I desperately need something someone to chance me for The University of Texas at Dallas! It would be so appreciated! Here are my stats:
ACT Composite- 24
GPA- 4.0/4/0 (but I’m homeschooled, so this doesn’t hold much weight…)
College GPA- 3.39 (This GPA is from the 47 hours I have under my belt as a Collin College dual credit student. This past semester was rough… I got 2 B’s, an A, and a C and it REALLY hurt my GPA… should I even bother sending in my college transcript? Should I leave it out of the picture, since my GPA is so bad?)
Letters of Rec- 10/10
Achievements-
-Chosen out of hundreds of applicants through an application process consisting of essays, recommendation letters, and interviews to travel to remote Tanzania alongside Shawn Askinosie, CEO and founder of Askinosie Chocolate Factory to participate in cocoa bean inspection and profit sharing meetings, and witness firsthand the benefits of the company’s Direct Trade relationship with the cocoa farmers
-Spent one week on the campus of Drury University to be coached in a crash course of direct trade methods, cacao agronomy, Tanzanian culture, and the Swahili language
-Purchased premium Kyela rice harvested by the PTA of Mwaya Secondary School in the Kyela district of Tanzania, sold the rice, and then returned 100% of the profits to the PTA so they could provide lunches for each of its 1,000 students
-Raised $6,125 in six months to build a new classroom for 1,400-student Mabubu Elementary School in Tanzania
-Lead discussions with the Empowered Girls club at the Mayawa School in the Kyela district of Tanzania with the aim to increase the retention and graduation rate of female students
-Led the implementation and maintenance of a Khan Academy video-learning program on laptops and projectors throughout schools in Tanzania and funded the school’s first computer teacher to manage the new video-learning curriculum
-Featured on Huffington Post for work done in Tanzania, for finding new ways to raise funds in order to support the African community, and for making a bar of chocolate more than something to be savored
-Selected to attend Yale Young Global Scholars, a very selective leadership-development program for high school students from around the world, to study technology, innovation and entrepreneurship on the campus of Yale University
E/Cs-
-Debate (state and national qualifier)
-Committed to play soccer at The University of Texas at Dallas (will this help me get in, will an admissions counselor be impressed with this?)
-Have run my own business since age 13 through eBay and Poshmark, brought in over $40,000; $10,000 of which I have donated to local causes…
Thanks so much for replying!!! Yes, it is the school’s division 3 college team. The coach offered me, and I gave him my verbal commitment. I’ve heard some people say that playing a sport at the D3 level won’t give you any leeway with admissions. The average ACT is a 28 there, and I have a 24. I’m also homeschooled… but have very strong ECs, letters of rec, and essay. Do you think I stand a chance? Will the fact I’m committed to play soccer there increase my chances in the eyes of admissions? Thanks again!
Division 3 coaches don’t have as much pull, you are correct. However if the coach asked for a formal commitment from you then you shouldn’t be shy about asking for a commitment from the coach.
Division 1 schools use a National Letter of Intent, and Ivies use the likely letter. You should ask the coach if they have something similar.
Your chances without the athletic hook is much lower as I’m sure you’re aware. Don’t be afraid to ask the coach direct questions. You could be hung out to dry if UTD reneges on your promise.
Continue to talk to other soccer coaches in case this doesn’t work out.
The coach has also given me his commitment. His is binding, mine is non-binding, meaning I could change my mind if I wanted to. His commitment is contingent upon me getting accepting into the school, however. I’m just wondering if me being committed to play soccer there, which would bring something to the university, would make up for my average test scores. Do you think it does that? Do you think I have strong ECs? Thanks for your input!
If his end of the bargain is “contingent upon you being accepted,” what exactly does that mean? That he’s committed to letting you play on the team if you get in? Or that he’ll put a word in for you with admissions?
If he isn’t going to help you get in, that commitment isn’t much use - if he’s willing to offer you a spot right now, you’re likely good enough that you’d make the team anyway.
When I say that, I mean he is committed to offering me a roster spot no matter what… this includes injury. I have to get into the university on my own. Many D3 coaches will send in the names of their committed players and “put a word in”, but this doesn’t guarantee anything. Admissions will ultimately decide if I get in. So my question is- will my being committed impressive ADMISSIONS? I mean, I am offering something to the university… definitely something to bring to the table. Do you think they’re more likely to accept me because I am committed? The reason I’m concerned is because my ACT is a 24.
You don’t seem to understand how college recruiting works. It seems to me as if the coach is stringing you along. Coaches at Division 1 and Division 2 schools have a system to ‘protect’ or are allocated certain slots for their recruits.
It sounds like the coach is just hoping you get in on your own merits and doesn’t want to use one of his slots for you.
Ask direct questions to the coach. In particular “Do you have any protected slots or tips for athletic recruits? If yes, then why aren’t you offering me one? I committed to you as my #1 choice”
@sgopal2 thanks for your reply - really appreciate the advice! Just wondering, did you play a division 3 sport or did you know anyone who went through the process?