Early Read

Transcripts and test scores were sent up before official visit. NCAA compliance liaison gave the coach a thumbs up. Went for my official visit. Coach has now sent up transcripts, test scores and school schedule. It has been two weeks and nothing back from admissions. What is the usual wait time? Thanks

Admissions sets their own schedule. Schools that aren’t on a rolling admission system are not going to send admissions letters before the date they state on the website. For most of those, on a ED timeline, the date will be 12/1 or 12/15. Is it a school that issues likely letters to athletes?

Also, NCAA compliance is a much lower standard than most schools have for admission. “Looks good” for admissions is a different standard than “is fine to come on an OV.”

In our house we heard back in many instances in one day (during Aug-Sept.) In one case the admissions officer was on vacation so it took a couple weeks. If the coach sends the info to admissions, they should be able to respond with a thumbs up or down quickly, or certain requirements to become admissible.

There are many possible reasons why you haven’t heard yet-- or maybe none at all. For example, you could be number six on a list of ten potential recruits of which the coach can only support five. He may be waiting to hear from other recruits. Or, perhaps she has a sick daughter at home and has been away from the office for a week. Or, maybe admissions is deluged with other requests or is traveling for school recruiting. Maybe, the coach hasn’t heard yet. You just don’t know, and quite frankly the reason may not matter.

If you think you should have heard by now, I think it is entirely appropriate for you to send an email to the coach asking about the preread. I think it is good to continue the dialog with the coach (not every day, but at reasonable intervals), if only to monitor where you stand. Just remember, each year recruits and coaches change their minds for various reasons (e.g., a recruit who can’t afford a given college or a number 1 recruit lands in a coach’s lap). Monitoring works both ways, in that the coach probably appreciates demonstrating the continued interest. A preread is another reason for a communication of interest.