Nice story.Thanks for sharing.
This thread has been an interesting read. While I personally was a proponent of the 4-year college experience for my son, the point became moot last May when he transferred out of his 4-year college after 2 years and into a new one. Interestingly, 6 of the 9 original freshman on his team also have transferred out. So, I guess for them, the first 1 or 2 years was their "junior college" experience.
Another thought: with the economy tanking and many folks' finances in dire straits, many high school students -- some with outstanding GPA's and test scores -- are being forced to go the jr. college route. For this reason, perhaps "elite" 4-year programs should be more open-minded about accepting jr. college transfers in the future.
Regarding RJM's comment that in the Northeast many elite schools look down their noses on other 4-year schools, I had an interesting conversation with a college professor this fall. She is a business professor at UT-San Antonio (my son's new school) and advised my son to "buckle his seatbelt" as he transferred in. When I asked her to explain, she said the academics are much harder at UTSA than people think. She said she had one student who transferred from UVA (average SAT 1313) to Trinity University (average SAT 1278) and finally to UTSA (average SAT 1020) who told her the classes at UTSA were the hardest she had ever taken. Judging from my son's very poor grades this fall
, I believe the business professor is right.
Another thought: with the economy tanking and many folks' finances in dire straits, many high school students -- some with outstanding GPA's and test scores -- are being forced to go the jr. college route. For this reason, perhaps "elite" 4-year programs should be more open-minded about accepting jr. college transfers in the future.
Regarding RJM's comment that in the Northeast many elite schools look down their noses on other 4-year schools, I had an interesting conversation with a college professor this fall. She is a business professor at UT-San Antonio (my son's new school) and advised my son to "buckle his seatbelt" as he transferred in. When I asked her to explain, she said the academics are much harder at UTSA than people think. She said she had one student who transferred from UVA (average SAT 1313) to Trinity University (average SAT 1278) and finally to UTSA (average SAT 1020) who told her the classes at UTSA were the hardest she had ever taken. Judging from my son's very poor grades this fall
, I believe the business professor is right.
Rabe - Nice story! We all enjoy hearing and celebrating those types of successes!!
Infield - I think you illustrate what you will find in reality and here on the HSBBW. To compare all DIs to each other is silly. To compare all NAIAs to each other is silly. To compare all regional schools against one another doesn't make sense. There are HUGE differences between JUCOs in academics and baseball just like there are huge differences between DIs. To try and generalize about any category is asking to be wrong. To think that any of us live in a superior area or our child attends a program that is unmatched....
Infield - I think you illustrate what you will find in reality and here on the HSBBW. To compare all DIs to each other is silly. To compare all NAIAs to each other is silly. To compare all regional schools against one another doesn't make sense. There are HUGE differences between JUCOs in academics and baseball just like there are huge differences between DIs. To try and generalize about any category is asking to be wrong. To think that any of us live in a superior area or our child attends a program that is unmatched....
My youngest had expressed some interest in attending the University of Miami in Coral Gables. Now, he has done this pretty much every winter since 8th grade (especially from December to March, and twice as often if there was snow on the ground), so I was not too surprised when he said it again this past year. Turns out that "the U" had an information session at a local hotel, so we went to have a look.
Now, my memory of the EXACT numbers is a little murky, but I recall the presenter said something like 20,000 - 25,000 high school students applied to Miami every year, and about 2500 got in. Again, I don't remember exactly, but I recall that it was around 10%. That number is probably not too surprising as the university is internationally known and in a beautiful region of the country.
The interesting part to us was this; students that attended junior college or another school and applied to "the U" numbered about 2300 per year, with between 700-900 being accepted (let's say around %35). The presenter said that the students that had earned high grades at their previous college were "exactly" the type of students Miami wanted. They had proven they could get the job done and would be welcome additions to the U's "culture of excellence" (incidentally, I am told that the statistics are available on the web, but I have not seen them).
