<p>I heard from a coach at one of the schools my S applied to. (Not his 1st choice school) The coach said he needed to confirm my S's social security number in order to process his "priority admit". What exactly does that mean?</p>
<p>I am not sure but it sounds very interesting. </p>
<p>If it is a great school on par with his #1, maybe this coach just has a great deal of enthusiasm for your son as an athlete. Or, maybe they have rolling admissions and you did not know it? Or, if it is a safety school, maybe they are trying to get him admitted fast so he can marinate in his acceptance for a while, building goodwill; they probably suspect he has a higher choice, but just in case he is not in at his top choice. </p>
<p>One of my D's safeties gave her a very fast reply, they've called us several times, and they are turning around a merit aid award pronot... even though they know she's got her eye on another school. A different safety sent her a "you'll get your decision in 2 weeks" easy online app with <em>no essay</em> just to get her to apply.</p>
<p>Another LAC coach called <em>coincidentally</em> on 1/2/05 to casually inquire whether or not D would be applying?-- and then to mention school's due date had not yet passed. It was a good strategy, because now D is considering doing one more app... </p>
<p>I think it is smart for the schools to do this; they solidify their position in the kid's mind. They know they are the safeties; their strategy is, as they say in the movie biz, "getting the kid preganat" with the idea of attending the school.</p>
<p>SBmom, The school (a State U, but not our State U) definitely doesn't have rolling admissions. I do like your, "marinate in his acceptance for a while", though. My son was upfront with the coach when asked what schools he was applying to. I'm sure the coach is astute enough to figure out his place in line.</p>
<p>I hate to sound so paranoid, but isn't your son's SS number on his app? Why couldn't the coach access that? I guess what I'm really asking is, are you absolutely sure the person asking for the SS number was in fact the coach?</p>
<p>Well, maybe they file the apps by SS# so the coach needs it to access the app and get it to the athletic liaison's desk?</p>
<p>And even if they do not have rolling admissions, maybe this coach has a "pick" and wants to formally meet with adcom to urge them to issue a 'likely letter' type thing...</p>
<p>Also BTW-- when I applied to colleges, I got acceptances from Cornell & Bryn Mawr months ahead of time though I had not applied to either in EA or ED. They became my fantasy safeties while waiting for the other replies. Like I said good strategy to hook a kid.</p>