<p>Hi everybody.
Here's my dilemma:
I go to a prestigious Catholic high school in California, and I have maintained my grades very nicely (Freshman year: 4.0, Sophomore year: 4.5 Junior year: 4.6) and I hope to go to either Vanderbilt, Wake Forest, UNC, Emory or William & Mary. I really like these schools because of the locations, class sizes, prestigious names, and all five can help me get into the law schools I hope to. But my cheerleading coach has other plans for me. She would like to me to attend University of Alabama (#2 cheer team in the nation) on a Cheerleading Scholarship. I absolutely love the sport and wish I could do it forever but I know I can't. It is one thing I excel at I do hope to continue in to do so in college no matter what. But I'm not sure Bama is right for me. If I attend the Honors College there will I receive the same feel I would at somewhere like Wake? Also, my Grandfather, who is a professor at USC has offered to help with my tuition if I go to Vanderbilt, Wake Forest, UNC, Emory or William & Mary. But I'm not sure he would approve of me going to U of A. Is there a way I can make myself, cheer coach and Grandfather happy?</p>
<p>Between you, your grandfather, and your cheer coach, their rank of ultimate importance in your life is as follows:</p>
<ol>
<li> You</li>
</ol>
<p>(gap)</p>
<ol>
<li> Grandpa</li>
</ol>
<p>(Huge gap)</p>
<ol>
<li> Cheer coach</li>
</ol>
<p>Do first and foremost what is right for you. It’s your life, not your grandfather’s, and <em>certainly</em> not your coach’s. Go the college that fits YOU best and will best help you achieve YOUR goals.</p>
<p>You understand that cheerleading is not the rest of your life. You’ve obviously worked very hard on your academics your entire life. Decide which is more important to you. Your coach can give you good advice; take it. She could probably find a school that is a good academic fit and a decent cheer school. UA is a backup school for someone with your GPA, so definitely apply anyway, and visit. Maybe you’d really like it. Otherwise, a compromise might be in order. Of the schools you really like, which would be best for cheerleading? Do all schools even have it?</p>
<p>If you are a good enough cheerleader to cheer for the #2 cheer team in the nation, then I imagine you are good enough to cheer at the other schools you mentioned. My daughter attends Vanderbilt, and I can tell you they have both an active cheer squad and dance team. </p>
<p>Since it doesn’t sound like you are dependent on the scholarship funds to attend college, I would go where your gut takes you. </p>
<p>That said, if its feasible, there is no harm in visiting Alabama and its honors college to see how it feels to you.</p>
<p>How is your college decision any of cheer coach’s business?</p>