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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=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.[/quote]

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.

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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.

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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.[/quote]

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.[/quote]

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