I got an email from an Ivy League coach saying that he would support me in the admission process and put me on a list of students who would be on the team, but that the slot I would be on would not be a ‘traditional full support slot.’ He continued to say that, if accepted, I would definitely want to join the team, and not essentially burn him, and not join, but have athletics help with my admission. I’m just not sure what this means; it would require me to apply to Columbia early decision, and I would like to know just how much his word would help.
@vikingsfan97, this is a good example of a coach almost saying all the right things, and good for you for not reading too much into it.
Ideally, a coach says “I’ll put you on my list that I submit to admissions” that means full support, Likely Letter-type stuff. A coach saying, “I’ll put you on my list of students who would be on the team (if they get in)” is a whole different animal.
“Not a traditional, full-support slot”, well that raises another flag.
So what does it mean? Well it sounds like you’re in the ‘coach-enhanced application’ club. Maybe he sends a letter along with your ap vouching for your character and value to the sport community. How much does it help? Nobody knows.
Before you pull the ED trigger, you may want to ask the coach, "what’s the track record of kids with my academic profile being admitted with this ‘non-traditional support’? " At least then you can make a semi-informed decision about the risk.
I addition to varska’s good advice, consider:
Do you have any offers from other schools that are more solid than this?
Do you really, really want to go to Columbia, or is it just one of several good schools on your list?
If you’re going to apply anyway, and it’s your absolute, first-runner clear choice school, then the coach’s “non-traditional, non-full support” support is worth something to you. Otherwise, you could always apply RD to several schools, contact different coaches, and see what happens. Frankly, I don’t see why you’d need to apply ED to get this kind of help.
@fenwaypark : this is what I’m talkin’ about…
Vikingsfan, it all depends on how much you want to be on a college team, of course, but if it were me I would apply to Columbia ED if Columbia were really my first choice all things considered, and not apply to Columbia if it is not.
If Columbia is your first choice, doesn’t matter how valuable the coach’s, ahem, “enhancement” is. You are in the same position or better than you would have been without the enhancement. If Columbia is not your first choice, I think it would be risky to make your ED application decision based on what has been said…but maybe your risk tolerance is different from mine.
Couple of other observations:
- Noteworthy that the coach put this message in an email instead of calling you. If he is an experienced coach, it tells me the language has been reviewed.
- I don't particularly go for the guilt trip he is laying out by saying he doesn't want to be burnt if you don't go out for the team. Look, if you apply ED without a slot you are essentially a free recruit. We will never know if, or how much, any "enhancement" was worth, but at the most it is no cost to him except for a couple minutes effort, and no sweat off his brow.
@fenwaypark brings up two good points. One, since the “offer” came to you by e mail, you have the opportunity to look very closely at what the coach is actually committing to do on your behalf. I would try and do that as carefully and dispassionately as you can before making your decision. Two, I agree that it is BS to try and get you to commit to play absent the tangible support available to the coach. It is also against the Ivy rules to do so.
Make the decision that is best for you, not one based on what the coach implies you owe to him.
I would definite ask follow up questions along the lines that have been suggested: does the Admissions committee view applications with this kind of support more favorably than others, all things being equal? What is his track record with prior applications that have received this kind of support? But I echo the others: only apply to Columbia ED if it is really your first choice.
I had pretty much that same offer at an Ivy. I didn’t take it.
I decided to take the offer and applied Early Decision. Thank you for all your great input!
Please come back and let us know how things turn out for you. Best of luck!