If your dc is an athlete (potential recruit) - how are you/dc navigating the sport versus academics?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My track kid was recruited by a bunch of D3 schools. But chose a D1 school for the academics, thinking he'd try walk on. He's competitive. But recent changes with NIL and the NCAA have obliterated non-revenue sports like track, swimming, etc at the D1 level. There just aren't a lot of spaces anymore at the non-revenue sports. He does train with the team and competes as an independent, usually beating the varsity competitors at his D1 school. But that track team had to reduce their team by half this year. There's no space for anyone after this years changes. A lot of scholarships disappeared and coaches are trying to make the best of things.

No regrets. He still competes, and gets the the T20 education. But it is very rough in D1 outside football and basketball at the moment.

Interesting. He chose a d1 for the academics not the sport?

Is he long or middle distance?

Middle. 800 and 1500. Sometimes 400.

But an engineering major, so D3 schools didn't work for that.

I'm confused why wouldn't engineering work in a D3 school?

Hmmm…..

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My track kid was recruited by a bunch of D3 schools. But chose a D1 school for the academics, thinking he'd try walk on. He's competitive. But recent changes with NIL and the NCAA have obliterated non-revenue sports like track, swimming, etc at the D1 level. There just aren't a lot of spaces anymore at the non-revenue sports. He does train with the team and competes as an independent, usually beating the varsity competitors at his D1 school. But that track team had to reduce their team by half this year. There's no space for anyone after this years changes. A lot of scholarships disappeared and coaches are trying to make the best of things.

No regrets. He still competes, and gets the the T20 education. But it is very rough in D1 outside football and basketball at the moment.

Interesting. He chose a d1 for the academics not the sport?

Is he long or middle distance?

Middle. 800 and 1500. Sometimes 400.

But an engineering major, so D3 schools didn't work for that.

I'm confused why wouldn't engineering work in a D3 school?

yep and middle distance is even tougher as kid can’t double with x country - have to at sub 1:50 or 4:05 to garner any real interest from reputable D1

What about shorter distances?

What’s a reputable d1 to you?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:my kid picked up the sport relatively late, after sophomore year - and has offers of support from multiple WASP schools - likely would have been D1 material if started earlier - but was able to enjoy childhood and school years as a multi sport athlete. Many of our friends have sold their souls in pursuit of ivy end game

What’s a WASP school?

the 4 best D3 schools for academics, many believe they rival the top ivies

They aren’t the 4 best D3 schools for academics…JHU,
Chicago, MIT and CalTech rank above them when they are all ranked together.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:my kid picked up the sport relatively late, after sophomore year - and has offers of support from multiple WASP schools - likely would have been D1 material if started earlier - but was able to enjoy childhood and school years as a multi sport athlete. Many of our friends have sold their souls in pursuit of ivy end game

What’s a WASP school?

the 4 best D3 schools for academics, many believe they rival the top ivies

They aren’t the 4 best D3 schools for academics…JHU,
Chicago, MIT and CalTech rank above them when they are all ranked together.

Not in sports they don’t. These are not serious schools for a serious athlete. Let’s try to keep focus here. Schools with decent to good sports that are also a place to get a good education

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:my kid picked up the sport relatively late, after sophomore year - and has offers of support from multiple WASP schools - likely would have been D1 material if started earlier - but was able to enjoy childhood and school years as a multi sport athlete. Many of our friends have sold their souls in pursuit of ivy end game

What’s a WASP school?

the 4 best D3 schools for academics, many believe they rival the top ivies

They aren’t the 4 best D3 schools for academics…JHU,
Chicago, MIT and CalTech rank above them when they are all ranked together.

Not in sports they don’t. These are not serious schools for a serious athlete. Let’s try to keep focus here. Schools with decent to good sports that are also a place to get a good education

The question was what does WASP stand for. The WASP are four of the most selective, and academically strongest LAC's. The designation has nothing to do with their sports programs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:my kid picked up the sport relatively late, after sophomore year - and has offers of support from multiple WASP schools - likely would have been D1 material if started earlier - but was able to enjoy childhood and school years as a multi sport athlete. Many of our friends have sold their souls in pursuit of ivy end game

What’s a WASP school?

the 4 best D3 schools for academics, many believe they rival the top ivies

They aren’t the 4 best D3 schools for academics…JHU,
Chicago, MIT and CalTech rank above them when they are all ranked together.

Not in sports they don’t. These are not serious schools for a serious athlete. Let’s try to keep focus here. Schools with decent to good sports that are also a place to get a good education

JHU is very much a serious schools for athletes. MIT too for some sports, they are very strong in T&F at the D3 level. Chicago has some competitive teams, CalTech no, most definitely no though they do recruit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My track kid was recruited by a bunch of D3 schools. But chose a D1 school for the academics, thinking he'd try walk on. He's competitive. But recent changes with NIL and the NCAA have obliterated non-revenue sports like track, swimming, etc at the D1 level. There just aren't a lot of spaces anymore at the non-revenue sports. He does train with the team and competes as an independent, usually beating the varsity competitors at his D1 school. But that track team had to reduce their team by half this year. There's no space for anyone after this years changes. A lot of scholarships disappeared and coaches are trying to make the best of things.

