Hi guys,
I’m a varsity athlete, and recently got accepted into Columbia University and University of Michigan. I want to study applied physics or applied mathematics, and was wondering whether I should go to Columbia University or University of Michigan. Though money will not be an issue for my family, for University of Michigan, I was offered a 4-year full ride scholarship. Would it be worth the academic rigor to go to Columbia University? Would I make better connections going to Columbia University, or would University of Michigan give me the same opportunity as the life in the Big Apple?
I assume you have received an athletic scholarship at UM.
Depending on your sport, be realistic about what your goals are, what is allowed versus what’s promised by the coaches at UM. In the ivies, your academic mission is clear and has weight. Team pressures at Big10, esp for a full scholarship player – may have you facing an uphill battle to achieve applied physics or applied mathematics.
If you were my kid, I’d tell you to find some Juniors or Seniors in the same team who are heavy science/math majors. Do they exist? And if they do, are they starters or full scholarship guys? Or were there other math-sci guys who got onto the team as freshmen but converted to less strenuous majors b/c it detracted from athletic focus?
yeah, you are very true!
Thank you so much for the replies. I contacted some people on the team, and hopefully they’ll be able to give me answers that would allow me to make an informed decision.