|
|
Post by aimhigh on Aug 7, 2013 12:04:05 GMT -8
I told him as I do every kid planning to attend college, to pick their college based on their academic area of interest first and foremost. My advice is different for most kids who play baseball. IMO most 17 and 18 year old ballplayers aren't sure what they want to study when they go into school. In fact, I believe the average college student changes majors more than twice... If you are a ballplayer, figure out what you want. Of course every kid wants to start and play shortstop at South Carolina, UCLA, LSU, or wherever, but be realistic about your goals. Do you want to play right away? Is it more important for you to be on a winner? Are academics your number 1 focus? There are a ton of factors, but the one that seems to fit the most for players is this: What school wants you the most?If the kid is in a position to play from day 1 at a DII versus walking on with no guarantees at a DI, I would advise them to look into the DII. In my experience, most players want to play, so they should go where the best opportunity lies for them. I get you loud and clear Brett. I will definitely discuss this with him. Right now we are looking for colleges that have a need for a speedy outfielder who is developing into a really good hitter. It doesn't matter if it's D1 or D2 at this point. Because of his speed, he has been coached to swing down on the ball; beat the ball into the ground; and try and leg it out. That's not going to get the attention of most college coaches or scouts. He doesn't swing like that anymore. He is now driving the ball to all fields. When he does hit the ball on the ground, it has serious top spin. He also rarely pops-up to the infield...one pop-up during this year's HS and travel seasons. The hit in the clip probably went 370ish on a pretty good line. He hit one about 400' at the Golden Park Field in Columbus Georgia against a D1 college committed pitcher throwing 90 mph. He is extremely coachable. His willingness to make changes to his swing as well as his mental approach at the plate; smack in the middle of the season has been remarkable. This is him before. Hold hands way up high...swing down...run like crazy. |
|
|
|
Post by mightylakers on Aug 7, 2013 12:52:15 GMT -8
He is extremely coachable. His willingness to make changes to his swing as well as his mental approach I hope he's willing to work on his scores also. For SAT it does need time to prepare. Sign him up for some SAT prep course. When college coach said your grades are important they are not just saying it. Academically mini is not as strong as his brother, we signed him up this summer for a SAT enhancement program but you have to score above 1900 on a screening SAT test to get in(he just barely got in). Last week he scored a 2160 in a mock test so this indeed helps a lot. |
|
|
|
Post by Cannonball on Aug 7, 2013 17:02:45 GMT -8
Mighty, is there a type of scale per points on the SAT that exist in many schools for the ACT? I am totally unfamiliar with the SAT. For most schools here in the Midwest. A 24 ACT will get you a sniff at some academic money provided your class rank and GPA are very good. 26 and up and things get a lot better. 29 and up and you're going to get some money for sure from most of the schools around where I live. BTW, almost all of these academic monies also factor in some community service. My dd worked the Ronald McDonald House, the Hope Building, and the local animal shelter along with working Thanksgiving and Christmas for food drives. I know for sure in our case that these activities weighed heavily in favor of my daughter over others.
