<p>OK, I am a student in Montana. I am valedictorian, a two sport varsity athlete (basketball and football), and student body president. I have various other extracurriculars. I got a 32 on my ACT, and I have a 4.0 GPA unweighted (our school does not weight). I am a Native American, and I am very active in the Native American community.</p>
<p>Here’s my dilemma. I’ve received a full scholarship to Montana State University, which has a decent engineering program. I’ve been accepted at Notre Dame. I have no idea how much it will cost. I have been accepted at Stanford, with $40000 in need-based scholarships. My family would have no problem paying any of these costs.</p>
<p>I know this doesn’t even sound like a choice to any of you, but I have some legitimate concerns. I want to play D1 basketball, which I would be able to at Montana State University. I also like the “fit” of Notre Dame. I am visiting Stanford on the 23rd. All of my friends are telling me they will be very angry if I do not choose Stanford over Notre Dame or Montana State. I’m still unsure. Am I crazy?</p>
<p>I say wait until you visit Stanford. If you want to be around a diverse population of really smart, fellow students who excel at academics as well as athletics, then you will love Stanford. You may be able to walk on to the football or basketball programs[ something to ask on the 23rd?], but know that at Stanford D1 students live and breathe their sport. There are tons of highly competitive intramural teams, and everywhere you go on campus students are outside participating in sports between classes. Their engineering program is top notch, as you well know.
What is it about ND that "fits’ you? Is Stanford the only one of the 3 acceptances that you haven’t visited?
Didn’t Mike Montgomery, the former Stanford BB coach, come from MSU?[ He was my next door neighbor 10 years ago, when he first moved down from Montana.]</p>
<p>Visit Stanford, and see what you think. If you feel you’d be happier at one of the other unis, then there’s no point you spending 4 years somewhere that will make you, personally, miserable. Not everyone is the same, so you have to make the decision that is right for you. Figure out which one fits best for what you want to do for the future, which location you like best, and which atmosphere you like best. Could you try out at a walk-on for basketball at one of the other universities? Consider all your options, decide what factors are most important to you, and make your decision based on that. Plus, you could always transfer! :)</p>
<p>YES! You absolutely are crazy!
GO TO STANFORD!
It would only cost 16 thousand more over four years!
You could make that back the instant you got a job out of Stanford.
Really, there’s no decision to be made, man.</p>
<p>You would have so many more opportunities at Stanford, and if you didn’t go, you would always regret it!</p>
<p>I don’t think it is completely crazy to choose Notre Dame over Stanford, but I do question your sanity if you choose Montana State. Just being honest…</p>