Why D1 if the school is only so so?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In my experience with boys’ high level soccer—not sure if it’s the same for girls—there are one to three factors that typically drive the decision to pick a lesser academic D1 school over an academically elite D3. For families that are not economically secure, who are very thrifty, and/or who are not obsessed with the idea that their kid is doomed if they don’t attend a name-brand school, it’s the athletic scholarship, as others have mentioned.

For everyone else (the majority in my wealthy striver community) the boys have their self-esteem very much connected to their soccer prowess as teens, and they correctly think their peers will be much more impressed by a D1 commitment than a D3 one. I know a pretty large number of kids who turned down an Amherst or Williams level school to play at a D1 school that is in the top 75 or so on the USNWR list. Their parents don’t typically allow them to go to a no-name D1 unless they are terrible students or have learning differences or something else that makes a non-elite school a better fit. I know many families who had a really rough time reaching a compromise on this issue, and also several where the kid gambled on getting a D1 offer and in the end had to settle for a lower-ranked D3 than the one that first offered.

The other potential factor is that some kids hope to go pro, and while that’s very difficult for boys to do if they opt to go the college route, it does happen every year, and is vastly more likely to happen if you play at a strong D1 program. Many of the schools with great D1 programs are academically excellent, but only a tiny number of kids get recruited to academically elite schools with great soccer programs. Some kids also focus a lot on how much they like the coach and future teammates, though that wasn’t a big factor for most of the kids I know. It’s actually really hard to figure out potential fit unless you know kids on the team well.

I agree that the possibility of going pro would be a factor. Honestly, college is not a concern for us at all in that we don’t care to be recruited. I have a promise from my child that be will get a college degree at some point (we have a college fund for him) but we’re gunning for a pro career. If in high school, that’s not looking likely, we’d pick college based on academics and maximizing his college fund. Of course if he gets a scholarship to play in college, we’d take it but the priority is the best school academically. He is also a very good student so I imagine that would be most important for him too.

How old is your kid that you are currently gunning for a pro career and s/he isn’t in high school yet? Is this typical? Not snarky - just curious.

[Anonymous]

1. Get a full ride to a “crappy college”
2. Graduate debt free and become an Officer in the Military
3. Get trained and discharged at 26 years of age
4. Save the GI bill for your kid
5. Get hired at civilian job
6. Hire Harvard grad at less pay to do your job
7. Take naps

That’s my advice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:1. Get a full ride to a “crappy college”
2. Graduate debt free and become an Officer in the Military
3. Get trained and discharged at 26 years of age
4. Save the GI bill for your kid
5. Get hired at civilian job
6. Hire Harvard grad at less pay to do your job
7. Take naps

That’s my advice.

Suit yourself. Mine to going to get the highest level education she can. You only get one trip though college so put quality stuff into your brain. No one can take it away..

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:1. Get a full ride to a “crappy college”
2. Graduate debt free and become an Officer in the Military
3. Get trained and discharged at 26 years of age
4. Save the GI bill for your kid
5. Get hired at civilian job
6. Hire Harvard grad at less pay to do your job
7. Take naps

That’s my advice.

Suit yourself. Mine to going to get the highest level education she can. You only get one trip though college so put quality stuff into your brain. No one can take it away..

What quality stuff is she going to put in her brain?

Learning is a life long lesson. Most of it is done outside the classroom.

[Anonymous]

How old is your kid that you are currently gunning for a pro career and s/he isn’t in high school yet? Is this typical? Not snarky - just curious.

I think it is typical.

Soccer is a young man's game. Many kids get signed by the time they're 16 or 17. If you're 19 or 20 and you haven't been signed to a contract you are facing very long odds against success.

And it's pretty obvious by 13 or 14 which kids have any sort of chance of making it, and - more to the point - if the kid hasn't set himself the goal by this point, he's not going to put in the work necessary to make it.

We could have a separate discussion about whether chasing such a dream is sensible or realistic - but if that is the dream then it starts before high school or probably not at all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:1. Get a full ride to a “crappy college”
2. Graduate debt free and become an Officer in the Military
3. Get trained and discharged at 26 years of age
4. Save the GI bill for your kid
5. Get hired at civilian job
6. Hire Harvard grad at less pay to do your job
7. Take naps

That’s my advice.

Suit yourself. Mine to going to get the highest level education she can. You only get one trip though college so put quality stuff into your brain. No one can take it away..

They will make a good worker.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:1. Get a full ride to a “crappy college”
2. Graduate debt free and become an Officer in the Military
3. Get trained and discharged at 26 years of age
4. Save the GI bill for your kid
5. Get hired at civilian job
6. Hire Harvard grad at less pay to do your job
7. Take naps

That’s my advice.

Suit yourself. Mine to going to get the highest level education she can. You only get one trip though college so put quality stuff into your brain. No one can take it away..

They will make a good worker.

Very good. Ask any coach she has ever had. Hardest worker. Always wanting to improve and do better and learn more. She will thrive with a academic challenge. She going to get an awesome education and hopefully get to the grad school where she has set her sights .

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How old is your kid that you are currently gunning for a pro career and s/he isn’t in high school yet? Is this typical? Not snarky - just curious.

