My son went to HF as both a rising junior and rising senior....his goal from the start was high academic D3. Rising junior summer was much too early for most of the D3's. However, great experience for my son getting used to the format and introducing himself to coaches. No question that it helped him to do well the following summer as a rising senior which resulted in many opportunities in NESCAC, UAA and Centennial which were the conferences he had targeted. Best baseball money we ever spent!