Anonymous wrote:Goal is a top 20 D1 soccer school with good academics (Stanford, UVA) or a thumb on the scales for admission at an Ivy or excellent D3 school. A scholarship would be nice—which won’t happen at the Ivys—but it’s not necessary. Right now, she has the grades plus soccer skills plus drive/mentality for this, and she’s in charge. I completely understand that may change as she ough the next few years (she is a rising freshman) but it’s there right now.

Unless your kid has been invited to Cali for the YNT - and maybe she has - then top 20 is much harder than you have any clue. Check all the teams in Va and see what is realistic.

It's self-driven. I told my DS I would support it if he showed the work ethic to keep things going. I will never ask him to train.

Seems to keep him disciplined and God knows there are worse things he could do with his time. He has learned he is not a special snowflake and that work ethic matters. I find I like the road trips. We talk a lot.

Goal is a top 20 D1 soccer school with good academics (Stanford, UVA) or a thumb on the scales for admission at an Ivy or excellent D3 school. A scholarship would be nice—which won’t happen at the Ivys—but it’s not necessary. Right now, she has the grades plus soccer skills plus drive/mentality for this, and she’s in charge. I completely understand that may change as she ough the next few years (she is a rising freshman) but it’s there right now.

Anonymous wrote:i am not asking for me, i am asking all your soccer folks, what do you see as the final destination. clearly you have something in mind.

Aiming at the best university in academic terms.
With no legacy, hoping that DA could help at the margin...

Anonymous wrote:i am not asking for me, i am asking all your soccer folks, what do you see as the final destination. clearly you have something in mind.

It's child dependent, but if the goal is D1, the best bet is DA. I can't believe the college coach presence at the summer showcase.

i am not asking for me, i am asking all your soccer folks, what do you see as the final destination. clearly you have something in mind.

It really depend on what the kids want and what "elite" level he/she is at or will be in the future. And it's the uncertainty that drives all the parents and kids and keep them doing the long travels and paying the high dues. It's called the DREAM.

My son and his DA teammates and friends at other top clubs almost all have some pro ambitions, but they are realistic about the odds. They were all recruited to play college soccer, and are either attending or committed. The ones who want to go pro chose the best D1 soccer programs they could, including several top 20 USNWR schools. Those kids mostly have scholarships in the 25-75% range. Others went with schools that could give them a full ride, or top academic schools that don't give money, like ivies or good D3 schools. DA is great for college options if you are still a very competitive player in your later high school years, especially if you keep your grades up.

We also know several DA kids who are skipping college to try their luck as pros. There's a much clearer pathway for that than there was pre-DA, though it's still not at all easy to break through, even for very talented players.

College soccer at DI level is a chore. Don't get caught up in the soccer industrial complex. If you kid enjoyes the sport and wants a chalenge then find the best elite option for her. Don't get caught in the DA or ECNL nonsense. If your DD has ability, coaches will spot it early on and there will be no shortage of opportunities to play elite-level soccer. Flying all over the country and spending $10,000+ annually does not have to be the route.

Either academics or soccer, it isn't a DA discussion but people spend tons of money and tons of time doing this, just curious to what end?

For us, our kid has made the steady climb and she has strong academics, I am not sure if she wants to play beyond high school, the history of her club coach is that most of his players play in college. he has mentioned some schools that combined with her academics it would be a good fit. Stanford Duke-OK just kidding with those but CAA schools, lower tier ACC schools, AAC schools and many SLA schools.

Anonymous wrote:all the other elite levels your kids play, what is the end result? Where do you think they will end up/ If college, what schools do you think they are aiming for? Full ride? partial?

I'm just aiming at putting my DD in the program that is the best fit for her talent level, interest level, and competition goals. For her, it is DA. For my son, it was NPL elite.

Strong in soccer or academic terms?

We are hoping soccer helps get our DC into a strong university. No expectation of scholarship money.

There have been a zillion discussion on this. Just do a search for "DA" and save all of us pages of repeat info.

all the other elite levels your kids play, what is the end result? Where do you think they will end up/ If college, what schools do you think they are aiming for? Full ride? partial?