No regrets. He still competes, and gets the the T20 education. But it is very rough in D1 outside football and basketball at the moment.

Interesting. He chose a d1 for the academics not the sport?

Is he long or middle distance?

Middle. 800 and 1500. Sometimes 400.

But an engineering major, so D3 schools didn't work for that.

I'm confused why wouldn't engineering work in a D3 school?

Hmmm…..

MIT, CalTech, Harvey Mudd, JHU, Carnegie Mellon, Rose Hulman, RPI, WPI . . . .

You can absolutely study engineering at a D3 school.

I don't know why people here are convinced that D3 = NESCAC or LAC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My track kid was recruited by a bunch of D3 schools. But chose a D1 school for the academics, thinking he'd try walk on. He's competitive. But recent changes with NIL and the NCAA have obliterated non-revenue sports like track, swimming, etc at the D1 level. There just aren't a lot of spaces anymore at the non-revenue sports. He does train with the team and competes as an independent, usually beating the varsity competitors at his D1 school. But that track team had to reduce their team by half this year. There's no space for anyone after this years changes. A lot of scholarships disappeared and coaches are trying to make the best of things.

No regrets. He still competes, and gets the the T20 education. But it is very rough in D1 outside football and basketball at the moment.

Interesting. He chose a d1 for the academics not the sport?

Is he long or middle distance?

Middle. 800 and 1500. Sometimes 400.

But an engineering major, so D3 schools didn't work for that.

I'm confused why wouldn't engineering work in a D3 school?

Hmmm…..

MIT, CalTech, Harvey Mudd, JHU, Carnegie Mellon, Rose Hulman, RPI, WPI . . . .

You can absolutely study engineering at a D3 school.

I don't know why people here are convinced that D3 = NESCAC or LAC.

DP. Aerospace engineering, for example, would only be available at very limited number of D3 schools and MIT isn't super accessible. None of the top aerospace engineering schools are D3 schools.

[Anonymous]

I guess most are willing to pay $80K a year so their athlete can attend a good academic school and continue in their sport. Is it really worth it? My 2026 athlete is learning the hard way that his times place him in a small school with an $80K price tag. Maybe there is merit but not much.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:my kid picked up the sport relatively late, after sophomore year - and has offers of support from multiple WASP schools - likely would have been D1 material if started earlier - but was able to enjoy childhood and school years as a multi sport athlete. Many of our friends have sold their souls in pursuit of ivy end game

What’s a WASP school?

the 4 best D3 schools for academics, many believe they rival the top ivies

They aren’t the 4 best D3 schools for academics…JHU,
Chicago, MIT and CalTech rank above them when they are all ranked together.

Not in sports they don’t. These are not serious schools for a serious athlete. Let’s try to keep focus here. Schools with decent to good sports that are also a place to get a good education

JHU is very much a serious schools for athletes. MIT too for some sports, they are very strong in T&F at the D3 level. Chicago has some competitive teams, CalTech no, most definitely no though they do recruit.

JHU is consistently in the top in XC, womens soccer, baseball and men's lax (D1) to name a few

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My track kid was recruited by a bunch of D3 schools. But chose a D1 school for the academics, thinking he'd try walk on. He's competitive. But recent changes with NIL and the NCAA have obliterated non-revenue sports like track, swimming, etc at the D1 level. There just aren't a lot of spaces anymore at the non-revenue sports. He does train with the team and competes as an independent, usually beating the varsity competitors at his D1 school. But that track team had to reduce their team by half this year. There's no space for anyone after this years changes. A lot of scholarships disappeared and coaches are trying to make the best of things.

No regrets. He still competes, and gets the the T20 education. But it is very rough in D1 outside football and basketball at the moment.

Interesting. He chose a d1 for the academics not the sport?

Is he long or middle distance?

Middle. 800 and 1500. Sometimes 400.

But an engineering major, so D3 schools didn't work for that.

I'm confused why wouldn't engineering work in a D3 school?

Hmmm…..

MIT, CalTech, Harvey Mudd, JHU, Carnegie Mellon, Rose Hulman, RPI, WPI . . . .

You can absolutely study engineering at a D3 school.

I don't know why people here are convinced that D3 = NESCAC or LAC.

DP. Aerospace engineering, for example, would only be available at very limited number of D3 schools and MIT isn't super accessible. None of the top aerospace engineering schools are D3 schools.

3 of the top 10 are D3 according to US News…if that’s what you really want to study, Embry-Riddle (#5) is more accessible than MIT or CalTech (#1 and #4).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:my kid picked up the sport relatively late, after sophomore year - and has offers of support from multiple WASP schools - likely would have been D1 material if started earlier - but was able to enjoy childhood and school years as a multi sport athlete. Many of our friends have sold their souls in pursuit of ivy end game

What’s a WASP school?

the 4 best D3 schools for academics, many believe they rival the top ivies

They aren’t the 4 best D3 schools for academics…JHU,
Chicago, MIT and CalTech rank above them when they are all ranked together.

