National Signing Day

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So, you play soccer your whole life, just to finally get your come uppance and you then turn down the opportunity. BS!!!!! I don't know of a single girl in my daughter's class that turned down a legitimate D1 offer. My daughter didn't get one, but if she did, she would not have turned it down.

I believe you are mistaken thinking this doesn't go on. More power to those who will play D1 at whatever cost. However, I look at the list of D1 schools that are signing the OR and WA girls and I can tell you right now that if 80% of the schools end up being the sole options of our DD, she is going elsewhere. Don't get me wrong, she would love to play high level soccer, but her academics are far more important to her. Finding a combination of the two is best. If that means a high quality D3 school with great academics v. a mid-level quality D1 school, the D3 school is going to prevail. I also can assure you that there are plenty of girls who make the same decisions, at least 3 of whom I know who just made the same decision (2 to D3 and 1 to D2, all three of whom could have ended up at academically inferior D1 schools).

[Unregistered]

So, you play soccer your whole life, just to finally get your come uppance and you then turn down the opportunity. BS!!!!! I don't know of a single girl in my daughter's class that turned down a legitimate D1 offer. My daughter didn't get one, but if she did, she would not have turned it down.

So if your daughter gets a commitment from Podunk Univ., a D1 school, where she will ride the bench for 2 years, she should jump at the chance v. perhaps selecting and playing at a better school that is not D1? I don't understand why it would be BS to select the better fit for the girl.

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Best Advice from Club Coach

Two decisions to make: (1) is the school someplace you want to go; and (2) will you get to play early on? If the answer to either question is no, look for something different. Playing soccer is fun. Going somewhere and not playing so your parents can brag about their D-1 player isn't. It isn't like HS where the seniors get to play. If you're not playing early on, the chances are you won't because there will be a new recruit behind you who is being recruited to play. Not to sit and watch.

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Don't get hung up on D1/D2/D2/NAIA/JC

Two decisions to make: (1) is the school someplace you want to go; and (2) will you get to play early on? If the answer to either question is no, look for something different. Playing soccer is fun. Going somewhere and not playing so your parents can brag about their D-1 player isn't. It isn't like HS where the seniors get to play. If you're not playing early on, the chances are you won't because there will be a new recruit behind you who is being recruited to play. Not to sit and watch.

This is about education. Playing the sport at this point is about help the player get a education.

Debate this all you want, but the options past college are very limited. This is the end run for almost all of the players; the national team only has a few slots.

So, We should be proud of that the kids took a offer that helped pay for their education. This is the home run we as parents should been work for all along.

With everything hanging out there for D1, forgive me, but men and women soccer are not that critical sports (like men's Football/Basketball does) that hit all the spots.

Let be happy for all no matter where they choice go. They are very lucky to have made it this far.

** Just to note. Stats about how long a student with play his/her sport in college is 1.1 yrs. It is a hard and fast life. Pray to make it past year one. Good Luck

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Say what you want

Yes my daughter was given verbal offers, including monetary amounts, and was asked to sign. Believe it or not there are good schools and soccer programs out there that offer good money that arent D-1 and provide a great education, and learning enviroment that can entice girls to come play for them, and some of them play D-1 and D-2 schools for pre-season games and guess what they compete quite well and actually if you can believe it even beat them.

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Completely Believe

Yes my daughter was given verbal offers, including monetary amounts, and was asked to sign. Believe it or not there are good schools and soccer programs out there that offer good money that arent D-1 and provide a great education, and learning enviroment that can entice girls to come play for them, and some of them play D-1 and D-2 schools for pre-season games and guess what they compete quite well and actually if you can believe it even beat them.

Not surprised at all. Top lower division schools are frequently competitive with or even better than middle to bottom D-1 schools. It's the top D-1 schools where the difference is really noticeable.

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Are you talking soccer Division 1 or football Division 1?

If my kids get a scholarship offer to a football division 1 school that is in a major conference (Pac 12, ACC specifically and select Big 12 and Big 10 schools) I would encourage them to look at that very seriously. However, if it were to lesser school who just happens to be division 1, I would seriously encourage them to consider some divsion 2 or 3 schools that are academically superior. There are a number of Califonia schools in the division 3 that are very good academically.