CD, this is a great thread and I appreciate you starting it. There are certainly some schools that, baseball or not, will "discourage" Juco transfers. I submit to you, though, that if a kid is hungry, and willing to work (academically and/or athletically), successful transfers are not as rare as they are portrayed. In some cases, I would guess they are not even uncommon
.
Now, my memory of the EXACT numbers is a little murky, but I recall the presenter said something like 20,000 - 25,000 high school students applied to Miami every year, and about 2500 got in. Again, I don't remember exactly, but I recall that it was around 10%. That number is probably not too surprising as the university is internationally known and in a beautiful region of the country.
The interesting part to us was this; students that attended junior college or another school and applied to "the U" numbered about 2300 per year, with between 700-900 being accepted (let's say around %35). The presenter said that the students that had earned high grades at their previous college were "exactly" the type of students Miami wanted. They had proven they could get the job done and would be welcome additions to the U's "culture of excellence" (incidentally, I am told that the statistics are available on the web, but I have not seen them).
CD, this is a great thread and I appreciate you starting it. There are certainly some schools that, baseball or not, will "discourage" Juco transfers. I submit to you, though, that if a kid is hungry, and willing to work (academically and/or athletically), successful transfers are not as rare as they are portrayed. In some cases, I would guess they are not even uncommon
.
The North Carolina Community College system has a transfer program in cooperation with the UNC system. There is a minimum gpa in order to transfer. If a kid completes the 2 year program with an Associates degree, they are guaranteed entrance into any UNC School. The savings are huge.
The JUCOs that offer baseball here seem to have strong programs with dedicated coaches. Our oldest excelled at a 4 year university, and is graduating on time (whoo hoo) - but the youngest.... well, his maturity level may be an issue. (rolls eyes) It's great that we have solid options!
The JUCOs that offer baseball here seem to have strong programs with dedicated coaches. Our oldest excelled at a 4 year university, and is graduating on time (whoo hoo) - but the youngest.... well, his maturity level may be an issue. (rolls eyes) It's great that we have solid options!
The Virginia system is much the same way.
First, Virginia not the northeast. Virginia is in the south. Second, the conversation is about getting in, not the degree of difficulty once in. My cousin said the hardest part of Harvard was getting accepted. He said the undergraduate program was easy. He was a pre-med biology major. A friend said the same.quote:Regarding RJM's comment that in the Northeast many elite schools look down their noses on other 4-year schools, I had an interesting conversation with a college professor this fall. She is a business professor at UT-San Antonio (my son's new school) and advised my son to "buckle his seatbelt" as he transferred in. When I asked her to explain, she said the academics are much harder at UTSA than people think. She said she had one student who transferred from UVA (average SAT 1313) to Trinity University (average SAT 1278) and finally to UTSA (average SAT 1020) who told her the classes at UTSA were the hardest she had ever taken. Judging from my son's very poor grades this fall , I believe the business professor is right.
With all due respect to the schools in the list, I don't see any top elite academic colleges. In fact I mentioned Keane State as one of the examples of where a kid in the northeast can get accepted after attending a JuCo. My other example was Framingham State which is part of the same system as Fitchburg State.quote:Originally posted by straw10:
As a coach of a Northeast JUCO, I can say that we send guys to every level of school and most have no issues...some of the private schools may not offer certain programs that a JUCO does and you may have problems with transferrable credits...we usually have no trouble with any of the NE state schools...we have guys committed and signed for fall 2011 going to Hawaii Pacific, Southern CT, Merrimack, UMASS-Boston, Keene St., Fitchburg St. so far, and each situation is slightly different, but if the process is started early enough, there are many opportunities in the NE.
I knew. The best way to debate is civilly. I don't make the rules of behavior. I grew up in the northeast. I don't like the intellectual snobbery. But I know it's there. There many circumstances of elitism in the northeast. Just read the New York Times. They have little respect for the midwest, west and especially the south.quote:I won't lie, RJM was the inspiration for the thread and he has been a good sport in his participation.
