Can someone discuss the benefits of D3 soccer.

[Guest]

Agree. Also look at the college roster senior day announcements for the colleges they are interested in. What majors/degrees are they getting? How many seniors left compared to recruiting class number? D1 is a full time job - even at low level D1s. Most players switch to the easiest major they can find (Psych/Communicatiion/SportsSomethingforAthletes to be able to get a degree. Don’t go to a school where the athletes are 90% fluff majors. Don’t go to a college where recruiting classes average over 10 and senior night soccer photos only show 5 or less graduating and still playing. Soccer ends (even if its after playing pro for 20k/year in Croatia for a year. If that isn’t your daughter’s dream, id choose D3 hands down.

Based on the above-yes choosing D3 hands down is the right move for you

[Guest]

Got to thinking last night...why are panties knotted about transfers? People change for numerous reasons all the times. Young adults go to school thinking one thing, and over the course of four years start thinking of another. Could be the location, could be the weather, could be the major, could be the size, could be a boy/girlfriend. Soccer is no different. I know of two players who will take their Covid 5th year/grad year someplace else after playing 4 years at their original college. One due to where she wants her Masters, one because she just wanted to try something new before she gave it up. This is considered a negative?

[Guest]

yes, and no one will care where they played, just where they went to school

They won't even care about where they went to school. Most Americans have never heard of the NESCAC or other D3 schools.

[Guest]

Got to thinking last night...why are panties knotted about transfers? People change for numerous reasons all the times. Young adults go to school thinking one thing, and over the course of four years start thinking of another. Could be the location, could be the weather, could be the major, could be the size, could be a boy/girlfriend. Soccer is no different. I know of two players who will take their Covid 5th year/grad year someplace else after playing 4 years at their original college. One due to where she wants her Masters, one because she just wanted to try something new before she gave it up. This is considered a negative?

Of course students and student athletes change their minds on schools and majors - and soccer often. Soccer will just make it much more complicated. You have to find a soccer program that wants you. That's the harder part. Far more enter the transfer portal than will find new homes. If you weren't playing much, most times you will have to move down the ladder (benchwarmers from top programs will have an easier time). Then it also has to be a school that wants you. Scholarship $ could be at risk and you may lose course credits, costing you more $. Then there's the personal side - you're now 1-2 years in with friendships and you have to start over.

As for your 5th year examples - moving to where you're going to grad school is one thing. But how many can afford to stay in college just to play one more season? Unless you changed majors and can't finish in 4 years, your scenario makes little sense but I know some do it. Our family doesn't have that kind of $ to burn. My rising senior is ready to move on once their last season is done. The 5th years are winding down anyway.

Then there are the players who stop playing their sport because they're burnt out, need to focus on school, a new coach never plays them or they never played at all. Yes the majority of recruits make it successfully through 4 years, have solid careers. But don't ignore the reality that a good number won't. The better the academic, soccer and social fit you can find then you've got much better odds. I've seen many overshoot on soccer, never play. It can really take an emotional toll on young adults accustomed to always being top players.

[Guest]

They won't even care about where they went to school. Most Americans have never heard of the NESCAC or other D3 schools.

Really is true. When I look over resumes I think "cool" on a few things, school sometimes being one of them. I do like to see students who did high-level things outside of the classroom, shows their versatility. But, I've never hired paper, I've always hired the person and the personality behind them.

[Guest]

I've seen many overshoot on soccer, never play. It can really take an emotional toll on young adults accustomed to always being top players.

At least they took the shot. I'd rather a young adult overshoot than target underachieving.

[Guest]

Of course students and student athletes change their minds on schools and majors - and soccer often. Soccer will just make it much more complicated. You have to find a soccer program that wants you. That's the harder part. Far more enter the transfer portal than will find new homes. If you weren't playing much, most times you will have to move down the ladder (benchwarmers from top programs will have an easier time). Then it also has to be a school that wants you. Scholarship $ could be at risk and you may lose course credits, costing you more $. Then there's the personal side - you're now 1-2 years in with friendships and you have to start over.

As for your 5th year examples - moving to where you're going to grad school is one thing. But how many can afford to stay in college just to play one more season? Unless you changed majors and can't finish in 4 years, your scenario makes little sense but I know some do it. Our family doesn't have that kind of $ to burn. My rising senior is ready to move on once their last season is done. The 5th years are winding down anyway.

