Sporty families bragging about offers and committing to awful colleges in the middle of nowhere?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's sad to think that OP represents a number of people on social media.

My D is a current junior going through the recruiting process and will likely end up at a D3 ranked somewhere around 25th in the country (think Bryn Mawr, Colorado College etc). Ones people have heard of before but maybe not ones they think of as "tippy top" to use an annoying phrase people say on DCUM. Given some interest from the coach, there is a chance she might end up at a top 3 LAC but I'm honestly not sure I want that for her because it will be a TON of pressure and she has experienced pressure for years at her private school. During this process we have visited other schools ranked lower (even some that don't make the top 50!) and saw great programs with caring coaches and wonderful teammates at all of them. Many of these have strong track records for grad and med school admissions and opportunities to intern at great places nearby.

Here's the thing, even though DD is a strong student who could attend a top 20 college, she wants to play her sport for four more years in an environment where nobody cares what the "next level" is because this is the end of the road and it's all about the joy of playing and bonding with her team. Her sport provides discipline and a sense of schedule that she loves and craves. It will also allow her to be welcomed by a team of girls who have many traditions and fun events where they can bond over four years. Many of these schools have special programs for athletes like leadership training and academic check ins from the coaching staff - and that makes me feel good as she transitions to a new environment.

Could she attend a "better" school academically if she didn't play sports? Sure, maybe. But why is that the path she needs to choose? I honestly don't care if you're not happy for my child because knowing that she is excited for the opportunities she'll have as an athlete is more important to me. No need to "like" my post or hers.

Just wrote basically the same thing about DS but it disappeared. While our DS could have played at a higher level, top school etc, he doesn't want to, nor should he if that's what he chooses. He has ADHD and is highly gifted, suffered from a chronic illness that literally knocked him on the ground for years and seems to know what he needs out of continuing to play as well as get a solid college experience without undue physical or mental duress. We're very proud of how hard he worked in class and on the field to get where he is and yes, we did put a short post online about it.

OP, you chose to let these people in your life. Get different friends if you really think so poorly of the ones you have! Better yet, practice some self-reflection. You haven't walked in their shoes, so you have no idea what's going on or why they or their child chose that path.

[Anonymous]

Much worse when schools and coaches to it, Op. Meaning, when they go on-and-on-and-on with the accolades.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I like seeing the announcements, I'm very happy for all of these kids and their families.

In fact I'd rather see these announcements for "awful colleges in the middle of nowhere" than the ones bragging about their kids committing to Michigan, UVA, whatever other schools OP mentioned.

You are as bad as OP. Why can't parents post on their social media page where their kid is going to college? They are excited. Live and let live. OP doesn't want "crappy" schools and you don't want better schools. It's a big benchmark for these kids, and their parents, let them enjoy the moment.

It’s not just a single, brief post about where the kiddo is going to college. For literally 10 years these travel sports parents have bragged and posted every single event, check-ins, hundreds of pictures with trophies and medals, and humble bragging about Larla and Lincoln’s top 3 finishes. They whispered to anyone in earshot their kiddo was getting looks from Ivies and maybe D1s, whatever the case, “playing at the next level” was assured ... so when the kiddo ends up at a backwater LAC you’ve never heard of, it’s puzzling. And they always seem to announce this with a 300 word brag post filled with “blessed” and “all the sacrifice was worth it.” We never get the posts letting us know Larla quit the sport after her freshman year.

You really don't understand that these kids will get tutors, merit aid and connections for jobs... all from sports.

Incorrect. D3 schools can not issue merit aid based on anything but academic achievement. Most schools have free tutoring, even 1 on 1, and connections for jobs are always based on who you know and what you do. So while an athlete may get a job based on their sport, others will for their fraternity/sorority, their club activity (hacking, botball, clothes designing etc..) as well as internships, co-ops, and research based opportunities that many athletes are unable to participate in.

I am not a poster bashing college athletes as I think they are great and yes, some athletes will have a few more options than a college student that does nothing else. But most college students don't do anything else. They have time to pick and choose their passions and do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I like seeing the announcements, I'm very happy for all of these kids and their families.

In fact I'd rather see these announcements for "awful colleges in the middle of nowhere" than the ones bragging about their kids committing to Michigan, UVA, whatever other schools OP mentioned.

