Confronting the Coach

Athletic Recruits
1

<p>Hey, so I'm a Senior in high school who is being recruited for track and field, Division III.</p>

<p>I applied to five schools in total, all with track. So far I've been accepted to four of them, with the last one mailing me their decision in late January. There are really only three schools in the running at this point, as one is a safety school and the other, upon further research, doesn't seem like the kind of place for me.</p>

<p>But here is my problem: One of these three schools is way out of reach in terms of cost. My family has done the FAFSA Estimates, and then the net price calculators at all five colleges. These calculators successfully calculated the correct amounts of merit aid at all schools, so I trust the need based calculators will be accurate as well. The other two schools are fairly similar so far in terms of aid, but the third one is about 5-7 thousand dollars behind. It's my third choice, but that's only because I find it hard to even psyche myself up to learn more about the school because of the fact that it is too expensive. </p>

<p>The Coach at #3 recently emailed me saying happy holidays and to address any concerns with him. I called him today and we discussed the money issue. I told him that while they were fairly distant from # 1 and # 2 choice, they had a lot of potential to shoot up, but my motivation is well, kind of nonexistant because there is no way my family can afford to send me here. He gave me a scholarship suggestion and said his school is always generous with aid, but...</p>

<ol>
<li><p>The scholarship suggestion was for minorities only, and I'm white, soo...I'm not sure what to say.</p></li>
<li><p>The calculator could be wrong, but it was correct on the merit based side so I have no reason to believe it will royally screw up on the need based side.</p></li>
</ol>

<p>He told me that we'll be in contact more often because I'm one of the recruits they are recruiting more aggressively. He also told me to give him a heads up on what colleges # 1 and # 2 are offering as aid, since their sticker prices are higher than # 3, yet the net price is expected to be lower.</p>

<p>So what do I do? Do I continue the lukewarm recruiting process with this school? Should I just give up entirely and politely tell him it's over? Perhaps I'm overreacting, and I should just wait until all of my aid packages are in my hand and go from there? I'll admit I'm still not totally enthusiastic about this school, but again, it's because I don't think I can afford to go here. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.</p>

2

<p>Congratulations on your acceptances. I’d wait for all the aid packages. Good luck with your decision.</p>

3

<p>I would also wait for the aid package before you commit. It’s DIII so you don’t have to worry about National Signing days or anything like that. Have your parents get the FAFSA submitted next week–use pay stubs and submit under the “will file” and see how it goes in March. You just never know until you see the final numbers. I agree that the NPC tend to be fairly accurate but is there are chance for other scholarships at these schools–invite only type scholarships, etc.? At some DIII schools the coaches have pull with getting more aid, some schools they do not. I woulds stay in contact with all 5 coaches until the final numbers come out and then see what happens. What if the other 2 schools you like DON’T come through with the funds? Get them your financial info ASAP though as most schools give aid on a first come/first serve basis.</p>