College Decisions...

Tylertyphlosion

Tylertyphlosion

Verified Seller since October 2010
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It's my senior year of high school and the end is approaching fast. My next step will obviously be college.
I am a fairly smart guy (27 on my ACT, although I wanted a 30... and I received a National Mathematics Award) and I am extremely athletic. I have many avenues that I could possibly pursue.
First off, with my decent ACT score, I will get around 1/2 tuition at most schools in my area. The next way for me to help pay for school would be athletics... Wrestling in particular. This year, I was a State Semi-finalist in Oklahoma, which to me, is a pretty big accomplishment. But after I lost that semi-finals match, I lost all will to ever wrestle again, until last week that is.
I received a phone call from the wrestling coach of Waldorf College in Iowa. He offered me 1/3 tuition on an athletic scholarship, plus an athletic scholarship. I was surprised to even receive a call, let alone get scholarship offers. The thing is though, I don't want to move far away from home, so I shrugged off the call.
But 2 days later, I received another call. This time, it was from a college only 30 minutes away from where I am now. The coach told me I should come out for a visit and we could sit down and possibly talk numbers. I told him I would get back to him on whether I would or not. I was also hesitant because I thought maybe he was just going through a list and calling random wrestlers. But on Monday, when I got back from Spring Break, the school received a recruiting letter for me from that school. I then talked to another Senior wrestler, and he said he got the phone call, but the coach said on the phone to him, "do you have Ty Smith's number?" and the other wrestler did not receive a recruiting letter.
2 weeks ago, I had no interest in wrestling in college anymore, but now, I am rethinking my future. I will be scheduling the college visit in the next few days.

What are your thoughts on doing sports in college?
Is it worth the time and effort(especially with wrestling...)?
Is anyone here a student athlete in college?
Just any feedback from anyone would be greatly appreciated, I am just lost right now.
 
Wow -- I wish a 27 got half tuition where I'm from! :p I got a 31, was active in high school, and only got about thirty percent tuition. But I digress...

I really don't want to discourage you, because being a college athlete can be very rewarding. While I myself wasn't one, I've met quite a few through various campus organizations (though none were wrestlers). Unfortunately, the majority I've known have quit -- for some, it was the time commitment and for others, the coach or team's atmosphere; some simply lost interest in their sport. That being said, a good friend of mine played football our freshman year but gave it up -- and he's talked about playing again next year (there's quite a few walk-ons at our school). I apologize that I'm kind of sending a mixed message, but at the same time, I think college sports can be a very mixed bag. What's your major, if you don't mind my asking? If it's one that requires a lot of time, I'd advise against becoming a college athlete, but if not, I don't see the harm -- especially if they're offering a good scholarship. I wish you all the best with your decision, man!
 
Thank you for that. I am kind of mixed in my feelings as well. The half tuition is what I have been offered at 2 schools, but they arent bigger schools (just so you are aware! lol)

My major... Is still yet to be decided. I was going to major in Environmental Studies and become a Game Warden, but that just doesnt sound as interesting as it once did. I don't want to burn out on the sport and I know I am going to have to put myself through a lot physically because it is a college sport, but mainly because it is Wrestling. In high school, I had no life during the season. I had time for going to school, Wrestling and sleeping. Rarely did I ever have time to go out and do anything. It has taken way more dedication than any other sport I have participated in, and I am really hesitant because I know college will take it to a whole nother level.

I will be giving the coach a call tomorrow and see when I can go down to see the program and the campus. Hopefully we talk some numbers and I can figure something out. The biggest part I am worried about, money-wise, is that it is a private school and I may not get nearly as much in academic scholarships.

We shall see though!
 
Take this with a grain of salt - I was not a college athlete, but a lot of my gym buddies were. It's rough, but not as rough as you think, especially if you're smart. It all depends how many hours you have to put in; I was on the short end of that spectrum, if you're closer to the middle it's going to be hard, but a lot of athletes are longer on that and end up having to do little beyond school and sports. What's it worth to you, is the real question: scholarship? Maybe. Pro career? Think about the possibilities.
 
Pro Career is out of the question, as I see "pro Wrestling" as the worlds dumbest "sport."
Just the fact that I would be able to wrestle at the college level is intriguing to me. I have a lot of dedication, to school and to wrestling. I feel like I could balance it out well. One of the things I will make sure of (if I decide to go to the school to wrestle) is that I have an appointed tutor to help me keep up on my work.
 
First and foremost, congratulations on your scholarship offers. I just finished undergraduate in December and I was on a 3/4 academic scholarship. I highly encourage you to attend college if you have the chance. If wrestling is your avenue, so be it. Prepare yourself for the work it takes and take advantage of every chance you get. Best of luck to you, man.
 
Go for the wrestling, while I'm not even close to being in college, is that you obviously have a gift to get to participate in collegiate level sports, so you should take the opportunity.
 
personally, I'd prefer a sport like tennis because of the "involments" but if wrestling can get you in, DO IT! If you'd really need to persue a great career, don't throw away the opportunities to get it! Just do it and work hard and it'll be fine especially after getting your career :D
 
The thing is that I will get good scholarships without wrestling in college. That is my main obstacle. lol
And now, it's track season and I pole vault. I just took 1st yesterday at a big meet and am now the #2 jumper in the state in the 4A Class.
So that may open even more avenues for me...
 
Update:
For my Freshman year of college I will be accepting an Academic Scholarship to NSU (Northeastern State) and I may transfer after my first semester or after my first year to a college with Pole Vaulting. I was State Runner-up, so that opened up a few avenues for me!
 
what division is your high school? oklahoma has so many divisions that it makes the smaller state tournaments a walk in the park.
 
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