<p>i have heard both ends of the spectrum...D1 is like a full-time job, you will have to give up your social life. also i've heard that athletes are some of the biggest partiers and that they respect that you have important academics to take care of. so does anybody have first hand (athlete yourself or know an athlete) experience, especially at very good schools (ivies, etc.)? FYI i'm a lacrosse player</p>
<p>it really depends on the school... some "very good" schools cut their big time athletes a lot of slack. Some don't. Generally, the bigger the sports program, the more slack the athletes will get, in and out of the classroom.</p>
<p>At my school, the athletes do party, but they work very hard too. Linemen from the football team graduate with the intent to go to Law School, things like that. Probably the same at the Ivies. Probably not the same at top D1 programs at good schools.</p>
<p>Some schools have student-athletes, big time schools have athlete-students. Athletes at the Ivies and like schools are there for the education first. Hopkins Lacrosse and UCLA Basketball players are there for their sports first.</p>