I have just been given an offer I cant refuse.

[poematik14]

My dad told me today that if I pass 11th grade, (3.3 GPA or more) he will let me drop out of high school and play tennis for 2 years and be homeschooled, and then go to UC Irvine and be on their team.

**drools**Me? Pro tennis player? I already have the skills, and the High school team is boring (no challenging players)

So should I do it? If I commit to it (10hours a day for 2 years +torunamnets) Ill probably get ranked pretty high up in the nation.

[Uncool]

Thats insane, my dad would murder me in my sleep. :shocked: In any case which one are you willing to sacrifice more? And also if you choose which ever do you have a 5-year plan for it?

[poematik14]

Ill be going to UC Irvine, but after 1-2 years of tennis, and then Ill be on their team too.

[RedOrb_Collector]

for such a high profile offer your dad should have upped the requirements even more. a 3.3 is far too low. :P

[Uncool]

Then go for it since you have your mind set and also have some support from father dearest.

[soldier one]

I think the question you should be asking is if that school will accept you if your home schooled. Some colleges will just plain out wright you out if you drop out of high school.

Along with that is the college a noticable college? Like yea your good but if the college is crappy no one will look at you for the professionals. Its like going to a hick college to paly football instead of USC or ASU where they get draft picks all the time. ( Ik now tennis doesnt necasarily draft people but you still have to get scouts to look at you..)

[poematik14]

Oh yeah, its UC Irvine. Its not some crummy community college.

[SuperiorIntellect]

Are you ranked right now? If you haven't been playing in high level competition its a little late. My highschool is ridiculously good. We have 3 of the best players in the nation. One is top 10 in U14, the other is top 30 in U16, the last is #1 in the East for U18. Needless to say I played doubles on that team, but I've only played a few competitive tourneys in my life.

Our team traveled from Western NY to NYC (one of the three hotzones for tennis, NYC, Florida, Cali) to play the team that won sectionals there. We lost to them 4-3, and their entire team is ranked in the top 100 for U18.

But really, if you're entering 11th grade and haven't been playing in the Level 1 tournaments since you were 12 its a little late to start. I wouldn't do it, incredibly hard to make a living as a pro-tennis player. If you're not top 100 in the world you won't be living very well.

edit: Let's put it this way. Have you ever been invited to train at Bolletieri's tennis academy? If not, you're late to the draw. You should ask you're dad if you can tour and do a try out there. They go to school half the day and play tennis half the day.

[softtack]

Oh yeah, its UC Irvine. Its not some crummy community college.

If your dad set the minimum grade point as 3.3, it doesn't speak highly of your academic performance. All of the UCs are hard to get into and the UC Berkeley Admissions Dept told me that they don't accept many homeschooled kids because it's hard to accurately judge homeschooled student's performance than a student who went to a public or private school. I hate to break it to you but SuperiorIntellect is correct in saying that there are some amazing kids all around the country, and the chances of you making it into the top of any list is questionable.

It's all very risky but if you're committed to doing this, I won't say anything to stop you. However, what I would do is stay in school and study hard so you can get into a good school for sure.

Good luck whatever route you take, and if you become famous, send me an autograph.

[banjo7]

Rep for godfather reference.

And a great offer from your dad good luck in becoming a pro mate.

Do it mate Tennis is a great sport and most people would snap your dads hand off at the chance.

[poematik14]

Are you ranked right now? If you haven't been playing in high level competition its a little late. My highschool is ridiculously good. We have 3 of the best players in the nation. One is top 10 in U14, the other is top 30 in U16, the last is #1 in the East for U18. Needless to say I played doubles on that team, but I've only played a few competitive tourneys in my life.

Our team traveled from Western NY to NYC (one of the three hotzones for tennis, NYC, Florida, Cali) to play the team that won sectionals there. We lost to them 4-3, and their entire team is ranked in the top 100 for U18.

But really, if you're entering 11th grade and haven't been playing in the Level 1 tournaments since you were 12 its a little late to start. I wouldn't do it, incredibly hard to make a living as a pro-tennis player. If you're not top 100 in the world you won't be living very well.

edit: Let's put it this way. Have you ever been invited to train at Bolletieri's tennis academy? If not, you're late to the draw. You should ask you're dad if you can tour and do a try out there. They go to school half the day and play tennis half the day.

