Is my kid reading too much into this note?

[Anonymous]

Like many kids, my hs senior daughter is on pins and needles this month. She has already received acceptances into several "safety" schools, but she was deferred at her top choice and is anxiously awaiting results from a number of other applications. While she hasn't received any handwritten "expect good news soon" cards that I read about on DCUM, she did just receive a personalized email from a coach at a top school she would be delighted to attend. The coach said that he hoped to be training with her and have her compete for XX university next fall.

My daughter is a strong athlete, but she didn't go down the recruitment path because we didn't know how AND there have been no formal competitions in this sport over the last year, just scrimmages and practices. She mentioned it as an "activity" including her awards in her common app but nothing more. But she would be thrilled to continue to compete in college. And even more thrilled if this note from a coach meant that she was going to be offered admission to the school, which would be both challenging and a great fit.

How would you interpret a note from a coach? Does everyone get them or is it likely that she'll be accepted when results come out in a few weeks?

[Anonymous]

I'd be careful about getting hopes up. If she isn't being recruited, her name probably isn't on their list.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'd be careful about getting hopes up. If she isn't being recruited, her name probably isn't on their list.

Thanks, that makes sense to me, even if it's not what I wanted to hear. She definitely read it as a sign of good things to come. It was odd, because it was so specific to her sport and the position she plays. I'm truly impressed with the level that schools use targeted marketing tactics to keep their hold on potential students.

[Anonymous]

Your daughter never filled out the recruiting form on the athletics web site yet still heard from the coach? Very interesting.

It would make me a little optimistic about her chances of admission if the admissions officer proactively notified the coach about info in her app.

Strange year though and perhaps coaches have had to change approaches.

[Anonymous]

My D once received a handwritten note from a private HS interviewer. This was after the interview. She didn't get in. It's not official until the official notification.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'd be careful about getting hopes up. If she isn't being recruited, her name probably isn't on their list.

Thanks, that makes sense to me, even if it's not what I wanted to hear. She definitely read it as a sign of good things to come. It was odd, because it was so specific to her sport and the position she plays. I'm truly impressed with the level that schools use targeted marketing tactics to keep their hold on potential students.

The coach probably doesn't have the scholarships to cover every position, so they are trying to "recruit" non-scholarship students to whatever positions they can. I doubt admissions is involved in any way.

[Anonymous]

It does make you wonder why the coach would take the time to write that note if the kid wasn’t being admitted. If the kid isn’t being admitted, what’s the point of saying the coach hopes to see that student in the fall?

Anyway OP your daughter sounds great and likely will do well wherever she attends.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It does make you wonder why the coach would take the time to write that note if the kid wasn’t being admitted. If the kid isn’t being admitted, what’s the point of saying the coach hopes to see that student in the fall?

Anyway OP your daughter sounds great and likely will do well wherever she attends.

OP here. And I just wanted to say thanks. DCUM can be so snarky that I hesitate to post, but I appreciate all the comments, even if there isn't a single "right" answer.

And this particular message made me smile / remember to breathe during this crazy process. DD is great and she will do well where ever she lands, but I still secretly hope she lands someplace like this school.

[Anonymous]

Let's be real. She's probably getting in. Yes, it's important not to bank on it, but no reason to be a depressive nut job about it either.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My D once received a handwritten note from a private HS interviewer. This was after the interview. She didn't get in. It's not official until the official notification.

definitely the same thing

And thanks for letting OP know it is not official. She definitely didn't know that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'd be careful about getting hopes up. If she isn't being recruited, her name probably isn't on their list.

Thanks, that makes sense to me, even if it's not what I wanted to hear. She definitely read it as a sign of good things to come. It was odd, because it was so specific to her sport and the position she plays. I'm truly impressed with the level that schools use targeted marketing tactics to keep their hold on potential students.

I don't think this is about that, exactly. That would make more sense if she had not yet applied. She did apply. That part's done.

This sounds like it's about yield. That they will let her in and they are enticing her to say yes (as opposed to apply). Maybe keep it to yourself, don't say too much to her, but I think she almost definitely has acceptance coming her way unless something really odd happens between now and April. (I mean, even likely letters are not definite).

Anyway, she will do great. Congrats!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My D once received a handwritten note from a private HS interviewer. This was after the interview. She didn't get in. It's not official until the official notification.

If you mean the alumni interviewer, I'm not surprised. We have no knowledge of admissions decisions and our feedback forms play a tiny role (if any) in the process.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My D once received a handwritten note from a private HS interviewer. This was after the interview. She didn't get in. It's not official until the official notification.

If you mean the alumni interviewer, I'm not surprised. We have no knowledge of admissions decisions and our feedback forms play a tiny role (if any) in the process.

No, the official interviewer - from the admissions office. Not lying.

Barnard asked for additional FA info - until the official rejection notice.

Think of all the bs teasers Swarthmore, Chicago send out - until the official rejection notice.

[Anonymous]

look at the bottom of the email. if it has an unsubscribe button it is a mass email sent to most kids. They buy the roster info form clubs

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:look at the bottom of the email. if it has an unsubscribe button it is a mass email sent to most kids. They buy the roster info form clubs

Yes, my junior is getting tons of email from coaches and is definitely not recruit material. They are direct to him, personalized, and from the coach. He hasn't even applied. But OP's message sounds different from what my DC is getting. Fingers crossed for your daughter, OP!