|
|
|
|
Post by mightylakers on Aug 7, 2013 17:46:00 GMT -8
Mighty, is there a type of scale per points on the SAT that exist in many schools for the ACT? I am totally unfamiliar with the SAT. For most schools here in the Midwest. A 24 ACT will get you a sniff at some academic money provided your class rank and GPA are very good. 26 and up and things get a lot better. 29 and up and you're going to get some money for sure from most of the schools around where I live. BTW, almost all of these academic monies also factor in some community service. My dd worked the Ronald McDonald House, the Hope Building, and the local animal shelter along with working Thanksgiving and Christmas for food drives. I know for sure in our case that these activities weighed heavily in favor of my daughter over others. This is a comparison between SAT and ACT SAT vs ACTHere in west coast more ppl taking SAT however it seems ACT is picking up the steam lately. Got a chance to ask Cornell's coach at Stanford camp and he told me ACT 27 or SAT 1900 is the bottom line for Cornell players. |
|
|
|
Post by aimhigh on Aug 8, 2013 5:49:59 GMT -8
I'm curious as to why you feel his chances at a D1 school are remote. I'm not suggesting you are wrong, I'm just trying to learn from others who have had more experience with the whole college recruitment process. Just give it to me straight. Is it his SAT scores, size, age.....? Aim I'm talking about getting recruited to play baseball at a D1 school. I'd say the major D1 schools have their recruits set for 2014. He would have heard from a D1 school if there was interest. That is why he has to get to a fall event. Coaches do like blazing speed. If you really feel he can play at an Ole Miss or UGA, I would go the JUCO route. Those are great schools to get a degree from. Kharma Okay, I understand what you're saying...and I agree that it is unlikely for him to get a D1 athletic scholarship at this late stage. The JUCO route is certainly an option. Thanks for your input. |
|
|
|
Post by aimhigh on Aug 8, 2013 6:15:48 GMT -8
He is extremely coachable. His willingness to make changes to his swing as well as his mental approach I hope he's willing to work on his scores also. For SAT it does need time to prepare. Sign him up for some SAT prep course. When college coach said your grades are important they are not just saying it. Academically mini is not as strong as his brother, we signed him up this summer for a SAT enhancement program but you have to score above 1900 on a screening SAT test to get in(he just barely got in). Last week he scored a 2160 in a mock test so this indeed helps a lot. Yes he is willing to work on his scores. This was his first time taking the SAT and as far as I know he just did some self study. He will be taking the ACT later in the year. In Georgia we have the "Hope Scholarship" program that gives kids the opportunity to earn full tuition including books. To qualify they must graduate high school with a 3.7 or higher GPA and score at least 1200 on the math and reading portions of the SAT test or a 26 on the ACT – It's funded by the "Georgia Lottery". You also have to maintain a certain GPA in college to keep it from one year to the next. Student athletes who qualify for the "Hope" may be a little more attractive to a college coach because the college doesn't have to waste an athletic scholarship. At least that's how I understand it. We have a niece that is attending UGA on a "Hope Scholarship". It pretty much pays for everything except I believe room and board. If this kid can increase his GPA 4/10ths and score a little better on the math and reading section then he will qualify for a full ride "Hope". The only caveat is that he will have to stay in Georgia. Thanks for the tip on the SAT enhancement program. I believe that would be a better investment than attending another worthless showcase or baseball camp. |
|
|
|
Post by Brett on Aug 8, 2013 7:19:43 GMT -8
Are academics your number 1 focus? There are a ton of factors, but the one that seems to fit the most for players is this: What school wants you the most?If the kid is in a position to play from day 1 at a DII versus walking on with no guarantees at a DI, I would advise them to look into the DII. In my experience, most players want to play, so they should go where the best opportunity lies for them. You know, based on how many players can actually make it to the big why not put Academics your number one focus? I'm not arguing your point, but the majority of players want to play. If academics are the focus, by all means, go where you will get the best education. If you do that, however, just know that academics & playing time do not necessarily go hand-in-hand. Meaning that you may go to a school for academics, but you may have no shot at making the baseball team. |
|
|
|
Post by mudvnine on Aug 8, 2013 8:17:33 GMT -8
You know, based on how many players can actually make it to the big why not put Academics your number one focus? I'm not arguing your point, but the majority of players want to play. If academics are the focus, by all means, go where you will get the best education. If you do that, however, just know that academics & playing time do not necessarily go hand-in-hand. Meaning that you may go to a school for academics, but you may have no shot at making the baseball team.Given the big scheme of things, and the number of players that actually make a dime playing baseball.....who really gives a rip if a kid makes a college baseball team over getting an education that might actually get him somewhere in the future? Baseball's fun, but academics/education is where it's at. Aim, have him choose a school for the education, and stay for the baseball....whether he makes the team or not. |
|
|
|
Post by aimhigh on Aug 8, 2013 9:55:41 GMT -8
Aim This is why it is so so so important to have good grades. If he got the Hope then a baseball coach could throw in the R&B. Presto! Full Ride. At a relatively low cost to the coach. I highly recommend Khanacademy.org if he is serious about getting his test scores up. Kharma Wow...Really good point about the R&B! I'll make sure and check out the Khanacademy website. |
|
|
|
Post by mightylakers on Oct 25, 2013 9:52:54 GMT -8
mini just got his results. SAT 2150 and ACT 31. He's not happy with the results as his close buddy got a 2270 therefore the bragging right. I told him to ask coaches first to see if this is good enough for now.
