<p>Because I'm in this situation. I've been accepted to Carnegie Mellon University, a great school, as a recruit. I never considered that school because I didn't think I would fit in. But the oppurtunity presented itself a few days after the deadline and I ended up applying on January 10th or something. Most of my other schools and my top 3 choices before I even applied to CMU were UNC, UVA, and UMCP. Big public schools with solid athletic programs. And I've already been accepted to UNC, a school that I love, but my parents want me to go to CMU because they want to see that all this time and commitment has paid off. How should I go by this decision?</p>
<p>What are the chances you will be a starter, or is that even important to you? Are you planning to play this sport professionally? Will you get a full ride all 4 years, or partial? Can your family afford CMU if you decide to quit the sport but stay at CMU? I assume you were not recruited for the other mentioned schools so getting any money from them, like merit money?</p>
<p>First of all, congratulations. All three schools that you had anticipated choosing between are really great, and yes, CMU will be a different kind of experience. However, I must say that, as a parent, I am in agreement with your parents. CMU is an outstanding school, and if they have courses that fit with your interests, I myself would recommend seizing this opportunity. Also, Pittsburgh is a very easy place to live! Being able to use your athletics to catapult you into the best academic situation possible is a pretty great thing - and again, I am not trying to take away from the other, all excellent, state colleges you mentioned - !</p>
<p>What do you want to study? My S interviewed at CMU, and he and I loved it-there is so much exciting stuff going on there-he decided not to go-went ED to Midd, but it was in his top 5.
Pittsburgh is great, too. Lots of fun, and all the students/classes/activities at Pitt are open to you , too. Plus its a great sports town!Love those Steelers!What else could a boy ask for? Go on an overnight before you reject it. I think you’ll find you can “fit in”.</p>
<p>Congrats. My understanding of CMU is that it is an excellent academic school that partcipates as a Division III school in Athletics. As a DIII school, their ability to recruit is based on admission to the school. They do not give athletic scholarships. I’m not clear on how you were admitted as ED, EA or regular decision (April 15) according to their website. If you were accepted ED then you are “bound” to go there for at least your freshman year. If you were accepted EA or RD, then you have choices.</p>
<p>I think you need to have a heart to heart with your parents about what your academic & athletic goals and passions are. If you are not passionate about becoming a student/athlete, then they need to know this. I’m going to guess that you will not be a student/athlete at UNC, UVA, as these are extemely competitive Division 1 athletic programs. Being a student/athlete is a HUGE committment. After my son and I visited a college, I always asked him if he could go to school there without playing baseball. This was the one question that determined if the college stayed on the “list”. Athletes get hurt, coaches change, etc… You can search this website for many stories that discuss how athletes stayed at their school despite their athletic career being over as well as stories about student transferring because their sole decision was to play sports at a particular school. Neither is right or wrong, it is just a matter of priority and perspective.</p>
<p>The other big point to this is exactly what others have pointed out above…what do you want to major in? If engineering, there aren’t many better than CMU. If other studies, then you need to find the school that best fits your long term interest. If that college can include your sport as a club sport that may be an option as well. But I think you need to sit down with your parents to set priorities and next steps. </p>
<p>Thank you everybody for all the advice. It’s giving me stuff to think about. I think I’m going to make me choice based on “fit.” Carnegie’s definitely going to be different from my other choices, so I’m going to focus on whether I would want to be there if I couldn’t play soccer. Because as mentioned, I could get hurt, cut, or coaches could change and I could be unhappy. When I visit CMU in two weeks it will make this decision easier. </p>
<p>Secondly, Financial Aid will be another bg factor. I know CMU isn’t very great as far as aid, but we’ll just wait and see. Unless it ends up being cheaper than UMCP (which is instate) or UNC (which is relatively cheap for OOS), it would be hard to choose CMU.) Plus, since I can’t get an athletic scholarship at D3 school, that’s not an option.</p>
<p>Thirdly, I plan on majoring in Com Sci or Com Engr. Both of which are excellent at CMU, and the other schools as well. UNC (which is my top choice) is top 20 in com sci and the difference between top 20 schools really is negligible. For me, fit will be more important than program rankings.</p>
<p>Next, do have a passion for soccer. But I know I won’t be going pro. I think I could enjoy playing club at UNC just as much or more as playing varsity at CMU. </p>
<p>Overall, I think unless I fall in love with CMU when I visit, I think I will end up at UNC. A school I know I will enjoy, won’t put me in any debt (or a little if anything), and will put me in a good position for grad school. If anyone else has anything to contribute or thinks I’m not considerng something that I should be, please don’t hesitate to tell me.</p>