Tell us your child's D3 recruiting story

[Anonymous]

I'm curious how kids have been getting recruited for D3, about the timing, amount and method of contract. What attracted initial interest, was there an ID session or camp invitation, school visit, "official" school visit? Did you commit before applying to the school, was there a deadline and when, etc.

I really don't care about the school name, my child is looking at a smaller safety school with a decent team, that would allow them to play their sport. I know many shoot for top schools, and I'm sure the process is different at a top D3 university or SLAC vs a safety school. Thanks.

[Anonymous]

My DC went through this for track, which is a little easier because there is a national database of times/performances. DC got direct inquiries from a couple of schools, and strong interest from a couple of highly ranked SLACs where he filled out the online recruiting form. He did that mostly in the summer before senior year because that's when he had his best times. Did some recruiting visits in the fall but decided he didn't love the schools enough to apply ED, which basically took him out of the running. So he ended up just applying to the schools he wanted to attend, without worrying about sports, and it worked out fine because he had a very strong academic record.

[Anonymous]

Lacrosse. Seen at a showcase. Played for known club and private school so that may have helped establish street cred. After a few seemingly personal emails from the coach, went to prospect day hosted at school. Done.

[Anonymous]

I've had two kids go D3. Word of advice, make sure you know whether the team over recruits.

[Anonymous]

Another with DD doing track and XC; as noted, times are in national database. DD filled out recruitment forms and emailed coaches at schools she was most interested in in late winter of her junior year. Coaches scheduled calls to discuss programs; that went well except for the coach at the most selective of the schools who scheduled a call with with DD three different times and failed to turn up for any. DD actually called her to be sure she had not missed anything and coach admitted she had totally forgotten. Good grief.

Anyway, DD was already most interested in second most selective school. She enjoyed talking with the coach and thought the program sounded like a good fit. We did not get to visit the school as originally planned due to COVID, but the coach guided us through the likely letter process. DD received very positive feedback in late summer and decided to apply ED. She was accepted and is looking forward to running next year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've had two kids go D3. Word of advice, make sure you know whether the team over recruits.

Also for D3, make sure you know how much weight a coach's say actually has. Ask her/him point blank, how many of the recruits whom you supported actually got admitted/rejected in a given year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've had two kids go D3. Word of advice, make sure you know whether the team over recruits.

Yes, this is what I’m thinking when I see 40 players on the D3 baseball roster. They aren’t playing them all, right? Are they all recruited and highly skilled players or are some walk ons with decent skills but not standouts that just like baseball and want to practice with the team?

[Anonymous]

Our daughter plays D3 lacrosse. She played on her HS team (not a terribly good team, but she loved her HS) and for a club, which we chose because the practices were nearby. Starting in the summer before her junior year, she emailed coaches of schools she was interested in to tell them she would be playing at tournaments or showcases they were scheduled to attend (the organizers provided this information). Coaches then contacted her to come visit their schools starting after the fall club season was over.

Over the following winter and spring, she visited probably a dozen or so schools and then settled on one that she really liked. The major factors were (not in this order):
1) she liked the coach;
2) the women on the team were friendly;
3) we know several alums, including a couple of recent grads, who all loved the school;
4) the school has a strong academic reputation generally and especially so in the major she was interested in;
5) the coaches encouraged their team members to study abroad, which has been a goal of our daughter's for years.

The coach then had admissions do an early read of her application, which yielded a positive review. She applied early decision and was accepted (I'll note that we held our breath the entire time). DD is now a very happy sophomore and has found that her academic, social and athletic hopes have been pretty much fulfilled. And, I'm writing this with fingers crossed -- she's going to study abroad in the fall.

Hope this is helpful. Good luck to your daughter!

[Anonymous]

My DS was a swimmer so he had recorded times. He contacted coaches and visited the summer before Senior year. He had a high SAT and GPA. Ended up with acceptances from Bowdoin, Williams, and Swarthmore.

[Anonymous]

Re women's D3 lacrosse -- I'm the poster from above and just wanted to add that DD attended an excellent program on D3 lax recruiting at one of the Baltimore private schools. This was in fall of her sophomore year. There were sessions for parents to hear from coaches about the process. That was super-helpful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DC went through this for track, which is a little easier because there is a national database of times/performances. DC got direct inquiries from a couple of schools, and strong interest from a couple of highly ranked SLACs where he filled out the online recruiting form. He did that mostly in the summer before senior year because that's when he had his best times. Did some recruiting visits in the fall but decided he didn't love the schools enough to apply ED, which basically took him out of the running. So he ended up just applying to the schools he wanted to attend, without worrying about sports, and it worked out fine because he had a very strong academic record.

I forgot to mention the admissions pre-read. DC got a pre-read at 3 schools before the visits.

[Anonymous]

Advice from a family that learned by making most of the mistakes:

1. good grades are a huge boost; mediocre students have to be twice as good, and even then many doors close,
2. advocate for yourself; email regularly those coaches (amd asst. coaches) who seem interested; send film, stay in view,
3. Involve the club coach; they have enormous influence on college coaches; coach-to-coach emails are gold,
4. Do the camps but learn to distinguish between genuine interest and those mining you for camp checks,
5. After each camp ask the coach “where do you have me on your recruit list?” Most will be direct if asked, otherwise they won’t. You want to hear “you are in our top group”; anything less means you’re on the outside looking in unless something changes. Not sure if there’s much new here but sending in case our struggle might benefit you. Best of luck.

[Anonymous]

My DD was also a D3 lacrosse recruit. She attends a private school with a strong lacrosse program and played for a club that had a good reputation for producing top players. She went to a few camps like Elite 180 and Lacrosse Masters where she met some top D3 coaches. She also reached out to coaches for schools she liked before key tournaments like Presidents Cup. Junior year she narrowed the list and went to about 5 camps to meet the teams and see coaches again. She kept in touch with all of her top choice coaches pretty regularly last year and sent little notes through Sports Recruits to say hi or to show new film etc.

Once summer after junior year hit she had four coaches who wanted to give her a pre read so she sent her information to all of them. She got good news and then decided which one she preferred and committed. Her academics were very strong and well within the range of the chosen school but you still never know until you get the acceptance letter.

She's excited to attend her top choice next fall and there are only 6 recruits, which is good because the class of 2020 was a bit larger. She has already met her new teammates and they're all very sweet.

[Anonymous]

My DC was a D3 Soccer recruit, and played on a team that competed nationally. She attended Exact 50 ID Camp to get onto the radar of schools she was interested in. The contacts then invited her to school-run ID Camps. Apparently, attendees at school-run camps are sometimes separated into different groups (the committed, those seriously evaluated, those unknown). You'd want to be in the right group.

There is much good information posted already. I'll just post viewpoints not already expressed.

1. Colleges recruit individual student-athletes, not teams. It doesn't matter how highly regarded your DC's team or coach is. Your DC has to stand on his own merits and need to shine in the minutes played. A starter on a lesser team may fare better than 2nd tier player on a championship team.

2. Colleges recruit for athletic ability. At top schools, high GPA and test scores only get you into the running (ie get a pre read). If the coach is not impressed, it doesn't matter if your DC has perfect GPA & stats. The coach has to believe that your DC brings something to the table. Use your energy wisely, and move on if the vibe isn't right.

3. There may be different levels of support, as the coach may have limited slots or tips with admission. The feedback may be that your DC is the top candidate for his position, though filling that position may not be the coach's top priority. Your DC has to ask bluntly and listen very carefully.

[Anonymous]

OP, this is a helpful thread. Does anyone have DIII Women’s Soccer recruiting stories to share?