Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:First -- there really are not small D1 schools in rural areas. There are lots of D3 schools that fit that description.

Now -- for soccer -- you really need to be in the Power5 conferences to have maxed out scholarship numbers for women and maybe men. A bit more iffy for men even. Football numbers chase away those soccer scholarships for the guys. Conversely, they typically mean the women's side will have their full 14 (Title IX). Once you get outside the Power5 conferences then the scholarship numbers are likely to drop from the NCAA max allowed numbers.

Now -- to be frank -- the big thing about playing D1 college soccer is that it is very time consuming, and it prevents you from effectively taking certain majors. It is not so bad freshman year, because a kid will be taking typical freshman classes regardless of their major. The problems come when you start to get to required attendence classes for things like labs, and practice performances, and studio time, and you are travelling with the team. Sure you can take those things in the Summer of Spring terms, but pretty soon -- those classes start to require stack up and require that you have already taken XYZ course. But, you could not take XYZ course in the Fall, because you were on the team.

There is a reason why smart kids in college playing a sport typically end up in particular majors. They need to be done in 4-5 years, and it may not be possible with some majors.

Finally -- the reality is that lots of kids -- most even -- who come in playing will be off the team by their Junior year. Why? Largely because it is way too much work to also not be playing much or at all. During the Fall season -- so from the beginning of August to November and the end of the season -- a player will be easily devoting at least 40 hours a week to soccer not counting travel. When the season is over that will drop to about 20. If you are riding the bench after your freshmen year -- it is not much fun.

I stopped reading after the first paragraph. 14 scholarship for girls. Power 5 or not.

That’s stupid. Ask anyone. Or , better yet, look at school athletic budgets yourself. Lots of D1 women’s programs have 1 or 2 to give out to the team. Token amount to by books kind of thing. Actually - quite a few in P5 conferences will not give out 14.

You're correct. Lots of schools are not fully funded for soccer. In fact, in todays pandemic environment, more than ever.

Some players are fortunate and can just focus on what they want to study and if the soccer works out, great, if it does not, no matter.

But some need money to afford college. If a person is working while is college does it matter if the hours are spent working as a soccer player or having some other job?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:First -- there really are not small D1 schools in rural areas. There are lots of D3 schools that fit that description.

Now -- for soccer -- you really need to be in the Power5 conferences to have maxed out scholarship numbers for women and maybe men. A bit more iffy for men even. Football numbers chase away those soccer scholarships for the guys. Conversely, they typically mean the women's side will have their full 14 (Title IX). Once you get outside the Power5 conferences then the scholarship numbers are likely to drop from the NCAA max allowed numbers.

Now -- to be frank -- the big thing about playing D1 college soccer is that it is very time consuming, and it prevents you from effectively taking certain majors. It is not so bad freshman year, because a kid will be taking typical freshman classes regardless of their major. The problems come when you start to get to required attendence classes for things like labs, and practice performances, and studio time, and you are travelling with the team. Sure you can take those things in the Summer of Spring terms, but pretty soon -- those classes start to require stack up and require that you have already taken XYZ course. But, you could not take XYZ course in the Fall, because you were on the team.

There is a reason why smart kids in college playing a sport typically end up in particular majors. They need to be done in 4-5 years, and it may not be possible with some majors.

Finally -- the reality is that lots of kids -- most even -- who come in playing will be off the team by their Junior year. Why? Largely because it is way too much work to also not be playing much or at all. During the Fall season -- so from the beginning of August to November and the end of the season -- a player will be easily devoting at least 40 hours a week to soccer not counting travel. When the season is over that will drop to about 20. If you are riding the bench after your freshmen year -- it is not much fun.

A university with several different schools tried to talk my player out of applying to the one that had attracted her interest in the school and into one with an easier path for her to play soccer. I was listening to the call. Needless to say, that school went to the bottom of the list.

