<p>I am a parent of a 9th grade goalie who dreams of playing at Standford. I would appreciate any suggestions!</p>
<p>I don’t even…</p>
<p>*Stanford</p>
<p>Stanford is extremely competitive academically and even with the best grades and top test scores it is a toss-up as to who is accepted. How does she do academically? At what level does she currently play soccer? She should be playing at the highest club level possible and at national tournaments if she is interested in Div. 1 soccer. Even if she meets these criteria, it would be a huge mistake not to be looking at a large number of programs. Stanford is an extreme reach for anyone and she should have back-ups. </p>
<p>If she is a good Div. 1 candidate, it is not too early to be looking at programs now. D1 soccer coaches for women recruit very early- many women are committed by junior year. As your D is still young, her first concern should be stellar grades! </p>
<p>You need to read the thread that KeeperDad started a couple of years ago regarding the recruitment process for his D who is a keeper. Even though it is from 2012 (I think) it has a ton of information and describes the whole recruitment process. It can be a very overwhelming process, but the more you read, the better you will understand. One thing your D will need is a highlight video. They can be very expensive, but you can definitely do it yourself - it is time consuming but well worth it as it is a vital tool! Be sure to read the thread from beginning to end- KeeperDad did a great job of summarizing!!!</p>
<p><a href=“College Recruiting Tips For Soccer - Athletic Recruits - College Confidential Forums”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/athletic-recruits/1291234-college-recruiting-tips-for-soccer-p1.html</a></p>
<p>good one, tbb! </p>
<p>soccerluv, chances are enormous that your child will play soccer for some other team than Stanford’s. But YOU can start preparing now for that eventuality by learning what colleges cost. Assume those costs will probably not be paid for by athletic scholarship. Each college has on its website a “net price calculator” that can give you a ballpark estimate of what percentage of that college’s total cost your family will have to pay. That percentage will be based on your family’s income and assets. Do not assume you will or will not get any money: run the net price calculator for a best guess. What your family is expected to pay will be the sum of the Expected Family Contribution PLUS the loans the school suggests you and your D take on and any work study she will have to do at the college.</p>
<p>With these estimates from several schools, you can begin to understand what it’s going to cost you to send her to this college or that. Knowing the cost and knowing your ability to pay, you can search for schools that either offer sizable grant payments (if your family has low income) or sizable merit payments (if your family has middle to high income). In either case, the schools will require of your D grades in the 3.7-4.0 unweighted GPA and 2250-2400 SAT categories. If your child’s stats are not this stellar, the chances of sizable (20-45K per year) merit help dry up. </p>
<p>Having athletic talent can help ADMISSIONS a little, depending on the talent and the needs of the school. Having a lot of athletic talent helps admissions and merit a little more. Most athletes in high school get little benefit when it comes to admissions or dollars.</p>
<p>In my experience, getting my head around college costs and my costs has been eye-opening even tho I’ve been an academic for 25 years. It is nonetheless the most important factor in making a decision about colleges unless your family can drop $250K for four years of college without giving a second thought to how else you might use that money. College costs and their expectations of family resources have changed dramatically, so much so that it’s hard for me to believe how different a landscape it is from when I was an independent undergrad at a large western state uni and paying $400/semester to go there.</p>
<p>I prefer Stamford football. You know, Stamford Bridge? </p>
<p>Viva Mourinho! The special one!</p>
<p><em>calms inner football fan</em></p>