Advice needed: Sister-in-law’s touring dozens of no-name colleges with student-athlete daughter

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Unfortunately, this isn’t all that unusual. As you say, this scenario is doomed, but the dream for some dies hard. Even if the kid gets a scholarship, she’s spending four years “earning” a worthless degree from a no-name school. What’s the value of that “education”? Near zero. But, people make dumb decisions everyday; it’s just that some are more consequential than others.

So a nursing degree is considered worthless these days? Good to know.

[Anonymous]

So she’d rather play sports than go to a name brand college? And her parents are on board? And she will graduate with a nursing degree? And possibly even less debt than a public college? But will have the same career regardless? Why is any of this a problem, op? I’m so glad you’re not my sister in law. Different people have different values, you know. You don’t have the same values as her and you need to just accept that. (Saying all this, I also think op is a troll.)

[Anonymous]

The team at said “no-name” college will provide her with memories and friends for a lifetime. It will also provide her with connections, via the alumni network and the families of players that will propel your niece in her career that will surprise you.

[Anonymous]

My friend got a biology degree fro a no-name college because it was the cheapest option, and now she is a doctor.

[Anonymous]

I know a handful of kids who got a full ride at a no name college thanks to their stupid sport. You can’t be a free college education.

PS - Tons of kids prefer small colleges. Many can’t navigate a flagship university. (I loved UMCP, but I (sorta) understand why some kids prefer Gettysburg or Loyola (Baltimore).

[Anonymous]

You sound like a judgmental snob.

Butt out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is ABSOLUTELY none of your business. But sure insert your opinions. I’m sure that will do wonders for the family relationship. Butt the F out.

Let me add that your idea of "no-name" means nothing. Perhaps you haven't heard of Colby? Bates? Swarthmore?

Those you rattled off are not no-name, obviously. I am referring to truly obscure regional liberal arts colleges. Colleges that may not exist in 10 years.

Please name a few of the schools. Serious question as some no-name small schools are interesting & worthwhile for various reasons.

Franklin, Wittenberg, Roon, Providence

[Anonymous]

Wow! This thread has really triggered all those parents who have spent tens of thousands of dollars. Not to mention countless hours, and sacrificed time that could have been spent on their other kids or hobbies, just so they could travel to Cleveland, Pittsburgh and Upper Marlborough all those weekends and stay at $65/night motels for the sake of all of those travel teams for their ‘elite’ sons and daughters. OP, I applaud you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So my niece can continue to play her sport in college. The issue is two-fold. Her daughter is simply good not great at her sport (which her parents refuse to accept) and the family is only middle class. They have no college savings, so debt will fuel this. Is it sports obsessed parents’ egos that refuse to let it go? They can’t admit ten years of sports efforts simply conclude in 12th grade?

Is there any way to convince them they’re about to make a terrible financial decision? The family is going to end up with a lot of debt, their daughter will likely quit the sport once she can do what she wants, and likely, the daughter hates the no-name private college where she knows nobody. Isn’t that how this usually plays out?

You have described - exactly - my daughter's best friend. Her parents are deeply in dept sending her to a private school so she can continue playing her sport. It really boggles the mind.

There are probably other reasons the kid goes to private school but lots of kids do way better in one environment than another (public v private).

I have come to appreciate sports. I come from a total non-sports family. My parents aren't from the U.S. and only had daughters - and daughters, back then, in the home country, did not do sports. I had three kids and two played several varsity sports in high school and one played in college. There is a lot of discipline and camraderie and support on a sports team. Sometimes, what matters in life and in education is for a kid to find their tribe, and sports can be their tribe.

If they're not fantastic at their sport and not fantastic at academics, a small, regional college may be the perfect answer. I have seen plenty of people go on to have succesful lives and find their niche after graduating from smaller, regional colleges.

PP here. Sure, all of this is true. But when parents can’t *afford* that small, regional private school (that is giving no merit aid), going into debt to send their kid there is doing no one any favors.

