<p>I am an international student-athlete who has been heavily recruited by many US universities. I have narrowed down my search to The University of Michigan and Stanford University. I have visited both schools already, and I love them both so so much!!! Stanford has been my dream school ever since I can remember, but I am getting really good vibes from Michigan. However, I am still unsure about whether or not I can get into Stanford. I am getting a little bit of lee-way from admissions, since I am Stanford's top recruit and an international. I have excellent marks in school, but I have struggled a bit with the SATs. I did apply early to Stanford, and I should know if I get in by November 1, however, the Michigan coach does not know if he can hold my scholarship for that long.... Both are full rides so waiting on Stanford may be risky. I know that I will be happy at either school, but I do not know what to do! This has kept me up at night for the last few nights, and I just need some outside advice. I know this is a 'first world problem,' but I am seriously struggling here, so any advice would be awesome! Thanks!</p>
<p>Speaking as someone who grew up in the bay area by Stanford its a no brainer to me!!!
Palo Alto is an amazing place and Stanford is top notch. What time of year did you visit Michigan? Probably not middle of winter when you would be freezing your you know what off… if your sport is outside well California is definitely a better choice. If you are highly recruited I would not worry too much about Michigan not holding on to your scholarship. Sounds like the coach is trying to get you to commit. If your dream school is Stanford give it a chance to work. Sounds like you would have plenty to fall back on even if Michigan could not hold your spot. What country are you from as well? Are you accustomed to temp extremes? Keep it in mind… Good luck.</p>
<p>If Stanford is your top choice, give it some time to work itself out. As a top recruit, you have more status than you realize. Stanford does not like to lose top recruits! If it does not work out for you there, Michigan will be happy to have you. This is called the recruiting dance. Best of luck to you.</p>
<p>IMHO you only get one shot at this, and you should take your best shot at Stanford. In my mind, there is Stanford at the top and then the second level niche for top academic and athletic mix (Ivys, Michigan, Vanderbilt, UCLA, Virginia, Northwestern, Duke, etc…). If it were me or my son, I would take any shot I could get at Stanford and then deal with any fall out later. If both schools are recruiting you heavily as top recruits, it probably won’t be that hard to find another similar school should Michigan fall through. Being a top recruit should help you sleep better.</p>
<p>^^agree with above. You only get one shot at Stanford…be patient. Remember, Stanford accepts the best minds and the best athletes in the world…</p>
<p>…and as everyone knows…once you are done playing your “sport” (and injuries do “happen”) in college, Olympics, or the professional leagues…you are left with your “degree” from college which will last a lifetime…which degree do you think will carry more sway…the one from Stanford or Michigan?</p>
<p>…Good luck. Hope your dreams come true!</p>
<p>I agree with you, Stanford is a dream… but since I am an athlete also, there is a lot more to consider than just school (even though school is obviously a huge factor). Oh and I am from Canada so Michigan weather is no big deal:) I will let you guys know where I end up. I think I am going to take your advice and wait as long as possible on Stanford…</p>
<p>^^You are making a wise decision…</p>
<p>Moreover…for any top intelligent student-athlete that is applying to different sports programs around the country this year or in the future should be asking the following questions…what is the graduation rate for the student-athletes in your particular sport (often graduation rates for basketball/football is very different than graduation rates for water-polo or crew)?..where do the athlete-graduates end up working at?..what jobs are they pursuing?..how do the schools support the students to be successful academically/career-wise outside of their “sports” activity?..do student-athletes go on to graduate schools (PhD, medical, law, business schools)?..can they become doctors, lawyers, professors, engineers, environmentalists, political activists?..can they become entrepreneurs?..can they become venture capitalists?..investment banking?..</p>
<p>…many universities that only emphasize “sports” do a very POOR job of helping their athletes graduate…let alone pursue successful careers in “lucrative” professions outside of their sport…</p>
<p>…if you find that the student-athletes pursue the same type of majors and career choices as the non-athletes…that is a GREAT sign…</p>
