<p>First child is applying this fall and is fortunate enough to be getting some interest from coaches in his sport. He has a couple of official visits coming up at 2 Ivy's, so I'm trying to learn all I can about this recruiting process (any words of advice would be welcome!). Specifically, if he should receive a "likely letter," is he required to respond to that letter within a specific time frame? Is it possible to wait until he hears something from all the schools he's applying to or would that jeopardize any potential "offer" that might be associated with a likely letter? Thanks for any help you can give!</p>
<p>Many Ivy coaches will not give likely letters unless you really push. It depends on the school, the coach and the sport. That said, the coaches should give you a good idea of where you stand. I assume your son didn't apply ED, so the situation is a little differentl The answer to your question is it will depend on the coach, how important a recruit your son is to that coach and where your son stands academically.</p>
<p>Most of coaches will get a few spots to recruit (if a candidate has a certain stats then he is in), depending on which sport. As you could imagine those spots are very valuable. A coach is not going to give it to you unless you are committed. You will know if your son is getting a likely letter from a school.</p>
<p>We just got word that we are getting a likely letter from an Ivy. Don't want to say anything specific until it is in our hands. Once you go on an official visit you should be able to find out exactly where you stand on the coach's recruit list. D had 3 visits, 2 schools wanting to support her application. School #1 made intentions very clear, #2 was not quite so clear but also wanted her. We should have asked the tough questions so that we knew exactly where we stood before we had to decide. It is scary to rock the boat when these schools are recruiting you. D called school and specified that it was her #1 choice, then we applied, then we got a call saying we're in....Good Luck! It was a stressful process, but all worked out!! D is thrilled and so are we!</p>
<p>Didn't address of few of your concerns. I don't have the likely letter in hand so can't tell you if we need to respond. I do know that it is not considered "ethical" to be telling more than one coach that you have chosen them as #1. My understanding is that no one will issue a "likely letter" unless you are committing to them. It comes down to being ethical and honest and you are hoping that the coaches are treating you with the same respect. These are the Ivies and there are other kids wanting the spot if you are not serious with the school. You really end up having to make a decision similar to ED.</p>
<p>The coaches at two ivies offered to use one of their limited number of tags to guarantee my son's admission for next fall. One coach had 4 tags, and the other 3. They really needed to know early if he was committed to applying, as they could tag so few. He was assured that he would receive a 'likely letter' from the school with no early admission program and admission to the early decision school. He was also told that the coaches would 'support' his application if he was undecided and applied regular decision, but that their influence with the admissions office diminished in the regular application round. He made 'official visits' to both schools, and also submitted an early read application to another school. Upon being admitted to the early read school, he phoned both ivy coaches to let them know he was not going to apply. Prior to the official visits, my son was honest with both coaches about the schools he was considering and visiting. He also understood the coaches need to carefully use their small number of tags on students who were absolutely serious about attending their schools.They didn't play games with him at any point in the recruiting process. He was aware of how fortunate he was to be able to consider such fabulous choices and wanted to be similarly straightforward with the coaches so that they did not squander their opportunities with admissions to build strong athletic teams for next year.</p>
<p>Just a word of warning with regard to Ivy athletic recruitment. Last fall, a close friend's son was contacted by an Ivy swim coach. He was asked to come up for an official visit in late October/early November. With just days before the early admission deadline, the coach urged this young man to apply. He scrambled to get paperwork and application in on time. When the decisions came out, he was flat-out rejected. No explanation and no further contact from the coach.</p>
<p>ltgm- The case you describe is disturbing and reflects the reality that there are no guarantees in the recruiting process. Still, prior to an official visit the coaches have the student's scores and transcripts in hand, as well as proof of NCAA Clearinghouse pre-certification. Most Ivy coaches have a good sense of the academic standards required by their admissions office for recruited athletes for each sport, unless they are inexperienced. Some even get the blessing for an applicant from the admissions office prior to urging a student to apply.It is difficult to imagine they would use a tag for a student unless they believed there was a very good chance of admission.</p>
<p>OP, I sent you a PM</p>
<p>Thanks so much everyone - I appreciate your input. He'll go on another visit next weekend, so we'll see where this all ends up!</p>
<p>To ltgm,</p>
<p>I have heard stories of one Ivy League swim coach guaranteeing admission to recruits and then the recruits do not get in.</p>
<p>Possibly the same coach?</p>
<p>Could be. Our friend's experience was at Dartmouth.</p>
<p>Hmm. The stories I heard about were with the Yale swim coach.</p>
<p>Lesson Learned: Don't trust anybody 100%</p>
<p>This is too late to be useful for current seniors, but here's a good article about athletes and likely letters at Brown: Early</a>, Early Decision: Athletes commit to Brown as early as October - Sports</p>
<p>I know of a similar story at Dartmouth only it was for tennis.</p>
<p>Ivy likely letters are often sent at the same time as NLI signings for scholarship schools. If your kid is offered an NLI with a signing deadline, s/he may contact the Ivy coach at that time and ask for a likely letter if the Ivy is the athlete's first choice.</p>
<p>I agree with the feelings of the student/athlete in the article. Receiving an Ivy "likely" feels like one foot is in the door, but believe me, there is still plenty of anxiety as decision day approaches. We assume an athlete's application will undergo scrutiny, just like everyone else's. And no one at our house is wearing school colors yet :)</p>
<p>Also, knowingly trading "full-ride" combination academic/athletic scholarships from other programs in exchange for the opportunity to study at and compete for an Ivy League school, and paying full-freight to do so, is something that must be carefully weighed.</p>