You are as bad as OP. Why can't parents post on their social media page where their kid is going to college? They are excited. Live and let live. OP doesn't want "crappy" schools and you don't want better schools. It's a big benchmark for these kids, and their parents, let them enjoy the moment.

It’s not just a single, brief post about where the kiddo is going to college. For literally 10 years these travel sports parents have bragged and posted every single event, check-ins, hundreds of pictures with trophies and medals, and humble bragging about Larla and Lincoln’s top 3 finishes. They whispered to anyone in earshot their kiddo was getting looks from Ivies and maybe D1s, whatever the case, “playing at the next level” was assured ... so when the kiddo ends up at a backwater LAC you’ve never heard of, it’s puzzling. And they always seem to announce this with a 300 word brag post filled with “blessed” and “all the sacrifice was worth it.” We never get the posts letting us know Larla quit the sport after her freshman year.

You really don't understand that these kids will get tutors, merit aid and connections for jobs... all from sports.

Incorrect. D3 schools can not issue merit aid based on anything but academic achievement. Most schools have free tutoring, even 1 on 1, and connections for jobs are always based on who you know and what you do. So while an athlete may get a job based on their sport, others will for their fraternity/sorority, their club activity (hacking, botball, clothes designing etc..) as well as internships, co-ops, and research based opportunities that many athletes are unable to participate in.

I am not a poster bashing college athletes as I think they are great and yes, some athletes will have a few more options than a college student that does nothing else. But most college students don't do anything else. They have time to pick and choose their passions and do.

My DS got merit aid at a D3 that was directly related to his sport. He received scholarships for his academics. This was made very clear to us by his coach.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I like seeing the announcements, I'm very happy for all of these kids and their families.

In fact I'd rather see these announcements for "awful colleges in the middle of nowhere" than the ones bragging about their kids committing to Michigan, UVA, whatever other schools OP mentioned.

You are as bad as OP. Why can't parents post on their social media page where their kid is going to college? They are excited. Live and let live. OP doesn't want "crappy" schools and you don't want better schools. It's a big benchmark for these kids, and their parents, let them enjoy the moment.

It’s not just a single, brief post about where the kiddo is going to college. For literally 10 years these travel sports parents have bragged and posted every single event, check-ins, hundreds of pictures with trophies and medals, and humble bragging about Larla and Lincoln’s top 3 finishes. They whispered to anyone in earshot their kiddo was getting looks from Ivies and maybe D1s, whatever the case, “playing at the next level” was assured ... so when the kiddo ends up at a backwater LAC you’ve never heard of, it’s puzzling. And they always seem to announce this with a 300 word brag post filled with “blessed” and “all the sacrifice was worth it.” We never get the posts letting us know Larla quit the sport after her freshman year.

I am grateful that I don't know you.

Seriously OP. I imagine you don’t have many friends?

[Anonymous]

Pretty sure OP has some issue with athletes... maybe PTSD from their own HS or kid's HS experience not making a team

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I like seeing the announcements, I'm very happy for all of these kids and their families.

In fact I'd rather see these announcements for "awful colleges in the middle of nowhere" than the ones bragging about their kids committing to Michigan, UVA, whatever other schools OP mentioned.

You are as bad as OP. Why can't parents post on their social media page where their kid is going to college? They are excited. Live and let live. OP doesn't want "crappy" schools and you don't want better schools. It's a big benchmark for these kids, and their parents, let them enjoy the moment.

It’s not just a single, brief post about where the kiddo is going to college. For literally 10 years these travel sports parents have bragged and posted every single event, check-ins, hundreds of pictures with trophies and medals, and humble bragging about Larla and Lincoln’s top 3 finishes. They whispered to anyone in earshot their kiddo was getting looks from Ivies and maybe D1s, whatever the case, “playing at the next level” was assured ... so when the kiddo ends up at a backwater LAC you’ve never heard of, it’s puzzling. And they always seem to announce this with a 300 word brag post filled with “blessed” and “all the sacrifice was worth it.” We never get the posts letting us know Larla quit the sport after her freshman year.

You really don't understand that these kids will get tutors, merit aid and connections for jobs... all from sports.

