07-27-2011, 11:55 AM
I actually think his process is quite rational and a heck of a lot better than most. Most kids rated as highly as Barry J have a lot more schools hanging around. Others make decisions without having a very good idea about the school.
He has made unofficial visits to a number of schools and looked into them in depth. He has thought carefully about his numerous options (I'm sure he could go just about anywhere in the country) and narrowed it down to 4 so far - which he has been able to do. That's so much better than most.
It says that he is allowed 5 official visits and so he is carefully considering which school to add to be the fifth. He plans on making official visits to each of them starting in September - when school and the football season has already started. It will give him a much better feel and understanding of each institution in that context - for the top 5 he has selected. Then - presumably - he'll make he decision.
That makes a lot of sense to me and if any kid asks - I'd recommend they do the same. This is a big decision and there isn't a need to rush to make it. That he can narrow the dozens of offers down to 4 or 5 with lots of thought and research is terrific. Now Stanford has to try to close - the official visit will be important - although I'm sure he already has developed much of his opinion so far.
He mentions that going to Oklahoma State - the presumed favorite because his dad went there - is influenced by whether or not he wants to spend the next 4 years in the same state that he has lived most of his life. My guess is probably not. So although OSU is on the short-list - it may be there because it's expected.
He sounds like smart, thoughtful, and mature. He has been injured and is recovering. Perhaps one of the thoughts in the back of his mind is what happens if he were to get injured? Having a Stanford degree would be great to fall back on if he needs to. Also at Stanford he would be expanding his network of connections for the future more than he would if he stayed in Oklahoma or if he stayed in a football focused environment. We have a lot to offer. I hope he's able to see and appreciate that.
He has made unofficial visits to a number of schools and looked into them in depth. He has thought carefully about his numerous options (I'm sure he could go just about anywhere in the country) and narrowed it down to 4 so far - which he has been able to do. That's so much better than most.
It says that he is allowed 5 official visits and so he is carefully considering which school to add to be the fifth. He plans on making official visits to each of them starting in September - when school and the football season has already started. It will give him a much better feel and understanding of each institution in that context - for the top 5 he has selected. Then - presumably - he'll make he decision.
That makes a lot of sense to me and if any kid asks - I'd recommend they do the same. This is a big decision and there isn't a need to rush to make it. That he can narrow the dozens of offers down to 4 or 5 with lots of thought and research is terrific. Now Stanford has to try to close - the official visit will be important - although I'm sure he already has developed much of his opinion so far.
He mentions that going to Oklahoma State - the presumed favorite because his dad went there - is influenced by whether or not he wants to spend the next 4 years in the same state that he has lived most of his life. My guess is probably not. So although OSU is on the short-list - it may be there because it's expected.
He sounds like smart, thoughtful, and mature. He has been injured and is recovering. Perhaps one of the thoughts in the back of his mind is what happens if he were to get injured? Having a Stanford degree would be great to fall back on if he needs to. Also at Stanford he would be expanding his network of connections for the future more than he would if he stayed in Oklahoma or if he stayed in a football focused environment. We have a lot to offer. I hope he's able to see and appreciate that.