I've spent a lot of time in the northeast professionally. I now have a second home in NE. In the past few years I've spent reasonable time at some of these schools examing rosters and asking questions regarding acceptance.
quote:First, Virginia not the northeast. Virginia is in the south. Second, the conversation is about getting in, not the degree of difficulty once in.
RJM, I am well-aware that Virginia is not in the Northeast. My point was that elite institutions are not necessarily any more difficult academically than other schools, including many jr. colleges. When you commented, "There is such an elitist attitude there are many four year schools who look down their noses at other four year colleges," I interpreted that to mean that the perceived academic quality of the "other" schools was in question, not the ease of getting admitted into them.
Believe it or not, intellectual snobbery is alive and well in the South too, especially in those urban pockets where Old Money lives. I was at a party in December where several Old Money types -- whose children attend(ed) Dartmouth, Harvard, Boston Univ., etc. -- were politely appalled that my high school junior is not applying to any out-of-state schools, especially those in the Northeast. Frankly, I am thrilled that my daughter wants to stay so close to home, and I am also thankful that she will not be contributing to the "brain drain" that occurs in our state each year. Also, I am grateful that I won't have to be shelling out $40,000-$50,000 per year for her to have the "privilege" of attending an elite school. I'm not sure the "return on investment" ever justifies that type of exhorbitant expense.
Just for the record I chose not to be 7th generation at an elite school. I went to college in the west and stayed in the west twenty-two years. My daughter made the same decision. She went to college in the south.
My son preferred to attend one of the elite schools. With his baseball injury it's not going to happen. He decided the college one he could get accepted as a legacy and play ball is in too cold of an area. Academically he has been accepted to two Big Ten schools. It's not exactly the end of the world. But they may not be the best fit for walking on post injury.
Every Thanksgiving I open my house to Ivy League snobbery (three cousins). In their 40's they still think they're special due to their college background. I nearly choked at dinner one year when an uncle (not their dad) got fed up and said, "Do not confuse being academically talented with intelligence. You would need a guide to find your way out a paper pag."
My dad and my step dad attended elite colleges. My step dad grew up ringing a bell any time he wanted help as a kid. They were both charming and socially comfortable in any environment. And two of the least snobby people you would ever meet.
Before anyone draws any conclusions, I've been given nothing. My father made me pay for college. I did have a partial baseball ride. He felt coming out of college with debt was a motivator.
My son preferred to attend one of the elite schools. With his baseball injury it's not going to happen. He decided the college one he could get accepted as a legacy and play ball is in too cold of an area. Academically he has been accepted to two Big Ten schools. It's not exactly the end of the world. But they may not be the best fit for walking on post injury.
Every Thanksgiving I open my house to Ivy League snobbery (three cousins). In their 40's they still think they're special due to their college background. I nearly choked at dinner one year when an uncle (not their dad) got fed up and said, "Do not confuse being academically talented with intelligence. You would need a guide to find your way out a paper pag."
My dad and my step dad attended elite colleges. My step dad grew up ringing a bell any time he wanted help as a kid. They were both charming and socially comfortable in any environment. And two of the least snobby people you would ever meet.
Before anyone draws any conclusions, I've been given nothing. My father made me pay for college. I did have a partial baseball ride. He felt coming out of college with debt was a motivator.
Contrary to what some may believe, it is quite an achievement to get accepted into a Big 10 school (academically) nowadays. It was not always the case, but it is now. I know Ohio State's admission standards have gone way up over the last 20 years.
RJM - Northwestern might be a nice fit for your son - athletically and/or academically. Hopefully, he has time to heal from his injuries brfore making a final decision.
RJM - Northwestern might be a nice fit for your son - athletically and/or academically. Hopefully, he has time to heal from his injuries brfore making a final decision.
I atually think that RJM has most likely done is homework and is one of the few around here who doesn't wear rose colored glasses.
