<p>First, Congratulations! It is awesome that you have this very difficult choice (even though it may not seem so awesome at this time because you actually have to make the decision, lol). </p>
<p>When I first read the title to your thread I thought to myself Is this poster kidding? Your thread title made it seem like one school was NOT very good academically, but your post clarified that both schools are very good academic schools, and that makes a big difference. </p>
<p>As a general matter, I am one of those posters you referred to who believes its never a good idea to choose a school solely based on athletics unless the student-athletes primary goal is to go pro (aka, this is your future career) and there is a pretty good indication that he actually has the talent to get there, and that the school is a high exposure school at which he will actually get to play and get exposure. But with that said, I also dont believe its that cut and dried. </p>
<p>I trust you have visited both schools and like them equally? The most important thing to consider is where you think you will be the happiest. This will be your home for 4 years. You need to be happy there or everything else will suffer. </p>
<p>The second thing you need to consider is how important the opportunity to play college sports is to you. You have indicated that your sport is very important to you and you really want to play it, but you have not indicated that either school has even expressed an interest in you becoming a part of the team. Re: school 1: has the coach been in contact with you, offered you a spot on the team even though athletic scholarship $ may not be available (you don’t state division or if it’s Ivy conference but I’ll assume it’s a school w no athletic $)? Will you actually get to play? If playing at the collegiate level (not club) is very important to you, and you will actually have the opportunity to do it while at the same time graduating with some exceptional paper (a degree from a prestigious institution), then Id lean toward school 1.</p>
<p>Re: school 2: I have to assume you are a senior since you have been accepted and must make the decision. If this DI coach hasnt actively recruited you by now then its not happening at this point. That money was allocated a long time ago, despite the fact that NLI didnt happen until this winter. You will still have the opportunity to try-out for a walk-on and if you make it (and they keep you the following year), $ “may” be offered, but this is so rare (on both accounts). Many of these schools will have that money committed to the next crop of new recruits already. And, if you are lucky enough to make the team, will you even play? Would you really be happy putting in all of this extra effort just to be a practice player who never sees any time, (and this is even assuming you can make the team)? Or, would you be content going to this great sports school as a fan, for its incredible school spirit and perhaps try out for the club team? If playing club (and some great athletes dont even make the club teams at DI schools), but if playing club, being in this great atmosphere, getting a very good education and walking out with prestigious paper at the end will make you just as happy, then Id lean toward school 2 with the academic aid.</p>
<p>The bottom line, you need to do a personal “wish list” to decide: write out the pros and cons for both schools. I think doing this will detract you from the problem you stated you have been facing of not thinking clearly because the DI sports program keeps creeping into your thoughts. Pen to paper will force you to focus on more than that and will hopefully guide you to what is really the most important to you. </p>
<p>Congratulations and good luck. Please come back and let us know what you decide.</p>