I’d have her think about which of these 2 colleges she would prefer if NOT doing her sport. All other things being neutral or equal, that is the school I’d encourage her to attend.

Anonymous wrote:If she doesn’t care about the difference between D1 and D3, she needs to go D3. That shows a lack of understanding that is critically important. She will not be happy in a D1 environment.

Agree with this. My daughter is a former D1 athlete who very much wanted that commitment but even still only survived 2 years before transferring. One of her teammates put it best I think. She said D1 is a way of life and D3 is a friend group.

You’re going to get a better education at an SLAC in the 50s than most of the universities outside of the top 20 or so. If she’s an athlete, she’s likely not going to make a career of it and will be an absolute monster at a D3 school.

Agree - I’d pick the D3 school

Unless your child intends to become a professional athlete, I would focus on figuring out which school you think they will learn more at and less on brand recognition. In the long run what they learn, including the skills to continue learning, will likely matter far more.

What's the sport? Is there a scholarship riding on it? Is affordability dependent on her participation in the sport?

If finances are not an issue, then the sport angle is irrelevant. Some kids like big schools. Some prefer small LACs. She needs to figure out what kind of environment she prefers and pursue things accordingly. Most schools have club sports so participation for the joy of it shouldn't be an issue for most students in most sports.

If sports are relevant - whether admittance or scholarships - she should know that D1 and D3 athletics are totally different beasts. My DC was recruited by numerous D3 schools in his sport. But his interests are in STEM, and the D1 schools are overwhelmingly better for his chosen major than the small D3 schools. But D1 schools have D1 athletes. It's hard for an 18 year old freshman to take a spot from a 23 year old sixth year senior, which is how D1 sports tends to roll in many events.

In the end, he chose the very selective D1 school for the academics. No athletic scholarship. Instead, he's part of a training squad - promising freshmen, varsity athletes returning from PT. He has structured training. He has a coach. But he's not competing this year. Hopefully next year. It's what he wants to do.

College is all about making choices within realistic parameters. There are opportunity costs to everything. My DC is passionate about his sport. Would like nothing more than to compete this year. But the education is far better at the D1 school and he valued that more. Hopefully he competes in the years ahead, but it's a much harder road at an academically intense D1 school compared to a D3 school.

D1 and D3 occupy different planets. Would encourage any student facing such a conundrum to spend some time in each environment while being mindful of other goals and priorities.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I agree with others above that it should depend on how she feels about the school experience (academics, social vibe, location) and about the team experience (coach, teammates, playing time, time commitment, D1 v D3) and I'd add that she should consider also about how she would be able to balance academics, social, team at each of the schools in a way that matches her preferences.

PP. Good point. From my understanding with D1, you are an athlete first.

This. I'd think the most important thing is understanding the D1 vs. D3 requirements. Especially in the context of what major she is planning to pursue. Some more demanding majors really may not be compatible with D1 sports.

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Yep. DS had a HS teammate that had to quit his D1 sport because he couldn't manage as an engineering major.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I agree with others above that it should depend on how she feels about the school experience (academics, social vibe, location) and about the team experience (coach, teammates, playing time, time commitment, D1 v D3) and I'd add that she should consider also about how she would be able to balance academics, social, team at each of the schools in a way that matches her preferences.

PP. Good point. From my understanding with D1, you are an athlete first.

Yeah but there also this: we know the D1 coach assumes you are an athlete first but do the "big state" teachers agree? Do they care that your kid plays a field sport that travels often and far for an entire semester?

Synergy between the Athletic department expectations and the Professors support for athletes is important.

Another question - is there scholarship money involved? I've heard of so many kids who go to D1 with no scholarship but hate it and then drop off the team. In that scenario - do they like the D1 school on its own merits?