He matriculated in 2005 at Christ Church, Oxford where he studied cardiac energetics and earned a doctoral degree in 2010 from the Department of Physiology, Anatomy, and Genetics.

Both universities had extremely strong intakes that year, with Cambridge boasting several world champions and the Oxford crew including Olympic silver medallists Barney Williams and Jake Wetzel.

Schroeder won her first senior international vest in 2003 sitting in the three seat of the United States Coxless Four, which came 7th at the World Championships in Seville.

After taking a break from international rowing, Schroeder competed in the single scull at the World Championships at Dorney Lake, Eton, finishing 12th.

Keeping the same lineup from the gold-medal World Cup boat, Schroeder and teammates Scott Gault, Sam Stitt, and Matt Hughes went on to place 5th at the 2008 Beijing Olympics later in the summer.