Eileen Gu is not only a force to be reckoned with in the skiing world but also boasts an impressive academic background. Her accolades on the slopes include four Olympic medals and three World Championships medals. Gu made her Olympic debut at the 2022 Beijing Games, where she dominated all three freeski competitions, claiming gold in the big air and halfpipe events and silver in slopestyle.
Her triumph in 2022 made her the first freestyle skier to win three medals at a single Games and the youngest Olympic freestyle skiing champion. Born to an American father and a Chinese mother in San Francisco, California, Gu started skiing at the tender age of three. She showcased her talent by winning the junior group championship in the USA Snowboard and Freeski Association at just nine years old.
In 2019, Gu announced her decision to compete for the People’s Republic of China. Beyond her skiing achievements, Gu also has a strong academic inclination. Let’s delve into her educational journey.
Eileen Gu’s educational journey began at the University of San Francisco, where she attended high school after completing her primary and middle school at the Katherine Delmar Burke School. Gu achieved an exceptional SAT score of 1580 out of 1600 and became the first student in her school’s history to graduate a year early.
Currently, Gu is pursuing a degree in quantum physics at Stanford University. After gaining admission in 2020, she joined the freshman class in 2022, majoring in international relations.
Apart from her academic pursuits, Gu is a full-time enthusiast of her hobbies and passions. During her time at the University of San Francisco, she joined the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority and made waves in the fashion industry by modeling for Sports Illustrated, Time, and Vogue Hong Kong. She also graced the runways of Milan, Shanghai, Paris, and New York. Gu temporarily paused her studies to focus on training for the 2026 Winter Olympics.
In 2024, Gu participated in an exchange program at Oxford University in England as part of the Stanford Bing Overseas Studies Program. She engaged in various extracurricular activities, including joining societies like the cheese society, running, equestrian, polo, Oxford Union, and squash. Despite her busy schedule, Gu also found time to take an entrepreneurship and arts seminar, attend a creative nonfiction tutorial, and play the piano. Most recently, she won a silver medal in slopestyle at the 2026 Winter Games.
Eileen Gu’s journey exemplifies her dedication to both her athletic and academic pursuits, showcasing her versatility and excellence in all aspects of her life.
