Anonymous
08/12/2025 10:26
Subject: If your dc is an athlete (potential recruit) - how are you/dc navigating the sport versus academics?
Anonymous wrote:struggling a bit with DD as she is a runner with an offer of support from tippy top D3 but wants to see if ivy+ doors open after fall cross country. She has made tremendous improvement but won’t be evident and provide a recruitable lift until later in season, long past when these things are usually done. The D3 school will want to wrap things up by mid September with offers of support, so timing may not work for us - it really is like game theory to a large extent
Haven’t most of the Ivy+ schools nailed down their offers by early fall as well?
Anonymous
08/12/2025 10:25
Subject: If your dc is an athlete (potential recruit) - how are you/dc navigating the sport versus academics?
Has OP named the sport?
That to me is a huge factor in this decision because there are a whole host of reasons to be the "worst" player on a D1 revenue sport vs. the "worst" person on a D1 XC or crew team.
The former kids are given incredible perks, have tons of students actually care about the team and result in a very different college experience compared to sports like XC or crew where nobody really gives a crap how well their school does (nor are any students coming to an event) and where you practice and compete away from campus.
OP mentioned state schools...so I am talking D1 schools outside the Academic Patriot / Ivy Leagues as those leagues really don't feel much different than D3 from a student engagement perspective these days.
That to me is a huge factor in this decision because there are a whole host of reasons to be the "worst" player on a D1 revenue sport vs. the "worst" person on a D1 XC or crew team.
The former kids are given incredible perks, have tons of students actually care about the team and result in a very different college experience compared to sports like XC or crew where nobody really gives a crap how well their school does (nor are any students coming to an event) and where you practice and compete away from campus.
OP mentioned state schools...so I am talking D1 schools outside the Academic Patriot / Ivy Leagues as those leagues really don't feel much different than D3 from a student engagement perspective these days.
Anonymous
08/12/2025 10:22
Subject: If your dc is an athlete (potential recruit) - how are you/dc navigating the sport versus academics?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:We’re in the thick of the academic D3 recruiting process for baseball. We’ve made it clear to DS that academics come first, and he has been on board with that. He’s not really a D1 prospect, so ivies and patriot league schools are on the back burner for consideration only if the baseball thing does not work out.
Aha, lucky you! How does your dc feel about it?
That seems to be the typical path I see on here. Athletics to academic d3. Unfortunately or fortunately (bc dc has found his passion, which I can’t dismiss), my dc isn’t particularly interesting in the d3 schools that like him because their teams are just ok. His semi ‘dream’ schools are two state schools where he could likely get in academically but his recruiting chances aren’t great (keeping him on the back burner for now). He would likely have to try to walk on.
Dc will not do this sport professionally but he wants to push himself to the limits in the time he has left, and I have to respect that.
What kind of student is your DC? How strong of a student is he?
What sport was your dc recruited for? Where did they end up?
Anonymous
08/12/2025 10:21
Subject: If your dc is an athlete (potential recruit) - how are you/dc navigating the sport versus academics?
struggling a bit with DD as she is a runner with an offer of support from tippy top D3 but wants to see if ivy+ doors open after fall cross country. She has made tremendous improvement but won’t be evident and provide a recruitable lift until later in season, long past when these things are usually done. The D3 school will want to wrap things up by mid September with offers of support, so timing may not work for us - it really is like game theory to a large extent
Anonymous
08/12/2025 10:20
Subject: If your dc is an athlete (potential recruit) - how are you/dc navigating the sport versus academics?
^ know
Anonymous
08/12/2025 10:20
Subject: If your dc is an athlete (potential recruit) - how are you/dc navigating the sport versus academics?
Anonymous wrote:I have a kid like this.
He's an incredibly hard worker. Anything he does, he does to win, and it's reflected both in his sport and in his academics.
He's my youngest so between things like ID camps, and being dragged along on his siblings college tours, he's seen a lot of schools, and he's clear that he wants the big school experience. He wants the intensity that comes with D1 athletics.
People often suggest that we apply a broken leg test. But if he broke his leg, he'd want to be hobbling into the stands at Ohio State. He's pretty sure he'd choose playing club at UMD over playing varsity at WashU. So, we are looking at some D3's to help sort that out.
But mostly, we're looking at big schools. I'll make sure that he sees some of the high academic schools with big sports cultures. He liked Notre Dame, for example. I also think we'll investigate honors colleges at state schools. But in the end, it will be a choice.
The way I see it, he's a kid who knows how to work hard and find a path to what he wants. I think he's going to land on his feet wherever he goes.
This is very helpful, and I appreciate your input. I have to remind myself, but ultimately I agree. A kid who is this hard working will be fine. I need to land the chopper if he decides he’s not interested in a top academic d3 and chooses a large/state school instead. And yes, he’s a typical over confident athlete and he tends to think he will be able to walk on a d1 team (not every d1, but the ones he thinks he’s close in range for).
Norte Dame seems like a great fit for this sort of kid. Unfortunately for us they seem to not have a need for my dcs position, so it’s not happening for him.
I worry about that broken leg test.. if my dc broke his leg, I don’t know what he’d do….
