Laying the groundwork for holistic success starts as early as high school. But don’t take it from us. Listen to what the best of the best have to say about the importance of making sure that college was a good fit for them for academics, athletics, and for setting up postgrad success.
Andrew Wilson, Emory University
Olympic gold medalist, 11x NCAA Champion, Only DIII athlete to ever qualify for the Olympics
“Emory is an incredible place to be a student-athlete, providing both a rigorous and challenging academic environment alongside fantastic athletic facilities and resources. On top of that it attracts people who share the goal of excellence both in their sport and their academics, which helped me fall in love again with both. I believe that shared passion is what separates Emory and made it somewhere where I excelled, allowing me to continue my sport professionally as well as return to studies later on as a graduate student at Oxford.”
Will Chan, University of Michigan and University of Texas at Austin
NCAA Finalist, former Michigan Wolverine, and former Texas Longhorn graduate transfer student-athlete
“One of the more difficult parts of making your college decision is realizing that your time as an athlete is finite. Your four years of undergrad may be your last four years in the sport which has been ingrained into your identity, so it’s crucial that you surround yourself with a team that brings out the best in you as an athlete, but more importantly an individual. It’s completely normal to not know what route you want to take with your studies, and this is why it’s essential to look at colleges that are well-rounded in all areas of academia. Life changes fast between the time that you commit and receive your diploma so it’s valuable to pick a school that will make you better yourself both as an individual and as an athlete.”
Erika Brown, University of Tennessee
2x Olympic Medalist, World Record Holder, 18x SEC Champion, NCAA Champion
“Choosing the right college was critical for my career. Not only did I need a school that would provide a great education, but also a place where I could train to hopefully accomplish my dream of becoming an Olympian. Tennessee stood out to me because of their constant effort to improve around campus and in the pool. All the facilities and buildings were state of the art, built for the student-athlete to excel. While at college I studied Kinesiology, a field I love, while also training and learning to be my best in the water. I left with a degree that will provide me with a way into a career in physical therapy and an opportunity to continue my current career in swimming. I can confidently say that I would not be where I am academically or in the sport of swimming if it wasn’t for carefully considering these options when choosing a college to attend.”