<p>I am wondering about the D3 schools and how they are affected by the early signing period in November for the D1 schools. Doesn't this force athletes to either discount D3 schools if they want to sign early?</p>
<p>My daughter has one in-state D3 school that would be high up on her list, but since they don't offer scholarships for athletics, she hasn't pursued the coach much after some initial emails months ago. This D3 school is well regarded, and is pretty competitive, but we think she could get in and probably get some academic money on her own, and this would be nice, because she would still be able to join her team, but it would be on her own terms. Even with no aid, this school would be about what we want to pay out of pocket anyway.</p>
<p>Is there something I am missing, or do D1 schools really get a first shot at all the athletes because of this November signing period?</p>
<p>wilberry228 - Yes, if you are looking at it purely from an athletic perspective. Most D1 schools get first shot at the elite D1 athletes in conferences that typically win national championships. There is a hierarchy of athletes, and most of your top elite D1 athletes will verbally commit (sophmore/junior year) and then sign NLI in November of senior year. Other D1 athletes will commit after their junior year, and sign the NLI in November. Ivy/D3 athletes usually apply Early Decision (Fall of Senior Year) if they are slotted. That has been my experience in baseball.</p>
<p>HOWEVER, not everyone is an elite athlete and not everyone is attending college to play sports or go professional. Most athletes want to get a good education, and play sports because they are passionate about it. IMO, it comes down to two things. First, what is your goal? Second, where do coaches see you in the athletic hierarchy? I would submit to you there is a fine line between upper echolon D3 and lower level D1 in most sports. The difference is usually depth. It is going to come down to where can you get the best education for your major, and where can have an opportunity to play your sport.</p>
<p>There are a couple threads in here that deal with this D1/Ivy/D3 timeframe situation. It is very important to understand how the process works, and when each is in play relative to the schools you’re interested in.</p>
<p>Thanks Fenway, I’ve browsed through threads but I’ll look again. I feel badly that all schools can’t be given a fair shot at the same time, and I know what you’re saying re: what are your goals … my daughter’s sport is individual, and although she is good, she is not the elite, very few are.</p>
<p>However, there are (good) D1/ivy schools in conferences where she might score at their conference meets, particularly if she can continue to improve. But it’s a grueling practice schedule, as I’m sure they all are, and unless they are going to the Olympics, after college most don’t continue to compete. </p>
<p>I have not heard of anyone committing or even talking to a coach as a sophomore, and in this sport I have never heard of commitment before senior year. However, this flurry of activity between now and November seems overwhelming. If nothing works out with early signing, then I imagine the D3 schools have as good a shot of giving out academic scholarships as the D1s do, even with athletics in the mix. Hope that made sense. Paying full price is not an option, and I know we won’t qualify for need-based aid unless the schools are very generous. </p>
<p>I guess the next couple of months will tell. Big competition coming up this week with lots of coaches in attendance, and she did just get her first offer for an official visit, she was given a choice of weekends so I guess that’s official, right?</p>
<p>For DI schools that do not give scholarships (for example, the IVYies) and for a lot of DIII schools with recruiting slots (for exampe, the NESCAC schools) instead of using scholarship LOIs they use recruiting slots from coaches and ED applications from recruits to try to match the time line of the DI LOI process … in addition, often admissions can give a likely letter for an application so prospective IVY or DIII athletes know their non-DI options when the LOI timeframe hits.</p>
<p>wilberry228: Congratulations to your daughter - that certainly does sound like an Official Invitation! My daughter’s have always come with the date options given right away, so I am really happy for you to have that in your pocket!</p>
<p>Thank you! We are going up to visit with two coaches unofficially, at least one of whom has requested all her transcripts, etc, and another coach told her he would put her on a “short list” for official visits. But this is the first one who came through with dates, and, strangely, only just requested the documentation on school and tests at the same time. </p>
<p>I’m somewhat baffled by all of this. I don’t know if long periods of silence mean she’s been forsaken, she’s under review, or simply that it’s summer and that’s the way they operate. Someone who just went through this last year told us that things really pick up in the fall and happen really quickly at that time.</p>
<p>Ironically while I was typing this, one of the coaches she has been talking to (an ivy) called to wish her good luck next week! So I guess she hasn’t been totally forsaken after all.</p>
<p>wilberry228 - welcome to the funhouse! Long periods of silence is typical, but remember these coaches are very busy right now with many, many recruits and the start of school coming in a few weeks. Some coaches are travelling the country. There can be additional steps for prospective student athletes such as Ivy pre-reads, etc… It can be like watching grass grow. The expression “hurry up and wait” comes to mind. </p>
<p>Depending on the schools (or sport) your daughter is looking at (D1, D3, Ivy) will usually determine where they are in the recruiting process. As long as communication is regular (every couple weeks) you’re good. I strongly encourage anyone to use that “down” time to continue to look into schools that were not on your orginal list.</p>
<p>I’m most familiar with baseball. At this time, I know that most D1 baseball teams are 25-75% done depending on the conference. SEC and ACC are almost all done. Ivys are building their lists and may have a few verbals already. D3 schools are waiting for the D1 dust to settle. D3’s are sending out stuff, and making phone calls but their “push” time comes in the Fall.</p>
<p>There is an ebb and flow to all of this. Looking back at last year, it kind of makes sense to me in the context of the schools my son was recruited by. There will be a busy time, and a not so busy time. August & September were very busy for us. It becomes very important to keep momentum and to keep looking at new schools. This process can be very hard on the family as you are waiting for progress. All I can suggest is to keep your son/daughter positive, and stay focused on the end goal. It is very much worth it.</p>
<p>Fenway, LOL, yes, “hurry up and wait” certainly does come to mind! My daughter is in a winter sport, with peak performances coming in April, so her season is done, she won’t do better before November, although there’s this big week coming up. So my plan is to stay with what she has now, a nice assortment of good schools showing interest, but we’re not planning to shake any trees if this doesn’t work out soon.</p>
<p>Then if nothing comes of this handful of schools (there are maybe five or six) we’ll expand our horizons and apply mainly on academics to some others where she isn’t good enough to be recruited but might get in based on academics. I hope it will all be very much worth it! Thanks again for the insight. Since hers is an individual sport, it’s totally quantifiable, so coaches can get a good idea from looking at her results, which is kind of helpful. It also helps us to see where she might have a better shot.</p>