cabbagedad posted:cottoncandy posted:My son is entering his junior year of high school this year... He has a 4.5 w gpa as of now.. really hope he can maintain this through out this junior year!
In case he doesn't get an offer we will go to plan B which is applying to colleges the regular route.. then he has to compete with kids that have been doing hundreds of hours of volunteering, instrument, awards, clubs etc.... But my son will only have baseball to list as his EC... what do other kids do when they don't get an offer? ...
Having read both of your posts, I think some basic info and some realities may be helpful to balance the words of encouragement you already have received.
College baseball is a sport where, typically, only the cream of the crop are awarded significant athletic scholarship $. The average baseball scholy is 25% if any. D3, which accounts for many of the HA schools, doesn't offer any athletic $. For most, any financial aid is more likely to come from academics or needs based. It is a mistake to look at baseball as a "plan A" to get college paid for. Your description of your son matches up with thousands of decent HS players looking for a spot on a college roster. Remember, only about one in ten or so go from HS baseball to college baseball. So, if you are one of the best one or two on the HS baseball team, you may find yourself just average among the pool of college players. Your son's measurables don't stand out... don't expect him to be the player that will be offered athletic $. You mentioned you are on the West Coast. An additional challenge is that there is a particular abundance, a surplus, of good HS baseball players that come out of California. This makes it all the more difficult to earn a spot on a college roster if he wants to stay close to home. Supply and demand.
Also, college baseball is in many ways like a job and requires a tremendous amount of time commitment. A player has to really love the game and be willing to sacrifice significantly in regards to other areas of college life. Looking at it primarily as a way to pay for school is usually an indication he doesn't love it enough to cut it. (I may be misinterpreting your "plan B" remark above?).
There are many other things to consider as well. What are his career aspirations? Some majors don't work with baseball. I say this all not to discourage but to introduce some realities in order to help guide you with direction and expectations.
I am in Calif and familiar with most of the college options in the state. Feel free to PM me with any specific questions.
Reality check.. very necessary at this point! One in ten gets to play college baseball is scary to hear! I do realize more as his high school years are progressing he does not stand out at this time.
Living in California and going to a D1 baseball high school there are SO many good kids!! My son truly loves baseball or else I don't think he would put that many hours to train himself...hitting lessons, pitching lessons, mental health training, personal training.. and anything you can think of...and maintaining his school work. .. if he didn't like it. he would rather play that online game.. what is it called Fortnite? or something?
Yes it would help some of the financial needs if he could get any $$ offered.. I don't think anyone would turn down $$ to help with their college tuition. $$ isn't the main reason he wants to play.. he loves the game and the team work! thank you for your advice!!!