We’re in the midst of one of the most unpredictable and competitive college decision seasons in history.
Every day, I see the highs and lows of the process…athletes celebrating commitments and others grappling with rejections, either academically or athletically, from their dream schools, sometimes experiencing both within the same week.
In the middle of this emotional rollercoaster, it’s important to remember one key truth: Where you go is not who you are.
I get it. You or your student-athlete may not want to hear that right after receiving a rejection or being passed over by a program, but it’s still true.
I won’t bore you with a long list of successful players who didn’t attend a powerhouse soccer school, but let’s just say that success is not dictated by where you play in college. It’s about what you do when you get there and beyond.
This is not an anti-Division I message.
I’ve worked with athletes who have committed to top programs, and I know plenty of players who have graduated from elite universities and gone on to have incredible careers. But what I’m against is athletes giving up their power—believing that their future is completely dependent on a handful of college coaches or admissions officers.
Here’s the reality:
- A college rejection—whether from a soccer program or admissions—is not a reflection of your ability or potential. If you don’t get an offer from your top-choice school, it doesn’t mean you aren’t good enough.
- Colleges and athletic programs have their own agendas when making decisions. The roster might already be full at your position. A coach may be prioritizing international recruits. Admissions might need to fill institutional quotas for legacies, first-generation students, or underrepresented demographics. None of this has anything to do with your work ethic or talent.
- If another recruit gets an offer while you don’t, it doesn’t necessarily mean they’re a better player—it might just mean they fit a specific need that year.
Attending a top-ranked school or prestigious soccer program does not guarantee success.
Rankings can be misleading. Many schools manipulate their data to climb the charts, and plenty of athletes have committed to top programs only to find themselves riding the bench for four years.
More importantly, success isn’t just about where you go, it’s about what you do when you get there.
I’ve seen athletes from lower-division schools outwork their DI counterparts and earn professional contracts. I’ve watched students at less “prestigious” universities take advantage of every opportunity and come out ahead of their peers who assumed the name on their diploma or soccer program would do all the work for them.
Here’s the big takeaway …
If you end up at your second-choice school—whether because of admissions or recruiting—don’t see it as a failure. Use it as fuel. Go in with a chip on your shoulder and prove what you’re capable of. And don’t forget, the transfer portal is real and if you do well at your “second-choice” there is the possibility of moving up now or who knows, you may fall in love with where you are at!
In the long run, your work ethic, adaptability, and resilience will matter far more than the name of your college or the division of your soccer program.
Stay focused on the bigger picture. You’re building a future, not just chasing a brand name.
Dan Rothert, founder of TSA Recruiting, has helped almost 200 prospects and their families land opportunities at right fit colleges at all levels. Each prospect has different priorities in what they are looking for in a college and has different qualities that a coach may or may not be looking for. TSA Recruiting leverages Dan’s 24 years of college coaching experience and connections to help those they work with find great opportunities that fit their needs.
To learn more and setup a consult with Dan, click the button below.