Prep Recruiting - Financial Need versus Scholarship

[ref11]

Conversation with a prep school womens ice hockey coach went like this:

Ref11 - Your acceptance letters have gone out. Are you getting the players you want?

Coach - I got three of the players I wanted through admission, no small task because they don't give me much of a break on anyone. I lost some good players who couldn't make it academically through admissions. I heard from the three players that I was their first choice when I called to congratulate them. A few days later they received their financial aid packages and I was topped by over $15,000 from another school on one of the players.

Ref11 - Are you sure there wasn't something in the aid package you missed?

Coach - No, she's a very good player. They are giving her financial aid plus.

Ref11 - You mean a scholarship, not financial aid alone.

Coach - Yup

For a basis of background I had mentioned in a previous post that a family member had worked in private school admissions office, and witnessed this first hand.

The question is should prep schools, like some of the D3 programs (Williams, Middlebury, Conn College & Ivies ect), agree to base financial aid solely on need or consider athletic scholarships. My bias is that it should be all about the education, but I'm sure there will be other thoughts. Should be some good arguements for and against. :cool:

[notfromaroundhere]

Conversation with a prep school womens ice hockey coach went like this:

Ref11 - Your acceptance letters have gone out. Are you getting the players you want?

Coach - I got three of the players I wanted through admission, no small task because they don't give me much of a break on anyone. I lost some good players who couldn't make it academically through admissions. I heard from the three players that I was their first choice when I called to congratulate them. A few days later they received their financial aid packages and I was topped by over $15,000 from another school on one of the players.

Ref11 - Are you sure there wasn't something in the aid package you missed?

Coach - No, she's a very good player. They are giving her financial aid plus.

Ref11 - You mean a scholarship, not financial aid alone.

Coach - Yup

For a basis of background I had mentioned in a previous post that a family member had worked in private school admissions office, and witnessed this first hand.

The question is should prep schools, like some of the D3 programs (Williams, Middlebury, Conn College & Ivies ect), agree to base financial aid solely on need or consider athletic scholarships. My bias is that it should be all about the education, but I'm sure there will be other thoughts. Should be some good arguements for and against. :cool:

Your question makes the assumption that a family's "need" can be quantified to a number that is fair to the student by a formula. Even SSS says that their number is a starting place for schools to base their awards on.

There are also a lot of extenuating circumstances in family life that cannot be quantified by SSS's formula.

Beyond this there is the definition of "total cost of attendance" to consider. While most of the players at prep schools live within a few hours drive of their home, many of us live flying distance from any prep school.

So do you base your award upon the Tuition/Fees or upon Tuition/Fees + travel allowances?

In our particular circumstance, to compare our FA offer with the Tuition/Fees total, one might say my daughter's upcoming education (she will be starting 9th grade next year) is being scholarshipped beyond "need".

We live over 1000 miles from this school. In addition, we have another child whose disability will make him significantly dependent upon us to some extent for his lifetime.

The school has been very generous to us in considering our circumstances in varying our offer from their standard formula based upon SSS's EFC.

Now granted, I do believe that my daughter was one of this school's top recruits this season and the school very much needs what she is bringing hockeywise, or we wouldn't have gotten the extra consideration of our particular circumstances. That being said, we are not getting a full ride here by any means of the imagination. A home equity loan will be required to finance her education through 4 years.

If such generosity were to become problematic because of "league rules", I could see a real problem here for us. We wouldn't be able to afford this opportunity without putting at risk our ability to help our other child down the line.

Personally, I don't like to see schools "buy" players at this age level. It sends the wrong message to our student-atheletes that they are somehow above the rules set up for the "little people". We just have to make sure that we don't throw out the people that financial aid was intended for while instituting rules.

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As for the parents of those players who couldn't get through the admissions process and were hoping for help from the coach, "What are you thinking?"

If your child couldn't make the cut academically based upon your grades/recommendations/scores, what makes you think their hockey skills are going to help them passing their exams?

No child is going to be happy in a school where they are struggling to make minimum grades - grades that probably will disqualify them from admissions to many colleges down the line.

