Private School Soccer Thread

[Anonymous]

Schools value strong soccer programs, if you think that your child can contribute to that, then apply and you may find that you qualify for a healthy financial aid package.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Schools value strong soccer programs, if you think that your child can contribute to that, then apply and you may find that you qualify for a healthy financial aid package.

I don't know why someone is trying to shop the erroneous idea that being good in soccer will get you a better financial aid package. It is not true. If you qualify for a "healthy financial aid package" based on need, you can get it -- but having a child good at soccer will not influence that process. At some schools, being a recruited football/basketball/lacrosse star might influence financial aid money, but it doesn't happen for soccer in this area.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Schools value strong soccer programs, if you think that your child can contribute to that, then apply and you may find that you qualify for a healthy financial aid package.

I don't know why someone is trying to shop the erroneous idea that being good in soccer will get you a better financial aid package. It is not true. If you qualify for a "healthy financial aid package" based on need, you can get it -- but having a child good at soccer will not influence that process. At some schools, being a recruited football/basketball/lacrosse star might influence financial aid money, but it doesn't happen for soccer in this area.

And schools are definitely aware that if they reach out to bring in a highly touted soccer player, that player may never step on the pitch for the school because of playing Academy. These are small schools for the most part and there are a lot of teams, so they rely on kids playing multiple seasons. A smart soccer player will still get in on academics -- I don't think schools will steer clear of otherwise academically talented Academy-bound kids -- but the soccer won't be a "plus factor" in admissions because it could easily end up as a "minus factor" to the school's athletic program.

The bottom line is that our soccer now in the U.S. is focused in the club system. As that emphasis switched away from high school soccer, it's not surprising that high school athletic programs have begun to switch resources (including recruiting influence) away from soccer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Schools value strong soccer programs, if you think that your child can contribute to that, then apply and you may find that you qualify for a healthy financial aid package.

I don't know why someone is trying to shop the erroneous idea that being good in soccer will get you a better financial aid package. It is not true. If you qualify for a "healthy financial aid package" based on need, you can get it -- but having a child good at soccer will not influence that process. At some schools, being a recruited football/basketball/lacrosse star might influence financial aid money, but it doesn't happen for soccer in this area.

And schools are definitely aware that if they reach out to bring in a highly touted soccer player, that player may never step on the pitch for the school because of playing Academy. These are small schools for the most part and there are a lot of teams, so they rely on kids playing multiple seasons. A smart soccer player will still get in on academics -- I don't think schools will steer clear of otherwise academically talented Academy-bound kids -- but the soccer won't be a "plus factor" in admissions because it could easily end up as a "minus factor" to the school's athletic program.

The bottom line is that our soccer now in the U.S. is focused in the club system. As that emphasis switched away from high school soccer, it's not surprising that high school athletic programs have begun to switch resources (including recruiting influence) away from soccer.

Agree that US is focused on the club system. And that benefits only a select few. But schools like St Albans still have excellent club (but not Academy) players who play on the team, and in fact go on to play for some great college programs like Chicago and Williams.

Back to the earlier poster, if you kid is that good, and has the ability to play high school in addition to club, the AD will take that into consideration when assessing the application, and yes, financial aid application also.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Schools value strong soccer programs, if you think that your child can contribute to that, then apply and you may find that you qualify for a healthy financial aid package.

I don't know why someone is trying to shop the erroneous idea that being good in soccer will get you a better financial aid package. It is not true. If you qualify for a "healthy financial aid package" based on need, you can get it -- but having a child good at soccer will not influence that process. At some schools, being a recruited football/basketball/lacrosse star might influence financial aid money, but it doesn't happen for soccer in this area.

And schools are definitely aware that if they reach out to bring in a highly touted soccer player, that player may never step on the pitch for the school because of playing Academy. These are small schools for the most part and there are a lot of teams, so they rely on kids playing multiple seasons. A smart soccer player will still get in on academics -- I don't think schools will steer clear of otherwise academically talented Academy-bound kids -- but the soccer won't be a "plus factor" in admissions because it could easily end up as a "minus factor" to the school's athletic program.

The bottom line is that our soccer now in the U.S. is focused in the club system. As that emphasis switched away from high school soccer, it's not surprising that high school athletic programs have begun to switch resources (including recruiting influence) away from soccer.

Agree that US is focused on the club system. And that benefits only a select few. But schools like St Albans still have excellent club (but not Academy) players who play on the team, and in fact go on to play for some great college programs like Chicago and Williams.

Back to the earlier poster, if you kid is that good, and has the ability to play high school in addition to club, the AD will take that into consideration when assessing the application, and yes, financial aid application also.

First, very few schools around here give athletic aid disguised as financial aid. It's against league rules and thus seen as a shady practice. Second, it's not done for soccer. Period, full stop. Third, for admissions alone, say "Academy soccer" around an area admissions director and you'll get an eye roll. Every school has had applicants who swore great interest in the HS team and then, after admissions, only played Academy. There may be schools that are big enough that they'll take a chance and use "athletic admit" spots on soccer players, but that's the exception rather than the rule. Schools look for players in spectator sports and sports the alumni care about who will definitely play for the school. That means football, basketball, lacrosse, and, at some schools, baseball and hockey. Anecdote: 3 years ago, Gonzaga played in the DCSAA soccer finals at the same time as their regular season football game vs. St. John's. Literally NO GONZAGA STUDENTS at all -- none -- came to the soccer game. (Only parents of the soccer team.). Overall, soccer is 4th at best, 7th at worst on the "food chain" as a boys' HS team sport. Counterintuitive, perhaps, given youth soccer participation but it's the case.

