Parent status - ex-recruited athletic

Athletic Recruits
1

<p>Like heading suggested, this thread is for the parent who did or have done the recruiting job before.</p>

<p>DS is a freshman at one of top LAC and is enjoying his college life but not playing varsity sport.</p>

<p>As parent, I am at empty nest state and envy those new CCers who is like me last year.</p>

<p>Last year this time, there were activities that DS and I went through like to share.</p>

<ol>
<li><p>College application - DD went to a state university few years ago and was a very simple process so I do not involve at all. However, DS is a highly maintenance kid who has a lot of interests and talents so a set of schools DS applied that was out of usual domain. DS high school is a public school and GC doesn't know kids and no help from school. If you chose different paths then you are on your own and good luck. College search, process and common application were new for us. The funny part is he was late for this so I was recruited/jumped in. At that time I finished my consulting work at the end of Aug and started a roller coaster ride.</p></li>
<li><p>Athletic supplement/Recruited - summer camps, showcases, high school/club season games, recording/editing videos and packaging and sending out to every schools he applied that was on working as recruiting or admission purpose because some schools he applied were D1 and he is no chance to play there.</p></li>
<li><p>Art supplement/Senior recital - recording/editing videos and audio mp3 and packaging and sending out to every schools he applied that was on working as scholarship or admission purpose.</p></li>
<li><p>School visit, OV, school work, 3 SAT II, EC, prompt and essay - DS juggling between these works, staying late or skipping school. DS was untouchable/noncommunicable and weird specie as he stated between Sep. and Dec. why three SAT II in senior years? because DS/we is/are not prepared for and he was planing to go state school like everyone else and it is a good school anyway.</p></li>
<li><p>Finical aid/Scholarship/EA - due date, due date ... and due date. FAFSA, CSS Profile, personal/corporation forms and schedules. One state safety school and rest of them were out of state private schools. DS applied many schools not for increasing the odd of admission but for FA purpose which is very controversial topic and I wouldn't share how many schools he applied. So quantity of school applying made the whole thing worst so I took one year off to manage this and made the best investment ever so far.</p></li>
</ol>

<p>All these stared with soccer.</p>

<p>Soccer -> College searching -> D3 -> Private U -> Private LAC -> FA/Scholarship.</p>

<p>So what is parent status after these rigorously processes year later?</p>

<p>I am stage of empty nest and lost. Don't quote me wrong. I am very busy on my new job but that never full fill the space that left empty after these days. Recall my 30 IT career, don't know where I am going. Maybe just adding more zero into my retirement account.</p>

<p>I sold the first clone PC/8086 in 1984 and made the profit of $1000 when I was student. Next 10 years many friend of mine jumped into this business but I didn't have guts to do so. Late 1980 the newest computer system came to replace mainframe. I was on top of world and secure in my career. Mid 1990 Internet and Web came out I started a new company to embrace this new technology and buster along with dot com in early 2000. Now in 2010 IT outsource is replacing shortage of American skilled worker(?). I can not stop current of outsourcing instead I am helping the current to replace American skilled worker and move job to oversea. This is a sure thing that I am not against the current instead I am riding with current that I don't believe it is the right thing for America.</p>

<p>Along with empty nest and IT frustration I do miss the good old day. American dream.</p>

<p>Again, all started because soccer otherwise I wouldn't aware that the outside world is changing.</p>

<p>Parent, you are welcome to post your status after a stressful year of helping your student and this is my story.</p>

2

<p>It’s a little difficult to understand you. So I take it your son was recruited to play soccer at a D3 school? Why did he quit and when did he quit - was this a decision he made going into college, did the coaching situation not appeal to him, did he find the combination of athletics and schoolwork unmanageable, etc.?</p>

3

<p>monstor, Soccerdad was a frequent poster last year during his son’s recruiting process. You can read his old posts for the whole story. I’m sure he’ll respond to your questions, but thought you might want to know it’s well-documented on CC. </p>

<p>Hi Soccerdad. One thing that comes to my mind, soccerdad, is how useful your information might be to other families coming up behind your son on his high school or club team. Have you thought about helping another kid get through this? I don’t know what your second language is, but it has also occurred to me that you could be incredibly to helpful to another same-second-language family for whom this might be totally confusing. Being involved with another student athlete might help give you a chance to enjoy the ride again, and make a difference for another kid.</p>

<p>Glad your son is happy at school. He made a difficult but excellent decision :)</p>

4

<p>I’m new here, but just wanted to ask what does “DD” and “DS” stand for?</p>

5

<p>Let me see who beats me to this one: “DD” is “Dear Daughter” (I just use “D”). “DS” is “Dear Son.” Then there’s “DS1” (first Dear Son) etc.</p>

6

<p>Oh ok, thanks :)</p>

7

<p>SoccerDad82, I can understand how you feel. I have a S who is a freshman in college and I feel a little let down after all of last year’s college hype. He wasn’t a recruited athlete but my D is. She is a high school junior and just starting to be recruited. As a parent, I am trying to help her maintain the balance of school and sport as she is really an excellent student more than an elite athlete. My H and I can feel the anxiety rise after every competition because they say “these count” now. Yet, we have to be prepared for the possibility that she will decide not to play in college. </p>

<p>For now, I am helping another parent whose s is applying to colleges this year. It’s nice to be able to take this break before D’s senior year! I agree with riverrunner, helping someone else through the college app process is very fulfilling!</p>

8

<p>River,</p>

<p>Thanks for your words. Yes, I do have a workshop for my church and also one on one for friend of mine or DS friend’s parents. I am very enjoying it. </p>

<p>Also I am trying pay back to CC. </p>

<p>I am very busy. Work, cook(yes, I love cooking), yard work/compose and running but still have space empty. I am planing to run local marathon 5 weeks from yesterday maybe. It is too short but really want to kill that feeling if I know I have a big event coming and it may help.</p>

<p>Monstor, DS is not recruited but coach contacted him before. DS is too busy at school also tries to maintain his GPA otherwise lost his scholarship. He studies very hard compare to his public high school, 10 to 1 ration. Sunday he spent 9 hours in the library to make up Saturday(went to DC rally).</p>

9

<p>My S is just starting his practices, nervous about maintaining his grades. He is taking very difficult courses, too, and is either being very dishonest(doubt) or studying harder than ever in his life.
He may not be able to play and get the grades he wants. It’ll be hard to let go after all these years . I appreciate your sharing.</p>