Before applying to schools this last year, I talked to people at the schools to get a feel of where my daughter's profile would fit in with their other admits. If she wasn't going to be at least at the 25th percentile of admittees, I didn't even consider the school.

And trust me, it is difficult to get schools to give you any idea of what the distribution of their SSAT scores are. Many will give you an average, but the spread is more critical to find out if you are waaaay off base in placing your child.

But my process of screening schools was successful. 3 applications - 3 admissions.

[Hux]

I have been present when a friend, who is deeply involved in the hockey industry, has received calls from prep coaches looking for players. The calls go something like this:

Coach: "Hi, this is Joe Blow, coach at _______ Prep/Academy and I am in desparate need of _________. Who do you have that fits my needs?"

My friend: "Hi, Joe. Well, what are we looking at in terms of scratch? I have _____, who is fantastic yada yada yada, and needs full coin. I have _____ who is not quite there yet, but can do yada yada yada. Her folks can carry about 10%. And ______ is pretty good too, but can carry most of the financial."

Coach: "So the first one is really good but needs everything? How far off from the first are the other two?"

My friend: "Good but not as good as the first. She will put you over the top."

Coach: "What about her grades, family, that stuff?"

My friend: "I have report cards on all of them. All three are B Plus and above. the last two are honors students. First has taken honors classes and done well. All have good folks. First one comes from a hard working blue collar family, two kids already in college. "

Coach: "Ok, let me see what I can do."

The next day I learn that the first player got a FULL ride to a prestigous institution. It isn't supposed to happen like that (scholarships) but it apparently does.

[BKDad]

That's kind of discouraging. Not only in terms of the scholarship money, but even with regard to admission itself. What does that say about the entire process and system?

Thanks very much for the honesty and openness.

[Black Bear]

I have been present when a friend, who is deeply involved in the hockey industry, has received calls from prep coaches looking for players. The calls go something like this:

Coach: "Hi, this is Joe Blow, coach at _______ Prep/Academy and I am in desparate need of _________. Who do you have that you fits my needs?"

My friend: "Hi, Joe. Well, what are we looking at in terms of scratch? I have _____, who is fantastic yada yada yada, and needs full coin. I have _____ who is not quite there yet, but can do yada yada yada. Her folks can carry about 10%. And ______ is pretty good too, but can carry most of the financial."

Coach: "So the first one is really good but needs everything? How far off from the first are the other two?"

My friend: "Good but not as good as the first. She will put you over the top."

Coach: "What about her grades, family, that stuff?"

My friend: "I have report cards on all of them. All three are B Plus and above. the last two are honors students. First has taken honors classes and done well. All have good folks. First one comes from a hard working blue collar family, two kids already in college. "

Coach: "Ok, let me see what I can do."

The next day I learn that the first player got a FULL ride to a prestigous institution. It isn't supposed to happen like that (scholarships) but it apparently does.

I have read this post about ten times now and I'm more confused about it's intended message than I was the first time I read it. It's like the SAT reading comprehension question from Hell. Reading it just raises a lot of questions in my mind. First, are you saying that your friend, deeply involved in the hockey industry (whatever that means), brokers hockey players to prep schools? If that service exists, I certainly have never heard of it. Your quote is, "I have...........", which certainly would make me think that he is in some way acting on behalf of players. Not, "I know of", but "I have". Different. Is there a fee for his services? And, you mention "calls", plural. Are there lots of schools filling out their rosters through this mechanism? And, what prestigious institution's administration is going to allow a coach to circumvent the admissions process totally by not only giving a player admission but a "full ride" overnight? OVERNIGHT? You did say, "the next day". Did your three players already have admissions paperwork and parents financial aid statements on file with the schools? Are there schools out there that would just offer a full scholarship on the say so of the hockey coach? Overnight? With no checks and balances in the process? While I'm certainly old enough and have been around the block enough to know that corners do get cut in just about every aspect of life, this whole scenario layed out in your post just makes me think of the guy everyone has stood next to at the rink at one time or another. Always looking at the "dark side". "These tryouts are a waste of time. The team has already been picked. It doesn't matter how good you are, it's who you know." Etc.