I have never heard him say anything other than his son will use baseball to gain admittance to a better university than his son might be able to get into.
I have never heard him say, that his son aspires to be a major league player or that is his wish for him, he has the skills over others, etc. I think he's pretty realistic in knowing the odds of his son getting a 4 year degree or further is greater than playing at Fenway. I think that is where he differs on the subject than some.
JMO.
I have never heard him say anything other than his son will use baseball to gain admittance to a better university than his son might be able to get into.
I have never heard him say, that his son aspires to be a major league player or that is his wish for him, he has the skills over others, etc. I think he's pretty realistic in knowing the odds of his son getting a 4 year degree or further is greater than playing at Fenway. I think that is where he differs on the subject than some.
JMO.
quote:Originally posted by TPM:
I atually think that RJM has most likely done is homework and is one of the few around here who doesn't wear rose colored glasses.
I have never heard him say anything other than his son will use baseball to gain admittance to a better university than his son might be able to get into.
I have never heard him say, that his son aspires to be a major league player or that is his wish for him, he has the skills over others, etc. I think he's pretty realistic in knowing the odds of his son getting a 4 year degree or further is greater than playing at Fenway. I think that is where he differs on the subject than some.
JMO.
I generally agree with that but...
The Cornell scenario posted above by fenwaysouth is the interesting case for RJM imho. In RJM's particular case, a JUCO could be used to allow his son one year to heal from injury and perhaps gain admittance into an elite academic school because of baseball. Like CPLZ likes to say, use baseball to leverage the education which is obviously a great strategy. I am not sure the walk-on scenario is leveraging anything other than the student's underlying academic abilities. Obviously, if RJM's son gains admittance to an IVY school or the like on his academic merits alone, these arguments become moot.
RJM - no need to respond to my comments as I am sure you have already considered them.
Copied from web sites of some of the schools mentioned. None of them outright say they won't admit junior college transfers.
Who is eligible to transfer to MIT?
If you have completed two or more terms at an accredited college, university, technical institute, military academy or community college, you may apply for transfer admission to MIT. We do not, however, admit students who will have finished less than one year or more than two and a half years of college at the time of transfer.
If you've spent a year or more at another college and come to the conclusion that MIT would be a better fit for you, we welcome you to apply as a transfer student. Although spaces are very limited, transfer students are especially welcome on campus for their fresh perspective, maturity and focus.
Williams Transfer Applicants
Because so few students choose to leave Williams prior to graduating, we have a very limited number of places available for transfer candidates. This number has been decreasing over the last several years. (See the chart below for transfer admission statistics.) However, students interested in transferring to Williams should refer to the application instructions page for a full explanation of the transfer application process.
Transfer students enrolled: 2007 = 8; 2008 = 7; 2009 = 10; 2010 = 6
Since Williams has a two-year residence requirement for graduation, only candidates who have accumulated two years or less of college credit by the time they matriculate at Williams are eligible to apply for transfer.
In reviewing transfer applications, the Committee on Admission considers carefully the applicant’s academic record in college work (a 3.5 average within a strong program is usually expected of successful transfer applicants). In addition to materials and records from an applicant’s current college and the required recommendations, we require an official copy of the secondary school transcript and SAT scores.
Up to two years of Williams credit may be awarded, upon entrance, for quality work completed at an accredited college or university. Grades of D+ or lower will not provide transfer credit. The Williams registrar will send a listing of approved credits to all successful transfer candidates at the time of their admission.
Amherst Transfer Applicants
Amherst College looks, above all, for men and women of intellectual promise who have demonstrated qualities of mind and character that will enable them to take full advantage of our curriculum. We seek qualified applicants from different races, classes and backgrounds—students whose several perspectives might contribute significantly to a process of mutual education within and beyond the curriculum.
You are eligible for transfer admission to Amherst if you have completed at least one year as a full-time student at a college or university. To be competitive, you should have at least a B+ average in your college courses. We will not accept your application if you've already earned a bachelor's degree.
