D3 or JUCO

Every situation is different so it would be difficult to give balnket adivice.

However NJCAA Div. I and II Juco offer Athletic scholarships and and NCAA DIII do not.

Thier are many things to consider and if money is of a concern then that is one of the many things to think about.

I would recommend comparing class sizes and graduation rates to get a handle on how well the students are assisted.

Many young men's attitudes toward the importance of education are still maturing as they enter college. JuCo would give him two more years to figure that out. Then, as an above average player, he may get the opportunity to go to a better university with a better baseball program.

Think a JuCo would be the answer....from what we have observed. The D3's that we have looked at.....have high academic standards.....the JuCo's...not as academically stressfull.....and....they also seem to have more remedial courses....courses to help students get a better understanding of math, writing, etc.....

College baseball is difficult enough without worrying everyday about grades...JUCO would be the right choice to start for a below average student.

Good Luck!

As some of the posts above alluded to, I think you're confusing what the Division means as it applies to academics. If you are a less than average student, D-3 does not mean less than average academics (nor does it mean less than average athletics).

For sake of example, Johns Hopkins, Amherst, Tufts, Pomona, Emory just to name a few, are amazing schools academically and play some pretty decent (D-3) baseball.

The quality of any given baseball or academic program varies from school to school, regardless of division.

While certainly there is an overall difference in quality of play from Division to division, typically in the depth of talent, especially pitching, for the most part the biggest immediate differences are no athletic scholarships in D-3 and a D-3 program will play about 40 games and a D-1 plays about 60. Typically, too, a D-3 team probably would not travel as much. A JuCo will probably play far more games than a D-1 program as most have extensive winter ball schedules.

In terms of the time you will put in, the demands upon you, etc. etc. I don't think the Division matters much. IMO you need to look at the particular school/program not simply its level/division.

HeyBatter good to see you back on the board. I sent you an e-mail, but didn't hear from you. I visited PP, but the game(s) were rained out. How is your son doing? I don't know who he is so I have not been able to follow him.

H&R - never saw an email from you. We seem to be getting lost in cyberspace. I'm going to send you a PM directed to the P/P message topic we started between us. check that in a few......

HeyBatter - What am I doing wrong? I cannot find your PM. Please advise.

Revising this thread because son is going through the same situation has offers from both JUCO's and some serious interest from D3's.

 Very High academic kid.  Could go JUCO route completely free.  Could get a hefty scholarship at a D3, but it would not cover all the costs and it would still be expensive.  What are your all thoughts for an academic kid?  What is the level of competition for both of them?  Both are good programs.  Would love to hear your opinions.  

POD: I am definitely scratching my head on this one. If your son is a "Very High Academic Kid," why wouldn't you go to a school where he could earn the best degree? (you said he has D3 interest). Even if it may be tougher to pay$$ to in the short term, a degree at a selective school will likely pay dividends upon graduation in the job market. I guess if you're thinking JUCO, then what is the target school(s) in a couple years?

PitcherOnlyDad,

 

Tough question to answer without knowing your financial situation, what your son wants to study, and what he wants to do after graduation.  Has he done any research on his career prospects in his major and ability to pay back student loans?  Some majors are better served at high academic schools while others could be better served at a state school or JUCO. 

 

Personally, the baseball has been a secondary decision in our household with our three boys.  One opted to play in college and the other two elected to focus their time elsewhere.  There a no guarantees in either direction.  

 

Good luck! 

That is exactly what we were thinking.  Instead of paying to play 4 years there, he could go play JUCO for free, and then maybe transfer to his target school and play 2 years.I have also showed him some stuff I have read on here about D3's and he is a little wary now.   Right now I think son is just real confused and has no clue what he wants do yet. 

We are not the richest around by no means and at the D3 school student loans would be a must.  That is why JUCO seemed like a good option, because it would be completely free.  Also, speaking of majors, son has absolutely no clue what he wants to major in.  Honestly, all he has thought about is baseball up to this point.  I constantly tell him he needs to be thinking about these things, but all he says is, "I'll figure it out once I get there."

If it wasn't for baseball what school would he choose?  How high are his academics?  Have you talked with the admissions office at the D3 about how they approach scholarships and aid?  If his grades and test scores are high enough he may get a bunch of academic money. 

As a student who took nine years to get my first degree....

 

Risking student loans and stretching academically could be a bad choice, JUCO sounds like a better route.

 

And with all the caveats of not really knowing you, son, situation, of course.

Just my thoughts, but if your son his unsure of what degree he is going to pursue, I'd be inclined as a parent to recommend going the JuCo route.   I would be hesitant to spend a lot of $$$ in terms of loans and/or cash on a child who is unsure of what he wants to do.  At least at a JuCo, the cost would be minimal (in your case, no money lost) if he doesn't do well academically.  If he's unsure, he can pursue a general studies AA and then transfer to a 4 year school.  Of course, there is no guarantee a 4 year school will have interest baseball wise after junior college.

I am assuming he is doing well in HS academically if he qualified for a "heft" D3 scholarship as D3's cannot offer athletic scholarships.  Any scholarships they do offer could be attained by any student.

 

Another factor to consider, does the junior college have a good record of placing players to D1/D2/D3 schools?

This is what I was thinking as well, but we have had several coaches tell son he needs to be focused on a high-academic school with the grades and test scores he has.  It is just that it is expensive and he is not sure what he wants to major in and I did not want him to go up there without first knowing what he wants to major in.

Yes, he has offers from several JUCO's and a couple are very good programs.  His dream school is a very good D2 school, and the JUCO he is interested in, acts pretty much as a pipeline to that one school sending several players there every year.   

PitcherOnlyDad,

 

You've received tremendous advice from Go44Dad and FoxDad.  It is not easy on parents these days putting their kids through school, helping put them through school, paying the mortgage and eating.

 

I can say without hesitation  that if any of my three sons had no idea what they wanted to study (regardless of their academic prowess) they would be going to (at least) a more affordable JUCO, state college of university.  I'm a middle class Dad with a middle class budget who was very fortunate to receive some need based financial aid for my oldest son.  My two youngest son's attend public Universities and are getting a stellar education.  Tough decisions and sacrifices were made along the way.  Nobody said it was easy.  As always, JMO.

 

Good luck!