Keep in mind when my D was being recruited, the Bowdoin coach said they had no say in admissions, a direct opposite of what was said in the article.
Mcr,
Yeah, we can flash backward to remember all that, but tell the truth, your D must LOVE where she is now – probably more so than Bowdoin. Like I said, if it isn’t the way it was planned, it usually ends up even better.
This is how the coach explained it to me. Each of his recruits is assigned to an academic band based on the admissions pre-read (he did not say how many bands). The band determines how much support he must allocate for the recruit to get admitted. He then decides how he wants to divide his support among recruits. Once he decides, they go on “his list” (a short list) and there you go… the students on his list are “protected” through admissions “unless they fail a class or get arrested.” He flat out said that once they are on this list, it doesn’t matter what band they are in, or what level of support they are getting… they are “the same” to admissions. The important this is making this list. This is the list he says he has had 100% track record in recruits being accepted and that DD should feel “very very good about.”
This is how it was explained to us as well. The coach said that he was unable to issue a LL, but he has a track record of 100% of his supported recruits being accepted. My son bought the t-shirt, sweatshirt, and even the flannel pants. He also told all of the Ivy coaches that were heavily recruiting him that he has committed elsewhere. I am trying to trust the process and not worry.
@shuttlebus Well it certainly does sound as though we are in the same boat. Hopefully we’ll be able to come back here and post some great news in December!
DD also notified the other interested programs. It’s a bit scary to feel the bridges burning behind her, but she wanted to be open and honest with the other coaches.
This is the single best discussion I’ve seen on these topics. I was hoping the informed posters here can provide a read on our situation. D has had ongoing dialog with a NESCAC head coach who, after seeing her play, told her “I want you on my team.” D has fallen in love with the school and the coach after multiple visits and meetings. At the coach’s request for a pre-read, in early July D sent her ACT, transcript, etc., which put her above the school’s averages with a rigorous course load. In recent correspondence, the coach made arrangements for an OV, but said nothing about either the outcome of the pre-read or any level of commitment or support for D’s application, which D intends to submit ED.
My instinct, uninformed by any prior experience but confirmed by the posts here, is that my D should gently ask for a more direct statement of the pre-read results (the coach should have them by now, yes?) and where she stands, She is reluctant to do so, fearing the coach will react negatively. Thoughts?
Absolutely she should directly ask about the results of the pre read.
And listen very carefully to the response.
@gsg “In recent correspondence, the coach made arrangements for an OV, but said nothing about either the outcome of the pre-read or any level of commitment or support for D’s application, which D intends to submit ED.”
We are going through the process right now as well so take my comments with that in mind. Based solely on our experience, it doesn’t sound like the coach has made an offer yet to your D. In my son’s situation, the coach expressed interest early, but it wasn’t until after he spent a day with the team (his was an unofficial visit that we arranged) that he received a formal offer that contained the words “full support.”
I would definitely have your D ask about the results of the pre-read. I would assume that the pre-read was positive since the coach invited her for an OV, but I would ask the question just to be sure.
If she doesn’t want to ask the coach directly if she has his full support, she could ask how the recruiting process works at the school. My son asked this question right of the bat with every coach he met. Every coach was very candid in his response.
Good luck.
@gsg Totally agree with 8bagels and shuttlebus. I would add that your D doesn’t need to “be gentle” when asking for a more direct statement of the pre-read results. In my short tenure as a recruit’s parent, I have come to realize that this is all full of drama and intrigue on our end, but the coaches do this for a living and have heard (and probably even anticipate) these kinds of questions. There is not a single question that seemed to surprise any coach that we spoke with (and I asked a fair number of questions). Of course, what that means is that they have some well rehearsed carefully crafted answers. So you have to, as 8bagels said, “listen very carefully,” ask follow up questions and, if possible, take notes. (I wish I had recorded the conversations, b/c now I find myself second guessing what was said and what was simply my interpretation of what was said… hence my screen name.)
Also, be sure to ask specifically what the admissions office thought of her transcript/scores. (Shout out now to @OldbatesieDoc for how much I have learned from her and her DS’s experiences…Thank you so much!!!)
Confirm that the pre-read was actually done by admissions (as opposed to a less reassuring “coaches review” and “everything looks good” kind of response). I found that while DD had difficulty asking these questions (she hates being “pushy”), I could take on the role of “agent” and ask the more specific procedural “I’m not sure I trust you” kind of questions (of course in the most pleasant and charming manner possible ;;)). I think it was easier to do this in person with coach, DD, and myself present. But, if you need more answers than you think your D is getting, then I don’t think it is unreasonable to call and ask some follow-up questions. Although I know it is important for the kids to advocate for themselves and develop a rapport with the coach, they are still “kids” and coaches should understand that mother hen is watching.
Good Luck! Still crossing our fingers for all of us in December…
Many thanks. We will seek some direct answers and report the results.
Wow. Hadn’t checked this thread for a few days, and @PerpetualWorrier’s note resulted in a whole lot of activity.
There are a lot of wise and experienced parents posting on this thread, who also can really write well.
My redundant two cents (as a father of a incoming freshman NESCAC athlete and as someone who’s read every recruiting thread for the last three years):
@PerpetualWorrier – As others have stated, you’re in really good shape. When this is all done you can moonlight as a college counselor to high school athletes.
@gsg – Also as has been written, coaches routinely have direct explicit discussions about a potential recruit’s status. It is totally within the range of normal/acceptable behavior for your daughter to ask the coach about the result of the pre-read. And if the coach’s response is not crystalline clear she can say, “I’m not sure that I understand what you’re saying,” and continue to ask for more clarity.
