Simply ask the coaches what times they need to see by when to be given full support during recruiting. They will tell you. You can also find some information by internet search.
Thank you all for your advice. I was really unsure about this whole process but I feel much more confident and will ask coaches on those topics. Really hope everything goes well.
Will update about coach’s responses soon.
I asked the coach were I stand in the recruiting pool and I don’t want to put down the exact words but from what the coach told me, I believe I would be in a competitve position if I commit early (feel free to message me for details). Coach said first come first serve.
From what I see online, UChicago seems like the place for me, at least at the moment, so I would like to get in that position and am considering committing if possible. But D3 athletes don’t commit till like at least around July right? Of course I would have a longer conversation with the coaches should I do this and coach said recruits could commit in summer to early fall.
@tracky21 If you commit, what are your chances of acceptance? 100%?
Did the coach say you have to commit to have a pre-read done by admissions? Has the coach seen your transcript and test scores?
Agree with #42 too.
Edited to add: good job talking with the coach about where you stand!
I didn’t ask the coach about what percentage of recruits get accepted or how much of a chance I have since I didn’t want to bombard them with too many questions. However, going into summer, if I decide to commit, that’ll be on my to-ask list before making the decision.
@Mwfan1921 The coach said if I commit in summer or early fall, they could send my test score and transcript for some feedback (I believe he said all of this during a zoom call with other recruits as well). Coach has seen both of those and he said I would probably be a competitive applicant, even though I’m on the lower end for test scores compared to class of 23.
If the coach has explicitly stated ‘summer or early fall’ it would probably be best to wait for until then right?
It’s a tricky situation to be sure…if you wait too long, all the coaches ‘slots’ or ‘spots’ (or whatever terminology he uses when speaking of the first come first serve opportunity) could be spoken for.
All you can do is continue the back and forth communication (the fact that the coach is communicating with you and answering questions is certainly a positive).
Continue to build a relationship with the coach, and ask the other questions on your list. As you do this, the timing should become more clear…hopefully the communication will be such that you know how many spots are spoken for.
I would continue speaking with other coaches and casting a wide net. In the case of U Chicago the process is backward…commit first then pre-read, rather than the other way around which is most common.
In this case I would not withdraw from the recruiting process with other schools until you have a positive pre-read, even though that would be after a verbal ‘commit’. A verbal commit is not binding…on you, or the coach.
Is there someone who knows track recruiting that you can talk to? Your coach? Because this really doesn’t sound right to me, but I admittedly don’t know anything about track recruiting specifically.
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Start by filling out the recruiting questionnaire at every school you are interested in. They will ask events, times, test scores, gpa.
They will definitely contact you if they are interested in you.
@Mwfan1921 If I continue communicating with other coaches after commiting and if the coaches find out, wouldn’t it be a big problem? I’m not sure on the rules but I thought a commitment means the recruit ceases contact with other schools.
@cinnamon1212 My sport is actually swimming and we rarely get recruited athletes at our school (around one every 2 years, but at very good universities) so I decided to ask here.
Normally I would say yes you would tell other coaches you have verbally committed elsewhere.
But, because the UC coach wants you to commit before the pre-read (and seemingly to be able to even get a pre-read), I would wait until you have a positive pre-read to tell the other coaches you have verbally committed.
For the record, I think asking a recruit to commit before a pre-read is unfair, and I could even make the case it is unethical.
Unfortunately though that looks to be the situation you are in, and you have to make the best decision for you.
Thoughts @cinnamon1212 @politeperson @gointhruaphase @twoinanddone ?
My thoughts are that the situation as described is SO unfair, that it is unethical. However – I know nothing about swim recruiting. But on it’s face, all the power is with the institution and none with the 17 year old and that is not right. But – since I very much doubt that U of Chicago recruiting is unethical, I think something else might be going on, perhaps that Tracky has misunderstood. But of course I could very well be wrong, which is why it would be good for someone who knows swim recruiting to chime in.
As described, Tracky has to give up all his options at other schools (because he’s committing) and Chicago gives absolutely nothing! It makes no sense. At literally every single school I’ve ever heard of, no matter the division level, it is the SCHOOL that makes the first move towards commitment by making an offer. Never the student.
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My knowledge of swim recruiting in general is minimal, and at UChicago is zero. But I agree with the skepticism about this process. To me, the gold standard is a pre-read, official visit, and only then a commitment from the recruit. That’s generally what’s best for coaches also, as they get to know the recruits.
My first thought was that maybe there’s some sort of misunderstanding here, such as the coach just wanting to be sure you’re serious, or wanting to be assured that if you’re admitted it’d be your first choice. Those are slightly different than what Id consider a commitment, which implies that you’re not looking around.
I suppose if this is the way they do things you’ll have to assess the downside risks. Personally, if my second and third choice schools were offering support, or might, I wouldn’t commit to a process like this. I’d tell the coach I hoped to visit and get to know the team and school before committing. But if you don’t have that choice you’ll just have to weigh what your backup plan is if this doesn’t work out.
@Mwfan1921, There are two ways of looking at this: The NCAA rules and the social rules.
The NCAA Division III Bylaws do not permit binding “commitments” in Division III. Specifically, Bylaws 13.9.1 and 20.11.4 prohibit the use of a letter of intent or similar form of commitment in the recruitment of a prospective student-athlete. The ceremonial letter of intent form is just that – ceremonial and non-binding. Bylaw 13.9.1.1. Bylaw 13.10.7 states that publicity by an institution “concerning a prospective student-athlete’s commitment to attend the institution shall occur only after the paid acceptance of the institution’s written offer of admission and/or financial aid.” Put differently, the only binding commitment is the deposit after acceptance. So, no matter what you said – even “I commit,” it isn’t enforceable until you were accepted and gave your deposit money. Who knows, it could be an NCAA violation for the school to try to enforce the commitment.
Thus, we are left doing what we think is “right” in a given situation. I did not stop talking to prospective employers until I formally accepted a job offer (we all have heard of rescinded jobs offers). However, there are different views on what is right and wrong in these situations. I don’t think it is wrong to talk to other coaches to ensure a back-up plan if plan A fails, but others may see this differently. Would the coach be unhappy if you spoke to other coaches after committing? Who knows, perhaps, although I am not sure how he would find out.
This is pretty difficult for 2021 recruits as many of them lost the entirety of their junior season and many are still not back in the pool so the ability to obtain times before a preread is limited at best.
I agree but the coaches will use some benchmark to chose those athletes. Ask what it is. Is it sophomore year marks then? Is it virtual times (in track if you video a session it can go on your athletic.net record. Other spirts are doing this too)
The coaches will decide how they will recruit and what the standards are. So again, ask them.
Thank you all for your response. I have decided to clarify with the coach on if a verbal commitment is needed before a pre-read soon. Hope to decide things after getting a response.
Tracky21: I don’t know much about recruiting at UChicago. But I’m paging @BrianBoiler to this thread. His son is a current track athlete at UChicago and probably can offer advice.
Thank you for the mention!