Parents Thoughts on this? 8th grader committing to UCLA??

[raenndrops]

OK, I have a 8th grader and there is no way someone that age can really know where they want to go to school. Granted UCLA is a big school and you could likely major in anything so a degree from there will take her a long way and I am sure they will offer what she eventually decides to major in. BUT to make a decision for your future in 5 years when you are 14 years old is insane.

Actually, I knew where I wanted to go to college and what I wanted to major in when I was in the 2nd grade.
I was not influenced by anyone (nobody in my family at that point was a college graduate). When I was in high school, I applied to exactly one school. My intended major was the same thing I had been saying I would major in since 2nd grade.

This to say that it IS possible to know where you want to go and what you want to major in by 8th grade - NOT that colleges should be verbally committing athletes that young.

 

[duyetanh]

We saw her compete at a meet. Neat kid. Seemed very level headed. And she was amazing.
Yes, it is ridiculous though that at 8th grade, colleges are pulling the verbal out of their back pockets. This said, I actually knew where I wanted to go to college in 8th grade. Different sport...but I knew where I wanted to go. And I got lucky and did get a scholarship to go there. So yes it can happen. I also realize that my situation is very atypical. Most kids at 14 are more concerned about MANY other things than where they are going to college!
...will be interesting to see how the new rules play out.

 

[2gymmies]

College recruiting is a crazy game! My younger dd has been getting mail on a regular basis from a certain college since she was in 4th grade. Another school sent her stuff this year now that she's in 6th grade. My older dd, when she was in 8th grade, went on her first college "unofficial visit"... totally weird to be considering colleges and high schools at the same time. She's now a sophomore and still can't decide where she wants to go (now it's too late for some, unfortunately).

 

[suds]

College recruiting is a crazy game!

To each their own for how to respond to very early recruiting. Understandably, each family's situation is unique.

For us: just another reason for me to continue unabashedly pushing back… against the pressures for my daughter to grow up too fast.

 

[LindyHopper]

Just chiming in...

In 8th grade, I knew which university I was going to, what I was majoring in, and which group (not a sport), I wanted to be in (partially because it came with a scholarship). There was never a doubt in my mind. I only applied to two schools--the second one only because my parents insisted I have another option.

I went to the school, changed my major (but it was still the same school and department) in my junior year, and I did get a scholarship when I became a member of the my desired group--it just took until my sophomore year to become a member.

 

[Gymmommy71]

What this tells me is that kids who are the most competitive when it comes to getting college scholarships for gymnastics are quality Level 10's in 8th grade.

What's sad is that there A LOT of kids in the JO program dreaming of scholarships that are nowhere near that profile. More than even realize it because so many assume one year per level which usually doesn't happen.

 

[gymgal]

I would describe it as being kind of like getting engaged or giving someone a promise ring. There is no legal obligation for either side to follow through with getting married, but both parties are kind of agreeing to stop actively shopping around for another partner.

Wel, except that the college coaches are not abiding by that agreement. They are ALWAYS looking for list of girls to step in in case of injury, retirement, grew to big, etc before that coveted LOI.

What this tells me is that kids who are the most competitive when it comes to getting college scholarships for gymnastics are quality Level 10's in 8th grade.

What's sad is that there A LOT of kids in the JO program dreaming of scholarships that are nowhere near that profile. More than even realize it because so many assume one year per level which usually doesn't happen.

This gets a lot of attention but the reality is that there are a lot of colleges that wait until sophomore and junior year before verballing gymnasts. No, they are not top 20 but they are still very good programs for academics and the chance to compete in college. It is not so much that the gymnast has to be a L10 by 8th grade. It is more that the gymnast has to be successful and be able to be successful at the regional and national level by sophomore year. A gymnast who places really well at easterns as a freshman and goes into her first L10 year with winning caliber routines has a good shot at scholarships, especially if she is in a gym where college coaches regularly visit to watch recruits. It really is all about exposure and competition proven skill level.

As for the original post - she isn't the first and won't be the last, even if the USAG puts a stop to it. It will just go underground. But that doesn't mean that it is the normal. If you look on collegegymfans, you can see just how many schools still have scholarships open for their team for any given year, plus a few walk on spots for most. Aside from the top 5-10, most begin verbals b/t 9th and 10th grade.

 

[gracyomalley]

And unfortunately these kids haven't even started to try to balance high level gymnastics with high school academics - which is easier than balancing it with college academics. Test scores (on early testing) are one thing - but actually being able to manage time - that is a totally different ball game. I'm sure these kids are amazing (one of DD old team mates is 6 months younger than her and so only in 8th grade, first year level 10 and starting to get her form to equal what has always been great talent - getting looked at by schools now), but to succeed in college sports you have to manage college - I lived in the "scholarship dorm" in college - a great mix of academic dweebs like me and athletes - and it was heartbreaking how many of the gifted athletes struggled to stay in school.

Middle school is easy - even for DD who as an 8th grader took all high school level classes at the high school and found it easy, high test scores, etc...but a full load of AP and sophomore/junior level courses and going back to gym is killing her this year as a freshman...I know that she's taking a much harder load than most but it WILL prepare her for a school like UCLA...there is such a thing as social development (otherwise known as instagram, friends, dating, discussing your thoughts, ideas and feelings with peers,teacher and parents, and such) that is actually important for kids to do in high school - and it is time consuming!

