smart dude wrote:
Elite distance runners hit the talent lottery. Better running genetics are likely to come with an overall better genetic makeup which means they will be smarter than the average kid. and of course teh average admitted athlete has lower test scores. We are only talking about distance running, not football or basketball or soccer. And elite distance runners with great test scores are choosing Stanford or Notre Dame or Michigan or Duke becuase they will attend [free] rather than pay $320k at an Ivy. That's the point.
Yes, for some that would be the right move. For others, particularly males, getting a full ride--even if you're a top athlete--is not a given. And if family income is low, the bottom line could be better at an Ivy.
In other words--as usual--different things work for different people, which is probably why the OP asked for people's individual opinions about what would be best for them.
It's good that there are multiple options out there to fit different students'/families' situations.