Now that it's over

Athletic Recruits
21

<p>Good for you guys!</p>

22

<p>Congrats, Chicagomama!!!
The day my daugher commited to her school (for gymnastics…which is not in our high schools) I felt like a 200 lb. weight had been lifted off my chest. I could stop tossing and turning at night, wondering about what to do!<br>
While she never wanted D1, in the end…it really did work out for the best!
Again, congrats to all who have finished this recruitiing race!</p>

23

<p>In my quest for a roadmap to this process, I am finding there is no map for everyone. I can say that I should have listened to the advice that said generally do not enroll in a camp unless the coach asks you to attend or the total enrollment is limited to 30 kids or so — DD did a bunch of camps this summer, and at 2 clearly she was not watched even though she’d expressed interest in the school repeatedly. The camp enrollments (about 60 at each school) and the clear demenanor of coaches had them looking at who THEY wanted, not anyone else, and they made it a bit obvious… there went about $700 of parental $$$ into the realm of wish I had known. </p>

<p>I can say she will keep all her options open and continue contact with the coaches at those schools but it left a negative impression. </p>

<p>At 4 others, where enrollment was limited, she was clearly observed. It has been difficult to pick out the true reactions as at one of the 4, she clearly seemed to do exceptionally well but there has been limited follow up from the coach despite her reaching out. At another at which she did do well, it was positive but not definitive. </p>

<p>Onward…</p>

24

<p>I felt like coaches speak a sppecial “recruiting language” and I was suppose to "read between the lines.
I also felt like I was playing a game, where I was the only one who didn’t know the rules…and I was learning the rules too late at every turn. IF I could redo the last 4 years…I would do SO many things differently.</p>

25

<p>Ok - let’s hear the suggestions? I will post my own when DD finishes the process.</p>

26

<p>My daughter’s sport is gymnastics. There are limited schools that have that sport. And, we found, that just beacuse a school is allowed 12 or 6 scholarships…that doesn’t mean the school FUNDS that many.
Here is a link to our brief turmoil:
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/athletic-recruits/1425843-d2-athletic-scholaship-question.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/athletic-recruits/1425843-d2-athletic-scholaship-question.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>If I could do it ALL again…FOR HER SPORT, I would have enrolled her in the NCAA clearinghouse earlier. And, I would have started her Youtube video account earlier…and started sending coaches links WAY sooner than we did. My daughter isn’t what I call a “Blue Chip” gymnast…but she is very good. I should have made her name “out there” her freshman year, the first time she went to Nationals. </p>

<p>I also ASSUMED that her coaches would promote her…WRONG. I assumed that College coaches would find her…WRONG!!!
(However, as it turned out, the school she chose, did find her)</p>

27

<p>I came across this thread the other day and it was great … Worth referencing again here.</p>

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/athletic-recruits/1452747-worst-advice-ever.html?highlight=bad+advice[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/athletic-recruits/1452747-worst-advice-ever.html?highlight=bad+advice&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

28

<p>Great news. Congratulations to you and your son for a wonderful accomplishment and thanks for the insight.</p>

29

<p>Well in some respects things are just starting for those of us with kids who aren’t the top recruits. A chess game now for where the top recruits say yes and where they leave holes for the second guard!</p>

30

<p>ChicagoMama,</p>

<p>Congrats on the NESCAC slot offer. I’m somewhat surprised at the early timing (July) of a NESCAC offer, but an offer is an an offer. My son (baseball) was recruited D1 and D1 Ivy (offers in July and August) and did not get a NESCAC offer until September. Whatever you and your son did to get the offer, you’re certainly doing something right. Good luck with the rest of the recruiting process!</p>