My DD just committed yesterday. We were kind of lucky being on a top ECNL team so we didn't have to hire anyone or use a recruiting company/advisers. She was on a big stage and routinely had numerous college coaches watching at Showcases and Tournaments. Every coach she emailed came out to watch her. Being 15, the decision has been a tough one with some incredible offers. Lots of tears were shed and lots of prayers were said. Most people are dumbfounded when they hear the school she actually chose knowing the schools that were offering (especially one). The night she decided she got a text with a 90/90/100/100 4 year offer to another school on her list which was much more than she was offered at any school. But in the end, she went with a school that will be close to her family, a school that has a great honors school on campus, where there are numerous students who share the same religious beliefs, a big 5 conference school with a very good sports program, and a coaching staff that coaches a style of play that works for her. She also knows players on the team that are currently freshmen and she got to spend some time with them. The coaching staff made us feel like family and the coach is a stand up guy with a great reputation. Other College coaches endorsed the coach. We are still talking money, but because we are moving to the state where she will be playing (not following her, made the decision to leave Cali long ago) there is the issue of out of state vs in state tuition and how much money she will need. But the coach has assured us he is putting away a certain amount for her. We are also applying for grants, needs based money, and there is money based on her GPA and Test Scores that will increase as she improves. She is a Junior this year and still hasn't taken the SAT or ACT. But in the end, I believe ECNL worked for her. It put her in front of the right people and her coach(es) have the right connections. The funny thing is, this is the first school she emailed her freshman year and she is more than excited. Going though the whole process has also helped her focus because she has seen a glimpse of what "Could Be" if she gets good grades and works hard. The trips kicked her ass into gear because it got her excited and gave her a goal. And some of the posters are right. These east coast or mid west teams love our So Cal girls. My dd did some visits to some great schools in the mid west. Loved em. But in the end I believe she chose the best one for her. I did my best to stay out of her way in the decision making. I somehow knew she would eventually make the right decision. For a while though, I didn't know what the right decision was. But I did interact with every coach and school we visited. I have been coaching Football for years. But those D1 scholarships are full rides. So this was much different. There aren't many full rides out there. And most of the time, it will come from a school that your dd has no interest in. We were gracious and thanked all the coaches that hosted us making sure not to burn any bridges (especially knowing the transfer rates for womens college soccer). She called and personally spoke to the coaches and informed them of her decision. They all made it easy for her (the good ones also know of the transfer rate and don't like to burn bridges). Some even asked if they could keep in touch just in case there were any changes.
Ask questions to some of the people who have been through this. I know NoGoal was a great source of information for me. And he was more that willing to answer my questions or talk soccer. These forums have been an added bonus for me through this Journey. I have made many life long friends through these forums. I started a Fictitious Club through these Forums. And ultimately, I believe my DD ended up on the team she is on now, and is now going to her "dream school" as she puts it, because of the connections I made here. I still have 2 more girls and 2 more boys (my boys don't play soccer) to go though this with so I will be in this for a while but it's nice to see some of the fruits of my daughter's labor starting to manifest themselves. Thank you to all the posters who have shared their experience and made me feel confident that my daughters time would also come when most people told me she would quit by the time she was 14.
...yes, they used the net price calculator and then tossed it after the visit. the numbers were based of the NP calculator, GPA and ?? I totally agree, grades are HUGE and kids shouldn't take that lightly.
