Do most parents push sports as a ‘hook’ for college?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Okay, I will try to answer this. My DD's sport has been her passion since early ES. Now, in 9th grade, it is clear that she is good enough to play in college. She is also really smart and a straight A student so far (yes, it is early, but AAP middle school, Honors 9th grade, tests very well). But pretty much nobody gets into an ivy without a hook. So she is starting to realize, hey, maybe I can use my sport to get into an Ivy. Because yes, she loves her sport, and she has put in soooooo much work and missed out on so much over the years. But the one thing she has put above her sport is academics. And she has worked hard there, too. And she is not going to make a career out of her sport. Plus, she is not good enough to go to a top 10 (in her sport) school. But she is good enough to play at an Ivy, most of which are not very good in her sport. But in the end, she wants that degree. Not the one from an academically mediocre but amazing in her sport school. How does that not make sense to you??

Maybe your dc is different and certainly women’s college sports are different and typically not as competitive as men’s in terms of recruiting standards, but ime a kid who is a focused and talented athlete is not going to want a mediocre sports school. They will want a good school with a strong team in their sport

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Of course why do you think parents sign their kids up for rowing and fencing

That’s kinda sad, no??

In a Donald trump voice?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Okay, I will try to answer this. My DD's sport has been her passion since early ES. Now, in 9th grade, it is clear that she is good enough to play in college. She is also really smart and a straight A student so far (yes, it is early, but AAP middle school, Honors 9th grade, tests very well). But pretty much nobody gets into an ivy without a hook. So she is starting to realize, hey, maybe I can use my sport to get into an Ivy. Because yes, she loves her sport, and she has put in soooooo much work and missed out on so much over the years. But the one thing she has put above her sport is academics. And she has worked hard there, too. And she is not going to make a career out of her sport. Plus, she is not good enough to go to a top 10 (in her sport) school. But she is good enough to play at an Ivy, most of which are not very good in her sport. But in the end, she wants that degree. Not the one from an academically mediocre but amazing in her sport school. How does that not make sense to you??

Maybe your dc is different and certainly women’s college sports are different and typically not as competitive as men’s in terms of recruiting standards, but ime a kid who is a focused and talented athlete is not going to want a mediocre sports school. They will want a good school with a strong team in their sport

PP here. And yes, I agree there is a difference between men's and women's sports but there are plenty of "focused and talented athletes" that are great but not the very greatest. But I would bet even some of the very greatest are more interested in getting the best education they can get while also playing the sport they love.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Okay, I will try to answer this. My DD's sport has been her passion since early ES. Now, in 9th grade, it is clear that she is good enough to play in college. She is also really smart and a straight A student so far (yes, it is early, but AAP middle school, Honors 9th grade, tests very well). But pretty much nobody gets into an ivy without a hook. So she is starting to realize, hey, maybe I can use my sport to get into an Ivy. Because yes, she loves her sport, and she has put in soooooo much work and missed out on so much over the years. But the one thing she has put above her sport is academics. And she has worked hard there, too. And she is not going to make a career out of her sport. Plus, she is not good enough to go to a top 10 (in her sport) school. But she is good enough to play at an Ivy, most of which are not very good in her sport. But in the end, she wants that degree. Not the one from an academically mediocre but amazing in her sport school. How does that not make sense to you??

Maybe your dc is different and certainly women’s college sports are different and typically not as competitive as men’s in terms of recruiting standards, but ime a kid who is a focused and talented athlete is not going to want a mediocre sports school. They will want a good school with a strong team in their sport

PP here. And yes, I agree there is a difference between men's and women's sports but there are plenty of "focused and talented athletes" that are great but not the very greatest. But I would bet even some of the very greatest are more interested in getting the best education they can get while also playing the sport they love.

I don’t know of any personally who would choose a very mediocre sports team because it had a brand name that typically are most important to parents. To me, it seems that many parents are pushing this stuff. I also find it interesting that you assume a school that has good sports is automatically a poor or as you say ‘mediocre’ education.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Of course why do you think parents sign their kids up for rowing and fencing

This is really silly

[Anonymous]

You will probably know the motivation somewhat based on the sport. Is it a “real” sport or is it a niche university/Olympic sport?

[Anonymous]

What’s a real sport?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You will probably know the motivation somewhat based on the sport. Is it a “real” sport or is it a niche university/Olympic sport?

Pretty much this

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Of course why do you think parents sign their kids up for rowing and fencing


That’s kinda sad, no??

Sadly, fencing is chock full of kids whose parents think it's a hook for Ivy admissions -- and it really is not, unless a fencer is top ranked nationally, and preferably internationally. I recently eavesdropped on a conversation among parents about how, if they had to do it all over again, they would have chosen squash over fencing because the recruitment chances are better.

And it is bad for the sport as well, because the attrition levels in and after college are very high.

I agree with OP that the top schools for some sports (e.g., Oregon and Colorado for running) are not Ivies. The Ivy worship among some is out of control.

[Anonymous]

We got my DD in club because she loved her sport, not because she would have any chance at being recruited. She is not at the level where colleges would fight over her and she will likely never get there. But after one year of club, we started thinking that having a team sport on her resume would help her college application, despite not being recruited and / or playing for the college team. Just to be clear, we are aiming for a good enough in-state college, not for an Ivy. We hope she will keep playing her sport long after club is not an option: we are not pushing the sport as a "hook" for college.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Of course why do you think parents sign their kids up for rowing and fencing


That’s kinda sad, no??

