Hi! A few days ago a D1 coach called our boy after noticing he had signed up for their camp this Summer and said he is going to make him an offer at the camp. This is one of our boy’s top 3 schools so this announcement is very good news. There has been considerable contact, and this coach has visited his high school twice, watched him practice and knows his academic record and test scores.
While we are thrilled, the announcement of the intention rather than the offer itself, seems a little unusual (?) and makes us a bit nervous. Also, does anyone know if offers are typically made at the camps themselves? No one of our acquaintance has had this experience.
Anticipating the coach/athlete conversation at the camp, the easiest and really the only way for our boy to proceed is with honesty. This is one of the schools he would absolutely be delighted to attend. And he has several more camps to go before he makes a decision. I think that really is the only way for him to manage what may turn into a high pressure situation. I hope I am worrying needlessly.
If anyone has any information on offers made at camps, or other ideas on how to manage the conversation, it will be most welcome. Not to mention it will help settle my stomach. Thank you in advance for any and all input.
Perhaps he is going to make an offer for your son to be a walk on without a scholarship? That’s the only potential negative I could see with him not flat out making the offer. Maybe he wants your son so much that he wants to do a great gesture in person?
Congratulations to your son @oldbrookie . Sounds like he’s in an excellent position. Given the considerable contact with the coach, it’s not far-fetched that an offer can get made now.
I haven’t heard about offers at camps either, but that’s not necessarily bad. Each program operates differently, and folks have different recruitment processes even with the same college. My guess is that offers at camp rarely happen because the coaches are pre-occupied evaluating and getting to know kids. Likewise, my sense is the camp is rarely such a formality as it seems will be for your son, and folks are usually only there to try and impress the coaches to hopefully generate an offer thereafter.
In that sense, I’m not sure why he needs to bother with that camp, but I guess he shouldn’t do anything to jeopardize his position with the coaches if they’re so interested.
What are you worried about as the drawbacks of this situation?
Depending on the sport – my kid was soccer - he attended camp at a D1 school where all the campers knew who were the players who received offers at camp so – depending on the sport – sounds completely possible. In terms of questions to ask, I would read through messages on this board for common questions about things like, what happens if kid is injured, are there majors which the coach thinks are difficult to manage with sport commitment, etc. Sounds like all moving in the right direction, congrats!
Thank you! I feel reassured. I think my primary concern was the camp itself as the forum for the offer. It just doesn’t seem like the right place to do it. And no one we know and nothing I’ve read mentions this as a possibility. It’s just good to know it happens.
Thanks for listening. This development took me by surprise I guess. I have learned a great deal from reading on this forum and I am very grateful for all of the information people have shared. I knew you all would be able to help!
I would agree with you that it is strange to say “we will offer you at camp” rather than just putting the offer on the table. It is maybe more common to hear something conditional, “if you show us x at camp, we will make you an offer” or the like. But kids get offered at camps all the time. When my son was recruited a few years ago offers at camp were uncommon in the Ivy, more common elsewhere. But the recruiting calendar keeps inching up, and it would not surprise me if camp offers were becoming more prevalant in the Ivy as well.
As far as how to manage the conversation itself, the normal rules of talking to coaches should apply. Be clear and respectful. Nothing wrong with telling the coach that his school is one of your top schools, but that you want time to consider your options. Coaches expect that frankly. None of the schools that offered my son demanded an immediate answer, and of all the kids I have known who went on to play in D1, the only time I have heard of a real truncated timeline to respond was when late offers have gone out close to signing day.
Good luck.
Coaches also do this at camps because they want to see a level of commitment from the kid, that he is willing to take time from his schedule to come to their camp and compete against other highly regarded recruits. Lot of offers now are contingent upon coming to camps and competing favorably there. Lots of different angles and scenarios. Liek others have said every program does it a little different.
Go to the camp and work hard, then enjoy the process.
Is it common at the camps to have an ‘end of camp’ review? I’d think this is a good time to make the formal scholarship offer, when the athlete is sitting down, reviewing performance. Since a D1 offer should be a full scholarship, there is no much to discuss in the way of money, but perhaps the coach lays out what is expected and what the benefits are.
I’m sorry it has taken me so long to reply, but life got in the way yesterday. I sincerely appreciate all of your responses and well wishes. As I was also very concerned about how quickly a response would be required, hearing there should be ample time to consider is a huge relief! Thanks again!
best of luck @oldbrookie and son!