If you were a very competitive senior skater and knew that you had excellent chances of medalling at nationals....but at the same time you had a scholarship to the college of your choice...and you had the choose--which one would it be? School or skating?

Well this is a very hard decision to make. But if it where me I would skate. Becuase you always have time to go to school and even get the same scholarship that you have now. Skating you don't have that much time and may never have this chance again. If you think that you have a chance to medal at Nationals than I think that you should go for it. You may only have this one chance. You may one day down the road regret your decision to not skate and you will never know how you may have done.

All the best to you. Please let us know what you have decided.

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cml

I would say skate. Becuase at that level, you only get so many chances(which are usually very few i might add) to suceed. Also, you can take college courses online, or whatever, to fit your skate schedule. It may take you 5 years to get through college this way, but it is better than going to college full time and trying to fit skating into schooling. College will always be available, but being a top athlete wont. I would highly suggest continuing with skating, at the same training intensity that you are currently training at, and then, if u can manage, time wise, try to fit in a course or two with a college, whether that be taking a class at your local college/university, or taking a class online. BUT- you also need to figure out what YOU want for your future. Is your dream to be a great figure skater, or is it to be a lawyer, or doctor, etc? The ultimate decision needs to come from you, and from your heart. Do what you want the most, whether that be skating or school. Good luck.

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~Sk8Bunny~
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"I know you can be overwhelmed, and you can be underwhelmed, but can you ever just be whelmed?"

Skate!

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Skate. You have the academic ability to be accepted at the college of your choice when you choose to go, but skating won't last forever.....

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Mrs Redboots
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I love my computer because my friends live in it!
Ice dancers have lovely big curves!

I'd accept the scholarship, then go and have a very good talk to the tutors at the college.

It may be that they have sufficient ice time and good coaches so that it is possible to keep in training while at college. If this is the case, check if it is possible to fit 4 or 5 hours ice time around college.

If not, ask them if they can postpone the scholarship by one year.

I am alone so far on this thread; I think college scholarship is more important than skating, but you can work round it if you are clever, and do both.

I'm with school , if a scholarship is involved. If the university will hold the scholarship and let you have a try at medalling at a National event, then I'd think about skating for that year only, but not until I medalled. However, I wouldn't let the scholarship go for skating. You have a "chance" to medal - not quaranteed. You are guaranteed the scholarship. Unless, of course, you don't need the money for college.

You've rec'd lots of good advice. I can only tell you what I would do, not what you should do. Only you know what you want from life and your priorities. I assume your parents are supporting you both financially and emotionally. They have probably invested a lot in your skating and your education. I hope they will support whatever you choose for yourself.

Personally, I would skate for the reasons others have stated. Easy for me to say. I never had the opportunity you mention (assuming this is not hypothetical). So it is easy for me to say: "I'd grab the skating". Yet, I would certainly grab the skating. There are many colleges and many years to graduate. Your academic aptitude isn't going to deteriorate. If anything, you will have more experiences to list on your application.

You might even be better served going to school a little later once you are more mature and can think about what you want to do for the rest of your life. I went to college very young and might have made better choices and taken advantage of my opportunities had I been a little older and more experienced.

If you are still not sure, toss a coin. Not for the outcome, but once it's in the air, you will know what you are hoping.

Kay

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Do what is going to make you happiest. If you will be going to school just because you *should* and your heart will really be on the ice, you are wasting a scholarship. If you are really excited about a certain program you're going to be in, and skating isn't consuming you, go to school. If you're stuck somewhere in the middle, good luck with your decision!

I think this was meant to be a hypothetical question, perhaps based on Sarah Hughes' situation.

remember it's not impossible to train well, medal at nationals all while going to school.

Lots of skaters have done that ... matt savoie for example ... even graduated summa cum laude.

Many well organized, focused and talented athletes attend college full time while participating at an elite level in their sport.
I cringe every time I hear people say that skaters just cant handle that.
Swimmers at Stanford University train as much as any skater, yet they attend college.
divers, gymnasts, You name it, and it is possible to do both and achieve great results in obth. Derrick Delmore was Junior World Champion,and a double major at Stanford.
While you are young and have the energy...go for it all!
Skating AND college.

I'd skate full time, and go to school part time.