Starting Over at Trinity: Felix Schmidt ‘26’s Story

Sajja Ranjit ‘29

News Editor

When Felix Schmidt ’26 first arrived at Trinity College, the transition was far from easy: “I felt like nobody knew who I was,” Schmidt said in an interview with the Tripod. “I felt really alone in this new environment.”

After transferring to Trinity from the New Jersey Institute of Technology, where he competed as a Division I soccer player, Schmidt found himself navigating not only a new academic environment but also a personal shift. Leaving behind a close-knit community and the identity he had built as an athlete proved to be one of the most difficult decisions of his college career. “It was a hard decision. I had a huge community there, and leaving my friends behind was probably the hardest part,” Schmidt said.

Originally, Schmidt’s path had been defined by soccer. “My original goal was to play Division I soccer,” he explained. “But later on, I learned there are levels to this, and I realized I could use soccer to go to a strong academic school and push myself forward.” At Trinity, that realization marked the beginning of a transformation: “I realized I wasn’t chasing going pro anymore, I was chasing academics,” he said.

Still, the adjustment did not come overnight. Transferring mid-year made it difficult to break into established social circles, and Schmidt struggled to find his place during his first semesters on campus. “Even though I’m an extroverted person, it was very hard breaking out of my shell,” Schmidt said. Over time, however, that began to change. “Once I started finding myself again, I found this community that I now call home,” he said.

A key part of Schmidt’s experience at Trinity has been the access to academic and professional opportunities. Within his first semester, he began shadowing at Hartford Hospital’s Bone & Joint Institute, an experience made possible through Trinity’s network and proximity to major medical centers. “My first semester here, I was already shadowing — that was an instant opportunity,” Schmidt said. He later expanded those experiences, securing opportunities such as a student observer and volunteer at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City where he specialized in Inpatient Neurology for patients with major brain and spinal cord injuries. According to Schmidt, Trinity’s reputation played a meaningful role in opening those doors. “When I reached out to hospitals in New York, seeing Trinity on my application made a difference — they recognized the name,” he said.

Schmidt also participated in Trinity’s Health Fellows Program, where he gained both clinical and research experience. Initially unsure of his place among his peers, he quickly learned to lean into growth rather than comparison. “I didn’t feel like the smartest person in the room, but I was resilient,” he said. That resilience paid off. After completing the program, Schmidt was selected to return as a Teaching Assistant, mentoring other students interested in healthcare and research. 

Outside of academics, Schmidt pushed himself to explore entirely new interests, ones he had never imagined pursuing. “My whole life, I had very low confidence in myself so modeling was a way to step out of my comfort zone,” he said. He participated in the Caribbean Students Association’s (CSA) annual fashion show and performed Steven Shen ’26’s senior thesis play titled “Take a Breather,” experiences that challenged him to rethink how he saw himself.

“I never saw myself as an actor, I thought I was just an athlete,” he said. Those moments of growth became defining parts of his Trinity experience. “I want to look back on my college days and say ‘Yeah, I did that,’” Schmidt laughed. 

A defining part of Schmidt’s experience at Trinity has been the close-knit nature of the campus community. For him, the smaller environment made it easier to build meaningful relationships and find support during both the highs and lows of his journey. “Trinity being a small campus allowed me to connect with so many people,” Schmidt said. “If I ever feel down or feel the highs, I can easily talk to anyone — it gave me an amazing support system.”

Schmidt also credits several members of the Trinity community for playing a significant role in his success, including Kristen Noone, deputy athletic director, who consistently checked in on him despite her demanding role. “Although she has a massive role, she never failed to say hi and check in on me,” Schmidt said. “She was a great support system, especially during the grad school process.” He also highlighted the impact of President Daniel G. Lugo, noting his encouragement and presence on campus. “He would always check in on me and make sure I was doing well,” Schmidt said. “I cannot thank him enough for his support.”

Throughout his journey, Schmidt credits much of his development to the support he received from coaches, faculty and peers. “My coaches always asked how I was doing academically, and it really showed how they cared about my future beyond the field,” he said.

As his time at Trinity comes to a close, Schmidt is preparing for the next chapter: pursuing a Doctor of Physical Therapy at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, a decision shaped by both opportunity and personal connection. “Miami was my dream school and they were the most supportive throughout the process,” he said.

Reflecting on his journey, from uncertainty to confidence and success, Schmidt emphasizes the importance of taking risks and trusting one’s instincts. “Follow your heart. Sometimes you have to leave what’s familiar to go further in life,” he said. For Schmidt, that decision ultimately led him not just to new opportunities, but to a place he now calls home. 

“I would choose Trinity every single time,” he said.