<p>
Great athletes usually have more than just innate athletic talent. To perform athletically at the highest levels, you also need discipline, self-confidence, the ability to learn from coaching, the desire to compete, and a strong desire to win. These are characteristics that can also lead to success in fields other than athletics.</p>
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Depends on how you define terms like “successful” and “do better”.</p>
<p>It is widely believed that the more athletically-inclined graduates of Ivies, top LACs, etc. are more likely to enter fields like business or finance after graduation. The more academically-inclined graduates are more likely to pursue careers as professors, scientists, writers, or artists.</p>
<p>Both may be successful, in different ways. But guess which ones ultimately contribute more to the college endowment.</p>