Bottom line: don't expect soccer to be a ticket into private school or to $$$$ for private school. Can't hurt to apply, obviously, but you need to be a realist.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:WIS v. St Albans in city semi-final today. Go WIS!

Fun game. The cheering crowds on both sides were equally fun. Can't wait for next season's rematch!

A good local rivalry has developed despite the fact the schools aren't in the same conference. That has been a great byproduct of the DCSAA soccer tournament. Well done to the DCSAA for this model, which includes both public and private schools.

Agreed. Can't this model work for other sports? Watching WIS play St Albans twice this season was some of the most exciting time I've observed in high school sports.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Schools value strong soccer programs, if you think that your child can contribute to that, then apply and you may find that you qualify for a healthy financial aid package.

Totally echo this point. Soccer players tend to be less frat-boyish (yes I'm thinking about laxers) and more bookish (same thought, laxers), so soccer is a solid investment of resources for any school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Schools value strong soccer programs, if you think that your child can contribute to that, then apply and you may find that you qualify for a healthy financial aid package.

Totally echo this point. Soccer players tend to be less frat-boyish (yes I'm thinking about laxers) and more bookish (same thought, laxers), so soccer is a solid investment of resources for any school.

Meh. The really good ones can't even play for the school. Why would you give the slightest bit of "credit" in admissions to an athlete who quite likely can't play for the school, let alone violate the rules to give a hidden athletic scholarship? If they can get in on their own on the academics alone, fine. (But even then they may be taking up a spot of a student who would contribute athletically to the community.)

The future of soccer is club. Can't have it both ways and not play HS but want help getting in to HS. It's that simple.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:WIS v. St Albans in city semi-final today. Go WIS!

Fun game. The cheering crowds on both sides were equally fun. Can't wait for next season's rematch!

My son said WIS will not be playing St Albans School next year. Surely St Albans School can't be dodging WIS??

[Anonymous]

Who will be 2nd to WIS this year?!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:WIS v. St Albans in city semi-final today. Go WIS!

Fun game. The cheering crowds on both sides were equally fun. Can't wait for next season's rematch!

My son said WIS will not be playing St Albans School next year. Surely St Albans School can't be dodging WIS??

Most likely the schools didn't have a matching open date; fairly standard for non-league opponents. Perhaps they will meet up again in the DCSAA post-season tournament.

[Anonymous]

Bullis should have a good team this year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Who will be 2nd to WIS this year?!

Wilson?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Schools value strong soccer programs, if you think that your child can contribute to that, then apply and you may find that you qualify for a healthy financial aid package.

I don't know why someone is trying to shop the erroneous idea that being good in soccer will get you a better financial aid package. It is not true. If you qualify for a "healthy financial aid package" based on need, you can get it -- but having a child good at soccer will not influence that process. At some schools, being a recruited football/basketball/lacrosse star might influence financial aid money, but it doesn't happen for soccer in this area.

And schools are definitely aware that if they reach out to bring in a highly touted soccer player, that player may never step on the pitch for the school because of playing Academy. These are small schools for the most part and there are a lot of teams, so they rely on kids playing multiple seasons. A smart soccer player will still get in on academics -- I don't think schools will steer clear of otherwise academically talented Academy-bound kids -- but the soccer won't be a "plus factor" in admissions because it could easily end up as a "minus factor" to the school's athletic program.

The bottom line is that our soccer now in the U.S. is focused in the club system. As that emphasis switched away from high school soccer, it's not surprising that high school athletic programs have begun to switch resources (including recruiting influence) away from soccer.

Agree that US is focused on the club system. And that benefits only a select few. But schools like St Albans still have excellent club (but not Academy) players who play on the team, and in fact go on to play for some great college programs like Chicago and Williams.

Back to the earlier poster, if you kid is that good, and has the ability to play high school in addition to club, the AD will take that into consideration when assessing the application, and yes, financial aid application also.

First, very few schools around here give athletic aid disguised as financial aid. It's against league rules and thus seen as a shady practice. Second, it's not done for soccer. Period, full stop. Third, for admissions alone, say "Academy soccer" around an area admissions director and you'll get an eye roll. Every school has had applicants who swore great interest in the HS team and then, after admissions, only played Academy. There may be schools that are big enough that they'll take a chance and use "athletic admit" spots on soccer players, but that's the exception rather than the rule. Schools look for players in spectator sports and sports the alumni care about who will definitely play for the school. That means football, basketball, lacrosse, and, at some schools, baseball and hockey. Anecdote: 3 years ago, Gonzaga played in the DCSAA soccer finals at the same time as their regular season football game vs. St. John's. Literally NO GONZAGA STUDENTS at all -- none -- came to the soccer game. (Only parents of the soccer team.). Overall, soccer is 4th at best, 7th at worst on the "food chain" as a boys' HS team sport. Counterintuitive, perhaps, given youth soccer participation but it's the case.

Bottom line: don't expect soccer to be a ticket into private school or to $$$$ for private school. Can't hurt to apply, obviously, but you need to be a realist.

You are not very familiar with WCAC, are you?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:WIS v. St Albans in city semi-final today. Go WIS!

Fun game. The cheering crowds on both sides were equally fun. Can't wait for next season's rematch!

My son said WIS will not be playing St Albans School next year. Surely St Albans School can't be dodging WIS??

You are a total loser. What an inane comment. No, STA wouldn't bother to "dodge" WIS.

The truth is likely that these games were ugly - horrible behavior of fans (more parents than kids) and players - so the schools decided to end them.