I only have one daughter and she is already in school, one that she is very happy with, so I really have no concern whether your post is 100% accurate or not. Obviously, I think it is far from 100% accurate in anything but a miniscule portion of girls admitted to prep schools. My concern is that I think it portrays an admissions process far different than the one my daughter went through. Your post would certainly serve to discourage some girls from trying to get into prep school as it's implication is that unless you are the player that can put the team "over the top" you are wasting your time. Someone is going to beat you out with a backroom deal, totally behind the scenes. Personally, at least with the school my daughter is at, I have a lot more faith in the admission's process than that. Our family certainly falls into the category of "working class, blue collar" and the only way that my daughter could attend the school she is at is with a lot of financial aid. During the admission's process, this particular school never mentioned the word "hockey" to any of us. In fact, that was probably the deciding factor among the schools that my daughter was accepted at. It wasn't all , "hockey, hockey, hockey". As a parent, I'd be doing a pretty bad job if I simply allowed someone, even if they were "deeply involved in the hockey industry", to get my daughter into school through the backdoor. To the parents of girls who are considering a move to prep school, get involved in the process and visit schools, speak to not just the hockey coach but to administrators, teachers, other parents. Eat a meal in the dining hall. Get your daughter's grades up!!! My advice would be that you've found the right place when they make you feel, as we did, that your daughter would be welcomed even if she did not play hockey (or any sport at all). My daughter is now finishing her freshman year and has had a blast. Varsity letters in field hockey (which she had never played), ice hockey and crew (which she had never done either). Summa Cum Laude with her academics. She ends the year, based on her participation in the grueling workout process of crew, in far and away the best shape of her life and is ready for some summer hockey camps. In spite of the fact that she played no club hockey, just for her school, the hockey coach at her first choice of colleges has already spoken with her school coach to get personal information and start a file on her. Her personal growth is beyond anything that I would have imagined and she now knows, as she said to me recently, "exactly where I want to go and I can see how I'm going to get there". Again, to parents of girls who might be thinking of trying to get admitted and cannot fathom how it could happen in their particular circumstance, give it a shot. What have you got to lose?

[notfromaroundhere]

Actually, that conversation does not surprise me.

I could think of a couple of organizations where it could happen. A few years back, my daughter played in one of those kinds of organizations before we moved away from that area.

The person involved probably is in charge of placement for their players going to colleges (handling coaches inquiries, etc).

However, with their younger players (8th and 9th graders) they think they have to protect their interests (keeping them as a pre-post so they can be competitive at nationals), so when prep schools come calling, they look at it as their duty to take care of their organization's interests as well as those of the player.

I'm not saying that sending a kid to a school where she is not qualified is really looking out for her best interest (as the tone of my earlier post says), but some of these more misguided folks place kids in schools where their hockey determines their grades (if you know what I mean). And I believe those schools are out there. And I wouldn't send my daughter there if they gave me the full coin, because ultimately it will destroy the values of the child. These kids figure out quickly that they are there for one reason, and learn that they can get away with quite a bit.

Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't mind getting a free ride for my daughter because then I could actually afford better off-season training for her, but not at the price of putting her in a position where she isn't qualified academically and is only valued as a hockey player.

Getting back to this "deal making"... It takes 2 to tango here. Unfortunately, success coaching at any school is an addicting drug. And the coaches at these schools seem to need to go further and further down that slippery recruiting slope to keep up with the other coaches like themselves. They have built reputations at these schools that (in their minds) require them to produce championships almost every year.

So they look for the already developed talent in these top club teams. Knowing that these girls enjoy being near (or at) the top of the heap at Nationals, they only thing they have to offer these girls is that magic diploma from their name brand school that these girls wouldn't otherwise be able to use to get into that Ivy League college.

Knowing that you will get a more positive reception from the player (and parents) if you go through the coach (coach can talk up the school's program looking unbiased), you will generally get results.

I am happy to say that we are not part of this business arrangement. The club team my daughter played for last year was very helpful in discussing my daughter (and other players) as a person and as a player with prospective prep school coaches, even though they knew that losing her would be a big hit to the team. They took it as a point of pride that they could be so helpful to the kids.

[Black Bear]

Actually, that conversation does not surprise me.

