<p>My daughter, a runner, is looking at several DIII schools including one NESCAC school in particular. The OV went well, coach e-mailed afterwards and asked if she would consider ED. As the school is my daughter's first choice she responded that she was seriously considering and sent over the transcript for feedback. Feedback seemed slow in coming and my daughter had to send another e-mail to prompt a response. Response finally came that recommending ED and noting that her application was "strong." Being a glass is half-empty person, this seems like a very thin reed to rely on. Given the late date here, and the fact that she has a couple of other options, I was going to suggest to my daughter that she either e-mail the coach back or the call the coach and politely, but directly, ask what level of support if any the coach could give to her application. Any other suggestions or question that she should be asking at this point would be appreciated. Thanks.</p>
<p>I agree. Your daughter should CALL the coach as soon as possible. Remind the coach this is her first choice college, and directly ask the coach what level of support she can expect. If the level of support is minimal or unclear, I would consider moving onto the next school on the list.</p>
<p>There is nothing wrong with asking the coach directly: “Will you be supporting me for admission?” If the coach answers “yes”, with a follow-up of “Would that be for a slot or tip”? You need to find out where you stand exactly in order to make the best decision. Polite but direct is the way to go here.</p>
<p>ps - A “slot” means that the coach has reserved a spot for the student-athlete because admissions has said they would be admissable. A “tip” means that the coach has told admissions they would like to have the student-athlete, but in the end it is in the hands of admissions.</p>
<p>She should also ask: Considering my academics and athletics, and based on your experience with admissions, how likely is it that I will be admitted if I apply ED?</p>
<p>Thank you all for your thoughts.</p>
<p>Call the coach and ask if the comment her application was “strong” came from the athletic department, or a pre-read. If it wasn’t a preread, ask for a pre-read. Tell the coach that she is ready to apply ed, but with so much on the line, needs more assurance. This is not unreasonable. You need to know more than what you have been told so far.
Myself, I think it’s fine for you to call at this point(see some similar threads)and say that your daughter is ready to apply, but you need more assurance. It’s kind of a good cop-bad cop thing. Don’t push the send button til you have more info. If the coach hasn’t done a pre-read, or is only giving a “tip”, ask what percent of applicants with a “tip” are accepted ED. It is likely around 60% in Nescac. If you and your D can live with that, and have some good ED2 options, by all means move forward. If the 60% means you lose an 80% at another school she is very interested in, jump ship now.</p>
<p>My S missed the ED deadline for Midd by a couple days due to issues with Williams. It didn’t matter. If he had hit “send” for Williams, he would have had to wait for his rejection to apply ED2.</p>
<p>How do your daughter’s academic credentials stack up to the school’s she is applying to? Is she a strong candidate across the board? And how competitive are admissions at the other schools? Are the coaches at the other schools still interested if she doesn’t apply ED? If the school in question is your daughter’s first choice, and you have no financial qualms about her applying ED, she should absolutely apply as the odds will never be greater in her favor. If for some reason she doesn’t get in, she should still have other good options assuming she is a strong student. My experience with DIII track recruiting was that you did not have to commit ED to guarantee a spot.</p>
<p>It’s a tough call! If this college is by far the #1 pick (her true dream school) and she has some back up-options (an ED II plan, a good academic safety, ect…) she may regret NOT giving it a shot.</p>
<p>If number 2 is a close second, and she has unwaivering coach support at that one --perhaps it’s time to make a commitment. </p>
<p>At the NEASC colleges my D has had varying responses we chalk up to level of coach commitment and personal style:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>emails of the sort …you would be a good fit, blah, blah (often by asst. coach) Same emails, same tone after day or overnight visit </p></li>
<li><p>Weekly phone calls or emails from coach, and direct face-to-face communication at overnight saying she has their full support, has passed muster with admissions pre-read, is top recruit, etc… and there is much pressure now for an ED commitment. </p></li>
<li><p>The coach does all of #2 above, says will use a slot, wants to speak directly with parent to reassure, handles the FA pre-read if needed, and says that support will continue through ED and RD. I personally like this type of communication! </p></li>
</ol>
<p>I think what makes it tough is the pressure (from all around) to get into the most selcetive school you can. My D once asked…will the best school for me always be the one that I won’t get into? Made me pause and reconsider my hopes vs. her needs. </p>
<p>In our family --it looks like D will apply ED to her number 2 college choice (and the one with the strongest coach speak) and a really good fit all around. She wants to wait another week in case #1 on her list begs-pleads-woos her to apply (teen fantasy at this point and it is hard to let go).</p>
<p>Pathways and all, thanks again for your thoughts on this. This is a bit stressful at this point and you are right to point out that it makes sense to step back at times and make sure the focus in on her needs rather than our hopes. </p>
<p>The good news is that academically she is quite strong and if she ultimately chooses to apply to the school in question ed she will have a decent shot even without the coach’s support. For her the issue has been that the D1 schools that have been interested in her for athletics have not been terribly strong academically. A number of the DIII schools have been attractive because there because of the combination of academics and athletics. The downside of the DIII schools has been this opaque recruiting process. That being said this board and some of the other threads have been very helpful.</p>
<p>Finally, my daughter did reach out to the coach last night but was able to connect. Once she speaks with the coach if there still is no clarity I will probably give the coach a call my self.</p>
<p>If your D is open to new experiences, there is more then one “perfect fit.” </p>
<p>As a personal observation, the most “selective” school (which I define as being the most academically difficult) may not be a great criteria on which to measure the schools desirablity. Varsity athletes are hard pressed to be at the top of their class in college. The athletes spend 20-40+ hours a week on their sport. We have learned that the expectations we had in HS about being the best student needed to be toned down in college. In every class at the best academic schools a significant portion of that class live that subject 24/7 and to expect the athlete to best those kids is setting the bar way too high. To be an academic all American (I think) requires a 3.5 gpa. </p>
<p>Since my S is set on going pro in his sport, we realize that his “major” is that sport. We therefore accept that he has made the adult decision to pursue his passion while also getting the best grades (in rigorous classes) he can consistent with the pursuit.</p>