I wish these kids were given time to grow up a bit before having to be so committed to something that at best is only a few more year of their lives...and I'm sad that the boys program is heading that way too now...

 

[BachFlyer]

No I do not believe gymnastics is forbidding contact, just visits. Lacrosse is actually forbidding contact at camps, competitions, and such. Gymnastics is not going that far unfortunately.

This is correct, gymnastics is not going that far as of right now. They should, but they are not. I have heard this first hand out of a college coach's mouth, very recently.

 

[BachFlyer]

Wel, except that the college coaches are not abiding by that agreement. They are ALWAYS looking for list of girls to step in in case of injury, retirement, grew to big, etc before that coveted LOI.

This gets a lot of attention but the reality is that there are a lot of colleges that wait until sophomore and junior year before verballing gymnasts. No, they are not top 20 but they are still very good programs for academics and the chance to compete in college. It is not so much that the gymnast has to be a L10 by 8th grade. It is more that the gymnast has to be successful and be able to be successful at the regional and national level by sophomore year. A gymnast who places really well at easterns as a freshman and goes into her first L10 year with winning caliber routines has a good shot at scholarships, especially if she is in a gym where college coaches regularly visit to watch recruits. It really is all about exposure and competition proven skill level.

As for the original post - she isn't the first and won't be the last, even if the USAG puts a stop to it. It will just go underground. But that doesn't mean that it is the normal. If you look on collegegymfans, you can see just how many schools still have scholarships open for their team for any given year, plus a few walk on spots for most. Aside from the top 5-10, most begin verbals b/t 9th and 10th grade.

Also 100% correct. There are a lot of programs that have, or are actively trying to, put the breaks on as much as possible. Most of the colleges we talked to are not happy with the early recruiting, but the more competitive the team is, the harder it is for them to back off when the top 5 are snapping up the "best" in 8th and 9th grade.

Edited to apologize, not trying to sound like I know everything because I soooo don't and I think this sounded like I do, especially when in response to someone that knows so much just coming off of having a bunch of these conversations and want to share that lots of coaches feel like their hands are tied, but they are trying!

 

[lhmom]

Well if this makes people feel any better, there was another girl at DD's gym that wasn't really successful at level 10 until her junior year of HS. She did OK her sophomore year (got into Nationals after being an alternate) but really started doing well the following year. Senior year, she had a great season and caught the interest of several college coaches. She ended up signing for a full scholarship at a Division 1 school after one of their committed girls backed out. So it can happen later on for a gymnast. Maybe not for the Super 6 teams but there are other schools available.

 

[3rd_time_around]

And so much can happen in 5 years. My dd was told in 9th grade as a first year level 10 that she was college ready. Then, injury, injury, injury/surgery, growth spurt, injury. And then it was over. And her broken heart when the school that wanted her TEXTED her to say they were no longer interested. 8th grade is too young.

 

[duyetanh]

And so much can happen in 5 years. My dd was told in 9th grade as a first year level 10 that she was college ready. Then, injury, injury, injury/surgery, growth spurt, injury. And then it was over. And her broken heart when the school that wanted her TEXTED her to say they were no longer interested. 8th grade is too young.

That is just so sad. I am sorry.

 

[Deleted member 14190]

I have said it before and I will say it again - this is only as good as the paper its written on. Oh wait, its a verbal - nothing is a done deal until there is paper. This young lady hasn't even taken a single college admission test and so no one knows whether or not she can even academically qualify for admission to UCLA. Oh, and she is an 8th grader - that means that she has to survive high-level JO gymnastics for the next 4 years without injury or burn-out. I wish her all the best.

If she has.a decent GPA they will flag her in. Listen folks , it's UCLA .... every kids dream. She did not make a bad choice .

 

[tomtnt]

And so much can happen in 5 years. My dd was told in 9th grade as a first year level 10 that she was college ready. Then, injury, injury, injury/surgery, growth spurt, injury. And then it was over. And her broken heart when the school that wanted her TEXTED her to say they were no longer interested. 8th grade is too young.

That sucks. Should put the school and coaches on blast- let other recruits know..

Was she still in gymnastics trying to make a comeback when they took her verbal off the table or was she done with gym?

 

[wandrewsjr]

If she has.a decent GPA they will flag her in. Listen folks , it's UCLA .... every kids dream. She did not make a bad choice .

A Miss Val floor routine...the dream!

 

[Deleted member 14190]

A Miss Val floor routine...the dream!

Yep.... and the whole southern Ca thing too.

 

[wandrewsjr]

Yep.... and the whole southern Ca thing too.

She is an amazing coach, but I swear that socal thing is a big part of the reason she is able to get all those former elites!

 

[tomtnt]

She is an amazing coach, but I swear that socal thing is a big part of the reason she is able to get all those former elites!

Also why she can convince all those high caliber walkons to come to UCLA instead of accepting scholarship at smaller school...

 

[3rd_time_around]

That sucks. Should put the school and coaches on blast- let other recruits know..

Was she still in gymnastics trying to make a comeback when they took her verbal off the table or was she done with gym?

It was 2 weeks after her surgery, and we were about to spend a LOT of borrowed money to make her official visit that coming weekend--like 3 days before we were to leave.