And before the usual suspects pipe up - of course I haven’t said anything at all to these parents. They’re good friends of ours and in fact, THEY are the ones who have brought up this subject several times. We just try to stay neutral - but of course we can discuss on an anonymous message board.

Since she hasn't applied yet, let alone been accepted, how do you know she won't get merit aid?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is ABSOLUTELY none of your business. But sure insert your opinions. I’m sure that will do wonders for the family relationship. Butt the F out.

Let me add that your idea of "no-name" means nothing. Perhaps you haven't heard of Colby? Bates? Swarthmore?

Those you rattled off are not no-name, obviously. I am referring to truly obscure regional liberal arts colleges. Colleges that may not exist in 10 years.

Please name a few of the schools. Serious question as some no-name small schools are interesting & worthwhile for various reasons.

Franklin, Wittenberg, Roon, Providence

I know a nurse who went to Providence. 1. It's not a small LAC, it's a midsize college (over 4k students).
2. Health fields are a strength there and they have a BSN program.
3. Their standard merit awards go up to $37k (about half the cost of attendance) and they also have a selective full ride scholarship for students aspiring to a medical field. NCES says average net price for a moderate income family is about $24k.
If she likes it, can play her sport, and comes out well prepared as a nurse and her family can manage the cost, it seems like a good option.

For the others ...Wittenberg is also a BSN, top standard award is $28k, about half the tuition cost. Net price for moderate income family <$20k

"Roon" - is that a typo? It's not listed in the NCES database.

Franklin - don't know what that is. "Franklin College" doesn't have nursing and "Franklin University" appears to be online only.

It just took me a few minutes of research to find this out. Maybe approach your family with curiosity rather than judgement.

[Anonymous]

A lot of families seem to think that a place on the team will somehow magically erase college costs. Reality is that it may only minimally defray costs. Financially, it makes more sense to secure a spot at a school with a high endowment and better financial aid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is ABSOLUTELY none of your business. But sure insert your opinions. I’m sure that will do wonders for the family relationship. Butt the F out.

Let me add that your idea of "no-name" means nothing. Perhaps you haven't heard of Colby? Bates? Swarthmore?

Those you rattled off are not no-name, obviously. I am referring to truly obscure regional liberal arts colleges. Colleges that may not exist in 10 years.

Please name a few of the schools. Serious question as some no-name small schools are interesting & worthwhile for various reasons.

Franklin, Wittenberg, Roon, Providence

Laughing hysterically at Providence being a no-name school.

[Anonymous]

My niece was the best in our state and still went to a mediocre college, but on full scholarship which was the point because my brother had no interest in paying for his kids colleges.

It's probably less about ego and more about money. You can go to MIT and play any sport you want, but something tells me she isn't elite college material and her parents won't pay for it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:First of all, this is none of your business. ANd I don't say that often here.

Second of all, you clearly know nothing about the recruiting process. So let me enlighten you a bit. You might not think your niece is good at her sport, but that does not mean that these "no name" college coaches agree. (ALso, you're a snobby b1tch, but that's another matter). Many of the D3 schools give very good financial aid and merit aid, which your niece might qualify for.

Last, but not least, a lot of your idea of "no name" colleges are not that, and have good nursing programs.

So basically, butt out and educate yourself.

Clap emoji!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is ABSOLUTELY none of your business. But sure insert your opinions. I’m sure that will do wonders for the family relationship. Butt the F out.

Let me add that your idea of "no-name" means nothing. Perhaps you haven't heard of Colby? Bates? Swarthmore?

Those you rattled off are not no-name, obviously. I am referring to truly obscure regional liberal arts colleges. Colleges that may not exist in 10 years.

Please name a few of the schools. Serious question as some no-name small schools are interesting & worthwhile for various reasons.

Franklin, Wittenberg, Roon, Providence

Laughing hysterically at Providence being a no-name school.

I'm a west-coaster but have been on the east coast for 20+ years. Never heard of any of these colleges.