<p>I'm a senior. My doctor has cleared me to play much earlier than previously expected, and I have made a full recovery. I had given up on the idea of playing, but a lot of rehab has me able to play again. Anyway, all other things aside, is it simply too late to try to get on a college team? If not what should I do? </p>
<p>I know it's too late for the large state school where I'll likely end up. I got rejected to my top choice schools (some Ivies & great state schools), but I didn't tell them I wanted to play baseball because things didn't look like they were going to work out that way thanks to my injury. Would these schools take a new interest now that I can play (assuming they liked what they saw)? Would other top schools that I didn't apply to give me a look even though it's after the application deadline?</p>
<p>Academics:
ACT: 33
SAT II Math 2: 800
SAT II Physics: 800
GPA (UW): 3.9+</p>
<p>Don’t go to college this fall, play summer and fall travel baseball, get in contact with some colleges’ coaches very soon, and apply/reapply in the fall/winter?</p>
<p>What is your talent level? If you are honestly a college level palyer that would be recruited if healthy, it would be worth holding out for a year. You might try the Headfirst camp this summer or the Stanford camp. If you are a D3 player, MIT actively recruits - as do many other top tier schools and you would not need much of a boost for admissions.</p>
<p>The answer depends entirely on a candid self-assessment of your athletic ability. It needs to be very, very high (national level) for the Ivies and still very high for the NESCACs/MIT/Emory. If you are in fact in one of those athletic categories (get some external validation) then by taking a PG year your admissions experience next year would be wildly different than this year’s. You potentially could be the one choosing as opposed to vice versa. But it all starts with whether your athletic ability rates.</p>
<p>Finally, you seem to be asking whether it can make any difference this year. All of the Ivies already have released their admissions decisions, so the answer is no (unless, perhaps you are on a wait list and it could influence your position on that list).</p>
<p>I agree it would perhaps be worth it to take a gap year, do something socially relevant plus play ball, do well, and apply to the NESCACs again. Your scores and grades should put you"in the ballpark". You will have to apply ED to your favorite.</p>
<p>The other thought I just had is if you had your coach and GC call a less well-known small LAC where you want to go(and play) you might have a chance. Try some place like MacAlaster, St. Olaf, or Carleton. They are fabulous under-rated schools and the Midwest loves their baseball! </p>
<p>Unless you could become a professional baseball player, does it really matter? I don’t know but I think you have to honestly assess your options and talent as Heights suggested. There is still a chance you can find a program but it will be on their terms athletically, and you need to move quickly. I’d leverage your academics to get their attention.</p>
<p>The time has passed to use baseball as leverage or a boost to get accepted into a college. However, you have strong academics and possibly more options could be out there. I know many top D3 programs (Trinity in TX comes to mind) have late admissions for recruited athletes that they’ve seen. I don’t think you’re going to fit into that category because they haven’t seen you…due to injury. At this point, you are looking at a walk-on situation to try to get on a college roster. Most D3’s will have Fall tryouts as most D3’s programs don’t know who is coming onto campus except for those verbally committed or those who have put a deposit down.</p>
<p>It is important to understand there is a vast difference to making a college roster vs college travel team vs college starting lineup. As you are going through your options be realistic with your chances to get on the field or win a starting position. Also, possibly some D3 schools would have some academic monies still available. If I was in your shoes, I’d be contacting programs and academic fits to see what kind of money is still available. Your academic stats are an attention grabber, so don’t be shy.</p>
<p>Good luck and let us know if you have additional questions.</p>
<p>OP, into which schools were you accepted? Were there other acceptances besides the state school you mention? Depending on your talent level, you might still be able to play; try out as a walk-on. Contact coaches now to gauge interest and let them know you exist. But with your academic stats, be sure you choose your school primarily for your degree program, and not mainly so you can play baseball. Both of my sons played on college NCAA teams; both have had teammates who had to quit due to injuries in college…and boy were those kids glad they were at schools they chose for academic reasons.</p>
<p>I’ve decided to give my state school the enrollment deposit and all, because I don’t think a gap year would be the best thing for me. However, is there any reason I can’t go ahead and contact some coaches and see if they’re interested, maybe send some video? Do I still have from now to mid summer to entertain that option? Honestly, I believe I’d be a very competitive D3 player. If all this is worth a shot, what schools would be good options (I’m interested in computer science and business)?</p>
<p>I’m confused by what you’re asking. It seems thta a gap year is out of the question. Completely understandable. So, are you asking whether there is still a chance you could enroll at/play at a top academic D3 this coming Fall if you were to contact the coach now and pique his interest? The clear answer, I’m afraid, is no. With your level of impressive academic accomplishment the types of D3 schools that should be interesting to you (NESCAC, MIT, UChicago, WashU, Emory) have completed their admissions cycle for the year (or at least as of tomorrow will have, when admitted students must indicate whether they will enroll). At this point, if a gap year is out of the question, I would suggest that you redirect your energies toward excelling at your chosen school, and if it is not all you had hoped it to be, you certainly can explore transferring. Best of luck.</p>
<p>At this point, I’d consider club baseball at your large state school. My middle son decided on a large state school (engineering major) rather than pursue a smaller D3 school to play baseball & study engineering. He was strongly considering club baseball (he knew guys on the team) but an opportunity came up to become a team manager and bullpen catcher for this ACC school. He took the job. Club baseball is extremely popular at many schools</p>
<p>In addition, there may be an adult baseball league in your area if you have aged out of American Legion. My oldest son (D1 pitcher) is graduating in a month, and he will be playing in an adult baseball league. There are all kinds of opportunities out there if you want to keep playing.</p>
<p>Moving forward now, playing club at my state school and transferring next year with that as a possible hook seems like a possibility (if I end up wanting to transfer, that is).</p>