One little thing to throw in....My daughter was invited for to visit a D3 school in Ohio. We met the coaches and the team, toured the campus and the facilities, then they had us meet with an advisor. Of coarse we had some questions about different things, but I'll be honest, my biggest question was HOW MUCH? My answer...$39,000 a year. Tuition, books, room and board. My first thought was ok, moving on... But then the advisor showed us the endowments and other special academic scholarships worked. All of them are based on the students GPA and test (ACT) scores. In my daughter's case she would be eligible for somewhere in the neighborhood of $24,000 in scholarship money. This particular school also above and beyond that has an event for all incoming freshman where they have them write a resume as if they are applying for a job, and then a very simple interview with a panel of 3 professors. All this is voluntary but if they participate, the students are guaranteed at least $5000 in additional scholarship money up to $12,000! If my daughter was to score enough to receive the 12 grand, that would only leave about $3000-$5000, which can easily be taken care of with FASFA. So basically in my eyes and my daughter's eyes, that opens a new avenue of opportunity as far as basketball. You can ask anyone who knows me that I don't care what level my daughter plays at as long as she's happy and she gets a good education. I don't know how common this scenario is at other D3 institutions, but we are discovering more as we do our homework. So as some of the other previous posts have stated, many parents and their players shouldn't get so hung up on what level they play at.

One little thing to throw in....My daughter was invited for to visit a D3 school in Ohio. We met the coaches and the team, toured the campus and the facilities, then they had us meet with an advisor. Of coarse we had some questions about different things, but I'll be honest, my biggest question was HOW MUCH? My answer...$39,000 a year. Tuition, books, room and board. My first thought was ok, moving on... But then the advisor showed us the endowments and other special academic scholarships worked. All of them are based on the students GPA and test (ACT) scores. In my daughter's case she would be eligible for somewhere in the neighborhood of $24,000 in scholarship money. This particular school also above and beyond that has an event for all incoming freshman where they have them write a resume as if they are applying for a job, and then a very simple interview with a panel of 3 professors. All this is voluntary but if they participate, the students are guaranteed at least $5000 in additional scholarship money up to $12,000! If my daughter was to score enough to receive the 12 grand, that would only leave about $3000-$5000, which can easily be taken care of with FASFA. So basically in my eyes and my daughter's eyes, that opens a new avenue of opportunity as far as basketball. You can ask anyone who knows me that I don't care what level my daughter plays at as long as she's happy and she gets a good education. I don't know how common this scenario is at other D3 institutions, but we are discovering more as we do our homework. So as some of the other previous posts have stated, many parents and their players shouldn't get so hung up on what level they play at.

 

This is good info and applies to NAIA schools as well. The advantage NAIA has over D3 is they CAN give athletic scholarships too. My daughter's athletic contribution was fairly significant. She's going to a $42k school for a reasonable cost! She could have gone to a different NAIA for just about FREE! (At a similar cost to the one she chose!) But she chose the other school. (over Dad's judgment! Lol!!!). Whatever makes baby girl happy! Lol!

You don't have to tell me who she is, but is she one of the seniors or an underclassman? You mentioned "learned from great players at Mason", so I took that as she's and underclassman. The reason I ask is there is a little underclassman guard that was there last year that I really liked. Just curious.

 

RCC9...You're probably thinking of our Jr backup point guard AJ Reed. My daughter is an incoming freshman. She was the only 8th grader on the varsity roster last year. She just played a few minutes in varsity action. She's had the opportunity to work with our Senior class girls since she was in the 5th grade. They have treated her fantastic. Couldn't ask for a better group of girls for her to be with. Doubt she sees much varsity action this year, but it's the learning experience that will help her down the road.

The ultimate goal could be just being part of a team, having fun making the friendships of a lifetime and playing a HS sport with your friends.

 

TAC...I agree 100%. I was just looking at it from the recruiting and scholarship standpoint when I made my statement. But if they aren't having fun then it's not worth it.

Actually, my daughter hasn't decided yet, but was recruited (and yes, D3 schools do recruit, and heavily, at least in WBB, though the pool of players with the academic credentials to be admitted is far smaller) by several of the Ivies and many of the UAA schools (a D3 "Ivy League-like" conference with a national travel schedule) and has taken official recruiting trips to Top Tier academic schools out West. Having said that, as of November 1, she has applied EA to ten schools, and will choose among them in early- to mid-December. To answer your question about the schools offering my daughter's intended major or some iteration of it and which also recruited her to play WBB, she applied EA to University of Chicago, Case Western Reserve University, Carnegie Mellon, Kenyon College, Grinnell College, Bard College, Vassar College, Colorado College, Sewanee University,and Stevens Institute of Technology.

 

Several of the schools on the list are nationally ranked "liberal arts" colleges, but either offer the biochemistry/neuroscience classes required of that major or allow students to tailor an individual major under the supervision of a tenured professor. I mention this because a lot of parents of today's kids do not realize the strong emphasis many liberal arts schools place on science and math today.

