and its unique admission requirements and thought that's the path to success.

What's the best advice you've received and how will you carry that with you throughout your GS journey?:

Go out and meet your peers, their friends and families. Columbia brings the best and smartest people in the world together, take advantage of that.

Leah Carter

Where are you from?:

Richmond, VA

What is your intended major?:

Economics and Cognitive Science

Tell us about your path to GS:

Moving away from home at 14 years old to The School of American Ballet (SAB) opened up unimaginable doors. Not only was I getting the chance to obtain world class ballet education to pursue a professional ballet career, but I was also getting a glimpse into independence, and new perspectives from the plethora of ideas and identities New York City encompasses. As a dorm student at SAB, I quickly became immersed in a community of dancers who became my family. As a student, I worked as a Community Ambassador in the residence hall, acting as a bridge between students and staff. In addition, working as a Teaching Assistant for SAB’s children’s division allowed me to experience the reality of managing a class while fostering confidence in young dancers.

From being an inherently quiet-natured person, SAB’s bustling environment taught me that I had to have a voice of my own and advocate for myself. SAB’s dedication to creating unique experiences that push students beyond their comfort zones transformed how I approach new opportunities. I applied to become a student choreographer, not because I knew it was my career goal, but because I wanted to challenge myself. Choreographing a 3.5 minute piece was monumental to me because of the courage it took to put myself in such a vulnerable position. I had to disregard others' judgments and critiques and focus on why I call ballet my passion. Through this process, I found my love for choreography while also letting go of the self-doubt and self-consciousness I had carried throughout my time as a student.

Now, as a female choreographer, I am exposed to countless opportunities in choreography and dance film. What began as a short piece of choreography made with friends evolved into opportunities I never expected. I look back to my 10 year old self on Christmas morning unwrapping a pink Columbia t-shirt that I wore with pride to every “college day” in elementary school. With persistence and by never giving up, I’m attending my absolute dream school while working towards a career in an area I’m most passionate about. Ultimately, I hope to inspire others who hesitate to try new things because self doubt holds them back. From every small leap of faith, you grow tremendously as a person.

Why did you apply to GS?:

I deeply value the opportunity to continue academic studies in a collaborative environment where I can bring my unique perspective and learn from others with different backgrounds. I knew I couldn’t give up my love and passion for ballet because a career in the arts or becoming an advocate for future generations of girls was something I had to chase.

Experiencing the transition from a ballet school to a professional ballet career and from high school to college simultaneously distinguishes me as a nontraditional student. Columbia GS offers the flexibility to pursue both of my dreams while shaping a future career in the arts. GS aligns with my needs as a nontraditional student who is deeply passionate about education.

Originally, I wanted to push my boundaries and embrace all the opportunities college could offer. I thought going the route of a professional ballerina would close it off. But GS can add to my life so much more than education; it offers me perspective and experience. After years of online learning, it excites me to interact with my peers and professors in a daily classroom setting. I hope to use my education to someday become a teacher, director, choreographer, or even advocate for the future generations of women and dancers. GS’ unique academic opportunity will allow me to marry my passions and pursue my own path.

What's the best advice you've received and how will you carry that with you throughout your GS journey?:

From making the decision to move away from home, and giving up a normal high school and home life, I had to learn to embrace new opportunities with openness. Embarking on this experience uncovered more than just the reality of what a professional ballet career is; it also revealed the countless other life paths and passions available to me in the real world. The small decision to choreograph in a student workshop led me to uncover choreography as an artistic outlet other than movement itself. Similarly, my senior year and college application journey led me to uncover how GS truly aligns with my passions.

I’m not ready to settle on a career, but I’m ready to study and learn, explore all the classes, and embrace the trial-and-error that comes with discovering what the world has to offer.

Is there anything else about your GS Story that you’d like to share?:

Beyond high school, continuing as a GS student at Columbia will grow my academic interests into true passions. My curiosity with the interdisciplinary world of cognitive science resonates with my work as a Community Ambassador at SAB, where I served as the bridge between students and faculty. I helped peers through the continuous battles with perfectionism, stress, and uncertainty towards the future. Exploring these mechanisms through cognitive science will allow me to better understand the mentality as well as the physicality of ballet.

I want to deepen my knowledge of the psychological challenges ballet dancers face, as well as how mental health can be better supported in the ballet world. Through studying cognitive science, I will explore how stress, pressure, and identity shape the experience of young dancers. Being a female choreographer exposed me to the underrepresentation of female leadership in the ballet world. As a woman, I want to take on a form of creative leadership and empower other girls to do the same.

The Core Curriculum excites me most. In addition to jump-starting my passions, the diversity of classes allows me to connect my education with every part of life. By understanding art, cognition, and leadership, I can connect with others regardless of their experiences.

Brandon Sewdass

Where are you from?:

Princeton, New Jersey

What is your intended major?:

Economics

Tell us about your path to GS:

Being a first-generation college student means that every step I take inherently comes with a steep learning curve and some trial and error. I started college at Penn State studying computer science, landed a software internship, and became an engineer on the Nittany Motorsports team. But those experiences helped me realize I was working toward a career path I didn't see myself pursuing long term. Eventually, I made the difficult decision to leave school entirely.

When I returned to college, I came back with the mindset of taking advantage of every opportunity I could grow from. That change led me to start a robotics club at my community college, become Vice President of Student Government, and pursue opportunities beyond campus. An internship with Mercer County introduced me to public service and ultimately led to my appointment to the Princeton Democratic Municipal Committee.

The learning curve has been steep, but each course correction has made me more intentional about where I am going next.

Why did you apply to GS?:

Taking time away from school gave me a real world reference point for the value of an education, and I wanted to be around other students who had come to appreciate that as well. GS was a place where my nontraditional path felt like an asset rather than a hindrance. I was also drawn to the combination of Columbia's academic rigor and GS's support for students who took a different route through higher education. More than anything, I liked that I would be entering a community where there is no single definition of what a college student is supposed to look like or how they are supposed to get here. It felt like a place where I could be ambitious without pretending that my path had always been perfectly planned.

What's the best advice you've received and how will you carry that with you throughout your GS journey?:

The best advice I have received is to learn how to learn, because no matter where you start, you can always work your way up. I have carried that mindset with me whenever I have stepped into something unfamiliar, and I plan to do the same at GS.

Elizabeth Picciallo

Where are you from?:

Cape Cod, MA

What is your intended major?:

Biology (pre-med)

Tell us about your path to GS:

From DJ to Dr. I've worked in the music industry for the past 20 years, but have always been interested in science and health. I started taking courses at community college to pursue a career in medicine and am thrilled to finish out my undergraduate degree at Columbia GS.

Why did you apply to GS?:

GS is for people who have taken an unconventional path. At GS, my diverse background is viewed as an asset rather than a challenge to overcome.

What's the best advice you've received and how will you carry that with you throughout your GS journey?:

The best advice I've received is to let go of fear and just go for it. Taking things one step at a time makes overwhelming goals achievable, and putting in the work makes the process meaningful.

Is there anything else about your GS Story that you’d like to share?:

Going from community college to the Ivy League is achievable.