<p>I agree that coaches have a very good idea whether a kid will be admitted or not. I’d also say that any coach in that situation, i.e. verbal commitment as a sophomore, who is serious about the athlete will request a LL, and any athlete in that situation should ask for one as early as possible. LL can be issued October 1.
(As an aside, “one of them didn’t make it due to a bad interview (per report from the kid)” ---- that must have been an extremely bad interview; I’ve never heard that; most interviews are after the recruit already has a LL.</p>
<p>^^ All of the recruits in my kid’s class had on campus interviews with adcom summer after junior year.</p>
<p>I know that at Harvard someone from the Dean of Admissions’ office (or similar title) interviews recruits during the OV; however, I was told it was a very benign chat and more informational. Anyways, it doesn’t really matter; it was just an aside.</p>