What is the most frustrating part of the recruiting process?

[Unregistered]

If your kid is not a good student, the soccer will only take them so far anyway.

yup. Solid player with great grades will be appealing to coaches - they don't have to fight to get you admitted, you won't struggle in college, you'll help pull up the team GPA and you may get a good merit package. Nothing wrong with that. You may not play much but if you're having fun at a good school, who cares? Everyone will graduate and get a decent job.

[Unregistered]

yup. Solid player with great grades will be appealing to coaches - they don't have to fight to get you admitted, you won't struggle in college, you'll help pull up the team GPA and you may get a good merit package. Nothing wrong with that. You may not play much but if you're having fun at a good school, who cares? Everyone will graduate and get a decent job.

Not everyone will graduate. The player who got into a school above their academic abilities because of soccer has a high chance of dropping out. Seen it more than a few times.

[Unregistered]

100% correct. Understanding where your kids stands on a coaches shopping list is vital. The timing and money will tell a family where their kid stands. If the coach is pushing a big percentage at a kid right away it tells the family that they are a priority prospect. If the coach is stalling or coming with a low ball offer it really means that coach sees their kid as more of a role player.

What if the money isn't the main factor for your decision? Wondering if this is something that should ever be raised with a coach. I assume if you tell them outright that you don't need the $$, they won't give it to you. But for real, if it's a top choice for your kid, do you make that part of your conversation?

[Unregistered]

Not everyone will graduate. The player who got into a school above their academic abilities because of soccer has a high chance of dropping out. Seen it more than a few times.

Then that's a kid the coach will be less interested in. As the poster said if the kid is on target or above target for grades it's one less player the coach has to get admitted or worry about. Plenty of non athletes also shoot too high and struggle. You want the best school you can attend where you'll be challenged but not struggle. Parent especially are guilty of pushing their kids towards those schools. They care more about the name than the best fit for their kid. The whole varsity blues thing is an extreme example of that.

[Unregistered]

What if the money isn't the main factor for your decision? Wondering if this is something that should ever be raised with a coach. I assume if you tell them outright that you don't need the $$, they won't give it to you. But for real, if it's a top choice for your kid, do you make that part of your conversation?

Question: why wouldn't you want to see what they offer you? Others are right that how much they give is a good indicator of how much they want you. Also, if you don't sign an letter of intent (for athletic money only) there's no obligation for them to keep you, not even for the season. I know a player who was all merit and FA who got cut pre-season. Thank goodness she loved the school, but it was a very tough emotional blow and she really struggled the first several months.