Coach asking recruit for a commitment to attend if supported in regular decision?

D applied to several LACs via RD. These are schools where she did have contact with coaches and they were interested in her. She didn’t apply ED because we need to consider the financial aid part of the picture. Since she did not apply ED, I thought her athletic profile would just be another part of her admissions file without it carrying significant weight like it might have in ED. In the last few weeks she has received a couple of very direct inquires from coaches asking if they supported her application and she was admitted then would she come. They also asked which other schools she applied to. I advised her to say that she was very interested in the school but that she couldn’t commit because she needs to consider the financial aid award. Was that the best way to reply?

I’m not real familiar with D3 RD processes, and I’m sure it varies by school, but here’s what I would do: If one of these would be a first choice if the aid works out, then I’d tell the coach that. Perhaps the coach can get something similar to a quick FA pre-read, given that your docs are on file. Just explain that you’re concerned the NPC might not be accurate. Of course, if you’re planning to shop FA offers then this won’t work.

You didn’t specifically say these were DIII schools, but I’ll assume there are. My guess is these coaches didn’t get the athletes they wanted through ED and are trying to fill out their recruiting class. If she has a first choice, and you are OK with her enrolling if FA makes it affordable, even if it’s not the cheapest option in the end, it’s ok to tell the coach she will attend if she is accepted and FA makes the school affordable. However, if you are shopping for the best deal (ie she will likely attend whatever is the lowest net cost) you shouldn’t tell a coach she’ll attend if the school is affordable.

I, too, would ask the coach if he can help with a FA preread. Are you confident in the NPC? I’d also ask how much help the coach can give in RD. Do you think getting in on her own is possible or probably?

Agree with the financial preread. Ask for one and if it looks doable and you are willing to commit without seeing all the offers than accept the coaches offer of support. If you want to compare offers than tell him/her no.

How important is the sport for your D? How impressive is she academically compared to the schools stats? If she can let the sport go, do nothing. If she is killing it academically do nothing. Otherwise ,if the sport will maintain her happiness in school and her academics are average or worse compared to other students at the schools, list her schools by fit. Start at the top with the best fit and have her tell the coach you will firmly commit or decline within 1 day of receiving his commitment and a financial pre-read. Then move to the next. D1 plays soccer at top 10 (academic U ) D2 swims at top 10 (academic LAC). Pressure worked for both and definately can be applied by both sides.

We did the pre-read(s) but it these situations when this came up we had our D/S tell the coach that they were very interested, excited about the school and opportunity but my parents wanted me to apply RD, that way it is on the parents and not the student/athlete. This was also true so I do not feel we were misleading the coach, pus coaches sometimes want it 1-way which I understand.
I also agree with RW1, it also depends on how important the school and playing the sport is to you and your child, what her chances are for getting in without support and if you are ready to commit including committing financially. Financial was a consideration for our D/S and family between schools. It may be less so for others.

Thanks for the advice. There is no favorite school in the group and there is an EA acceptance that might work in the end. Now we will wait and see what happens.
Yes, these are Dlll schools.