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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]The quality of D3 athletics can be higher at the top than some lower-level D1 programs, in part because there are plenty of lower-level D1-level athletes who decide to go there for the academics, quality of life, and/or chance to play immediately.

Most people's knowledge of D1 is based on Power 5 conferences, but most kids who think they are D1 are really lower-level D1 quality.  When comparing these schools with D3, the advantages of D1 lessen.  Some of the D3s even have better athletic facilities than the lower-level D1s. This is especially true at elite academic D3 schools that have big donors.

The big advantage of D3, depending upon the sport, is the limit on off-season training days, which leaves more room for internships, study abroad programs, lab classes etc, the chance for more immediate playing time, and the reduced pressure on the players and coaches to win at all costs, which is the environment that often leads to player abuse.

Your son and his dad should watch some D3 games in person and online (they are all streamed these days) and see for themselves whether the quality is too low.  They also should visit some facilities and meet with the coaches.

As a practical matter, if your son wants the overall experience of D3, he won't last long in D1.  He'll burnout quickly and quit.  Kind of the worst of both worlds.  Chose a school for athletics instead of using athletics to get him into the best school and left without athletics or the best school fit for him.

If your son and his Dad want to compromise, focus on D3-style D1 athletic programs.  Schools like Davidson, Colgate, Bucknell, Lehigh, Lafayette, and the Ivy's are D1 (lower-level in most sports), but are smaller and have more focus on academics.  They often have practice times designed not to conflict with classes and they play schedules designed to minimize long travel.  They also generally don't go deep into post-season, thus minimizing conflicts further.[/quote]

This is 100% accurate.  We have a son at a D3 "style" / D1 school.  Loves it, but if he told us he was transferring to a D3 program so he could do a semester abroad his junior year, we'd be really happy...[/quote]

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