I could think of a couple of organizations where it could happen. A few years back, my daughter played in one of those kinds of organizations before we moved away from that area.

The person involved probably is in charge of placement for their players going to colleges (handling coaches inquiries, etc).

However, with their younger players (8th and 9th graders) they think they have to protect their interests (keeping them as a pre-post so they can be competitive at nationals), so when prep schools come calling, they look at it as their duty to take care of their organization's interests as well as those of the player.

I'm not saying that sending a kid to a school where she is not qualified is really looking out for her best interest (as the tone of my earlier post says), but some of these more misguided folks place kids in schools where their hockey determines their grades (if you know what I mean). And I believe those schools are out there. And I wouldn't send my daughter there if they gave me the full coin, because ultimately it will destroy the values of the child. These kids figure out quickly that they are there for one reason, and learn that they can get away with quite a bit.

Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't mind getting a free ride for my daughter because then I could actually afford better off-season training for her, but not at the price of putting her in a position where she isn't qualified academically and is only valued as a hockey player.

Getting back to this "deal making"... It takes 2 to tango here. Unfortunately, success coaching at any school is an addicting drug. And the coaches at these schools seem to need to go further and further down that slippery recruiting slope to keep up with the other coaches like themselves. They have built reputations at these schools that (in their minds) require them to produce championships almost every year.

So they look for the already developed talent in these top club teams. Knowing that these girls enjoy being near (or at) the top of the heap at Nationals, they only thing they have to offer these girls is that magic diploma from their name brand school that these girls wouldn't otherwise be able to use to get into that Ivy League college.

Knowing that you will get a more positive reception from the player (and parents) if you go through the coach (coach can talk up the school's program looking unbiased), you will generally get results.

I am happy to say that we are not part of this business arrangement. The club team my daughter played for last year was very helpful in discussing my daughter (and other players) as a person and as a player with prospective prep school coaches, even though they knew that losing her would be a big hit to the team. They took it as a point of pride that they could be so helpful to the kids.

Using a coach as a reference certainly does not surprise me. If I were a prep school coach I'd want to talk to someone who knows a player I'm interested in. But, in the "conversation" cited, there wasn't any specific inquiry made, just a "who do you have?". I'm sure that there is a grain of truth in some cases but I'll stand by my opinion that it is much more an urban legend type of story than the norm for rostering players. These "prestigious" institutions are in the college prepatory business and I just find it beyone my belief that any of them are routinely allowing athletes into their schools, without having started the normal application process, on an "overnight" basis. The major portion of their reputations has to be on the educational end of the spectrum because that is their BUSINESS and the vast majority of their students are not college bound athletes.

[Hux]

To clarify I said deeply involved in the industry, not in any particular team or club. This person is NOT brokering players for a fee. Knowledge of players is what the coach calling was looking for, and often specific to a position. On the day the sited conversation took place I asked about it and was told that this situation generally arises when 1) a coach finds him/herself short a player because of things like injuries, academic trouble, financial trouble and even homesickness. The conversation I am referring to occured early in the school year, which may have played a part in the speed at which it was completed.

Other conversations that I have heard were in regards to scouting of players and what type of aid was neccessary to "attract" these players to a particular school.

[Black Bear]

To clarify I said deeply involved in the industry, not in any particular team or club. This person is NOT brokering players for a fee. Knowledge of players is what the coach calling was looking for, and often specific to a position. On the day the sited conversation took place I asked about it and was told that this situation generally arises when 1) a coach finds him/herself short a player because of things like injuries, academic trouble, financial trouble and even homesickness. The conversation I am referring to occured early in the school year, which may have played a part in the speed at which it was completed.

Other conversations that I have heard were in regards to scouting of players and what type of aid was neccessary to "attract" these players to a particular school.

Thank you. The fact that the conversation occurred under somewhat dire circumstances, school having already started, puts it into a much different light. My concern in reading the original post was that it would serve to discourage a lot of people (at it did one followup poster) who might take it as being SOP, which I think you would agree, it is not.

[notfromaroundhere]

Other conversations that I have heard were in regards to scouting of players and what type of aid was neccessary to "attract" these players to a particular school.

