Stanford or Michigan?

Dunboyne
Wed, 16 Oct 2013 10:36:25 +0000

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?

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.

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?

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.

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.