ft, the way the D3 schools are selling themselves to our athletes is "Play the sport you love while still having a real college experience. Here, education comes first." As i get chances to talk to the kids i know, i will try and find out what - in their experience - is true.
From DD's experience the quote is correct as is. She's getting a phenominal education, she can get the classes she wants when she wants them, no TA's allowed on campus, the athletic competition is serious (but not at the premier D1 level, obviously), she WILL graduate in 4 years and she is having a heck of lot of fun with wonderful classmates and teammates in two sports. Sports is considered the required mental shift intended to be a healthy and purposeful diversion/break from lectures, study groups, labs and late night proof sets. All study makes Jane a dull girl. I asked DD bluntly if she regretted not going with the D1's who courted her and she said "not for a single moment". She's playing her last 4 years of ball (except maybe an adult rec league in the future) and will not be a professional softball player. She knows it and intends to enjoy the game for what it is, a game she loves to play competitively.