Depends on the school is the correct answer. My DD is at a NESCAC and the process was similar to what the previous poster had said. They said you passed your pre-read and you have a spot with us as long as you are admitted when you apply. It was like the coach was not allowed to give an 100% affirmation.

Depends on sport/coach/school. But yeah probably 2x the pre-reads as actual supported/accepted applicants. AND, if it's position specific (soccer goalie, softball catcher) if the coach gets a better commit then all bets are off.

It's been much more cut throat at elite D3 with the portal. Like a PP said you'll really want to know where on the coach's support list you are, and really understand the coach and track record.

They do more pre-reads than they can support.

My understanding is that coaches submit more athletes for preread than they are going to be able to support. So, if they have 2 slots they can use, and they submit 4 applicants, and 3 "pass" the preread, then one of the 3 won't get an offer.

Our DD received a positive preread at a NESCAC school. DH, who is a lawyer and a stickler for details, then called the coach to ask what exactly that meant. The coach said, “Her application will be supported.” DH pressed the coach on how many applicants would be “supported”. The coach said, “She is our top recruit.” DH then called DD’s school counselor, and recapped the conversation with the coach. The school counselor, who was a former D1 athlete and had also worked in admissions, said “I’ve talked with the admissions rep and everything I heard tracks with what you’ve been told. The key phrase you want to hear is that her application will be supported.” DH asked whether DD should be prepared with a backup plan in case her ED application didn’t result in an acceptance.” The counselor said, “I can’t tell you she will be accepted, but I can say that I wouldn’t spend more than a few minutes discussing a backup plan”. Dd was accepted and is having a great experience. She’s now entering her 3rd year.

It depends on the school and sport but I think that yes the coaches cast a wide net. I only have a rising junior but have talked with others in the same sport and one said a coach at their top choice school mentioned that he might do pre-reads on 70-80 kids a season. The parents were surprised thinking it would be around 20.

and pls pls limit the “just ask the coach” responses - we will but want to understand how it typically works first

is it a done deal at this point? or do nescac coaches typically have to turn away kids with positive pre reads as they too (in DCUM vernacular) “cast a wide net”