Sadly, fencing is chock full of kids whose parents think it's a hook for Ivy admissions -- and it really is not, unless a fencer is top ranked nationally, and preferably internationally. I recently eavesdropped on a conversation among parents about how, if they had to do it all over again, they would have chosen squash over fencing because the recruitment chances are better.

And it is bad for the sport as well, because the attrition levels in and after college are very high.

I agree with OP that the top schools for some sports (e.g., Oregon and Colorado for running) are not Ivies. The Ivy worship among some is out of control.

Agree, the Ivy worship is out of control and the whole thing seems so distasteful to me. Athletic dedication takes so many hours and so much effort, and the parents - subconsciously or consciously - are primarily pushing their kids into it for their own bragging rights

[Anonymous]

I was not a college athlete at my Ivy after being an average HS swimmer. I had a ton of trouble finding my friends, structuring my days, and staying focused on studying. I also had trouble finding a supportive group of trustworthy people I could study with, get academic advice from, and plan my career with.

DH attended the same Ivy as an athlete but he was not recruited and didn’t have a likely letter. His experience was so much better than mine. He was focused on his studies. He had a supportive group of career-oriented, hard-working teammates. They gave him advice on how to structure his course load, how to access to best classes, and what to consider after graduation. He had access to a world beyond campus when he competed and the perspective that comes from having adult mentors who aren’t professors- he’d go do chores at his coaches’ houses, or go to a BBQ, or babysitter the trainers’ kids. He went on trips and to international competitions with his team that would have been unaffordable for me as a regular student. Every job he’s ever had came from that sport and all of his closest adult friends, too. Some of mind, as well!

I think the structure of sports are really valuable in college, especially at
Ivies where you don’t declare a major upon applying. It can be a really unstructured environment and sports can keep students focused and obviously provide incredible opportunities for friendship and networking later.

So yeah, there are a lot of reasons those who have it as a hook should use it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Of course why do you think parents sign their kids up for rowing and fencing


That’s kinda sad, no??

Sadly, fencing is chock full of kids whose parents think it's a hook for Ivy admissions -- and it really is not, unless a fencer is top ranked nationally, and preferably internationally. I recently eavesdropped on a conversation among parents about how, if they had to do it all over again, they would have chosen squash over fencing because the recruitment chances are better.

And it is bad for the sport as well, because the attrition levels in and after college are very high.

I agree with OP that the top schools for some sports (e.g., Oregon and Colorado for running) are not Ivies. The Ivy worship among some is out of control.

Agree, the Ivy worship is out of control and the whole thing seems so distasteful to me. Athletic dedication takes so many hours and so much effort, and the parents - subconsciously or consciously - are primarily pushing their kids into it for their own bragging rights

That’s your perspective from the outside. From the inside, I ever hear a peep from my fellow parents about the ivy schools their kids are being recruited to. They’re excited their kids have found a team but that’s about it.

The people who brag the most are those whose kids probably wouldn’t be going to college without their sport or being recruited, and those kids aren’t typically Ivy League recruits. If their parents are excited about college I can’t hate on that.

I think it’s the rare parent of any college kid who isn’t doing a little pushing. It takes a certain amount of effort to get most teens to see the big picture. I disagree with your assertion that HS athletes are being pushed. You see that with 9 or 10 year old so-called phenoms and their parents, but by HS sports are intense enough that a kid has to really, really want to put in the work to keep things going.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ivies are very strong in hockey and tennis

Yes tennis is very difficult to play at the ivies. Unicorn difficult

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Of course why do you think parents sign their kids up for rowing and fencing


That’s kinda sad, no??

Sadly, fencing is chock full of kids whose parents think it's a hook for Ivy admissions -- and it really is not, unless a fencer is top ranked nationally, and preferably internationally. I recently eavesdropped on a conversation among parents about how, if they had to do it all over again, they would have chosen squash over fencing because the recruitment chances are better.

And it is bad for the sport as well, because the attrition levels in and after college are very high.

I agree with OP that the top schools for some sports (e.g., Oregon and Colorado for running) are not Ivies. The Ivy worship among some is out of control.

Agree, the Ivy worship is out of control and the whole thing seems so distasteful to me. Athletic dedication takes so many hours and so much effort, and the parents - subconsciously or consciously - are primarily pushing their kids into it for their own bragging rights

That’s your perspective from the outside. From the inside, I ever hear a peep from my fellow parents about the ivy schools their kids are being recruited to. They’re excited their kids have found a team but that’s about it.

The people who brag the most are those whose kids probably wouldn’t be going to college without their sport or being recruited, and those kids aren’t typically Ivy League recruits. If their parents are excited about college I can’t hate on that.

I think it’s the rare parent of any college kid who isn’t doing a little pushing. It takes a certain amount of effort to get most teens to see the big picture. I disagree with your assertion that HS athletes are being pushed. You see that with 9 or 10 year old so-called phenoms and their parents, but by HS sports are intense enough that a kid has to really, really want to put in the work to keep things going.

Maybe you’re not reading DCUM regularly.