MCLA vs. D3(and other college questions)

[GAlax3]

I'm a senior in high school and having trouble making the final decision of where I'm going to college.

The two main schools that I'm looking at are Auburn and College of Wooster. College of Wooster is a mid-level D3 team, and I would be playing lacrosse there. It's in Ohio which is far from home(Georgia) but that wouldn't really matter. It's a good campus with a good academics, but it seems like aside from hanging out on campus there's nothing to do. Columus and Cleveland aren't too far, but far enough that I wouldnt want to go very often. Still, I know I want to play lacrosse competitively in college.

Auburn is pretty close to where I am, and I know some people going there as well. Unlike Wooster, I'm pretty sure there'd be a lot to do at Auburn, especially during football season. It seems like their club team is pretty good, although I've never seen them play and want to. I would like to go to Auburn but I just don't know if the lacrosse is going to be as competitive or serious as I would like for it to be. I am also yet to go take a visit, which I know I badly need to before I can make any decision. I don't know much about Auburn's history or political science programs which are mainly what I'm looking at majoring in.

I am also considering Tulane and South Carolina. However, my understanding is that Tulane has a horrible club, but I am well aware that it's a great school and of course New Orleans is an awesome town. Also, I'm just not sure South Carolina appeals to me, not really sure why. Maybe it's just the thought of being a game **** that I can't stand..ha. Even so, it's supposedly a good school. It's a cool town, and I hear they have a decent club team.

I know that's a lot of information to read, sorry. If anyone actually read the whole thing do you think you could help me with any of the many questions I have? The main thing, though, that I'm interested in is whether or not the level of skill and competition for lacrosse at club schools like auburn would compare to that of a pretty good D3 school like Wooster.

[GatorsLax]

Auburn is a mid-level team in the SELC, which means they're much less competitive than a decent D3 school. if you want a lax/social life balance, there's a pretty good SELC team in Athens, whose name I won't mention. And it'll be cheaper than any of the OOS options. They hung tough with Boston College and the Gators, and beat FSU. Ranked 13 in MCLA right now.

[mdlaxman]

check out goucher in towson, md. history and poli sci are definitely big here. liberal arts school. its expensive but its a nice campus and towson is within walking distance. pretty competitive lax team.

[GAlax3]

Auburn is a mid-level team in the SELC, which means they're much less competitive than a decent D3 school. if you want a lax/social life balance, there's a pretty good SELC team in Athens, whose name I won't mention. And it'll be cheaper than any of the OOS options. They hung tough with Boston College and the Gators, and beat FSU. Ranked 13 in MCLA right now.

Yea, I would've liked to go to Georgia, but from due to state scholarships in Georgia and everyone wanting to go to Georgia, it's very hard to get in. I wouldn't have gotten in, sadly.

[egrlax10]

At this point, it pretty much depends on what you want. Those two schools are pretty much the opposite of each other, so it depends more on what you want in a school and less on lacrosse. Visit Auburn and see if you like the feel of a large school compared to the small town feel of Wooster.

[btgoalie21]

Try out GA tech, thats were I've been getting a lot of letters from, fill out the recruiting form for them and they'll come out to see you. Also try Birmingham southern, they are starting a new team and need players, they are kind of annoying because they keep sending me letters, like 3 a week about lacrosse and their college.

[Lax Anonymous]

Listen MCLA lacrosse is very very very competitive and the top teir and even the lower teams have some amazingly talented lacrosse players. Many of these kids could easily walk on to NCAA teams. It happens all the time and should come to no surprise when a MCLA team beats a team in the NCAA.

[Agent Orange]

GA: do yourself and your parents a favor and visit the schools on days when you can watch the teams practice and see what kind of tempo they run things at, and then judge for yourself. Forget visiting on game-days: everyone gets pumped up at gametime; everything's exciting and everyone is serious on gamedays.

