<p>If you (or your kid) really, really liked more than one fine institution (and you fully support their choice) and it came down to separating school(s) that automatically red shirt freshmen and school(s) that offered a Varsity slot, which way would you go? Remember, this is the dealmaker as you (or your kid) really like both campuses, academics, coaches, etc. Pros and cons of redshirting vs not...</p>
<p>Apologies if this has been covered before. Thanks in advance for your replies!</p>
<p>Don’t redshirt unless you like that school better. Does your kid (or you) actually plan on using that 5th yr? Or just graduating and moving on with their life.</p>
<p>That’s the dilemma–kid honestly cannot narrow the list down so I am suggesting trimming it by at least choosing red shirting OR Varsity slot.</p>
<p>I realize I am lucky to have a kid whose heart is not set on one place (hence no heartbreak), and that there is more than one very worthwhile option. </p>
<p>Sooo–what would YOU rather do?</p>
<p>I would rather have a chance at playing freshman year. But I wouldn’t pick a school I liked even a LITLE less, simply to possibly play freshman year.</p>
<p>Without knowing the details of your situation and what indications/promises you’ve received from the coaches in question, it’s hard to comment. But don’t assume that just because your son won’t be redshirted that he’ll actually get playing time. In men’s sports, it’s a rare freshman who gets varsity playing time at a school with a good program in the sport. The Ivies don’t redshirt except for injuries, so if that’s the primary reason he won’t be redshirted, then I’d ask a few more questions related to when and how the coach sees him participating. </p>
<p>Secondly, what kind of future does your son hope for in his sport? Is he just looking to play in college, or are there possible pro opportunities and an interest in the same? If so, the redshirt school could be the better choice. The exta year of training with other top players and a good coach could make the difference for his future chances.</p>
<p>My D did not want to be redshirted. We were strongly against it, mostly for financial reasons (not wanting to pay for a 5th year just because of sports) Consequently, we eliminated several schools where redshirting was likely or definite. But as circumstances would have it, she’s being redshirted anyway. While not an ideal situation, the truth is that she had mediocre training in high school and was not well-prepared for the competitive level of her university. To be honest, if she had competed this year, she wouldn’t have been putting down any exceptional performances. When perusing collegiate results in her sport recently, I checked out the stats of other frosh girls who were in her skill range in high school. They are indeed competing which is nice for them, but I wouldn’t say they’re exactly getting a good return on their year of eligibility from an athletic perspective.</p>
<p>Would your kid get an MA or MS during the 5th year, and what would the financial side look like?</p>
<p>And would he even be required to stay that 5th year?</p>
<p>GFG if athlete graduates
how could a coach require an athlete to stay in school?</p>
<p>To me, question, ask your athlete to choose their favorite school without sports. </p>
<p>Sports scholarships are for one year. </p>
<p>If a coach is already telling the athlete they don’t have a spot for them on the varsity as a freshmen…
<p>Coach will be recruiting the position next year too. There is no guarantee athlete beats the next years talent along with this recruiting class/transfers and the upperclassmen.</p>
<p>Then the redshirt question goes financial … what perks are lost. (see #4)</p>
<p>To answer your question, author, one coach with whom we had a long discussion about the redshirting issue basically said that if he had trained someone for 4 years and they still had one year of eligibility left, that he’d expect they’d be loyal and compete that final year for him and his school. So while no one can force you to stay, we got the impression there would still be a lot of pressure to stay. We noticed a lot of athletes staying on to earn a master’s for that fifth year at non-Ivies. My D did not want to be locked into going to grad school right after graduation, nor going to grad school at her undergrad school.</p>