I’m going through all of this recruiting process as well and as for swimming, I’ve heard something similar to what AlwaysMoving said about U Chicago wanting to know that recruits are being serious. And will conduct a pre read once they have confirmed the seriousness.
When my 2018 was being recruited for Chicago(and they really chased after him…they weren’t even on his radar), he was asked to send his marks and test scores. We were then given a “green light”, meaning the coach was told he could continue to recruit him, and that (presumably), he was Chicago-worthy material. After that there was an eventual invite to a camp, preceding by numerous texts and phone calls. After the camp (which was only a few weeks before ED), he was encouraged to apply ED, which he did.
He was never asked to commit to the school before he sent in his pre-read. That's just not the way it's done, at any school I've heard of.
We found the Chicago experience to be rushed, and obtuse. Clear as mud, would be another way to put it, at least in comparison other schools that we had dealings with. We have no idea if he wasn't accepted because of his academics, or his athletics, even though there were many indications that both were acceptable to them.
I strongly suggest that you have a plan B(and a plan C), should you decide to apply ED to U of C. 2018 did, and things turned out fine.
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@57special can you share what sport?
Thank you for sharing! Same as cinnamon1212 but, could you share the sport?
I don’t know if there are others who went through U Chicago recruiting but did you find it similar to 57special’s experience?
From their other posts, it looks like the sport was baseball.
Oh ok, thank you!
My child went through D3 recruiting and chose UChicago.
It’s better than the NESCAC which you submit ed1 blindly on the coaches word and reputation (though you pass a test score (SAT or ACT) with transcript pre read by admissions in July). They tell the coach what preference he needs to use on you (tip,or slot etc given definitions) given how close you are to the mean. For most sports and athletes that means you need to be in their range for regular students.
For UChicago, if the coach is giving you full support you send in your entire completed application October 1 (essays, recommendations, test scores, transcript etc). The coach says submit it ED1 and you will get an offer. For my child that meant less than two weeks later we had from the dean of admissions an early write or likely letter that said provided the grades etc remain normal you will receive your offer of admission come December when all ed1 offers are sent. That’s as firm as you can get. The coach does want to know your gpa and SAT scores prior to supporting you of course to make sure you can be admitted.
I’m not sure all recruited athletes get these letters. My child did and quickly accepted it and deposited. It is a relief not worry about the random cases you hear about other coaches not really having the pull they stated and scrambling post ed1 to find a school. I’m sure that rarely happens but you always wonder.
I will also say that some coaches are just better communicators than others. The Williams coach for example was always contacting and Amherst was very punctual. UChicago was less so but fully delivered on a timely basis.
What sport is it?
Thank you for the input. So your child did not do a pre read (just test scores and gpa to AO) but submitted a full application one month earlier than early deadlines. And was basically accepted less than two weeks later. Is my understanding correct?
From your other posts, I’m assuming your sport was track so it maybe different but definitely helps. My sport is swimming and I have not heard of this so if @AlwaysMoving or @swimjj has heard anything about submitting whole application on oct1, could you please update me.
I think we’re in that spot where we use general terms like pre-read and likely letter, but you are wanting the exact process. My info is from my child that is being recruited right now, and swimmers who were recruited in the past few years. I need to add that my child appears to be fast enough to garner some interest, but not fast enough to get a guaranteed admission slot.
A pre-read of your basic application should happen sometime before October. Generally it’s over the summer, but it doesn’t have to be. I’m not sure of the exact info U Chicago wants for the pre-read, but generally it is grades, test scores, and a transcript. A lot of coaches have a very good idea of whether a swimmer will pass the pre-read phase.
After the pre-read you will want the coach to define where you are on their list. Definitely in or do they just think you have an excellent chance? If you don’t hear definitely in, then you need to step back and weigh your options.
My child is waiting until July 1st to see if she gets a pre-read. That is the first chance to judge where she is on the coach’s list. The coach might offer one later, and she will continue to communicate, but she needs to work her other options harder. If she gets a pre-read then she will ask the coach if she has a spot. Most likely the coach will delay because she is not the fastest swimmer on the list.
