I am a track athlete and I recently just got the results of my pre read back from Williams. The coach told me that they would support my application through the admissions process and I couldn’t be any happier. I called her just to make sure and it seems like most if not all who get this support are accepted. Williams has been my top choice and I am already preparing my ED application, but I just want to know if I should have any backups. I’m ecstatic right now that I’m getting this opportunity and it’s surreal but could any former William recruits confirm that the support is as strong as I think it is?
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Congratulations! The coach’s words sound very encouraging. I do not have any insight or experience with the recruiting process, so perhaps others can provide that. But the answer to your question (“should I have any backups”) always should be, “Yes.”
It is always better to play it safe, even when you may not need to do so. Send out an early action or rolling admissions application to a good safer choice around the same time you are sending Williams your ED application, and plan a small list of reaches, targets, and likelies to be ready to apply in December/January for regular decision, just in case. Then you will be ready for ANY possibility… including a happy celebration of your Williams acceptance in early December!
Good luck, and congratulations on having the combined academic and athletic achievements for such a positive pre-read!
You could ask this question in the Athletic Recruiting forum, there are a lot of knowledgeable posters there. My son is a rising junior so we are at the beginning of the recruiting process, but I believe you could, and should, ask the coach how many recruits with her support and a positive preread have not been admitted. In a different sport, and different college, the coach told us historically every one of his supported candidates got admitted. It would be great information for you if you knew this.
Good luck, you are in a very positive spot!
Congrats! Agree that you are more likely to get accurate advice on the recruiting forum, even Williams track specific advice. Athletic recruiting is just a different process, and probably the ONLY area that @TheGreyKing isn’t the definitive Williams resource.
My guess is that you are fine. However, always have a back up plan (that’s general life advice too). Be honest with other coaches, because even ones who you think wouldn’t know each other or who wouldn’t like each other talk more than you think. It’s a very small and tight community, everyone is a friend of a friend Tell them that you are currently planning on ED to Williams, but if anything changes you will let them know. And if the Williams acceptance doesn’t come be ready to pick yourself up and make some quick phone calls hoping to find an open spot.
This is also one area where I think it is ok for a parent to get involved. Have a parent call and ask how solid this is. I probably asked 4 different ways when my son got his first Ivy offer if this was really an offer and if he would really be admitted. The coach was laughing by the end of the conversation. The coach and I had the same repetitive conversation when he got his preread back.
What if you suffer a serious injury which restricts your efforts in track prior to being accepted to Williams College ?
What if you are not accepted to Williams College even though supported by the track coach ?
What if for some unforeseen reason, you no longer wish to attend Williams College ?
In answer to your question: Of course you should have back up schools.
Hi, I was recruited last year! My coach also told me that I would be supported throughout the admissions process and I applied ED. I was admitted no problem. My understanding is that each coach has a certain amount of “slots” in admissions and if they said they would support you, then your application is marked somehow.
I was also really nervous about the whole process and that it wouldn’t work out in the end. I only told people that I was applying ED if they asked! If you keep up your grades, put together a solid application, and don’t get into any major trouble, you should be fine. Good luck!!
Thanks so much! Its honestly nerve wracking to keep waiting but I trust the coach’s words that she will support my application. I’ll definitely keep my grades up and hopefully I’ll be accepted.
The answer is definitely yes. It is rare at these schools but things do happen. When you apply ED, email the second and third choice coaches. Let them know how tough of a decision it was but you chose Williams. Ask them if things do not work out with ED could you reach back out to them during the Ed2 session.
Be polite and very nice as you just never know
Best of luck
My daughter got support for soccer and was accepted no problem as well. Think it is pretty much a 100%. But I do know of one girl that her grades dropped 2nd semester and she almost lost her spot. So don’t think that once you get in you can screw off your last semester. They will check…
were you at the recruiting weekend
Actually I misunderstood, I am not offered support yet. The coach just said my academics are within the range for support. I’m doing an OV next week though. Was there an official recruiting weekend?
Could you PM me if you were at the recruiting weekend I have some questions