This part does not surprise me.

The sad truth is that how much money a player needs has a lot to do with how actively the player is recruited. Some coaches have a better feel for how much money their school is willing to discount their tuition (give scholarships) and what kind of trade-off is necessary.

And if you've got 7 academically qualified recruits for 4 openings and everyone needs financial aid, the coach is going to allocate those dollars carefully, perhaps taking a full pay student lower on his/her list to make money available for a more needy, but highly talented player.

In my daughter's case (we being of the more financially needy variety), we applied to (and she was accepte at) 3 schools. All 3 coaches were very encouraging. However at the school where the coach was most complimentary about her talent, she was accepted but got a $0 financial aid offer. We took this as "we think your daughter is a great player and we'll get back to you if our other higher income applicants turn us down".

No offense taken here strangely enough. This is a fine school with a strong hockey tradition. Obviously they have plenty of equivalent options here with more money. They could have easily turned us down or waitlisted my daughter if they thought she didn't have the skill necessary to help the team, but they kept their door open as you never know which recruit is going to commit where.

On Black Bear's thought's about discouraging girls from applying...

I think any player's family has to understand where their child is in the academic, atheletic, and financial continuum of applicants to any school before getting their child recruited.

To those who think money and high grades/test scores will get them accepted to a school to play on a team -- Ain't necessarily so. I know a young lady (going into 10th grade) who applied to to a particular school she fell in love with. Fantastic grades (only B was her 2nd foreign language). No need for Financial Aid. I don't think the coach thought she had the potential in her to fit his program (a better than average program), so she was not accepted.

To those who think money and hockey talent will get them accepted anywhere they want to play -- maybe! I know a young lady who played for one of the top 3 academic preps. She had been to the national camp. Parents were well off financially. She got a 3 on the AP US History exam during 11th grade in her local school. Probably one of the most articulate young ladies her age I've ever talked to (before she was admitted). She was admitted repeated 11th grade. She was lucky.

To those of you who think that their highly talented hockey player with a 4.0 will get scholarshipped -- don't bank on it! These schools didn't get the endowments they have by throwing their money around willy-nilly. There are lots of highly talented players who can cut it at most of these schools. And these schools are in business for the long run, so money they preserve this year will continue to yield benefits down the line.

And most importantly - character counts more than you think! As much as coaches want talent, money, and brains - they need character even more. Prep school is not a walk in the park. These girls need the mental toughness to deal with all of the change in their lives. And from what I understand, the coaches ask a lot of character questions of the coaches. They want a player who will stick around more than 1 year.

[Black Bear]

This part does not surprise me.

The sad truth is that how much money a player needs has a lot to do with how actively the player is recruited. Some coaches have a better feel for how much money their school is willing to discount their tuition (give scholarships) and what kind of trade-off is necessary.

And if you've got 7 academically qualified recruits for 4 openings and everyone needs financial aid, the coach is going to allocate those dollars carefully, perhaps taking a full pay student lower on his/her list to make money available for a more needy, but highly talented player.

In my daughter's case (we being of the more financially needy variety), we applied to (and she was accepte at) 3 schools. All 3 coaches were very encouraging. However at the school where the coach was most complimentary about her talent, she was accepted but got a $0 financial aid offer. We took this as "we think your daughter is a great player and we'll get back to you if our other higher income applicants turn us down".

No offense taken here strangely enough. This is a fine school with a strong hockey tradition. Obviously they have plenty of equivalent options here with more money. They could have easily turned us down or waitlisted my daughter if they thought she didn't have the skill necessary to help the team, but they kept their door open as you never know which recruit is going to commit where.

On Black Bear's thought's about discouraging girls from applying...

I think any player's family has to understand where their child is in the academic, atheletic, and financial continuum of applicants to any school before getting their child recruited.

To those who think money and high grades/test scores will get them accepted to a school to play on a team -- Ain't necessarily so. I know a young lady (going into 10th grade) who applied to to a particular school she fell in love with. Fantastic grades (only B was her 2nd foreign language). No need for Financial Aid. I don't think the coach thought she had the potential in her to fit his program (a better than average program), so she was not accepted.

