If your athlete child didn't get recruited...

[Anonymous]

We have a child who was hoping to be a recruited athlete. We've come to terms with the fact that this will not be happening. If you had a child in a similar situation, did you do anything differently than originally planned with the college applications? Did you change your target schools?

[Anonymous]

No experience here, but just a hug to your kid. That’s a bummer. What about schools that have strong club team in that sport so they can keep playing?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We have a child who was hoping to be a recruited athlete. We've come to terms with the fact that this will not be happening. If you had a child in a similar situation, did you do anything differently than originally planned with the college applications? Did you change your target schools?

I know a family with three sons, all great athletes. The first two attended T10 schools and played 4 years in their respective sports. The third kid was a great student but not as strong as the top 2. He went hard for a couple of top LACs, but also had irons in the fire for schools further down the line. In a non-COVID year, he probably would have ended up at one of the top LACs, but these coaches didn't attend the showcases, were brand new to their positions, etc. The dad says that he knew the son had to have a broad list of schools if playing was his number one goal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We have a child who was hoping to be a recruited athlete. We've come to terms with the fact that this will not be happening. If you had a child in a similar situation, did you do anything differently than originally planned with the college applications? Did you change your target schools?

Going through this now. Still holding out hope, but yes, expanding search at this point which means DD is writing lots and lots of essays. Sihe does not want to go to a small LAC if not playing her sport, so looking at bigger schools now. It's tough - being on a team means the world to her. I keep reminding her that the vast majority of kids do not go on to play sports in college! And that there are club sports.

[Anonymous]

Decided not to go to a small rural LAC just for the sport and had no shot at top schools due to academics and lower sport ability. Had liked one target school where they just missed being recruited, and was accepted without the sport. Enjoying club team and has time to study. Was disappointing in HS but is happy now.

[Anonymous]

Yes going through this with DS in fencing. He may play club

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We have a child who was hoping to be a recruited athlete. We've come to terms with the fact that this will not be happening. If you had a child in a similar situation, did you do anything differently than originally planned with the college applications? Did you change your target schools?

DS wanted big academically strong school, not the small, low academic, or lesser known schools that reach out. DS now refocusing on club teams at top academic schools. There are a lot of them.Many schools with out varsity lax, have strong club teams. Look at schools with MCLA Division 1 teams. They will get to play their sport in college and still have time for internships, jobs, greek life, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We have a child who was hoping to be a recruited athlete. We've come to terms with the fact that this will not be happening. If you had a child in a similar situation, did you do anything differently than originally planned with the college applications? Did you change your target schools?

DS wanted big academically strong school, not the small, low academic, or lesser known schools that reach out. DS now refocusing on club teams at top academic schools. There are a lot of them.Many schools with out varsity lax, have strong club teams. Look at schools with MCLA Division 1 teams. They will get to play their sport in college and still have time for internships, jobs, greek life, etc.

What are some academically strong schools with student bodies of 4000-7000 where Greek life is not significant, and kids can play good club sports?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We have a child who was hoping to be a recruited athlete. We've come to terms with the fact that this will not be happening. If you had a child in a similar situation, did you do anything differently than originally planned with the college applications? Did you change your target schools?

DS wanted big academically strong school, not the small, low academic, or lesser known schools that reach out. DS now refocusing on club teams at top academic schools. There are a lot of them.Many schools with out varsity lax, have strong club teams. Look at schools with MCLA Division 1 teams. They will get to play their sport in college and still have time for internships, jobs, greek life, etc.

What are some academically strong schools with student bodies of 4000-7000 where Greek life is not significant, and kids can play good club sports?

Boys?

https://mcla.us/teams

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We have a child who was hoping to be a recruited athlete. We've come to terms with the fact that this will not be happening. If you had a child in a similar situation, did you do anything differently than originally planned with the college applications? Did you change your target schools?

DS wanted big academically strong school, not the small, low academic, or lesser known schools that reach out. DS now refocusing on club teams at top academic schools. There are a lot of them.Many schools with out varsity lax, have strong club teams. Look at schools with MCLA Division 1 teams. They will get to play their sport in college and still have time for internships, jobs, greek life, etc.