I think it is typical.

Soccer is a young man's game. Many kids get signed by the time they're 16 or 17. If you're 19 or 20 and you haven't been signed to a contract you are facing very long odds against success.

And it's pretty obvious by 13 or 14 which kids have any sort of chance of making it, and - more to the point - if the kid hasn't set himself the goal by this point, he's not going to put in the work necessary to make it.

We could have a separate discussion about whether chasing such a dream is sensible or realistic - but if that is the dream then it starts before high school or probably not at all.

I am the poster that the question was directed at and what the above says seems to make sense because I have also been curious too, when other parents knew their kid had procareer potential. I have a few kids and I can only say that about one kid who is currently pre-ECNL age. He has the skills, athleticism, motivation (playing soccer is what makes him happiest at the moment), and discipline (perfectionist, practices on his own, always eager to do and learn more). He could dribble and control the ball very well before he was 2, almost like an instinct. He also has soccer IQ which he uses effectively as part of a team. And yes, he's very good according to coaches, teammates, other soccer parents, etc. We assess every year whether he has the same interest and motivation because I can't imagine going through travel soccer and all this stuff unless my kid was already talented and had the motivation and discipline to keep on going. As to my point in a previous post, it definitely isn't worth it just for a college scholarship.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How old is your kid that you are currently gunning for a pro career and s/he isn’t in high school yet? Is this typical? Not snarky - just curious.

I think it is typical.

Soccer is a young man's game. Many kids get signed by the time they're 16 or 17. If you're 19 or 20 and you haven't been signed to a contract you are facing very long odds against success.

And it's pretty obvious by 13 or 14 which kids have any sort of chance of making it, and - more to the point - if the kid hasn't set himself the goal by this point, he's not going to put in the work necessary to make it.

We could have a separate discussion about whether chasing such a dream is sensible or realistic - but if that is the dream then it starts before high school or probably not at all.

I am the poster that the question was directed at and what the above says seems to make sense because I have also been curious too, when other parents knew their kid had procareer potential. I have a few kids and I can only say that about one kid who is currently pre-ECNL age. He has the skills, athleticism, motivation (playing soccer is what makes him happiest at the moment), and discipline (perfectionist, practices on his own, always eager to do and learn more). He could dribble and control the ball very well before he was 2, almost like an instinct. He also has soccer IQ which he uses effectively as part of a team. And yes, he's very good according to coaches, teammates, other soccer parents, etc. We assess every year whether he has the same interest and motivation because I can't imagine going through travel soccer and all this stuff unless my kid was already talented and had the motivation and discipline to keep on going. As to my point in a previous post, it definitely isn't worth it just for a college scholarship.

So in the major European leagues they sign kids to their YDS at 16. That is the first make or break year. The kids signed minimally have to be extremely good athletes- speed and quickness. I have seen two pro athletes at the high school level. It was as like men playing with boys. They were so athletically better vs everyone else they could play at 50-75% and still be the dominant player. They did not work at it or have a a high skill level in high school. If you do not have the athleticism all the work, skill, drive, soccer iq, etc does not matter.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:1. Get a full ride to a “crappy college”
2. Graduate debt free and become an Officer in the Military
3. Get trained and discharged at 26 years of age
4. Save the GI bill for your kid
5. Get hired at civilian job
6. Hire Harvard grad at less pay to do your job
7. Take naps

That’s my advice.

Suit yourself. Mine to going to get the highest level education she can. You only get one trip though college so put quality stuff into your brain. No one can take it away..

They will make a good worker.

Very good. Ask any coach she has ever had. Hardest worker. Always wanting to improve and do better and learn more. She will thrive with a academic challenge. She going to get an awesome education and hopefully get to the grad school where she has set her sights .

Good for her. Many of us want more.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How old is your kid that you are currently gunning for a pro career and s/he isn’t in high school yet? Is this typical? Not snarky - just curious.

I think it is typical.

Soccer is a young man's game. Many kids get signed by the time they're 16 or 17. If you're 19 or 20 and you haven't been signed to a contract you are facing very long odds against success.

And it's pretty obvious by 13 or 14 which kids have any sort of chance of making it, and - more to the point - if the kid hasn't set himself the goal by this point, he's not going to put in the work necessary to make it.

We could have a separate discussion about whether chasing such a dream is sensible or realistic - but if that is the dream then it starts before high school or probably not at all.

I am the poster that the question was directed at and what the above says seems to make sense because I have also been curious too, when other parents knew their kid had procareer potential. I have a few kids and I can only say that about one kid who is currently pre-ECNL age. He has the skills, athleticism, motivation (playing soccer is what makes him happiest at the moment), and discipline (perfectionist, practices on his own, always eager to do and learn more). He could dribble and control the ball very well before he was 2, almost like an instinct. He also has soccer IQ which he uses effectively as part of a team. And yes, he's very good according to coaches, teammates, other soccer parents, etc. We assess every year whether he has the same interest and motivation because I can't imagine going through travel soccer and all this stuff unless my kid was already talented and had the motivation and discipline to keep on going. As to my point in a previous post, it definitely isn't worth it just for a college scholarship.

