<p>My 16 year-old son is a rising junior with a 3.2 GPA, who plays football at a small, private school in the south. He filled out a number of recruiting forms and included his Hudl highlights of his sophomore football season, but included no SAT scores because he has not yet taken the tests. In June, he attended a NESCAC college skills camp and an Ivy camp in June in order to gain experience in advance of next year when he will be a rising senior. Based on what we read, we thought that he would largely be going through the motions so my son was surprised that he attracted any interest. The least interest was from an IVY coach, who merely stated that the school would be in "contact." The most was from a coach from a non-NESCAC college, who told him that he would have a great chance at admission. The NESCAC coaches stressed the importance of grades and board scores, but seemed genuinely interested with one head coach telling him that he receive " interest from a lot of colleges ,including his." My son has now received a number of emails and one invite to visit a campus. We do not understand why my son is receiving interest from top NESCAC schools, because, although a great kid and a good student, he is not a genius-type. Any insight or advice would be appreciated. </p>
<p>Hi, zenator 
I hope I can help. Basically the answer is in the fact that your son is still only a rising junior without SAT scores. Nescac coaches can send information about clinics held on campus (never called recruiting camps, although it’s pretty much what they are) and say things like “your son will get a lot of interest” because 1. they may catch your son’s eye early (players tend to develop soft spots for schools who say nice things to them; 2. there is absolutely nothing promised to anyone in these gestures; and 3. your son may have a fantastic junior season and may get great SATs this year. And now their program has their foot in the door.</p>
<p>On the subject of coach speak, though, keep in mind an experience of ours. As late as mid-July before senior year, a nescac program coach specifically pulled my son aside and asked him if their school were absolutely his number one choice. Our son said yes. That program then proceeded to never contact our son again. Most bizarre, because as far as we’re concerned, the nescac program he will actually be with this fall as a freshman is almost absolutely the same academically, possibly even better. The mysteries of recruiting.</p>
<p>Anyway, for the moment, just take a friendly hello from the schools who mail and coaches who chat at clinics. It’s all very early, no one’s asking anyone to the dance just yet. However, they know that they might be interested in it come next spring and summer.</p>
<p>Thank you. Your advice and insight seems spot on. As a parent, without experience in the process, both my son and me are still trying to learn the ropes.</p>