My advice to you if you happen to want it is to try to get your dc in front of these coaches if he’s interested in schools. Dcs stats are not as high as they could be, but he found that when he met and worked with coaches at camps, they were interested in him. I think coaches see the spark and no your dc will do his best to contribute.
Anonymous
08/12/2025 10:14
Subject: If your dc is an athlete (potential recruit) - how are you/dc navigating the sport versus academics?
Anonymous wrote:Academic D3 schools are indeed the best athletically among D3 schools for many sports.
Unfortunately Baseball isn't one of those sports. There are a few high academic D3 baseball powers (Hopkins, CMS, Pomona-Pitzer, Denison) but it isn't like many other sports where there is significant overlap between D1 and D3 for high academic schools.
In many sports for example the bottom of the Ivy League overlaps with the top of the Patriot League and the bottom of the Patriot League overlaps with the top of the NESCAC creating a situation where a very goods player with excellent academics could end up with interesting choices. I am using the NESCAC as a proxy for NESCAC, UAA, and some schools from other conferences here. We all know the schools.
Anonymous
08/12/2025 10:08
Subject: If your dc is an athlete (potential recruit) - how are you/dc navigating the sport versus academics?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:We’re in the thick of the academic D3 recruiting process for baseball. We’ve made it clear to DS that academics come first, and he has been on board with that. He’s not really a D1 prospect, so ivies and patriot league schools are on the back burner for consideration only if the baseball thing does not work out.
Aha, lucky you! How does your dc feel about it?
That seems to be the typical path I see on here. Athletics to academic d3. Unfortunately or fortunately (bc dc has found his passion, which I can’t dismiss), my dc isn’t particularly interesting in the d3 schools that like him because their teams are just ok. His semi ‘dream’ schools are two state schools where he could likely get in academically but his recruiting chances aren’t great (keeping him on the back burner for now). He would likely have to try to walk on.
Dc will not do this sport professionally but he wants to push himself to the limits in the time he has left, and I have to respect that.
What kind of student is your DC? How strong of a student is he?
Anonymous
08/12/2025 10:07
Subject: If your dc is an athlete (potential recruit) - how are you/dc navigating the sport versus academics?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Encourage your kid to think about whether he would be happy not contributing much to a D1 team, versus being an impact player on a D3.
This used to be a very good point, some kids are just happy to be on the team and being a practice player at a major D1 is great. Others really want to play. This question is moot now for P4 schools but it is still possible outside of there.
What do you mean "the question is moot".
Anonymous
08/12/2025 10:06
Subject: If your dc is an athlete (potential recruit) - how are you/dc navigating the sport versus academics?
Anonymous wrote:Encourage your kid to think about whether he would be happy not contributing much to a D1 team, versus being an impact player on a D3.
This used to be a very good point, some kids are just happy to be on the team and being a practice player at a major D1 is great. Others really want to play. This question is moot now for P4 schools but it is still possible outside of there.
Anonymous
08/12/2025 10:03
Subject: If your dc is an athlete (potential recruit) - how are you/dc navigating the sport versus academics?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:What sport? Your DC is a child and quite possibly knows less than they believe.
What sport was your dc recruited for? Where did they end up?
Mine D plays volleyball. She is very good but was never going to contribute at the major D1 level. He turned down a couple of mid-major D1s for high academic D3.
Anonymous
08/12/2025 10:02
Subject: If your dc is an athlete (potential recruit) - how are you/dc navigating the sport versus academics?
I have a kid like this.
He's an incredibly hard worker. Anything he does, he does to win, and it's reflected both in his sport and in his academics.
He's my youngest so between things like ID camps, and being dragged along on his siblings college tours, he's seen a lot of schools, and he's clear that he wants the big school experience. He wants the intensity that comes with D1 athletics.
People often suggest that we apply a broken leg test. But if he broke his leg, he'd want to be hobbling into the stands at Ohio State. He's pretty sure he'd choose playing club at UMD over playing varsity at WashU. So, we are looking at some D3's to help sort that out.
But mostly, we're looking at big schools. I'll make sure that he sees some of the high academic schools with big sports cultures. He liked Notre Dame, for example. I also think we'll investigate honors colleges at state schools. But in the end, it will be a choice.
The way I see it, he's a kid who knows how to work hard and find a path to what he wants. I think he's going to land on his feet wherever he goes.
He's an incredibly hard worker. Anything he does, he does to win, and it's reflected both in his sport and in his academics.
He's my youngest so between things like ID camps, and being dragged along on his siblings college tours, he's seen a lot of schools, and he's clear that he wants the big school experience. He wants the intensity that comes with D1 athletics.
People often suggest that we apply a broken leg test. But if he broke his leg, he'd want to be hobbling into the stands at Ohio State. He's pretty sure he'd choose playing club at UMD over playing varsity at WashU. So, we are looking at some D3's to help sort that out.
But mostly, we're looking at big schools. I'll make sure that he sees some of the high academic schools with big sports cultures. He liked Notre Dame, for example. I also think we'll investigate honors colleges at state schools. But in the end, it will be a choice.