<p>…these are very important questions to ask…things you should discuss with your parents, guidance counselors, trusted friends and advisers…the average athletic career is very short-lived for most athletes (no matter how great the athlete is)…it is what you do after you hang up your cleats…that determines your happiness for the rest of your life…</p>
<p>gravitas2. You are talking about Stanford and Michigan, not just some average universities.</p>
<p>I hope it’s not as simple as choosing Stanford over Michigan because it’s the “best” at combining academics and athletics. It might not be the best, academically, for your particular sport, depending on the academic vs athletic priorities of the team. Also, Michigan may be ranked higher in your sport, and that might be important to you. So OP, if you don’t mind, what is your sport? And are you good enough to carry on with the sport after college?</p>
<p>What province are you from? Stanford and Michigan are quite far apart, so it makes a difference for travel back home, and whether relatives will travel to watch you play, if that matters to you. If you’re from eastern Canada, for example, Michigan may be preferable for those reasons.</p>
<p>If you don’t mind, what are your ballpark SATs? This makes a difference. You noted that you may not be accepted to Stanford. Attaining a very good GPA is difficult at either school, but you might find more academic “comfort” at one school or the other. You have to ask yourself where you are likely to fit academically at each school. What is your intended major? Are you interested in business (Ross) as a major?</p>
<p>Also, if you are Stanford’s top recruit, where are you realistically in the pecking order at Michigan? Could it be that the Michigan coach is just trying to force your hand? Probably, but that’s something you have to twist out of him. </p>
<p>What made you narrow it down to these two (great) schools? Do you still have other options? What happens if Stanford is a no-go academically, and the Michigan coach was telling the truth about waiting on the scholarship? Perhaps there’s an equally good or better fit for you elsewhere. I’m not trying to confuse or scare you, but it never hurts to have options.</p>
<p>I hope you will hold out for Stanford. Son is a 1st year student athlete at Stanford, and I am happy to report that he is allowed to be exactly that…a STUDENT-athlete. He is taking a rigorous STEM-heavy course load, and while he is very busy trying to balance school and sport, he is deliriously happy with his overall experience. He also has plenty of company on the team as far as players who are serious students and athletes. Stanford was one of the few schools in the country that had several starters doing (and excelling in!) STEM majors…I would say even more than at several Ivies he considered. This is a sport which is NOT traditionally a high-GPA sport in college or high school. Congratulations on putting yourself in this position.</p>
<p>Weather ONLY wise:</p>
<p>If you want to freeze your buns off, go to Michigan. </p>
<p>If you want to have temperate weather all year long, go to Stanford.</p>
<p>Stanford is as close as it gets to being a perfect school, especially for an athlete! Stanford hands down. The social and academic environments are great, and so is the weather. If you are interested in IT or entrepreneurship, then it’s a no-brainer too.</p>
<p>There are a lot of little things that are easier at Stanford than other places, that we did not initially realize. For one thing, even though the academic calendar has some downsides, it works much better for sports in that the students are still on campus for classes during championship times. At other schools, the athletes may have to stay behind for breaks and after classes end in the spring if you play a spring sport. Also, Stanford pays for all athletic costs, like summer training camps. That is not true of every school. In addition, they cover any sports-related medical costs that remain after charging your private insurance. Again, not true for every school. Especially as a Canadian with socialized medicine, I would check in how healthcare would work for you at both schools. You will need MRI’s and X-rays and physical therapy at some point.</p>
<p>Is it even a contest? Stanford hands down. They are leagues apart, anytime someone has the opportunity to attend Stanford, they shouldn’t even have to consider it! </p>
<p>Good luck.</p>
<p>You aren’t even getting into Stanford for sure. Find out if you get in first, then make a decision.</p>
<p>Would really suck to dream about going to Stanford then not even get in…</p>
<p>What sport by the way?</p>
<p>Stanford or Michigan? or 10 Dimes or a Dollar bill? Sounds like you are comparing 2 top notch university’s that with either you will not make a wrong choice.</p>
<p>My bigger issue is a Full-ride for an international student athlete. Will cleeges cutting athletic $$$ this just rubs me the wrong way</p>