Where Did Simone Biles Go to College?

It should be no surprise that many talented athletes are also accomplished students. Simone Biles has earned her place as the most decorated gymnast in history with 32 Olympic and World Championship medals. Many fans ask about her college education while she pursued her extraordinary athletic career.

The Olympic champion’s educational path is different by a lot from typical college experiences. She originally committed to UCLA but later moved to online education that worked better with her packed schedule. Elite athletes often adjust their educational goals to line up with their professional careers.

This piece covers Simone Biles’ complete educational experience, starting from her early homeschooling years through her time at the University of the People. Her story shows how she balanced her academic goals while achieving athletic excellence.

Early Education and Homeschooling Journey

Simone Biles stood at a crossroads that would shape her academic path and gymnastics career before she started her higher education. She began her schooling at Benfer Elementary School in Harris County, Texas. Back then, she was just another student – all but one thing set her apart: her extraordinary gymnastics talent.

From Public School to Homeschooling

Life changed for Biles in 2012 when she switched from traditional schooling to homeschooling. The 13-year-old gymnast spent an entire weekend wrestling with this choice. Her grandfather believed a Christian homeschool experience would work best, especially since she missed many classes due to competitions.

Balancing Education with Elite Training

Homeschooling revolutionized Biles’ training schedule. Her weekly training hours jumped from 20 to 32. The new schedule included:

• Private tutoring sessions
• Flexible study hours
• Increased gym time
• Individual-specific learning approach

The arrangement boosted her athletic career, but Biles didn’t hide her social challenges. “I hated being homeschooled because I was a very social person and was lonely all the time,” she revealed.

Completing High School Requirements

Biles missed traditional high school moments like school dances and friend hangouts. Yet she stayed committed to both her academic and athletic goals. She and her mother Nellie created a system to set both short-term and long-term goals at the start of each year.

Her hard work paid off with a high school diploma in mid-2015. She later shared, “I got to travel and represent the country, so I really don’t think I’ve missed out on too much”. Her view shows how her educational choices perfectly matched her remarkable gymnastics achievements.

The UCLA Chapter That Never Was

The gymnastics world buzzed with excitement in 2014 when Simone Biles signed her national letter of intent to attend UCLA. The champion was just 17 years old and seemed ready to join the Bruins’ prestigious gymnastics program, just like many Olympic greats before her.

Original Commitment to UCLA

November 2014 marked Biles’s official commitment to UCLA, and she planned to start after the 2016 Rio Olympics. Her choice made perfect sense. UCLA’s impressive track record with Olympic athletes spoke for itself. The Bruins’ gymnastics program had already welcomed several Olympic medalists:

• Jordyn Wieber (2012 gold medalist)
• Samantha Peszek (2008 silver medalist)
• Mohini Bhardwaj (2004 silver medalist)

Why She Chose UCLA Originally

UCLA offered more than just academics. The university had become a magnet for elite gymnasts. Members from each of the previous four U.S. Olympic women’s gymnastics teams had chosen UCLA. This legacy and the school’s academic reputation made UCLA seem perfect for Biles.

The Professional Decision

Life had other plans. Biles found herself at a crossroads as the 2016 Olympics approached. “Things got crazy. I traveled so much,” she told Voice of America. She made a bold move on July 29, 2015, and turned professional, which meant giving up her NCAA eligibility to compete for UCLA.

Breaking the news to UCLA’s coach Valorie Kondos Field wasn’t simple. Biles’s book “Courage to Soar” reveals she tried to avoid the conversation and asked her mom to make the call. Coach Val’s response brought relief. She understood completely and assured Biles she could always return to the UCLA Bruins after her professional career.

Biles later shared on Instagram that “it was a hard choice at the time, but it taught me important lessons about trusting myself”. This decision changed everything. She focused entirely on her professional career and became one of history’s most decorated gymnasts.

Transition to Online Education

Simone Biles made a life-changing decision in 2018. She turned down UCLA and enrolled at the University of the People (UoPeople). This choice started a new chapter in her academic trip, showing that the best path isn’t always the traditional one.

