I had an interesting conversation with IM Matyas Marek, the Lyndonville Institute senior who played and won the Danville Open. He is planning to apply to colleges/universities here in the US that offer chess scholarships.I asked him which schools he was considering---UT Dallas and Texas Tech. He has considered Webster University, ex-US Chess member Susan Polgar giving WU visibility, but said that academically WU is not up to the academic standards of other universities like TTU and UTD. I mentioned U Maryland Baltimore and he agreed that was another for him to consider.
One has to think that big time college chess may have moved closer to other college sports when the big name coach attracts the student players, but the academics of the university a) may be lower and b) the easier academics make the sports program a bigger draw. I'd be curious to see the retention/graduation rates for all colleges giving full chess scholarships.
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