Emailing coaches to stay in touch - what to say when you don't have much to say?

<p>My D is a swimmer/rising senior, so July 1st is looming. She visited several schools over spring break and met with the coaches at each school. Additionally, she's been getting emails, letters, etc. from other schools. I am encouraging her to email and touch base with the schools she's really interested in to keep her in their minds for these July calls. Her problem is that at this point in the long course season there is not much to say re: her swimming. She's in the middle of a long training cycle and although she does have an upcoming meet, her club coach is telling the kids not to expect good swims as they will be pretty broken down. (The goal is for the time drops to occur at the championship meets later in the summer.) Sooo... does she just reiterate her interest in the school/program and not talk too much about her swimming? She seems to think that if she doesn't have any good swims to talk about there's "nothing to say". I would think most college coaches would understand the nature of the training cycles and would appreciate knowing her level of interest. Advice?? Thanks!!!</p>

<p>It doesn’t need to be about swimming - academics are a great place to start - how were her final grades? How did her AP tests go? Has she received any SAT or ACT scores (or even just to report that she took the test)? What classes is she signed up for next year? Coaches will be just as interested. Yes, coaches just want to know she is still interested, so it can be that simple. It can also give an insight into her personality - my D found coaches loved to hear about her summer job, anecdotes about practice/training, what concerts she was attending that summer etc - they want to know you are interested but also seem to love getting insights into your personality!</p>

<p>Forgot to add - with the schools that she is most interested in, she should pick up the phone and CALL!</p>

<p>In addition to the academics, talk about how she is training such as the yardage, double schedule, etc. Also, list the upcoming major meets (which one she will be tapered for, etc.). Once the championships season is over, she can then report the results. She needs to email or call them now and then follow up again after the LCM season.</p>

<p>There’s a interesting discussion on a lax board. Let’s see I’d my link works.</p>

<p>[View</a> topic - How Many Emails Is Too Much?.. | LaxPower](<a href=“http://network.laxpower.com/laxforum/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=47360&p=1009748&hilit=Smith#p1009748]View”>http://network.laxpower.com/laxforum/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=47360&p=1009748&hilit=Smith#p1009748)</p>

<p>^ That was a great post. Included pretty much what I would have said…</p>

<p>Our student kept in touch, followed the season of each team/school that was of strong interest and let the coach know of improvements.</p>

<p>Great link!! Thanks everyone!!</p>

<p>momcub: Thank you for posting this topic…sent it to Jr who is a rising Sr in Track. Needless to say, he placed a call to his #1 yesterday and ended up having a 10 min conversation with the Coach :)</p>

<p>Thanks for your post MDMom1314 - same experience here - D was so nervous about making that first call, but once she finally did it, she realized how easy it was and had no issues making them from that point on. Her recruiting process went extremely well, and from our experience on her team, all the girls who made the calls had an edge over the girls who were “afraid”, and all their opportunities moved forward faster (including finding out faster that the coach wasn’t interested - still good to know as soon as possible!). The coaches are expecting the calls and make it very easy on the student, and in our experience answered questions very directly and honestly.</p>

<p>Same – the Bowdoin track coach spent 20 minutes on the phone with D – nice guy, suggested some other schools she should look at.</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

<p>Squidge: Same with Jr! He tried to call a few other’s but the time difference lead to just VM’s. The Coach at #1 was very positive about “talking to him further next week” and wants to make sure that they set aside some time the “first day at camp” to talk and make sure that all of Jr’s questions are answered.</p>

<p>Not sure how it will all end up, but it is a positive note heading into camp :)</p>

<p>Class of 2015 brings up a great point - in most sports (ours is VB) the coaches are a tight-knit fraternity. D would often find out on that first call the University 1 was not looking for a 2013 setter, but many coaches were very good about saying “call Joe at University 2, I know he’s looking and that would also be a good fit for you”.</p>

<p>That’s VERY promising MDMom1314 - I wish you and JR the best, it’s such an exciting process!!! July will be D’s 3rd camp at her chosen college, but her first since she committed, she is beyond excited…</p>