The AI is part of the policies set by the Ivy League. https://www.mka.org/uploaded/college_counseling/Publications/AI_Guidelines_Worksheet.pdf.
Also, Ivy League schools are still requiring SAT or ACT tests for recruited athletes. As Penn goes test optional, prospective athletes still must submit scores | The Daily Pennsylvanian. This is likely due to the overall Ivy League policies. All Ivy League Universities Drop SAT/ACT Requirement - Crimson Education US.
This is not true for all Ivies. And I’m not sure it’s still the case for Penn this year (new Dean of Admissions is a big test optional proponent).
It was true for the five Ivies we talked to for applications this year. Even if the school overall didn’t require it, if you wanted a Likely Letter then you needed to provide this. The answer might be different for the current recruiting class that is just getting started.
Perhaps it’s the fencing coaches who are requiring test scores? I have direct knowledge of athletic recruits applying TO to Ivies last year and this year, none in fencing however.
This is a really helpful repost! I’m wondering how student athlete/fencers manage to build their volunteer/community service hours when they spend a significant amount of free time training. (In our son’s case, he also loses a significant amount of “free time” commuting to/from practice.) Fencing isn’t everything, of course, but I’d welcome suggestions for how to manage time (especially during junior year) to balance training, academics, and meaningful volunteering or service that will stand out on an application. He’s not the type to start his own non profit or do front-line advocacy work - he’s more behind the scenes type. Thanks!
Hi @Nycfence -
This is a good question and you are correct, it isn’t easy and I don’t think there is going to be a solution that will work for everyone. Some students do activities during “down” time such as over the summer or during vacations, for example. Our fencer was mostly engaged in school-based activities (i.e., after school but no additional travel time etc.). Perhaps there are things with flexible hours, like doing tutoring, or background research. When I think back on how our fencer managed, one thing is that there was little time spent socializing outside of the organized activities during junior year in particular; this was our fencer’s personal choice, not something we ever imposed. I guess I would just reiterate that whatever activity your fencer chooses should be one s/he is genuinely interested in - then it will be inherently valuable, not just for the “resume.”
Others may have additional tips … and again,
Good Luck!
I can’t speak to fencing in particular. But for athletic recruits in general, applying with coach support, extracurricular activities beyond the sport don’t play as significant a role as they might for a typical non-recruit. I agree with finding things that align with, or expand, a student’s interests. But I wouldn’t worry too much about impressing admissions folks. They mostly consider the activities box checked by the sport. A club at school with minimal time requirements, maybe a bit of volunteering here and there (can be as little as several hours of tutoring a month, plus perhaps a few hours a week over the summer volunteering at a non profit or political campaign) can be sufficient.
Now, if the student will be applying without coach support then I think it’s a different story, and a big challenge for athletes who spend significant time with the sport.
The hard answer to this question is that parents have to be realistic about their fencer’s athletic prospects and balance fencing with extracurricular activities accordingly. I understand that not every student-athlete in love with this sport will rise to the top of the points list, win national championships, and choose from a list of schools at which to matriculate. So, time devoted to training and competition is not always about realistic prospects for success. But this is when parents make command decisions. The primary goal is to get into the best school for one’s child. If prospects for achieving this goal are enhanced by community service hours and the like, then time must be found to incorporate this. Think of it this way. No matter how much time is allocated to fencing, without substantial success, you are unlikely to be recruited anyway. However, if you have the grades/scores/AI, combined with some meaningful extracurricular activities, you are at least competitive for admission, with fencing as an interesting hook.
Hopefully by now everyone who expects a LL/LOI has received it!
As painful as it may sound, has anybody experienced or heard of a fallout from a verbal commitment? And do you mind to share the lesson learned?
Good luck to those going to the Oct NAC!
Are you referencing LL/LOI for current seniors? Not juniors, correct?
Yes, I believe the LL/LOI is only given to the seniors, correct? Just before the EA/ED applications start…
Ivy likely letters can be sent starting Oct.1 of senior year. Specific timing will vary depending on sport and other factors. Whether or not they are sent before the ED deadline really just depends on when they’re submitted and how fast things move in admissions. I’ve known plenty of athletes (not fencing) who receive the LL later in the fall and a few in the winter simply because they decided later. National LOI signing period (not relevant for Ivies) starts Nov. 10 for most sports and continues into the summer.
Any parents or fencers here have experience with college nursing programs? Would classes and clinical work be compatible with fencing practice and travel? Our daughter is a high school sophomore and definitely wants to compete on an NCAA fencing squad and possibly wants to study nursing. This criteria limits her choices to just a handful of schools, but they’re good schools: UNC, Penn, Ohio State, St. John’s, Temple and NYU. Hoping to make some visits and tours this summer when meeting with coaches is permitted.
Have your daughter check out BC too, they have D1 Fencing and a superb nursing program.
Thanks Cleoforshort. We will definitely look at BC
As a sophomore, I would suggest you take a step back and get away from focusing on any specific criteria. It’s great to get a feel for what it means to be a NCAA fencer at a nursing school. It’s more important to get exposure to the other differentiations. What does a nursing program look like at a large state school vs a smaller private school? Next year she may decide she wants to more of a LAC approach to education based on a great class she took Junior year. Look into schools that may be a fit that offer competitive club teams…Be open, in the end it’s about finding the right fit for your daughter. The wonderful thing about fencing is there are numerous opportunities to continue fencing in college. Best of luck on the journey!!!
Hi, parents and fencers.
I am curious about something. Many college coaches also run their own clubs. Can the college team come and practice at the club with club kids (or possibly kids from other local college teams)? I heard something that this may be against NCAA rules. I actually like that opportunity for my child. I could not find anything online regarding this.
I don’t know of any express prohibition against this, but can see lots of potential issues. Your post did make me think a bit though. Without naming names, I can come up with only 2 instances where a fencer trained at the club of his/her college coach who owned that club. It also got me thinking of what the circumstances would be that would make it advantageous for a fencer to do this. At most DV1s at least, the in-house coaches are pretty good, if not outright top-notch. Is there a reason you can share why it would be advantageous to your fencer?
@tigermaman and @BrooklynRye : Particularly when the college squads are small, going to a local club for open fencing can provide good practice opportunities for expanding the number of people with who to do practice bouts (and I know this is done in some places). That is unrelated to who the coach is but is a reason why fencers could benefit from fencing at an outside club. This would be in addition to the team activities not instead (again, just for extra practice).
@tigermaman, we saw it a few times during COVD from our local D1 school. You also get some college fencers that come back over breaks in the off season to fence.