During a campus tour day I was riding in the back of the golf cart and heard the coach ask the standard question about what my kid was thinking of studying. She had a canned answer (every coach asks this), and it included the possibility of fine arts. The coach said, conversationally, that he had never had a player doing fine arts. He had been there about 10 years. The school had a very good fine arts program. No one? In 10 years? That got my parent instincts going, and I dug in. Women’s soccer. Kids are very often excellent students who get things done so he wasn’t going to say “no”. But —- it would have been impossible. You can’t be in a studio basically living there creating your pieces during the season. Could not be done. My kid’s older brother was then a music teaching major at another big school. I asked him to find out how many athletes were in the music college. He talked to the admin folks - none. Same problem. Required hours rehearsing individually, small groups, and larger groups would make it impossible during the season. Same issue with majors that require labs. Take an Organic lab course - the lectures aren’t the problem, but pretty much every lab course allows you to miss maybe one lab - for any reason. Sick? Tough. Retake the course. On a road trip? Tough retake the course. Again, you take courses in the off season terms, BUT (big but) you have to dig into the details of your major. If your major requires say 5 lab courses, chances are that you need to finish say lab 1 and lab 2 and take course 3 before you can take lab 3, and then lab 4 and then lab 5 has another set of prerequisites. What? lab 4 is not offered this term - well SOL. What the prerequisite course is offered only Fall term? Well you can take it next year. Wait you won’t be able to do it then either because of team commitments? Oh well. Even at big schools junior and senior level courses have limited offerings.


So - Work through the entire 4/5 year plan. Literally. Do it. Look on line and sit there with pencil and paper and work it out. Keep your in season credits to the bare minimum and do not write in any courses during the in season term that require your kid to physically be somewhere. Is a particular major even possible to accomplish when you do that? You can take books on the road. You can watch a taped lecture on the road. You can read and study on the road, but that’s it. You can’t bring lab instruments. You can’t bring an easel and paints. You can’t bring mechanical equipment, etc…. Chart it out. Could it be done?

Now - you also have to comply with ncaa requirements about advancing towards s degree. There may be some work around if you are a good player for a revenue sport - but not for a women’s (or men’s) soccer player. You must be advancing to a degree, meeting prerequisite course requirements on a 5 year pace. That’s possible of course - even taking minimum in season credits, but the whole prerequisite course requirements again stick their head in the door here.

So.- my kid is going premed. Great. Not going to happen and keep playing beyond freshman year. But great. Freshmen athletes barely survive Fall term taking 12 credits of standard freshmen classes. And, a good many don’t survive. The pressure is pretty intense. And the biggest things are the time requirements and atmosphere. Your kid is now an employee. Your kid needs to do everything asked, everyday, and not say a word of complaint to anyone but his/her parents. Ever. The coach is not their friend. Your kid works for the coach. About 40 hours a week. The coach’s job depends on 3 things; his/her winning consistent with school expectations, 2. His/her winning consistent with school expectations, and 3. Having players who meet gpa standards for the team (often quite high for women’s soccer) and stay out of trouble. It is a very competitive, produce or die environment, and very often kids are not up for it. Add in the huge athletic time commitment right as you start, and it can be very tough for anyone. The coach wants your kid to do well and to work out. But, if it doesn’t for your kid, the coach wants your kid gone so the scholarship money can be given elsewhere next year. That can be a lot for a freshman. Oh - and your kid’s teammates? They want your kid to do well for the team’s sake, but won’t be sad if your kid is gone or injured. Reduced competition for playing time.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:First -- there really are not small D1 schools in rural areas. There are lots of D3 schools that fit that description.

Now -- for soccer -- you really need to be in the Power5 conferences to have maxed out scholarship numbers for women and maybe men. A bit more iffy for men even. Football numbers chase away those soccer scholarships for the guys. Conversely, they typically mean the women's side will have their full 14 (Title IX). Once you get outside the Power5 conferences then the scholarship numbers are likely to drop from the NCAA max allowed numbers.

Now -- to be frank -- the big thing about playing D1 college soccer is that it is very time consuming, and it prevents you from effectively taking certain majors. It is not so bad freshman year, because a kid will be taking typical freshman classes regardless of their major. The problems come when you start to get to required attendence classes for things like labs, and practice performances, and studio time, and you are travelling with the team. Sure you can take those things in the Summer of Spring terms, but pretty soon -- those classes start to require stack up and require that you have already taken XYZ course. But, you could not take XYZ course in the Fall, because you were on the team.

There is a reason why smart kids in college playing a sport typically end up in particular majors. They need to be done in 4-5 years, and it may not be possible with some majors.