Incorrect. D3 schools can not issue merit aid based on anything but academic achievement. Most schools have free tutoring, even 1 on 1, and connections for jobs are always based on who you know and what you do. So while an athlete may get a job based on their sport, others will for their fraternity/sorority, their club activity (hacking, botball, clothes designing etc..) as well as internships, co-ops, and research based opportunities that many athletes are unable to participate in.

I am not a poster bashing college athletes as I think they are great and yes, some athletes will have a few more options than a college student that does nothing else. But most college students don't do anything else. They have time to pick and choose their passions and do.

My DS got merit aid at a D3 that was directly related to his sport. He received scholarships for his academics. This was made very clear to us by his coach.

No, his coach told him the minimum he needed in SAT/ACT and GPA to possibly receive merit aid package. They can do some leveraging, but only if the student has the academic requirements. So no, they do not offer merit or academic scholarships based on a sport.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The title of this post alone is such perfect DCUM lmao

I know. The PLEBEIANS how dare they! Lol

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I like seeing the announcements, I'm very happy for all of these kids and their families.

In fact I'd rather see these announcements for "awful colleges in the middle of nowhere" than the ones bragging about their kids committing to Michigan, UVA, whatever other schools OP mentioned.

You are as bad as OP. Why can't parents post on their social media page where their kid is going to college? They are excited. Live and let live. OP doesn't want "crappy" schools and you don't want better schools. It's a big benchmark for these kids, and their parents, let them enjoy the moment.

It’s not just a single, brief post about where the kiddo is going to college. For literally 10 years these travel sports parents have bragged and posted every single event, check-ins, hundreds of pictures with trophies and medals, and humble bragging about Larla and Lincoln’s top 3 finishes. They whispered to anyone in earshot their kiddo was getting looks from Ivies and maybe D1s, whatever the case, “playing at the next level” was assured ... so when the kiddo ends up at a backwater LAC you’ve never heard of, it’s puzzling. And they always seem to announce this with a 300 word brag post filled with “blessed” and “all the sacrifice was worth it.” We never get the posts letting us know Larla quit the sport after her freshman year.

You really don't understand that these kids will get tutors, merit aid and connections for jobs... all from sports.

Incorrect. D3 schools can not issue merit aid based on anything but academic achievement. Most schools have free tutoring, even 1 on 1, and connections for jobs are always based on who you know and what you do. So while an athlete may get a job based on their sport, others will for their fraternity/sorority, their club activity (hacking, botball, clothes designing etc..) as well as internships, co-ops, and research based opportunities that many athletes are unable to participate in.

I am not a poster bashing college athletes as I think they are great and yes, some athletes will have a few more options than a college student that does nothing else. But most college students don't do anything else. They have time to pick and choose their passions and do.

My DS got merit aid at a D3 that was directly related to his sport. He received scholarships for his academics. This was made very clear to us
by his coach.

No, his coach told him the minimum he needed in SAT/ACT and GPA to possibly receive merit aid package. They can do some leveraging, but only if the student has the academic requirements. So no, they do not offer merit or academic scholarships based on a sport.

Nope, as I stated, he got scholarships for academics and merit for committing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was a college athlete and can honestly say that in every internship or job interview I had, I was asked about sports and the lessons and qualities I learned from them. I was D1 but the things you do and learn are the same and they are valuable skills in life and the workplace. So go on and shit on these families and kids all you want—they just might be the ones eventually beating your precious Johnny out for a job one day.

An employer asked a college kid about the small handful of things on their thin resume? Wow, just wow.

Is it your assertion that playing a sport at an open admit 13th grade U or broke LAC in nobodyville, USA sets you up more than attending a more selective, brand name, more resources, superior faculty, better financial aid university or LAC? Because that’s a bit deluded.

OP I can just picture your prunish face judging comparing weighing envying. Comparison is the thief of joy.

She has no clue that almost every kid on the team will get an internship with a booster from the schools previous players. OMFG! She thinks kids get jobs by sending out resumes.

I wrote the original comment, but just to add, my team network never got me a job. I did get jobs and internships by sending out my resume (I went to law school in a completely different geographic area and “home” is a third completely different area) BUT it reminded me of the fact that having a coach to use as a reference is also another valuable asset. The coach knows the athlete from daily interactions. They know how they get along and work with others. Your real strengths and weaknesses. Perfectionist? Punctual? Always did extra workouts? Never missed a practice? All things an employer finds valuable. I have been a D3 coach myself and have been asked a number of times to be a reference and have been called a few times out of those. I’ve always felt like I was able to really give a complete picture of the athlete’s attributes and relevant qualities. I guarantee the school I coached at would fall into the category the OP made up. Guess what. My kids are almost all very successful with outstanding jobs. Nurses and pharmacists at big name hospitals in large cities. Engineers. Thriving law students. The name of the school certainly didn’t seem to hold them back.