My child is talking to about 10 coaches right now, and we hope to whittle that down to 4-5 by the end of August.
Going into pre read (they should ask you in June) is a great sign but not sufficient.
The coaches will take many more people into pre read knowing that not all come out of it successfully. Then they will often want to wait until the fall official overnights to meet the athletes. They will often ask to meet the following morning before departure and go down their priority list offering support in return for an ed1 commitment until they have used up their spaces. So even going on an overnight doesn’t mean you will get full support.
So be careful and ask specific questions.
For the most coveted athletes they may be much more clear much earlier. Those athletes have more options so it’s musical chairs.
@arbitrary99 Just to confirm - it sounds like you received the “likely” call prior to the ED1 deadline. Is that correct?
In this case, had you received a “no” you would have been able to ED1 somewhere else.
Correct. Not a call but a letter from admissions. Mid October in our case. Not likely but will be if maintain standards.
Very similar to what the Ivy League does. If one doesn’t get it can withdraw ed1 application. Very few d3’s do this. The NESCAC does not.
UChicago is just a fabulous school too.
Here’s an example
@arbitrary99
Did the coach offer you the opportunity to submit your application on Oct1 or did you ask them?
And also around what time of the year did you commit to U Chicago?
Sorry for asking so many questions but it’s the only way I can make myself feel more calm
I believe it was us asking if we were going to get strong support. At that time my child had gone through pre read and done overnight visits with several top NESCAC’s, Pomona, etc and was getting pressure from them as to where they stood. Response was if Chicago would support then that was first choice. Hence submitting the app and getting the letter.
You need to push the conversation forward and be patient if not the top if their list as they would always prefer someone faster. If that someone faster is waiting to see if they can go Ivy for example it’s all a trickle down.
I honestly don’t know where I would be on their list and hope that if I show enough interest, they will conduct a pre-read.
I’m still waiting on some D1 schools but definitely hope that swimming has the same system of applying Oct 1. Part of the reason why I’m waiting on D1 schools is that you are sure of getting in at a certain point way before application deadlines. So if U Chicago swimming has that system as well, I’ll will definitely push the conversation.
Your level of athletic talent and events is the primary driver of where you fall on the coach’s list…which will drive who gets pre-reads.
Of course, continue to stay in touch with the coach…do you have a good sense if there is a need on the team for an athlete of your profile (events and times)?
If there is a need and your times are strong, it is reasonable for you to ask the coach where you are on the list and if they will submit your academic information to admissions for a pre-read.
I think I would consider myself pretty competitive in terms of events and times for their team. Like at least contributing as a relay member and potentially medal or qualify for top 8 at their championship meet for an individual event. It’s kind of scary asking those questions but better sooner than later. I’ll post an update about it soon.
On a side note, do you think coaches read these forums? And if they do and can identify a certain recruit, do you think it would negatively affect the recruit? Just wondering so wanted to hear other people’s opinions.
NM
I understand it can be intimidating asking these questions of coaches, but you have to have clarity before you commit to apply ED.
I strongly recommend you not commit to applying ED as an athletic recruit unless you have had a positive pre-read, AND the coach tells you they are giving your app their full support with admissions, AND they have told you heir historical success rate of getting recruits with positive pre-reads accepted.
Only then can you decide if you are willing to commit to program and process. At DIII things are never certain, but the chances are much higher for success if you and the coaches have clear, unambiguous communications.
You should continue casting a wide net, if you are certain you want to swim in college. Once you commit to a program, you will have to tell the other coaches you have been in contact with.
It is also OK to have a parent or GC on calls with coaches, especially towards the end as things become more serious. The terminology coaches use varies and can be confusing…having an adult by your side may give you more confidence to ask these questions.
I don’t think there are many coaches reading these forums, and doubt you have communicated any identifying info should any be reading.
Good luck.
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