Name: Julia Jongejeugd
Date of birth: May 2, 2003
Sports: Track & Field
University: Princeton University
Placed: Fall 2022
Julia’s ambitions
Julia Jongejeugd is the perfect example of a student-athlete who gets everything out of her sport and studies. The Dutch heptathlete and hurdler began her athletics career with a focus on throwing and jumping events. Only later did she discover her talent for the hurdles. From then on, things went fast: in 2018, she joined the Horde OLV regional training center, where she grew at lightning speed under the guidance of three top coaches. Her hard work paid off with impressive achievements, such as the national U18 title in the heptathlon and a final spot in the 100m hurdles at the U18 National Championships.
But Julia had bigger ambitions. In addition to her athletic goals, she pursued academic excellence. As a top student in VWO with outstanding grades (averaging between 8 and 9), an SAT score of 1370 and a TOEFL score of 100, she knew she could aim for the very best universities. Her goal? To study at an Ivy League school while continuing to perform at a high level in athletics.
From the Netherlands to an Ivy League University
The search for the right university was a challenging process. Julia had several offers in her pocket, but her focus was on a top academic institution. After invitations from Harvard and Princeton, among others, her choice finally fell on Princeton University. The deciding factor? The strong click with the coach and the university’s quick turnaround in the process. Extra special was that later Shantell Kwofie, another Slamstox athlete, also joined Princeton.
Since her move to the U.S., Julia has once again proven her talent. In 2025, she became an Ivy League champion in the pentathlon and has already broken several Ivy League records. The transition to the American system took some getting used to at first, but now she feels completely at home. With her perseverance, talent and humility, Julia is an inspiration to many. What next? Julia continues to push her limits, both academically and athletically.
Like Julia, would you like to combine athletics with your studies in America? Then schedule a free introductory meeting now !
