rz,
I would venture to say, not living in the state of South Carolina, son would not have been accepted if not for baseball.
If baseball were out of the equation, he most likely would have attended a state school as he would have had his tuition paid for 75-100% because of our state programs.
My son did not have plans for a major when he entered school. But he did like the smaller classes and smaller enrollment. That was appealing ot him from the beginning.
Very few students who have no other extra curricular activities venture out of our state to go to college. However, students that do participate in sports or other scholarhip related activities (there are many) do have more opportunities to leave the state. I think that should be the purpose of why we encourage our kids, for more opportunities more choices. JMO.