Harvard Transfer Program
The Committee on Transfer Admissions welcomes inquiries from all qualified students interested in transferring to Harvard College. Over the years we have found that transfer students contribute a great deal to college life here as well as gain much from their experience. We hope the information that follows will enable you to give careful consideration to Harvard as you make plans to continue your education.
This year the Committee will admit a small number of transfer students who present a clearly defined academic need for transfer, supported by both a proven record of achievement at the college level and strong faculty recommendations.
Tufts Transfer Eligibility for All Students
Tufts welcomes transfer applicants to the School of Arts & Sciences and the School of Engineering who are in good academic and disciplinary standing from accredited two- and four-year institutions. To be considered for transfer admission, a candidate needs to have completed at least one year of college study by the time they plan to enroll at Tufts. Applicants to the School of Engineering must meet a designated level of curriculum completion to be considered for admission.
Yale Transfer Program
Yale College welcomes a very small number of transfer students each year. As competitive as the admissions process for freshman is, the transfer process is even more so: Yale only accepts two to five percent of transfer students – around twenty to thirty-five out of 700 to 800 who apply. Candidates should think carefully about whether Yale is the right fit for them before making the effort to complete an application.
Transfer students enter either the sophomore or junior year and must enroll at Yale for a minimum of two years (four terms) to qualify for a bachelor’s degree. Students may transfer from two- or four-year institutions, though the Admissions Committee does give special consideration to transfer candidates coming from community colleges or military service. Diversity within the student body is important, and the committee works very hard to select a class of able and contributing individuals from as broad a range of backgrounds as possible.
Who is eligible to transfer to MIT?
If you have completed two or more terms at an accredited college, university, technical institute, military academy or community college, you may apply for transfer admission to MIT. We do not, however, admit students who will have finished less than one year or more than two and a half years of college at the time of transfer.
If you've spent a year or more at another college and come to the conclusion that MIT would be a better fit for you, we welcome you to apply as a transfer student. Although spaces are very limited, transfer students are especially welcome on campus for their fresh perspective, maturity and focus.
Williams Transfer Applicants
Because so few students choose to leave Williams prior to graduating, we have a very limited number of places available for transfer candidates. This number has been decreasing over the last several years. (See the chart below for transfer admission statistics.) However, students interested in transferring to Williams should refer to the application instructions page for a full explanation of the transfer application process.
Transfer students enrolled: 2007 = 8; 2008 = 7; 2009 = 10; 2010 = 6
Since Williams has a two-year residence requirement for graduation, only candidates who have accumulated two years or less of college credit by the time they matriculate at Williams are eligible to apply for transfer.
In reviewing transfer applications, the Committee on Admission considers carefully the applicant’s academic record in college work (a 3.5 average within a strong program is usually expected of successful transfer applicants). In addition to materials and records from an applicant’s current college and the required recommendations, we require an official copy of the secondary school transcript and SAT scores.
Up to two years of Williams credit may be awarded, upon entrance, for quality work completed at an accredited college or university. Grades of D+ or lower will not provide transfer credit. The Williams registrar will send a listing of approved credits to all successful transfer candidates at the time of their admission.
Amherst Transfer Applicants
Amherst College looks, above all, for men and women of intellectual promise who have demonstrated qualities of mind and character that will enable them to take full advantage of our curriculum. We seek qualified applicants from different races, classes and backgrounds—students whose several perspectives might contribute significantly to a process of mutual education within and beyond the curriculum.
You are eligible for transfer admission to Amherst if you have completed at least one year as a full-time student at a college or university. To be competitive, you should have at least a B+ average in your college courses. We will not accept your application if you've already earned a bachelor's degree.
Harvard Transfer Program
The Committee on Transfer Admissions welcomes inquiries from all qualified students interested in transferring to Harvard College. Over the years we have found that transfer students contribute a great deal to college life here as well as gain much from their experience. We hope the information that follows will enable you to give careful consideration to Harvard as you make plans to continue your education.
