<p>Ds is hoping to run at a D3 schools. The coach is interested in him, but he's not a star athlete. Just a solid high school varsity runner. We thought he was going to apply ED, but ds decided to apply RD b/c while we could swing the cost of the school, he would have to take out more in loans and he's worried about us financially. He's a good student with good test scores and he's been offered a free ride at a state school and he'll probably get good FA offers from other schools, but he won't run anyplace but D3. He's such a good kid and he's worried we won't be able to afford his dream D3 school. We want to make it happen for him, though. I hope applying RD won't ruin it for him. </p>
<p>Does anyone have any experience with applying RD and being able to participate in a sport at a D3 LA school?</p>
<p>The great thing about D3 is that in most schools and in most sports there are “walk-ons”. If he wants to participate and his times are competitive with the team he should have no problems at all joining the track team.
Good luck to him!</p>
<p>I would have your S call or email the coach and explain the situation, including S concern about the cost to attend. I would have your S ask what times he needs to run to be on the team. If the coach was recruiting your S he almost certainly runs fast enough.</p>
<p>After coach pressure at all the DIII’s to apply ED, my D decided to ED at a school that didn’t have her sport NCAA level - she didn’t get in and was RD at the DIII’s - got into them even though she had declined to ED or EE to the coaches. They didn’t drop her as a recruit and she is at one of them as a freshman this year playing.</p>
<p>I think etondad hit the nail on the head - if all else fails, most DIII sports have walk-on try outs - my D’s team does. He should be just fine.</p>
<p>Even if he doesn’t make the team, he can probably work out and be part of the group. That’s what I’m hoping to do. All the DIII schools I visited have told me that I probably can run and work out with the team even if I am not fast enough to compete. Running sports can pretty easily include most everyone who is interested because there aren’t the problems other sports have with having too little equipment or space.</p>
<p>I would definitely have your son have a conversation with the coach. Ask if he has a place as a walk on, it will also reinforce son’s interest. I would ask if coach has any support to give in RD and would ED support have made a difference. My experience is that ED with support is what helps kids get into the highly competitive schools. I think a lot of people look at the higher acceptance rates and feel it is the “best shot” but those rates are skewed because it is the athletes with support and the top academic/“other hook” candidates that get in, not “borderline” or “just generally good fit” kids. So if your son was not one of coach’s top three picks, maybe what the coach has to offer is the same for ED & RD. If coach confirms that, your son can stop doubting the decision to go RD and then wait and compare offers.</p>
<p>However, if coach says “I could have helped you ED” then keep in mind that if your son has sent the application already, some schools let an applicant convert the application to ED II during the first few days of January. That is probably not an option because of finances but if something the coach says makes you wish he had done ED you can check and see if it is possible at that school.</p>
<p>NESCACs and well endowed top tier LACs meet EFCs. And you always have the option of refusing an ED offer for insufficient FA. Best of luck - it will work out, many (maybe even most) on this board have kids who fell in love with one school at first but ended up at an initial second or third choice that truly was “the perfect fit”. Sounds like you have a really nice son to be considering the impact of all of this on the whole family.</p>
<p>Thanks for all your advice. He heard from coach and he said he will support him RD, ED, whatever. Financial aid office says estimate they gave us for ED would be the same for RD. The admit rate is the much higher for ED, but son’s ACT score is a couple points above the schools midrange, and his grades, EC’s are good, so we think he would be accepted RD. Although you never know. Son wants to see all the offers. He’s such a good kid. Worried about our finances. We keep telling him we’re prepared to part with a lot of money, but, yes, it means we will have to tighten our belts. We will take our chances. Gulp. </p>