<p>what if you are applying ED to a school without NLI or LL, but merely coach support? There's a good possibility that the student/athlete still doesn't get in. What do you tell coaches from other schools that were interested in you and might legitimately be the second choice. Is there anyway to keep those doors open for RD? Assuming that you still need to get your other applications ready for RD, do you try and make contact with all the schools you are applying to RD - do you wait till ED results come out or do it right away?</p>
<p>I would absolutely leave as many doors open as possible while waiting for an ED decision. This is even more important if the school is a reach or high-match academically. Do you know where you are on the coach’s list? Do you know how much pull the this coach has with admissions? The have been more than a few disappointed athletes when ED acceptances came out, scrambling to find a spot. </p>
<p>As far as what to tell coaches, always answer a direct question with an honest answer. Obviously you cannot say any other school is your top choice, you applied ED somewhere else. But you can say that school X is one of your top choices, etc. The big problem is that while you are waiting for your ED decision, coaches are signing other recruits, leaving very few spots available for those who are unsuccessful in the ED gamble. Best of luck to you, I hope everything works out well for you!</p>
<p>thanks for the response fishymom. the problem is if schools number two and three ask her to apply ED, how does she say no, but still keep the door open?</p>
<p>If d does not get into her ED choice, she will be applying RD to 7-8 other schools. I am assuming that she will not be the only athletic recruit out there in this position, or maybe in the position of applying RD in order to compare financial packages. I hope coaches can offer support to those athletes who aren’t able to do ED for some reason.</p>
<p>OP
Your student- having already applied ED must be honest if another coach asks for an ED app.
Given it is Oct…</p>
<p>and your student has to wait it out until Dec 15 +/-</p>
<p>It is a gamble.
I would say it will be worth the effort to have those other apps ready to go (essays etc) in the event something goes wrong so that your student isn’t trying to finish and app and also healing from the sting if ED doesn’t go as hoped.</p>
<p>It might seem to some to be work that’s unnecessary–however I should think its better to be able to press Submit for RD rounds as painlessly as possible.</p>
<p>Really if apps are worked smartly–it isn’t too much to complete them.</p>
<p>My D simply told the coaches at #2 and #3 that their programs were in her top 3 choices. Coaches realize that recruits have difficult decisions to make and they were respectful. Often they would give her a date by which they needed to know one way or another. This was primarily a way to preserve her scholarship offers. One coach even let go of his deadline of notification and told her that he would extend her offer. There is a lot of scurrying around even after the NLIs are sent out.</p>
<p>@Carla2012, she will have to tell the coach at 2 and 3 that she has applied ED to 1, but that 2/3 are her 2nd choice. It is a gamble to apply ED without some sort of guarantee, ie. Likely or NLI. Coaches expect the athletes they support to apply ED because that is where their influence is strongest, most fill their rosters during the ED round. There are various levels of support, with a Likely Letter being the highest level and pretty much a sure thing. It is vitally important that you understand what level of support your daughter is receiving and what the value is of that support, as some coaches overstate or the student misunderstands their influence on admissions. Applying ED without a NLI or Likely Letter is a gimme for the coach if the student gets in, an oh well if they don’t. In my opinion, the student-athlete faces a much greater risk. As fogfog says, have a solid plan B at the ready and hope for the best. Best of luck to your daughter!</p>
<p>We are having trouble with how to play this. One coach of a school that would be more like number 6 on her list asked her to come in for an OV. SHe tried to decline but still express interest in the school and told him that she planned to apply RD, etc. He wont communicate with her any more. We are letting that one go till December 15th. If ED does not go well, we will try and re-establish contact then. Not really sure how to tell the others that they are a second choice without ruining that relationship.</p>
<p>First choice school is definitely stringing her along, so back up plan is crucial. But she loves it.</p>
<p>There’s no easy answer to that one. I’m assuming this is a very selective D3 and the tip/slot is being offered conditional upon applying ED. </p>
<p>All you can do is be honest. I think your D’s best chance of maintaining a relationship is to make a call and tell the other coaches that she’s applying ED elsewhere. Coaches talk to each other and they may already know - but I think it will reflect positively on her character in the unlikely event the tip doesn’t materialize at choice 1.</p>
<p>A tough phone call to make, to be sure. Stressful times - but it’ll work out</p>
<p>One coach of a school that would be more like number 6 on her list asked her to come in for an OV. SHe tried to decline but still express interest in the school and told him that she planned to apply RD, etc. He wont communicate with her any more. We are letting that one go till December 15th.</p>
<p>I can’t figure out how to get what you wrote in the little quote box, but I can copy and paste. </p>
<p>At any rate, if the coach is giving her the silent treatment now when he should be trying to sell her on why that school and program are the one for her, imagine how juvenile the coach will be if your child ever makes a bad play while competing for this coach. Run away!</p>