Monetary questions

Why not ask the college?

I likely will, we have only been to 1 Jr day and I didnt get to go to that one, but the recent invite is a considerable distance away and do not really want to go but it begged the question that you all on HSBBW would have just as much insight on the matter.

I take the approach of being upfront and would talk to them about it.

We had coaches right from jump street ask us if we had the financial ability to go to their schools (probably took one look at me and big sirens and red flags went off). Coaches know the hurdles and I believe they would rather know up front whether Junior is a potential recruit or has been eliminated from the pool due to finances.

It is not wrong to rule such schools out. It's just reality. You would go through the same thing whether your son was playing baseball or not. Daughter got accepted to Harvey Mudd, but mother and I could not justify the expense of sending her there. That's life.

BUT don't dismiss the expensive private schools too quickly. Some of them have incredible endowments and can put together academic packages that make them very competitive (assuming son has the grades and SAT's). Daughter was offered way more scholarship money by private schools than public schools.

quote:

Originally posted by Eric G:
Maybe a silly question. Is it wrong to negate a possible college due to the overall expense when it comes to tuition/room/board. I know its a sign of the times and it seems like the average expense runs around 26k or so and I guess thats fine but then when colleges contact my son and I see their tui/rm/brd are like 50k, is it wrong to RULE THEM out -OR- can these colleges give away more money since they make so much more daggone money....-OR-....is it just all relative because 11.7 is all they can give away anyways.

If there is any possibility your son would qualify for academic money they can add that to the "pie."
Generally, if you go the school's website and look for something like prospective students, you will find info on various combinations of gpa and SAT/ACT scores. Perhaps he could get money from both sources, making it financially possible to attend a school he could not otherwise go to.

quote:

....is it wrong to RULE THEM out -OR- can these colleges give away more money since they make so much more daggone money....-OR-....is it just all relative because 11.7 is all they can give away anyways.

Personally, I don't think it is wise to rule any school out until you've had a chance to talk to the Coach & FA folks as well as run through your finances through a financial aid calculator. Collegeboard.com has a whole section dedicated to this. Everybody's situation is different, and these $50K+ ("retail") private schools certainly have a scary price tag. There are many FA programs, and different financial aid methods that can help you significantly if you know what you are dealing with. Ask questions, and only rule it out when you have all the data.

We had experiences just like CPLZ describes. I don't blame the coaches for asking. I think it is up to you to have some datapoints to know ahead of time and then ask about FA and academic/athletic scholarships. If it is not a good fit, move on.

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" If it is not a good fit, move on."

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quote:

Originally posted by Eric G:
Maybe a silly question. Is it wrong to negate a possible college due to the overall expense when it comes to tuition/room/board.

IMO, this site often emphasizes family values and sacrifices made within the family unit. I know when my son picked his school it came down to weighing the tangibles and intangibles in order to find a "good PLACE" which are listed in no order of importance.

Program- This would include the level of play, program history, and team fit
Location- Some want to stay close to home, some want to spread their wings.
Academics- Speaks for itself
Coach- 1st impressions are great, he's done the research on Jr, do the same with him
Evironment- An accumulation of all things including costs and family issues.

After the dust settled and the adrenalin levels subsided we sat down as a family and talked these things through. Even though our money tree never matured, we always told our son "money was not a factor"...we lied. Not because we could not make it happen, but because we had two other kids going to college 3 years later without scholarships, other family health issues, and future family considerations that played into a baseball decision. I never thought that would happen but "reality checks" are usually dark. Some may lift their nose to my mentality because the pockets are deep but I'll bet that many on this site sit in the weeds with me counting our change.

Eric, while you can ask for that advise here, only your family knows whats best.

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Well this is it rz...welcome to the gotwood4sale homestead.



And if you find any loose change scattered about remember...it's mine!




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Generally the higher the academic school the more endowment money it has, which means "if you can get in they will figure out a way to make it affordable." Don't leave any rock unturned when it comes to money. The most important thing for you to do is to profile your ideal schools and start your list of approx 25 targets, with 5 stretch, 15 competitive, and 5 easy programs. Good luck.

Keep in mind that one reason private universities have a more difficult time getting to the top of the college baseball world is their overall cost of education vs the public schools. Given that baseball, unlike football or basketball, is a partial scholarship sport, family contribution comes into play. If private school costs $ 50 k and offers a player 40% (a nice scholarship), the family is still on the hook for $ 30k a year. That same percentage applied to a public school with a total cost at $ 20 K makes it significantly less expensive.

This economic reality is why private schools will often provide a much greater share of scholarship monies to a fewer number of players compared to public schools. Essentially it becomes the haves vs the have-nots on the roster and roster depth can be an issue as a result. Also with this strategy, schools need to be very sure of who they offer money to. They don't have the margin for error that public schools have. Public schools may very well get a quality walk on player but private schools, given the expense, are less likely to find the player who is both a solid contributor and who's parents are willing and able to write a $ 50K check each year.

To me I don't think any undergrad degree is worth the kind of money these colleges charge. We went for max BB and academic money.
My son graduated and had the same job offers that many Harvard types get. 3 top Fortune 500 offers but they weren't what he wanted. He finally settled on a marketing company with branches all over the world/ He has no debt to worry about, we didn't have to shell out money and he loves the opportunities the company offers. Many of my son's teammates had $70-80,000 in loans. To me that is crazy !!
5 months in he has won an award and an offer of promotion. He feels playing D1 BB helped him get the offers. It stood out at the interviews as the interviewers ask several questions about it.
Do what you can to avoid debt because it can really cramp your son's life style after college.

Bobblehead, that is sooo my thinking. Son isnt dead set on any one particular major so I suggested a business degree to widen the doors of opportunity then figure it out once he gets there. I have to admit I went to college to play football and so happened to get a degree, I have yet to emphasize that with him and likely wont.

Eric,
There were schools we also not considered due to costs.
Plain and simply put, the object is to have a sport help pay for the education and help not to over burden the family or the player after his/her graduation.

You have a right as a parent to set the parameters and the expectations.

I never suggest one accepts an offer just because it contains the most dollars, but I do suggest that a family and their player be realistic.

As far as degrees and where they come from, yes there is a difference. Those that attended the top tier of academic schools, regardless of their subject, can command more salary throughout their lifetime.

GotWood4Sale,
I am sooo disappointed in you! All this time you're poor-mouthing about living in the van down by the river, and now it comes out that you own a fine spread way up above the flood plain!

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So sorry for any confusion Swampboy. This is my van down by the river, or as you can see, as close as I could get before getting high-centered...



It's my summer place, but in reality I spend much of the year there. My much better half, play baseball, doesn't really have to say much anymore. I know that look. And when I see it I just tuck my tail 'tween my haunches and head to the dog house...or in this case the Dodge© house!

It's not too bad of a hangout. If you look close you can tell I've got cable. Sha-zamm!




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