Not in sports they don’t. These are not serious schools for a serious athlete. Let’s try to keep focus here. Schools with decent to good sports that are also a place to get a good education

JHU is very much a serious schools for athletes. MIT too for some sports, they are very strong in T&F at the D3 level. Chicago has some competitive teams, CalTech no, most definitely no though they do recruit.

DP. You are saying MIT is strong in T&F with a straight face? I think we have very different ideas about sports…

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My track kid was recruited by a bunch of D3 schools. But chose a D1 school for the academics, thinking he'd try walk on. He's competitive. But recent changes with NIL and the NCAA have obliterated non-revenue sports like track, swimming, etc at the D1 level. There just aren't a lot of spaces anymore at the non-revenue sports. He does train with the team and competes as an independent, usually beating the varsity competitors at his D1 school. But that track team had to reduce their team by half this year. There's no space for anyone after this years changes. A lot of scholarships disappeared and coaches are trying to make the best of things.

No regrets. He still competes, and gets the the T20 education. But it is very rough in D1 outside football and basketball at the moment.

Interesting. He chose a d1 for the academics not the sport?

Is he long or middle distance?

Middle. 800 and 1500. Sometimes 400.

But an engineering major, so D3 schools didn't work for that.

I'm confused why wouldn't engineering work in a D3 school?

yep and middle distance is even tougher as kid can’t double with x country - have to at sub 1:50 or 4:05 to garner any real interest from reputable D1

What about shorter distances?

What’s a reputable d1 to you?

Not sure you understand track. You have to have sprint talent to even consider getting on a Power 4 team. That means 47 sec or lower in the 400, 21.3-4 in the 200, and 10.5 in the 100 meters. I ran the 1:50 and 4:05 high school times 45 years ago, and while I was on the mile relay team and one of our top XC guys, I was a 48 second 400 guy, on a great day. Just doesn’t cut it today and you need to have wheels to make it in D1 track in the sprints. Even my school is now running 3:06 today with one sprint scholarship.

A reputable D1 is one that takes track seriously. That doesn’t mean all Power 4, but many of them. Non Power 4 teams like NAU and Villanova take the sport seriously and are successful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My track kid was recruited by a bunch of D3 schools. But chose a D1 school for the academics, thinking he'd try walk on. He's competitive. But recent changes with NIL and the NCAA have obliterated non-revenue sports like track, swimming, etc at the D1 level. There just aren't a lot of spaces anymore at the non-revenue sports. He does train with the team and competes as an independent, usually beating the varsity competitors at his D1 school. But that track team had to reduce their team by half this year. There's no space for anyone after this years changes. A lot of scholarships disappeared and coaches are trying to make the best of things.

No regrets. He still competes, and gets the the T20 education. But it is very rough in D1 outside football and basketball at the moment.

Interesting. He chose a d1 for the academics not the sport?

Is he long or middle distance?

Middle. 800 and 1500. Sometimes 400.

But an engineering major, so D3 schools didn't work for that.

I'm confused why wouldn't engineering work in a D3 school?

yep and middle distance is even tougher as kid can’t double with x country - have to at sub 1:50 or 4:05 to garner any real interest from reputable D1

What about shorter distances?

What’s a reputable d1 to you?

Not sure you understand track. You have to have sprint talent to even consider getting on a Power 4 team. That means 47 sec or lower in the 400, 21.3-4 in the 200, and 10.5 in the 100 meters. I ran the 1:50 and 4:05 high school times 45 years ago, and while I was on the mile relay team and one of our top XC guys, I was a 48 second 400 guy, on a great day. Just doesn’t cut it today and you need to have wheels to make it in D1 track in the sprints. Even my school is now running 3:06 today with one sprint scholarship.

A reputable D1 is one that takes track seriously. That doesn’t mean all Power 4, but many of them. Non Power 4 teams like NAU and Villanova take the sport seriously and are successful.

I do understand a little. So what’s a good D1 track team to you?

Assume not the very top but a decent d1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:my kid picked up the sport relatively late, after sophomore year - and has offers of support from multiple WASP schools - likely would have been D1 material if started earlier - but was able to enjoy childhood and school years as a multi sport athlete. Many of our friends have sold their souls in pursuit of ivy end game

What’s a WASP school?

the 4 best D3 schools for academics, many believe they rival the top ivies

They aren’t the 4 best D3 schools for academics…JHU,
Chicago, MIT and CalTech rank above them when they are all ranked together.

Not in sports they don’t. These are not serious schools for a serious athlete. Let’s try to keep focus here. Schools with decent to good sports that are also a place to get a good education

JHU is very much a serious schools for athletes. MIT too for some sports, they are very strong in T&F at the D3 level. Chicago has some competitive teams, CalTech no, most definitely no though they do recruit.

DP. You are saying MIT is strong in T&F with a straight face? I think we have very different ideas about sports…

PP is talking about for D3 schools…not comparing to D1 programs.