[ColoradoTree]

[quote author=81alum link=topic=14318.msg151438#msg151438 date=1452084543]Here is an honest question:  for players who decide they want to stay for a year after they graduate, isn't there a second admissions decision?

If they don't want to deal with that, couldn't they just... not graduate? Is there some mechanism that forces them to get an undergraduate degree in 4 years? For instance, I've heard nothing about Hogan getting a graduate degree. Or, even if they have the credits to graduate, is there any reason they have to?
[/quote]

I think this is fairly common, and IIRC, there are forms to fill out when you're getting ready to graduate (perhaps even an application, even though it would be rubber-stamped).  I would think it would be normal for football players to simply take a few classes the fall quarter of their 5th year and then be done with school, collecting their undergraduate degree on the way out the door while they get ready for the draft (or take another job).  In that sense, it's just an extra quarter, so it's not a full 5 years.  Of course, it's obviously also very common for our 5th year players to pursue a co-term master's degree.  Probably depends on the student, his career goals, and whether a master's degree helps that in any meaningful way. 

If I were a Stanford football player with a reasonable chance at playing in the NFL, I can absolutely see the rationale for taking a relatively light load my 4th year, taking the minimum the fall of my 5th year, THEN getting my degree, and then focus on getting ready for the draft. 

[ColoradoTree]

[quote author=81alum link=topic=14318.msg151438#msg151438 date=1452084543]Here is an honest question:  for players who decide they want to stay for a year after they graduate, isn't there a second admissions decision?

If they don't want to deal with that, couldn't they just... not graduate? Is there some mechanism that forces them to get an undergraduate degree in 4 years? For instance, I've heard nothing about Hogan getting a graduate degree. Or, even if they have the credits to graduate, is there any reason they have to?
[/quote]

I think this is fairly common, and IIRC, there are forms to fill out when you're getting ready to graduate (perhaps even an application, even though it would be rubber-stamped).  I would think it would be normal for football players to simply take a few classes the fall quarter of their 5th year and then be done with school, collecting their undergraduate degree on the way out the door while they get ready for the draft (or take another job).  In that sense, it's just an extra quarter, so it's not a full 5 years.  Of course, it's obviously also very common for our 5th year players to pursue a co-term master's degree.  Probably depends on the student, his career goals, and whether a master's degree helps that in any meaningful way. 

If I were a Stanford football player with a reasonable chance at playing in the NFL, I can absolutely see the rationale for taking a relatively light load my 4th year, taking the minimum the fall of my 5th year, THEN getting my degree, and then focus on getting ready for the draft.