College soccer

[Guest]

The reality is most kids know they are not playing professional soccer. So the school matters. The degree matters and leaving college with as little as debt matters. So most are making an educated decision for their future based on what they are willing to sacrifice or not.

40 years > than 4 years.

So the quality of education with as minimal student debt matters more than playing college soccer somewhere where the education is average or the school is too expensive……or both like a lot of D2’s and D3’s are.

D1 or bust has everything to do with parents and recruits doing what’s best for their 40 years after college.

Some are willing to go into massive student debt for an average degree while others are not willing to do that just for soccer.

[Guest]

The reality is most kids know they are not playing professional soccer. So the school matters. The degree matters and leaving college with as little as debt matters. So most are making an educated decision for their future based on what they are willing to sacrifice or not.

40 years > than 4 years.

So the quality of education with as minimal student debt matters more than playing college soccer somewhere where the education is average or the school is too expensive……or both like a lot of D2’s and D3’s are.

D1 or bust has everything to do with parents and recruits doing what’s best for their 40 years after college.

Some are willing to go into massive student debt for an average degree while others are not willing to do that just for soccer.

I work in a very high paying field that prioritizes college athletes. College athletics is a curriculum that builds life skills that are very transferrable to the private sector. Its not just about playing professionally.

[Guest]

I agree with the PP who says college athletics builds life skills. Also, what does D1 or bust mean? I just looked up the list of D1 schools. I've never heard of Bellarmine nor Central Connecticut State. Take these schools over some D3s, such as Johns Hopkins or MIT?

[Guest]

I would expect they meant D1 or bust for scholarship opportunities, to avoid debt. Basing it on context of their post. Maybe I'm wrong.

[Guest]

I work in a very high paying field that prioritizes college athletes. College athletics is a curriculum that builds life skills that are very transferrable to the private sector. Its not just about playing professionally.

Tell me you are in management consulting without telling me you are in management consulting.

[Guest]

Tell me you are in management consulting without telling me you are in management consulting.

Or sales

[Guest]

There also isn’t as much money out there for full scholarships as some people think. A lot of times these schools will give a half or quarter scholarship to get more kids money.

[Guest]

Often times D3s give more in merit $ than D1s do for athletic $. There's only 14 full scholarships for women, 9.9 for men, that a coach can divide up how they see fit. Do the math on a roster of 30. It's not good math unless you are the coach's top recruit that year. The amount they offer is highly correlated to how badly they want you. If the offer is meh? You're not that desired.

Chasing D1 because it's D1 or 10% off the tuition bill is never worth sacrificing academic fit. The goal is a good education and career. Soccer should be 2nd. Virtually no one is going pro and if you were trying probably wouldn't be playing in college

[Guest]

There also isn’t as much money out there for full scholarships as some people think. A lot of times these schools will give a half or quarter scholarship to get more kids money.

See above: A coach can split 14 total scholarships for women, 9.9 for men (and that's if its fully funded, some aren't) It's a bell curve: a couple might get 70%, many are in the middle, tail end is 20% and less. Some get nothing. Like I said, it's not good math. Even more so for men because international players take several spots and $.

[Guest]

I work in a very high paying field that prioritizes college athletes. College athletics is a curriculum that builds life skills that are very transferrable to the private sector. Its not just about playing professionally.

I heard Goldman is looking to hire soccer players with C averages because soccer prepares them to analyze 50 billion dollar deals. Also heard Harvard Law doesn’t care how well you did in school as long as you can take a good penalty kick.

[Guest]

I heard Goldman is looking to hire soccer players with C averages because soccer prepares them to analyze 50 billion dollar deals. Also heard Harvard Law doesn’t care how well you did in school as long as you can take a good penalty kick.

who said anything about C averages. And last time i checked harvard law is just another school... but given you dont get the point - im most likely not hiring you

[Guest]

I heard Goldman is looking to hire soccer players with C averages because soccer prepares them to analyze 50 billion dollar deals. Also heard Harvard Law doesn’t care how well you did in school as long as you can take a good penalty kick.

Lol stupid comment some people don’t get it

[Guest]

Cool. I’ll never wish I didn’t play in college. My old teammates were/are my frat brothers and we remain close decades later. It kept me busy, fit, out of trouble, and I got to see a lot of the country. I’ve taken two jobs in my career that were the direct result of the alumni network and specifically being an athlete.

My D is already experiencing the same after only a year.

I come from a family of athletes and it’s just a way of life. Wouldn’t trade it for being a NARP for the world. The difference is I don’t go into places telling people not to do what they want to do. Everyone enjoy your own path

[Guest]

There are pros and cons to both. Honest college coaches will be upfront and tell you there is not much funds for women’s soccer. The offers are not what people expect. Depending on the school, there will be a lot of travel. So, will miss a lot of class. With D1, will train most of the week year round. Depending on the program, lots of pressure. Coaches live and die on wins. Injuries are an issue. Pluses you get structure, you get a team, you get coaches that hopefully care about you, some schools have special tutoring, dorms and job assistance programs. This leads to more confidence, discipline, team work mentality,….On what you are willing to sacrifice should depend on the school and the athlete. Sad part is some of these girls have known nothing but soccer all their lives.

[Guest]

The reality is most kids know they are not playing professional soccer. So the school matters. The degree matters and leaving college with as little as debt matters. So most are making an educated decision for their future based on what they are willing to sacrifice or not.

40 years > than 4 years.

So the quality of education with as minimal student debt matters more than playing college soccer somewhere where the education is average or the school is too expensive……or both like a lot of D2’s and D3’s are.

D1 or bust has everything to do with parents and recruits doing what’s best for their 40 years after college.

Some are willing to go into massive student debt for an average degree while others are not willing to do that just for soccer.

So many bad assumptions in this post! Please consider:

- Not every D1 school offers a better education than every D2 or D3 school. Example: Education at Wagner College (D1) vs. Pace University (D2) vs. Montclair State (D3) are all probably pretty similar. (and of these, Montclair State has the lowest tuition by far)
- The time-commitment required of a D1 sports program doesn't allow a D1 athlete to take full advantage of the education opportunities available to them
- Being a bench warmer at a D1 sports program is less enjoyable/fulfilling as being a starter at a D2 or D3 sports program. Similarly, being on a losing D1 sports program is less fulfilling than being on a competitive D2 or D3 sports program. Example: Go to Cornell and miss getting to the Ivy tournament most seasons or go to Johns Hopkins and win a national championship.
- There is great value in being part of a sports team for 4 years that will be extremely valuable for the next 40 years of your life.

At the end of it all, there is no single answer that anyone can offer with a broad brush for everyone. Here's the way I see it:

- If playing sports is personally so important to you, go to the school that gives you the best opportunity to play and be competitive while allowing you to pursue academics that will help you find a job when you graduate. Your college experience will be robust and fulfilling bonding with your teammates who will be from different walks of life with different aspirations, and you will have your eyes opened to new POVs and possibility new opportunities.
- If you have specific career goals that require specific academic focus and achievements, go to the school that offers the best you can get for those academic endeavors (eg. if you want to be a doctor, go to the school that positions you best to prepare you for that). If you can handle playing sports while pursuing that and you really want it (or need it financially), then go for it.
- In either of the above cases, it doesn't really matter if you go D1, D2 or D3 (unless finances are restrictive, of course). But choose the best fit for your goals and abilities both academically and sports-wise. There is no point in going to UNC for soccer if you're never going to see the field, just as there's no point in going to MIT if you are going to struggle with the academics.