Anonymous wrote:Strong in soccer or academic terms?

Academics

P.s. I'm not saying that you can't make a top D1 program, but to get into one of those universities out of the 1000s of players - and they only have so many freshman spots so it's not even 600 actually, it's great to try, but don't put everything in that basket. Like how many in VA are going to Duke? Migli is one. West Va? Gabby Robinson.

All I'm saying is there are some top notch D1 programs outside of the top 20, like NC State and Vanderbilt and so forth. It's better to include at least 2 from outside the top 20. Be realistic.

Note I didn't say don't try. Support your kid's dreams. But encourage broader options.

^^^^

I did. That's why I'm saying that. Only 20 universities with what, ambitiously 30 roster sports? That's 600 players.

Anonymous wrote:As long as you yourself realize, so you can support her dreams while offering realistic options alongside them just in case...

Unless she's YNT, top 20 is unrealistic.

Different poster, but this is not true at all, whether you are talking about top 20 D1 soccer programs or academic ones. The YNT kids who are not going pro are in the first wave of recruiting, but there are plenty of spots available at all soccer programs for those not in the national team pool. Ivies in particular don't tend to attract top male players, nor are they stacked with girl national team players.

You should follow your own advice and look at the college rosters, and this will become obvious.

As long as you yourself realize, so you can support her dreams while offering realistic options alongside them just in case...

Unless she's YNT, top 20 is unrealistic.

Anonymous wrote:

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 would be silly to be on this (expensive) journey without a clue, so I know approximately where she stands today. If my DD’s goals change, or if she gets seriously injured, or if she works hard and yet she doesn’t reach them, that’s fine. Nothing is certain, but OP asked about goals for kids on DA/ECNL teams. Those are my DD’s aspirations and those kid-chosen goals are why she plays where she plays. If she didn’t have those goals, she would be playing for the neighborhood club, and I would be carpooling less!