<p>The coach at Bowdoin College had an athlete in mind over me but that person ended up committing somewhere else. He told me that I was their top pick now and so I visited the campus to meet the coach. He told me he would be supporting me with admissions and told me to go ED2. I was wondering how it would affect my chances of getting accepted? How much greater of a chance do I have of getting admitted because of the support? I heard when a coach supports you, your chance increases to like 85%? Also, if my grades are a matter I currently have a 4.39 GPA and got a 2100 on the SAT.</p>
<p>I don’t think anyone on this site can tell you precisely how much coach support increases your chances of admission because there are many variables (e.g., type of sport, how many recruits there are this year, how many recruits were admitted ED1, how long the coach has been at the school, whether coach “slotted” you, not to mention the overall strength of your application beyond GPA and SATs). The best person to ask is the coach, but it sounds like you have had that conversation. Suffice it to say, however, that coach support can substantially increase a given applicant’s chance for admission. This is more the case at NESCAC schools than at some of the other D3 schools.</p>
<p>I also believe that plenty of athletes apply ED2. Sometimes things happen, and a D3 student-athlete finds himself or herself in the position of applying to a school ED2. In theory, it should not matter to the coach or the school, because the student’s commitment to the program is still given in exchange for the coach’s support through admissions. </p>
<p>This is a tough process – for all students, not just the athletes. We want to know that a school is a “sure thing,” when in truth no school is a “sure thing.” Coach support at a NESCAC (and particularly if you are high on the list), however, often makes a difference in admissions.</p>
<p>If you like Bowdoin and the Coach, and you want to attend Bowdoin, go for it.</p>
<p>Ttime123,</p>
<p>You have outstanding stats. Coaches support is a very good thing IF this is the school you absolutely want to go to. I understand your excitement to be recruited by such a fine school, but remember this is ED2 and this binding. I know you know that, but a lot of times people get ahead of themselves with this stuff. Doublecheck yourself that you’d be happy there for 4 years, and they have a number of majors you’d be interested in. Good luck.</p>
<p>Thank you very much for your honest comments! Appreciate it and if anyone wants to comment more, please feel free!</p>
<p>All coaches recruiting my D did a pre read with admissions (including Bowdoin), which gave us a lot of assurance. If you have concerns, ask the coach for a pre-read. But your stats look good for Bowdoin as a recruited athlete.</p>
Thank you for your response. The coach did a pre-read for me and he said it was great. Im not too sure exactly what that means. Its very vague in my opinion.
Ttime123,
It tells me the coach has some “skin in the game” and you aren’t asking the coach enough questions. If you don’t understand something you need to ask the Coach.
It appears the Coach did not get all of his slotted recruits in ED1 and now has openings in ED2. You have the credentials, and he has focused on you as a candidate. You have very good academic numbers and I can only assume he covets you as an athlete… He’s taken the time and effort to have an academic liason/admissions committee review the likelihood that you would be admitted (pre-read) for ED2. The.Coach has informed you the pre-read came back “great”. These are all very positive signs as a recruited athlete. If you look at it a different way…It is vastly better than the alternative response which is either “silence” (no response) or “we can no longer recruit you”.
If you have any questions about the school, financial aid, athletic program now is the time to ask the Coach. I think I would take the time to ask questions about how many other recruits are vying for that slot, and his support in ED2. If you are 100% sure, then I would tell the Coach of your interest and desire to apply ED2. Tell him you are expecting his support. If this is the school at the top of your list, then you have nothing to lose.
Good luck!