[Goose]

No, they're not bad schools, they're very good schools. It's the difference between great and very good and not bad. Even a 17 year old should be able to understand the difference, particularly a 17 year old who's done enough work and has enough talent to achieve in the first place.

They do understand the difference. For the vast majority, even those that have adequate academic credentials to do "better", the difference is operationally nugatory. There are a very few that have higher aspirations academically. If the aspirations are not there, why do the extra work? This is especially true if Stanford turns out to not be an immediate good "fit" socially, which is not uncommon for may freshmen, athletes or otherwise.
 
If one is an athlete going elsewhere can be very attractive because of NIL money. It can also be very attractive because they don't like Stanford all that much. The observable reality for the vast majority is there will be no difference in their post-college opportunities if they have a degree from a "not bad" or "very good" institution. They don't intend to go to graduate school or pursue an occupation where the source of your degree matters.

[Goose]

No, they're not bad schools, they're very good schools. It's the difference between great and very good and not bad. Even a 17 year old should be able to understand the difference, particularly a 17 year old who's done enough work and has enough talent to achieve in the first place.

They do understand the difference. For the vast majority, even those that have adequate academic credentials to do "better", the difference is operationally nugatory. There are a very few that have higher aspirations academically. If the aspirations are not there, why do the extra work? This is especially true if Stanford turns out to not be an immediate good "fit" socially, which is not uncommon for may freshmen, athletes or otherwise.
 
If one is an athlete going elsewhere can be very attractive because of NIL money. It can also be very attractive because they don't like Stanford all that much. The observable reality for the vast majority is there will be no difference in their post-college opportunities if they have a degree from a "not bad" or "very good" institution. They don't intend to go to graduate school or pursue an occupation where the source of your degree matters.