<p>My S is a swimmer currently applying ED for one of the most selective D3 schools. He has been trying to get coach's support from the very beginning but got nowhere. During the campus visit, we had a chance talking to the coach. He stressed that his support does not carry much weight because admission is based on academics. he does not have "slots", nor can he obtain likely letters. Kid's academic profile in our view in right in middle of the published admit stats from that school we can find. So without support from coach, his application is 50/50 at best. </p>
<p>Recently, he was able to swim some decent times in one of the meets he attended. His time should be among the top 3 times from that school this year. After informing the coach about his new time, coach replied saying he will "reach out to the admissions and provide some insight for them". Not sure whether this can be considered as some form of support. More importantly with ED decision time less than 2 weeks away, whether this can tip the scale? Thanks very much.</p>
<p>Personally, I think any time a coach is willing to personally reach out to admissions and discuss the admissions status of a perspective recruit, it’s a good thing. If only that it identifies the student as someone who the coach is willing to invest some extra time in. Whether that translates into “support”, or whether it tips any scales is anyone’s guess. I think coaches at top-tier schools (esp NESCAC, at least that was our experience) have to be especially careful with the word “support” as to not give false hope to kids who don’t fully make the “academic grade”…even more so when an ED app is on the table. Good luck!</p>
<p>admission is so competitive at the NESCAC schools that I think having the support of a coach can make all the difference. When you are admitting less than 15% of applicants, a lot of perfectly qualified kids don’t get in. My daughter had the grades, SAT scores etc. to theoretically get in. She was waitlisted at 2 NESCAC and accepted at 2. Positive pre-reads at all, but 2 schools didn’t need a player in her position. For the other 2, the coach did not have a chit. He did tell admission that if they accepted her, he would be playing her. Accepted to the 2 where the coach walked her application to admissions. Just our experience. Stressful because you don’t know for sure until the acceptance letter arrives.</p>
<p>oh–if it matters—all 4 were for regular admission.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, OP, I think your name “cliffhanger” is appropriate. Since your S applied ED that is in your favor and will help the school’s yield, if accepted. Coach support is helpful at most of these schools if you apply ED. If the coach told your S to apply ED or did not counsel against it if S told him this was his first choice, I think that is a good sign. My D had more definitive coach support though. I read the coach as not viewing your S as a top athletic recruit originally but now with the recent swim times he is more interested and is willing to invest some capital with admissions. Hopefully, he is just being cautious and S is likely to get in. Best of luck!</p>
<p>Cliff,</p>
<p>I am not sure it really matters now. At an earlier point in the process, deciphering a coach’s message is crucial. It allows the athlete to apply ED to the school where he or she will receive coach support through the application process. It is at this point in the process that the athlete can ask for a pre-read or ask point blank what the coach thinks. It allows the age-old D3 trade-off of an ED application committing to a school in exchange for coach support.</p>
<p>You are past that point now. Your son wanted to attend a terrific D3 school, knowing that the coach’s support was lukewarm and knowing in any event that coach support carried little weight in admissions. It is a little tough now to ask the coach the hard questions. You instead could try to use the coach as an admissions guidance counselor of sorts. Have your son ask the coach if your son should supplement his application with the new times or awards. He may tell you, “no, I have already done that,” but at least then you know that he contacted the admissions office for you as promised.</p>
<p>ED is a tough time, but at least you have another shot if ED1 doesn’t work out as planned. Fingers crossed and good things are sure to come.</p>