This year the Committee will admit a small number of transfer students who present a clearly defined academic need for transfer, supported by both a proven record of achievement at the college level and strong faculty recommendations.
Tufts Transfer Eligibility for All Students
Tufts welcomes transfer applicants to the School of Arts & Sciences and the School of Engineering who are in good academic and disciplinary standing from accredited two- and four-year institutions. To be considered for transfer admission, a candidate needs to have completed at least one year of college study by the time they plan to enroll at Tufts. Applicants to the School of Engineering must meet a designated level of curriculum completion to be considered for admission.
Yale Transfer Program
Yale College welcomes a very small number of transfer students each year. As competitive as the admissions process for freshman is, the transfer process is even more so: Yale only accepts two to five percent of transfer students – around twenty to thirty-five out of 700 to 800 who apply. Candidates should think carefully about whether Yale is the right fit for them before making the effort to complete an application.
Transfer students enter either the sophomore or junior year and must enroll at Yale for a minimum of two years (four terms) to qualify for a bachelor’s degree. Students may transfer from two- or four-year institutions, though the Admissions Committee does give special consideration to transfer candidates coming from community colleges or military service. Diversity within the student body is important, and the committee works very hard to select a class of able and contributing individuals from as broad a range of backgrounds as possible.
It appears that one motiviation behind this thread is to show that JC can be a good route to D1 baseball.
I'll reiterate that for example, Stanford doesn't say outright that they don't accept JC transfers, and in fact they do accept some. But the baseball team hasn't had any JC transfers in a long time, if ever.
Harvard didn't accept any transfers for academic years 2008 or 2009, because they didn't have room in the residences. That situation is likely to arise again, and I wouldn't advise anyone to attend JC with a view to playing baseball at Harvard.
JC is a good route to D1 baseball. But it's not a good route to some schools.
I'll reiterate that for example, Stanford doesn't say outright that they don't accept JC transfers, and in fact they do accept some. But the baseball team hasn't had any JC transfers in a long time, if ever.
Harvard didn't accept any transfers for academic years 2008 or 2009, because they didn't have room in the residences. That situation is likely to arise again, and I wouldn't advise anyone to attend JC with a view to playing baseball at Harvard.
JC is a good route to D1 baseball. But it's not a good route to some schools.
quote:Originally posted by 3FingeredGlove:
It appears that one motiviation behind this thread is to show that JC can be a good route to D1 baseball.
I'll reiterate that for example, Stanford doesn't say outright that they don't accept JC transfers, and in fact they do accept some. But the baseball team hasn't had any JC transfers in a long time, if ever.
Harvard didn't accept any transfers for academic years 2008 or 2009, because they didn't have room in the residences. That situation is likely to arise again, and I wouldn't advise anyone to attend JC with a view to playing baseball at Harvard.
JC is a good route to D1 baseball. But it's not a good route to some schools.
Since I started the thread, I'll supply the motivation. I am not arguing to use JUCO to go to Harvard. My question was, if you went to a JUCO, would that prevent you from going to Harvard and the answer is no. The short answer is it is very DIFFICULT to get into Harvard regardless of circumstances. I am not sure I am seeing the nexus between JUCO daliances (for lack of a better word) and gaining admission to an elite institution. I am not talking about athletics here as I was responding to RJM's long-time assertions that a JUCO would prevent admission to an elite school in the northeast.
On the other hand, athletics just might tilt admission toward some player who might not have otherwise qualified the admission requirements out of high school. Since the IVY-league is D1 for example, if a player were not a huge D1 prospect out of high school, they could use JUCO to perhaps enhance their baseball skills which could potentially lead to an elite admission down the line (see the Cornell example discussed above).