[TigerLax29]

As far as Tulane goes, Lacrosse won't be a big part of your life there. They have a team but they are having organizational troubles at the moment. In the options you listed, they would be the bottom of the pile lacrossewise. Now things may be changing a little next year as I'm sending two of my best middies down there who are dedicated players and last time I talked to the coach they had a good young group looking to improve the team. Also, no one can deny the many opportunities living in NO can provide. It's in the best part of NO too. It's a good city to spend your college years in.

You can always come here to LSU. The lacrosse is better than Tulane but still the lower end of the spectrum. I predict that things will be changing in the future with the big freshman class we have coming in. 8 of my starters are there next year and quite a few other solid players from other teams in the area. The feeder system for LSU is finally kicking in and we are seeing good numbers of talent.

USC and Auburn are going to be pretty close. I'm sending one hotshot player up to USC in the fall. They are going to be similar to a D3 program. It's cool though because you get to play for a big name school so when you're old and gray and those school finally have D1 programs, you can say "I played there back in the day".

[Laxattack05]

i had a somewhat similar dilema... i chose Ole Miss... great school... good atmosphere... and a strong lax program...

[The Doors]

i had a somewhat similar dilema... i chose Ole Miss... great school... good atmosphere... and a strong lax program...

thats great... mcCreery is a great coach, and Oxford is a great town.

Hot Toddy

[lax_19]

from what I know, MCLA players are there to play. They havent been recruited so they play because they love the game. Thats why it is competitive. I bet Michigan, UofO, BYU could beat some hotshot NCAA teams pretty easily. So dont think your making a bad choice by playing for MCLA teams

[Laxattack05]

Yeah... MCLA lacrosse players gotta love it... some team dues are up to 2 grand... i think alot of teams can ball with D3 and D2... and possibly a few D1's... more and more good players are going MCLA... at Ole Miss, we have Jared Peters coming in with my class... U.S. Lacrosse Senior Showcase Invitee... great longpole...

[Crew_Socks]

You will have a much better college experience if you go to Auburn...Plus if your from Marietta and getting looked at for lax you probably go/went to Lassiter...I believe Lassiter has two very good players who currently start on the Auburn team...for me its a no brainer, have a great college experience for 4, maybe 5-6 years depending on you haha...or go and play lacrosse at a small school and devote your life to it...Your clearly not doing this for financial reasons...because both are expensive schools and wont give you scholarships so I guess just do what you think will make you happiest...

[skylax17]

from what I know, MCLA players are there to play. They havent been recruited so they play because they love the game. Thats why it is competitive. I bet Michigan, UofO, BYU could beat some hotshot NCAA teams pretty easily. So dont think your making a bad choice by playing for MCLA teams

BYU beat VMI (a division I school) and lost to two other teams villanova and another school by two in a fall ball tournament this past fall

[schratxs20]

how would michigan do against salisbury?

[Laxattack05]

i think they'd fair just fine... a close game... maybe even with a michigan win...

[yorklaxman]

i think they'd fair just fine... a close game... maybe even with a michigan win...
NO WAY NOT EVEN CLOSE BLOWOUT SALISBURY

[Laxattack05]

wow... easy bud... salisbury won't be blowing anyone out with their top 2 goalies getting MIP's... haha...

[RIT37FO]

I am almost certain michigan would get trounced by Salisbury 3'd string goalie or not ,not taking anything away from MCLA teams.

also VMI is one of the worst D1 teams out many low end D3 teams could beat them. VMI just isn't a historically strong program by any means.


the way D3 lacrosse is run now a days it might as well be D1,100 kids come out for a team,required lifts,mandatory wall ball time,timed runs,6 am conditioning ect ect. I know for a fact here at RIT we put in more hours than several D1 players I know. I am not saying every D3 team can beat every D1 team but the gap is starting to close.

As for MCLA commitment I cant really help you since the only guys i know play at BU and VT they say they run their own practices and things are pretty laid back until game day, that might be what you are looking for or it may not be. keep in mind NCAA lax is more or less a job if you are at a team fighting for a spot at the big dance.


best of luck with you choice you cant really go wrong either way.