To those who think money and hockey talent will get them accepted anywhere they want to play -- maybe! I know a young lady who played for one of the top 3 academic preps. She had been to the national camp. Parents were well off financially. She got a 3 on the AP US History exam during 11th grade in her local school. Probably one of the most articulate young ladies her age I've ever talked to (before she was admitted). She was admitted repeated 11th grade. She was lucky.

To those of you who think that their highly talented hockey player with a 4.0 will get scholarshipped -- don't bank on it! These schools didn't get the endowments they have by throwing their money around willy-nilly. There are lots of highly talented players who can cut it at most of these schools. And these schools are in business for the long run, so money they preserve this year will continue to yield benefits down the line.

And most importantly - character counts more than you think! As much as coaches want talent, money, and brains - they need character even more. Prep school is not a walk in the park. These girls need the mental toughness to deal with all of the change in their lives. And from what I understand, the coaches ask a lot of character questions of the coaches. They want a player who will stick around more than 1 year.

Very well said. About the only thing I would add, I've said before, go ahead and take a shot, you never know. I almost choked when I saw the amount of aid offered to my daughter.........never would have dreamed it possible.

[notfromaroundhere]

Very well said. About the only thing I would add, I've said before, go ahead and take a shot, you never know. I almost choked when I saw the amount of aid offered to my daughter.........never would have dreamed it possible.

Well I'm glad you didn't choke, Black Bear. :eek:

I'm glad the folks at Brewster were generous with you. We were considering applying to Brewster, as one of their better alumna plays hockey at the rink where we live. However, with the particulars of my daughters situation, we didn't think it would be the best fit, although our daughters will get to play each other next season. ;) Looking at your Brewster's roster, I'd say that they will do well again.

Strangely enough, the school my daughter will attend (I have heard since applying) is not rumored to be one of the more generous, so I guess we can consider ourselves lucky. When you are "notfromaroundhere" you don't get information very easily.

[Black Bear]

Well I'm glad you didn't choke, Black Bear. :eek:

I'm glad the folks at Brewster were generous with you. We were considering applying to Brewster, as one of their better alumna plays hockey at the rink where we live. However, with the particulars of my daughters situation, we didn't think it would be the best fit, although our daughters will get to play each other next season. ;) Looking at your Brewster's roster, I'd say that they will do well again.

Strangely enough, the school my daughter will attend (I have heard since applying) is not rumored to be one of the more generous, so I guess we can consider ourselves lucky. When you are "notfromaroundhere" you don't get information very easily.

Brewster will be very good again next year. Nine seniors, and their senior Captain from last year returns for a PG year. I'm hearing that the D1 offer(s) she had weren't at schools that she felt she would fit in at so...........she's going to see what shakes out this year. It also appears that they have three new recruits from Canada that the coach feels all have the potential to be D1 college players. Not sure just where the talk of moving up to D1 prep status has gone but I am pretty sure that they will be cutting back on total games next year, looking for quality over quantity. More games will be scheduled with D1 teams and some teams look to be dropped from their schedule. Games where you have more than 60 shots on goal don't do much to make you a better team. I have a son who will be playing his 4th year of Juniors next year and, while I wouldn't tell him this, I'd rather see the girls play than watch most Junior games. He and some of his teammates came to a game when my daughter's team was ON and all they could say was, "these girls are sick". Maybe I'll bump into you at a rink sometime when you get to make the trip, regardless, good luck to your daughter.

[notfromaroundhere]

Brewster will be very good again next year. Nine seniors, and their senior Captain from last year returns for a PG year. I'm hearing that the D1 offer(s) she had weren't at schools that she felt she would fit in at so...........she's going to see what shakes out this year. It also appears that they have three new recruits from Canada that the coach feels all have the potential to be D1 college players. Not sure just where the talk of moving up to D1 prep status has gone but I am pretty sure that they will be cutting back on total games next year, looking for quality over quantity. More games will be scheduled with D1 teams and some teams look to be dropped from their schedule. Games where you have more than 60 shots on goal don't do much to make you a better team. I have a son who will be playing his 4th year of Juniors next year and, while I wouldn't tell him this, I'd rather see the girls play than watch most Junior games. He and some of his teammates came to a game when my daughter's team was ON and all they could say was, "these girls are sick". Maybe I'll bump into you at a rink sometime when you get to make the trip, regardless, good luck to your daughter.

