Drawback to Div III college?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What sport your big shot son play?

He's a swimmer.

DC also a swimmer, now a junior. We looked at both D1 and D3 schools (had future cuts) and ultimately settled on a great school with top academics. Don't look down on D3. Many D3 schools are fast, with many swimmers fast enough for top D1 schools but decided to go D3. Even at a D3, my DC found it tough to balance swim practice, meets (including NCAA), and school work. Practice is pretty much year-round at D3. I don't think DC would have done as well academically at a D1 with the schedules they keep.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What sport your big shot son play?

He's a swimmer.

Get in the back of the line

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:One thing to keep in mind, OP - keep in mind that a lot of athletes quit. Some of them get injured, and others just don't want to do it any more. This means it is of paramount importance to pick a school that your son would want to attend if he is unable or unwilling to play the sport any more.

From this perspective the smaller D3 schools could be a disadvantage because the athletes are a relatively large proportion of the student population, and if your kid is no longer doing athletics he may end up socially isolated.

This is the best advice - definitely consider whether or not you’d be happy with or without sports

[Anonymous]

Male swimmer would have to be exceptionally good to have even a chance at a good D1 program.

[Anonymous]

I know a kid with a futures cut in 1 event and. 2 seconds away in two other events. He'll be going to a private division 1 swim school in the fall with a modest tuition reduction. The school is not ranked in the top 50 in its region. He's definitely not an academic rock star so I guess trying for a more academic D3 school wasn't on the radar.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:16 yo DS is what passes for an elite athlete at his age, club and school. He's considering smaller schools not for the athletics, but the overall experience - thiugh hed love to continue with sports at college. His dad is against him participating in anything but D1. Does it matter if his college is already funded and he's not in need of a scholarship? Just want to make sure I'm not missing something.

What does dad think about Academics? or does he only have an opinion regarding Sports and bragging rights?

+1

[Anonymous]

My swimmer looked at D1, Varied widely program to program from would have set school records to hopefully would swim in meets. After a few official recruiting trips, my swimmer decided that academic and college experience were more important than swimming. Went to a D1 school, but not as an athlete. Tried club swim and it just wasn't competitive enough. Misses swimming, but no regrets.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Male swimmer would have to be exceptionally good to have even a chance at a good D1 program.

He's better than his dad. Not saying more since results are public.

[Anonymous]

I have a college swimmer, male class of 2021. He had one futures cut and many sectional cuts. High grades and test scores. He is at D3 (UAA conference). It is super competitive conference, he only finalesd in one event at conference champs. The schedule is challenging but it is possible. He s studying electrical engineering and getting good grades.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:His dad thinks your son should play D1?

It’s time for daddy to let the son make his own choices.

+1 D1 athletics is brutal. Not sustainable to do because a parent wants it. D3 seems like the best of both worlds if you don't need athletic scholarship $

[Anonymous]

There is zero drawback to going D3. It isn't "easier" than D1, especially when in season. But your ability to contribute over four years is significantly higher than D1. Unless you are a total rock star in your sport, going D1 means probably riding the bench waiting your turn for two or so years and hoping the next phenom doesn't come in as a freshman when it finally becomes your turn.
As mentioned, scholarships at D1, especially in the Olympic and non-revenue sports, are very small.
Some of the schools mentioned compete at a high level.
Dad needs to check his ego. Be thrilled for your son and the opportunities participating in a sport provide, regardless of NCAA division.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:16 yo DS is what passes for an elite athlete at his age, club and school. He's considering smaller schools not for the athletics, but the overall experience - thiugh hed love to continue with sports at college. His dad is against him participating in anything but D1. Does it matter if his college is already funded and he's not in need of a scholarship? Just want to make sure I'm not missing something.

What's the end game? If it's to possibly play at the professional level, then okay, D1. Otherwise, I think it's all about D3. You can still play at a very high level, and enjoy other aspects of the college experience.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There is zero drawback to going D3. It isn't "easier" than D1, especially when in season. But your ability to contribute over four years is significantly higher than D1. Unless you are a total rock star in your sport, going D1 means probably riding the bench waiting your turn for two or so years and hoping the next phenom doesn't come in as a freshman when it finally becomes your turn.
As mentioned, scholarships at D1, especially in the Olympic and non-revenue sports, are very small.
Some of the schools mentioned compete at a high level.
Dad needs to check his ego. Be thrilled for your son and the opportunities participating in a sport provide, regardless of NCAA division.

Agree. I can picture 'dad'. I have spent much time on the sidelines with dads like that over the past 10 years.

D1 is a too much for most kids. And, the end game? I mean how many are going to earn $ from the sport post-college? Is he an Olympian or a future MLB/NBA/NFL player? Unlikely. Any other sport he couldn't even afford a house in the DMV.

D3 is a nice environment and nice mix and allows for the whole reason they are at school: academics and future jobs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What sport your big shot son play?

He's a swimmer.

DC also a swimmer, now a junior. We looked at both D1 and D3 schools (had future cuts) and ultimately settled on a great school with top academics. Don't look down on D3. Many D3 schools are fast, with many swimmers fast enough for top D1 schools but decided to go D3. Even at a D3, my DC found it tough to balance swim practice, meets (including NCAA), and school work. Practice is pretty much year-round at D3. I don't think DC would have done as well academically at a D1 with the schedules they keep.

Check out Kenyon. My nephew swam there. He could have gone lower D1 but wanted to be at the top of a D3, and even though it was still a rigorous commitment, he definitely did things he would not have been able to do at a D1 (join a fraternity, semester abroad).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There is zero drawback to going D3. It isn't "easier" than D1, especially when in season. But your ability to contribute over four years is significantly higher than D1. Unless you are a total rock star in your sport, going D1 means probably riding the bench waiting your turn for two or so years and hoping the next phenom doesn't come in as a freshman when it finally becomes your turn.
As mentioned, scholarships at D1, especially in the Olympic and non-revenue sports, are very small.
Some of the schools mentioned compete at a high level.
Dad needs to check his ego. Be thrilled for your son and the opportunities participating in a sport provide, regardless of NCAA division.

I played D3 soccer; DH played D1 basketball. D3 is definitely easier.