Need help picking a college...please advise!

Here is the thing: Academics is always the number one priority when picking a college/university. That being said, it is hard to get an idea on the true strength of these colleges (in terms of education) with the way you described them.

If the MAC school has the stronger program for your intended major, I don't understand how it can be academically worse overall for you as a student. Additionally, if the MAC school is a public in-state school, you should really consider the lesser financial burden than paying for out-of-state tuition at the SEC school.

For running, you will likely be able to get more money from the MAC school (another plus). Also, the SEC teams, in general, tend to ruin great distance runners (except for maybe Ole Miss).

Bottom line, it sounds like the MAC school is the better option, but you should expand your search for other schools that may fit your needs.

Tl;dr: MAC school is the better option here, but look at other schools.

What are the costs for each school? How about your family finances? I strongly recommend taking a serious look at how long it will take to pay back loans. Make a spreadsheet, put in your estimates for loans(use any number of online calculators to help with interest rates, etc.), a starting salary, expenses, and go through the numbers. I've seen so many people ignore the true cost of loans and go to a school for some other reason, only to really regret it as they are paying back loans until their mid 30's or later.

Good luck.

I only competed for 3 years. Walk on at a d3 school without the family resources to go another year and double major to use my last year of eligibility. Do you want to be in college for 5 years, maybe yes if you're thinking about graduate study or something. Go to the mac school, redshirting blows, especially as a freshman, you lose interest and its not sexy sitting around campus doing a workout with the other redshirts or on your own while everyone else is off racing paul short or prenats or whatever.

Secondly, what if you get injured during your college career, you could break something or tear a tendon, whatever. If you've already used your red shirt year, you're sol and lose a season.

Oh ya and hot weather blows in the summer/early fall/late spring if you're thinking of one of the sec schools I'm thinking of. You can always train indoors in the winter if its too bad and in a cooler location you can run any time of the day. When I was suffering through southern summers, I would have given my firstborn son to be training up north.

In terms of your major, if you are going for something other than the big ticket majors (business at a top school, engineering (anywhere), computer science/programming), its best to go to one of the best schools for that major and work hard to make connections in your field so you can find employment post college.

kvothe wrote

In terms of your major, if you are going for something other than the big ticket majors (business at a top school, engineering (anywhere), computer science/programming), its best to go to one of the best schools for that major and work hard to make connections in your field so you can find employment post college.

I'd add that this applies mostly if you're in a field where your bachelor's degree will get you a job. If he's looking at Ball State exercise physiology for example, there's not going to be a big difference to his competitiveness for jobs by going there compared to someplace like Alabama or Ole Miss.

The higher ranked program in that case would help for grad school admissions if and only if he did research work for one of the big names in the higher ranked program. Otherwise I'd argue that the relative program strengths make no difference.

Thanks for the responses!

Both schools are out of state - I've spoken to both coaches and scholarship money is a possibility at both schools.

The MAC school's annual tuition is around $27,000

The SEC school's annual tuition is around $42,000.

The MAC school does not have a prestigious academic history. It only takes a 19 ACT to get in - but the program for my major is good. The SEC school is notable and looks good on a resume. I often think if, I were to change majors, I'd still be the right place because the school is academically strong.

The SEC school has been sort of a dream school for me since I was little. The MAC school has come on recently mainly because the coach seems like a great guy and I felt more comfortable there than some of the other MAC schools I visited years ago.

Could you possibly name the 2 schools? People may know certain good things about the program/coaches there that you may not know that could help your decision.

Helpppp wrote:

Could you possibly name the 2 schools? People may know certain good things about the program/coaches there that you may not know that could help your decision.

Hey - I don't feel comfortable doing that. I just think too many people read these boards and i don't want any of my prospective coaches to be criticized. Hope you understand.

College! wrote:

Helpppp wrote:

Could you possibly name the 2 schools? People may know certain good things about the program/coaches there that you may not know that could help your decision.

Hey - I don't feel comfortable doing that. I just think too many people read these boards and i don't want any of my prospective coaches to be criticized. Hope you understand.

Yes of course, totally understandble!

If you aren't getting big scholarship money, then widen your search as academics and the opportunities each school will allow post grad should be your main priority here. Vanderbilt is far and away the best SEC university by academic reputation IMO. I don't know much about the MAC schools, but places allowing in people with 19 ACT scores could lead to watered down classes. I'd say go to.Vanderbilt if that's your SEC choice or look elsewhere.

based on your description, I would go SEC school: you may think you are sure about what you want to study now, but things can change in college.

also, if it is a bigger school with more funding that will probably add to your athletic experience even if you aren't racing right away

Thanks for all the responses so far.

If anyone is wondering, I did consider a few Big Ten schools - mainly Wisconsin where I thought about walking on but I have had zero contact with the coaching staff there...but I desire to move out of state and I have lived in the WI/IL for most of my life so I'm not interested in Northwestern (I don't think I could get in anyways) or Illinois-Champaign.

For those wondering - I plan on majoring in Digital Art or Data Science/Mining. The MAC school satisfies both of these focuses but the SEC school is stronger in the Data degree.

Chose for academics and fit #1. I picked based on the track program and most scholarship money and later regretted it. I ran fast, but academically wish I had gone somewhere else.

Helpppp wrote:

Could you possibly name the 2 schools? People may know certain good things about the program/coaches there that you may not know that could help your decision.

I would guess Bowling Green and Texas A&M.

College! wrote:

Helpppp wrote:

Could you possibly name the 2 schools? People may know certain good things about the program/coaches there that you may not know that could help your decision.

Hey - I don't feel comfortable doing that. I just think too many people read these boards and i don't want any of my prospective coaches to be criticized. Hope you understand.

It's between Ohio U and Vanderbilt people. No brainer to go to vandy. You don't want to do the OU film program anyway. Get a real major at the prestigious schools if they are paying for it

If you were not recruited by universities for an athletic scholarship, then live at home if you can (rent free). Enroll in the local university or college that has a track team. Eat PB&J / Raman noodles every day to save money. Get a job on campus to cover minor expenses. Do everything you can to minimize the loan amount. You will thank yourself in 10 years by not being straddled with loan debt.

Good Guessr wrote:

I would guess Bowling Green and Texas A&M.

You are half correct. :) I'm a girl BTW.

It basically boils down to academics vs. scholarship. If academic prestige of one school >>>> scholarship at the other, go with the better school. You should only let the scholarship drive your decision making if 1) you don't have your own means/full ride or 2) academic reputations of both institutions are fairly equal.

If your parents are picking up the tab they have the final decision on where you go unless you are willing to pay the additional cost of the more expensive school.

You need to choose the school based on the academics in your area of study. A school with great academic recommendation in Law has no relevance if you are in the Sciences.

You are going to school to learn skills that will help you in life and enable you to be financially self sufficient NOT to become an athlete.

forget running for a college. you are not going to the olympics.

save your money. continue to live w/parents, take 2 years of classes at the local community college. Make straight A's. Get a real job while you are taking classes (and contribute to help allay mom and dad's expenses).

transfer credits to a decent DI or DII university that has an excellent program for your major. continue to work full time...you may only be taking 12 or 13 hours per semester due to your job. that is perfectly acceptable in today's economy.

Graduate.

Get a job in your career field...or keep the other job because you find out it pays better than your chosen career field even with sheepskin.

Hopefully you have continued to run throughout your higher education years, and have learned that running is more than just a competitive activity for high school and college kids.