So in the major European leagues they sign kids to their YDS at 16. That is the first make or break year. The kids signed minimally have to be extremely good athletes- speed and quickness. I have seen two pro athletes at the high school level. It was as like men playing with boys. They were so athletically better vs everyone else they could play at 50-75% and still be the dominant player. They did not work at it or have a a high skill level in high school. If you do not have the athleticism all the work, skill, drive, soccer iq, etc does not matter.

I definitely agree with the athleticism part, I think that's something a kid is just born with and no amount of training is going to give a child athleticism. I included that above as one of the factors we saw in our kid. We've had him try other sports too and he's caught on to all of them pretty quick but his interest stays with soccer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m curious what the draw is for soccer players to play D1 when the school itself may not be all that challenging for them. I could see doing that for football, because that sport has more potential money if you have the skills.

What’s the allure with accepting a recruited spot at a tiny school in a rural area just to play D1?

the tiny rural school is a top 20 University ? that's why

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:1. Get a full ride to a “crappy college”
2. Graduate debt free and become an Officer in the Military
3. Get trained and discharged at 26 years of age
4. Save the GI bill for your kid
5. Get hired at civilian job
6. Hire Harvard grad at less pay to do your job
7. Take naps

That’s my advice.

Suit yourself. Mine to going to get the highest level education she can. You only get one trip though college so put quality stuff into your brain. No one can take it away..

They will make a good worker.

Very good. Ask any coach she has ever had. Hardest worker. Always wanting to improve and do better and learn more. She will thrive with a academic challenge. She going to get an awesome education and hopefully get to the grad school where she has set her sights .

Good for her. Many of us want more.

But that is the point. Why do so many not want more education as opposed to more money.? To me, the education is more valuable than the tuition aid.

I am just talking about families that have resources for tuition.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How old is your kid that you are currently gunning for a pro career and s/he isn’t in high school yet? Is this typical? Not snarky - just curious.

I think it is typical.

Soccer is a young man's game. Many kids get signed by the time they're 16 or 17. If you're 19 or 20 and you haven't been signed to a contract you are facing very long odds against success.

And it's pretty obvious by 13 or 14 which kids have any sort of chance of making it, and - more to the point - if the kid hasn't set himself the goal by this point, he's not going to put in the work necessary to make it.

We could have a separate discussion about whether chasing such a dream is sensible or realistic - but if that is the dream then it starts before high school or probably not at all.

I am the poster that the question was directed at and what the above says seems to make sense because I have also been curious too, when other parents knew their kid had procareer potential. I have a few kids and I can only say that about one kid who is currently pre-ECNL age. He has the skills, athleticism, motivation (playing soccer is what makes him happiest at the moment), and discipline (perfectionist, practices on his own, always eager to do and learn more). He could dribble and control the ball very well before he was 2, almost like an instinct. He also has soccer IQ which he uses effectively as part of a team. And yes, he's very good according to coaches, teammates, other soccer parents, etc. We assess every year whether he has the same interest and motivation because I can't imagine going through travel soccer and all this stuff unless my kid was already talented and had the motivation and discipline to keep on going. As to my point in a previous post, it definitely isn't worth it just for a college scholarship.

So in the major European leagues they sign kids to their YDS at 16. That is the first make or break year. The kids signed minimally have to be extremely good athletes- speed and quickness. I have seen two pro athletes at the high school level. It was as like men playing with boys. They were so athletically better vs everyone else they could play at 50-75% and still be the dominant player. They did not work at it or have a a high skill level in high school. If you do not have the athleticism all the work, skill, drive, soccer iq, etc does not matter.

I definitely agree with the athleticism part, I think that's something a kid is just born with and no amount of training is going to give a child athleticism. I included that above as one of the factors we saw in our kid. We've had him try other sports too and he's caught on to all of them pretty quick but his interest stays with soccer.

I read a stat in an article that said 80% of 16 year olds playing in European pro academies are out of professional soccer by age 21. Even if you're good, it's not enough. You have to be the .001% to make it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:1. Get a full ride to a “crappy college”
2. Graduate debt free and become an Officer in the Military
3. Get trained and discharged at 26 years of age
4. Save the GI bill for your kid
5. Get hired at civilian job
6. Hire Harvard grad at less pay to do your job
7. Take naps

That’s my advice.

Suit yourself. Mine to going to get the highest level education she can. You only get one trip though college so put quality stuff into your brain. No one can take it away..

They will make a good worker.

Very good. Ask any coach she has ever had. Hardest worker. Always wanting to improve and do better and learn more. She will thrive with a academic challenge. She going to get an awesome education and hopefully get to the grad school where she has set her sights .

Good for her. Many of us want more.

But that is the point. Why do so many not want more education as opposed to more money.? To me, the education is more valuable than the tuition aid.

I am just talking about families that have resources for tuition.

You have no idea what their career goals are. If a kid isn't planning on going to Grad school the undergrad school just doesn't matter that much. Your career track and salary are what they are. If a kid wants to be a teacher does the undergrad school matter that much? Would a kid get a better teaching job out of Harvard than State U?

And second, why do you care why people make the decisions they make?