Like, great! Your non-athlete child got all A’s in science and completed all their labs. So did the athletes with far more on their plates. People honestly don’t see the value in that, even at a smaller, lesser known school? Get real.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's sad to think that OP represents a number of people on social media.

My D is a current junior going through the recruiting process and will likely end up at a D3 ranked somewhere around 25th in the country (think Bryn Mawr, Colorado College etc).

Anonymous wrote:Heck, if 'crummy D3' includes Brandeis, CalTech, CMU, Case, Emory, Grinnell, Haverford and Hopkins, I guess it can't be so bad .

Colorado College and Case Western Reserve and others name-checked obviously are not in the awful, unrecognizable column. I'm skittish about naming examples for fear of offending anyone. Generally, unranked on US News, very small endowment, unimpressive admissions and outcomes—and I'm sure if you got into the weeds, Moody's probably thinks their long-term viability is dire. Also, public universities that are more regional, possibly lots of commuters, very low if not non-existent admissions bar, very low graduation rates, dismal salaries on US Gov Scorecard.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I like seeing the announcements, I'm very happy for all of these kids and their families.

In fact I'd rather see these announcements for "awful colleges in the middle of nowhere" than the ones bragging about their kids committing to Michigan, UVA, whatever other schools OP mentioned.

You are as bad as OP. Why can't parents post on their social media page where their kid is going to college? They are excited. Live and let live. OP doesn't want "crappy" schools and you don't want better schools. It's a big benchmark for these kids, and their parents, let them enjoy the moment.

It’s not just a single, brief post about where the kiddo is going to college. For literally 10 years these travel sports parents have bragged and posted every single event, check-ins, hundreds of pictures with trophies and medals, and humble bragging about Larla and Lincoln’s top 3 finishes. They whispered to anyone in earshot their kiddo was getting looks from Ivies and maybe D1s, whatever the case, “playing at the next level” was assured ... so when the kiddo ends up at a backwater LAC you’ve never heard of, it’s puzzling. And they always seem to announce this with a 300 word brag post filled with “blessed” and “all the sacrifice was worth it.” We never get the posts letting us know Larla quit the sport after her freshman year.

You really don't understand that these kids will get tutors, merit aid and connections for jobs... all from sports.

Incorrect. D3 schools can not issue merit aid based on anything but academic achievement. Most schools have free tutoring, even 1 on 1, and connections for jobs are always based on who you know and what you do. So while an athlete may get a job based on their sport, others will for their fraternity/sorority, their club activity (hacking, botball, clothes designing etc..) as well as internships, co-ops, and research based opportunities that many athletes are unable to participate in.

I am not a poster bashing college athletes as I think they are great and yes, some athletes will have a few more options than a college student that does nothing else. But most college students don't do anything else. They have time to pick and choose their passions and do.

My DS got merit aid at a D3 that was directly related to his sport. He received scholarships for his academics. This was made very clear to us
by his coach.

No, his coach told him the minimum he needed in SAT/ACT and GPA to possibly receive merit aid package. They can do some leveraging, but only if the student has the academic requirements. So no, they do not offer merit or academic scholarships based on a sport.

Nope, as I stated, he got scholarships for academics and merit for committing.

Scholarships for academics? That's called merit aid. D3 does not give any aid for athletics. It's against the rules. It's very much cut and dry.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's sad to think that OP represents a number of people on social media.

My D is a current junior going through the recruiting process and will likely end up at a D3 ranked somewhere around 25th in the country (think Bryn Mawr, Colorado College etc). Ones people have heard of before but maybe not ones they think of as "tippy top" to use an annoying phrase people say on DCUM. Given some interest from the coach, there is a chance she might end up at a top 3 LAC but I'm honestly not sure I want that for her because it will be a TON of pressure and she has experienced pressure for years at her private school. During this process we have visited other schools ranked lower (even some that don't make the top 50!) and saw great programs with caring coaches and wonderful teammates at all of them. Many of these have strong track records for grad and med school admissions and opportunities to intern at great places nearby.