I really meant highly unlikely and therefore not an avenue to place focus.quote:I was responding to RJM's long-time assertions that a JUCO would prevent admission to an elite school in the northeast.
quote:Originally posted by RJM:With all due respect to the schools in the list, I don't see any top elite academic colleges. In fact I mentioned Keane State as one of the examples of where a kid in the northeast can get accepted after attending a JuCo. My other example was Framingham State which is part of the same system as Fitchburg State.quote:Originally posted by straw10:
As a coach of a Northeast JUCO, I can say that we send guys to every level of school and most have no issues...some of the private schools may not offer certain programs that a JUCO does and you may have problems with transferrable credits...we usually have no trouble with any of the NE state schools...we have guys committed and signed for fall 2011 going to Hawaii Pacific, Southern CT, Merrimack, UMASS-Boston, Keene St., Fitchburg St. so far, and each situation is slightly different, but if the process is started early enough, there are many opportunities in the NE.
Very true...those were simply this year's commitments...typically we don't send guys to elite academic schools, but we did have a player in '08 with full tuition to Fordham (a little higher on the totem pole..) but turned it down for the draft.
they absolutely will not accept JUCO's. Mark my word, they will not. JUCO is for someone who is good but needs work and grades are an issue. Most JUCO's are "open enrollment", meaning they don't have to be accepted, they just sign-up and they cant turn you down.
quote:Originally posted by switchitter:
..... JUCO is for someone who is good but needs work and grades are an issue. Most JUCO's are "open enrollment", meaning they don't have to be accepted, they just sign-up and they cant turn you down.
I think you paint JUCO students with to broad a brush. My son played against/with many JC guys that didn't have grade or enrollment issues. There are a lot of different reasons kids go to JUCOs.
Switch....really?? You believe that? Your telling me that my 2010 grad (current freshman in JUCO in AZ) with a graduating GPA of 4.1, highschool class rank in the top 5%, 31 ACT, and high SAT scores (Sorry...dad's older brain doesn't remember the scores) doesnt stand a chance of transferring? 4.0 in his first semester while playing baseball?? Really??? He chose AZ for the warmth, playing time, and recruiting possibilities. Now he may be the exception to the rule, but making blanket statements can make for placing a large target on your back... 
Well, in fairness, grades can be an issue for some. I think, however, that the model of kids going to a Juco because they can't cut it academically or athletically has, by and large, gone by the wayside. Sure, there will always be some that benefit from the maturation process, but many view the process as a smart way to get the first two years completed at a discount and, perhaps, qualify for a school ranked a little higher academically.
Just as common, I think, are examples like one of the young men that played ball with my oldest. A few years ahead and a top-of-his-class student leaving high school, he wanted to continue playing baseball so he basically earned himself a spot on a highly ranked Juco where he was a solid contributor. Injuries (and probably a sense that his time was better spent academically) ended his career after his sophomore year, but he kept his grades up and is in law school now.
This, to me, reflects the most important theme; he stayed hungry and took nothing for granted. He was a good student that wanted to play ball out of high school so he busted his rear end to make the most of his Juco opportunity. At the Juco, he knew that a great four-year school wanted a great student; he carried that work ethic to the books and transitioned to life after baseball. Oh, and not unimportant, his college debt going into law school is half what it would otherwise be.
Just as common, I think, are examples like one of the young men that played ball with my oldest. A few years ahead and a top-of-his-class student leaving high school, he wanted to continue playing baseball so he basically earned himself a spot on a highly ranked Juco where he was a solid contributor. Injuries (and probably a sense that his time was better spent academically) ended his career after his sophomore year, but he kept his grades up and is in law school now.
This, to me, reflects the most important theme; he stayed hungry and took nothing for granted. He was a good student that wanted to play ball out of high school so he busted his rear end to make the most of his Juco opportunity. At the Juco, he knew that a great four-year school wanted a great student; he carried that work ethic to the books and transitioned to life after baseball. Oh, and not unimportant, his college debt going into law school is half what it would otherwise be.