On the other hand you also need to be ready if baseball doesn't work out so he may retake it next year.
|
|
|
|
Post by mightylakers on Oct 25, 2013 12:51:19 GMT -8
Mighty Great congrats to MiniLaker. Nice score. Kharma Thanks but not really, among all our friends' kids mini seem to be the lowest. And of course way lower than his big brother. Well we can use the he plays sports excuse but still he is very disappointed. The main problem is critical reading and writing(680 and 670). He's good at math, scored perfect 800 in SAT and 35 in ACT. Anyway this is a good lesson for him, you won't be good at reading if you don't read in your spare time and just play video games. |
|
|
|
Post by pstein on Oct 26, 2013 11:08:59 GMT -8
Mighty Great congrats to MiniLaker. Nice score. Kharma Thanks but not really, among all our friends' kids mini seem to be the lowest. And of course way lower than his big brother. Well we can use the he plays sports excuse but still he is very disappointed. The main problem is critical reading and writing(680 and 670). He's good at math, scored perfect 800 in SAT and 35 in ACT. Anyway this is a good lesson for him, you won't be good at reading if you don't read in your spare time and just play video games. Don't worry about SAT scores actually measuring anything. Like most standardized tests, they measure how well you take the SAT. Some of the brightest people I know didn't do as well as I did on the SAT or ACT. Conversely, some of the least intelligent people I know did very well on the SAT/ACT. It's a standardized test, and colleges have been gradually moving away from it as one of the really large factors as to whether or not they accept you. |
|
|
|
Post by Cannonball on Nov 1, 2013 13:34:36 GMT -8
Coaches love players with great test scores as they can qualify for a variety of monies. In Mini's case, he can qualify for academic monies at most D-I schools but will need to look around to see what scholarships are available. It is an NCAA violation for a Coach to discuss academic monies with those that issue those monies. I heard that directly from several ADs when my daughter was being recruited. We knew the amount of athletic monies she was being offered per school but really didn't have a clue as to what she would qualify academically at each institution. Wow, were we amazed at the academic scholarship applications awaiting us when my daughter got home from some of her official visits.  Something not discussed per the academic monies is that just like your athletic scholarship, you have to keep that academic scholarship. My daughter was one of only 5 softball athletes to be recognized for her grades this past year. She is taking an overload this fall because she is falling behind some per graduation. She played softball in Italy this summer and so, could not take the summer courses to stay on schedule. The risk is that if she doesn't do well, she could jeopardize her academic monies. The result is incredible pressure. For example, this past weekend, I spent the day with my daughter at college, in between games in an exposure tournament, where I did her laundry etc. while she worked on a paper. My wife spent the night there as there had been a lot of trouble in her housing complex. She had a 32 page paper dropped on her (the class) by one professor and 3 days to do the work. The Professor was upset that students in the class were not turning in their segmented rough drafts. (She had been turning in rough drafts and did have some 12 pages already prepared.) That one temper tantrum by the Professor could create a situation where she not only didn't produce a good paper but also rob her of time to study for 3 other exams given this past week. In season, and I'm sure it is the same in baseball, the number of hours are limited and so, Mini will also have to battle to keep up with class during the summer if he decides to do both. |
|