Finally -- the reality is that lots of kids -- most even -- who come in playing will be off the team by their Junior year. Why? Largely because it is way too much work to also not be playing much or at all. During the Fall season -- so from the beginning of August to November and the end of the season -- a player will be easily devoting at least 40 hours a week to soccer not counting travel. When the season is over that will drop to about 20. If you are riding the bench after your freshmen year -- it is not much fun.

I stopped reading after the first paragraph. 14 scholarship for girls. Power 5 or not.

That’s stupid. Ask anyone. Or , better yet, look at school athletic budgets yourself. Lots of D1 women’s programs have 1 or 2 to give out to the team. Token amount to by books kind of thing. Actually - quite a few in P5 conferences will not give out 14.

Anonymous wrote:First -- there really are not small D1 schools in rural areas. There are lots of D3 schools that fit that description.

Now -- for soccer -- you really need to be in the Power5 conferences to have maxed out scholarship numbers for women and maybe men. A bit more iffy for men even. Football numbers chase away those soccer scholarships for the guys. Conversely, they typically mean the women's side will have their full 14 (Title IX). Once you get outside the Power5 conferences then the scholarship numbers are likely to drop from the NCAA max allowed numbers.

Now -- to be frank -- the big thing about playing D1 college soccer is that it is very time consuming, and it prevents you from effectively taking certain majors. It is not so bad freshman year, because a kid will be taking typical freshman classes regardless of their major. The problems come when you start to get to required attendence classes for things like labs, and practice performances, and studio time, and you are travelling with the team. Sure you can take those things in the Summer of Spring terms, but pretty soon -- those classes start to require stack up and require that you have already taken XYZ course. But, you could not take XYZ course in the Fall, because you were on the team.

There is a reason why smart kids in college playing a sport typically end up in particular majors. They need to be done in 4-5 years, and it may not be possible with some majors.

Finally -- the reality is that lots of kids -- most even -- who come in playing will be off the team by their Junior year. Why? Largely because it is way too much work to also not be playing much or at all. During the Fall season -- so from the beginning of August to November and the end of the season -- a player will be easily devoting at least 40 hours a week to soccer not counting travel. When the season is over that will drop to about 20. If you are riding the bench after your freshmen year -- it is not much fun.

A university with several different schools tried to talk my player out of applying to the one that had attracted her interest in the school and into one with an easier path for her to play soccer. I was listening to the call. Needless to say, that school went to the bottom of the list.

Anonymous wrote:First -- there really are not small D1 schools in rural areas. There are lots of D3 schools that fit that description.

Now -- for soccer -- you really need to be in the Power5 conferences to have maxed out scholarship numbers for women and maybe men. A bit more iffy for men even. Football numbers chase away those soccer scholarships for the guys. Conversely, they typically mean the women's side will have their full 14 (Title IX). Once you get outside the Power5 conferences then the scholarship numbers are likely to drop from the NCAA max allowed numbers.

Now -- to be frank -- the big thing about playing D1 college soccer is that it is very time consuming, and it prevents you from effectively taking certain majors. It is not so bad freshman year, because a kid will be taking typical freshman classes regardless of their major. The problems come when you start to get to required attendence classes for things like labs, and practice performances, and studio time, and you are travelling with the team. Sure you can take those things in the Summer of Spring terms, but pretty soon -- those classes start to require stack up and require that you have already taken XYZ course. But, you could not take XYZ course in the Fall, because you were on the team.

There is a reason why smart kids in college playing a sport typically end up in particular majors. They need to be done in 4-5 years, and it may not be possible with some majors.

Finally -- the reality is that lots of kids -- most even -- who come in playing will be off the team by their Junior year. Why? Largely because it is way too much work to also not be playing much or at all. During the Fall season -- so from the beginning of August to November and the end of the season -- a player will be easily devoting at least 40 hours a week to soccer not counting travel. When the season is over that will drop to about 20. If you are riding the bench after your freshmen year -- it is not much fun.

I stopped reading after the first paragraph. 14 scholarship for girls. Power 5 or not.

First -- there really are not small D1 schools in rural areas. There are lots of D3 schools that fit that description.

Now -- for soccer -- you really need to be in the Power5 conferences to have maxed out scholarship numbers for women and maybe men. A bit more iffy for men even. Football numbers chase away those soccer scholarships for the guys. Conversely, they typically mean the women's side will have their full 14 (Title IX). Once you get outside the Power5 conferences then the scholarship numbers are likely to drop from the NCAA max allowed numbers.

