<p>To the veteran parents of Ivy League students:
I'm just wondering how the middle class, public school educated, small town student athlete fits in at an Ivy League school? After researching CC, I'm beginning to worry that my S will be completely out of his element. How did your kids adjust?</p>
<p>^ I’m not sure what on CC led you to the impression that a middle class, public school educated, small town student athlete wouldn’t fit in. I would wager that middle class public school kids make up one of the biggest demographics at any Ivy League school.</p>
<p>Well I suppose it depends on the kid and the school. Our middle class, public school student athlete is very happy. It’s a lot of work, to be sure, but the elitist Ivy League stereotype has proven to be unfounded.</p>
<p>We’ve always heard that the “Hardest” part of getting into an Ivy is…well… getting in. Most kids do great once they are admitted! Just look at the retention rate… most are 95%+</p>
<p>My “middle class, public school educated, small town student athlete” son fits in better at his Ivy League school than he did at his small town public high school.</p>
<p>He’s happy, it’s a perfect fit, and I believe his life will be richer for the experience.</p>
<p>The fact that he’s a student first and an athlete second helps.</p>
<p>I am glad to hear your positive responses. My son had a great time on his OV and is 100% confident on his decision. Having not been there myself and living 2500 miles away, I’m afraid I am guilty of the perception of the Ivy League elitist. I’m glad that I am wrong. How have your kids managed the rigorous academics while being a college athlete? Have they had difficulty keeping up with their peers? Has it been really competitive?</p>
<p>Reporting in for another happy, middle class, public high school, Ivy athlete. I think one of the benefits of our S’s school is that he has made friends with a very diverse range of kids, some of whom have more money than we can even dream of, but others who are pinching all their pennies. He has happily felt in the middle on that spectrum.</p>
<p>He’s been fine managing the academics and athletics, but knew that that combination was what he wanted out of college. He probably would have a difficult time adding many other activities, though he has had a small job most semesters (under 8 hrs a week). His high school years were actually more taxing in terms of time commitments because he was in school so many more hours and had a lengthy commute. </p>
<p>Sounds like your S is pretty sure of his choice - I’d trust his judgment - it has been a wonderful opportunity for our S.</p>
<p>happygal, he’s joining a lot of kids from similar backgrounds to his own. However, part of the fun for my daughter has been getting to know people with truly extraordinary stories. There is no typical Ivy student, except that every one of them seems to have some amazing gift, like a smooth, polished, warm stone they keep hidden in their pocket. Usually you have to ask more than once, and only after you’ve earned their trust, before you get to know what that gift is. Three years later, she continues to be amazed and delighted by her peers.</p>
<p>
They say you can have sports, academics, and/or a social life. Pick any two. There is definitely some truth to that. Rather than “Work hard. Play hard.”, it’s more “Work hard. Work hard.”
In S’s case, no.
No, from what he tells me, most of the students work hard and cooperatively.</p>
<p>I don’t want to give the wrong impression, though. S tells me there are a few athletes (and a few non-athletes,too) who take the easiest courses possible, don’t take their academics seriously, and basically live to see how much alcohol and sex they can fit into four years.</p>
<p>Our experience so far has been great diversity (socially, racially, religiosly, econcomically)on his Ivy campus. Sometimes a little too much diversity than what he was used to growing up. Just like everything else, he has adjusted and is loving his college experience. These kids are extremely bright, and most (that I’ve seen) would be playing D1 sports somewhere else if not at their chosen Ivy. </p>
<p>I agree with Sherpa’s statement about “picking two” (sport, academics, social) but we knew that coming into it. Especially if it is a challenging major. Social is definetly running in third place right now because of the academic and athletic demands.</p>