Whyte (20) spent six months at Texas University in Austin on an athletics scholarship. But he could not get into the academic courses he wanted and decided to come back to the University of Otago.
''I couldn't study what I wanted and I was mainly there just for the running,'' Whyte told the Otago Daily Times.
''I wanted to study finance but it was going to take 18 months before I could get into the business school.''
Whyte spent two years studying finance and business at the University of Otago before he left for the United States in January.
Since returning to Dunedin he has been able to start his third year of study in these subjects. He is now studying for a double degree in finance and mathematics.
''By the time I waited 18 months to start the course in Texas I would have finished my degree at Otago,'' Whyte said. He found the athletics facilities at Texas University similar to New Zealand.
''The trainers [called physiotherapists in New Zealand] in the University programme were not as good as those in New Zealand,'' Whyte said.
''But some outside the university system are pretty good but we didn't have much access to them.''
Whyte tore his hamstring when competing in his first indoor track meeting at Albuquerque and was out of action for six weeks.
''It was a serious injury,'' Whyte said.
''The recovery time would have been similar in New Zealand.''
The facilities at Texas University were world class.
''I was able to use the underwater treadmill and I saw a physiotherapist twice a day,'' he said.
The big difference in New Zealand ''is that you can pick and choose who you want. If you don't find someone suited for your injury you can go to someone else. At Texas University, there were only two people and they covered everything.
''They did not know how to handle some injuries or were not experienced enough. The University only employed two people and they were the only ones you could go to.''
The job of the trainer under the American college system is to get athletes back racing as soon as possible.
''They want you to be running as fast as possible to get points for the team,'' Whyte said.
''In New Zealand it is more about you rather than the team.
''It felt more like a business in Texas. They employ you and try to get the most out of you.''
The time spent in Texas was a useful learning experience for Whyte.
''The depth of talent is so large in the States,'' Whyte said.
''To make it to the top, the athletes have to work hard. Natural talent is not going to get you there at all.''
Whyte has a personal best 400m time of 46.25sec which is the Otago senior men's and the New Zealand junior men's record. He was the second-ranked 400m runner at Texas University behind Zach Bilderback who has a best time of 45.75sec.
In the Penn Relays the Texas University team ran 3min 05.13sec which is faster than the New Zealand senior men's record.
The opportunities to advance in sport in New Zealand are very good for carded athletes who get funding in the High Performance Sport New Zealand system.
Whyte had advice for carded athletes in the New Zealand who get offers from United States universities.
''If you have funding in New Zealand you should think twice about it,'' he said.
''But if you haven't got funding it's probably a good opportunity to go to the States.''
Whyte's objective over the next six months is to qualify for the 2015 world championships in Beijing. The qualifying standard is 45.60sec. The Rio de Janeiro Olympics is also in his sights.
Andrew Whyte: At a glance
Age: 20.
Education: South Otago HS, University of Otago, Texas University.
Record: NZ secondary schools 400m champion (2011), NZ junior 200m and 400m champion (2012), NZ senior 400m champion (2013), Silver medal Australian senior 400m (2013).
Best time: 400m (46.25sec) NZ junior and Otago senior men's record.