More Canadians, eh? Looks like your coaches have a pipeline to the maritimes. I ran into them at Polar Bear last year just before a team from Nova Scotia was to come on the ice.

I can assume they are getting decent financial aid (back on topic?). There are many more moderate income Canadian players than American players as playing hockey is MUCH cheaper there - at least the ice time is cheaper generally at public rinks. That makes it affordable for more Canadians. In our area, you've gotta have money to play - or be willing to sacrifice a lot.

Our local rink charges $290 per hour. It makes it very expensive to play. And the travel distances where we live would make you sick.

[Black Bear]

More Canadians, eh? Looks like your coaches have a pipeline to the maritimes. I ran into them at Polar Bear last year just before a team from Nova Scotia was to come on the ice.

I can assume they are getting decent financial aid (back on topic?). There are many more moderate income Canadian players than American players as playing hockey is MUCH cheaper there - at least the ice time is cheaper generally at public rinks. That makes it affordable for more Canadians. In our area, you've gotta have money to play - or be willing to sacrifice a lot.

Our local rink charges $290 per hour. It makes it very expensive to play. And the travel distances where we live would make you sick.

I really have no info, nor do I want any, on any other players financial aid packages. Really the only reason I got involved in this thread was to voice my opinion, based upon our experience, that if your daughter wants to play prep hockey it is worth taking a shot at it. Obviously there is competition involved for a finite amount of aid dollars so the more you can bring to the table, academically, athletically and as a well rounded person, the better your chances. Looking at it from the school's perspective, you try and get the most for your money which is why I still say, scenarios as laid out in the conversation cited earlier are the exception, not the norm. One thing that I know from following my daughter's team this past year, and listening to her talk about her teammates, is that academically they are outstanding students. Great grades, well rounded interests and actively involved in community service through a number of programs. To my knowledge, nobody just going through the motions in order to simply play hockey.

[notfromaroundhere]

I really have no info, nor do I want any, on any other players financial aid packages. Really the only reason I got involved in this thread was to voice my opinion, based upon our experience, that if your daughter wants to play prep hockey it is worth taking a shot at it. Obviously there is competition involved for a finite amount of aid dollars so the more you can bring to the table, academically, athletically and as a well rounded person, the better your chances. Looking at it from the school's perspective, you try and get the most for your money which is why I still say, scenarios as laid out in the conversation cited earlier are the exception, not the norm. One thing that I know from following my daughter's team this past year, and listening to her talk about her teammates, is that academically they are outstanding students. Great grades, well rounded interests and actively involved in community service through a number of programs. To my knowledge, nobody just going through the motions in order to simply play hockey.

I didn't mean to impune your school's reputation with my earlier comments.

There are a lot of good students who make multiple positive contributions to a prep school, and I wouldn't think that Brewster would bring in players only because they are great hockey players.

My comment about bringing in Canadians (who by and large are not as wealthy as Americans - yes a generalization), says that Brewster allocates a few more of its Financial Aid dollars valuing talents that can contribute towards their girls hockey program - a big positive in my book. The fact that they have attracted a lot of girls from one particular area of Canada says that they have a developed a great reputation delivering a solid education with the people in the maritimes.

These Canadians don't have to send their girls away from home to play hockey - there is more hockey where they come from than most US players have available to them. I do believe that they are looking for the educational opportunity for their daughters.

At many prep schools, I get the feeling that the girls hockey program is a me too situation. And with only so much financial aid money to go around, the higher priority sport teams will often crowd out the lower priority sports. And it shows up in full paying, but often lower talent level players on their rosters.

And I wholeheartedly agree with you about any girl who has the desire to pursue the rigors of a prep school education and talent to add to a sports (or other) program, should definitely do so.

However, if you are looking for financial aid, make sure that you are truly adding to the hockey (or other extracurricular) program you are applying to, because there are plenty of full pay students out there to fill rosters and a very limited pool of FA dollars at many schools.