The way I see it, he's a kid who knows how to work hard and find a path to what he wants. I think he's going to land on his feet wherever he goes.
Anonymous
08/12/2025 09:56
Subject: If your dc is an athlete (potential recruit) - how are you/dc navigating the sport versus academics?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:We’re in the thick of the academic D3 recruiting process for baseball. We’ve made it clear to DS that academics come first, and he has been on board with that. He’s not really a D1 prospect, so ivies and patriot league schools are on the back burner for consideration only if the baseball thing does not work out.
Aha, lucky you! How does your dc feel about it?
That seems to be the typical path I see on here. Athletics to academic d3. Unfortunately or fortunately (bc dc has found his passion, which I can’t dismiss), my dc isn’t particularly interesting in the d3 schools that like him because their teams are just ok. His semi ‘dream’ schools are two state schools where he could likely get in academically but his recruiting chances aren’t great (keeping him on the back burner for now). He would likely have to try to walk on.
Dc will not do this sport professionally but he wants to push himself to the limits in the time he has left, and I have to respect that.
If he’s not going to be recruited, you should encourage him to apply to more academic schools as well as his dream schools. In the end, it’s best that he ends up in a place where’s he’s happy—he may have a different mindset about that when the recruiting process is over and he’s starting to apply to schools.
In your experience, do the academic d3 encourage you to apply ED?
NP but yes.
Op. Yep, that’s what I’m seeing. And obviously we won’t do that if dc isn’t certain. But as a parent who didn’t play a sport seriously, it’s hard for me to see him potentially pass up these great academic spots. Then again, I’m also a firm believer that lots of schools can offer a good education and that dc will find his way. He’s so focused and hard working.
Anonymous
08/12/2025 09:54
Subject: If your dc is an athlete (potential recruit) - how are you/dc navigating the sport versus academics?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:We’re in the thick of the academic D3 recruiting process for baseball. We’ve made it clear to DS that academics come first, and he has been on board with that. He’s not really a D1 prospect, so ivies and patriot league schools are on the back burner for consideration only if the baseball thing does not work out.
Aha, lucky you! How does your dc feel about it?
That seems to be the typical path I see on here. Athletics to academic d3. Unfortunately or fortunately (bc dc has found his passion, which I can’t dismiss), my dc isn’t particularly interesting in the d3 schools that like him because their teams are just ok. His semi ‘dream’ schools are two state schools where he could likely get in academically but his recruiting chances aren’t great (keeping him on the back burner for now). He would likely have to try to walk on.
Dc will not do this sport professionally but he wants to push himself to the limits in the time he has left, and I have to respect that.
If he’s not going to be recruited, you should encourage him to apply to more academic schools as well as his dream schools. In the end, it’s best that he ends up in a place where’s he’s happy—he may have a different mindset about that when the recruiting process is over and he’s starting to apply to schools.
I’m going to insist that he applies to both, but the problem is that the d3 recruiting schools will likely cut him off if he’s not expressing interest. Do you happen to know how this works for your sport?
He’s been asked to submit materials for pre reads at most of these schools and he’s been slow to respond. One place came back and said his submission looked good, they’d like to see him on the team, and they asked him to apply ED which he doesn’t want to do…
He shouldn’t apply ED if he doesn’t want to attend that school—nor should he be bothering to submit pre-read materials if he’s not interested in possibly playing on that team. He can apply to schools like everyone else who isn’t being recruited if he’s not going to be a recruit.
That’s rather black and white, no? And a fundamental misreading of the issues. I think your tone sounds weird so I’m going to stop engaging with you unless you would like to share actual experiences your dc had, as the op requests.
Fwiw. He’s already a recruit at these d3. He’s not necessarily a recruit at all of the d1 that he’s interested in. They have him on the back burner. That’s the issue. And no, he wouldn’t apply ED if he wasn’t certain obviously.
Anonymous
08/12/2025 09:50
Subject: If your dc is an athlete (potential recruit) - how are you/dc navigating the sport versus academics?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:We’re in the thick of the academic D3 recruiting process for baseball. We’ve made it clear to DS that academics come first, and he has been on board with that. He’s not really a D1 prospect, so ivies and patriot league schools are on the back burner for consideration only if the baseball thing does not work out.
Aha, lucky you! How does your dc feel about it?
That seems to be the typical path I see on here. Athletics to academic d3. Unfortunately or fortunately (bc dc has found his passion, which I can’t dismiss), my dc isn’t particularly interesting in the d3 schools that like him because their teams are just ok. His semi ‘dream’ schools are two state schools where he could likely get in academically but his recruiting chances aren’t great (keeping him on the back burner for now). He would likely have to try to walk on.
Dc will not do this sport professionally but he wants to push himself to the limits in the time he has left, and I have to respect that.
If he’s not going to be recruited, you should encourage him to apply to more academic schools as well as his dream schools. In the end, it’s best that he ends up in a place where’s he’s happy—he may have a different mindset about that when the recruiting process is over and he’s starting to apply to schools.
In your experience, do the academic d3 encourage you to apply ED?
NP but yes.