What are some academically strong schools with student bodies of 4000-7000 where Greek life is not significant, and kids can play good club sports?

Rice

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We have a child who was hoping to be a recruited athlete. We've come to terms with the fact that this will not be happening. If you had a child in a similar situation, did you do anything differently than originally planned with the college applications? Did you change your target schools?

DS wanted big academically strong school, not the small, low academic, or lesser known schools that reach out. DS now refocusing on club teams at top academic schools. There are a lot of them.Many schools with out varsity lax, have strong club teams. Look at schools with MCLA Division 1 teams. They will get to play their sport in college and still have time for internships, jobs, greek life, etc.

What are some academically strong schools with student bodies of 4000-7000 where Greek life is not significant, and kids can play good club sports?

Op here. I’m finding that it really depends on the sport your child is playing. I’m looking at schools that fit our child’s academic profile and geographic preference, then looking to see if they have a club team in our sport. I don’t think there is an easy way to go through this search process other than clicking through school websites. I’m also finding that some club teams are more active and organized than others.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We have a child who was hoping to be a recruited athlete. We've come to terms with the fact that this will not be happening. If you had a child in a similar situation, did you do anything differently than originally planned with the college applications? Did you change your target schools?

Our DD was recruited only at D3 programs which did not fit her academic profile. She is now at an Ivy and was chosen captain of her club team (a good team which consistently qualifies for regionals and nationals and has a couple of ex varsity players on the team).

The club team has been the greatest source of social enjoyment in college for our DD. Keep in mind that some club teams can be highly competitive. The team took only 2 of the 40 kids that tried out when our DD was a freshman.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We have a child who was hoping to be a recruited athlete. We've come to terms with the fact that this will not be happening. If you had a child in a similar situation, did you do anything differently than originally planned with the college applications? Did you change your target schools?

Our DD was recruited only at D3 programs which did not fit her academic profile. She is now at an Ivy and was chosen captain of her club team (a good team which consistently qualifies for regionals and nationals and has a couple of ex varsity players on the team).

The club team has been the greatest source of social enjoyment in college for our DD. Keep in mind that some club teams can be highly competitive. The team took only 2 of the 40 kids that tried out when our DD was a freshman.

This was a factor in our college search. Large schools have tough tryouts for club teams. It can be hard to make even a club team at some schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We have a child who was hoping to be a recruited athlete. We've come to terms with the fact that this will not be happening. If you had a child in a similar situation, did you do anything differently than originally planned with the college applications? Did you change your target schools?

DS wanted big academically strong school, not the small, low academic, or lesser known schools that reach out. DS now refocusing on club teams at top academic schools. There are a lot of them.Many schools with out varsity lax, have strong club teams. Look at schools with MCLA Division 1 teams. They will get to play their sport in college and still have time for internships, jobs, greek life, etc.

What are some academically strong schools with student bodies of 4000-7000 where Greek life is not significant, and kids can play good club sports?

William and Mary, Northeastern

[Anonymous]

Going through this now. Still holding out hope, but yes, expanding search at this point which means DD is writing lots and lots of essays. Sihe does not want to go to a small LAC if not playing her sport, so looking at bigger schools now. It's tough - being on a team means the world to her. I keep reminding her that the vast majority of kids do not go on to play sports in college! And that there are club sports.

I have multiple kids who were recruited athletes, including one at a small LAC. If your DD would not attend the school without the sport, she should take the school off her list. None of the kids I know who attended their school just because they could play there ended up happy at their school, and especially those that ended up at small LACs (though most who chose those schools would have selected them even without the sport). It's hard for your kid to have this perspective now, but the sport that is so important right now will become so much less so a year from now and especially two-three years from now, even if your kid is playing in college - I have witnessed this with virtually all of the many kids I know who started out college playing a sport. I remember being at the stage with kids who are so intent on being recruited, and I'm sorry your DD is disappointed right now, but please believe that in the long run she may be happier.