With college tuition costs going through the roof, any help parents can get to defray the massive expense and keep their child out of student loan debt is greatly appreciated. At in-state colleges, tuition and room and board will set you back $20,092 per year, while private schools cost $45,385, according to the college board. Numbers like those leave parents praying their kid will be athletic enough to land themselves an NCAA scholarship.
But what sport gives the kid the best chance of landing that elusive scholarship? Patrick O’Rourke, an accountant from Washington, D.C., who is also a father to a baseball player, wanted to figure that out after hearing other parents discuss which sports had the most opportunities at the collegiate level. So he created ScholarshipStats.com to compile stats and sort fact from fiction.
“There’s a lot of bleacher talk that goes on, and a lot of it is just wrong—especially where it comes to scholarships,” O’Rourke told MarketWatch. “Everyone thinks their kid is the best player on Earth and is going to get a Division I scholarship, and first they’ll find out that there’s a lot more competition out there than they think.”
O’Rourke found certain sports where there are better odds of a high school athlete making it on the college level. On the men’s side, gymnastics (20-to-1) and fencing (22-to-1) top O’Rourke’s list. And for women, rowing (2-to-1) and equestrian (3-to-1) are at the top.
But before you buy your kid an épée, O’Rourke will admit that some of his numbers are a little skewed, especially for niche sports. His calculations don’t factor in the number of kids who play a sport on a club team and on a high school team, as is the case with many gymnasts and equestrians because their high school doesn’t offer the sport. So those 24-to-1 odds for women’s gymnasts to land a scholarship may actually be much longer. And what you’ll pay for all that private coaching may offset the gains of partial college scholarship.
As for the more popular youth participation sports such as baseball, lacrosse, soccer, and volleyball, O’Rourke’s data can show which sports offer kids better odds of landing some scholarship money. Though parents had told O’Rourke that there were more opportunities for boys in lacrosse than in baseball, he was able to show that’s not true. Baseball for boys has 60-to-1 odds, while the odds for lacrosse are 85-to-1. And on the women’s side, soccer (40-to-1) offers more opportunity than softball (50-to-1).
Overall, you probably shouldn’t hold your breath that your little one will get a full ride from their athletic feats. Of the 8 million kids playing high school sports, only 480,000 will appear on the collegiate level, and most of those won’t play football or basketball, where full rides are given. While you should definitely encourage your kids to play sports for personal and athletic development, it may be a better idea to have them hit the books and try for some academic scholarships.
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Grieving couple comforting each other
This response to someone grieving a friend might be the best internet comment ever
When someone is hit with the sudden loss of a friend or loved one, words rarely feel like enough. Yet, more than a decade ago, a wise Redditor named GSnow shared thoughts so profound they still bring comfort to grieving hearts today.
Originally posted around 2011, the now-famous reply was rediscovered when Upvoted, an official Reddit publication, featured it again to remind everyone of its enduring truth. It began as a simple plea for help: “My friend just died. I don't know what to do.”
What followed was a piece of writing that many consider one of the internet’s best comments of all time. It remains shared across social media, grief forums, and personal messages to this day because its honesty and metaphor speak to the raw reality of loss and the slow, irregular path toward healing.
Below is GSnow’s full reply, unchanged, in all its gentle, wave-crashing beauty:
Why this advice still matters
Mental health professionals and grief counselors often describe bereavement in stages or phases, but GSnow’s “wave theory” gives an image more relatable for many. Rather than a linear process, grief surges and retreats—sometimes triggered by a song, a place, or a simple morning cup of coffee.
In recent years, this metaphor has found renewed relevance. Communities on Reddit, TikTok, and grief support groups frequently reshare it to help explain the unpredictable nature of mourning.
Many readers say this analogy helps them feel less alone, giving them permission to ride each wave of grief rather than fight it.
Finding comfort in shared wisdom
Since this comment first surfaced, countless people have posted their own stories underneath it, thanking GSnow and passing the words to others facing fresh heartbreak. It’s proof that sometimes, the internet can feel like a global support group—strangers linked by shared loss and hope.
For those searching for more support today, organizations like The Dougy Center, GriefShare, and local bereavement groups offer compassionate resources. If you or someone you know is struggling with intense grief, please reach out to mental health professionals who can help navigate these deep waters.
When grief comes crashing like the ocean, remember these words—and hang on. There is life between the waves.
This article originally appeared four years ago.