Tell us your child's D3 recruiting story

[Anonymous]

When kids talk about “committing” to a school prior to graduating HS, what exactly does this mean? Do they have a guarantee that they will get admission or is this the letter with likelihoods or verbal statements from a coach?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When kids talk about “committing” to a school prior to graduating HS, what exactly does this mean? Do they have a guarantee that they will get admission or is this the letter with likelihoods or verbal statements from a coach?

It usually means verbal offer by coach and acceptance by athlete. Caveat emptor that nothing is guaranteed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When kids talk about “committing” to a school prior to graduating HS, what exactly does this mean? Do they have a guarantee that they will get admission or is this the letter with likelihoods or verbal statements from a coach?

It usually means verbal offer by coach and acceptance by athlete. Caveat emptor that nothing is guaranteed.

Correct for D3. There's a letter for D1.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Two key points

ED is the time when a coach has the most influence. Definitely av key decision point.

Listen carefully to what the coach says. If he or she says the v coach "wil support " the application, then you're good. They will use their pull to get your kid in. If it's early decision and your kid is roughly in range for admissions, you're all good. But if the coach doesn't say he or she will support the application, then your on your own with admissions. The coach may be good for advice and your kid may very well end up on the team, but the coach isn't using any chits to get your kid admitted.

Yes -- magic words. And, yes, ED is critical for recruiting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Two key points

ED is the time when a coach has the most influence. Definitely av key decision point.

Listen carefully to what the coach says. If he or she says the v coach "wil support " the application, then you're good. They will use their pull to get your kid in. If it's early decision and your kid is roughly in range for admissions, you're all good. But if the coach doesn't say he or she will support the application, then your on your own with admissions. The coach may be good for advice and your kid may very well end up on the team, but the coach isn't using any chits to get your kid admitted.

This is the best advice. I have had two D3 basketball players.

The coach gets only so many "asks" with admissions. Have direct conversations with the coach about whether your kid is getting the coach's support with admissions. Don't assume and don't let your kid handle this part of things.

[Anonymous]

^ I agree generally with the above, but do not agree that a coach offering support means the kid will definitely get in. At some schools, there are different levels of support. Your kid needs to ask the coach - how many kids with my stats who you have supported have been accepted? How many rejected? My DC was debating between two NESCAC schools. One coach answered that question by saying in 15+ plus years, he had never had a kid who he supported with stats similar to DC who was rejected. The other coach was much less committal, so DC went with the school who offered certainty.