The Decision For Most Athletes.

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Looking for a little advice.

DD has been offered 1/2 ride 2 two DII schools. The offers are solid and in writing to play softball.

The question is: do you think it is worth it when she can attend a DI school with no aid and the money out of pocket to us (the parents) is the same?

She loves the game but isn't quite a DI prospect.

Let me also say that we are very proud of her and will go with whatever she chooses. At the end of the day we are all striving to see our kids play at the next level but does it time wise make the most sense?

 

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Has she decided on a major? If so, which school has the best program for her chosen field of study?

 

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I have to agree with Mad Hornet. The reason she is going to college is to get an education. If softball is a part of it then good for her but should not be the basis on which she chooses where to go. Pick the best college for her field of study/major.

 

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I agree. The education is the most important factor. Look at it like this.... if she (God forbid) blew out her knee and could never play ball again, would she still want to go to that school?

 

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Education first. Softball is just a bonus.

 

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Go for the major and the comfort of the school for her. There is life after softball even for us parents......

 

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It is great that she has two schools that are interested in her and attempting to devote their precious resources to her. Her diploma will not list the school's NCAA affiliation; it will indicate her major and minor. What she studies will be of utmost importance and must form the bases of any college choice.

If she has no interest in the two schools that are interested in her, then move on. If they have a program of study that she would like to devote the rest of her life to then look no further.

There are differneces between DI and DII but remember that even those come in all flavors. The NCAA affiliation has nothing to do with size of the school or academic excellence it only reflects athletic affiliation. However, even at that there is a wide range of experiences dependent on the school and the coaches.

Good luck as you make this decision but the least important element in that decision is the DI or DII NCAA affiliation.

 

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With education the same we chose the D2 knowing she will play.
Why go to a D1 and sit possibly for the 4 years.
Like everyone else said get the education.

 

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Also, remember with a scholorship comes some added bonuses as far as tutors, priority scheduling, etc. (At D1 anyway). They also have study tables, someone checking up on them to ensure their grades are where they need to be.

Just a few added bonuses, that you may not have thought about, especially if she is going away to school. Nice to know someone is looking out for their interests if you cant be.

 

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Just to hijack this a bit - - - Would you say the practice time expectations are the same between D1, D2, D3 are the same?

 

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Go for the major and the comfort of the school for her. There is life after softball even for us parents......

Where is this 'life' you speak of? :lmao:

 

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Just to hijack this a bit - - - Would you say the practice time expectations are the same between D1, D2, D3 are the same?

No they are extremely different between 1, and 3 specifically. D1 allows 20 hours a week during team practice times. And that is on top of class, conditioning and study tables...... D1 is a 60 hour a week job. During individuals the time is cut back to 9 hours a week max per student, not including conditioning.

Not sure of the exact hours per week for 3 But it was explained it is half of D1. Designed more for the academic need of the student.

D2 is similar to 1 but not sure of the total hours or games allowed in the fall. There is enough good folks on here that can give the exact amount for those divisions.

The regimentation is the big difference between the divisions. My dd said the only difference between military boot and D1 Fall training was that the coaches diddnt wear OD Green lol.


Tim

 

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We get to go watch her play Coed Intramural hockey.... or lugging around photography equipment for her work....

Nah really-- walks in Parks, dinners all that stuff you leave behind that could fund a small nation for softball....

 

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There has been a lot of great comments listed here, Not that I have any experience in this yet, but will be in your shoes in a few years. I told my DD, that first she must figure out what it is she wants to do from age 22 to 65, thats 43 years of life. #2 find a college that has a good plan to get you to the point that you are good and ready to enter the world at the age of 22 and start the next 43 years of your life. #3 if that school has a softball program, cool!!! but remember that it will only last 4 years, and you have 43 left before you can retire so learn your skill/craft first, play ball 2nd, and when you go to class, put just as much into it, as you have over the last 10 years of playing ball.

Go hard or go home... it works in life as well as on the field.

Good luck, and look back here in 2 years, and see me ask the same questions...

 

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sue --not even close , my questioning and research show that D-1 softball requires around 30-40 hrs a week dedicated to softball. 5-6am workouts are popular at lots of places , followed by classes , then evenings devoted to practice and indiv workouts. I don't think the time committment is nearly as heavy at D-3

 

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I really wanted my daughter to play in college.
She had 4 offers. d-3 and 1 - d2

She choose to go to a D-1 school and it was cheaper than the 12 grand they offered her at the d-3 school. ( she is smarter than me)

She is playing club softball and having a blast

The D1 school is always having concerts, comedians, or some kind of activity going on that they can attend. She said they have club everything.Rock climbing, horseback riding, volleyball, she said you name it there is a club for it.

There is not the pressure of performing every day.


Good Luck with your decision




Straightleg