Attending camps sponsored through a university program can be useful provided you have already been seen by the particular college coach and have had a discussion confirming interest from both sides. Attending a college camp in this mode really can move the confirmation of a roster spot and potential athletic scholarship forward quickly.

Attending a camp "cold" with the hope that some coaches will notice you is an expensive option to "personally showcase" given that there is no confirmation that your school of interest will take the time to positively evaluate your performance. While you can certainly choose to use a particular camp in this manner, you are acting more as a "prospector" than a "prospect".

Remember that the school needs to be a fit for your academics as well as your athletic interests. Hence, in addition to having spoken with the coach, be sure you are honest about your transcript and board scores from the outset.

You ask the question; while it's good to get money for athletics do parents realize what their kids are getting into? Then proceed to negatively spin athletics, as a negative.

With in your post you state during season in which the sport is being played a student will be putting in 25-35 hours/week, on top of a full course load and in the off season, you're expected to put in hours training, along with scrimmages. Which are true then your negative spin “You're working almost full time for every dollar you get if you love it, that's great!” I ask you this where is the positive said of the spin and why only the negative out look.

In your second paragraph I can agree with two parts (for first year players, it can be overwhelming) and it's up to the student to get it done. In the first two sentences of the paragraph you again have negative spin “But quite a few players burn out due to the work load” I completely disagree and would say very few athletes burn out due to the work load. What could be very true is many first year students can be overwhelmed and come home after the first year of college.

In the second sentence “Even with the athlete/scholar tutoring that is offered” It would seem you’re generalizing and say that all athletes are somehow not capable. I would like to focus on the positive and not so one sided to the negative.

Let me set the tone properly- I hope nothing but the best wishes and continued success for all the players who move on to play soccer in college, with scholarships or not.It's a family away from home, a familiar regimen in a new environment, and a great way to get a great education.
However,it seems like you're the one who's spinning the reality.Nit picking how I word sentences doesn't change that reality.
And that reality is(From personal experience):
Players/students in college are in a new environment of freedom.
They are now 18 & older, no longer under the thumb of their parents, and may no longer have the same desire to play soccer at a very intense level.
It IS a full time job at the D1, D2 & D3 level.35-40 hours in the fall, 25-30 hours in the spring...and 2 weeks early to camp before school starts in the summer for 3 a day tryout & practices.
D3 has even more player turnover than D1 or D2, as their is NO money at the D3 level.Don't take my word for it...ask the coaches about turnover. Some players start to think that it's not so much fun anymore, and may be happier working 10-20 hours a week at a sevice type job(instead of the soccer $$$), and focusing on studies and "hanging out".

Some parents have a tough time with that. After spending countless hours and money on premier teams & showcases, this can be hard to accept.It took me a while to get used to it. My son stopped in his freshman year of D2, and with that ended his $8,000 scholarship. He joined the college club team,and started working in a restaurant as a food runner to make up the money.
He's now in his first year of law school.This scenario worked out well for him...but may not be for everyone.

There is nothing wrong with players moving away from soccer...Just as there is nothing wrong with the college player who wants to succeed at the highest levels that college soccer can provide.

I'm not saying that student/athletes can't handle it & come home(as you implied), I'm just stating that kids change as they grow & get exposed to new environments, and may find that priorities change.
Don't forget...it's their lives, not yours.

"It IS a full time job at the D1, D2 & D3 level.35-40 hours in the fall, 25-30 hours in the spring...and 2 weeks early to camp before school starts in the summer for 3 a day tryout & practices"

Actually the amount of time playing a sport in D3 is college and conference specific. NESCAC schools prohibit 'pre-seasons' and out of season (winter and spring) team training is restricted. Its night and day compared to playing D1 ball in terms of 'a full time job'.

Any player looking at a college would be doing themselves a dis-service if they do not discuss with the coach about how much time is needed for the overall soccer commitment at the school.

I can agree playing soccer in college is like having a family away from home, which is a great help for incoming freshman. It’s a great help having brothers or sisters to help guide you through your new environment (college). In many if not all schools you will find athletes from all the sports within the school build a community in support of each other. This one factor is a great advantage, seeing you’re not one individual solely on your own and trying to find your way in your new environment without your parents.

That works for freshman year, after that everyone finds there way.

What’s expected of a freshman and what should a freshman expect?

First most coaches will send out a summer workout program. This layout should be used throughout the summer as you prepare for the preseason workouts (most call this the mouth of hell). Within the mouth of hell is when a team bonds together. This also helps settle freshman fears and hopefully puts them in a comfort zone.

September school starts and class work begins. The fact that you have been on campus and in the surroundings for almost a mouth should again be beneficial. Your athlete community support is also one up for you in helping you become comfortable.

In general; your daily routine should consist of three hours of class work, one hour of physical conditioning and two hours of team practice. You also may have mandatory study hall. In season you will likely have two games a week one is almost always on the weekend. A lot of coaches will not practice the day after a game (don’t hold to that coaches are funny people)

could you please tell me the difference in commitment for D1 and D3 schools?
I know that this was discussed, but dont remember the answer.

Thank you

Unclear from your question is whether you are asking about the process of committing to an NCAA Division I or Division III school ... or the committment needed once you arrive at a university of the different NCAA levels. To cover the bases, BOTN Industries will answer both halves.

For a verbal commitment, there is no difference in the process with the exception that a Division I program will typically lock up their recruits much earlier in their players' high school years with athletic scholarship money. Players at the Division I level will sign a national "Letter of Intent", typically in February of their senior year which inks the contract between the player and the college. Division III programs, without athletic scholarship money to give, will not have the rigors of a national signing event and will announce their recruiting classes later in the senior year.

Once on campus, both Division I and Division III programs will begin in August and many universities will start with two-a-day or three-a-day sessions. The programs from that perspective will be indistinguishable. During the Fall season, the schedules are similar with the only tangible differences being down to the individual schools themselves.

In the Spring season, Division I schools are allowed to schedule games/scrimmages over multiple weekends which simulate a full schedule of as many as seven to eight games. [As early as 1991, university coaches campaigned for Division I Spring season scheduling rules and regulations.] Division III schools are more regulated in the Spring and the rule revolves around the definition of "non-traditional seasons" which we will leave on the side for now. In summary for Division III, soccer is restricted to "two regulation soccer contests or 180 minutes of competition activity".

thank you