Take the D3 offer or not?
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Anonymous
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My child has a few days to decide on an athletics commitment. I have to be a little broad here since it'd be too easy to identify him.
His performance is not good enough to be on the team for the Ivies- he didn't get much if any interest from the coaches. However, his stats are quite competitive all in all- ACT in the 99%, close to 4.0 UW, good recommendations, etc. He has received attention from several Division III programs, including from 3 LACs ranked in the top 10. He likes the appeal of playing on the team with certainty and he is especially fond of one of the schools in particular. The coach has stated that if he applies early, he will almost certainly get in. This is at a school with an acceptance rate under 15%, so having such a promise is pretty compelling. However, if he does not apply early, he cannot count on the coach's support. But his top choice at the moment is one of the Ivies which did not give him much attention. He's concerned that it could be telling that he wouldn't be competitive if he were to apply. The LAC would be his 2nd or third choice. What should he do in this situation? |
Anonymous
I would take the D3 offer in a heartbeat unless your child has a hook.....specifically URM. Otherwise, your child's stats are a dime a dozen amongst ivy applicants. |
Anonymous
| D3. How much would he play on D3 though? Would he make the competing line up? No point in sitting on a team, even if he got in to Ivy, if he really wants to play. |
Anonymous
| I assume that money is not a concern, given that you are looking at LACs and Ivies? If that is the case, I would definitely go with the DIII offer. Most kids on DIII teams are there because they are good and love the sport, but are not aiming to go pro or extend their sports lives much beyond college. |
Anonymous
| Yeah D3...by senior year chances are greater than 75% he won't be on the team anyway, so might as well take the bird in hand. As PP notes unless hooked the Ivy is a no-chance anyway, and even most selective LACs in the northeast will be tough unhooked. |
Anonymous
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My advice is based on two sons who went to schools to play sports. Both of them were encouraged to pick the school where they would be happy if they had a career ending injury on the first day of practice and never got to play a minute in any sport. One played all four years and the sport was a big part of his college experience. He went D3. The other went D1. The coaching staff changed 100% before he arrived and ultimately most of the recruited players left the team as did he. He loves his choice of school and is not wistful about his sport. Good luck to your son. I hope he has a great college career.
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Anonymous
| Take the 3 and go ivy for graduate school. |
Anonymous
Op, this is the first big decision of his adult life. The bigger lesson is that this is all on him. No one has a crystal ball. No one can assure him of where each path will lead. It will be very empowering, once he owns the decision. |
Anonymous
Playing a sport at the D3 level for an elite LAC - assume he loves the sport and the school offers what he's look for academically? Seems like a no-brainer. Take the offer. |
Anonymous
| Yea I agree with bird in hand and congrats to your kid. I am sure it is so hard because his academics are amazing and what if he did get into Ivy (and he might, but such a crap shoot). Ultimately let him make the decision. |
Anonymous
| Agree with all the others. He's very unlikely to get into a top ivy without a hook, even with perfect stats. A good D3 program is a great option to have, and if he's serious about playing, I'd pick that over other ivies (like Cornell) that he could likely be admitted to. |
Anonymous
| I don't even get the bird in hand (which would imply that the alternative is a better choice). Top SLACs are basically Ivies in their own right. |
Anonymous
| I agree - he has to make the decision. Our DC made the decision at the last minute made on gut feel. Not sure how it will turn out - but it's part of what DC needs to learn about to grow. |
Anonymous
| Have you talked with the college counselor at his HS? Might be a source of info re how many kids with hooks are applying to his top choice Ivy and how strong his own letters of rec are. Unless they are saying things like best student I’ve taught in the past 10+ years (and coming from teachers who taught him in honors or AP classes), then he’s not a strong unhooked candidate for a top Ivy even with great stats. Counselor may be no help at all — really depends on the school and the person, but my DC’s would have been worth asking. |
Anonymous
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He can attend a top IVY for grad school when he has aced his way thru the LAC.
How's that? |