 

I would recommend your daughter get in touch with any of the D3 schools recruiting her to ask about an overnight recruiting visit in which she could sit in on some of the basic and upper division classes in her intended major (plus she will get a good feel for the campus food and what it's like to live in a school dorm there). Overnight recruiting visits helped my daughter immensely in paring down her list.

 

While I realize that the NCAA does not allow D 3 schools to offer athletic scholarships, you might ask the D3 coaches recruiting your daughter straight up about where she is on their recruiting board and gingerly ask them about how many "slots" or "tips" their team has been allotted by Admissions for the 2017-18 class and if the coach doesn't automatically set your daughter up with an official interview with the "Admissions Liaison" (-to the athletic department), I would recommend asking them if they would set one up for your daughter.

 

Aside from the omnipresent U.S. News and World Report rankings, there are several other sites than can help you find current information about D 3 or Top Tier academic schools and which ones offer the best majors in subjects your daughter wants to pursue: College Admissions, Search, and Financial Aid Help from College Confidential, Niche: Explore Schools and Neighborhoods and Do It Yourself College Rankings.

 

I hoped this information helped. If you have any more questions or need additional information, please DM me.[/quote

 

Thanks for the info but thought your daughter had already gone to college. Mhy daughter is a senior as well and has been admitted and recruited by 6 of her 10 schools to which she applied (haven't heard back from the other 4).

 

I thought you may have some insight into the entire playing sports but being an Engineer balance.

 

Regardless, my daughter will either play at Transy or Centre or division 2 UIndy and Missouri S&T. We shall see.

AAU basketball is way overrated in my humble opinion. Colleges take the easy way out and attend these events but learn nothing about the lids they see except that they may have talent. There is so much peer pressure among the kids to play for fear they may not have an opportunity at the next level if they do not play. Also, parents and kids get false expectations as they try to hold onto Division 1 dreams when most kids should not even think about D1. Sadly, the only ones who win are the AAU coaches as they line their pockets like carpetbaggers while sucking up to the elite players parents and promising anything to keep it going. and many of those coaches criticize the high school coaches when it is the high school coaches who really make a difference in the kids lives.

I coached AAU and led and organization in NKY for about 7 years and never made a dime. We had 14 teams at one point. If anything, I spent money!

 

You can all it overrated and a money pit. But the facts are, if you want to get noticed, you have to do it. It's the families choice, not the AAU coach. You make the choice. I have yet to see AAU coaches sending out their posse's roughing up parents into playing. It's your choice. There is obviously a huge demand out there and the majority know if you do choose to pursue a scholarship, AAU is part of the deal.

 

Have you ever bought any product in your life, that may have worked out better for someone else than you? Medicine, tools, food, etc? I have. Again, it starts very young when every parent thinks lil Susie and Johnny is an all star. Some have the measurables and some don't. Some dedicate everything to it and some don't. And some work harder than others. At the end of the day, only the elite make it. The others get weeded out and find things to blame it on.

AAU basketball is way overrated in my humble opinion. Colleges take the easy way out and attend these events but learn nothing about the lids they see except that they may have talent. There is so much peer pressure among the kids to play for fear they may not have an opportunity at the next level if they do not play. Also, parents and kids get false expectations as they try to hold onto Division 1 dreams when most kids should not even think about D1. Sadly, the only ones who win are the AAU coaches as they line their pockets like carpetbaggers while sucking up to the elite players parents and promising anything to keep it going. and many of those coaches criticize the high school coaches when it is the high school coaches who really make a difference in the kids lives.

 

My child played AAU, never had a coach that made a dime from the program.

AAU basketball is way overrated in my humble opinion. Colleges take the easy way out and attend these events but learn nothing about the lids they see except that they may have talent. There is so much peer pressure among the kids to play for fear they may not have an opportunity at the next level if they do not play. Also, parents and kids get false expectations as they try to hold onto Division 1 dreams when most kids should not even think about D1. Sadly, the only ones who win are the AAU coaches as they line their pockets like carpetbaggers while sucking up to the elite players parents and promising anything to keep it going. and many of those coaches criticize the high school coaches when it is the high school coaches who really make a difference in the kids lives.

Sounds like sour grapes. Maybe your daughter played for the wrong organization. My daughter has played AAU (KY Premier) for the last 4 years. Im not sure what her coaches are making if anything. Whatever it is Its not enough. Those guys have put Kentucky girls basketball on a big stage for a ton of coaches to see. My family will be forever grateful for their time, effort and foresight to promote Kentucky Girls. Jesse James and his Staff run a great program.

Sounds like sour grapes. Maybe your daughter played for the wrong organization. My daughter has played AAU (KY Premier) for the last 4 years. Im not sure what her coaches are making if anything. Whatever it is Its not enough. Those guys have put Kentucky girls basketball on a big stage for a ton of coaches to see. My family will be forever grateful for their time, effort and foresight to promote Kentucky Girls. Jesse James and his Staff run a great program.

 

I can answer that. $0.:thumb: We all have full time jobs that has nothing to do with AAU. Heck some have 2 jobs.