@Ohiodad51 – you are an incredible resource here, and your unselfishly taking the time to write so many posts (when apparently you’re well past the process) is what CC is all about.
And I’m one who’s also of the mind that the ‘tips’ and ‘slots’ thing is overdone. My son will be going to Amherst, and despite a lot of explicit back and forth with the coach, those terms never came up (either specifically or in concept).
@mcr976 – My sister has taught at Tufts for a few decades. Congrats to your daughter. Great school and a really interesting and stimulating student body. Also, it’s not out in the wilderness like many of these NESCAC schools.
@gsg,
Coaches at D3 schools have little in the way of budgets. Accordingly, a recruit can get a bit more mileage by being proactive – not a nag – and taking the initiative to contact coaches. I look at this like marketing in the business world. You are always looking for a reason for a “touch.” A pre-read is a pretty darn good reason for another “touch.”
So, if you think you should have heard by now, your daughter absolutely should reach out again about the pre-read. If her sport is going on through the summer, she might contact the coach via email, bring up an achievement and then ask, “I am just wondering if you have heard back from admissions about the pre-read. I am excited about the team, but I am a bit anxious about the application process.”
A coach wants a player who wants to be at the college and on the team. Inquiring about the pre-read signifies that desire. Also, in the unlikely instance that there has been a snag (like the coach forgot to forward a test score to the adcom), inquiring allows for a fix before it is too late.
Remember too, coaches have to do the dance as well. They often experience recruits not answering their emails and calls. Quiet on one side or the other can signify a lack of interest. Your daughter should not allow that to happen.
My strong instinct is that a coach fully understands the pre-application jitters and is only too happy to respond with the information.
Thank you, thank you for the great advice. An update, as promised: My D had a great phone call with the Coach, who conveyed that the pre-read results were “really good”; no need to retake the ACT (D’s score more than enough). Admissions’ advice was only to get good grades first semester senior year and submit strong teacher recommendations – all accompanied by the expected reminder that there’s no “110% guarantee” of the admissions outcome. Coach specified the roster positions she’s looking to fill and that D has one of them at her primary, preferred position. Strong, “crystalline clear” (see AsleepAtTheWheel) statements of support for D’s application.
D long ago fell in love with this school and coach, so she’s very excited. Our sincere thanks for the all knowledge and suggestions imparted here. Best wishes and good luck to all, with hopes that we all are smiling on Dec. 20.
@gsg – That’s great. I’m sure that there a other kids/parents who’ve benefited from this thread that you started.
Now, once the acceptance is in hand you need to come back on this thread and name the school and the sport so we can all celebrate with you!
@gsg I’m so glad your daughter made that phone call. It’s so nice when things work out with the school they are in love with! I was wondering… is she still planning on going on the OV to “decide for sure” or has she already told the coach that she will apply ED1?
Wow, just came back to read updates and I’m surprised by all of the discussion. Glad that the thread is helping so many. What’s clear to me is that I was not alone in the experience and that we are all hearing the same type of things. Surprisingly my son’s focus has improved since hearing about the pre-read, He’s already thinking about what he has to do to get as much time as he can as a Freshman and potentially trying to walk on the basketball team.
We did buy the sweatshirt, but since my wife is an alum, if this somehow blows up, the shirt(s) will still have use.
@Asleep - D and I are a bit reluctant to identify the school and sport for now (coaches have computers, too, though the temperate and constructive tone of this entire discussion is a model of internet civility). With acceptance in hand that might change, as we all (hopefully) celebrate the talent, perseverance, and hard work of our Ss and Ds, with an small assist from parents whose reward will come in the next life if not this one.
@Perpetual - Yes and yes. D has already committed to applying ED at this school (I submitted the Common App ED parental acknowledgment form last night) AND she is going on the OV. She’s bought the chocolate bar but won’t turn down another trip to the factory.
@Beagle - I went back and checked and indeed you’re post #1. What a public service you’ve performed. Thanks, and good luck to your son.
@gsg – I agree strongly with being circumspect about not writing anything here on CC that could identify you to anyone at the school. I do think that it’s different once the acceptance is in hand, but I can understand that some may feel otherwise. We did post a detailed note on one of the acceptance threads for Amherst, as we’ve benefited from similar notes (and couldn’t see any downside to doing so).
@BeagleAG – Slightly off-topic, but when my older (non-athlete) son was doing his round of accepted student visits, he fell in love with Tulane and (despite Mom’s warnings) bought the most expensive sweatshirt at the bookstore ($75). Of course, he is entering his junior year at Emory. I tried to get the sweatshirt into the hands of a Tulane family by posting a note here on CC, offering to mail it for postage only. I got severely rebuked by the moderator for trying to sell merchandise on this website, which is verboten. Ultimately we gave it to a local Tulane family.
Congrats @gsg!
@AsleepAtTheWheel in our case the boy’s clothes will go to his mother if this backfires. I too, did not want to mention the school or sport, but ultimately thought the sport might help others and indeed, a few asked questions about our “soccer” experience. That said, when (and if) his NESCAC school comes through, I will probably post the name of the school, if for no other reason than to let folks know that the coach(es) there are true to what they said… that’s probably as valuable as anything that’s been posted.
I think some of the NESCAC schools have released results. Does anyone have any updates yet on how the recruiting process worked out for them? I will be able to post an update tomorrow.