<p>I am thoroughly confused and just when I think I am getting the hang of things, I hear something else that baffles me. Is a slot a "spot" offered by a coach which also entails his support? Do coaches verbalize to the student what they are offering or its inside information?</p>
<p>Tips and slots are words used to describe coach admissions support in D3. I’ve heard the terms used mostly in the NESCAC, although every school seems to use a different vocabulary when it comes to support. A ‘slot’, as I understand, is more solid than a ‘tip’ - but both are ultimately decided upon by admissions.</p>
<p>There are different words in different leagues and at different schools, but what we found is that it all boils down to the distinct “list” of very important recruits that a coach hands an admissions office. These are the recruits the coach absolutely needs and wants to keep their team competitive each year. The spots on that list vary by sport and by school.</p>
<p>Outside of that list are often the names of other athletes that the coach would like on their team, but they are not necessary enough to make “the list.” If all else is good with these applications, and maybe the student brings something else to the table for the college in addition to academics and sports, it can often work out for these students to be admitted. However, it is by no means a sure thing, and athletes with only “support” from a coach who did not make the important list can definitely be rejected. It just happened with a boy in my son’s school. He was rejected ED this week because he thought his grades, scores and coach support were enough. Without being on the coach’s list, they were not, so now he is doing ED2 at another school.</p>
<p>This is my second round with a student-athlete. I am speaking about D3…until you receive that acceptance letter, your child in not in. Pre-reads help but at the more competitive D3 schools you need to have great grades and high scores. My son, a swimmer, had the coach’s support and he had the grades and scores to put him in the 50% range, but until we got that wonderful “Congratulations” letter, I did not take for granted that he was “in”. And by the way, he is a very competitive swimmer but even though we think he is pretty special, there are many more swimmers just like him seeking those slots at the highly competitive D3 schools. Just be realistic, ask some very hard questions, but do not assume anything.</p>
<p>If you are not sure of the level of support, ask the coach directly. My kid (HYP recruit) was on the phone with the coach and when the coach talked about early application etc. my kid said “Does this mean that I am on your list for a likely letter and that you are supporting me for a likely letter with admissions?” Coach said “Absolutely yes.” That still did not guarantee admission, but it did tell my kid that the coach was giving the most support he could give. If you aren’t sure, or it seems unclear, ask direct questions until you are sure what the level of support is. In our experience, the coaches know there is a high level of uncertainty and stress, because coaches cannot guarantee admission. They will tell you the truth of their support, but you have to be willing to listen, even if the info is not what you wanted to hear.</p>
<p>To add to the discussion and underscore that only admissions admits, the coach texted my kid the morning after the evening when admissions decisions were emailed, asking him if he had checked his decision yet, and if so, what had happened. Even though he was a d3 slot player, we understood this to mean the coaches themselves did not even know about the admissions result until my kid got the official word first.</p>
<p>Interesting older article:</p>
<p><a href=“Unexpected Turns on Recruits’ Path to Graduation - The New York Times”>Unexpected Turns on Recruits’ Path to Graduation - The New York Times;
<p>I have heard various terms thrown around at the NESCACs. “Tips and slots,” just "slots,"or just “tips.” Think of it with the common English usage. A “slot” refers to a firm place, like a coin slot. A “tip” is the act of tilting something. As I understand it, the slot is reserved for the impact player that may not have the academic chops needed to be considered by the school. Typically, a slot will go to a “C Band” academic applicant. A “tip” goes to someone who could get in academically, but might get lost in the fray without coach support. The coach’s support “tips” the application. Different sports have a different number of slots, with football I believe having the most. GingerPeach has it right though, what matters is the “list.”</p>
<p>If in doubt, ask the coach. “How many slots do you have?” “Is my kid a slot applicant?” Then listen between the words.</p>
<p>Hi we already know my son was offered a slot. This we know for sure, but I was just curious on the clarification…interesting a learning experience right till the end:)</p>
<p>Thanks for the note. I don’t have enough posts to private message.</p>
<p>My experience is that he would be fine but a B would ease your stress. The admissions officers are not just looking at grades or standardized test scores, etc. They look at the whole deal. But, I have never done admissions, just my impression and what I have heard being through it.</p>
<p>But consider this; is there a reason why you are not communicating directly with the coach on this issue - or not getting clarification? Asking direct questions? Maybe you have. I don’t mean you are doing anything wrong, just not sure where the coach communication is with you as a parent - beyond your son. If you pay the bills, you need to be informed on your investment. If that person is not a good communicator, it would be concerning as you are passing up other investment opportunities. ED decisions are this month, I think, so you may just have to wait as you are locked in. You should have an answer any day, but ask yourself - am I comfortable with this coach? I should know exactly what he said about top or one of top recruits and also if a C matters. At this point, do I have a good plan B - even,if you may not need it.</p>
<p>I really do not think a C will matter in the end, but the coach - if he is worth anything - should talk to you or be willing to talk if you contact him. At least you should have a recruiting coordinator to bounce this stuff off. </p>
<p>Make sure your son has a perspective that it is very hard and competitive (on the field and in the classroom) and that there are a lot of things to consider. Pick the school first!! The coaches do come and go. Also, the NESCAC requires a roster size of 75 - meaning they have to cut kids if they over recruit. It is a surprise to some and it is hard to hear about a kid not ultimately on the team. Freshmen playing is also a luxury in most cases. It comes over time but you need to put this whole sport thing into perspective as it is a lot of work, especially for freshmen transitioning to college. I only say this as if you are having a hard time getting a perspective now, you may feel the same way after in and have an unreasonable expectation of how it really works. Your son may be fine, love it and grow as a person - mine is. It just makes it much easier if you set the expectation (or understand it) and keep things low key. Coach communication can really help as you take a lot of guess work out of it. </p>
<p>Last thing you want to do is build up something your sons friends and families as highly sought, “committed” and “top recruit” then he doesn’t play much and feels pressure. Of course you are right to be proud and supportive. But as a former coach, I have found that 50% of the people you tell don’t care and the other half are not happy for you deep down as there is a lot of competitive weirdness out there between most kids and parents, at least where I am from. There is surface support but it seems to fade after graduation. Most important, what your expectations are right now of what to expect are probably a bit different than reality as you will only be able to compare come this time next year. For fun, you may want to write down a journal of expectations of the coach, team, playing time, culture, etc just to see how close you were in reading it all during this agonizing process.</p>
<p>My advice, be sure to clarify to people that he is a recruit with football as his in and they like him. Its D3 ball not a D1 commit/scholarship. He will get a chance to make the team like everyone else. Who knows, he may also be the next NESCAC freshman of the year! Better to under sell and over deliver as there is so much pressure already. My advice to your son - compete. Period. Wherever he goes, throw out all HS achievements and become a freshman again, and compete. </p>
<p>Hope this helps. Looks like you will have to ride it out. Your son will end up where he is meant to be, if you have faith like we did…My son had a good first year of football going in with the right expectations.</p>
<p>I was worried about the slots or “support” from D3 schools, especially NESCAC schools. In the end, looking back, the coaches were very upfront and clear with the support they were offering, even from back during unofficials Junior year. I didn’t know whether to 100% believe them at the time, but if you ask clear questions, they are very direct about the support they are offering and their history with admissions decisions in the past.</p>