<p>Waiting for S2's RD decisions, so not much to do but read some tea leaves. A few days ago he got an email from the coach of one of his RD schools (DIII) that ended by saying how the coach looked forward to talking with son about how he can contribute to the team. This is the first communication from the coach since son applied back in November. Before that, son had received some "emailing list" emails from the coach. I'd like to take this as a sign that his app isn't sitting in the reject pile. :)</p>
<p>It is definitely a good sign, but from my experience he may not yet be admitted, so be prepared for anything. I am currently a recruit for two top 5 academic schools, both D3, and both coaches are very interested in me as a player for their squads, but that does NOT mean I will be admitted. It probably means the coach has supported your S’s application, which is definitely a good sign!!
Not trying to be a spoilsport, but just be prepared for anything. That is how I am going about my athletic recruitment process. Your S should try to do official visits at each of the schools, which would help the coaches get to know him better and him to get more of a feel for the school.</p>
<p>Until you get an acceptance letter anything can happen, keep your options open. My daughter did not get into one of her first choices even though a coach flagged her application as a recruit. Interestingly as well one of her current teammates at their school, also applied to the first choice school and she did not get in either and she had been given an offer. Coaches will cast wide nets knowing they will not get everyone they want.</p>
<p>So, we are not alone in this wait. It seems that it’s all part of it all, but at the same time it’s also when other suitors can come in and usurp the process.</p>
<p>It probably depends on the school. We were on a visit to a D3 private school. There were about 10 recruits with parents there. The coach said that if you hadn’t applied yet to get the app to him and he’d take it to admissions…Take that for what it’s worth…</p>
<p>I think most private D3 coaches have plenty of pull. Privates are often expensive and often have high numbers on their roster (in this case football). These players are not getting athletic $ but may have scholarships, federal or state $, or even be full pay. Getting players (all sports) into the school means tuition for the college.</p>
<p>We have been told by several DIII coaches that they can 'assist" with getting more merit aid and admissions for athletes they really want. Now, you have to have reasonable stats to prove you belong but they will usually find the money if needed.</p>
<p>If he is really good (and you should consider this objectively-does he have much contact from more than 1 D3 school-any D2’s?) they will probably help him. Some D3’s will take almost anyone on the team as a freshman, but not all of them will be “recruited.” My son was “recruited” and coaches from several teams contacted him by letter, email, phone etc. On one visit a coach actually told us that if we get other offers that are better to let them know and they can work with it. I did do that. We did get one school to match another one’s offer (through “grants”) but ended up at the school whose original package was the best. I might even have been able to sent the first school the revised offer of the second school and get even more, but it felt wrong. He ended up hating the school and transferred to one that netted out the same cost, without aid.</p>
<p>FIT is important. Don’t let him get lured by the coach and the facilities. Figure out how good you think he really is. School son chose had almost 70 freshmen. Many quit. Look at the roster for last year and this year…how many fresh last year returned as sophs this year? If it is a low number that tells me they just recruit as many as they can.</p>
<p>Hopefully your son is good, is really recruited and gets great aid! If not, and he just wants to give it a try, go for it. It’s great exercise and son did build great friendships in the 2 week camp prior to the rest of the students moving in. I just wish he had liked the school. Now he’s still the “new” guy and has no bonds with the football team or really anyone. Hopefully he is healthy and can play next year and get some bonding in at this year’s camp.</p>
<p>Hope your son attended overnight football camp somewhere in the past to help him know what’s coming!</p>
<p>Read the NESCAC official website-- it makes it very very clear that only admissions can make any offer of admission and that any comment by a coach should not be taken as determinative of anything. That being said, the email is certainly better than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick. I would guess (and that is all it is) that you are right in that the coach hasn’t been told that you are out–he may even have been told you are in, but he isn’t permitted to communicate that to you-- so I would take it as a double negative–NOT OUT. Also, the coach is supportive-- does that mean that he has used a “slot” or a “tip” – can’t determine but again, he didn’t say that he is throwing you to the ad com wolves without support.</p>
<p>As hard as it is–and I know it is-- soon all will be revealed. I hope that these tea leaves by the coach come true.</p>
<p>What to do?? If–and only if–you WILL attend if accepted, I would email the coach back asap and thank him for his kind email and say in no uncertain terms that if accepted you will attend. Perhaps, just perhaps, the coach might relay that to admissions and if you are on the tipping point that could put a finger on the scale for you-- Nte lots of the subjunctives in all of that, but it is worth a try–but never ever say you will come if you will not. It will give you–and your high school-- a bad reputation, and as the Bard wrote, a person’s word is priceless–but once gone, cannot be regained.</p>
<p>Thanks for all responses. Etondad, the school is not NESCAC, but your post is otherwise spot on to my concerns. Son is good enough to contribute to all the teams of the schools he has applied to, but not so good that the coach is likely to use a slot for him. I would take comfort at this point in thinking he is not out. But in the end, no news is no news.</p>
<p>etondad is on the money. I hadn’t properly read the OP to understand that they were asking if this meant that the student had been accepted. Yes, if he wants to go there he should certainly call the coach and let him know. I would call and email. If you reach him you can do a follow up email, or if you email you can call afterwards just to say that you sent him an email…or whatever works. Never hurts to show interest. My original reply was just sort of a reminder to have reasonable expectations as they enter the season, and not to let the ego (when they say how much they’d love to have him) lure him to a school that otherwise might not fit. </p>
<p>An overnight visit is a really good idea and you can ask for one before making that final statement that he’d like to go there.</p>
<p>I’m not the optimist in this situation, but I think following up on the coaches note could not hurt your situation. First, your son applied RD which means the coach typically doesn’t have a lot of influence with Admissions. Second, this is the first time you’ve heard from the coach since November. It doesn’t appear your son and the coach have developed a personal relationship. At best, the coach may want your son to be a walk-on. I don’t think I would read too much into this, and I’d keep ALL my options open.</p>
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<p>I would not read too much into this…
Our student got an email that had some customization and some boilerplate that had very encouraging language like this–from the coach–at an ivy—also said how he and coach so-n-so felt our student would fit into the team, be great etc etc…bring the team to the next level etc etc.</p>
<p>…right before official visits were offerred…</p>
<p>Our student expected an invite for an offical for this school and that didn’t happen.</p>
<p>Workd out fine as kiddo as at a different ivy…and is very happy.</p>
<p>Point being–don’t lean to much on the tea leaves. Keep all the options open</p>
<p>As Fenwaysouth says, your son should definitely respond with updates and reiterate his interest in the school. We don’t know why the coach re-initiated contact; it could range from being admitted, to admission asking the coach about your son (i.e. does the coach want him) to asking your S about being a walk-on should he get admitted.</p>