RPI - What does it mean for recruiting?

[Unregistered]

DD is U15 and her DA coach is going to talk to us about recruiting next week. He already told us she could play mid-tier D1 but a lower D1 school other division might be a better fit for us playing time. When I look at the RPI ratings, should we target schools below RPI-150?

[Unregistered]

DD is U15 and her DA coach is going to talk to us about recruiting next week. He already told us she could play mid-tier D1 but a lower D1 school other division might be a better fit for us playing time. When I look at the RPI ratings, should we target schools below RPI-150?

If the coach is telling you mid D1 and has real insight into the process he should be providing some schools as an example. Plus, there are so many things to consider: distance from home, school size, major, campus setting. RPI is probably not that high on the list of things I'd be looking at at this point. Have any schools seen her?

[Unregistered]

He’s discussed with us to start making a list of schools based on what you mentioned. DD went to an ID camp over the break and is updating the coach. We are late to start the process. Wasn’t sure if we should use RPI as a measure of what schools not to bother with because they are top tier programs.

[Unregistered]

He’s discussed with us to start making a list of schools based on what you mentioned. DD went to an ID camp over the break and is updating the coach. We are late to start the process. Wasn’t sure if we should use RPI as a measure of what schools not to bother with because they are top tier programs.

Unless she's going to make a living at soccer, looking at RPI is foolhardy. Find the best fit for her academically and socially.

[Unregistered]

Unless she's going to make a living at soccer, looking at RPI is foolhardy. Find the best fit for her academically and socially.

Totally agree. Have her make a list of target schools that fit her academic goals and fit, size, location etc. Make the list fairly long. Then overlap the soccer on top of that. Don't igonore D2 and D32 (might be better soccer fit and D3 allows more of a work/life balance) and don't just look at RPI (helpful but it also varies year to year) but look at rosters. Do the current rosters have players with resumes similar to hers? Those are the schools you want to target - academic/social fit + soccer fit. The more targeted she is with the fit the more likely she is to succeed both on and off the field

Also if a school is a top soccer program but also her dream school, she should still apply as a non athlete. Many are happy playing club soccer which involves playing against other schools, has playoffs etc but isn't a varsity commitment. Soccer ends at some point

[Unregistered]

DD is U15 and her DA coach is going to talk to us about recruiting next week. He already told us she could play mid-tier D1 but a lower D1 school other division might be a better fit for us playing time. When I look at the RPI ratings, should we target schools below RPI-150?

Really need to clarify what that coach means. Does he mean that is the level where he sees your kid getting out onto the field and impacting immediately? Does he mean that is the level where he sees your kid basically growing into a solid role player over time? Does he mean that is the level where he sees your kid basically will make the team but essentially be nothing but a practice player? Though this is not an exact statement the way this all works is your kid might very well be able to make say a top 50 team as a practice player or they might be able to grow into a solid role player for a program that hovers around the 100 rpi mark or they be that impact player for a program that hovers around the 200 rpi mark. The important thing to recognize is that the money offers are going to show what the college coaches think where your kid fits. If money is a driving factor in your decision you are better off targeting on the low side because that is where you will get your best offers.

[Unregistered]

Unless she's going to make a living at soccer, looking at RPI is foolhardy. Find the best fit for her academically and socially.

This is the single worst advice you could follow if your family is intent on pursuing scholarship opportunities instead of merely dipping your toes into it like this guy would have you do because what he is advocating is basing the decision completely on academic reputation and other factors like a NARP (non athletic regular person) chooses a school instead of the factors that will directly impact the day to day quality of your kid's life. Playing at the D1 level is a job. If that is what your kid wants, then go after it the right way.

[Unregistered]

Totally agree. Have her make a list of target schools that fit her academic goals and fit, size, location etc. Make the list fairly long. Then overlap the soccer on top of that. Don't igonore D2 and D32 (might be better soccer fit and D3 allows more of a work/life balance) and don't just look at RPI (helpful but it also varies year to year) but look at rosters. Do the current rosters have players with resumes similar to hers? Those are the schools you want to target - academic/social fit + soccer fit. The more targeted she is with the fit the more likely she is to succeed both on and off the field

Also if a school is a top soccer program but also her dream school, she should still apply as a non athlete. Many are happy playing club soccer which involves playing against other schools, has playoffs etc but isn't a varsity commitment. Soccer ends at some point

The very first decision a family has to make is whether or not they actually want to be a D1 scholarship athlete in the first place. Doesn't matter the level, college sports are not for the uncommitted. Playing at the D1/D2 level requires a lot of sacrifices. Not that it is all bad, actually its pretty darn good but you definitively full in if that is your family's decision. You need to understand that your kid will not have anywhere near the college experience that the average student will at a school so you really can't use the same criteria that that normal student would use to pick their schools. Yes criteria often overlap but the process in many ways is more like picking job offers than just a straight college search.