Choosing University of the People

The Olympic champion picked UoPeople because it matched her unique needs perfectly. “University of the People opened up an opportunity for me that didn’t otherwise exist, accommodating the flexibility I need to fit in my college studies around my career,” Biles explained. UoPeople stood out as the world’s first non-profit, tuition-free, accredited American online university.

Benefits of Online Learning for Athletes

Elite athletes like Biles face several challenges that online education solves:

• Knowing how to complete lessons anytime – early morning, late night, or weekends
• Freedom to study while traveling for competitions
• No compromise between training schedules and education
• Time to rest properly between practices

Biles needed this flexibility to balance her intense training with studies. “It’s a juggling act and you need to stay focused and committed,” she shared about her packed schedule.

Adapting to Virtual Classes

UoPeople was built for online learning from day one, unlike many schools that rushed to adapt during the pandemic. Students like Biles benefited from a 5-year-old virtual learning environment with experienced faculty support and personal guidance.

Biles took on a bigger role in the UoPeople community. She became a Global Ambassador and created the Simone Biles Legacy Scholarship Fund to help students from foster care backgrounds. “I truly think that everyone should have access to high-quality higher education no matter who they are or where they are from,” Biles emphasized.

UoPeople’s influence reaches way beyond the reach and influence of athletes. The university serves over 12,000 students from more than 200 countries and territories. This global community gave Biles something special – a chance to earn her degree while inspiring others to follow their dreams.

Pursuing Business Administration

Simone Biles grabbed headlines after her soaring win at the Rio Olympics. This time the spotlight shined on her decision to pursue a business administration degree at the University of the People. Her achievements in both gymnastics and academics continue to inspire many.

Why Business Administration?

Business excellence runs deep in the Biles family. The gymnastics superstar told VOA News, “I’ve always wanted to work in the business industry. My mom’s always worked in business and my brothers, too, and they’ve been very good at what they’ve done so hopefully I will, too”. She carves her own path while drawing inspiration from her family’s success.

Course Structure and Requirements

The University of the People program gave Biles a remarkable advantage – a tuition-free education with minimal exam fees. Students in the program enjoy several benefits:

• Flexible online classes
• Global learning community with 12,000+ students from 200+ countries
• No textbook costs
• Accredited degree program

Biles took an extra step beyond being a regular student. She stepped up as a Global Ambassador for the university and used her influence to help others access education, especially foster children. Her commitment to giving back shines through this role.

Managing Studies During Competition

Biles excels at juggling world-class gymnastics with college studies. “It’s a juggling act and you need to stay focused and committed,” she shared about her packed schedule. Her educational commitment mirrors her athletic dedication: “I feel like I’ve always been dedicated, and I never stopped until I got what I wanted. So being driven helps”.

Online learning flexibility proved vital during competition seasons. UoPeople’s structure allowed Biles to study around her intense training schedule, unlike traditional college programs. “University of the People opened up an opportunity for me that didn’t otherwise exist, accommodating the flexibility I need to fit in my college studies around my career,” she explained.

Most college students worry about tuition fees, but UoPeople’s innovative model requires students to pay only minimal exam fees. This modern approach to higher education shows how busy athletes can balance their careers with education effectively.

Academic Achievements and Future Goals

The world’s most decorated gymnast isn’t just collecting medals – she’s building an empire! Simone Biles has started making waves in the business world while pursuing her business administration degree at the University of the People.

Completing Her Degree

Biles’s role as a Global Ambassador for UoPeople goes beyond her own education. Her 2-year old Simone Biles Legacy Scholarship Fund creates opportunities for students from foster care backgrounds. “Being a foster child myself, and knowing what it means to have the odds stacked against you, I decided to give a hand in opening this scholarship fund for foster kids and others and hope others will join me,” she shared.