Of course Division 3 can't give a athletic scholarship, but they can be very creative with what they charge you for tuition.

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No, I was Talking Soccer

There is a big difference in the top D-1 schools, say UCLA or Stanford and the very best D-2, D-3, NAIA schools. The difference is much less when you start comparing the OSUs, Gonzagas etc. to the SPUs, Western Washingtons etc. Those smaller programs play competitively against those schools, but are not competitive against Stanford for example. Another way of looking at it is a very good D-2 program thrown in the PAC 12 has a decent chance of not finishing last, but no chance of finishing first.

In football, the big D-1 schools play a completely different game than the smaller schools. They have significantly bigger and faster athletes, and way more depth. Weak D-1 football teams would crush the best D-3 programs. The gap between D-1 football and other football is as big as the gap between the NFL and D-1.

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Don't get out much?

There is a big difference in the top D-1 schools, say UCLA or Stanford and the very best D-2, D-3, NAIA schools. The difference is much less when you start comparing the OSUs, Gonzagas etc. to the SPUs, Western Washingtons etc. Those smaller programs play competitively against those schools, but are not competitive against Stanford for example. Another way of looking at it is a very good D-2 program thrown in the PAC 12 has a decent chance of not finishing last, but no chance of finishing first.

In football, the big D-1 schools play a completely different game than the smaller schools. They have significantly bigger and faster athletes, and way more depth. Weak D-1 football teams would crush the best D-3 programs. The gap between D-1 football and other football is as big as the gap between the NFL and D-1.

Thought I'd confirm my memory of OSU's record so you can understand current college soccer. For the fall of 2011, Gonzaga ended the season with a NCAA RPI ranking of 178th out of 322 schools, OSU's was 39th. Previous season OSU was in the high 20's for RPI. In the fall of 2011, UCLA beat OSU 1-0 at home, the previous season OSU beat UCLA 3-0 at home. In the PAC-10 in fall of 2010, OSU was 2nd overall behind Stanford. In the fall of 2011, OSU was 3rd behind Stanford and UCLA. There is a huge difference between Gonzaga and OSU, and a large difference in program and success between many former PAC-12 powerhouses. Need to be up to date.

[Unregistered]

Why do people always have to tear down choices and accomplishments of others? I think if a soccer player would prefer a D2, D3 or NAIA school then more power to them. I think they can have rewarding soccer and a great education at any of these schools. People come on this forum and cut down just about anything.

For example insinuating that the education you can get from a OSU or U of O is subpar. I call nonsense on that. Is Stanford better known? Yes it is and only 5 or so years outside of college no one is going to care where you went anymore. This is a time for these youngsters to be proud as they transition into adulthood. I am impressed with all of them that continue their education and get into college. If they can play a sport they love then that is just gravy.

I want to congratulate all of the youth that have signed a national letter of intent. Awesome job and way to go!!!!!!

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Thank you

Why do people always have to tear down choices and accomplishments of others? I think if a soccer player would prefer a D2, D3 or NAIA school then more power to them. I think they can have rewarding soccer and a great education at any of these schools. People come on this forum and cut down just about anything.

For example insinuating that the education you can get from a OSU or U of O is subpar. I call nonsense on that. Is Stanford better known? Yes it is and only 5 or so years outside of college no one is going to care where you went anymore. This is a time for these youngsters to be proud as they transition into adulthood. I am impressed with all of them that continue their education and get into college. If they can play a sport they love then that is just gravy.

I want to congratulate all of the youth that have signed a national letter of intent. Awesome job and way to go!!!!!!

You are absolutely right. Congratulations to those that actually signed a NLI or are going to play at a D-3 school. Going to and being successfully graduating from a PAC-12 or WCC school, to mention just two conferences, is a lot more impressive than community college or no degree at all. Plus, they may get some of their education paid f mostly because of their academic successes and some due to athletic scholarships. Just great!

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Need to do the math too

Why do people always have to tear down choices and accomplishments of others? I think if a soccer player would prefer a D2, D3 or NAIA school then more power to them. I think they can have rewarding soccer and a great education at any of these schools. People come on this forum and cut down just about anything.