[Unregistered]

The guy who starts these threads must be the same guy who starts all of the DA/ECNL threads. Treats RPI like the one size fits all world that he sees the DA/ECNL to be. With him just being on the roster is just as good as being out on the field impacting. They clearly haven't a clue about how any of this comes together.

[Unregistered]

This is the single worst advice you could follow if your family is intent on pursuing scholarship opportunities instead of merely dipping your toes into it like this guy would have you do because what he is advocating is basing the decision completely on academic reputation and other factors like a NARP (non athletic regular person) chooses a school instead of the factors that will directly impact the day to day quality of your kid's life. Playing at the D1 level is a job. If that is what your kid wants, then go after it the right way.

^^^THIS is the absolute worst advice. "The right way' What a joke.
Even if you need the $, using RPI as the barometer of where a kid should go is the WRONG reason to attend college. What if she gets hurt? Or decides after a couple of years, it ain't worth it? What if it's too far from home?

Based on what the OP stated, the kid is unlikely to make a career out of soccer. Whether she plays mid-tier or low tier D1 is of little consequence. Find out what she likes the best, where she can the most $ and go from there. Her soccer career will be over after college..

FWIW: I said academic and social fit (that includes athletics).

[Unregistered]

^^^THIS is the absolute worst advice. "The right way' What a joke.
Even if you need the $, using RPI as the barometer of where a kid should go is the WRONG reason to attend college. What if she gets hurt? Or decides after a couple of years, it ain't worth it? What if it's too far from home?

Based on what the OP stated, the kid is unlikely to make a career out of soccer. Whether she plays mid-tier or low tier D1 is of little consequence. Find out what she likes the best, where she can the most $ and go from there. Her soccer career will be over after college..

FWIW: I said academic and social fit (that includes athletics).

Your logic is silly and speaks to just how little you actually understand about the subject. It really is a defeatist attitude rooted in complete ignorance. Why bother with soccer at all if that is how you are going to approach it? The truth of the matter is if your kid quits the soccer team, then they usually quit the school as well. This ain't D3 soccer. With most families the money is a huge driving factor so when their kid quits or gets injured the money dries up and forces other decisions. That's reality.

[Unregistered]

This is the single worst advice you could follow if your family is intent on pursuing scholarship opportunities instead of merely dipping your toes into it like this guy would have you do because what he is advocating is basing the decision completely on academic reputation and other factors like a NARP (non athletic regular person) chooses a school instead of the factors that will directly impact the day to day quality of your kid's life. Playing at the D1 level is a job. If that is what your kid wants, then go after it the right way.

This explains why so much of soccer turns to **** for players after their clubs publish commitment lists and signing day photos on their websites.

[Unregistered]

Your logic is silly and speaks to just how little you actually understand about the subject. It really is a defeatist attitude rooted in complete ignorance. Why bother with soccer at all if that is how you are going to approach it? The truth of the matter is if your kid quits the soccer team, then they usually quit the school as well. This ain't D3 soccer. With most families the money is a huge driving factor so when their kid quits or gets injured the money dries up and forces other decisions. That's reality.

I actually understand quite a bit about the subject. We've just gone through the process as well.

Let me pose the question this way...What is the #1 reason your kid goes to college?

Your answer will speak volumes.

[Unregistered]

I actually understand quite a bit about the subject. We've just gone through the process as well.

Let me pose the question this way...What is the #1 reason your kid goes to college?

Your answer will speak volumes.

im not the OP, but the distill it to a #1 reason is a bit simplistic. I see it as part of learning and i define that very broadly- learning about herself , life, becoming more socially aware, book knowledge, practical knowledge..many many things.

annoy who who says ..to study is undervaluing College or needs to define study.

[Unregistered]

im not the OP, but the distill it to a #1 reason is a bit simplistic. I see it as part of learning and i define that very broadly- learning about herself , life, becoming more socially aware, book knowledge, practical knowledge..many many things.

annoy who who says ..to study is undervaluing College or needs to define study.

*anyone