Now is the time !!!!

You choose a school based on things like Education, School and Faculty Reputation, Programs offered, What the school specializes in, Placement record, Avg Starting Salaries of graduates, Geographical area, Size, Cost (Net - No Loans) and maybe then baseball. To go to a school because you can play baseball there may not be a good move in the long term. Make a SMART decision based on all the factors and not just baseball. The decision you make can and will most likely determine which direction your life takes. Do not go to a school solely because you can start at 2nd base. If the school passes all the other criteria and you can play baseball, great. If the school passes your criteria but you can't play there then ask yourself why are you going to college, is there a school that gives me everything.

Baller

We are talking about combining academics and baseball here but for many they want to play ball--at the end of the day unless you want to be a doctor or lawyer where the degree came from matters little---there is a place to play ball if you look hard enough and you get the college degree as well

Do future employers recruit engineers from just any school or do they like how certain schools train their graduates? How about if you study Pharmacy, Accounting, Nursing, Physical Therapy, Journalism, Architecture, Human Resources etc etc. Some programs are better than others and open more doors. Some schools are more in tune with what employers want. Yes sometimes it DOES matter where the degree comes from. So you are going to college and spending anywhere from 60,000 to 160,000 for that degree, are you going where you have the best chance of succeeding in that profession or just where you can play baseball. Like I said make a SMART decision.

quote:

Originally posted by Baller26:
Do future employers recruit engineers from just any school or do they like how certain schools train their graduates? How about if you study Pharmacy, Accounting, Nursing, Physical Therapy, Journalism, Architecture, Human Resources etc etc. Some programs are better than others and open more doors.

Correct.

While it may not be as important later in one's career, it can absolutely help early on. Not a panacea, but it can help. Some fields are more school sensitive than others.

TRhit-
Good post and I suspect true for many of us. Son had a solid junior HS season at a top program and a good summer. Went to Aug. Showcases and selected fall showcase camps at colleges where he was interested in attending and had contact from coaches. Was rated as a low-mid D1 prospect(7-8), but no D1 offer. Son had some DII interest (none fit academically) and lots of DIII interest. Maybe because he was a late-bloomer physically we never knew exactly what would happen, but we just kind of took this process as it came and we all were excited about any interest that came his way.

The DIII schools have all been strong academic schools and have made my son feel "wanted." Lots of posters here have written about "fit" and son feels he has found it with a great school. His high school coach thought that maybe he would garner an offer in the spring by a DI program, but to be honest what if that doesn't happen and he loses this chance for a great education while also living his dream of playing college baseball? His decision had absolutely nothing to do with settling or not believing in himself-if hardwork alone could get him a D1 scholarship, he would have had it. Considering his circumstances all around, he is excited that baseball has given him this opportunity- along with his dedication in the classroom and on the field. We are keeping our fingers crossed about being accepted through Early Decision.

If he can graduate from a great school in four years and have the opportunity to play baseball for four years, we would be thrilled for him. The dream to play baseball beyond does not die, just because you choose to go somewhere other than a D1 school. Sometimes you can do all the right things as TRhit has said and for whatever reason you don't go D1. I read a post earlier that said that if baseball gets you into a school that you may not have otherwise gotten into, it has done its job. This really hit home and made us appreciate his opportunity even more.

The posters on this site have been a terrific source of information, but also their generosity of sharing their experiences, both good and bad, have helped so many of us going through it now. Their perspective have also given us a lot to think about. Thank you!!

TR....Baller26....MD21.....they are all correct!!!!!!

We did exactly what has been described here, and we posted these same things in other 'topic' areas as well. If you want specifics, PM me.

Think reality!!!!!! Education....then baseball!!!! You can be recruited by all the D1's you want, but if the grades aren't there, how long will you still be wanted. Coaches don't need potential problems with academics. They go for the easiest situation, no matter how good you are.

D2, D3......if you have the grades, and can play, the coaches will play you!!!!!!! They don't want headaches either!!!!!!! Remember, after baseball is the rest of your life!!!!!!!!! Get the education at the best school that can be affordable to your family situation, with the intent of playing baseball, and not warming some bench!!!!!!!!!