<p>My daughter had commited to apply ED to the coach at a D3 school for soccer.
The school is highly selective, and her grades and scores are lower average.
Coach encouraged her to apply ED, which is no problem as school is her first choice, and will support (no slots or tips at the school) her application. Coach made no promises other than to stress she'll support the app, and encouraged my kid to update her with academic progess.</p>
<p>I've suggested to my kid that she at least email the coach once a week about something, a good win for the college team or her high school team, a great grade on a big test, whatever. I was told by a friend who is a D1 tennis coach that there is really no such thing as too much communication at this point. </p>
<p>Any advice on this or other great ways to stay 'top of mind' for the coach?
Thanks</p>
<p>My two cents…i agree communication is very important in this recruiting process. The coach has agreed to support her application. Mission accomplished and congrats to your daugher. Yes, it would be a good idea to touch base with key milestones for your daughter. However, I’m not sure I agree with once a week. That sounds a little to frequent. Remember, the coach is very busy recruiting the rest of the class and getting ready for the (presumed) Spring season. I think your daughter should send a note when it means something, not because she feels obligated. Bottom line is your daughter is very excited, and she should be. Maybe she can make some plans to see the school (again) and see the current team in action. Good luck, and congrats again!</p>
<p>I know your post is about communication and I agree with fenwaysouth, but your daughter’s situation caused me to think of a couple of other things. Has the coach guaranteed her a roster spot for the coming season? Is it more important to her that she attend the school or that she play soccer there, or wherever she goes? If she applies ED, she should be pretty sure she is getting something in return because cutting off other coaches and colleges now can be a big deal. As others (including up-front coaches) will tell your D, the most important thing for a student-athlete to consider is whether the school is the right school whether or not she plays her sport.</p>
<p>For my S, at one DIII school that recruited him for soccer and guaranteed him a roster spot if he applied ED, the coach, who had impressed him very much, left the school for a higher-level coaching job preseason. There’s a new coach now, and even if the coach honors the promise of a roster spot his predecessor made to incoming guys, who knows if he’ll rank them all the same for purposes of playing time, positions, etc. </p>
<p>A decision to apply ED needs to be made very carefully. I don’t mean to sound negative about this; it’s just important that before an athlete cuts off talks with other coaches, she is as sure as she can be that the coach’s support makes it likely she’ll get in, that it’s a school she wants to attend even if she can’t play her sport, and that she’s likely to play even if there’s a change of coach.</p>
<p>My suggestion to communicate weekly was meant to only go through the fall, or until the final decision is made. I thought that made sense precisely that coach is in the midst of recruiting the rest of the class, it’s a good idea to stay on the radar screen and not get forgotten. Glad to hear other opinions though.</p>
<p>Coach did tell her she’d have a spot on the roster, but did not get in to playing time specifics, and my kid isn’t comfortable asking. I told her it might be a good idea, but I really want her to run this process.</p>