Friend just announced her junior DD has committed to play lax at a top school

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The athletics recruitment process creates a whole side culture for access and an insular culture and fast track to post collegiate opportunities. It is unethical and perpetuated by college professionals and parents with compromised morals and heightened sense of self and privilege. That is why the system is at the heart of the pay for access scandal. Say all that you want about the commitment of student athletes - but the modern system is just morally wrong.

So is tutoring and test prep.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The athletics recruitment process creates a whole side culture for access and an insular culture and fast track to post collegiate opportunities. It is unethical and perpetuated by college professionals and parents with compromised morals and heightened sense of self and privilege. That is why the system is at the heart of the pay for access scandal. Say all that you want about the commitment of student athletes - but the modern system is just morally wrong.

If your kid feels this way, then they should only consider schools that de-prioritize of skip all together, athletics. There are plenty of such schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. First, I’m happy for them. The girl is very nice and her mom is an old friend.
Second, I don’t think it’s a scholarship, they definitely don’t need the money. I’m just annoyed that her DD is a year behind mine and won’t have to go through most of the college crap and stress mine is currently going through. We are deep in it right now. My DD doesn’t play sports but has other talents, none which get her recruited by colleges.
Third, she has worked hard as an athlete but she wouldn’t be in a position to be recruited if her parents didn’t have the time and money to pay for all teams and tournaments. Let’s face it, for many (I realize there are big exceptions) recruited athletes for sports like lax come from affluent families so the whole system leaves a bad taste in my mouth.
I know this is nothing new. I went to HS with many children of billionaires, most of whom ended up at ivies despite not having the grades. Life is not fair, college admissions is not fair.
I was just venting because, again, I have a very stressed out out senior.

What a pathetic post. You're "happy for them?" The "mom is an old friend?" You sure don't act like it.

And you and your daughter really need to toughen up. We had four kids apply to college and, yea, it wasn't fun but it was far from the stressful hell that you describe. Count yourself lucky if applying to college is one of the more stressful things you encounter in life.

You can certainly be happy for your friend while still "griping" a bit about their kid's success (vs. that of your own) on an anonymous internet forum. This is a pretty normal feeling for for OP to have.

[Anonymous]

This is simple supply and demand. Every school has specific slots they need to fill. Your DD is not competing for the same slot as the athlete or the marching band, etc…. If you don’t have a hook then you are going to be put into the “basic kid with good grades slot” which has a lot more supply of applicants.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is simple supply and demand. Every school has specific slots they need to fill. Your DD is not competing for the same slot as the athlete or the marching band, etc…. If you don’t have a hook then you are going to be put into the “basic kid with good grades slot” which has a lot more supply of applicants.

Yes, and if a friend gets a slot that your kid doesn't qualify for, it should drive home the point that they aren't competing and you should be happy for their family.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Disagree. If your friend’s DD is academically qualified and someone who would be a good applicant at that school anyway, the school and student are making a good decision to lock in the relationship. Playing a sport at a level high enough to commit while maintaining grades, etc. deserves to be rewarded just as much as the kid who fiends 20 hours a week in the lab or practicing an instrument. Sports also enhance a school’s community and school spirit, so benefit all students.

The problem is it isn't valued "just as much". Sports are valued more.

+1 When top schools start recruiting and giving scholarships to as many musicians as athletes,’give us a call.

They do… art, performing arts, band, orchestra, etc

They all have scholarships it’s just that people don’t post that on FB. They just post “going to Ohio state” … then later you see pictures of them in the marching band.

Also every team has a team manger scholarship… so a scholarship for planning/managing/social media post.

Just because you have not educated yourself about these scholarships doesn’t mean they don’t exist.

But we aren't talking about scholarships, we are talking about recruiting, and reserving a spot for an athlete. Do tuba players get recruited and commit junior year?

No. The entire youth athletic enterprise has become driven by the money in college football and basketball. Always follow the money.

The relevant youth athletic enterprise here (remember OP brought up women's lacrosse) has absolutely nothing to do with college football or basketball. They (competitive youth athletics) all suck, but the people involved and motivations are pretty different.

This isn't about scholarships or the dream of a pro career like it is in basketball and football. It's about admissions support to top academic schools.

[Anonymous]

Poster was referring to all the money that went to the athletes of these sports (males) and how after title 9 was passed, that put them out of compliance with the law. To get in compliance...lots of money and opportunity also had to be given to other athletes and here we are.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Poster was referring to all the money that went to the athletes of these sports (males) and how after title 9 was passed, that put them out of compliance with the law. To get in compliance...lots of money and opportunity also had to be given to other athletes and here we are.

Ah, that makes sense.