Business Skills in Athletics

From gymnastics to entrepreneurship, Biles excels at everything! She applies her sports lessons to business success. “When everybody does their part, they succeed together,” she explained about the importance of teamwork in both athletics and business.

Her business achievements stand out:

• Partnership with Athleta to design activewear
• Launch of collections for Athleta Girls
• New restaurant venture at her hometown airport

This gymnastics queen follows the path of other athlete-entrepreneurs and draws inspiration from stars like Shaquille O’Neal who made the leap from sports to business. Her Athleta partnership means more than business – it lets her design collections with motivational phrases like “Because I Can” and “Courage Is Your Superpower”.

Future Educational Plans

Biles expands her business empire while preparing for the Paris 2024 Olympics. Her newest venture, “Taste of Gold” restaurant, showcases her foodie side: “I am a foodie at heart, and our hope with Taste of Gold is to offer a beautiful dining experience that features award-winning, signature menu items with some of my favorite flavors sprinkled in for our guests”.

The secret to her success? She brings her championship mindset from gymnastics. “I feel like I’ve always been dedicated, and I never stopped until I got what I wanted. So being driven helps,” Biles explained. She partners with brands that celebrate her complete identity as both athlete and entrepreneur, showing her commitment to enabling women.

Biles plans to spend more time with family and community in 2025. Yet this champion will likely add more achievements to her impressive story! She proves that success extends beyond perfect landings – it’s about creating a lasting legacy on and off the mat.

Where Did Simone Bile Go To College Frequently Asked Questions

Did Simone Biles go to UCLA?

Simone Biles initially committed to attend UCLA in 2014 to compete in college gymnastics. However, she later decided to forgo collegiate gymnastics in order to focus on her professional career. While she did not attend UCLA, she still received attention for her early commitment to the program.

Why did Simone Biles choose online education?

Simone Biles chose online education to accommodate her intense gymnastics training schedule. Since her athletic career required constant travel and competition, studying at an online institution allowed her to pursue higher education while maintaining her commitment to gymnastics. The flexibility of online learning allowed her to continue her studies without being tied to a traditional classroom schedule.

What degree did Simone Biles pursue?

Simone Biles pursued a degree in business administration. She enrolled at the University of the People, an online, tuition-free university, where she focused on obtaining a degree that would help her in her post-athletic career. Her choice reflects her interest in developing skills for future endeavors beyond gymnastics.

Is Simone Biles a University of the People graduate?

As of now, Simone Biles has not publicly confirmed whether she has graduated from the University of the People. She began her studies at the institution in 2018, and her enrollment is a testament to her dedication to education despite her demanding gymnastics career. However, her current graduation status remains unclear.

How did Simone Biles balance gymnastics and college?

Simone Biles balanced gymnastics and college by taking advantage of the flexibility offered by online education. Her rigorous gymnastics schedule, which included training, competitions, and travel, made it difficult to attend a traditional college. Online education allowed her to complete coursework on her own time, helping her maintain both her athletic career and her academic pursuits.

What is the University of the People?

The University of the People is a non-profit, accredited online university that offers tuition-free education. It provides accessible degree programs in fields such as business administration, computer science, and health science. Its mission is to offer high-quality education to individuals around the world, regardless of their financial background.

Did Simone Biles complete her college education?

It is not publicly confirmed whether Simone Biles has completed her college education yet. She has been enrolled at the University of the People, where she has been studying business administration. Given her ongoing athletic career and the demands of gymnastics, her educational timeline may have been extended, and her graduation status is not clearly documented.

What is Simone Biles’ major?

Simone Biles’ major is business administration. She chose this field of study at the University of the People to prepare for a future career after gymnastics. Her major reflects her interest in acquiring skills related to management, entrepreneurship, and leadership.

Why did Simone Biles choose the University of the People?

Simone Biles chose the University of the People for its flexibility and tuition-free structure. As a professional gymnast, she needed a learning environment that allowed her to continue her education without interfering with her athletic commitments. The online format and affordability of the University of the People made it an ideal choice for her.