Soccer reach, academic match or soccer match, academic reach?

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My kid has college options for both and is torn. Any words of wisdom from those with experience either way?

[Unregistered]

Would prioritize academics- some safety schools and academic reach schools and then look at the best soccer fit if she wants to play in college. After 4 years of college she will need to find a job.

[Unregistered]

Would prioritize academics- some safety schools and academic reach schools and then look at the best soccer fit if she wants to play in college. After 4 years of college she will need to find a job.

Love how you deduct it is a girl.

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Love how you deduct it is a girl.

Not the op but since 70%+ of the discussions are girl focused it's an easy assumption

Kidding aside ALWAYS go for academic fit first. Anything can happen soccer wise (injury, dropout, burnout, cut) so that piece of paper and a solid GPA at the end of the four years is what matters. Recruiters may think the time and dedication to play is interesting, but they'll also be interviewing 30 other kids who had internships and other interesting experiences as well.

[Unregistered]

Not the op but since 70%+ of the discussions are girl focused it's an easy assumption

Kidding aside ALWAYS go for academic fit first. Anything can happen soccer wise (injury, dropout, burnout, cut) so that piece of paper and a solid GPA at the end of the four years is what matters. Recruiters may think the time and dedication to play is interesting, but they'll also be interviewing 30 other kids who had internships and other interesting experiences as well.

Agree. As for soccer a reach also isn't always a good idea. He/she :) could easily sit every game, making for a very frustrating experience. Could even get cut or quit - then what?

[Unregistered]

OP here, what's really the concern is recognizing that HE may likely be in over his head on the field OR in the classroom. Which is the better experience? To have a greater chance to be a star on the field but a less than in the classroom (highly selective schools are offering him admission slots) OR to be one of the brighter kids in class but sit the bench (larger university coaches are offering him a roster spots). Again, just talking about risks...we realize it could play out differently.

[Unregistered]

Would aim for the better education keeping in mind that he may get a better athletic scholarship at a school where he is a stronger player and being one of their first recruits. It comes down to finding the right fit academically, soccer level of play and scholarship. Being the big fish in a small pond is preferable in my mind due to play time and potential scholarship, hopefully while going to a strong academic institution. We just went through this with my daughter.

[Unregistered]

Would aim for the better education keeping in mind that he may get a better athletic scholarship at a school where he is a stronger player and being one of their first recruits. It comes down to finding the right fit academically, soccer level of play and scholarship. Being the big fish in a small pond is preferable in my mind due to play time and potential scholarship, hopefully while going to a strong academic institution. We just went through this with my daughter.

So, your daughter got into a school that she wasn't academically on par with? You're not too concerned about her struggling in the classroom because the better education trumps better grades? Not being snarky, genuine question...

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She is not over her head in terms of an academic setting. she will be challenged academically and receive a good education while also playing a sport that she loves.

[Unregistered]

She is not over her head in terms of an academic setting. she will be challenged academically and receive a good education while also playing a sport that she loves.

OK, just to be clear..my kid would NOT get into these schools if not for soccer.

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OK, just to be clear..my kid would NOT get into these schools if not for soccer.

Tell us the schools in involved -- theoretically -- and we'll tell you want to do. It will take 5 seconds rather than yet another vague thread started with a clearly provocative but vague "problem."

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This thread is just a re-word of what has been bandied about here and debated for months. It's not a difficult question, and it's not the kind of question that one in reality seeks to have answered on TS. It's another attempt to start a debate.

[Unregistered]

You're just being nosy. He shared enough to understand their dilemma. Risk sitting the bench at an academic match or be a starter at a reach. Who cares which schools!! May be a nice "problem" to have, but a problem nonetheless.

[Unregistered]

You're just being nosy. He shared enough to understand their dilemma. Risk sitting the bench at an academic match or be a starter at a reach. Who cares which schools!! May be a nice "problem" to have, but a problem nonetheless.

Then there's no real answer to be had here. It's simply a "nice 'problem'."

[Unregistered]

You're just being nosy. He shared enough to understand their dilemma. Risk sitting the bench at an academic match or be a starter at a reach. Who cares which schools!! May be a nice "problem" to have, but a problem nonetheless.

No, it's not a problem, and every one of us who has a kid who wants to play soccer in college faces the same issues. The flip side is starting at a match and sitting on bench at reach. The point isn't to know the exact schools, but if this trolling poster gives us some hypothetical similar schools still will take 5 seconds.