Now -- to be frank -- the big thing about playing D1 college soccer is that it is very time consuming, and it prevents you from effectively taking certain majors. It is not so bad freshman year, because a kid will be taking typical freshman classes regardless of their major. The problems come when you start to get to required attendence classes for things like labs, and practice performances, and studio time, and you are travelling with the team. Sure you can take those things in the Summer of Spring terms, but pretty soon -- those classes start to require stack up and require that you have already taken XYZ course. But, you could not take XYZ course in the Fall, because you were on the team.

There is a reason why smart kids in college playing a sport typically end up in particular majors. They need to be done in 4-5 years, and it may not be possible with some majors.

Finally -- the reality is that lots of kids -- most even -- who come in playing will be off the team by their Junior year. Why? Largely because it is way too much work to also not be playing much or at all. During the Fall season -- so from the beginning of August to November and the end of the season -- a player will be easily devoting at least 40 hours a week to soccer not counting travel. When the season is over that will drop to about 20. If you are riding the bench after your freshmen year -- it is not much fun.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m curious what the draw is for soccer players to play D1 when the school itself may not be all that challenging for them. I could see doing that for football, because that sport has more potential money if you have the skills.

What’s the allure with accepting a recruited spot at a tiny school in a rural area just to play D1?

Depending upon the kid's situation, most likely to help offset the cost of college. Maybe the kid is good enough to play D1 and maybe at a top school, but the top school isn't providing a full ride or enough of a subsidy. And on the flip side maybe the smaller school is offering a full ride. Or maybe the kid just barely is able to play D1, then this is their best shot at having college subsidized. It all depends on the kid's situation.

Thanks! I had not realized a lot of money was given to play soccer, so I learned something new.

Most college soccer programs have about ten scholarships to divvy up between the players. Some tend to split it between most of the team, some concentrate it to get a handful of stars.

The maximum is 9.9 for men’s programs and 14 for women’s

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m curious what the draw is for soccer players to play D1 when the school itself may not be all that challenging for them. I could see doing that for football, because that sport has more potential money if you have the skills.

What’s the allure with accepting a recruited spot at a tiny school in a rural area just to play D1?

Depending upon the kid's situation, most likely to help offset the cost of college. Maybe the kid is good enough to play D1 and maybe at a top school, but the top school isn't providing a full ride or enough of a subsidy. And on the flip side maybe the smaller school is offering a full ride. Or maybe the kid just barely is able to play D1, then this is their best shot at having college subsidized. It all depends on the kid's situation.

Thanks! I had not realized a lot of money was given to play soccer, so I learned something new.

Most college soccer programs have about ten scholarships to divvy up between the players. Some tend to split it between most of the team, some concentrate it to get a handful of stars.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is a college thread not a pro thread

Your kid is not playing pro.

I never understand why people love to say that on here. I’m quite certain that the parents of Kevin Paredes, Drew Skundrich, and every single other male pro-soccer player with a supportive family wondered at some point prior to the tween years whether their talented kid had what it took to make it. They then invested the time and/or money needed to help their kid get there, just like some of the PPs on here are starting to do. I think everyone is aware that the odds are slim, but you can’t win if you don’t play. Many of the kids who have pro dreams and a lot of talent at 10 will end up playing in college, many won’t even get to that level ultimately, and a few will, indeed, go pro instead of attending, or after graduating from, college.

Exactly. It's a terrible mentality to have.

There are clearly DCU parents on here and parents of kids who will play for DCU, and every one of those kids is absolutely entitled to dream although 19/20 even of those kids won't make it. Sure the vast majority of kids don't play pro. But if everyone gave up before they started no-one would ever achieve anything.

And any kid that makes a serious attempt learns and grows from that attempt and is a better person for it. Or would you rather parent a kid who sits at home, lacking imagination, afraid to challenge himself and stares endlessly at his ipad while desperately trying to ignore you as you say for the hundredth time "You'll never amount to anything son, so don't even bother trying."

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m curious what the draw is for soccer players to play D1 when the school itself may not be all that challenging for them. I could see doing that for football, because that sport has more potential money if you have the skills.

What’s the allure with accepting a recruited spot at a tiny school in a rural area just to play D1?

