Yes, of course you can die from just about anything. I admit that. I never said otherwise. A married person's family is going to be sad when that person dies, no matter what the cause of the death. That's true. However, that’s not the point I’m making here.

My point is that 1.) the odds of you dying or being seriously injured during motorcycle racing are high (much, much higher than everyday activities), and 2.) since motorcycle racing is a hobby or sport for most and therefore not necessary, the family is going to struggle with understanding that death or injury. They will wonder if you loved racing more than them. This struggle will be the direct result of the fact that motorcycle racing is so dangerous.

A number of folks argue that motorcycle racing is no more dangerous than riding on the street, or even less so. I think this is bunk. I understand the hazards of riding on the street (the other clueless drivers, the hard obstacles, etc) and the advantages of a track for riding fast. However, I argue that the very high speeds involved in racing make it more hazardous. Tracks are trying to improve their safety, but bikes are also getting faster.

Also, this is a matter of how you interpret the statistics. It may seem that deaths at the track are rare to those that participate. In an absolute sense, they are rare. However, in a relative sense, they are not. You have to consider how few people race motorcycles (as compared to how many ride on the street) and how little time is actually spent racing (compared to hours on the street). Also, to be fair, you need to factor out drunken motorcyclists and those not wearing helmets (those two problems don't exist at the track). When you do all of that, there is no way racing is going to be safer.

The problem with the difference between absolute and relative statistics is why those that work with statistics do not consider anecdotal evidence when judging the likelihood of any event occurring. One person’s story or experience does not a statistic make. What you know to be true may not be so on average.

If you want to race motorcycles, more power to you. Despite the fact that I think it is very dangerous, I think anyone who wants to race should do so. No one is guaranteed a long, healthy life. However, I also think that those who race should not dismiss how dangerous it really is and what affect their death or debilitating injury will have on those that love them.

I will try to find some more data on motorcycle racing. I doubt tracks will be wiling to give up that data (what's in it for them?), but I will try.

I see nothing from the LW about what she wants to do with her life? Does she want to be an executive or entrepreneur? What is her goal and how does an MBA allow her to meet it?

Unfortunately, its seems like so many bright students opt for the MBA or the JD without much thought to why or to what end. The only thing many of them know is that they want to make the big bucks when they graduate. The world would be a better place if more of these students considered other ways to put their brains and education to good use.

An aside: Student loans are not "expensive." (The interest rates are generally low.) Business school is expensive.

Yes, if you flunk out, you lose the tuition money. You pay for the privilege to attend the school, not for your grades. There is no money-back guarantee at college.

One other responder did mention the option of getting money paid for future semesters. This should be an option for the LW.

A 10% failure rate is actually pretty low. Only about 50% of those starting a 4-year undergraduate degree eventually earn it. Ph.D.-level graduate programs have about the same success rate.

Fate? Is this a Greek tragedy where the gods play with mortals lives?

She cheated and maybe got pregnant. This mess is her own doing.

If at all possible, she should have the blood test done without the husband knowing (the BF will want to know). If it’s not his, then she needs to tell him. Maybe he will stay, maybe not. He'd be justified in either decision. But, he needs to know if the child is not his. Also, the kid deserves to know which man is his biological father.

You wish you were Al Franken or Noam Chomsky. They are both much smarter and more interesting than you.

Fresh ideas? Like yours? Like the idea that without religion we'd all be living like the Lord of the Flies, or that Chomsky just hates America? Yeah, those are fresh ideas.

Its seems to me that your idea of being fresh is just being contrary.

No one is destined to do anything. We are makers of our own lives.

You have some money and a degree from an Ivy League school. Your father gave you these gifts. Go do something meaningful with your life. Life is short and it can end suddenly. Don't sit around that dusty old town any more. Find your passion and pursue it, wherever it takes you.

If the doctor loves you, he will follow. (Why does it matter that he's a doctor anyway?) Doctors are needed everywhere. You are younger than he and he should understand your need to get out of your hometown.