<p>S has some UVs coming up. Will the coaches ask him what other schools he's talking to? When they've asked via email, he's tended to name conferences ex."NESCACs, Liberty, a few Patriot." But, should he be naming names? I'm wondering if the coaches talk to each other about the prospects they have in common. The process of showing equal (high) interest to all to keep options open seems so awkward to us, and somewhat dishonest. Should he limit how many he names so coaches don't give up? Or, does more interest make him more desirable?</p>
<p>Unofficial Visits are like a 1st or 2nd date. Most use it to evaluate it as a “is it a fit” situation. One of the first questions they will ask is “who else are you talking to?” The question isn’t meant to put you off but rather to evaluate how serious you are, how far down the recruiting path you are and a way for them to focus on specific areas where they are advantaged over the other schools. </p>
<p>I think you son did the right thing by naming conferences in emails. He should know what to say if it comes up in direct conversation. Coaches want to know who they are competing against, and where they may be advantaged or disadvantaged. In my son’s sport (baseball), they all know each other and talk about recruits. They may also want to know how far down the recruiting path he is with these other schools. A Coach is going to handle a recruit who is considering 5-7 schools differently than a recruit who is looking at 2-3 or a recruit who has already received an offer but not committed yet.</p>
<p>As my son got more experienced and comfortable with communication and un-OVs, we shared this information with the recruiters.</p>
<p>I think this is a great question. It seems to me that if a recruit is not too careful the recruiting process becomes one sided. This is a “business” for these coaches and most of them are very good and have lots of experience. I would stay pretty vague ay UV. What year is your son? Is he a rising senior? If so, then maybe it is time to be more specific. Is it appropriate for the recruit to ask them what other recruits they are talking to? Probably to but maybe “where do I stand with the guys you are recruiting?” Might be appropriate?</p>
<p>As Fenway said, the question tells the coach how serious you are and how he can structure his pitch based on competing schools. I talked with the WashU coach about this and he said, “I (want recruits that) are authentically interested in our institution. When you recruit at a higher-end academic school, you tend to get a lot of people that just want to go to a good school and they’re looking at 20 schools. So we’re looking for kids that picked us out, honestly. There are students out there that play a game and they’re telling every coach the same thing, all the while they’re going to go to whatever school is ranked number 1 on their list – if they get in. So our first thing is to find kids that are really authentically interested in WashU – not just, ‘hey I want to go to a good school’ – but I’ve done my research .We don’t necessarily have to be the top choice going in, but they should have it narrowed down to a realistic number. We’re on their list, and they know why we’re on their list – they know what we have to offer. So that would be number one.”</p>
<p>Thank you. S is a rising senior. If S is completely honest with them, he will say that he’s at the same stage with them that he’s at with the other schools. He doesn’t have a favorite yet and that’s what these visits are for. None of these are his dream school, though he recognizes the great opportunity to attend any one of them. (His dream would be to play for our state flagship - not near the academic caliber of the schools recruiting him- and, for good or bad, he’d jump if they were to call.)</p>
<p>“His dream would be to play for our state flagship - not near the academic caliber of the schools recruiting him- and, for good or bad, he’d jump if they were to call.”</p>
<p>I get it. You might want to have the “someday you’re going to hang up your spikes” talk with him. :)</p>
<p>My opinion is no reason to not be candid, coaches appreciate honestly and they do talk to each other. One time my son had two coaches following him in a tournament and the two of them chatted and watched. They were both recruiting him and they both knew my son was interested in both but was still gathering info. I think a recruit can get in a lot more hot water by not being candid than by laying their cards out. Just my 2 cents.</p>
<p>Not only many coaches from the peer schools talk to each other but the current teammates and other recruits talk too. Rest assured that when your S goes on UV many people outside of host school will know. Even as a parent you will be accumulating “unpublished” information about other recruits.</p>
<p>A coach asked son what colleges he was considering we named them. I would have felt funny dodging the question about colleges by answering with leagues. A couple of colleges son is considering are in a very different region, so the inquiring coach followed up with a question about whether son would stay local if the fit was right. </p>
<p>I hear you. We have had the conversation. He knows he’s likely headed to one of the other schools and is flattered by their interest and recognizes the opportunity BUT “the dream” has certainly delayed him from developing a true favorite among them. </p>
<p>Another question- does anyone have a feel for how many prereads coaches do? How big of a net are THEY casting at this stage? On one hand, I would think a lot for the same reason players do. But then again, are admissions being bombarded with hundreds of preread requests (considering # of sports).</p>
<p>" does anyone have a feel for how many prereads coaches do? "
Every kid that is invited out for an official visit has submitted test scores and gets some sort of pre-read or quick evaluation. So how many OV’s do they offer? My guess would be around 3 times the number of spots they have, possibly more.</p>
<p>we were very comfortable in giving the other schools he was interested in as they were all basically the same, small (5,000 students) the only difference being some were in the North and more Southern</p>
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<p>I’d agree with that guess…3x. Over the years, my son had told me of the different recruits that went through OVs, and those that he specifically hosted over the years (mostly engineering majors). Some of them are pretty darn funny. </p>
<p>It surprised him how many of these recruits think the word of themselves given their situation (they are surrounded by pretty smart guys playing college sports.) That is the one sure thing that is going to get you a " no confidence team vote". JMO. </p>
<p>Fenwaysouth said…“It surprised him how many of these recruits think the word of themselves given their situation (they are surrounded by pretty smart guys playing college sports.) That is the one sure thing that is going to get you a " no confidence team vote”. JMO."</p>
<p>Agree with that…I’ve heard many tales of ‘no-go’ reports coming from the team because they don’t want to deal with a freshman prima donna for 20+ hours per week, every week. A little humility and respect during the OV goes a long way.</p>