Here's the thing, even though DD is a strong student who could attend a top 20 college, she wants to play her sport for four more years in an environment where nobody cares what the "next level" is because this is the end of the road and it's all about the joy of playing and bonding with her team. Her sport provides discipline and a sense of schedule that she loves and craves. It will also allow her to be welcomed by a team of girls who have many traditions and fun events where they can bond over four years. Many of these schools have special programs for athletes like leadership training and academic check ins from the coaching staff - and that makes me feel good as she transitions to a new environment.

Could she attend a "better" school academically if she didn't play sports? Sure, maybe. But why is that the path she needs to choose? I honestly don't care if you're not happy for my child because knowing that she is excited for the opportunities she'll have as an athlete is more important to me. No need to "like" my post or hers.

OMG - for crying out loud! She is looking at schools ranked around 25! How on earth is that considered bad? This is not what OP is talking about!

If you read my post you would see that I’m making the point that many of the schools she’s looking at aren’t in the top 50 of USNWR but I still thought they had a lot to offer and I would be fine with her choosing one of them. I have no idea where she’ll end up but I know there are many good options that some people on DCUM would likely roll their eyes about.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I like seeing the announcements, I'm very happy for all of these kids and their families.

In fact I'd rather see these announcements for "awful colleges in the middle of nowhere" than the ones bragging about their kids committing to Michigan, UVA, whatever other schools OP mentioned.

You are as bad as OP. Why can't parents post on their social media page where their kid is going to college? They are excited. Live and let live. OP doesn't want "crappy" schools and you don't want better schools. It's a big benchmark for these kids, and their parents, let them enjoy the moment.

It’s not just a single, brief post about where the kiddo is going to college. For literally 10 years these travel sports parents have bragged and posted every single event, check-ins, hundreds of pictures with trophies and medals, and humble bragging about Larla and Lincoln’s top 3 finishes. They whispered to anyone in earshot their kiddo was getting looks from Ivies and maybe D1s, whatever the case, “playing at the next level” was assured ... so when the kiddo ends up at a backwater LAC you’ve never heard of, it’s puzzling. And they always seem to announce this with a 300 word brag post filled with “blessed” and “all the sacrifice was worth it.” We never get the posts letting us know Larla quit the sport after her freshman year.

You really don't understand that these kids will get tutors, merit aid and connections for jobs... all from sports.

Incorrect. D3 schools can not issue merit aid based on anything but academic achievement. Most schools have free tutoring, even 1 on 1, and connections for jobs are always based on who you know and what you do. So while an athlete may get a job based on their sport, others will for their fraternity/sorority, their club activity (hacking, botball, clothes designing etc..) as well as internships, co-ops, and research based opportunities that many athletes are unable to participate in.

I am not a poster bashing college athletes as I think they are great and yes, some athletes will have a few more options than a college student that does nothing else. But most college students don't do anything else. They have time to pick and choose their passions and do.

My DS got merit aid at a D3 that was directly related to his sport. He received scholarships for his academics. This was made very clear to us
by his coach.

No, his coach told him the minimum he needed in SAT/ACT and GPA to possibly receive merit aid package. They can do some leveraging, but only if the student has the academic requirements. So no, they do not offer merit or academic scholarships based on a sport.

Nope, as I stated, he got scholarships for academics and merit for committing.

Scholarships for academics? That's called merit aid. D3 does not give any aid for athletics. It's against the rules. It's very much cut and dry.

Agree. No academic or merit scholarships for just being an athlete. It is illegal. Can a coach say, if you verbal commit and apply ED or EA with x GPA and x SAT, you should see a lucrative merit package based on academics, leadership, etc.... Yes. So can a great field LAX player get into MIT EA with a 33 ACT and 3.5 GPA. Yes. Just like a legacy could. Even if the average the average is much higher, admissions can do what they want and I am sure coaches have pull behind the scenes. But outright, no merit aid comes in the form of athletic merit aid and a kid with a 28 ACT and 2.5 isn’t getting in. There is a threshold for ever school.

D1 abs D2 can give athletic scholarships.

[Anonymous]

OP, mind your own business. You are horribly judgmental.