For example insinuating that the education you can get from a OSU or U of O is subpar. I call nonsense on that. Is Stanford better known? Yes it is and only 5 or so years outside of college no one is going to care where you went anymore. This is a time for these youngsters to be proud as they transition into adulthood. I am impressed with all of them that continue their education and get into college. If they can play a sport they love then that is just gravy.

I want to congratulate all of the youth that have signed a national letter of intent. Awesome job and way to go!!!!!!

The level is not the entire story when it comes to a scholarship. Lets take what you have to pay out of pocket ON TOP OF the scholarship at U of O vs. Gonzaga. If your DD is lucky enough to get an offer they will not be getting more than 25% the first year which means that at the U of O you will be writing checkw for roughly $15K. At Gonzaga you will be writing checkw for $30K.

Similarly, at Standford you will be writing checks for $35K. So while it might be nice to have the option to play for one of the "big dogs" or a top academic program soccer is not going to cover even half of the costs to attain a degree.

In the second year the percentage goes up and if they are a star player they might get to 75% in their Junior year and possibly 100% their Senior year so when you are considering the offers you also need to consider the structure of the offer and the Gross costs of attendance.

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Whatever

Thought I'd confirm my memory of OSU's record so you can understand current college soccer. For the fall of 2011, Gonzaga ended the season with a NCAA RPI ranking of 178th out of 322 schools, OSU's was 39th. Previous season OSU was in the high 20's for RPI. In the fall of 2011, UCLA beat OSU 1-0 at home, the previous season OSU beat UCLA 3-0 at home. In the PAC-10 in fall of 2010, OSU was 2nd overall behind Stanford. In the fall of 2011, OSU was 3rd behind Stanford and UCLA. There is a huge difference between Gonzaga and OSU, and a large difference in program and success between many former PAC-12 powerhouses. Need to be up to date.

I was speaking loosely and from memory. I don't follow women's soccer closely and probably never will. That wasn't the point. The point was to go where you can play and someplace you want to go.

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The level is not the entire story when it comes to a scholarship. Lets take what you have to pay out of pocket ON TOP OF the scholarship at U of O vs. Gonzaga. If your DD is lucky enough to get an offer they will not be getting more than 25% the first year which means that at the U of O you will be writing checkw for roughly $15K. At Gonzaga you will be writing checkw for $30K.

Similarly, at Standford you will be writing checks for $35K. So while it might be nice to have the option to play for one of the "big dogs" or a top academic program soccer is not going to cover even half of the costs to attain a degree.

In the second year the percentage goes up and if they are a star player they might get to 75% in their Junior year and possibly 100% their Senior year so when you are considering the offers you also need to consider the structure of the offer and the Gross costs of attendance.

It sounds like you have been through this before. Along those lines, I am curious about scholarships and what constitutes a good offer. My child received their first verbal offer at a D1 school recently. Basically the offer is 2/3 of tuition and 100% of books the first year. We don't really know what one should expect if they do get athletic scholarships. I guess if we meet with other colleges we can compare but my player is too young for colleges to contact just yet so it makes it difficult to even get in to other colleges before the offer expires. It is a confusing process.

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my player's experience

It sounds like you have been through this before. Along those lines, I am curious about scholarships and what constitutes a good offer. My child received their first verbal offer at a D1 school recently. Basically the offer is 2/3 of tuition and 100% of books the first year. We don't really know what one should expect if they do get athletic scholarships. I guess if we meet with other colleges we can compare but my player is too young for colleges to contact just yet so it makes it difficult to even get in to other colleges before the offer expires. It is a confusing process.

I am not the poster that you commented on, but I do know from my player's offers what to expect.
1) First offers to excellent players often come from good schools/programs, but necessarily the best ones. It's how those schools can get the top players.
2) Almost all offers are based on Cost of Attendance, the total bill for a school year. Find this number on the Financial Aid part of the college's website.
3) Many schools use the 20,40,60,80 percent awards scheme over the four years of college, based on COA. (20% freshman year, 40% sophomore year, etc.)
4) Books are usually 100% paid every year, and that can be a large amount.
5) Academic scholarships, loans for students and parents, grants are also part of the deal.
6) If you are really interested, have the coach get his Financial Aid department and the Compliance department to make you a written offer. That will take a week or two. All will be spelled out.

It can be confusing, you must know all the costs yourself by checking out the COA and asking questions about future years, not just the first year.