DAP vs ISL

[Unregistered]

Local DAP clubs have a lot of issues- see nepotism thread and "dap" thread.

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Keep in mind that unlike DAP, ISL is fielding/teaching talented international players who are then feeding into top college programs in the US as well. DAP may be a very confining and limiting option given the changing landscape of college soccer in the US. Just look at the roster of a few D1 schools to get some perspective. I would say an ISL provides more options in the end... Also may be worth noting the DAPers who are also playing in the ISL--they are doing that very sensible reasons. In the end 95% of them will not be playing soccer as a career... and the 4.99% of them who are will likely be making peanuts and supplementing those peanuts with coaching youth teams....

[Unregistered]

Nice try. If he needs financial aid to go to an ISL he'll get similar aid at a D3 (unless of course he isn't going to an ISL on one of those "full boat" athletic rides).

If he is that good, the ISL will fund his family's need. If he isn't getting funded completely that tells everyone that the kid is just a good player and nothing exceptional. Those types of kids are a dime a dozen in prep schools. It is pretty obvious that soccer is not going to help this kid get a tip or something like that so why would the parent spend all of this money on soccer when it is not going to result in any sort of admissions advantage?

[Unregistered]

But why spend all of the time, effort, and money on DAP? Why not just focus on being the best student possible? Based upon what has been written soccer isn't going to do anything for this student and going to an ISL school does come with a dirty secret, the elite colleges only take so many students from the same school. If that type of college is the true goal, many students would be much better served going to their public high school and placing near the top of it's graduating class than coming out of an ISL even if they ranked in same spot because of admissions quotas. Unless you are in the top 5 in the class at a prep school you end up competing against all of your classmates who are all generally applying for the same admission spots. If the kid is smart and a hard worker in the classroom an ISL type school is really unnecessary and in fact may hamper future opportunities.

The top ISL put 30-40% of their kids into Ivy+. Specifically, Nobles put 11 out of roughly 150 graduating kids into Harvard alone. I am not sure that supports your dirty secret argument.

[Unregistered]

But why spend all of the time, effort, and money on DAP? Why not just focus on being the best student possible? Based upon what has been written soccer isn't going to do anything for this student and going to an ISL school does come with a dirty secret, the elite colleges only take so many students from the same school. If that type of college is the true goal, many students would be much better served going to their public high school and placing near the top of it's graduating class than coming out of an ISL even if they ranked in same spot because of admissions quotas. Unless you are in the top 5 in the class at a prep school you end up competing against all of your classmates who are all generally applying for the same admission spots. If the kid is smart and a hard worker in the classroom an ISL type school is really unnecessary and in fact may hamper future opportunities.

This didn't take long. BTDT scanning every thread and back again to endorse the full boat athletic rides to ISLs for "truly superior" athletes.

[Unregistered]

This didn't take long. BTDT scanning every thread and back again to endorse the full boat athletic rides to ISLs for "truly superior" athletes.

Who is this BTDT guy and why is he on Talking Soccer every day?

[Unregistered]

If he is that good, the ISL will fund his family's need. If he isn't getting funded completely that tells everyone that the kid is just a good player and nothing exceptional. Those types of kids are a dime a dozen in prep schools. It is pretty obvious that soccer is not going to help this kid get a tip or something like that so why would the parent spend all of this money on soccer when it is not going to result in any sort of admissions advantage?

There's the BTDT soccer/educational theory in a nutshell. Beyond telling.

[Unregistered]

No brainier to me. Poster should go to one of these private schools. The top players at these places go to the best academic schools in D1 and D3 and, more importantly, are prepare to excel in the classroom and in life beyond. There is not a big difference between a top ISL team like Milton or Nobles and the Bolts but there is a massive difference between these schools and even a top public like Newton North.

[Unregistered]

the top Bolts players also make D1 schools - at least 30% if not more go the D1 route

Let's see how many of the current U16 bolts DAP team play D1. Bolts placing 30% of their players into D1 schools ends with this years U18 team.

[Unregistered]

if the goal is to plat D1 soccer, it is easy. DAP is the way.

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if the goal is to plat D1 soccer, it is easy. DAP is the way.

It is one way, but it isn't the only way. Besides, unless he's got mad skills and has a shot at going pro (which it doesn't sound like) the experience and college preparedness gained at a private school will serve him literally for decades. Even more so if their town's high school is only ok.

[Unregistered]

Let's see how many of the current U16 bolts DAP team play D1. Bolts placing 30% of their players into D1 schools ends with this years U18 team.

Of the current U18 Bolts that graduate this year, the percentage going D1 is a lot higher than 30%. More like 80%

[Unregistered]

Whats wrong with 30 % going D1 ? I wouldnt expect more than that from around here in MA
If thats the case its still a strong group for Ma

[Unregistered]

OP here. The goal is not D1, but a top academic school. D3 schools like Tufts, MIT or Bowdoin could also fit the bill. But do schools like that recruit mostly DAP players, public school players or ISL?

[Unregistered]

OP here. The goal is not D1, but a top academic school. D3 schools like Tufts, MIT or Bowdoin could also fit the bill. But do schools like that recruit mostly DAP players, public school players or ISL?

All of the above. If your kid can play, he can play. If he meets admissions criteria all the better. It is true that DAP and ISL kids are in demand at those schools, but on the other hand those same schools crave high-end public school athletes/students because of the stigma those colleges have about elitism. Public school is almost like a URM in those cases.