Depending upon the kid's situation, most likely to help offset the cost of college. Maybe the kid is good enough to play D1 and maybe at a top school, but the top school isn't providing a full ride or enough of a subsidy. And on the flip side maybe the smaller school is offering a full ride. Or maybe the kid just barely is able to play D1, then this is their best shot at having college subsidized. It all depends on the kid's situation.

Thanks! I had not realized a lot of money was given to play soccer, so I learned something new.

Anonymous wrote:Students attend college with the expectation of securing gainful employment and launching a successful career. However, not all schools are equal in job placement success.

Some colleges are vastly more supportive of their students’ post-graduation concerns than others. Whether it comes from excellent career centers, strong academic offerings, stellar reputations, or networking opportunities, certain colleges just flat-out do a better job of helping students launch their careers than other colleges.

I selected the below states because it seems to be the states where the majority of kids in this area go.

Top school in each state in job placement

DE - Delaware 93.8
MD - Loyola 94.1
VA - JMU 94.3
NC - ELon 94.5
TN - Rhodes 92.78
SC - Citadel 94.2
GA - Spellman 92.6

Schools in the same general area that made the top 100 for graduates who make the most income

3: Naval Academy
8: West Point
21: Washington and Lee
22: Leigh
37: Duke
38: G-Town
45: Bucknell
54: UVA
61: GW
63: NJIT
65: Wale Forest
74: Vanderbilt
77: VMI
79: Gettysburg
81: Villanova
82: Loyola, MD

Where do these numbers come from?

Anonymous wrote:Would you rather go to Delaware State University to play D1 soccer or Johns Hopkins to play D3 soccer

While I think Hopkins is better academically, I’d choose Delaware just for the campus. The Hopkins campus is blah. I know that does not address the soccer part, though.

OP

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is a college thread not a pro thread

Your kid is not playing pro.

I never understand why people love to say that on here. I’m quite certain that the parents of Kevin Paredes, Drew Skundrich, and every single other male pro-soccer player with a supportive family wondered at some point prior to the tween years whether their talented kid had what it took to make it. They then invested the time and/or money needed to help their kid get there, just like some of the PPs on here are starting to do. I think everyone is aware that the odds are slim, but you can’t win if you don’t play. Many of the kids who have pro dreams and a lot of talent at 10 will end up playing in college, many won’t even get to that level ultimately, and a few will, indeed, go pro instead of attending, or after graduating from, college.

Honestly, I’m surprised it took this long for someone to say that. It’s just jealousy. Ppl arnd here spend lots of time and money to make their kids better and more competitive, and put pressure on them, to no avail. They assume everyone else is too.

This entire thread is hilarious. Do you have any idea how many kids in the DMV area will not even commit to a D1 program? Especially this year? The amount will be staggering. All D1 programs from which you receive any type of money should be lauded. Those girls have worked their tails off for years to play at a higher level and deserve to be congratulated. Every year, those rankings shift as new talent enters and departs. The question posed in this thread is absurd. Going D1 is a huge accomplishment that will make these girls' collegiate years unforgettable. Going PRO is not just for those in high D1 programs, just as being a PRO player does not imply that you will be a good coach one day. Many professional players attended small-town colleges. Do you know why we all enroll our children in sports? It's about much more than just being the best or playing at the highest levels. Most people want it to help shape their child’s character and give them a sense of strong purpose and incredible self-esteem. So, to answer your perplexing question. Yes, it is well worth it because all D1 programs, regardless of ranking, are strong.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is a college thread not a pro thread

Your kid is not playing pro.

I never understand why people love to say that on here. I’m quite certain that the parents of Kevin Paredes, Drew Skundrich, and every single other male pro-soccer player with a supportive family wondered at some point prior to the tween years whether their talented kid had what it took to make it. They then invested the time and/or money needed to help their kid get there, just like some of the PPs on here are starting to do. I think everyone is aware that the odds are slim, but you can’t win if you don’t play. Many of the kids who have pro dreams and a lot of talent at 10 will end up playing in college, many won’t even get to that level ultimately, and a few will, indeed, go pro instead of attending, or after graduating from, college.

Honestly, I’m surprised it took this long for someone to say that. It’s just jealousy. Ppl arnd here spend lots of time and money to make their kids better and more competitive, and put pressure on them, to no avail. They assume everyone else is too.