Then there are the players who stop playing their sport because they're burnt out, need to focus on school, a new coach never plays them or they never played at all. Yes the majority of recruits make it successfully through 4 years, have solid careers. But don't ignore the reality that a good number won't. The better the academic, soccer and social fit you can find then you've got much better odds. I've seen many overshoot on soccer, never play. It can really take an emotional toll on young adults accustomed to always being top players.

I guess that's why transfers for athletes are so much lower than for the general population. Which is also why it's a non-issue, despite some making it sound otherwise. Also, since a BS degree is quickly becoming just that, BS, going to grad school for your MBA or similar is a worthwhile endeavor and if you have eligibility left and enjoy the game, why not? That is where a majority of the transfers are currently.

I do understand knowing where the exits are in every room you enter, but this new tactic of picking your school and thinking about the next one is a new one.

You do realize, I hope, that some young adults like to apply themselves in difficult circumstances - whether that be at a strong educational program vs. an easy one. At a quality athletic program vs. an easy one. Yes, some like to take it easy and just have fun, and that's great for them too. I suppose everyone should just shoot for UMASS Dartmouth.

[Guest]

They won't even care about where they went to school. Most Americans have never heard of the NESCAC or other D3 schools.

Yes, but most Americans only hear of D1 schools because of March Madness and Bowl games. I mean, who cares if people have heard of Gonzaga? Compare say Duke and Wash U in terms of admitted students' stats, endowment, research spending, etc, and they are pretty much on-par with each other. But people know Duke because of Coach K and no one knows Wash U because they are D3.

[Guest]

Got to thinking last night...why are panties knotted about transfers? People change for numerous reasons all the times. Young adults go to school thinking one thing, and over the course of four years start thinking of another. Could be the location, could be the weather, could be the major, could be the size, could be a boy/girlfriend. Soccer is no different. I know of two players who will take their Covid 5th year/grad year someplace else after playing 4 years at their original college. One due to where she wants her Masters, one because she just wanted to try something new before she gave it up. This is considered a negative?

Not a negative at all. As 5th years they have successfully found college programs that want them for their experience over the previous 4 years. Unfortunately for the 99% of players in the transfer portal they have no choices. Big difference for 5th years vs. a freshman/sophomore.

[Guest]

At least they took the shot. I'd rather a young adult overshoot than target underachieving.

Target where you have the best odds of playing. No one eill care that were almost an athlete.

[Guest]

They won't even care about where they went to school. Most Americans have never heard of the NESCAC or other D3 schools.

The school helps when you're first getting out of school and trying to get hired. After that no it doesn't matter much. Good alumni networks are helpful but in the days of LinkedIn that's less so than it used to be.

[Guest]

I think that there is a huge range of D3 schools from an academic standpoint, so it isn't valid to say "choose D3 for better academics over D1". If you're talking about MIT, Tufts, Williams, Hopkins, Carnegie Mellon, NYU etc, then yes. But if you are talking about Bridgewater State, New England College, etc, then no. For an individual student, the choice needs to be made by comparing comparable academic environments.

[Guest]

The school helps when you're first getting out of school and trying to get hired. After that no it doesn't matter much. Good alumni networks are helpful but in the days of LinkedIn that's less so than it used to be.

Not true. Alumni networks play a significant factor throughout your entire career. And not just for hiring...for business dealing and other collaborations. I'll take a call from someone from my alma mater in almost any case whereas someone not from my alma mater will have to work harder to get in touch with me for a job or a business deal. And I've found the same to be true the other way (in terms of me calling fellow alums versus non-alums).

[Guest]

Not true. Alumni networks play a significant factor throughout your entire career. And not just for hiring...for business dealing and other collaborations. I'll take a call from someone from my alma mater in almost any case whereas someone not from my alma mater will have to work harder to get in touch with me for a job or a business deal. And I've found the same to be true the other way (in terms of me calling fellow alums versus non-alums).

You're unnecessarily limiting your opportunities. Did they teach you to do that at your alma mater?

[Guest]

You're unnecessarily limiting your opportunities. Did they teach you to do that at your alma mater?

Yes, when you have a high volume of incoming calls, having criteria to prioritize who you respond to is smart. And I have a good amount of confidence that a fellow alum from my alma mater is going to be calling me with something worthwhile. Again, it's not like I *only* respond to fellow alums, but the ones who aren't fellow alums will just have to work harder and be more convincing to get their calls higher on the priority list.