Im not ranked becuase I havent had the time to play any torunaments yet. I can easily become ranked though. I dont want to go pro, I just wanted to play for UCI's tennis team, probably #2-3 singles. I played this one tournament once that was sponsered by Bolletieri's, so I know what you are talking about.

Ya, I have no intentions to go ATP or Junior USTA. Just want to be ranked SoCal or hopefully Nation so I can get into UCI singles.

[Pez_555]

with sport you have to enjoy it if you are willing to persue 10 hours a day for 2 years. thats a lot of practice right there.

if you enjoy it and can honestly see yourself playing for 10 hours a day, then bloody go for it. its good to see a young tennis player with the potential.

[Makarov]

If you want out of school so bad just threaten to blow the joint along with the staff and students. It will get you out, trust me...n if you know the right ppl then they wont press charges. 15000 $ bail sucks. A month in jail. 5-6 months of chili dogs, talkin to the tv, readin n playin video games aint bad. No legal weapon possession for a while but hell shake off the lazy n grab a GED then get a crappy job. Save for a while. Court date...Move out eventually. Yeah...its not soo bad...

[janenba352]

just finish school, make the other players look bad, win a few trophies, get your diploma, go own in the pro leagues.

[GypsyKid]

Go for it..if you pass a pro career up you will probably never be given another chance, and will regret it. If you do have a special talent take it as far as you can. Is not finishing school necessary? I doubt it is, so definitely finish school, but still don't pass this up while you are young.

[jakncoke]

Personally I'd finish school but that's just me, Also I wouldn't listen to others opinions, go where your heart leads.

[360Spider]

Nope.....how much do you wanna bet you won't get accepted to UC Irvine? That's where I'm planning on going to. If you drop school, that's it. They're not going to accept you no matter how god u play tennis. Home School isn't good either. They most likely won't accept you. Home School isn't good. Trust me.

EDIT: And 3.3 GPA won't get you to a UC school. You need AT LEAST 3.5. Plus you need high SAT scores.

[KraZe]

miss out on grad man shiiiittt

[zeon9881]

My dad told me today that if I pass 11th grade, (3.3 GPA or more) he will let me drop out of high school and play tennis for 2 years and be homeschooled, and then go to UC Irvine and be on their team.

**drools**Me? Pro tennis player? I already have the skills, and the High school team is boring (no challenging players)

So should I do it? If I commit to it (10hours a day for 2 years +torunamnets) Ill probably get ranked pretty high up in the nation.

hell yea, my cousn used to be a pro criket player but then he quit cause he got married, but hes retireed, cause he made so much money, he wasnt on tv or anything though , he was new thats why.....

[soldier one]

See other people just described what i hinted at. Stay in school.

1 Homeschooled is not good at all. Good colleges will not accept you if you drop out of school. Just finish the last 2 years, senior year is like the best year of your life.

2 You will never meet a chick at home and get laid (Your mommy dont count)

3 If your team at your high school sucks, THEN GREAT, it gives you a chance to shine. Thats how you get noticed, you become better than the rest. Its not until college where a good team is what matters. (Yes playing for a better team and shining there will be better but still)

4 If anything just transfer to a better high school, its better than dropping out.

5 Your not going to be pro so the more education you get, the better the rest of your life will be. Plus if you get injured you need that other job. If you dont finish high school not only do colleges drop you, but all the high paying (fun) jobs do too.

You have spent this much of your life going to school why ruin all that time now? Your not the only one that hates it so just stick with it for 1 and a half (Like i said senior year is a breeze lol) years you have left and your good to go.

[gungravezero14]

follow your dreams, however, get that gpa up b/c one never knows when an injury could ruin their career.......it is always nice to have a good education as a backup when one pursues the professional sport career......

[Womble]

Dont drop out of school. As has already been said you never know when an injury could ruin your career. Trust me i cant play high level sport for 15 months because i ruptured my cruciate ligament, that injury can stop you playing ever again !

[killzone_71]

Ouch... you got all sorts of injuries...

btw, What's that "high level sport" your talking about?

[Womble]

National level rugby, i was a shoe in to get into the county team until i injured myself, also im quite a good cicket player

[killzone_71]

Rugby?!?... wow thats a hard sport IMO... but i love tackling someone...