I would also like to say that my daughter played in Jesse James program, was considering biomedical engineering but decided on mechanical engineering at an naia school. She plays in WV and has started every game. The naia route has allowed her to play, get money for her education, and it gives her enough free time to enjoy other aspects of college. Jesse was/is right about the exposure and the program he runs is top notch just wish we would have found it sooner.

My daughter choose to play for a couple reasons for Cincinnati Finest and has for the past 4 years. She is in weekly contact with several colleges now. The AAU route has taught her so much more than basketball and its translated to a very high GPA and ACT score. It really has put basketball into perspective for her because once the ACT score was posted doors opened that we didn't think were possible. For those who need the aid or want to play in college no matter where, I can not say enough for what KY Premier is doing for women's basketball. Its just fantastic and I hope it continues for decades!!

I would also like to say that my daughter played in Jesse James program, was considering biomedical engineering but decided on mechanical engineering at an naia school. She plays in WV and has started every game. The naia route has allowed her to play, get money for her education, and it gives her enough free time to enjoy other aspects of college. Jesse was/is right about the exposure and the program he runs is top notch just wish we would have found it sooner.

 

This is almost exactly my daughter to a tee...except she chose softball. Girls will never get paid to play their sport. (VERY FEW). So they take a lot more in to consideration when choosing what they want to do for college. Some have higher offers and don't consider them. Some that are able to play in college choose to not play and go to the college of their choice. There are several reasons why (Girls especially) don't always follow the path that seems to make sense to everyone else. And that's okay! It's their life and the reward of playing at a high D1 doesn't always seem worth it to some kids. They aren't lazy, they are just ready to get on with a different part of their life.

Actually, my daughter hasn't decided yet, but was recruited (and yes, D3 schools do recruit, and heavily, at least in WBB, though the pool of players with the academic credentials to be admitted is far smaller) by several of the Ivies and many of the UAA schools (a D3 "Ivy League-like" conference with a national travel schedule) and has taken official recruiting trips to Top Tier academic schools out West. Having said that, as of November 1, she has applied EA to ten schools, and will choose among them in early- to mid-December. To answer your question about the schools offering my daughter's intended major or some iteration of it and which also recruited her to play WBB, she applied EA to University of Chicago, Case Western Reserve University, Carnegie Mellon, Kenyon College, Grinnell College, Bard College, Vassar College, Colorado College, Sewanee University,and Stevens Institute of Technology.

 

Several of the schools on the list are nationally ranked "liberal arts" colleges, but either offer the biochemistry/neuroscience classes required of that major or allow students to tailor an individual major under the supervision of a tenured professor. I mention this because a lot of parents of today's kids do not realize the strong emphasis many liberal arts schools place on science and math today.

 

I would recommend your daughter get in touch with any of the D3 schools recruiting her to ask about an overnight recruiting visit in which she could sit in on some of the basic and upper division classes in her intended major (plus she will get a good feel for the campus food and what it's like to live in a school dorm there). Overnight recruiting visits helped my daughter immensely in paring down her list.

 

While I realize that the NCAA does not allow D 3 schools to offer athletic scholarships, you might ask the D3 coaches recruiting your daughter straight up about where she is on their recruiting board and gingerly ask them about how many "slots" or "tips" their team has been allotted by Admissions for the 2017-18 class and if the coach doesn't automatically set your daughter up with an official interview with the "Admissions Liaison" (-to the athletic department), I would recommend asking them if they would set one up for your daughter.

 

Aside from the omnipresent U.S. News and World Report rankings, there are several other sites than can help you find current information about D 3 or Top Tier academic schools and which ones offer the best majors in subjects your daughter wants to pursue: College Admissions, Search, and Financial Aid Help from College Confidential, Niche: Explore Schools and Neighborhoods and Do It Yourself College Rankings.

 

I hoped this information helped. If you have any more questions or need additional information, please DM me.

 

As I said before in my response above, very helpful as my daughter is a senior also, and I didn't realize your daughter was as I was thinking/hoping she was already in college, LOL!

 

By way of update from that response, my daughter has now applied to 11 schools which range from Division 1 schools, Purdue, Georgia Tech, Alabama, Dayton and Butler (Dayton and Butler tepidly recruiting her for softball and says she at least has a preferred walk-on spot, accepted to all of them) to Division 2 schools (that are recruiting her for softball), Missouri S&T, University of Indianapolis (joint degree program with Purdue)(accepted by both) to Division 3 programs, Transylvania University, Washington University in St. Louis, Centre College and Rose-Hulman and being recruited hard by all with a guaranteed roster spot from coaches.

 

She has had overnights to Missouri S&T, Indianapolis, Transy and Rose-Hulman but you are correct with your advice about that process.

 

I just wondered where she was in school since her situation sounded so much like my daughter's situation. Thanks again for the information.

Edited November 8, 20169 yr by RocketsDad

I know a lot of great information has been posted on this thread in response to the OP's question, but I wanted to pass along a link from "DIY College Rankings," a very good site for both academic information and athletic recruiting information, entitled, "Five Financial Mistakes that Can Limit Your Chance of Playing Your Sport at the College Level."

 

5 Financial Mistakes that Can Limit Your Chance of Playing Your Sport at the College Level - Do It Yourself College Rankings