My child has contacted coaches personally to let them know we’d be interviewing/on campus and to try to set a time to meet with them. We know coaches are very busy, but some don’t even reply at all, whereas others make special arrangements to stop by and chat. Even after the “sorry we missed you” emails, we have gotten no response or a curt, “yep–have a good winter”. What should our takeaway message be from schools where the coaches seem truly disinterested, if any?TIA
Just as with almost anything else, no takeaway message. My kid, an impact varsity player, was admitted to schools without hearing a peep from the coaches, and waitlisted at schools in spite of sustained communication from coaches. Disclaimer: Lots of FA was needed.
Ok. That’s good to know! So, did he attend a school where he did not hear from a coach, and if so, is he getting to play his sport on a competitive team?
It’s my daughter. She attends a school where the coach was appropriately responsive (neither too much or too little). She played varsity as a freshmen and was NEPSAC All-Star in her first season.
Some coaches have very little impact on the admissions deliberations. Others can have more impact. Depends on the school. So don’t take the lack of communication to mean anything. The TSAO schools generally try to keep communications to a minimum.
I guess I’m not so worried about the impact it has on acceptance into the school. I’m more wondering if the lack of communication is an indicator of how much (or little) my child will be considered for the team if admitted–should this be a consideration when “ranking” schools, should we get in?
I don’t think you can read into any level of communication as there are so many variables. Many of the coaches are also teachers so depending on when you catch them, they will be super busy. The same holds true with admissions staff for sure!
After the admission decisions are in, your child can ask this question directly of the coaches where he/she was admitted, and consider their answers when selecting the school to attend. In post-M10 conversations, my daughter asked point blank if a coach would give her an equal consideration as rising juniors and seniors who have already played varsity.
She also considered how important her particular sport was to the school and how strong the school team was. We scheduled school visits so we can watch a few games, and she also watched live streamed games as well as past games on YouTube.
The availability of local clubs within within short driving distance, and the school’s willingness to allow her to play her sport on a club level were other considerations.
Agreed; no blanket statement can be made. The coaches that are FT employees are also dorm parents/teachers; the ones that are PT usually have other jobs. Read nothing into it and don’t let it be a deciding factor in choosing a school.
Thanks, everyone! This process is a bit overwhelming at times, and I definitely can second guess everything–kind of like dating again…LOL. So your support and advice is truly appreciated!
Take a look at this article in the Philippian:
In particular see
FWIW, Coach Clyfe told us that of 60 applications he supports he would be lucky to get 6 admitted.
Varsity coaches do not recruit JV players. Varsity coaches have huge ability to get kids in. They have a priority list. They may get 3 per class. Every year. JV players are academic applicants that will play a team sport . Very rare to move form JV to Varsity for many sports. Especially when kids come in as new at 10,11 and 12